Systems and methods for using femtocell functionality in user devices

• US 10,616,772 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2017
• Issued: 04/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.), AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Soelberg, Emily Lyons, Shaw, Venson, Hirvela, George
• Primary Examiner(s): Rego, Dominic E
• Application Number:
  US15/459,130
• Publication Number:
  US 20180270670A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,119 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/26 Cell enhancers or enhancement, e.g. for tunnels, building shadow
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/32 Hierarchical cell structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0289 Congestion control load shedding arrangements in network planning H04W16/08; performing reselection for handling the traffic H04W36/22; wireless traffic scheduling H04W72/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/20 between access points

Abstract

A first user equipment is provided with femtocell functionality. The femtocell is instantiated based upon a user defined trigger. A second user equipment inside the area of coverage of a stationary transmitting component receives a message from the first user equipment that is outside the area of coverage of a stationary transmitting component. The second user equipment transmits the message to the stationary transmitting component.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

scanning for a first hybrid mobile device frequency with a first mobile device disposed outside a coverage area of a stationary base station;

connecting the first mobile device to a first hybrid mobile device that is outside the coverage area wherein the first hybrid mobile device comprises a user equipment module and a first femtocell including a communication platform that enable processing and manipulation of signals received and transmitted by the first femtocell component in accordance with various radio technology protocols;

instantiating, based upon a user defined trigger, the first femtocell of the first hybrid mobile device;

scanning, using the first hybrid mobile device, for a second hybrid mobile device frequency;

detecting a second hybrid mobile device having a second femtocell wherein the second hybrid mobile device is in the coverage area of the stationary base station;

sending a message from the first mobile device to the first hybrid mobile device;

sending the message from the first hybrid mobile device to the second hybrid mobile device;

sending the message from the second hybrid mobile device to the stationary base station; and

sending the message from the stationary base station to a mobile device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the user defined trigger comprises an occurrence of a high priority event.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the user defined trigger comprises local traffic congestion at the stationary base station.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the user defined trigger comprises a vehicle to vehicle communication.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein instantiating the first femtocell component comprises instantiating the first femtocell component through a command generated by a third user equipment.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein instantiating the first femtocell comprises instantiating the first femtocell through a command generated by a network.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first mobile device is a non-hybrid mobile device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the non-hybrid mobile device is an Internet-of-Things device.

9. A system comprising:

a stationary base station;

a first mobile device disposed outside an area of coverage of the stationary base station;

a second mobile device disposed inside the area of coverage of the stationary base station;

a first hybrid mobile device disposed outside the area of coverage of the stationary base station, wherein the first hybrid mobile device comprises;

a first user equipment module;

a first femtocell; and

a first processor;

a second hybrid mobile device disposed inside the area of coverage of the stationary base station, wherein the second hybrid mobile device comprises;

a second user equipment module;

a second femtocell; and

a second processor;

wherein the first processor is configured to;

instantiate the first femtocell based upon a user defined trigger;

direct a transmission of a message from the first mobile device to the second hybrid mobile device;

wherein the second processor is configured to;

transmit the message from the second hybrid mobile device to the stationary base station; and

wherein the stationary base station transmits the message to the second mobile device.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the user defined trigger comprises an occurrence of a high priority event.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the user defined trigger comprises local traffic congestion at the stationary base station.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein the user defined trigger comprises a vehicle to vehicle communication.

13. The system of claim 9 wherein the first femtocell is instantiated through a command generated by the first mobile device.

14. The system of claim 9 wherein the first femtocell is instantiated through a command generated by a network.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the first mobile device is a non-hybrid user device that is outside the area of coverage of the stationary base station.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the non-hybrid user device is an Internet-of-Things device.

17. A non-transitory computer readable media comprising program code that when executed by a programmable processor causes the programmable processor to execute a method, the non-transitory computer readable media comprising:

scanning for a first hybrid mobile device frequency with a first mobile device disposed outside a coverage area of a stationary base station;

connecting the first mobile device to a first hybrid mobile device that is outside the coverage area wherein the first hybrid mobile device comprises a user equipment module and a first femtocell component including a communication platform that enable processing and manipulation of signals received and transmitted by the first femtocell component in accordance with various radio technology protocols;

instantiating, based upon a user defined trigger, the first hybrid mobile device;

sending a message from the first user equipment to the first hybrid mobile device;

sending the message from the first hybrid mobile device to a second hybrid mobile device;

sending the message from the second hybrid mobile device to the stationary base station; and

sending the message from the stationary base station to a second mobile device.

18. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 17 wherein the user defined trigger comprises occurrence of a high priority event.

19. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 17 wherein the user defined trigger comprises local traffic congestion at the stationary base station.

20. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 17 wherein the user defined trigger comprises a vehicle to vehicle communication.