PROXIMITY DETECTION IN A NETWORK

• US 20090163216A1
• Filed: 12/19/2007
• Published: 06/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Airvana Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hoang, Minh, Jones, Kenneth
• Granted Patent: US 8,355,727 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/450
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B

Abstract

Techniques for facilitating a hand-in using proximity-detection and dual-pilot operation detect a presence of a client device in proximity to the network-side device; and transmit a first signal over a first communication channel to the client device, the first signal enabling the client device to access information transmitted in a second signal from the network-side device.

Claims

1. A method for performing a hand-in to a network-side device, the method comprising:

detecting a presence of a client device in proximity to the network-side device; and

transmitting a first signal over a first communication channel to the client device, the first signal including information for enabling the client device to access information included in a second signal transmitted by the network-side device, the information included in the second signal enabling communication with the network-side device over a second communication channel.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

ceasing transmission of the first signal after initiating communication with the client device over the second communication channel.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting the second signal continuously during a time when the network-side device is in service.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the first signal occurs in response to receiving an indication that the client device is authorized to connect to the network-side device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the information included in the first signal comprises a code for decoding the second signal, wherein decoding enables access to the information included in the second signal.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting a presence of a client device further comprises receiving a signal transmitted by the client device, the method further comprising:

analyzing a property of the signal to determine whether the client device is within communication range of the network-side device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein (1) detecting a presence of a client device uses a first communication modality and (2) communicating over one of the first and second communication channels uses a second, different communication modality.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first communication modality includes radio frequency communication and the second communication modality includes cellular communication.

9. A method for transferring a communication connection from a first network-side device to a second network-side device, the method comprising:

selecting a first code from a plurality of codes, the first code enabling communications with the second network-side device over a first communication channel;

using the first code to extract information from a first signal received from the second network-side device over the first communication channel, the information including a second code for enabling communications with the second network-side device over a second communication channel; and

resuming communications over the second communication channel.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising accessing the plurality of codes from the first network-side device.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

selecting a third code from the plurality of codes;

using the third code to extract information from a second signal received from a third network-side device, the information including a fourth code for enabling communications with the third network-side device;

comparing strengths of the first signal received from the second network-side device and the second signal received from the third network-side device; and

in response to determining that the first signal is stronger than the second signal, selecting the second network-side device over the third network-side device for facilitating communications.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

using the second code to access information provided in a second signal received from the second network-side device.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the first network-side device serves a first predefine geographic area, and wherein the second network-side device serves a second predefined geographic area, wherein at least a portion of the second predefined geographic area is located within the first predefined geographic area.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

establishing a first communication channel with the second network-side device using the information extracted from the first signal; and

establishing a second communication channel with the second network-side device using information provided by the second signal.

15. A system configured to support wireless communications, the system comprising:

a receiver configured to detect a signal transmitted by a client device, wherein a property of the signal indicates that the client device is within communication range of the system;

a communication module configured to transmit first and second signals, the first signal including

information for enabling the client device to establish communications with the system over a first communication channel, and

information for enabling the client device to access information included in the second signal, the information included in the second signal enabling communication over the second communication channel; and

one or more processors configured to control the receiver and the communication module.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the communication module continually transmits the second signal and does not transmit the first signal unless directed by the one or more processors.

17. The system of claim 15, further comprising:

a database storing identification information associated with access terminals having authorization to communicate with the system; and

wherein the one or more processors are further configured to determine whether the client device has authorization to communicate with the system; and

direct the communication module to transmit the first signal in response to determining that the client device has authorization, wherein the first signal is only transmitted when an authorized client device is within sufficient communication range.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the signal transmitted by the client device includes identification information associated with a removable transmitter located on the client device.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the communication module is configured to transmit the first signal continuously upon receiving a command from an owner or system administrator of the system.

20. A computer-readable medium bearing instructions to cause one or more processors of a network-side device to:

detect a presence of a client device in proximity to the network-side device, the client device having a call established with an other network-side device;

in response to determining that the client device is within communication range of the network-side device and has authorization to communication with the network side device, transmit a first signal over a first communication channel, the first signal including information for enabling the client device to access information included in a second signal transmitted by the network-side device, the information included in the second signal enabling communication with the network-side device over a second communication channel; and

handle the call in place of the other network-side device.

21. The computer-readable medium of claim 20, further comprising instructions to cause the one or more processors to:

direct the transmission of the first signal to be ceased after communication with the client device has been established over the second communication channel.

22. The computer-readable medium of claim 20, further comprising instructions to cause the one or more processors to:

prevent transmission of the first signal when an access terminal that is within communication range of the network-side device does not have authorization; and

direct the transmission of the second signal to occur continuously during a time when the network-side device is in service, wherein the access terminal cannot access the information in the second signal without the information in the first signal.

23. A computer-readable medium bearing instructions to cause one or more processors of a client device to:

select a first code from a plurality of codes accessed from a first network-side device with which the client device has established a communication connection;

use the first code to extract information from a first signal received from a second network-side device, the information including a second code for enabling communications with the second network-side device; and

transfer the communication connection from the first network-side device to the second network-side device.

24. The computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein the first network-side device serves a first predefine geographic area, and wherein the second network-side device serves a second predefined geographic area, wherein at least a portion of the second predefined geographic area is located within the first predefined geographic area.

25. The computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein the first signal is only transmitted when the client device is in communication range of the second network-side device and is authorized to communication with the second network-side device.