Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for modifying wireless devices represented or available capabilities and for allocating a portion of the UE&#39;s actual capabilities for simultaneously supporting a second service is disclosed. A modified capability is determined and offered to maintain the dedicated service while supporting a second service. The modified capability is disclosed to a system in anticipation of a reconfiguration of the dedicated service according to the modified capability. A device is configured to determine a modified capability to maintain a dedicated service while supporting a second service; and to disclose to a system the modified capability as the available capability for reconfiguring the dedicated service.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §120 
       [0001]    The present application for patent claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/844,753, filed Sep. 15, 2006, assigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to wireless communications, and more specifically to the modification of service capability to support simultaneous reception of services. 
         [0004]    2. Background 
         [0005]    In a wireless communication system, mobile stations, also known as user equipment (UE), may communicate using dedicated communication services. These dedicated communication services provide two-way communication between UE and a wireless network system. The dedicated communication services may occur at various transmission rates that are either defined or negotiated at some point in time after the UE is recognized in the system. Another commonly available communication service for sharing information in a one-to-many type arrangement has come to be known generally as a broadcast service. One of the commonly defined and accepted broadcast communication services is known as the Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS). 
         [0006]    Simultaneous support for a dedicated service (e.g., packet data or voice) and MBMS in a single UE has been nominally defined. A UE with the capacity to support simultaneous dedicated services (voice calls, PS data, etc.) and MBMS will necessarily have some limitations on the level of services it can simultaneously support. At a minimum, the UE Radio Access Capabilities requirement specifies that a UE be able to support a dedicated service of 64 kbps downlink data rate in parallel with reception of an MBMS. (See 3GPP Technical Specification 25.306.) 
         [0007]    However, beyond this minimum benchmark, there are no defined levels of support—thus, for instance, even if a UE can support 384 kbps together with MBMS, there is no mechanism such as defined UE classes by which this support can be indicated to the network. Furthermore, conflict resolution of available services that exceed the UE capability have been limited to very general “service prioritization” procedures for maintaining and supporting only a single one of the services by releasing the other service. (See Radio Resource Control (RRC) Protocol Specification of 3GPP Technical Specification 25.331.) 
         [0008]    Therefore, there is a need for a UE to determine the available competing service requirements and to manage utilization of these services within the UE in view of the available capabilities of the UE. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    Techniques to allow a UE to modify the UE&#39;s represented or available capabilities and for allocating a portion of the UE&#39;s actual capabilities for simultaneously supporting a second service are disclosed. Devices, methods, systems and media for performing the same are also disclosed. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, a method for supporting a dedicated service is disclosed. The method includes determining a modified capability offered to maintain the dedicated service while supporting a second service. The method further includes disclosing to a system the modified capability as the available capability for reconfiguring the dedicated service. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment, a wireless communication device is disclosed. The wireless communication device includes a memory and a processor coupled with the memory. The processor is configured to determine a modified capability to maintain a dedicated service while supporting a second service; and to disclose to a system the modified capability as the available capability for reconfiguring the dedicated service. 
         [0012]    In yet another embodiment, an apparatus includes a means for determining a modified capability offered to maintain a dedicated service while supporting a second service. The apparatus further includes a means for disclosing to a system the modified capability as the available capability for reconfiguring the dedicated service. 
         [0013]    In a further embodiment, a method for supporting a plurality of services is disclosed. The method includes establishing a dedicated service according to a first capability and reconfiguring the dedicated service according to a second capability. The method further includes establishing a simultaneous second service using at least a portion of the first capability. 
         [0014]    In yet a further embodiment, a processor readable medium is disclosed. The processor readable medium includes instructions thereon that may be utilized by one or more processors. The instructions are for determining a modified capability offered to maintain the dedicated service while supporting a second service and for disclosing to a system the modified capability as the available capability for reconfiguring the dedicated service. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  shows a diagram of a network  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 2A-2B  illustrate a flowchart for facilitating simultaneous reception of services, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates a flowchart for conflict resolution of competing services, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates a flowchart for conflict resolution of competing services, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  illustrates a block diagram of a system for facilitating simultaneous reception of services and conflict resolution, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Various embodiments are now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments. It may be evident, however, that such embodiment(s) may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing one or more embodiments. 
         [0021]    In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe certain features of one or more embodiments of the present invention. For instance, the terms “user equipment” (UE), “mobile terminal,” “mobile device,” “wireless device,” are interchangeably used to refer to mobile phones, pagers, wireless modems, personal digital assistants, personal information managers, palmtop computers, laptop computers, and/or other mobile communication/computing devices which communicate, at least partially, through a cellular or wireless network. 
         [0022]    In third generation wireless mobile communication technology, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), also known as 3GSM (third generation Global System for Mobile Communications), is one communication protocol used for communications on a wireless network. One such type of wireless network is a UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) which typically includes base stations and controllers to form the UMTS wireless network. This wireless communications network, commonly referred to as a 3G (for 3rd Generation) network, can carry many traffic types, from real-time circuit switched traffic to Internet Protocol (IP)-based packet switched. The UTRAN allows connectivity between UEs, such as mobile phones or wireless communication devices, and to devices on other communication networks. 
         [0023]    Base stations typically include transmitters and receivers used to communicate directly with the UEs, which may move freely around a network. A Radio Network Controller (RNC) governs communication within the UTRAN by controlling the operation of the base stations on the network. The RNC carries out radio resource management and some of the mobility management functions of data sent to and from the UE. 
         [0024]    Various factors determine the capabilities of the UE operating in the UTRAN. Factors such as processing capability of the UE, storage or buffering capability of the UE, enabled functionality of the UE and location of the UE determine the actual capability of the UE. These capabilities, generally known as “UE Capability,” are also known as “Classmark Information,” in relationship to other revisions or related standards. Therefore, in order to effectuate communication between the UE and the UTRAN, the network must know the capabilities of the mobile device. 
         [0025]    In the UTRAN, the RNC can configure UEs operating within the network to operate according to particular communication system parameters. (See 3GPP Technical Specification 25.331.) For example, during initiation or reconfiguration, a Radio Bearer Reconfiguration message may be sent by the RNC to a UE that configures a transmitter and/or receiver in the UE to operate according to parameters (e.g., combination of transmitted and received data blocks, mapping between channels and services, etc.) sent in the Radio Bearer Reconfiguration message. 
         [0026]    Accordingly, the various embodiments of the present invention provide a mechanism to allow a UE to modify the UE&#39;s represented or available capabilities for allocating a portion of the UE&#39;s actual capabilities for simultaneously supporting a Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS). During an ongoing dedicated service, the UE is allowed to transmit a UE CAPABILITY INFORMATION message to inform the UTRAN of changes in its capabilities, however, conventional network behavior may be unpredictable. Accordingly, the various embodiments provide a mechanism for allowing the UE to adjust the data rate of an ongoing session of a dedicated service in response to the availability of broadcast services, such as an MBMS. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  shows a diagram of a 3GPP/UMTS network  100  that includes a UTRAN  120  and a core network  150 . A UE  110  communicates with a Node B  130  in UTRAN  120 . As stated, UE  110  may be stationary or mobile and may also be referred to as a wireless device, a mobile station, a user terminal, a subscriber unit, a station, or some other terminology. UE  110  may be a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device, a wireless modem, and so on. The terms “UE,” “wireless device,” and “user,” are used interchangeably herein. Node B  130  is generally a fixed station that communicates with the UEs and may also be referred to as a base station, an access point, or some other terminology of similar functionality. 
         [0028]    Node B  130  provides communication coverage for a particular geographic area and supports communication for UEs located within the coverage area. A Radio Network Controller (RNC)  140  couples to Node B  130  and provides coordination and control for the Node B  130 . Core network  150  may include various network entities and services, including dedicated services  160  and MBMS  170 , that support various functions such as packet routing, user registration, mobility management, etc. UE  110  may communicate with Node B  130  on the downlink and/or uplink at any given moment. The downlink (or forward link) refers to the communication link from the Node B  130  to the UB, and the uplink (or reverse link) refers to the communication link from the UB to the Node B  130 . 
         [0029]    In UMTS, data is processed as one or more transport channels at a higher layer. The transport channels may carry data for one or more services, e.g., voice, video, packet data, and so on. The transport channels are mapped to physical channels at a physical layer or Layer 1 (L1). The physical channels are channelized with different channelization codes and are orthogonal to one another in code domain. 
         [0030]    Generally, when a UE desires to establish a communication link, the UE sends a channel request to establish a dedicated session. Typically, the channel request includes limited information relating to the UE and the UE is said to be in a connected mode with the UTRAN and in a CELL_DCH state characterized by dedicated uplink and downlink channels. The UE then forwards a UE CAPABILITY INFORMATION message including UE capability information to the UTRAN. The UTRAN responds with a UE CAPABILITY ACK message noting the receipt of the UE capability information. The UE transitions into a dedicated physical channel state and exchange of data (e.g., packet data) over the dedicated services link then commences. 
         [0031]    A conflict arises when additional services, such as MBMS  170 , become available during the dedicated session of the dedicated services. A UE with the capacity to simultaneously support a dedicated service (e.g., packet data service, voice calls, etc.) and an MBMS will necessarily have some limitations on the level of services that can be simultaneously supported. In a typical situation, a UE might be in the CELL_DCH state for packet data service, with the UTRAN and hence the “bearer” supporting a downlink data rate of 384 kbps, when an MBMS becomes available to the UE. If the UE can support only a lesser dedicated service downlink, in addition to the processing demands of a MBMS, then conventional prioritization resulted in the UE determining which of the competing services would be supported and which would be either ignored or released. 
         [0032]    In many cases, however, it would be possible to degrade or reduce the bit rate of the dedicated service to a level that allows the UE&#39;s processing resources to simultaneously service both a reduced-rate dedicated service and an MBMS without making an exclusive choice. In the example above, if the UE could somehow request the network to reconfigure the UTRAN for a downlink data rate of, for example, only 256 kbps, the UE could maintain the dedicated services and additionally simultaneously receive the MBMS transmission. Alternatively, if the MBMS quality could be diminished and yet remain acceptable, necessary dedicated service bandwidth could be maintained. While such degradation of bandwidth may not always be acceptable, many data services, such as file downloads, are adequately functional at a reduced data rate. Similarly, if the ongoing service is HSDPA, and the UE&#39;s category is such that the service is not compatible with MBMS reception (e.g., because of limited buffer memory), the UE might want to artificially lower its indicated category for the duration of the MBMS. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 2A-2B  illustrate an embodiment for facilitating simultaneous reception of services. Initially, the UE receives  212  system information sent on a broadcast channel. To initiate a call of any type, the UE sends  214  a request to establish a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection via an RRC Connection Request message. The RRC connection may thereafter be established by an exchange  216  of an RRC Connection Setup message and an exchange  218  of an RRC Connection Setup Complete message between the UTRAN and UE. Steps  212  through  218  are performed for all types of calls. 
         [0034]    Once assigned a dedicated channel, the UE informs the UTRAN, and more specifically the packet service (PS) bearer of the capabilities (e.g., processing/buffering capacity) of the UE. Accordingly, the UE sends  220  a USER CAPABILITY INFORMATION message including the UE&#39;s specific capabilities. The UTRAN informs the PS bearer (not individually shown) of the UE&#39;s specific capabilities. The UE&#39;s specific capabilities may include a data rate capability of, for example, 384 kbps. The UTRAN sends  222  a UE CAPABILITY INFORMATION CONFIRM message acknowledging receipt of the UE&#39;s capability information. After the UE&#39;s capabilities have been exchanged and confirmed, the UE waits to receive  224  a reconfiguration message from the bearer. Accordingly, the UE responds  226  with a radio bearer reconfiguration complete message and the dedicated services commence  228  according to the exchanged capabilities (e.g., packet data rate of, for example, 384 kbps). 
         [0035]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2B , during the course of engaging in the dedicated services between the UE and the UTRAN, the UE detects  230  an indication of an available MBMS. If the UE is capable of simultaneously sustaining both the MBMS and the dedicated service at the current data rate (i.e., at the data rate agreed during the exchange of the UE&#39;s specific capabilities), then the UE simultaneously services both (i) the dedicated service at the data rate of the previously agreed upon UE&#39;s capabilities, and (ii) the MBMS. However, if the UE has insufficient processing capability to simultaneously process both (i) the dedicated service according to the previously agreed upon UE&#39;s capabilities and (ii) the MBMS, then the UE seeks to reclaim some of the UE&#39;s processing obligation from the dedicated service by restating or redisclosing the UE&#39;s capability information to include modified capability information. 
         [0036]    Specifically, once an MBMS has been detected  230  and when the capabilities of the UE are insufficient at current data rates to simultaneously process both services, the UE informs the UTRAN, and more specifically the PS bearer, that the UE desires to restate or redisclose the UE&#39;s capability information at the modified level. Accordingly, the UE sends  232  a USER CAPABILITY INFORMATION message including the UE&#39;s specific modified capabilities. By way of example, the UE&#39;s specific reduced capabilities may include a data rate capability of, or example, 256 kbps. The UTRAN sends  234  an UE CAPABILITY INFORMATION CONFIRM message acknowledging receipt of the UE&#39;s modified capability information. After the UE&#39;s capabilities have been exchanged and confirmed, the UE waits to receive  236  a reconfiguration message from the bearer. Accordingly, the UE responds  238  with a reconfiguration complete message and the dedicated services continues  240  according to the modified capabilities (e.g., packet data rate of, for example, 256 kbps). 
         [0037]    If the dedicated session is still active when the MBMS concludes  242 , the UE may reassign the available processing capability back to the dedicated service. Accordingly, the UE sends  244  a USER CAPABILITY INFORMATION message including the UE&#39;s specific capabilities. By way of example, the UE&#39;s specific capabilities may include a data rate capability of 384 kbps. The UTRAN sends  246  a UE CAPABILITY INFORMATION CONFIRM message acknowledging receipt of the UE&#39;s capability information. After the UE&#39;s capabilities have been exchanged and confirmed, the UE waits to receive  248  a reconfiguration message from the bearer. Accordingly, the UE responds  250  with a reconfiguration complete message and the dedicated services continue  252  according to the again modified capabilities (e.g., packet data rate of, for example, 384 kbps). 
         [0038]      FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment for resolving conflicts in systems of varying ability to facilitate simultaneous receipt of services. While a UE capable of requesting modifications of previously stated capabilities may be configured accordingly, a UTRAN within which the UE may interact may have varying levels of sophistication and capability with regard to intrasession reconfigurations. In the present embodiment, a dedicated service has been commenced  228  as describe above with respect to  FIGS. 2A-2B . 
         [0039]    Similarly, during the course of engaging in the dedicated services between the UE and the UTRAN, the UE receives  230  an indication of an available MBMS. The UE determines the desirability of simultaneously supporting both the dedicated service and the MBMS, however, the capabilities (e.g., processing, storage, etc.) of the UE are inadequate of simultaneously sustaining both the MBMS and the dedicated service at the current data rate (i.e., at the data rate agreed during the exchange of the UE&#39;s specific capabilities). 
         [0040]    Accordingly, once an MBMS has been detected  230  and when the capabilities of the UE are insufficient at current data rates to simultaneously process both services, the UE informs the UTRAN, and more specifically the PS bearer, that the UE desires to restate or redisclose the UE&#39;s capability information at a modified level. Accordingly, the UE sends  232  a USER CAPABILITY INFORMATION message including the UE&#39;s specific modified capabilities as describe above. The UTRAN sends  234  a UE CAPABILITY INFORMATION CONFIRM message acknowledging receipt of the UE&#39;s modified capability information. After the UE&#39;s capabilities have been exchanged and confirmed, the UE sets a timer and waits  260  to receive a reconfiguration message from the bearer. However, the UTRAN is incapable during an ongoing dedicated service to act upon the new capability information. Such an inability may result from programming deficiencies within the UTRAN or the specific bearer. Accordingly, the timer times out  260  in the UE since a reconfiguration message was never received from the bearer. The UE thereafter chooses  262  one of the services to support based on an internal prioritization. 
         [0041]      FIG. 4  illustrates another embodiment for resolving conflicts in systems of varying ability to facilitate simultaneous receipt of services. While a UE capable of requesting modifications of previously stated capabilities may be configured accordingly, a UTRAN within which the UE may interact may have varying levels of sophistication and capability with regard to intrasession reconfigurations. In the present embodiment, a dedicated service has been commenced  228  as describe above with respect to  FIGS. 2A-2B . 
         [0042]    Similarly, during the course of engaging in the dedicated services between the UE and the UTRAN, the UE detects  230  an indication of an available MBMS. The UE determines the desirability of simultaneously supporting both the dedicated service and the MBMS, however, the capabilities (e.g., processing, storage, etc.) of the UE are inadequate of simultaneously sustaining both the MBMS and the dedicated service at the current data rate (i.e., at the data rate agreed during the exchange of the UE&#39;s specific capabilities). 
         [0043]    Accordingly, once an MBMS has been detected  230  and when the capabilities of the UE are insufficient at current data rates to simultaneously process both services, the UE informs the UTRAN, and more specifically the PS bearer, that the UE desires to restate or redisclose the UE&#39;s capability information at a modified level. In the present embodiment, one or more flags are associated with the USER CAPABILITY INFORMATION message to indicate a requested intrasession modification to the UE capability rather than and original statement of the UE&#39;s capabilities as performed at the establishment of a dedicated session. A UTRAN can differently interpret a request for a modification rather then interpreting the request as an indication of the inability to sustain the current session. 
         [0044]    Accordingly, the UE sends  270  a USER CAPABILITY INFORMATION message including the UE&#39;s specific modified capabilities as describe above and a flag noting the modification of an already stated UE capability. The UTRAN sends  272  a UE CAPABILITY INFORMATION CONFIRM message acknowledging receipt of the UE&#39;s modified capability information. After the UE&#39;s capabilities have been exchanged and confirmed, the UE may begin timing according to  FIG. 3  to reconfigure according to  FIG. 2B , if the reconfiguration message is received or choose  262  based upon prioritization if a reconfiguration message is not received. 
         [0045]    In yet another embodiment, the UTRAN may include another flag in the in the UE CAPABILITY INFORMATION CONFIRM message designating whether the modification request was granted  274  or denied  276 . If the modification was granted  274 , then the UE anticipates a reconfiguration message  236  and processing continues as described above with reference to  FIG. 2B . If the modification was denied  276 , then the UE chooses  262  one of the services to support based on an internal prioritization as described above with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 5  shows a block diagram of an embodiment of UB  110 , Node B  130 , and RNC  140  in  FIG. 1 . On the uplink, data and signaling to be sent by UE  110  are processed (e.g., formatted, encoded, and interleaved) by an encoder  322  and further processed (e.g., modulated, channelized, and scrambled) by a modulator (Mod)  324  to generate output chips. A transmitter (TMTR)  332  then conditions (e.g., converts to analog, filters, amplifies, and frequency upconverts) the output chips and generates an uplink signal, which is transmitted via an antenna  334 . On the downlink, antenna  334  receives a downlink signal transmitted by Node B  130 . A receiver (RCVR)  336  conditions (e.g., filters, amplifies, frequency downconverts, and digitizes) the received signal from antenna  334  and provides samples. A demodulator (Demod)  326  processes (e.g., descrambles, channelizes, and demodulates) the samples and provides symbol estimates. A decoder  328  further processes (e.g., deinterleaves and decodes) the symbol estimates and provides decoded data. Encoder  322 , modulator  324 , demodulator  326 , and decoder  328  may be implemented by a modem processor  320 . These units perform processing in accordance with the radio technology (e.g., W-CDMA or cdma2000) used by the network. 
         [0047]    A controller/processor  340  directs the operation of various units at UE  110 . Controller/processor  340  may perform the processes or steps described in  FIGS. 2A-4  and/or other processes for the techniques described herein. A memory  342  stores program codes and data for UE  110 , e.g., UE capabilities, data rates, timers for servicing dedicated and MBMSs. 
         [0048]      FIG. 5  also shows an embodiment of Node B  130  and RNC  140 . Node B  130  includes a controller/processor  350  that performs various functions for communication with UE  110 , a memory  352  that stores program codes and data for Node B  130 , and a transceiver  354  that supports radio communication with UE  110 . Controller/processor  350  may perform the processes or steps described in  FIGS. 2A-4  and/or other processes for the techniques described herein. RNC  140  includes a controller/processor  360  that performs various functions to support communication for UE  110  and a memory  362  that stores program codes and data for RNC  140  for servicing dedicated and MBMSs. 
         [0049]    Those of skill in the art would understand that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof. 
         [0050]    Those of skill would further appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0051]    The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. 
         [0052]    The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal. In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a user terminal. 
         [0053]    The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.