Performing paging in a wireless peer-to-peer network

• US 8,521,194 B2
• Filed: 07/10/2007
• Issued: 08/27/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Laroia, Rajiv, Jovicic, Aleksandar, Li, Junyi, Richardson, Thomas, Wu, Xinzhou
• Primary Examiner(s): RAMPURIA, SHARAD K
• Application Number:
  US11/775,461
• Publication Number:
  US 20090017843A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,240 Days
• Field of Search: 455/458, 455/466, 455/41.2, 455/502, 455517-519, 455/509, 370/329, 370/338, 370/352, 370/350
• US Class Current: 455/458
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/00 User notification, e.g. alerting and paging, for incoming communication, change of service or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/02 Selection of wireless resources by user or terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/11 Allocation or use of connection identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 Direct-mode setup

Abstract

Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate paging within a peer-to-peer communication network. A first wireless terminal monitors the paging channel of a wide area network. When a second wireless terminal intends to establish a peer-to-peer connection with the first wireless terminal, the second wireless terminal generates a paging message and transfers the message to the WAN, which routes the paging message to a base station. The base station uses its paging channel to send a paging message to the target first wireless terminal. The paging message indicates to the target first wireless terminal that the second wireless terminal intends to establish a peer-to-peer connection with the first wireless terminal. The paging message may further include parameters to be used to establish the peer-to-peer connection. Upon reception of the paging message, the second wireless terminal sends a signal directly to the first wireless terminal to start the direct peer-to-peer communication.

Claims

1. A method of operating a paging wireless terminal for paging a target wireless terminal via infrastructure node(s) to initiate peer-to-peer communication, comprising:

receiving a broadcast signal from a target wireless terminal including at least one of an identifier and a network address of the target wireless terminal, the target wireless terminal transmitting the broadcast signal in a vicinity of the paging wireless terminal;

generating a paging request for initiating direct peer-to-peer communication with the target wireless terminal;

transmitting the paging request to a base station for routing the paging request to the target wireless terminal; and

communicating with the target wireless terminal via a peer-to-peer connection.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the peer-to-peer connection is a direct communication connection between the paging wireless terminal and the target wireless terminal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the paging request includes at least a first parameter, the method further comprising:

determining the peer-to-peer connection as a function of the first parameter.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first parameter is an identifier of the peer-to-peer connection.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the first parameter is a starting time from which the peer-to-peer connection starts between the paging wireless terminal and the target wireless terminal.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the paging request includes at least one of the identifier and the network address of the target wireless terminal, an identifier and a network address of the paging wireless terminal.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting traffic and control data to the target wireless terminal using the peer-to-peer connection.

8. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

a memory that retains instructions related to obtaining a broadcast signal from a target wireless terminal and deriving from the broadcast signal the at least one of an identifier and a network address of the target wireless terminal, the target wireless terminal transmitting the broadcast signal in a vicinity of the paging wireless terminal, generating a paging request for initiating direct peer-to-peer communication with the target wireless terminal, transferring the paging request to a base station for routing the paging request to the target wireless terminal, and communicating with the target wireless terminal via a peer-to-peer connection; and

a processor, coupled to the memory, configured to execute the instructions retained in the memory.

9. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 8, wherein the peer-to-peer connection is a direct communication connection between a paging wireless terminal and the target wireless terminal.

10. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 8, wherein the paging request includes at least a first parameter.

11. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 8, wherein the memory further retains instructions for determining the peer-to-peer connection as a function of the first parameter.

12. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first parameter is an identifier of the peer-to-peer connection.

13. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first parameter is a starting time from which the peer-to-peer connection starts between a paging wireless terminal and the target wireless terminal.

14. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 8, wherein the paging request includes at least a second parameter, the second parameter being at least one of the identifier and the network address of the target wireless terminal and an identifier and a network address of a paging wireless terminal.

15. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 8, wherein the broadcast signal is sent by the target wireless terminal, the target wireless terminal transmitting the broadcast signal to broadcast its identifier or network address to wireless terminals in a vicinity.

16. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 8, wherein the memory further retains instructions for transmitting traffic and control data to the target wireless terminal using the peer-to-peer connection.

17. A wireless communications apparatus that enables generating and transmitting paging messages for notification of direct peer-to-peer communication, comprising:

means for receiving a broadcast signal from a target wireless terminal including at least one of an identifier and a network address of the target wireless terminal, the target wireless terminal transmitting the broadcast signal in a vicinity of the paging wireless terminal;

means for generating a paging request for initiating direct peer-to-peer communication with the target wireless terminal;

means for transferring the paging request to a base station for routing the paging request to the target wireless terminal; and

means for communicating with the target wireless terminal via a peer-to-peer connection.

18. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 17, wherein the peer-to-peer connection is a direct communication connection between a paging wireless terminal and the target wireless terminal.

19. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 17, wherein the paging request includes at least a first parameter.

20. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 19, further comprising means for determining the peer-to-peer connection as a function of the first parameter.

21. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first parameter is an identifier of the peer-to-peer connection.

22. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first parameter is a starting time from which the peer-to-peer connection starts between a paging wireless terminal and the target wireless terminal.

23. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 17, wherein the paging request includes at least a second parameter, the second parameter being at least one of the identifier and the network address of the target wireless terminal and an identifier and a network address of a paging wireless terminal.

24. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 17, wherein the broadcast signal is sent by the target wireless terminal, the target wireless terminal transmitting the broadcast signal to broadcast its identifier or network address to wireless terminals in a vicinity.

25. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 17, further comprising means for transmitting traffic and control data to the target wireless terminal using the peer-to-peer connection.

26. A machine-readable non-transitory medium having stored thereon machine-executable instructions for:

receiving a broadcast signal in a paging wireless terminal from a target wireless terminal including at least one of an identifier and a network address of the target wireless terminal, the target wireless terminal transmitting the broadcast signal in a vicinity of the paging wireless terminal;

generating a paging request for initiating direct peer-to-peer communication with the target wireless terminal;

transmitting the paging request to a base station for routing the paging request to the target wireless terminal; and

communicating with the target wireless terminal via a peer-to-peer connection.

27. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the peer-to-peer connection is a direct communication connection between a paging wireless terminal and the target wireless terminal.

28. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the paging request includes at least a first parameter.

29. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 28, the machine-executable instructions further comprise determining the peer-to-peer connection as a function of the first parameter.

30. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 29, wherein the first parameter is an identifier of the peer-to-peer connection.

31. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 29, wherein the first parameter is a starting time from which the peer-to-peer connection starts between a paging wireless terminal and the target wireless terminal.

32. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the paging request includes at least a second parameter, the second parameter at least one of the identifier and the network address of the target wireless terminal and an identifier and a network address of a paging wireless terminal.

33. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the broadcast signal is sent by the target wireless terminal, the target wireless terminal transmitting the broadcast signal to broadcast its identifier or network address to wireless terminals in a vicinity.

34. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 26, the machine-executable instructions further comprise transmitting traffic and control data to the target wireless terminal using the peer-to-peer connection.

35. In a wireless communication system, an apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to;

receive a broadcast signal in a paging wireless terminal from a target wireless terminal including at least one of an identifier and a network address of the target wireless terminal, the target wireless terminal transmitting the broadcast signal in a vicinity of the paging wireless terminal;

generate a paging request for initiating direct peer-to-peer communication with the target wireless terminal;

transfer the paging request to a base station for routing the paging request to the target wireless terminal; and

communicate with the target wireless terminal via a peer-to-peer connection.

36. A method of operating a target wireless terminal for being paged by a paging wireless terminal via infrastructure node(s) to establish peer-to-peer communication, comprising:

transmitting a broadcast signal to wireless terminals in a vicinity including the paging wireless terminal, the broadcast signal including at least an identifier and network address of the target wireless terminal;

monitoring transmissions from a base station during a paging interval;

determining that a paging message included within the transmissions from the base station in the paging interval is relevant to the target wireless terminal; and

communicating with the paging wireless terminal via a peer-to-peer connection.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the peer-to-peer connection is a direct communication connection between the paging wireless terminal and the target wireless terminal.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the paging message includes at least a first parameter, the method further comprising:

determining the peer-to-peer connection as a function of said first parameter.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the first parameter is an identifier of the peer-to-peer connection.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the first parameter is a starting time from which the peer-to-peer connection starts between the paging wireless terminal and the target wireless terminal.

41. The method of claim 36, further comprising:

transitioning to a sleep state if it is determined that the paging message included within the transmissions from the base station in the paging interval is not relevant to the target wireless terminal; and

restraining from transmitting or receiving traffic and control data via the peer-to-peer connection.

42. The method of claim 36, determining whether the paging message is relevant to the target wireless terminal based upon a comparison between a parameter included with the paging message and an identifier of the target wireless terminal.

43. The method of claim 36, further comprising receiving traffic and control data from the paging wireless terminal using the peer-to-peer connection.

44. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

a memory that retains instructions related to transmitting a broadcast signal to wireless terminals in a vicinity including a paging wireless terminal, the broadcast signal including at least an identifier and network address of the target wireless terminal, monitoring transmissions from a base station during a paging interval, determining that a paging message included within the transmissions from the base station in the paging interval is relevant to a target wireless terminal, and communicating with a paging wireless terminal via a peer-to-peer connection; and

a processor, coupled to the memory, configured to execute the instructions retained in the memory.

45. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 44, wherein the peer-to-peer connection is a direct communication connection between the paging wireless terminal and the target wireless terminal.

46. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 44, wherein the paging message includes at least a first parameter.

47. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 46, wherein the memory further retains instructions for determining the peer-to-peer connection as a function of said first parameter.

48. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 47, wherein the first parameter is an identifier of the peer-to-peer connection.

49. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 47, wherein the first parameter is a starting time from which the peer-to-peer connection starts between the paging wireless terminal and the target wireless terminal.

50. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 44, wherein the memory further retains instructions for transitioning to a sleep state if it is determined that the paging message included within the transmissions from the base station in the paging interval is not relevant to the target wireless terminal and restraining from transmitting or receiving traffic and control data via the peer-to-peer connection.

51. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 44, wherein the memory further retains instructions for determining whether the paging message is relevant to the target wireless terminal based upon a comparison between a parameter included with the paging message and an identifier of the target wireless terminal.

52. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 44, wherein the memory further retains instructions for receiving traffic and control data from the paging wireless terminal using the peer-to-peer connection.

53. A wireless communications apparatus that enables being paged by a paging wireless terminal via infrastructure node(s), comprising:

means for transmitting a broadcast signal to wireless terminals in a vicinity including the paging wireless terminal, the broadcast signal including at least an identifier and network address of the target wireless terminal;

means for monitoring transmissions from a base station during a paging interval;

means for determining that a paging message included within the transmissions from the base station in the paging interval is relevant to a target wireless terminal; and

means for communicating with the paging wireless terminal via a peer-to-peer connection.

54. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 53, wherein the peer-to-peer connection is a direct communication connection between the paging wireless terminal and the target wireless terminal.

55. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 53, wherein the paging message includes at least a first parameter.

56. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 55, further comprising means for determining the peer-to-peer connection as a function of said first parameter.

57. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 56, wherein the first parameter is an identifier of the peer-to-peer connection.

58. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 56, wherein the first parameter is a starting time from which the peer-to-peer connection starts between the paging wireless terminal and the target wireless terminal.

59. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 53, further comprising:

means for transitioning to a sleep state if it is determined that the paging message included within the transmissions from the base station in the paging interval is not relevant to the target wireless terminal; and

means for restraining from transmitting or receiving traffic and control data via the peer-to-peer connection.

60. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 53, further comprising means for determining whether the paging message is relevant to the target wireless terminal based upon a comparison between a parameter included with the paging message and an identifier of the target wireless terminal.

61. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 53, further comprising means for receiving traffic and control data from the paging wireless terminal using the peer-to-peer connection.

62. A machine-readable non-transitory medium having stored thereon machine executable instructions for:

transmitting a broadcast signal to wireless terminals in a vicinity including a paging wireless terminal, the broadcast signal including at least an identifier and network address of the target wireless terminal;

monitoring transmissions from a base station during a paging interval;

determining that a paging message included within the transmissions from the base station in the paging interval is relevant to a target wireless terminal; and

communicating with the paging wireless terminal via a peer-to-peer connection.

63. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 62, wherein the peer-to-peer connection is a direct communication connection between the paging wireless terminal and the target wireless terminal.

64. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 62, wherein the paging message includes at least a first parameter.

65. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 64, the machine-executable instructions further comprise determining the peer-to-peer connection as a function of said first parameter.

66. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 65, wherein the first parameter is an identifier of the peer-to-peer connection.

67. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 62, the machine-executable instructions further comprise transitioning to a sleep state if it is determined that the paging message included within the transmissions from the base station in the paging interval is not relevant to the target wireless terminal and restraining from transmitting or receiving traffic and control data via the peer-to-peer connection.

68. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 62, the machine-executable instructions further comprise determining whether the paging message is relevant to the target wireless terminal based upon a comparison between a parameter included with the paging message and an identifier of the target wireless terminal.

69. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 62, the machine-executable instructions further comprise receiving traffic and control data from the paging wireless terminal using the peer-to-peer connection.

70. In a wireless communication system, an apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to;

transmit a broadcast signal to wireless terminals in a vicinity including a paging wireless terminal, the broadcast signal including at least an identifier and network address of the target wireless terminal;

monitor transmissions from a base station during a paging interval;

determine that a paging message included within the transmissions from the base station in the paging interval is relevant to a target wireless terminal; and

communicate with the paging wireless terminal via a peer-to-peer connection.

71. A method that facilitates routing paging messages between peers for utilization with direct peer-to-peer communication, comprising:

transmitting a broadcast signal from a target wireless terminal to wireless terminals in a vicinity including a paging wireless terminal, the broadcast signal including at least an identifier and network address of the target wireless terminal;

receiving a paging message from the paging wireless terminal initiated based on the broadcast signal, the paging message intended for the target wireless terminal, the paging message initiates direct peer-to-peer communication between the paging wireless terminal and the target wireless terminal;

determining whether the target wireless terminal is located within an associated coverage area; and

transmitting the paging message to the target wireless terminal upon determining that the target wireless terminal is within the associated coverage area.

72. The method of claim 71, further comprising routing the paging message through a communication infrastructure to the target wireless terminal upon determining that the target wireless terminal is outside the associated coverage area.

73. The method of claim 72, wherein the communication infrastructure is associated with a home agent corresponding to the target wireless terminal, the home agent enables locating the target wireless terminal.

74. The method of claim 71, wherein the paging message includes information pertaining to a direct communication connection identifier, at least one of the identifier and the network address of the target wireless terminal, at least one of an identifier and a network address of the paging wireless terminal that generates the paging message, and/or a starting time for direct communication.

75. The method of claim 71, further comprising evaluating the paging message to decipher an identity of the target wireless terminal and determining the paging interval to transmit the paging message as a function of said identity of the target wireless terminal.

76. The method of claim 71, wherein the coverage area is associated with a base station that receives the paging message.

77. The method of claim 71, further comprising bypassing a communication infrastructure when the target wireless terminal is within the associated coverage area.

78. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

a memory that retains instructions related to transmitting a broadcast signal from a target wireless terminal to wireless terminals in a vicinity including a paging wireless terminal, the broadcast signal including at least a direct communication identifier of the target wireless terminal, obtaining a paging message initiated based on the broadcast signal, the paging message from the paging wireless terminal intended for the target wireless terminal, evaluating whether the target wireless terminal is positioned within an associated coverage area, and sending the paging message to the target wireless terminal upon determining that the target wireless terminal is within the associated coverage area; and

a processor, coupled to the memory, configured to execute the instructions retained in the memory.

79. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 78, wherein the paging message initiates direct peer-to-peer communication between the paging wireless terminal and the target wireless terminal.

80. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 79, wherein the paging message includes information pertaining to a direct communication connection identifier, the direct communication identifier of the target wireless terminal, a direct communication identifier of the paging wireless terminal that generates the paging message, and/or a starting time for direct communication.

81. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 79, wherein the memory further retains instructions for routing the paging message through a communication infrastructure to the target wireless terminal upon determining that the target wireless terminal is outside the associated coverage area.

82. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 81, wherein the communication infrastructure is associated with a home agent corresponding to the target wireless terminal, the home agent enables locating the target wireless terminal.

83. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 79, wherein the memory further retains instructions for determining an identity of the target wireless terminal from the paging message.

84. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 79, wherein the memory further retains instructions for bypassing a communication infrastructure when the target wireless terminal is within the associated coverage area.

85. A wireless communications apparatus that enables routing paging messages for direct peer-to-peer communication, comprising:

means for transmitting a broadcast signal from a target wireless terminal to wireless terminals in a vicinity including a paging wireless terminal, the broadcast signal including at least a direct communication identifier of the target wireless terminal;

means for obtaining a paging message initiated based on the broadcast signal, the paging message from the paging wireless terminal directed to the target wireless terminal;

means for determining whether the target wireless terminal is within a corresponding coverage area; and

means for routing the paging message to the target wireless terminal according to the determination to enable direct peer-to-peer communication between the paging wireless terminal and the target wireless terminal.

86. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 85, wherein the paging message includes information pertaining to a direct communication connection identifier, the direct communication identifier of the target wireless terminal, a direct communication identifier of the paging wireless terminal that generates the paging message, and/or a starting time for direct communication.

87. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 85, further comprising means for directly transferring the paging message to the target wireless terminal when the target wireless terminal is determined to be within vicinity.

88. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 85, further comprising means for indirectly transferring the paging message to the target wireless terminal via a communication infrastructure when the target wireless terminal is determined to be outside of the coverage area.

89. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 85, further comprising means for deciphering an identity of the target wireless terminal from the paging message.

90. A machine-readable non-transitory medium having stored thereon machine-executable instructions for:

transmitting a broadcast signal from a target wireless terminal to wireless terminals in a vicinity including a paging wireless terminal, the broadcast signal including at least a direct communication identifier of the target wireless terminal;

receiving a paging message initiated based on the broadcast signal, the paging message from the paging wireless terminal intended for the target wireless terminal, the paging message initiates direct peer-to-peer communication between the paging wireless terminal and the target wireless terminal;

determining whether the target wireless terminal is located within an associated coverage area; and

transmitting the paging message to the target wireless terminal upon determining that the target wireless terminal is within the associated coverage area.

91. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 90, wherein the paging message includes information pertaining to a direct communication connection identifier, the direct communication identifier of the target wireless terminal, a direct communication identifier of the paging wireless terminal that generates the paging message, and/or a starting time for direct communication.

92. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 90, the machine-executable instructions further comprise routing the paging message through a communication infrastructure to the target wireless terminal upon determining that the target wireless terminal is outside the associated coverage area.

93. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 92, wherein the communication infrastructure is associated with a home agent corresponding to the target wireless terminal, the home agent enables locating the target wireless terminal.

94. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 90, the machine-executable instructions further comprise evaluating the paging message to decipher an identity of the target wireless terminal.

95. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 90, the machine-executable instructions further comprise bypassing a communication infrastructure when the target wireless terminal is within the associated coverage area.

96. In a wireless communication system, an apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to;

transmit a broadcast signal from a target wireless terminal to wireless terminals in a vicinity including a paging wireless terminal, the broadcast signal including at least a direct communication identifier of the target wireless terminal;

receive a paging message initiated based on the broadcast signal, the paging message from the paging wireless terminal directed to the target wireless terminal;

determine whether the target wireless terminal is within a corresponding coverage area; and

route the paging message to the target wireless terminal according to the determination to enable direct peer-to-peer communication between the paging wireless terminal and the target wireless terminal.