Method for EMBS-unicast interactivity and EMBS paging

• US 20100061286A1
• Filed: 02/23/2009
• Published: 03/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Josiam, Kaushik, Ji, Baowei
• Granted Patent: US 8,611,375 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/312
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1859 adapted to provide push services, e.g. data channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/189 in combination with wireless systems selective distribution or broadcast in wireless communication networks H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/00 User notification, e.g. alerting and paging, for incoming communication, change of service or the like

Abstract

A method of paging a mobile station is provided. The method includes requesting to receive a page that announces when a program is to be broadcast. The method also includes sending the page to the mobile station before the program is to be broadcast. The method further includes receiving the page at the mobile station. A method for providing interactive feedback in a wireless communication network is also provided. The method includes broadcasting a program from a server to a mobile station. The method also includes receiving at least part of the program at the mobile station. The method further includes providing feedback about the program from the mobile station.

Claims

1. For use in an Evolved Multicast Broadcast System (EMBS) wireless communication network comprising a plurality of base stations, a method for providing point-to-multipoint communications to a plurality of mobile stations, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving from a first mobile station a request to be notified of a start time when a selected program will be broadcast;

transmitting to the first mobile station a first message that indicates the start time when the selected program will be broadcast; and

at the start time, transmitting the selected program to the first mobile station.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein if the first mobile station is in idle mode, the first message comprises a page message configured to wake the first mobile station.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1, the method further comprising the steps of:

transmitting to an EMBS server the request to be notified of a start time when the selected program will be broadcast;

receiving from the EMBS server the first message that indicates the start time when the selected program will be broadcast;

receiving the selected program from the EMBS server.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein transmitting to the first mobile station a first message comprises:

transmitting the first message at a first time if the first mobile station is in a first zone; and

transmitting the first message at a second time if the first mobile station is in a second zone.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the start time is a first time if the mobile station is in a first zone, and the start time is a second time if the mobile station is in a second zone.

6. The method as set forth in claim 3, wherein receiving the selected program from the EMBS server comprises:

receiving the selected program at a first time if a first base station is located in a first zone; and

receiving the selected program at a second time if the first base station is located in a second zone.

7. The method as set forth in claim 1, the method further comprising the steps of:

receiving from the first mobile station a registration for the selected program, the registration allowing the first mobile station to play the selected program.

8. The method as set forth in claim 1, the method further comprising the steps of:

after transmitting a first portion of the selected program to the first mobile station, receiving a first feedback message about the program from the first mobile station.

9. The method as set forth in claim 8, the method further comprising the steps of:

after transmitting a second portion of the selected program to the first mobile station, receiving a second feedback message about the program from the first mobile station.

10. An Evolved Multicast Broadcast System (EMBS) wireless communication network comprising a plurality of base stations, each of the base stations capable of providing point-to-multipoint communications to a plurality of mobile stations, wherein each base station is configured to:

receive from a first mobile station a request to be notified of a start time when a selected program will be broadcast;

transmit to the first mobile station a first message that indicates the start time when the selected program will be broadcast; and

at the start time, transmit the selected program to the first mobile station.

11. The EMBS wireless communication network as set forth in claim 10, wherein if the first mobile station is in idle mode, the first message comprises a page message configured to wake the first mobile station.

12. The EMBS wireless communication network as set forth in claim 10, wherein each base station is further configured to:

transmit to an EMBS server the request to be notified of a start time when the selected program will be broadcast;

receive from the EMBS server the first message that indicates the start time when the selected program will be broadcast;

receive the selected program from the EMBS server.

13. The EMBS wireless communication network as set forth in claim 10, wherein each base station is further configured to:

transmit the first message at a first time if the first mobile station is in a first zone; and

transmit the first message at a second time if the first mobile station is in a second zone.

14. The EMBS wireless communication network as set forth in claim 10, wherein the start time is a first time if the mobile station is in a first zone, and the start time is a second time if the mobile station is in a second zone.

15. The EMBS wireless communication network as set forth in claim 12, wherein each base station is further configured to:

receive the selected program at a first time if the base station is located in a first zone; and

receive the selected program at a second time if the base station is located in a second zone.

16. The EMBS wireless communication network as set forth in claim 10, wherein each base station is further configured to:

receive from the first mobile station a registration for the selected program, the registration allowing the first mobile station to play the selected program.

17. A mobile station capable of accessing an Evolved Multicast Broadcast System (EMBS) wireless network that provides point-to-multipoint communications, the mobile station configured to:

request from the wireless network a notification of a start time when a selected program will be broadcast;

receive from the wireless network a first message that indicates the start time when the selected program will be broadcast; and

at the start time, receive the selected program from the wireless network.

18. The mobile station as set forth in claim 17, the mobile station further configured to:

if in idle mode, switch to active mode upon receiving the first message that indicates the start time when the selected program will be broadcast.

19. The mobile station as set forth in claim 17, the mobile station further configured to:

transmit to the wireless network a registration for the selected program, the registration allowing the mobile station to play the selected program.

20. The mobile station as set forth in claim 17, the mobile station further configured to:

after receiving from the wireless network a first portion of the selected program, send a first feedback message about the program to the wireless network.