Wireless communication methods and apparatus supporting wireless terminal mode control signaling

• US 8,879,520 B2
• Filed: 01/10/2007
• Issued: 11/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Laroia, Rajiv, Lane, Frank A., Li, Junyi, Richardson, Tom
• Primary Examiner(s): Appiah, Charles
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zhang, Edward
• Application Number:
  US11/621,990
• Publication Number:
  US 20070274276A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,855 Days
• Field of Search: 455/552.1, 455/553.1, 455/41.2, 370/338
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/0602 Systems characterised by the synchronising information used
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2601 Multicarrier modulation systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/261 Details of reference signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0016 Time-frequency-code
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0035 Resource allocation in a cooperative multipoint environment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0048 Allocation of pilot signals, i.e. of signals known to the receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/04 Error control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/16 Performing reselection for specific purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/24 Reselection being triggered by specific parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/24 Connectivity information management, e.g. connectivity discovery or connectivity update
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/244 using a network of reference devices, e.g. beaconing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/20 Selecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0229 where the received signal is a wanted signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/04 TPC
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/02 Selection of wireless resources by user or terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 : Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 : Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 : Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 : adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
• 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 88/10 : adapted for operation in multiple networks, e.g. multi-mode access points
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A wireless terminal determines a desired mode of base station operation with regard to whether the base station is to function as a network access node or is to function in a peer to peer mode with regard to a frequency band, and communicates a change signal to the base station. Some change signals are request signals requesting a base station to dynamically reallocate spectrum usage, while other change signals are command signals ordering the base station to reallocate spectrum usage. Information indicating a level of authority corresponding to the change signals, in some embodiments, corresponds to one of a device identifier, a user identifier, and a priority level indicator. An exemplary command signal comes from a device used by a government agent with the authority to override spectrum usage.

Claims

1. A method of operating a wireless terminal in a system including a base station, the method comprising:

determining a base station mode of operation, the base station mode of operation being one of an access node mode of operation in which said base station operates as a network access node and a peer to peer mode of operation in which devices within a base station coverage area are allowed to communicate directly with one another;

sending a first signal to said base station to signal a wireless terminal desired change in the mode in which the base station to which the first signal is sent operates;

wherein said first signal to the base station includes information indicating a level of authority said wireless terminal has to control base station operation; and

sending a second signal to the base station to signal said base station to switch to the determined base station mode of operation in which the base station was operating prior to sending the first signal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said first signal indicates a desire for a change from a network access mode of operation to a peer to peer mode of operation.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring for a broadcast signal from the base station indicating a change in base station mode of operation to the indicated mode desired by said wireless terminal; and

changing the mode of wireless terminal operation to a mode to which the base station changed.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said wireless terminal is a device used by a government agent with authority to override use of the spectrum used by said base station.

6. The method of claim 1,

wherein said wireless terminal is a cellular network device;

and

wherein said desired change is a change from a peer to peer mode to a network access mode of operation.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said wireless terminal does not support peer to peer mode operation.

8. The method of claim 1,

wherein said wireless terminal is a peer to peer device;

and

wherein said desired change is a change from a network access mode to a peer to peer mode of operation.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said wireless terminal does not support cellular network mode of operation.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein wireless terminal is a device used by a government agent with authority to override use of the spectrum used by said base station.

37. The method of claim 1,

wherein the wireless terminal does not support peer to peer operation;

and

wherein the desired change is from the peer to peer mode of base station operation to the access node mode of operation.

38. The method of claim 37

wherein the wireless terminal is a cellular network device.

3. A method of operating a wireless terminal in a system including a base station, the method comprising:

determining a base station mode of operation, the base station mode of operation being one of an access node mode of operation in which said base station operates as a network access node and a peer to peer mode of operation in which devices within a base station coverage area are allowed to communicate directly with one another;

sending a signal to said base station to signal a wireless terminal desired change in the mode in which the base station to which the signal is sent operates;

wherein said signal to the base station includes information indicating a level of authority to control base station operation; and

wherein said information indicating the level of authority includes information indicating a priority level associated with a user of said wireless terminal who is authorized to override the determined base station mode of operation.

11. A wireless terminal for use in a system including a base station, comprising:

a base station mode of operation determination module for determining a base station mode of operation, the base station mode of operation being one of an access node mode of operation in which said base station operates as a network access node and a peer to peer mode of operation in which devices within a base station coverage area are allowed to communicate directly with one another;

a signal generation module for generating a first signal indicating a wireless terminal desired change in the base station mode of operation of said base station;

a transmitter module for sending the first signal to said base station to communicate the wireless terminal desired change in the mode in which the base station to which the signal is sent operates;

wherein said transmitter module is also configured to send a second signal to the base station to signal said base station to switch to the determined base station mode of operation in which the base station was operating prior to sending the first signal; and

memory including stored information indicating a level of authority said wireless terminal has to control base station operation.

12. The wireless terminal of claim 11, wherein said first signal indicates a desire for a change from a network access mode of operation to a peer to peer mode of operation.

15. The wireless terminal of claim 11, wherein said signal generation module includes a base station mode restoration module for generating said second signal.

16. The wireless terminal of claim 15, wherein said wireless terminal is a device used by a government agent with authority to override use of the spectrum used by said base station.

17. The wireless terminal of claim 15,

wherein said wireless terminal is a cellular network device;

and

wherein said desired change is a change from a peer to peer mode to a network access mode of operation.

18. The wireless terminal of claim 17, wherein said wireless terminal does not support peer to peer mode operation.

19. The wireless terminal of claim 11,

wherein said wireless terminal is a peer to peer device;

and

wherein said desired change is a change from a network access mode to a peer to peer mode of operation.

20. The wireless terminal of claim 19, wherein said wireless terminal does not support a cellular network mode of operation.

21. The wireless terminal of claim 20, wherein the wireless terminal is a device used by a government agent with authority to override use of the spectrum used by said base station.

13. A wireless terminal for use in a system including a base station, comprising:

a base station mode of operation determination module for determining a base station mode of operation, the base station mode of operation being one of an access node mode of operation in which said base station operates as a network access node and a peer to peer mode of operation in which devices within a base station coverage area are allowed to communicate directly with one another;

a signal generation module for generating a first signal indicating a wireless terminal desired change in the base station mode of operation of said base station;

a transmitter module for sending the first signal to said base station to communicate the wireless terminal desired change in the mode in which the base station to which the signal is sent operates;

memory including stored information indicating a level of authority to control base station operation; and

wherein said information indicating the level of authority includes information indicating a priority level associated with a user of said wireless terminal who is authorized to override the determined base station mode of operation.

14. The wireless terminal of claim 13, further comprising:

a broadcast signal detection module for detecting a broadcast signal which indicates that the base station has changed the base station mode of operation to the indicated mode desired by said wireless terminal; and

a communications mode control module for changing the operational mode of the wireless terminal to match the mode of base station operation to which the base station has transitioned as indicated by a detected broadcast signal.

22. A wireless terminal for use in a system including a base station, comprising:

base station mode of operation determination means for determining a base station mode of operation, the base station mode of operation being one of an access node mode of operation in which said base station operates as a network access node and a peer to peer mode of operation in which devices within a base station coverage area are allowed to communicate directly with one another;

signal generation means for generating a first signal indicating a wireless terminal desired change in the base station mode of operation of said base station;

transmitter means for sending the first signal to said base station to communicate the wireless terminal desired change in the mode in which the base station to which the signal is sent operates;

wherein said transmitter means are also for sending a second signal to the base station to signal said base station to switch to the determined base station mode of operation in which the base station was operating prior to sending the first signal; and

memory means including stored information indicating a level of authority said wireless terminal has to control base station operation.

23. The wireless terminal of claim 22, wherein said first signal indicates a desire for a change from a network access mode of operation to a peer to peer mode of operation.

25. The wireless terminal of claim 22, wherein said signal generation means includes base station mode restoration means for generating said second signal.

26. The wireless terminal of claim 22,

wherein said wireless terminal is a peer to peer device;

and

wherein said desired change is a change from a network access mode to a peer to peer mode of operation.

24. A wireless terminal for use in a system including a base station, comprising:

base station mode of operation determination means for determining a base station mode of operation, the base station mode of operation being one of an access node mode of operation in which said base station operates as a network access node and a peer to peer mode of operation in which devices within a base station coverage area are allowed to communicate directly with one another;

signal generation means for generating a first signal indicating a wireless terminal desired change in the base station mode of operation of said base station;

transmitter means for sending the first signal to said base station to communicate the wireless terminal desired change in the mode in which the base station to which the signal is sent operates;

memory means including stored information indicating a level of authority to control base station operation; and

wherein said information indicating the level of authority includes information indicating a priority level associated with a user of said wireless terminal who is authorized to override the determined base station mode of operation a priority level indicator.

27. A non-transitory computer readable medium embodying machine executable instructions for controlling a wireless terminal in a system including a base station, to implement a method, the method comprising:

determining a base station mode of operation, the base station mode of operation being one of an access node mode of operation in which said base station operates as a network access node and a peer to peer mode of operation in which devices within a base station coverage area are allowed to communicate directly with one another;

sending a first signal to said base station to signal a wireless terminal desired change in the mode in which the base station to which the first signal is sent operates, said first signal to the base station including information indicating a level of authority said wireless terminal has to control base station operation; and

sending a second signal to the base station to signal said base station to switch to the determined base station mode of operation in which the base station was operating prior to sending the first signal.

28. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 27, wherein said first signal indicates a desire for a change from a network access mode of operation to a peer to peer mode of operation.

31. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 27,

wherein said wireless terminal is a peer to peer device;

and

wherein said desired change is a change from a network access mode to a peer to peer mode of operation.

29. A non-transitory computer readable medium embodying machine executable instructions for controlling a wireless terminal in a system including a base station, to implement a method, the method comprising:

determining a base station mode of operation, the base station mode of operation being one of an access node mode of operation in which said base station operates as a network access node and a peer to peer mode of operation in which devices within a base station coverage area are allowed to communicate directly with one another;

sending a first signal to said base station to signal a wireless terminal desired change in the mode in which the base station to which the first signal is sent operates, said first signal to the base station including information indicating a level of authority to control base station operation; and

wherein said information indicating the level of authority includes information indicating a priority level associated with a user of said wireless terminal who is authorized to override the determined base station mode of operation a priority level indicator.

30. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 29, further embodying machine executable instructions for:

monitoring for a broadcast signal from the base station indicating a change in base station mode of operation to the indicated mode desired by said wireless terminal; and

changing the mode of wireless terminal operation to a mode to which the base station changed.

32. A wireless terminal for use in a system including a base station, the apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to;

determine a base station mode of operation, the base station mode of operation being one of an access node mode of operation in which said base station operates as a network access node and a peer to peer mode of operation in which devices within a base station coverage area are allowed to communicate directly with one another; and

generate a first signal indicating a wireless terminal desired change in the base station mode of operation of said base station;

send the first signal to said base station to communicate the wireless terminal desired change in the base station mode in which the base station to which the signal is sent operates;

include information in said generated first signal indicating a level of authority said wireless terminal has to control base station operation; and

send a second signal to the base station to signal said base station to switch to the determined base station mode of operation in which the base station was operating prior to sending the first signal.

33. The wireless terminal of claim 32, wherein said first signal indicates a desire for a change from a network access mode of operation to a peer to peer mode of operation.

35. The wireless terminal of claim 32, wherein processor is further configured to:

generate said second signal.

36. The wireless terminal of claim 32,

wherein said wireless terminal is a peer to peer device;

and

wherein said desired change is a change from a network access mode to a peer to peer mode of operation.

34. A wireless terminal for use in a system including a base station, the apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to;

determine a base station mode of operation, the base station mode of operation being one of an access node mode of operation in which said base station operates as a network access node and a peer to peer mode of operation in which devices within a base station coverage area are allowed to communicate directly with one another; and

generate a first signal indicating a wireless terminal desired change in the base station mode of operation of said base station;

send the first signal to said base station to communicate the wireless terminal desired change in the base station mode in which the base station to which the signal is sent operates;

include information in said generated first signal indicating a level of authority to control base station operation; and

wherein said information indicating the level of authority includes information indicating a priority level associated with a user of said wireless terminal who is authorized to override the determined base station mode of operation.