Method and apparatus for mobile broadband wireless communications

• US 20040042432A1
• Filed: 08/29/2002
• Published: 03/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Riazi, Habib, Zuniga, Michael Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 7,639,654 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/289 Intermediate processing functionally located close to the data consumer application, e.g. in same machine, in same home or in same sub-network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/568 Storing data temporarily at an intermediate stage, e.g. caching
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• 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 88/16 Gateway arrangements

Abstract

A system and apparatus are disclosed for distributing electronic media to near stationary users, such as in-vehicle users or other mobile users, using short-range high speed wireless access techniques. A content provider stores electronic media at one or more wireless servers positioned at the edge of a network, such as the Internet. The wireless servers transfer the electronic media to one or more subscriber wireless devices using unlicensed frequency bands at relatively short ranges. The wireless servers are generally positioned at convenient locations where users tend to congregate. The present invention recognizes that a significant amount of the multimedia content that is of interest to users does not require real-time updates. Thus, the media can be cached at desired wireless servers within the distributed mobile broadband network and then downloaded to the subscriber wireless devices at the designated locations and subsequently played at the convenience of the user. The caching of content at distributed locations and the use of fast short-range wireless access techniques to near stationary users provide a distributed localized broadband wireless service area that enables the rapid download of large amounts of media content.

Claims

1. A method for providing information to a user, comprising the steps of:

storing said information in at least one wireless server connected to a network; and

transferring said information from said at least one wireless server to said user using a short range wireless access technique.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said user employs a near stationary wireless device.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said near stationary wireless device is positioned at a designated location to access said information.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said short-range wireless access technique conforms to the IEEE standard 802.11a.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of selecting content for storage at said at least one wireless server based on previous user selections.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of selecting content for storage at said at least one wireless server based on previous user preferences.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving a user selection of said information.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving one or more user preferences for receiving said information.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of authenticating said user.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said information is non-real-time content.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said user is a mobile user.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein said information is transferred in a short interval.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein said wireless access technique provides a common backhaul and a short range high speed transfer of said information.

14. A distributed mobile broadband network for distributing information to one or more users, comprising:

a central server for storing said information;

a plurality of wireless servers connected to said central server by a network, wherein said wireless servers can provide said information to said one or more users using a short range wireless access technique.

15. The distributed mobile broadband network of claim 14, wherein said central server processes requests for said information.

16. The distributed mobile broadband network of claim 14, wherein said plurality of wireless servers are distributed.

17. The distributed mobile broadband network of claim 14, wherein said users employ a near stationary wireless device that is positioned at a designated location.

18. The distributed mobile broadband network of claim 14, wherein said short-range wireless access technique conforms to the IEEE standard 802.11a.

19. The distributed mobile broadband network of claim 14, wherein said information is non-real-time content.

20. A wireless server for distributing information to one or more users, comprising:

a network connection to a central server that stores said information; and

a wireless modem for providing said information to said one or more users using a short range wireless access technique.

21. The wireless server of claim 20, wherein said central server stores said information when said central server senses said user presence in a coverage area and determines that there is an outstanding deliverable to said user.

22. The wireless server of claim 20, wherein said central server stores said information when said central server senses that said user accepts an on-site offer.

23. The wireless server of claim 20, wherein said users employ a near stationary wireless device that are positioned at a designated location to access said information.

24. The wireless server of claim 20, wherein said short-range wireless access technique conforms to the IEEE standard 802.11a.

25. The wireless server of claim 20, wherein said information is non-real-time content.

26. A user device for accessing information from a distributed mobile broadband network, comprising:

a short range wireless modem for receiving said information from said distributed mobile broadband network.

27. The user device of claim 26, further comprising a memory device for storing said information.

28. The user device of claim 26, further comprising a decoder for de-encrypting said information.

29. The user device of claim 26, further comprising a media handler for playback of said information.

30. The user device of claim 26, wherein said user device is in a vehicle.