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

• US 9,270,400 B2
• Filed: 10/27/2014
• Issued: 02/23/2016
• 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:
  US14/525,100
• Publication Number:
  US 20150045060A1
• Time in Patent Office: 484 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 36/03 : Reselecting a link using a direct mode connection
• 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 36/18 : for allowing seamless reselection, e.g. soft reselection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/22 : for handling the traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/32 : by location or mobility data, e.g. speed data
• 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. An apparatus to be included in a network entity, the apparatus comprising:

receiver circuitry to receive location change data that is indicative of a location change over time of at least one of a first user equipment (“

UE”

) or a second UE;

processing circuitry, coupled with the receiver circuitry, to determine the location change over time of the at least one of the first UE or the second UE based on the location change data and to further determine that the first UE and the second UE are to be proximate with one another for a predetermined period of time based on the determined location change over time; and

transmitter circuitry, coupled with the processing circuitry, to transmit, based on the determination that the first UE and the second UE are to be proximate with one another for the predetermined period of time, an instruction to cause the first UE and the second UE to establish a direct wireless connection with one another.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the location change data comprises at least one of a velocity of the first or second UE, an acceleration of the first or second UE, or a rate of change of relative locations of the first and second UEs.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiver circuitry is to receive a first location associated with the first UE and a second location associated with the second UE, and further wherein the determination, by the processing circuitry, that the first UE and the second UE are to be proximate with one another is based on the first and second locations.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmitter circuitry is to transmit an instruction to an evolved serving mobile location center (“

E-SMLC”

) to obtain the location change data.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the instruction to the E-SMLC indicates use of one of radio resource control (“

RRC”

) or non-access stratum (“

NAS”

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

RAN”

).

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmitter circuitry is to transmit the instruction to a mobility management entity (“

MME”

).

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiver circuitry is to receive a request associated with the first UE or the second UE, and further wherein the determination, by the processing circuitry, that the first UE and the second UE are to be proximate with one another is based on the request.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the request comprises a request for location services from an evolved Node B (“

eNB”

) that is to serve at least one of the first or the second UEs.

9. One or more non-transitory, computer-readable media having instructions that, when executed, cause a device to:

instruct an evolved serving mobile location center (“

E-SMLC”

) to obtain location change data that is indicative of a location change over time of at least one of a first user equipment (“

UE”

) or a second UE;

determine, based on the location change over time, that the first UE and the second UE are to be proximate with one another for a predetermined period of time; and

transmit an instruction that is to cause the first and second UEs to establish a direct wireless connection based on said determination.

10. The one or more non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein the location change data comprises at least one of a velocity of the first or second UE, an acceleration of the first or second UE, or a rate of change of relative locations of the first and second UEs.

11. The one or more non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein the instruction to obtain the location change data includes an indication of whether to use radio resource control (“

RRC”

) or non-access stratum (“

NAS”

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

RAN”

).

12. The one or more non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the device to:

instruct a mobility management entity (“

MME”

) to cause the first and second UEs to establish the direct wireless connection.

13. The one or more non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the device to:

process a request associated with the first UE or the second UE; and

determine that the first UE and the second UE are to be proximate with one another based on the request.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the request comprises a request for location services from an evolved Node B (“

eNB”

) that is to serve at least one of the first or the second UEs.

15. Evolved Node B (“

eNB”

) circuitry comprising;

receiver circuitry to receive, from an evolved mobile location center (“

E-SMLC”

), a first request for location change data that is indicative of a location change over time of a first user equipment (“

UE”

) and to receive the location change data from the first UE based on a second request;

transmitter circuitry to transmit the second request to the first UE using radio resource control (“

RRC”

) or non-access stratum (“

NAS”

) signaling and to transmit the location change data to the E-SMLC based on the first request; and

processing circuitry, coupled with the receiver circuitry and the transmitter circuitry, to serve the first UE and to determine the location change over time based on the location change data received from the first UE.

16. The eNB circuitry of claim 15, wherein the location change data comprises at least one of a velocity of the first UE, an acceleration of the first UE, or a rate of change of relative locations of the first UE to a second UE that is also served by the eNB circuitry.

17. The eNB circuitry of claim 15, wherein the request for the location change data is received directly from the E-SMLC and not from a mobility management entity (“

MME”

).

18. At least one non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, in response to execution of the instructions by a user equipment (“

UE”

), enable the UE to;

process a request, received via radio resource control (“

RRC”

) or non-access stratum (“

NAS”

) signaling, for location change data that is indicative of a location change over time of the UE; and

transmit, via the RRC or the NAS signaling, the location change data to an eNB that is to serve the UE based on the request.

19. The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the instructions further enable the UE to:

establish a direct wireless connection with another UE.

20. The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the instructions further enable the UE to:

process an instruction, received from a traffic detection function (“

TDF”

), to establish the direct wireless connection with the other UE.