Methods to support MBMS service continuity and counting and localized MBMS service
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- acquiring multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) information of neighbor cells by a source base station in a wireless communication network, wherein the source base station acquires the MBMS information of neighbor cells through UE report via a new information element (IE) with an existing RRC message or through UE report via a new radio resource control (RRC) message that has an independent trigger;
acquiring MBMS reception/interest status information of a user equipment (UE), wherein the MBMS reception/interest status information comprises MBMS service IDs of MBMS services that the UE is currently receiving or is interested in reception;
selecting a target cell for handover from the neighbor cells by prioritizing the neighbor cells based on the acquired MBMS information of neighbor cells and MBMS reception/interest of the UE, such that the MBMS information of the target cell indicates that selected the target cell supports the MBMS reception/interest of the UE; and
transmitting a handover request and a handover command for the UE to handover to the target cell such that MBMS service continuity for the UE is maintained.
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Abstract
Network-assisted solutions are provided to maintain MBMS service continuity, to provide efficient localized MBMS service, and to achieve intelligent MBMS service management. In a first embodiment, a source eNB acquires MBMS information of neighbor cells and acquires MBMS reception/interest status information of a UE. Based on the acquired information, the source eNB makes handover decision for the UE to handover to a selected target cell and maintain MBMS service continuity. In a second embodiment, location information of a localized MBMS service is provided to a UE. Based on the location information, the UE is able to receive the localized MBMS service with minimum power consumption. In a third embodiment, an MBMS counting procedure is provided for an eNB to count the number of UEs that are receiving or are interested in MBMS service(s). Based on the counting result, the MBMS service(s) can be enabled or disabled accordingly.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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acquiring multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) information of neighbor cells by a source base station in a wireless communication network, wherein the source base station acquires the MBMS information of neighbor cells through UE report via a new information element (IE) with an existing RRC message or through UE report via a new radio resource control (RRC) message that has an independent trigger; acquiring MBMS reception/interest status information of a user equipment (UE), wherein the MBMS reception/interest status information comprises MBMS service IDs of MBMS services that the UE is currently receiving or is interested in reception; selecting a target cell for handover from the neighbor cells by prioritizing the neighbor cells based on the acquired MBMS information of neighbor cells and MBMS reception/interest of the UE, such that the MBMS information of the target cell indicates that selected the target cell supports the MBMS reception/interest of the UE; and transmitting a handover request and a handover command for the UE to handover to the target cell such that MBMS service continuity for the UE is maintained. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A base station, comprising:
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a multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) control module that acquires MBMS information of neighbor cells in a wireless communication network, wherein the MBMS control module also acquires MBMS reception/interest status information of a user equipment (UE), wherein the base station acquires the MBMS information of neighbor cells through UE report via a new information element (IE) with an existing RRC message or through UE report via a new radio resource control (RRC) message that has an independent trigger, and wherein the MBMS reception/interest status information comprises MBMS service IDs of MBMS services that the UE is currently receiving or is interested in reception, and wherein the MBMS control module determines a target cell for handover from the neighbor cells based on the acquired MBMS information of neighbor cells and MBMS reception/interest information of the UE, such that the MBMS information of the target cell indicates that the target cell supports the MBMS reception/interest of the UE; and a transceiver that transmits a handover request and a handover command for the UE to handover to the target cell such that MBMS service continuity for the UE is maintained. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification