Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for utilizing a repeating function to improve quality of service

• US 8,265,550 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2007
• Issued: 09/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Lana N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sorowar, Golam
• Application Number:
  US11/864,293
• Publication Number:
  US 20090088070A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,810 Days
• Field of Search: 455/11.1, 455/7, 455/13.1, 455/16, 370/226, 370/243, 370/246, 370/274, 370/279, 370/293, 370/315, 370/492, 370/501, 375/211
• US Class Current: 455/13.1
• 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:

identifying an insufficient signal between the second cellular device and a base station coupled to the second cellular device;

determining a plurality of repeater candidates configured to resolve the insufficient signal by relaying communications between the second mobile cellular and the base station;

ranking the plurality of repeater candidates by a plurality of ranks according to a distance of the repeater candidates to the base station and a signal strength of each of the plurality of repeater candidates, each of the plurality of repeater candidates associated with one of the plurality of ranks;

selecting a first mobile cellular device in the plurality of repeater candidates having a highest rank in the plurality of ranks as a repeater between the second cellular device and the base station;

transmitting, from the base station coupled to the first mobile cellular device and the second mobile cellular device, a first instruction to the first mobile cellular device, the first instruction 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;

upon transmitting, from the base station, the first instruction to the first mobile cellular device, measuring an improvement to the insufficient signal between the second cellular device and the base station;

determining whether the improvement to the insufficient signal is unsatisfactory;

in response to determining that the improvement to the insufficient signal is unsatisfactory, selecting a third mobile cellular device in the plurality of repeater candidates having a second highest ranking in the plurality of ranks as the repeater between the second cellular device and the base station; and

in response to determining that the improvement to the insufficient signal is satisfactory, transmitting, from the base station, a second instruction to the first mobile cellular device, the second instruction causing the first mobile cellular device to stop relaying communications between the second mobile cellular device and the cellular service provider, the first mobile cellular device thereby terminating 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 the base station.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

transmitting a third instruction to the second mobile cellular device, the third 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:

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

5. 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;

identify an insufficient signal between the second cellular device and a base station coupled to the second cellular device,

determine a plurality of repeater candidates configured to resolve the insufficient signal by relaying communications between the second mobile cellular and the base station,

rank the plurality of repeater candidates by a plurality of ranks according to a distance of each of the plurality of repeater candidates to the base station and a signal strength of each of the plurality of repeater candidates, each of the plurality of repeater candidates associated with one of the plurality of ranks,

select a first mobile cellular device in the plurality of repeater candidates having a highest rank in the plurality of ranks as a repeater between the second cellular device and the base station,

transmit a first instruction to the first mobile cellular device, the first instruction 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,

upon transmitting the first instruction to the first mobile cellular device measure an improvement to the insufficient signal between the second cellular device and the base station,

determine whether the improvement to the insufficient signal is unsatisfactory,

in response to determining that the improvement to the insufficient signal is unsatisfactory select a third mobile cellular device in the plurality of repeater candidates having a second highest ranking in the plurality of ranks as the repeater between the second cellular device and the base station, and

in response to determining that the improvement to the insufficient signal is satisfactory, transmit, from the base station, a second instruction to the first mobile cellular device, the second instruction causing the first mobile cellular device to stop relaying communications between the second mobile cellular device and the cellular service provider, the first mobile cellular device thereby terminating the repeating function for the second mobile cellular device.

6. The system of claim 5, 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 the base station.

7. The system of claim 6, the processor being further operative to:

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

8. A non-transitory 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:

identifying an insufficient signal between the second cellular device and a base station coupled to the second cellular device;

determining a plurality of repeater candidates configured to resolve the insufficient signal by relaying communication between the second mobile cellular and the base station;

ranking the plurality of repeater candidates by a plurality of ranks according to a distance of each of the plurality of repeater candidates to the base station and a signal strength of each of the plurality of repeater candidates, each of the plurality of repeater candidates associated with one of the plurality of ranks;

selecting a first mobile cellular device in the plurality of repeater candidates having a highest rank in the plurality of ranks as a repeater between the second cellular device and the base station;

transmitting, from the base station coupled to the first mobile cellular device and the second mobile cellular device, a first instruction to the first mobile cellular device, the first instruction 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;

upon transmitting, from the base station, the first instruction to the first mobile cellular device, measuring an improvement to the insufficient signal between the second cellular device and the base station;

determining whether the improvement to the insufficient signal is unsatisfactory;

in response to determining that the improvement to the insufficient signal is unsatisfactory, selecting a third mobile cellular device in the plurality of repeater candidates having a second highest ranking in the plurality of ranks as the repeater between the second cellular device and the base station; and

in response to determining that the improvement to the insufficient signal is satisfactory, transmitting, from the base station, a second instruction to the first mobile cellular device, the second instruction causing the first mobile cellular device to stop relaying communications between the second mobile cellular device and the cellular service provider, the first mobile cellular device thereby terminating the repeating function for the second mobile cellular device.

9. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 8, 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 the base station.

10. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9, the method further comprising:

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

11. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 8, the method further comprising:

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