Methods and apparatus for using multiple frequency bands for communication
First Claim
1. A method of operating a communications device comprising:
- establishing, during a first time interval, a communications link with a second communications device using a first frequency band wherein said first frequency band is a private licensed frequency band;
determining if a second frequency band is available for data communication, wherein said second frequency band is publicly accessible;
communicating to said second communication device, using said first frequency band, that said second band is to be used for communicating data;
communicating data between said communications device and said second communications device using said second frequency band in a second time interval following said first time interval, said first and second frequency bands being non-overlapping frequency bands; and
communicating a control signal between said communications device and said second communications device using said first frequency band during said second time interval.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for using different frequency bands are described. In some embodiments a first frequency band which is a licensed spectrum frequency band is used for peer discovery, device authentication, session establishment between peer devices and/or supporting an ongoing communications through control signaling. When available, a second frequency band, e.g., an unlicensed public frequency band is used for communicating data while the communications session is maintained using one or more control signals communicated in the first frequency band. Data and control signaling may be performed on a time division basis during a time period in which data is communicated.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of operating a communications device comprising:
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establishing, during a first time interval, a communications link with a second communications device using a first frequency band wherein said first frequency band is a private licensed frequency band; determining if a second frequency band is available for data communication, wherein said second frequency band is publicly accessible; communicating to said second communication device, using said first frequency band, that said second band is to be used for communicating data; communicating data between said communications device and said second communications device using said second frequency band in a second time interval following said first time interval, said first and second frequency bands being non-overlapping frequency bands; and communicating a control signal between said communications device and said second communications device using said first frequency band during said second time interval. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A communications device comprising:
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a link establishment module configured to establish, during a first time interval, a communications link with a second communications device using a first frequency band, wherein said frequency band is a private licensed frequency band; a frequency band availability determination module configured to determine, prior to communicating data using a second frequency band, if said second frequency band is available for data communication wherein said second frequency band is an unlicensed frequency band which is publicly accessible; a band selection communication module configured to control send a signal to said second communication device, using said first frequency band, indicating that said second band is to be used for communicating data; a data communications module configured to control said communications device to communicate data between said communications device and said second communications device using a second frequency band in a second time interval following said first time interval, said first and second frequency bands being non-overlapping frequency bands; and a control signal communications module configured to control said communications device to communicate a control signal between said communications device and said second communications device using said first frequency band during said second time interval. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A communications device comprising:
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means for establishing, during a first time interval, a communications link with a second communications device using a first frequency band, wherein said first frequency band is a private licensed band which is publicly available; frequency band availability determination means for determining, prior to communicating data using a second frequency band, if said second frequency band is available for data communication, where said second frequency band is an unlicensed frequency ban which is publicly accessible; band selection communication means for sending a signal to said second communication device, using said first frequency band, indicating that said second band is to be used for communicating data; means for controlling said communications device to communicate data between said communications device and said second communications device using a second frequency band in a second time interval following said first time interval, said first and second frequency bands being non-overlapping frequency bands; and means for controlling said communications device to communicate a control signal between said communications device and said second communications device using said first frequency band during said second time interval. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A computer program product for use in a communications device, the computer program product comprising:
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a computer readable medium comprising; code for causing a computer to control said communications device to establish, during a first time interval, a communications link with a second communications device using a first frequency band, wherein said first frequency band is a private licensed frequency band; code for determining if a second frequency band is available for data communication, wherein said second frequency band is publicly accessible; code for communicating to said second communication device, using said first frequency band, that said second band is to be used for communicating data; code for causing a computer to communicate data between said communications device and said second communications device using a second frequency band in a second time interval following said first time interval, said first and second frequency bands being non-overlapping frequency bands; and code for causing a computer to cause a control signal to be communicated between said communications device and said second communications device using said first frequency band during said second time interval. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification