SIMULTANEOUS MULTIPLE SECONDARY CELL (SCELL) FAST ACTIVATION

Some embodiments include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for simultaneous multiple secondary cell (SCell) fast activation in a wireless communications system. Some embodiments include a user equipment (UE) that can simultaneously activate multiple SCells. In some embodiments, after receiving an activation command, the UE can receive two or more temporary reference signals (T-RSs) which are user equipment (UE) specific reference signals. The UE can use the T-RSs for fine time/frequency (T/F) tracking and Automatic Gain Control (AGC) adjustment of corresponding SCells resulting in reduced SCell activation latency compared to utilizing a Synchronization Signal (SS)/Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) Block Measurement Timing Configuration (SMTC).

BACKGROUND

Field

The described embodiments relate generally to simultaneous multiple secondary cell (SCell) fast activation in a wireless communications system.

Related Art

Wireless communications systems support secondary cell (SCell) fast activation in a wireless communications system between a base station (BS) and a communications device such as a user equipment (UE).

SUMMARY

Some embodiments include a system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method, and/or computer program product and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for simultaneous multiple secondary cell (SCell) fast activation in a wireless communications system. Some embodiments include a user equipment (UE), that can receive an activation command, and then receive a first group of X temporary reference signals (T-RSs) within a first window length (Tw) where X is an integer, where the first group of X T-RSs are specific to the UE. The UE can activate a first group of SCells, where a first SCell of the first group of SCells corresponds respectively to a first T-RS of the first group of X T-RSs. In some embodiments, the first Tw corresponds to a multiple of slots. In some examples, the multiple of slots corresponds to 2 slots.

Subsequent to the first Tw and a first gap period, Tgap1, the UE can receive (Y−X) T-RSs that are specific to the UE within a second Tw, where Y is an integer greater than X and where (Y−X) is less than X. The UE can activate a second group of SCells, where one SCell of the second group of SCells corresponds to one T-RS of the (Y−X) T-RSs, where the second group of SCells is different from the first group of SCells.

In some embodiments, the activation time, Tactivation, for activating the first and the second group of SCells includes a TFirstTRS, the Tgap1, the second Tw, a TsecondTRS, a Tgap2, and a third Tw, where the TFirstTRSincludes a time after the activation command is received to the end of the first Tw. In some examples, the UE can simultaneously activate a subset of SCells of the first group of SCells before remaining SCells of the first group of SCells, and report first valid channel quality indicators (CQIs) corresponding to the subset of SCells before reporting second valid CQIs corresponding to the remaining SCells of the first group of SCells. To activate the first group of SCells, the UE can receive a second group of X T-RSs within a third Tw, where the second group of X T-RSs corresponds to the first group of SCells. The UE can perform one or more automatic gain control (AGC) adjustments based at least on the second group of X T-RSs. In some examples, the activating the first group of SCells includes performing fine Time/Frequency (T/F) tracking based at least on the X T-RSs.

In some embodiments, the UE includes a parameter, maxTFtrackAGCforSCells that corresponds to the X T-RSs that can be received within the first Tw. In some examples, subsequent to the first Tw and a first gap period, Tgap1, the UE can receive (Y−X) T-RSs that are specific to the UE within a second Tw, where Y is an integer greater than X and less than or equal to 2X. The UE can activate a second group of SCells, where one SCell of the second group of SCells corresponds to one T-RS of the (Y−X) T-RSs, where the second group of SCells is different from the first group of SCells.

In some examples, Tactivation, for activating the first and the second group of SCells includes a TFirstTRS, the Tgap1, and the second Tw, where the TFirstTRSincludes a time after the activation command is received to the end of the first Tw. In some embodiments, the UE can simultaneously activate a subset of SCells of the second group of SCells before remaining SCells of the second group of SCells. The UE can report first valid CQIs corresponding to the subset of SCells before reporting second valid CQIs corresponding to the remaining SCells of the second group of SCells.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some embodiments include a system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method, and/or computer program product and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for simultaneous multiple secondary cell (SCell) fast activation. Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) in SSB-based Measurement Timing Configuration (SMTC) is a cell specific periodic reference signal. The SMTC range is from 5 ms to 160 ms. In legacy SCell activation, after receiving activation command, a UE needs to wait for the next one or two SMTC for fine Time/Frequency (T/F) tracking and Automatic Gain Control (AGC) adjustment. In fast SCell activation, after transmitting an activation command a wireless network can transmit a temporary reference signal (T-RS), a UE specific reference signal. The UE can then perform T/F tracking and AGC adjustment immediately after receiving the activation command. Due to a process limitation, a UE cannot perform T/F tracking and AGC simultaneously on multiple SCells. Some embodiments include a new UE capability that identifies a maximum number of SCells for which a UE can support using T-RS for fine T/F tracking and AGC adjustments (e.g., simultaneously), where the embodiments enable simultaneous multiple SCell activations faster than relying on SMTCs.

FIG.1illustrates an example system100for simultaneous multiple SCell fast activation, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. System100includes user equipment (UE)110, base station (BS)120, Primary Cell (PCell)130and SCell140,142,150, and152. UE110may be a computing electronic device such as a smart phone, cellular phone, and for simplicity purposes—may include other computing devices including but not limited to laptops, desktops, tablets, personal assistants, routers, monitors, televisions, printers, and appliances. BS120can include but is not limited to a wireless base station, an enhanced node BS (eNB), a fifth generation new radio BS (gNB), or a transmission and reception point (TRP) of a wireless network.

For example, BS120can transmit an activation command via a PCell transmission to UE110for activating an SCell. In some embodiments, UE110can support X simultaneous multiple SCell fast activations where X is an integer. For example, in system100where X=3, UE100can identify a maximum number of 3 SCells (e.g., SCell140,142,150) for which UE110can perform simultaneous multiple SCell fast activation. UE110can receive up to 3 T-RSs received during a window length (Tw) for performing fine T/F tracking and AGC adjustments simultaneously. A T-RS can be an aperiodic, UE specific reference signal. After a guard period, Tguard, during which UE110processes the 3 T-RSs received during Tw, UE110can receive a 4th T-RS during a second Tw, where the 4th T-RS corresponds to SCell152. UE110can use the 4th T-RS for performing fine T/F tracking and AGC adjustments to activate SCell152.

In some embodiments, an SCell can be supported by a BS (not shown) that is different than B S120, or a remote radio head.

FIG.2illustrates a block diagram of an example wireless system200supporting simultaneous multiple SCell fast activation, according to some embodiments of the disclosure. For explanation purposes and not a limitation,FIG.2may be described with reference to elements fromFIG.1. For example, system200may be any of the electronic devices: UE110or BS120of system100. System200includes one or more processors265, transceiver(s)270, communication interface275, communication infrastructure280, memory285, and antenna290. Memory285may include random access memory (RAM) and/or cache, and may include control logic (e.g., computer instructions) and/or data. One or more processors265can execute the instructions stored in memory285to perform operations enabling wireless system200to transmit and receive wireless communications supporting simultaneous multiple SCell fast activation described herein. In some embodiments, one or more processors265can be “hard coded” to perform the functions herein. Transceiver(s)270transmits and receives wireless communications signals including wireless communications supporting simultaneous multiple SCell fast activation according to some embodiments, and may be coupled to one or more antennas290(e.g.,290a,290b). In some embodiments, a transceiver270a(not shown) may be coupled to antenna290aand different transceiver270b(not shown) can be coupled to antenna290b. Communication interface275allows system200to communicate with other devices that may be wired and/or wireless. Communication infrastructure280may be a bus. Antenna290may include one or more antennas that may be the same or different types.

In some embodiments, UE110can include a parameter that identifies the number of SCells for which UE110can support using T-RS for fine T/F tracking and AGC adjustments simultaneously. As an example, a physical layer parameter, maxTFtrackAGCforSCells=X, where X is an integer greater than or equal to 2 may be defined in 3GPP TS38.306, section 4.2.7.10. Simultaneously can mean that the T-RS for different SCells are transmitted within a window length, Tw, which may be defined in 3GPP TS38.133. In some examples the window length, Tw, is based on multiple slots (e.g., 2 ms/2 slots.) In some embodiments the window length, Tw, varies based on a subcarrier spacing (e.g., 15 kHz: 2 slots or 2 ms, 30 kHz: 1 slot or 1 ms.) An example of the physical layer parameters is shown below in Table 1.

Regarding the title headers, Per identifies an element (e.g., UE) that supports the feature. Per UE indicates that the feature applies for all frequency bands which the UE supports. M indicates whether the feature is mandatory or not. FDD-TDD DIFF indicates whether the support of the feature needs to be indicated differently for FDD and TDD. FR1-FR2 DIFF indicates whether the support of the feature needs to be indicated differently for FR1 and FR2.

In some embodiments, T-RS are used for fast activation for all target SCells. In an example, when activating Y SCells where Y>X where X and Y are integers, a network can transmit via BS120, X T-RSs corresponding to X SCells within a window length, Tw. For the remaining (Y−X) SCells, the network can transmit corresponding (Y−X) T-RSs after the Tw plus a guard period (e.g., Tguard). During Tguard, UE110can process the X T-RS transmitted in Tw, 2 ms/2 slots. Note that the network ensures that (Y−X)<=X. Otherwise, the network may further split (Y−X) into smaller groups.

In some embodiments, UE110can perform fine T/F tracking and AGC adjustments based on the received T-RSs corresponding to SCells by SCell group. In other words, UE110can perform fine T/F tracking and AGC adjustments based on up to X T-RSs received corresponding to X SCells at a time. In some examples, UE110can simultaneously perform fine T/F tracking and AGC adjustments based on up to X T-RSs received corresponding to X SCells. In some examples, UE110can complete activation for some SCells (e.g., a subset of the X SCells) earlier than other SCells (e.g., the remaining SCells of the X SCells). Thus, UE110can report valid Channel Quality Indicators (CQI) for the corresponding subset of the X SCells so that the network can timely schedule the subset of the X SCells (e.g., earlier than the remaining SCells of the X SCells).

FIG.3illustrates example 300 of simultaneous multiple SCell fast activation, according to some embodiments of the disclosure. For explanation purposes and not a limitation,FIG.3may be described with reference to elements from other figures in the disclosure. For example,FIG.3may include UE110and BS120ofFIG.1. In example 300, T-RSs are transmitted for fast activation of target SCells. Example 300 includes two SCell groups: SCell group310and SCell group320. SCell group310includes X SCells and SCell group320includes (Y−X) SCells. For example, if Y=9 and X=5 then SCell group310includes 5 SCells and SCell group320includes 4 SCells (e.g., 9 SCells−5 SCells=4 SCells.)

In example 300, UE110can include a parameter that identifies X SCells for which UE110can support using T-RS for fine T/F tracking and/or AGC adjustments simultaneously. For example, a physical layer parameter, maxTFtrackAGCforSCells=X. In some embodiments, SCells of SCell group310and SCell group320are activated after receiving T-RSs in various window lengths, Tw380, as shown by Tactivation360. In some embodiments, a subset of SCells of SCell group310and/or SCell group320can be activated before the remaining SCells of SCell group310and/or the remaining SCells of SCell group320are activated.

In some embodiments, UE110can perform fine T/F tracking and/or AGC adjustments based on the received X T-RSs received corresponding to SCell group310and correspondingly on the received (Y−X) T-RSs received corresponding to SCell group320. In some examples, UE110can simultaneously perform fine T/F tracking and/or AGC adjustments based on up to X T-RSs received corresponding to X SCells of SCell group310. In some examples, UE110can simultaneously perform fine T/F tracking and/or AGC adjustments based on up to (Y−X) T-RSs received corresponding to (Y−X) SCells of SCell group320.

In example 300, UE110performs fine T/F tracking based on: the X T-RSs received during Tw380aand the (Y−X) T-RSs received during Tw380b. UE110can perform AGC adjustments based on: the X T-RSs received during Tw380cand the (Y−X) T-RSs received during Tw380d. As shown in example 300, UE110can receive additional T-RSs to complete activation of the SCells of SCell group310and SCell group320. For example, BS120can transmit another X T-RSs corresponding to X SCells of SCell group310within window length Tw380c. The X T-RS340c,342c, through349ccorrespond to SCells340,342, through349of SCell group310. For the remaining (Y−X) SCells of SCell group320, BS120can transmit corresponding (Y−X) T-RSs within window length Tw380d. The (Y−X) T-RS350d,352d, through359dcorrespond to SCells350,352, through359of SCell group320.

In some embodiments (not shown), UE110can perform fine T/F tracking and/or AGC adjustments based on: the X T-RSs received during Tw380aand the (Y−X) T-RSs received during Tw380b.

In some examples, UE110can complete activation for some SCells (e.g., a subset of the X SCells of SCell group310) earlier than other SCells (e.g., the remaining SCells of the X SCells of SCell group310). Thus, UE110can report valid CQI for the corresponding subset of the X SCells so that the network can timely schedule usage of the subset of the X SCells earlier than the remaining SCells of the X SCells of SCell group310. In some examples, UE110can report valid CQI for a corresponding subset of the (Y−X) SCells of SCell group320so that the network can timely schedule usage of the subset of the (Y−X) SCells earlier than the remaining SCells of the (Y−X) SCells of SCell group320.

In some embodiments, Tactivation360indicates the time delay after which SCells in SCell group310and SCell group320are activated. Tactivation360can include TFirstTRS362 Tgap1364+TTRS1366+Tgap2368+TTRS2372+Tgap3374+TTRS3376+5 ms. A Tgapcan be greater than or equal to Tguard. As the TTRSare aperiodic and UE specific, the simultaneous activation of SCells within SCell group310and SCell group320after Tactivation360occurs faster than corresponding SCell activations via STMC. Activation delay may be described in 3GPP TS38.133 Section 8.3.2.

In some embodiments, when the SCell is known and belongs to Frequency Range 1 (FR1), the measurement period of the SCell being activated (e.g., the measurement period for each of the SCells in SCell group410and SCell group420ofFIG.4) is equal to or smaller than 2400 ms. The measurement period refers to the L3 Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurement on the Secondary Component Carrier (SCC), which is used as one of the conditions to determine which set of requirements apply. Some embodiments for simultaneous multiple SCell fast activations include the following:

When Y<=X: Tactivation=TFirstTRS5 ms where TFirstTRScan be the time after receiving an activation command to the end of a window length, Tw where the Y T-RSs are received. TTRS(e.g., Tw) can be the CSI-RS burst for SCell activation where the CSI-RS burst is defined as four CSI-RS resources in two consecutive slots.

When X<Y<=2X: Tactivation=TFirstTRSTgapTTRS5 ms, where Tgapis a gap length between two aperiodic Channel-State Information (CSI)-Reference Signal (RS) CSI-RS bursts. Tgap>=Tguard. TTRScan be the CSI-RS burst for SCell activation where the CSI-RS burst is defined as four CSI-RS resources in two consecutive slots.

FIG.4illustrates example 400 of simultaneous multiple SCell fast activation, according to some embodiments of the disclosure. For explanation purposes and not a limitation,FIG.4may be described with reference to elements from other figures in the disclosure. For example,FIG.4may include UE110and BS120ofFIG.1. In example 400, T-RSs are transmitted for fast activation of target SCells. Unlike example 300 ofFIG.3, in example 400, UE110does not need to perform AGC adjustments again since the target SCells (e.g., the measurement period for each of the SCells in SCell group410and SCell group420ofFIG.4) has been measured recently, (e.g., the measurement period of L3 RRM on the SCC is less than 2400 ms).

In example 400, the SCells are known and belong to FR1, and the measurement period of the SCell being activated (e.g., the measurement period for each of the SCells in SCell group410and SCell group420ofFIG.4) is less than or equal to 2400 ms. Example 400 includes two SCell groups: SCell group410and SCell group420. SCell group410includes X SCells and SCell group320includes (Y−X) SCells where X<Y<=2X, where X and Y are integers. For example, if Y=10 and X=5 then SCell group410includes 5 SCells and SCell group320includes 5 SCells (e.g., 10 SCells−5 SCells=5 SCells.)

In example 400, UE110can include a parameter that identifies X SCells for which UE110can support using T-RS for fine T/F tracking and/or AGC adjustments simultaneously. The parameter can be for example, a physical layer parameter, maxTFtrackAGCforSCells=X. In some embodiments, SCells of SCell group410and SCell group420are correspondingly activated after receiving T-RSs in one window length, Tw480, as shown by Tactivation460.

In example 400, BS120can transmit up to X T-RSs corresponding to X SCells of SCell group410within window length Tw480a. For the remaining (Y−X) SCells of SCell group420, BS120can transmit corresponding (Y−X) T-RSs within window length Tw480b. In some embodiments, UE110can perform fine T/F tracking based on the received X T-RSs received corresponding to SCell group410and correspondingly on the received (Y−X) T-RSs received corresponding to SCell group420.

In some examples, UE110can complete activation for some SCells (e.g., a subset of the X SCells of SCell group410) earlier than other SCells (e.g., the remaining SCells of the X SCells of SCell group410). Thus, UE110can report valid CQI for the corresponding subset of the X SCells so that the network can timely schedule usage of the subset of the X SCells earlier than the remaining SCells of the X SCells of SCell group410. In some examples, UE110can report valid CQI for a corresponding subset of the (Y−X) SCells of SCell group420so that the network can timely schedule usage of the subset of the (Y−X) SCells earlier than the remaining SCells of the (Y−X) SCells of SCell group420.

In some embodiments, Tactivation460indicates the time delay after which SCells in SCell group410and SCell group420are activated. Tactivation460can include TFirstTRS462 Tgap464+TTRS466+5 ms. A Tgapcan be greater than or equal to Tguard.

FIG.5illustrates method500for an example UE supporting simultaneous multiple SCell fast activation when T-RSs are used for activating SCells, according to some embodiments of the disclosure. For explanation purposes and not a limitation,FIG.5may be described with reference to elements from other figures in the disclosure. For example,FIG.5may be performed by UE110ofFIG.1or system200ofFIG.2.

At505, UE110determines that maxTFtrackAGCforSCells=X present. For example, UE110can be configured with a physical layer parameter that indicates a maximum number of T-RSs for which fine T/F tracking and/or AGC adjustments can be made simultaneously.

At510, UE110can receive an SCell activation command from BS120, for example.

At515, UE110can receive up to X T-RSs of a 1st SCell group (e.g., SCell group310or410) within a first window length, Tw (e.g., Tw380aor480a).

At523, UE110can perform fine Time T/F tracking and/or AGC based on the corresponding T-RSs.

At525, UE110can determine whether to activate a subset of the respective SCell group. When a subset of the respective SCell group is to be activated, method500proceeds to535. Otherwise, method500proceeds to530.

At535, UE110can report valid CQIs corresponding to the subset of the respective SCell group that has been activated to BS120. Thus, the network corresponding to BS120can schedule usage of the subset of SCells earlier than the remaining SCells of the SCell group.

At540, UE110can report valid CQIs corresponding to the remaining SCells of the respective SCell group to BS120.

Returning to530, UE110can report valid CQI corresponding to the X SCells of the respective SCell group. Accordingly, the X SCells of the respective SCell group (e.g., SCell group310,410) can be activated at substantially the same time. In some embodiments, UE110can report valid CQI corresponding to the (Y−X) SCells of the respective SCell group (e.g., SCell group320,420.)

FIG.7Aillustrates example 700 of simultaneous multiple SCell fast activation, according to some embodiments of the disclosure. Example 700 illustrates multiple SCell712through SCell715operating in frequency band A710. UE110may use T-RS for multiple SCell fast activation for SCell712through SCell715. Example 700 also illustrates frequency band B720that includes active serving cell725that is contiguous in frequency to SCell722and SCell726. In some examples, UE110may not use T-RSs for SCell activation in frequency band B720. Instead, UE110may utilize SMTC and/or active serving cell725(e.g., for intraband contiguous carrier aggregation) to perform SCell activation for SCell722and SCell726.

FIG.7Billustrates example 750 of simultaneous multiple SCell fast activation, according to some embodiments of the disclosure. Example 750 illustrates two frequency bands, frequency band760and frequency band770, without a contiguous active serving cell. In some embodiments, UE110can be configured to utilize T-RS in band760, but not utilize T-RS in band770. Consequently, SCells in band770may utilize SMTC for SCell activation (e.g., SSB can be used for fine T/F tracking and AGC adjustments) as described in 3GPP TS38.133.

FIG.6illustrates method600for an example UE supporting simultaneous multiple SCell fast activation, according to some embodiments of the disclosure. For explanation purposes and not a limitation,FIG.6may be described with reference to elements from other figures in the disclosure. For example,FIG.6may be performed by UE110ofFIG.1or system200ofFIG.2for simultaneous multiple SCell fast activation of SCells in frequency band A710ofFIG.7Aand/or frequency band760ofFIG.7B.

At605, UE110determines whether SCells of a first SCell group are within a band without an active serving cell and T-RS is available. When the SCells are within a band without an active serving cell and T-RS is available (e.g., frequency band A710or frequency band760), method600proceeds to A and performs method500ofFIG.5. Otherwise, method600proceeds to610.

At610, for SCells being activated on bands with a contiguous active serving cell (e.g., SCell722contiguous in frequency to active serving cell725, SCell726contiguous in frequency to active serving cell725), UE110determines whether certain conditions are satisfied to select a corresponding Tactivationvalue for respective target SCell activation. In some embodiments, UE110determines whether the following certain conditions are satisfied:i) UE110is not provided with SSB configuration (e.g., absoluteFrequencySSB) or SMTC configuration for a target SCell;ii) the round trip delay (RTD) between the target SCell (e.g., SCell722or SCell726of frequency band B720) and the contiguous active serving cell (e.g., active serving cell725) is within ±260 ns;iii) the difference of a reception power of the target SCell compared with the contiguous active serving cell is <=6 dB; andiv) the reference signal (RS) of a target SCell (e.g., SCell722or SCell726) being activated on the same band (e.g., frequency band B720) is QCL-TypeA with Tracking Reference Signal (TRS), and the TRS of the target SCell being activated (e.g., SCell722or SCell726) is QCL-TypeC with SSB(s) of the active serving cell (e.g., active serving cell725) that is contiguous to the target SCell (e.g., SCell722or SCell726) being activated on that FR1 band.

At615, Tactivation=3 ms. For example, the activation time delay for an SCell being activated on a band where there is at least one active contiguous serving cell is 3 ms.

At620, when one or more of the conditions are not satisfied, Tactivation=3 ms+SMTC.

Various embodiments can be implemented, for example, using one or more well-known computer systems, such as computer system800shown inFIG.8. Computer system800can be any well-known computer capable of performing the functions described herein. For example, and without limitation, BS120and/or UE110ofFIG.1, system200ofFIG.2, example 300 ofFIG.3, example 400 ofFIG.4, method500of FIG.5, method600ofFIG.6, and examples 700 and 760 ofFIGS.7A and7B(and/or other apparatuses and/or components shown in the figures) may be implemented using computer system800, or portions thereof.

Computer system800includes one or more processors (also called central processing units, or CPUs), such as a processor804. Processor804is connected to a communication infrastructure806that can be a bus. One or more processors804may each be a graphics processing unit (GPU). In an embodiment, a GPU is a processor that is a specialized electronic circuit designed to process mathematically intensive applications. The GPU may have a parallel structure that is efficient for parallel processing of large blocks of data, such as mathematically intensive data common to computer graphics applications, images, videos, etc.

Computer system800also includes user input/output device(s)803, such as monitors, keyboards, pointing devices, etc., that communicate with communication infrastructure806through user input/output interface(s)802. Computer system800also includes a main or primary memory808, such as random access memory (RAM). Main memory808may include one or more levels of cache. Main memory808has stored therein control logic (e.g., computer software) and/or data.

Computer system800may also include one or more secondary storage devices or memory810. Secondary memory810may include, for example, a hard disk drive812and/or a removable storage device or drive814. Removable storage drive814may be a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, a compact disk drive, an optical storage device, tape backup device, and/or any other storage device/drive.

Removable storage drive814may interact with a removable storage unit818. Removable storage unit818includes a computer usable or readable storage device having stored thereon computer software (control logic) and/or data. Removable storage unit818may be a floppy disk, magnetic tape, compact disk, DVD, optical storage disk, and/any other computer data storage device. Removable storage drive814reads from and/or writes to removable storage unit818in a well-known manner.

According to some embodiments, secondary memory810may include other means, instrumentalities or other approaches for allowing computer programs and/or other instructions and/or data to be accessed by computer system800. Such means, instrumentalities or other approaches may include, for example, a removable storage unit822and an interface820. Examples of the removable storage unit822and the interface820may include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as that found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM or PROM) and associated socket, a memory stick and USB port, a memory card and associated memory card slot, and/or any other removable storage unit and associated interface.

Computer system800may further include a communication or network interface824. Communication interface824enables computer system800to communicate and interact with any combination of remote devices, remote networks, remote entities, etc. (individually and collectively referenced by reference number828). For example, communication interface824may allow computer system800to communicate with remote devices828over communications path826, which may be wired and/or wireless, and which may include any combination of LANs, WANs, the Internet, etc. Control logic and/or data may be transmitted to and from computer system800via communication path826.

The operations in the preceding embodiments can be implemented in a wide variety of configurations and architectures. Therefore, some or all of the operations in the preceding embodiments may be performed in hardware, in software or both. In some embodiments, a tangible, non-transitory apparatus or article of manufacture includes a tangible, non-transitory computer useable or readable medium having control logic (software) stored thereon is also referred to herein as a computer program product or program storage device. This includes, but is not limited to, computer system800, main memory808, secondary memory810and removable storage units818and822, as well as tangible articles of manufacture embodying any combination of the foregoing. Such control logic, when executed by one or more data processing devices (such as computer system800), causes such data processing devices to operate as described herein.

Based on the teachings contained in this disclosure, it will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) how to make and use embodiments of the disclosure using data processing devices, computer systems and/or computer architectures other than that shown inFIG.8. In particular, embodiments may operate with software, hardware, and/or operating system implementations other than those described herein.