Patent Publication Number: US-2007105577-A1

Title: Wide area network handset assisted content delivery system and method of using same

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/269,930, filed Nov. 9, 2005, entitled “WIDE AREA NETWORK HANDSET ASSISTED CONTENT DELIVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USING SAME”, and assigned to Motorola, Inc. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates generally to delivery of music, text or other content based data through peer-to-peer communication using a second transceiver located within a cellular telephone handset.  
     BACKGROUND  
      Internet based peer-to-peer file sharing has been known for many years particularly as used for sharing music. Those skilled in the art will recognize the name NAPSTER as an online music service that used peer-to-peer music sharing amongst users. NAPSTER made a major impact on how people, especially younger people and students, used the Internet. Its technology allowed music fans to easily share MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3) format song files between computers.  
      Prior art  FIG. 1  illustrates an Internet-based peer-to-peer data sharing system  100  where a central directory service  101  is connected to all file sharing computers  105 ,  107  and  109  via the Internet  103 . In operation, the central directory service  101  maintains a list of data files and their location which are available for sharing. If computer  105  were to contact the central directory service  101  with a request for specific data, the central directory service would search its database and direct the computer  105  to a data location if the data requested is available. For example, if the data were available on computer  107 , then computer  105  would contact computer  107  via the Internet to request access to the desired data.  
      The disadvantage of using this type of service is that it is Internet based and is therefore dependent on availability of file sharing computers with fixed connectivity to the Internet. If a computer is not connected to the Internet, its files cannot be shared. Moreover, the Internet is a physical communication network that provides near ubiquitous access for the file sharing computers. So once connected, file sharing can occur between designated computers virtually anywhere in the industrialized world. No provision is made for file sharing devices that form short-range wireless communication networks, that have the ability to move away from or move within range of the communication network, and that can only transfer content when both the source and destination file sharing devices are within the same short-range communication network.  
      Thus, the need exists to provide a system and method for sharing content-based data such as music or text without the necessity of an Internet connection. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
      The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 1  is a prior art block diagram illustrating operation of Internet based peer-to-peer file sharing.  
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a wireless connection of two cellular handsets to a cellular network using a content distribution broker.  
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating an ad hoc wireless link between the two cellular handsets depicted in  FIG. 2 .  
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a wireless connection of three cellular handsets in a cellular network using a content distribution broker.  
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating an ad hoc wireless link between the three cellular handsets shown in  FIG. 4  where the peer-to-peer sharing of data is exchanged using one cellular handset acting as an intermediary.  
       FIG. 6  is a flow chart diagram illustrating communication between a cellular handset and the content distribution broker where the cellular handset indicates that it has content availability.  
       FIG. 7  is a flow chart diagram illustrating communication between a cellular handset and the content distribution broker where the cellular handset indicates that it desires specific content.  
       FIG. 8  is a flow chart diagram illustrating the transfer of multimedia content between a fixed network application in the cellular network and a cellular handset and subsequent communication to the content distribution broker of content availability in the cellular handset.  
       FIG. 9  is a flow chart diagram illustrating communication between a cellular handset desiring content, the content distribution broker and a cellular handset that has content availability. 
    
    
      Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a cellular assisted content delivery system and method of using same. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.  
      In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.  
      It will be appreciated that embodiments of the invention described herein may be comprised of one or more conventional processors and unique stored program instructions that control the one or more processors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of a cellular assisted content delivery system as described herein. The non-processor circuits may include, but are not limited to, a radio receiver, a radio transmitter, signal drivers, clock circuits, power source circuits, and user input devices. As such, these functions may be interpreted as steps of a method to perform cellular assisted content delivery. Alternatively, some or all functions could be implemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of certain of the functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches could be used. Thus, methods and means for these functions have been described herein. Further, it is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein will be readily capable of generating such software instructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.  
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a wireless connection of two wide area handsets in a typical wide area communications system  200  using a content distribution broker  203  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Although the invention is described in a manner using a cellular telephone system, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be implemented using any wide area communications system capable of exchanging multimedia content and other data. Such wide area communications include but are not limited to second generation (2G/2.5G) systems like the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and Tme Division Multiple Access (TDMA) as well as improved third generation (3G) systems such as Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE), Wideband CDMA (W-CDMA) and CDMA 2000.  
      The cellular network  201  is associated with the content distribution broker  203 . The content distribution broker is a computer which stores a database of music, text or other electronic data (hereinafter “multimedia content”) that is available for exchange and sharing by one or more of the cellular handsets in the network. The content distribution broker works to “broker” information, acting to notify handsets with sharable information with those which are in need of information. Each cellular handset  205 ,  207  can communicate through the cellular network  201  and also includes a second transceiver that works to provide ad hoc peer-to-peer communication. This communication may use a Bluetooth, an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.16 etc.), WiFi, or wide area network standard. It will also be evident to those skilled in the art that each cellular handset includes at least one radio frequency (RF) transceiver ( 208 ) capable of operating on multiple frequency bands. A software defined radio transceiver (SDR) may also be used to provide simultaneous communications on multiple frequency bands using only one transceiver.  
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating the cellular communications system as in  FIG. 2 , where a wireless ad hoc connection is established between two cellular handsets after notification by a content distribution broker. For example, when the cellular handset  207 ′ moves within the ad hoc network range  209 , an ad hoc link is established where content may be exchanged between the cellular handset  205  and cellular handset  207 ′. As seen in  FIG. 3 , the second transceiver that is operable within the cellular handset  207  communicates with the second transceiver operable within the cellular handset  205  only when within a range identified by an ad hoc network range  209 . When cellular handsets or other devices in the network have content to share, they can notify the content distribution broker  203  through a cellular radio frequency (RF) channel  211  that they have this information to share. When other handsets are desirous of finding information, these requests can also be stored at the content distribution broker  203 . When the content information broker  203  determines that there is a match and/or correlation between information requested and information available, the cellular handset which requested information is notified of the Internet protocol (IP) address of the cellular handset with information available. This notification is transmitted through the cellular RF channel  211 .  
      This information will thereafter be exchanged when both cellular handsets come into proximity of one another such as within the ad hoc network range  209 . Content distribution broker  203  periodically queries cellular network  201  for location information concerning cellular handsets  205  and  207 . Based on the determination that cellular handsets  205  and  207  are within ad hoc network range of each other, the content distribution broker  203  will notify cellular handsets  205  and  207  that they should activate their second transceiver (if not already active). This allows both handsets to identify each other using an ad hoc networking protocol such as an Ad-hoc On-demand Distance Vector (AODV). Thus, an ad hoc network is established for a content transfer between cellular handset  205  and  207 . This notification is transmitted via a cellular radio frequency (RF) channel  211  which may be a dedicated messaging channel or the like.  
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating yet another embodiment of the present invention where a cellular communications system  400  uses a cellular network  401  and a content distribution broker  403  to exchange peer-to-peer content that is relayed between multiple devices without using the cellular network  401 . In this embodiment, cellular handsets  405 ,  407  and  409  can communicate with one another through the cellular network  401  and each also include a second transceiver that provides ad hoc peer-to-peer communication. Each cellular handset  405 ,  407 , and  409  operates with a second transceiver operable within the cellular handset with an ad hoc network range  411 ,  413 , and  415 , respectively. When cellular handsets or other devices in the network have content to share, they can notify the content distributing broker  403  via a cellular RF channel  417  that they have this information to share. When other handsets are desirous of finding information, these requests can also be stored at the content distribution broker  403 . When the content information broker determines that there is a match or correlation between information requested and information available, the cellular handset which requested information is notified of the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the cellular handset with information available. This notification is transmitted via a cellular RF channel  417 . This information will be exchanged when the ad hoc network range  411 ,  413 , and  415  overlap to enable cellular handsets  405  and  407  to establish a wireless ad hoc connection via cellular handset  409 .  
      Content distribution broker  403  periodically queries cellular network  401  for location information concerning cellular handsets  405  and  407 . The content distribution broker  403  also queries the cellular network  401  for the location of other ad hoc capable cellular handsets that are within proximity of cellular handsets  405  and  407 . Based on the determination that cellular handsets  405  and  407  are either within ad hoc network range of each other or that cellular handset  409  is within ad hoc network range of both cellular handset  405  and  407 , the content distribution broker  403  will notify cellular handsets  405 ,  407 , and  409  that they should activate their second transceiver (if not already active), discover each other using an ad hoc networking protocol such as AODV, and establish an ad hoc network for a content transfer between cellular handset  405  and  407 . This notification is transmitted via a cellular RF channel  417  such as a dedicated messaging channel or the like.  
      In yet another embodiment of the invention, in order to provide a mechanism for the cellular service network  401  and the content distribution broker  403  to charge for the service of facilitating the content transfer, each cellular handset can store the number of bytes of data that were transmitted and received. The service provider and broker can charge or credit users of the service as appropriate. Credit may be provided to the cellular handset which performs relays as an incentive to encourage participation in the ad hoc network as described herein.  
      As seen in  FIG. 5 , when the cellular handset  409 ′ moves into a position where it can communicate with both cellular handset  405  and cellular handset  407 , an ad hoc network is established. In this embodiment, the cellular handset  409 ′ acts as a bridge or intermediary where an ad hoc communication cannot directly established between cellular handset  405  and cellular handset  407 . In this case, content can first be transmitted to the cellular handset  409 ′, where it can then be communicated to cellular handset  405  or cellular handset  407 .  
      In an alternative embodiment, the availability of content to share can be made known to the content distribution broker  403  by a fixed network application contained within cellular network  401 . Content may initially be made available to at least one cellular handset  405  by the fixed network application contained within cellular network  401 . This content is transferred via a cellular RF channel  417  such as a user data channel. Once the fixed network application knows that at least one cellular handset  405  has the content, the fixed network application will inform the content distribution broker  403  that the content is available in at least one cellular handset  405  and that it should distribute the content to all cellular handsets that are within ad hoc network range of the cellular handsets that already have the content such as cellular handset  405 . Content distribution broker  403  periodically queries cellular network  401  for location information concerning cellular handsets  405  and other ad hoc capable cellular handsets that are within proximity of cellular handsets  405  that have not yet received the content. Based on a need to deliver content to cellular handset  407  and based on determining that cellular handsets  405  and  407  are either within ad hoc network range of each other or that cellular handset  409  is within ad hoc network range of both cellular handset  405  and  407 , the content distribution broker will notify cellular handsets  405 ,  407 , and  409  that they should activate their second transceiver (if not already active). Handsets  405 ,  407  and  409  will then detect one another using an ad hoc networking protocol such as AODV, and establish an ad hoc network for a content transfer between cellular handset  405  and  407 . This notification is transmitted via a cellular RF channel  417 , such as a dedicated paging channel or the like.  
       FIG. 6  is a flow chart diagram  600  illustrating the process associated with a communication between a cellular handset and the content distribution broker where the cellular handset indicates that it has content availability. The cellular handset first determines whether it has content to share  601 . If not, it will continue to check but, if it does have content, it then informs the content distribution broker  603  through a cellular communication of its content availability. The content information is then stored locally within the cellular handset and the content distribution broker waits  605  for the opportunity to share the content with another user in need of that content.  
       FIG. 7  is a flow chart diagram  700  illustrating the process associated with a communication between a cellular handset and the content distribution broker where the cellular handset indicates that it is in need of specific content. The cellular handset first determines from the user whether content is needed  701 . If not, it continues checking. However, if content is desired, then the content distribution broker is informed through a cellular communication that content is needed  703 . The cellular handset waits some period of time  705  for the content distribution broker to inform the cellular handset that that content is available.  
       FIG. 8  is a flow chart diagram  800  illustrating the distribution of multimedia content to a multitude of handsets. When a fixed network application with the cellular network has content to distribute  801 , the fixed network application transfers content to a first cellular handset  803  through a cellular communication channel. Thereafter, the fixed network application in the cellular network informs the content distribution broker of the content availability  805  for distribution to any other ad hoc device and the process is complete  807 .  
       FIG. 9  is a flow chart diagram  900  illustrating one embodiment of the operation of a content distribution broker which manages communication between a cellular handset desiring content and a cellular handset that has content availability. The process begins when the content distribution broker determines  901  that a content transfer is needed. If it is not needed, the content distribution broker continues checking to see whether there is a match between available content and desired content. If a transfer is needed, the proximity of the content provider and the content requester is determined  903 . This process may be done using computer triangulation of radio signal strength (RSSI) signals or through the use of a global positioning system (GPS) located with the cellular handset. This location information is maintained by the cellular network.  
      It is then determined  905  whether the content provider is in proximity to the content requester. If not, the proximity of the provider and requester is again monitored. A determination is also made whether there is at least one cellular handset or other ad hoc device that that is in proximate range to both the sending and receiving handset  906 . If so, then that handset may be used as an intermediary to transfer the multimedia content to the requesting handset. If no handset is within proximity, then the monitoring begins again  903  until the handsets are within range.  
      If a direct ad hoc communication can be established or an intermediary handset may be used to relay the content, then the ad hoc transceivers of all cellular handsets proximate to the content provider and requester are activated  907 . An ad hoc network is then established  909  from the content provider to the content requester, and the content is transferred  911  between these devices. Consequently, each participating cellular node may inform the content distribution broker of the number of bytes that have been transferred  913  and the process begins again.  
      Thus, the invention describes a communications system operable in a wide area network wherein a content transfer broker is used in connection with a wide area network to inform wide area handsets which are in proximity to one another that content and/or other data may be transferred via an ad hoc RF link between handsets. The invention provides an easy and inexpensive way to transfer content between a content provider handset and a content requester handset without utilizing excessive bandwidth on the wide area network.  
      In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.