Methods, Systems, and Computer-Readable Media for Utilizing a Repeating Function to Improve Quality of Service

• US 20090088070A1
• Filed: 09/28/2007
• Published: 04/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Aaron, Jeffrey A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,265,550 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/7
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2606 Arrangements for base station coverage control, e.g. by using relays in tunnels
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/542 using measured or perceived quality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user

Abstract

Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for utilizing a repeating function to improve quality of service. According to embodiments, a method for utilizing a repeating function to improve quality of service is provided. According to the method a first mobile cellular device is selected. An instruction is transmitted to the first mobile cellular device instructing the first mobile cellular device. The instruction causes the first mobile cellular device to relay communications between the second mobile cellular device and the cellular service provider. The first mobile cellular device thereby provides the repeating function for the second mobile cellular device.

Claims

1. A method for utilizing a repeating function to improve quality of service between a cellular service provider and a second mobile cellular device, comprising:

selecting a first mobile cellular device; and

transmitting an instruction to the first mobile cellular device;

wherein the instruction is for causing the first mobile cellular device to relay communications between the second mobile cellular device and the cellular service provider, the first mobile cellular device thereby providing the repeating function for the second mobile cellular device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the repeating function comprises:

receiving at least a portion of a signal from the second mobile cellular device; and

retransmitting the at least a portion of the signal to a cellular tower.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

transmitting a second instruction to the second mobile cellular device, the second instruction notifying the second mobile cellular device to transmit the signal to the first mobile cellular device.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a second instruction from the second mobile cellular device, the second instruction indicating to terminate the repeating function; and

in response to receiving the second instruction, transmitting a third instruction to the first mobile cellular device, the third instruction notifying the first mobile cellular device to terminate the repeating function.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting a second instruction to a third mobile cellular device instructing the third mobile cellular device to provide the repeating function for the second mobile cellular device in conjunction with the first mobile cellular device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting a first mobile cellular device comprises selecting the first mobile cellular device from a plurality of mobile cellular devices based on at least one of a distance between the second mobile cellular device and a cellular tower via the first mobile cellular device and a policy rule associated with at least one of the first mobile cellular device and the second mobile cellular device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

initializing a handshake protocol between the first mobile cellular device and the second mobile cellular device.

8. A system for utilizing a repeating function to improve quality of service between a cellular service provider and a second mobile cellular device, comprising:

a memory for storing a program containing code for utilizing a repeater;

a processor functionally coupled to the memory, the processor being responsive to computer-executable instructions contained in the program and operative to;

select a first mobile cellular device, and

transmit an instruction to the first mobile cellular device,

wherein the instruction is for causing the first mobile cellular device to relay communications between the second mobile cellular device and the cellular service provider, the first mobile cellular device thereby providing the repeating function for the second mobile cellular device.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein to provide the repeating function, the first mobile cellular device receives at least a portion of a signal from the second mobile cellular device, and retransmits the at least a portion of the signal to a cellular tower.

10. The system of claim 9, the processor being further operative to:

transmit a second instruction to the second mobile cellular device, the second instruction notifying the second mobile cellular device to transmit the signal to the first mobile cellular device.

11. The system of claim 8, the processor being further operative to:

receiving a second instruction from the second mobile cellular device, the second instruction indicating to terminate the repeating function; and

in response to receiving the second instruction, transmitting a third instruction to the first mobile cellular device, the third instruction notifying the first mobile cellular device to terminate the repeating function.

12. The system of claim 8, the processor being further operative to:

transmitting a second instruction to a third mobile cellular device instructing the third mobile cellular device to provide the repeating function for the second mobile cellular device in conjunction with the first mobile cellular device.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein to select a first mobile cellular device, the processor is further operative to select the first mobile cellular device from a plurality of mobile cellular devices based on at least one of a distance between the second mobile cellular device and a cellular tower via the first mobile cellular device and a policy rule associated with at least one of the first mobile cellular device and the second mobile cellular device.

14. A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon for execution by a processor to provide a method for utilizing a repeating function to improve quality of service between a cellular service provider and a second mobile cellular device, the method comprising:

selecting a first mobile cellular device; and

transmitting an instruction to the first mobile cellular device;

wherein the instruction is for causing the first mobile cellular device to relay communications between the second mobile cellular device and the cellular service provider, the first mobile cellular device thereby providing the repeating function for the second mobile cellular device.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the repeating function comprises:

receiving at least a portion of a signal from the second mobile cellular device; and

retransmitting the at least a portion of the signal to a cellular tower.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, the method further comprising:

transmitting a second instruction to the second mobile cellular device, the second instruction notifying the second mobile cellular device to transmit the signal to the first mobile cellular device.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, the method further comprising:

receiving a second instruction from the second mobile cellular device, the second instruction indicating to terminate the repeating function; and

in response to receiving the second instruction, transmitting a third instruction to the first mobile cellular device, the third instruction notifying the first mobile cellular device to terminate the repeating function.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, the method further comprising:

transmitting a second instruction to a third mobile cellular device instructing the third mobile cellular device to provide the repeating function for the second mobile cellular device in conjunction with the first mobile cellular device.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein selecting a first mobile cellular device comprises selecting the first mobile cellular device from a plurality of mobile cellular devices based on at least one of a distance between the second mobile cellular device and a cellular tower via the first mobile cellular device and a policy rule associated with at least one of the first mobile cellular device and the second mobile cellular device.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, the method further comprising:

initializing a handshake protocol between the first mobile cellular device and the second mobile cellular device.