Wireless communication system

• US 20020173303A1
• Filed: 05/16/2001
• Published: 11/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: DOCOMO Communications Laboratories USA, Inc.
• Original Assignee: DOCOMO Communications Laboratories USA, Inc.
• Inventors: Shibutani, Akira
• Application Number:
  US09/858,706
• Publication Number:
  US 20020173303A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/426.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0274 by switching on or off the equipment or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/006 with additional information processing, e.g. for direction or speed determination
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

The present invention provides a wireless communication system that comprises a plurality of communication networks operating with different communication parameters and protocols and at least one communication terminal having multiple communication modules each adapted to operate with specific communication parameters and protocol for access to at least one corresponding communication network operating with the same communication parameters and protocol. A module in the communication terminal is activated to prepare for communication with the corresponding network when it is expected likely that the communication terminal is heading to access the corresponding network. The activated module is deactivated when the same is expected unlikely. The communication terminal is usually battery-powered. Since modules are deactivated when not necessary, the battery life can be prolonged.

Claims

1. A wireless communication system comprising:

(a) a plurality of communication networks operating with different communication parameters and protocols; and

(b) at least one communication terminal having multiple communication modules each adapted to operate with specific communication parameters and protocol for access to at least one corresponding communication network operating with the same communication parameters and protocol, wherein a module is activated to prepare for communication with the corresponding network when it is expected likely that the communication terminal is heading to access the corresponding network, whereas the activated module is deactivated when the same is expected unlikely.

2. A wireless communication system as defined in claim 1, wherein it is judged likely, when the communication terminal has entered a first predefined zone, that the communication terminal is heading to access the corresponding network, and the same is judged unlikely when the communication terminal has left a second predefined zone, wherein the first zone is defined such that it is reasonably inferred from the fact that the communication terminal has entered the first zone that the communication terminal is heading to access the corresponding network, and the second zone is defined such that it is reasonably inferred from the fact that the communication terminal is not heading to access the corresponding network.

3. A wireless communication system as defined in claim 2, wherein

each network forms at least one communication area comprised of a plurality of cells,

the first zone is defined by a chain of cells encompassing the communication area formed by the corresponding network, and

the second zone is defined by the same chain of cells or a chain of cells encompassing the first zone.

4. A wireless communication system as defined claim 3, wherein at least one of the first and second zones is defined by cells in networks that overlap with the communication area formed by the corresponding network.

5. A wireless communication system as defined in claim 4, wherein each cell is comprised of a plurality of sectors, and at least one of the first and second zones is defined by sectors in the cells that adjoin the communication area formed by the corresponding network.

6. A wireless communication system as defined in claim 3, wherein at least one of the first and second zones is defined by first cells adjacent to second cells in networks, the second cells overlapping with the communication area formed by the corresponding network.

7. A wireless communication system as defined in claim 6, wherein each cell is comprised of a plurality of sectors, and at least one of the first and second zones is defined by sectors in the first cells that adjoin the second cells.

8. A wireless communication system as defined in claim 2, wherein each network forms at least one communication area each comprised of a plurality of cells, and at least one of the first and second zones is defined by a group of cells being controlled collectively.

9. A wireless communication system as defined in claim 2, wherein at least one of the first and second zones is defined by a communication area of a network that lies on a route necessarily leading to the communication area formed by the corresponding network.

10. A wireless communication system as defined in claim 2, wherein at least one of the first and second zones is defined by a closed loop encompassing the communication area formed by the corresponding network.

11. A wireless communication system as defined in claim 2, it is determined whether the communication terminal is entering the first zone and/or leaving the second zone, based on information on the location of at least the first zone and information on the location of the communication terminal.

12. A wireless communication system as defined in claim 11, wherein the location information on at least the first zone is updated when the communication area formed by the corresponding network is changed and/or a new corresponding network is established.

13. A wireless communication system as defined in claim 11, wherein a network other than the corresponding network initiates at least activation of the module and has the information on the location of at least the first zone.

14. A wireless communication system as defined in claim 13, wherein at the time of a hand-off to the network by the communication terminal, the network obtains information that the communication terminal is equipped with the module.

15. A wireless communication system as defined in claim 11, wherein the communication terminal initiates at least activation of the module and has the location information on at least the first zone.

16. A wireless communication system as defined in claim 15, wherein the information is updated when the communication terminal for the first time enters the first zone for a newly build network or when an existing network is removed.

17. A wireless communication system as defined in claim 15, wherein the communication terminal obtains information on its location at the time of a hand-off thereby.

18. A wireless communication system as defined in claim 15, wherein the communication terminal has a GPS receiver to determine its location.

19. A wireless communication system as defined in claim 11, wherein the corresponding network initiates at least activation of the module and has the location information on at least the first zone.

20. A wireless communication system as defined in claim 19, wherein the corresponding network obtains information on the location of the communication terminal from the communication terminal.

21. A wireless communication system as defined in claim 20, wherein the corresponding network obtains information on the location of the communication terminal from a primary network of the communication terminal.

22. A wireless communication system as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of the modules in the communication terminal is a communication module defined by software.

23. A wireless communication system as defined in claim 22, wherein the software is downloaded on the module when the module is activated.

24. A wireless communication system as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of the modules in the communication terminal is a communication module defined by communication parameters.

25. A wireless communication system as defined in claim 24, wherein the communication parameters are downloaded on the module when the module is activated.

26. A wireless communication system as defined in claim 1, wherein if the communication terminal, after the module is activated, enters the communication area formed by the corresponding network, other modules that have been active are deactivated, and the deactivated modules are activated when the communication terminal has left the same communication area.

27. A wireless communication system as defined in claim 26, wherein while the other modules are deactivated, if a call is made to the communication terminal that requires one of the deactivated modules to be used to respond to, the requires module is activated to receive the call.