Management of uplink scheduling modes in a wireless communication system
First Claim
1. A method of operation in a wireless communication device capable of operating in a first mode in which the wireless communication device schedules uplink transmissions and a second mode in which a base station schedules uplink transmissions, wherein when the wireless communication device is operating in the first mode the method comprising the steps:
- determining whether operation in accordance with the second mode is required;
in response to a determination that operation in accordance with the second mode is required, sending a request for scheduling of uplink transmissions to the or at least one serving base station;
entering the second mode if a scheduling message is received from the base station.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides an advantageous method for transitioning reliably between scheduling modes on an uplink in a wireless communication system. Transitions between scheduling modes are effected as far as possible using signaling between a wireless communication device and a base station, providing low delay transitions in the majority of cases. Advantageously, signaling direct between the wireless communication device and a network control element may be employed. In addition, the method may operate effectively even when the wireless communication device is in communication with a number of base stations in a soft handoff situation because the network control element may act to ensure that all base stations correspond to the current scheduling mode employed by the wireless communication device.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A method of operation in a wireless communication device capable of operating in a first mode in which the wireless communication device schedules uplink transmissions and a second mode in which a base station schedules uplink transmissions, wherein when the wireless communication device is operating in the first mode the method comprising the steps:
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determining whether operation in accordance with the second mode is required;
in response to a determination that operation in accordance with the second mode is required, sending a request for scheduling of uplink transmissions to the or at least one serving base station;
entering the second mode if a scheduling message is received from the base station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of operation in a wireless communication device capable of operating in a first mode in which the wireless communication device schedules uplink transmissions and a second mode in which a base station schedules uplink transmissions, wherein when the wireless communication device is operating in the first mode the method comprising the steps:
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determining whether operation in accordance with the second mode is required;
in response to a determination that operation in accordance with the second mode is required, sending a message to the or at least one serving base station requesting scheduling of uplink transmissions;
sending a message requesting second mode operation to a network controller if a scheduling message is not received from the base station. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of operation in a wireless communication device capable of operating in a first mode in which the wireless communication device schedules uplink transmissions and a second mode in which a base station schedules uplink transmissions, wherein when the wireless communication device is operating in the second mode the method comprising the steps:
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determining whether operation in accordance with the first mode is required;
in response to a determination that operation in accordance with the first mode is required, sending a first mode notification message to the or at least one serving base station;
transitioning to the first mode. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of operation of a base station serving a wireless communication device, the base station being capable of operating in a first mode in which the wireless communication device schedules uplink transmissions and a second mode in which the base station schedules uplink transmissions, wherein when the base station is in the first mode the method comprises the steps:
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receiving a request for second mode operation from the wireless communication device;
scheduling an uplink transmission responsive to the request for second mode operation transitioning to the second mode if a valid uplink transmission is received from the wireless communication device at the scheduled time. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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30. A method of operation of a base station serving a wireless communication device, the base station being capable of operating in a first mode in which the wireless communication device schedules uplink transmissions and a second mode in which the base station schedules uplink transmissions, wherein when the base station is in the second mode the method comprises the steps:
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determining whether a first mode notification message is received from the wireless communication device;
transitioning to the first mode of operation on receipt of a first mode notification message from the wireless communication device. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method of operation of a base station serving a wireless communication device, the base station being capable of operating in a first mode in which the wireless communication device schedules uplink transmissions and a second mode in which the base station schedules uplink transmissions, wherein when the base station is in the second mode the method comprises the steps:
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determining whether a message is received from a radio network controller instructing the base station to transition to the first mode of operation; and
transitioning to the first mode if such an instruction is received.
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36. Method of operation of a radio network controller in a wireless communication system, the wireless communication system having at least one base station that, in use, provides communication services to at least one wireless communication device, the at least one base station and the at least one wireless communication device being operable in a first mode in which the wireless communication device schedules uplink transmissions and a second mode in which the base station schedules uplink transmissions, comprising the steps:
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determining receipt of a message from a wireless communication device in the first mode requesting transition to the second mode; and
instructing all base stations associated with the wireless communication device to transition to the second mode in response to the receipt of said message. - View Dependent Claims (37)
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38. Method of operation of a radio network controller in a wireless communication system, the wireless communication system having at least one base station that, in use, provides communication services to at least one wireless communication device, the at least one base station and the at least one wireless communication device being operable in a first mode in which the wireless communication device schedules uplink transmissions and a second mode in which the base station schedules uplink transmissions, comprising the steps:
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determining receipt of a message from a base station associated with a wireless communication device indicating that the wireless communication device has entered the first or the second mode; and
instructing any other base stations associated with the wireless communication device that the wireless communication device has entered the first or second mode. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40)
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Specification