Method for exchanging higher layer system information on a wireless system and automatic system selection of a wireless LANs

• US 20040148352A1
• Filed: 07/02/2003
• Published: 07/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Chitrapu, Prabhakar R., Menon, Narayan Parappil
• Application Number:
  US10/612,156
• Publication Number:
  US 20040148352A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/10 using broadcasted information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/14 using user query or user detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/00 Wireless network protocols or protocol adaptations to wireless operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

In a communicator network, system information is broadcast to WTRUs utilizing a higher system information such as an internet protocol (IP) layer which provides for bidirectional transmission, interrogation of the network by the WTRUs and negotiation of service level capabilities. Service level intelligence may be applied for wireless network selection and handover operations are facilitated using higher level system information. Automatic network selection is obtained using preprogrammed WTRUs or using a universal subscriber identity module.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting system information over a communication system including a primary station and at least one wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the method comprising:

establishing a bidirectional internet protocol (IP) link between said primary station and said WTRU;

transmitting a request for system information from said WTRU to said primary station over said IP link;

retrieving said system information in response to said request; and

transmitting said retrieved information from said primary system to said WTRU over said IP link.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said request comprises a specific configuration, and said retrieved information is transmitted in said configuration.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said configuration includes billing information.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said configuration includes security information.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein said configuration includes service ability.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein said configuration includes the congestion status of the system.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein said configuration includes data rates supported by the system.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein said request includes information regarding a second primary station;

and said WTRU switches to said second primary station in response thereto.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said primary station is a UMTS system and said second primary station is a WLAN.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the WTRU measures the strength of signals transmitted from the primary station and from the second primary station, and switches to said second station when the strength of the signal from the second station exceeds a predetermined signal strength level.

11. The method of claim 2, wherein said primary station is a WLAN and said second primary station is a UMTS system.

12. A method for transmitting system information over a communication system including a primary station and at least one wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the method comprising:

establishing a bidirectional internet protocol (IP) link between said primary station and said WTRU; and

automatically retrieving and transmitting information from said primary station to said secondary station over said IP link.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said information relates to other communication systems.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising establishing a radio-network layer (RNC) link and a transport network layer (TNL) link between said primary station and said WTRU.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein at least a portion of said retrieved information is sent over said RNL and TNL links.

16. A method for enabling cell selection of preferred service areas (PSAs) by a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) in a wireless local area network (WLAN);

comprising;

communicating with a first network;

receiving higher-level system information from the network;

detecting the WTRU'"'"'s location;

selecting a PSA based upon which PSAs the WTRU is permitted to access or receive availability; and

attaching to the PSA and releasing WLAN.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the PSA locations are stored within the WTRU.