Method of and apparatus for communicating

• US 20060252369A1
• Filed: 06/27/2003
• Published: 11/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Rasanen, Asko
• Granted Patent: US 7,502,624 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/39
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18558 Arrangements for managing communications, i.e. for setting up, maintaining or releasing a call between stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/23 Manipulation of direct-mode connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A system for effecting communication between first and second radio transceivers, comprises a communicator for effecting communication between the first and second radio transceivers over a first channel; a determiner for determining the distance between the transceivers, and for determining if the distance falls below a predetermined threshold; and a channel charger responsive to a positive determination, for effecting direct mode communication between the transceivers over a second channel.

Claims

1. A method of communicating, the method comprising:

effecting communication between first and second radio transceivers via a telecommunications network over a first channel;

determining the distance between the first and second radio transceivers;

determining whether the distance between the two transceivers meets a predetermined threshold; and

in response to a determination that the threshold is met, effecting direct mode communication between the first and second radio transceivers over a second channel.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the second channel has a greater bandwidth than the first channel.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising, prior to the effecting direct mode communication step, estimating the quality of the second channel.

4. A method according to claim 1, in which the determining steps are carried out at the first radio transceiver.

5. A method according to claim 1, in which the distance determination step includes determining the locations of the first and second radio transceivers.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5, in which the location determination involves a satellite-based position system.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the location determination involves triangulating from plural fixed radio transceivers, preferably forming part of the telecommunications network.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the first and second channels are of different channel types.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the direct mode communication step is effected only if a bandwidth or other service demand exceeds the capability of the first channel.

10. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the threshold is dependent on the sum of the radio coverage of the first and second radio transceivers.

11. A radio transceiver, comprising:

a communicator for communicating with a remote radio transceiver via a telecommunications network over a first channel;

a determiner for determining the distance between the transceiver and the remote transceiver, and for determining whether the distance meets a predetermined threshold; and

a channel charger, responsible to a determination that the threshold is met, for effecting direct mode communication between the transceiver and the remote transceiver over a second channel.

12. A radio transceiver as claimed in claim 11, in which the second channel has a greater bandwidth than the first channel.

13. A radio transceiver as claimed in claim 11, further comprising an estimator arranged to estimate the quality of the second channel.

14. A radio transceiver as claimed in claim 11, including a satellite positioning receiver, arranged to calculate the location of the transceiver.

15. A radio transceiver as claimed in claim 11, in which the first and second channels are of different types.

16. A system for effecting communication between first and second radio transceivers, comprising:

a communicator for effecting communication between the first and second radio transceivers over a first channel;

a determiner for determining the distance between the transceivers, and for determining if the distance meets a predetermined threshold; and

a channel charger responsive to a determination that the threshold is met, for effecting direct mode communication between the transceivers over a second channel.