Determining proximity of user equipment for device-to-device communication

• US 8,874,103 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2012
• Issued: 10/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Fong, Mo-Han, Venkatachalam, Muthaiah
• Primary Examiner(s): WASHINGTON, ERIKA ALISE
• Application Number:
  US13/681,361
• Publication Number:
  US 20130303160A1
• Time in Patent Office: 708 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 455/426.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/56 with provision for simultaneous communication in two directions
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 15/00 Suppression or limitation of noise or interference by means associated with receiver H04B1/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/024 Co-operative use of antennas of several sites, e.g. in co-ordinated multipoint or co-operative multiple-input multiple-output [MIMO] systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0417 Feedback systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0456 Selection of precoding matrices or codebooks, e.g. using matrices antenna weighting
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0473 taking constraints in layer or codeword to antenna mapping into account
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0486 taking channel rank into account
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0626 Channel coefficients, e.g. channel state information [CSI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/063 Parameters other than those covered in groups H04B7/0623 - H04B7/0634, e.g. channel matrix rank or transmit mode selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0632 Channel quality parameters, e.g. channel quality indicator [CQI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0639 Using selective indices, e.g. of a codebook, e.g. pre-distortion matrix index [PMI] or for beam selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0647 Variable feedback rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/065 Variable contents, e.g. long-term or short-short
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/26 at least one of which is mobile
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/00 Time-division multiplex systems H04J14/00 takes precedence; relay systems H04B7/14; selecting techniques H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/1694 Allocation of channels in TDM/TDMA networks, e.g. distributed multiplexers Passive Optical Networks H04Q11/0062
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/26 in which the information and the address are simultaneously transmitted
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0026 Transmission of channel quality indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1803 Stop-and-wait protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1822 involving configuration of automatic repeat request [ARQ] with parallel processes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2627 : Modulators
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0007 : the frequencies being orthogonal, e.g. OFDM(A), DMT
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/001 : the frequencies being arranged in component carriers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0035 : Resource allocation in a cooperative multipoint environment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0053 : Allocation of signaling, i.e. of overhead other than pilot signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0073 : Allocation arrangements that take into account other cell interferences for intercell interference mitigation or co-ordination in orthogonal multiplex systems H04J11/005
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0096 : Indication of changes in allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/14 : Two-way operation using the same type of signal, i.e. duplex
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/1469 : using time-sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/00 : Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM] H04L51/04; selective video distribution H04N21/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/22 : Parsing or analysis of headers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/324 : in the data link layer [OSI layer 2], e.g. HDLC
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 : Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 : Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 : Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0061 : of neighbour cell information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0088 : Scheduling hand-off measurements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0094 : Definition of hand-off measurement parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/04 : Reselecting a cell layer in multi-layered cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/16 : Performing reselection for specific purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/22 : for handling the traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 : using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 : Location-based management or tracking services
• 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 4/16 : Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/70 : Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 : Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/20 : Selecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0209 : in terminal devices terminal devices per se H04W88/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0212 : managed by the network, e.g. network or access point is master and terminal is slave
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 : using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0225 : using monitoring of external events, e.g. the presence of a signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0229 : where the received signal is a wanted signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0235 : where the received signal is a power saving command
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0251 : using monitoring of local events, e.g. events related to user activity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/00 : Synchronisation arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/001 : Synchronization between nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/02 : Selection of wireless resources by user or terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/044 : based on the type of the allocated resource
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/12 : Wireless traffic scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/1215 : for collaboration of different radio technologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/21 : in the uplink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/23 : in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/27 : between access points
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/30 : Resource management for broadcast services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/51 : based on terminal or device properties
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/54 : based on quality criteria
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/541 : using the level of interference
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/542 : using measured or perceived quality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/56 : based on priority criteria
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 : Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/18 : Management of setup rejection or failure
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/27 : Transitions between radio resource control [RRC] states
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/28 : Discontinuous transmission [DTX]; Discontinuous reception [DRX]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 : Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Embodiments of apparatus, packages, computer-implemented methods, systems, devices, and computer-readable media (transitory and non-transitory) are described herein for ascertaining, e.g., by a traffic detection function (“TDF”), that a first user equipment (“UE”) and a second UE are, potentially, sufficiently proximate to each other to wirelessly exchange data directly. In various embodiments, an evolved serving mobile location center (“E-SMLC”) may be instructed, e.g., by the TDF, to obtain location change data associated with the first and second UEs. In various embodiments, a determination may be made, e.g., by the TDF, based on the location change data, whether the first and second UEs are sufficiently proximate to exchange data directly, and whether the first and second UEs are likely to remain proximate for at least a predetermined time interval. In various embodiments, the first and second UEs may be caused to commence device-to-device (“D2D”) communication based on the determination.

Claims

1. A computing device comprising processing circuitry to operate a traffic detection function (“

TDF”

) to;

ascertain that a first user equipment (“

UE”

) and a second UE are, potentially, sufficiently proximate to each other to wirelessly exchange data directly;

instruct an evolved serving mobile location center (“

E-SMLC”

) to obtain location change data associated with the first and second UEs, the location change data to include at least one of information about a velocity of the first or second UE or information about acceleration of the first or second UE;

determine, based on the location change data, whether the first and second UEs are sufficiently proximate to exchange data directly, and whether the first and second UEs are likely to remain proximate for at least a predetermined time interval; and

cause the first and second UEs to commence device-to-device (“

D2D”

) communication based on the determination.

2. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the TDF is further to instruct the E-SMLC to obtain the location change data via at least one of radio resource control (“

RRC”

) or non-access stratum (“

NAS”

) signaling over a control plane of a radio access network (“

RAN”

).

3. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the TDF is further to instruct a mobility management entity (“

MME”

) to cause the first and second UEs to commence (“

D2D”

) communication.

4. The computing device of claim 3, wherein the TDF is further to instruct the MME to use non-access stratum (“

NAS”

) signaling to instruct the first and second UEs to commence (“

D2D”

) communication.

5. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the TDF is further to instruct the E-SMLC using a direct signaling interface.

6. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the TDF ascertains that the first and second UEs are, potentially, sufficiently proximate to each other to wirelessly exchange data directly based on a request from the first or second UE.

7. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the TDF ascertains that the first and second UEs are, potentially, sufficiently proximate to each other to wirelessly exchange data directly based on a request for location services from an evolved Node B (“

eNB”

) serving the first or second UE.

8. At least one non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, in response to execution of the instructions by a computing device, enable the computing device to:

obtain a request to determine whether a first user equipment (“

UE”

) and a second UE in communication with each other through a wireless wide area network (“

WWAN”

) are likely to remain proximate to each other for a predetermined time interval that indicates sufficient time to warrant device-to-device communication;

instruct an evolved serving mobile location center (“

E-SMLC”

) to obtain location change data associated with the first and second UEs, the location change data to include at least one of information about a velocity of the first or second UE or information about acceleration of the first or second UE; and

cause the first and second UEs to commence (“

D2D”

) communication where it is determined, based on the location change data, that the first and second UEs are likely to remain proximate for at least a predetermined time interval.

9. The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, further comprising instructions that, in response to execution of the instructions by the computing device, enable the computing device to instruct a mobility management entity (“

MME”

) to cause the first and second UEs to commence (“

D2D”

) communication.

10. The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9 further comprising instructions that, in response to execution of the instructions by the computing device, enable the computing device to instruct the MME to use non-access stratum signaling to instruct the first and second UEs to commence (“

D2D”

) communication.

11. The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the computing device instructs the E-SMLC using a direct signaling interface.

12. The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the request is obtained from the first or second UE to provide the location change data.

13. The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the request is a request for location services obtained from an evolved Node B (“

eNB”

) serving the first or second UE.

14. An evolved Node B (“

eNB”

), comprising;

one or more processors;

memory operably coupled to the one or more processors; and

instructions in the memory that, when executed by the one or more processors, enable the one or more processors to;

receive, from an evolved serving mobile location center (“

E-SMLC”

), a request for location change data associated with a first user equipment (“

UE”

) or a second UE served by the eNB, the location change data to include at least one of information about a velocity of the first or second UE or information about acceleration of the first or second UE;

obtain, from the first or second UE using at least one of radio resource control (“

RRC”

) and non-access stratum (“

NAS”

) signaling, the location change data; and

provide the location change data to the E-SMLC.

15. The eNB of claim 14, wherein receipt of the request for location change data and provision of the location change data are direct to the E-SMLC, bypassing a mobility management entity (“

MME”

).

16. A user equipment (“

UE”

) comprising processing circuitry to;

receive, from an evolved Node B (“

eNB”

) serving the UE using at least one of radio resource control (“

RRC”

) and non-access stratum (“

NAS”

) signaling, a request for location change data; and

provide, to the eNB using at least one of RRC and NAS signaling, the location change data, the location change data to include at least one of information about a velocity of the UE or information about acceleration of the UE.

17. The UE of claim 16, wherein the location change data further comprises information about a velocity of another UE served by the eNB.

18. The UE of claim 16, wherein the location change data further comprises information about acceleration of another UE served by the eNB.

19. The UE of claim 16, wherein the processing circuitry is further to commence device-to-device (“

D2D”

) communication with another UE served by the eNB.

20. The UE of claim 19, wherein the processing circuitry is further to commence the (“

D2D”

) communication with the another UE responsive to a determination that the UE and the another UE are sufficiently proximate to exchange data directly and are likely to remain proximate for at least a predetermined time interval.

21. The UE of claim 19, wherein the processing circuitry is further to commence the (“

D2D”

) communication with the another UE responsive to a command from a traffic detection function (“

TDF”

).