System and method for provisioning broadcast and multicast services in a wireless network

• US 20060089136A1
• Filed: 05/26/2005
• Published: 04/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Rajkotia, Purva R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,095,114 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/422.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/57 for mobile receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/72 of terrestrial networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/06 Arrangements for scheduling broadcast services or broadcast-related services
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/27 Arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/18 for broadcast or conference , e.g. multicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/189 in combination with wireless systems selective distribution or broadcast in wireless communication networks H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6181 involving transmission via a mobile phone network arrangements for providing broadcast or conference services to substation in data switching networks in combination with wireless systems H04L12/189; wireless uplink channel access H04W74/004
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/907 using static stores, e.g. storage tubes or semiconductor memories H04N5/91 takes precedence
• 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 72/30 Resource management for broadcast services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A method of provisioning broadcast services and multicast services in a mobile station is provided. The method includes receiving a selection of a program to be transmitted by a base station at a subsequent predetermined time. A BCMC Request Order is generated based on the selection. The BCMC Request Order is sent to the base station to request transmission of the program at the subsequent predetermined time.

Claims

1. For use in a wireless network capable of communicating with a plurality of mobile stations in a coverage area of the wireless network, a method of provisioning broadcast services and multicast services in one of the mobile stations, the method comprising:

receiving a selection of a program to be transmitted by a base station at a subsequent predetermined time;

generating a BCMC Request Order based on the selection; and

sending the BCMC Request Order to the base station to request transmission of the program at the subsequent predetermined time.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising automatically activating the mobile station prior to the predetermined time.

3. The method as set forth in claim 2, further comprising:

receiving transmission of the program from the base station; and

storing the program in the mobile station for subsequent viewing by a user.

4. The method as set forth in claim 3, further comprising automatically deactivating the mobile station after the base station completes transmission of the program.

5. The method as set forth in claim 3, further comprising:

receiving a playback request for the program from the user subsequent to the predetermined time; and

playing the program for the user based on the playback request.

6. The method as set forth in claim 1, the BCMC Request Order comprising an encryption key for use in encrypting the program before transmission from the base station, the method further comprising decrypting the program.

7. The method as set forth in claim 1, the BCMC Request Order operable to identify explicitly the program and the predetermined time.

8. For use in a wireless network capable of communicating with a plurality of mobile stations in a coverage area of the wireless network, a mobile station operable to have broadcast services and multicast services provisioned by a base station, the mobile station comprising:

a timer operable to automatically activate the mobile station a specified amount of time prior to a predetermined time; and

a BC/MC file operable to store a program transmitted by the base station at the predetermined time.

9. The mobile station as set forth in claim 8, further comprising a main processor operable to receive a selection of the program to be transmitted by the base station, to generate a BCMC Request Order based on the selection, and to send the BCMC Request Order to the base station to request transmission of the program at the predetermined time.

10. The mobile station as set forth in claim 9, the main processor further operable to receive transmission of the program from the base station and to store the program in the BC/MC file for subsequent viewing by a user.

11. The mobile station as set forth in claim 10, the main processor further operable to receive a playback request for the program from the user subsequent to the predetermined time and to play the program for the user based on the playback request.

12. The mobile station as set forth in claim 9, the BCMC Request Order operable to identify explicitly the program and the predetermined time.

13. The mobile station as set forth in claim 8, the timer further operable to automatically deactivate the mobile station after the base station completes transmission of the program.

14. The mobile station as set forth in claim 8, the BC/MC file further operable to store a plurality of programs transmitted by the base station.

15. For use in a wireless network capable of communicating with a plurality of mobile stations in a coverage area of the wireless network, a method of provisioning broadcast services and multicast services in the mobile stations, the method comprising:

receiving a BCMC Request Order from at least one of the mobile stations, the BCMC Request Order comprising a request for transmission of a program to be transmitted by the base station at a subsequent predetermined time;

scheduling transmission of the program to the mobile station; and

transmitting the program to the mobile station at the predetermined time.

16. The method as set forth in claim 15, further comprising storing the BCMC Request Order.

17. The method as set forth in claim 16, further comprising:

performing a hand-off procedure to a second base station when the mobile station leaves a coverage area for the base station prior to the predetermined time; and

providing the BCMC Request Order to the second base station during the hand-off procedure.

18. The method as set forth in claim 16, storing the BCMC Request Order comprising storing the BCMC Request Order in a request database operable to store a plurality of BCMC Request Orders from a plurality of mobile stations.

19. The method as set forth in claim 15, the BCMC Request Order operable to identify explicitly the program and the predetermined time.

20. The method as set forth in claim 15, further comprising retrieving the program from a program database for transmission to the mobile station.