Position-based capacity reservation in a mobile wireless system
First Claim
1. A method of identifying, by a mobile unit traversing a path through a network comprising a plurality of base stations, one or more base stations for handoff, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) determining, by the mobile unit, its position;
(b) communicating position-related information to a network management system; and
(c) receiving identification of each base station for handoff from the network management system, wherein the network management system selects each base station for handoff based on the position, a capacity of the base station, and a service requirement of the mobile unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless communication network includes position-based capacity reservation of base stations. Using, for example, the Global Positioning System (GPS), a mobile unit may periodically determine its position and communicate its position to base stations as the mobile unit moves through the network. In addition, the capacity needs of the mobile unit'"'"'s connection may be communicated expressly by the unit or deduced from the connection itself. A network management system receives the position and capacity information of the mobile unit, and then estimates a route of the mobile unit through the network. Such route may be determined either 1) explicitly, given information transmitted by the mobile unit or 2) implicitly, by tracking the direction of movement of the mobile unit through the network. Consequently, the network management system may determine the availability of capacity of base stations along the estimated route through the network. Given this information, the network management system may take one or more of the following actions. First, capacity of each base station along the route may be reserved in anticipation of the mobile unit'"'"'s arrival into the base station'"'"'s coverage area. Second, base stations may be selected for handoff along the route and the identity of these base stations communicated to the mobile unit. Third, an alternative route may be communicated to the mobile unit, and that alternative route may include base stations having relatively greater available capacity. Fourth, directions may be provided to the mobile unit to bring the mobile unit closer, in position, to a base station.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of identifying, by a mobile unit traversing a path through a network comprising a plurality of base stations, one or more base stations for handoff, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) determining, by the mobile unit, its position;
(b) communicating position-related information to a network management system; and
(c) receiving identification of each base station for handoff from the network management system, wherein the network management system selects each base station for handoff based on the position, a capacity of the base station, and a service requirement of the mobile unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of identifying, for a mobile unit traversing a path through a network comprising a plurality of base stations, one or more base stations for handoff, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving, by a network management system, position-related information from a mobile user;
(b) identifying, by the network management system, a capacity for a connection of the mobile unit;
(c) selecting one or more base stations for handoff of the connection along the path, wherein the network management system selects each base station for handoff based on the position, a capacity of the base station, and a service requirement of the mobile unit; and
(d) transmitting the identification of each selected base station to the mobile unit. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A mobile unit having an apparatus for identifying, by the mobile unit traversing a path through a network comprising a plurality of base stations, one or more base stations for handoff, the apparatus comprising:
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a navigational module determining, by the mobile unit, its position;
a transmitter communicating position-related information to a network management system; and
a receiver obtaining identification of each base station for handoff from the network management system, wherein the network management system selects each base station for handoff based on the position, a capacity of the base station, and a service requirement of the mobile unit.
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22. Network management system for identifying, for a mobile unit traversing a path through a network comprising a plurality of base stations, one or more base stations for handoff, the apparatus comprising:
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a receiver configured to obtain position-related information from a mobile user;
a processor configured to;
(1) identify a capacity for a connection of the mobile unit;
(2) select one or more base stations for handoff of the connection along the path, wherein the network management system selects each base station for handoff based on the position, a capacity of the base station, and a service requirement of the mobile unit; and
a transmitter configured to provide the identification of each selected base station to the mobile unit.
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23. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions including instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to implement a method of identifying, by a mobile unit traversing a path through a network comprising a plurality of base stations, one or more base stations for handoff, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) determining, by the mobile unit, its position;
(b) communicating position-related information to a network management system; and
(c) receiving identification of each base station for handoff from the network management system, wherein the network management system selects each base station for handoff based on the position, a capacity of the base station, and a service requirement of the mobile unit.
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24. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions including instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to implement a method of identifying, for a mobile unit traversing a path through a network comprising a plurality of base stations, one or more base stations for handoff, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving, by a network management system, position-related information from a mobile user;
(b) identifying, by the network management system, a capacity for a connection of the mobile unit;
(c) selecting one or more base stations for handoff of the connection along the path, wherein the network management system selects each base station for handoff based on the position, a capacity of the base station, and a service requirement of the mobile unit; and
(d) transmitting the identification of each selected base station to the mobile unit.
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Specification