Setting up a multicast group communication session within a wireless communications system
First Claim
1. A method of setting up a multicast communication session at an access network within a wireless communications system, comprising:
- transmitting an announce message announcing a current multicast communication session to a given group of access terminals within an initial cluster of sectors;
receiving at least one registration request for the current multicast communication session from at least one access terminal belonging to the given group of access terminals;
loading a stored cluster of sectors that supported a previous multicast communication session to the given group of access terminals; and
turning on a multicast flow for the current multicast communication session at least within each sector of the stored cluster.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In an embodiment, a multicast communication session is setup at an access network within a wireless communications system, whereby the access network transmits an announce message announcing a current multicast communication session to a given group of access terminals within an initial cluster of sectors. The access network receives a registration request for the current multicast communication session from an access terminal, and selectively loads a stored cluster of sectors that supported a previous multicast communication session to the given group. The access network then turns on a multicast flow for the current multicast communication session within each sector of the stored cluster. In another embodiment, a multicast communication session is terminated whereby the access network stories a formation of the engaged cluster at or near the termination of the current multicast communication session, which can then be used during setup of a subsequent multicast communication session.
31 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method of setting up a multicast communication session at an access network within a wireless communications system, comprising:
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transmitting an announce message announcing a current multicast communication session to a given group of access terminals within an initial cluster of sectors; receiving at least one registration request for the current multicast communication session from at least one access terminal belonging to the given group of access terminals; loading a stored cluster of sectors that supported a previous multicast communication session to the given group of access terminals; and turning on a multicast flow for the current multicast communication session at least within each sector of the stored cluster. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of supporting multicast communication sessions within a wireless communications system, comprising:
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supporting a current multicast communication session associated with a given group of access terminals by carrying a multicast flow within an engaged cluster, the engaged cluster including (i) at least one target sector expected to include one or more access terminals that has registered to the current multicast communication session, and (ii) at least one supporting sector that is not a target sector and carries the multicast flow so as to support transmissions of the multicast flow from the at least one target sector; determining to terminate the current multicast communication session; terminating the current multicast communication session; and storing a formation of the engaged cluster at or during the termination of the current multicast communication session. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. An access network configured to set up a multicast communication session within a wireless communications system, comprising:
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means for transmitting an announce message announcing a current multicast communication session to a given group of access terminals within an initial cluster of sectors; means for receiving at least one registration request for the current multicast communication session from at least one access terminal belonging to the given group of access terminals; means for loading a stored cluster of sectors that supported a previous multicast communication session to the given group of access terminals; and means for turning on a multicast flow for the current multicast communication session at least within each sector of the stored cluster. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. An access network configured to support multicast communication sessions within a wireless communications system, comprising:
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means for supporting a current multicast communication session associated with a given group of access terminals by carrying a multicast flow within an engaged cluster, the engaged cluster including (i) at least one target sector expected to include one or more access terminals that has registered to the current multicast communication session, and (ii) at least one supporting sector that is not a target sector and carries the multicast flow so as to support transmissions of the multicast flow from the at least one target sector; means for determining to terminate the current multicast communication session; means for terminating the current multicast communication session; and means for storing a formation of the engaged cluster at or during the termination of the current multicast communication session. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. An access network configured to set up a multicast communication session within a wireless communications system, comprising:
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logic configured to transmit an announce message announcing a current multicast communication session to a given group of access terminals within an initial cluster of sectors; logic configured to receive at least one registration request for the current multicast communication session from at least one access terminal belonging to the given group of access terminals; logic configured to load a stored cluster of sectors that supported a previous multicast communication session to the given group of access terminals; and logic configured to turn on a multicast flow for the current multicast communication session at least within each sector of the stored cluster. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. An access network configured to support multicast communication sessions within a wireless communications system, comprising:
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logic configured to support a current multicast communication session associated with a given group of access terminals by carrying a multicast flow within an engaged cluster, the engaged cluster including (i) at least one target sector expected to include one or more access terminals that has registered to the current multicast communication session, and (ii) at least one supporting sector that is not a target sector and carries the multicast flow so as to support transmissions of the multicast flow from the at least one target sector; logic configured to determine to terminate the current multicast communication session; logic configured to terminate the current multicast communication session; and logic configured to store a formation of the engaged cluster at or during the termination of the current multicast communication session. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions, which, when executed by an access network configured to set up a multicast communication session within a wireless communications system, cause the access network to perform operations, the instructions comprising:
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program code to transmit an announce message announcing a current multicast communication session to a given group of access terminals within an initial cluster of sectors; program code to receive at least one registration request for the current multicast communication session from at least one access terminal belonging to the given group of access terminals; program code to load a stored cluster of sectors that supported a previous multicast communication session to the given group of access terminals; and program code to turn on a multicast flow for the current multicast communication session at least within each sector of the stored cluster. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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26. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions, which, when executed by an access network configured to support multicast communication sessions within a wireless communications system, cause the access network to perform operations, the instructions comprising:
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program code to support a current multicast communication session associated with a given group of access terminals by carrying a multicast flow within an engaged cluster, the engaged cluster including (i) at least one target sector expected to include one or more access terminals that has registered to the current multicast communication session, and (ii) at least one supporting sector that is not a target sector and carries the multicast flow so as to support transmissions of the multicast flow from the at least one target sector; program code to determine to terminate the current multicast communication session; program code to terminate the current multicast communication session; and program code to store a formation of the engaged cluster at or during the termination of the current multicast communication session. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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Specification