Methods for assigning radio resources for mobile devices connected to a mobile communication module and related systems and devices

• US 8,804,619 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2011
• Issued: 08/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Haddad, Wassim
• Primary Examiner(s): PHUNKULH, BOB A
• Application Number:
  US13/198,605
• Publication Number:
  US 20120275392A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,104 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/005 Moving wireless networks

Abstract

Methods of assigning radio resources in a wireless communications network with user equipment are provided. The methods include connecting a user equipment unit to a vehicle having a mobile communication module associated therewith. The user equipment unit is authenticated at the vehicle and is associated with the user equipment unit with the vehicle. Connection credentials are received at the mobile communication module from the user equipment unit if the user equipment unit is authenticated and associated. At least one wireless interface is activated at the mobile communication module responsive to the received connection credentials. A local wireless connection is established between the user equipment unit and the mobile communication module associated with the vehicle using the at least one wireless interface. Related mobile communication modules and intermediary devices are also provided.

Claims

1. A method of assigning radio resources in a wireless communications network with user equipment, the method comprising:

connecting a user equipment unit to a vehicle having a mobile communication module associated therewith;

authenticating the user equipment unit at the vehicle and associating the user equipment unit with the vehicle;

receiving connection credentials at the mobile communication module from the user equipment unit if the user equipment unit is authenticated and associated;

activating at least one wireless interface at the mobile communication module responsive to the received connection credentials;

establishing a local wireless connection between the user equipment unit and the mobile communication module associated with the vehicle using the at least one wireless interface;

establishing a wireless connection between the user equipment unit and a node of the wireless communications network through the mobile communication module associated with the vehicle, wherein when the vehicle having the associated mobile communication module is moving along a path, the mobile communication module is configured to establish wireless connections with at least two network nodes associated with different types of networks along the path;

periodically providing information from the mobile communication module to a intermediary device positioned in the wireless communications network, wherein the information includes at least location information associated with the mobile communication module, a speed of the vehicle, and a destination of the vehicle; and

wherein the intermediary device is configured to control connectivity of the mobile communication module to nodes of the wireless communications network along the path, and wherein the intermediary is configured to detect areas along the path that do not have any type of network coverage and to buffer a predetermined number of packets before the vehicle enters the detected areas so that the connection to the wireless communication system is not interrupted.

2. A method of assigning radio resources in a wireless communications network with user equipment, the method comprising:

connecting a user equipment unit to a vehicle having a mobile communication module associated therewith;

authenticating the user equipment unit at the vehicle and associating the user equipment unit with the vehicle;

receiving connection credentials at the mobile communication module from the user equipment unit if the user equipment unit is authenticated and associated;

activating at least one wireless interface at the mobile communication module responsive to the received connection credentials;

establishing a local wireless connection between the user equipment unit and the mobile communication module associated with the vehicle using the at least one wireless interface;

establishing a wireless connection between the user equipment unit and a node of the wireless communications network through the mobile communication module associated with the vehicle, wherein when the vehicle having the associated mobile communication module is moving along a path, the mobile communication module is configured to establish wireless connections with at least two network nodes associated with different types of networks along the path;

periodically providing information from the mobile communication module to a intermediary device positioned in the wireless communications network, wherein the information includes at least location information associated with the mobile communication module, a speed of the vehicle, and a destination of the vehicle, wherein the intermediary device is configured to control connectivity of the mobile communication module to nodes of the wireless communications network along the path, and, wherein the intermediary device is configured to control connectivity by pre-provisioning potential nodes in the wireless communication system on the path.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the intermediary device is further configured to configure the at least one interface of the mobile communication module with the proper network parameters for the potential nodes on the path.

4. An intermediary device in a wireless communication system, the intermediary device comprising:

a radio transceiver configured to;

receive information associated with a mobile communication module associated with a vehicle moving along a path, wherein the information includes at least location information associated with the mobile communication module, a speed of the vehicle, and a destination of the vehicle;

receive information associated with nodes of the wireless communications network along the path, the information including network traffic information associate with the nodes along the path; and

a processor configured to control connectivity of the mobile communication module to the nodes of the wireless communications network along the path of the vehicle based on the received information associated with the mobile communication module and associated with the nodes along the path, wherein the processor is further configured to detect areas along the path that do not have any type of network coverage and to buffer a predetermined number of packets before the vehicle enters the detected areas so that the connection to the wireless communication system is not interrupted.

5. An intermediary device in a wireless communication system, the intermediary device comprising:

a radio transceiver configured to;

receive information associated with a mobile communication module associated with a vehicle moving along a path, wherein the information includes at least location information associated with the mobile communication module, a speed of the vehicle, and a destination of the vehicle;

receive information associated with nodes of the wireless communications network along the path, the information including network traffic information associate with the nodes along the path; and

a processor configured to control connectivity of the mobile communication module to the nodes of the wireless communications network along the path of the vehicle based on the received information associated with the mobile communication module and associated with the nodes along the path, wherein the processor is further configured to control connectivity by pre-provisioning potential nodes in the wireless communication system on the path.

6. The intermediary device of claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured to configure at least one interface of the mobile communication module with proper network parameters for the potential nodes on the path.