PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11178613-B2
Application Number: US-201815861538-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Multicast/broadcast service continuity in multi-carrier networks

Abstract:
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe devices, methods, computer-readable media and systems configurations for management and/or support of multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) service in a wireless communications network. An evolved Node B (eNB) may transmit MBMS assistance information to a user equipment (UE). The MBMS assistance information may identify a carrier by which one or more upcoming MBMS services are to be provided and an indicator of a carrier selection mode to be used by the UE. The UE may transmit an MBMS interest indication message including information related to one or more targeted MBMS services which the UE wants to receive.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media having instructions, stored thereon, that when executed by one or more processors of a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to:
 obtain, from a base station via a wireless communication network, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) assistance information to indicate one or more carrier frequencies by which a plurality of MBMSs are to be provided; 
 transmit, to the base station via the wireless communication network, an MBMS interest indication message to indicate one or more of the carrier frequencies by which the UE is receiving or interested to receive two or more of the MBMSs; and 
 transmit, to the base station via the wireless communication network, an indicator of how many MBMSs the UE is to receive. 
 
     
     
       2. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of  claim 1 , wherein the MBMS interest indication message further includes a priority indicator having a single bit to indicate a priority of the UE for reception of all the carrier frequencies indicated by the MBMS interest indication message compared to reception of any unicast bearer. 
     
     
       3. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of  claim 1 , wherein the MBMS interest indication message further includes a priority indicator having two bits to indicate one of four levels of priority of receiving the two or more MBMSs compared with a unicast service. 
     
     
       4. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the UE to transmit, to the base station via the wireless communication network, another MBMS interest indication having a null frequency if the UE is no longer receiving or interested in receiving any of the MBMSs. 
     
     
       5. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of  claim 1 , wherein the MBMS interest indication message includes:
 an MBMS identifier of respective MBMSs the UE is receiving or interested to receive; or a temporary mobile group identity (TMGI) of the respective MBMSs the UE is receiving or interested to receive. 
 
     
     
       6. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the UE to transmit, to the base station via the wireless communication network, capability information of the UE associated with MBMS reception. 
     
     
       7. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions are to cause the UE to transmit the MBMS interest indication message if:
 one or more of the MBMSs the UE is receiving or interested in receiving is not offered on any of one or more serving cells that are currently serving the UE; 
 all receivers of the UE are currently being used to receive transmissions from the one or more serving cells; and 
 unicast access is permitted on the respective carrier frequency associated with the one or more of the MBMSs the UE is receiving or interested in receiving. 
 
     
     
       8. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the UE to obtain an indicator of a carrier selection mode to be used by the UE, wherein the carrier selection mode is a first selection mode that prioritizes selection of carrier frequencies that provide MBMSs or a second selection mode that prioritizes selection of carrier frequencies based on signal quality without regard to whether the respective carrier frequency transmits MBMS. 
     
     
       9. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of  claim 1 , wherein the MBMS assistance information includes information to indicate multiple alternative carrier frequencies by which a same MBMS is to be provided. 
     
     
       10. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of  claim 1 , wherein the MBMS assistance information includes information to indicate multiple carrier frequencies by which different MBMSs of the plurality of MBMSs are to be provided. 
     
     
       11. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media having instructions, stored thereon, that when executed by one or more processors of a base station, cause the base station to:
 transmit, to a user equipment (UE) via a wireless communication network, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) assistance information to indicate one or more carrier frequencies by which a plurality of MBMSs are to be provided; 
 obtain, from the UE via the wireless communication network, an MBMS interest indication message to indicate one or more of the carrier frequencies by which the UE is receiving or is interested to receive two or more of the plurality of MBMSs; and 
 obtain, from the UE via the wireless communication network, an indicator of how many of the MBMSs the UE is to receive. 
 
     
     
       12. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of  claim 11 , wherein the MBMS interest indication message further includes a priority indicator to indicate a priority of the UE for reception of all the carrier frequencies indicated in the MBMS interest indication message compared to reception of any unicast bearer. 
     
     
       13. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of  claim 11 , wherein the MBMS assistance information further includes information on multiple alternative carrier frequencies by which a same MBMS of the plurality of MBMSs is to be provided or information on multiple carrier frequencies by which different MBMSs of the plurality of MBMSs are to be provided. 
     
     
       14. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of  claim 11 , wherein the MBMS assistance information further includes an indicator of a carrier selection mode to be used by the UE, wherein the carrier selection mode is a selected one of a first selection mode that prioritizes selection of carrier frequencies that provide MBMSs or a second selection mode that prioritizes selection of carrier frequencies based on signal quality without regard to whether the respective carrier frequency transmits MBMS. 
     
     
       15. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the base station to obtain, from the UE via the wireless communication network, another MBMS interest indication having a null frequency to indicate that the UE is no longer receiving or interested in receiving any of the MBMSs. 
     
     
       16. An apparatus to be employed by a user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising:
 means for obtaining, from a base station via a wireless communication network, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) assistance information to indicate one or more carrier frequencies by which a plurality of MBMSs are to be provided; 
 means for transmitting, to the base station via the wireless communication network, an MBMS interest indication message to indicate one or more of the carrier frequencies by which the UE is receiving or interested to receive two or more of the MBMSs; and 
 means for transmitting, to the base station via the wireless communication network, an indicator of how many MBMSs the UE is to receive. 
 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the MBMS interest indication message further includes a priority indicator having a single bit to indicate a priority of the UE for reception of all the carrier frequencies indicated by the MBMS interest indication message compared to reception of any unicast bearer. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising means for transmitting, to the base station via the wireless communication network, another MBMS interest indication having a null frequency if the UE is no longer receiving or interested in receiving any of the MBMSs. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the MBMS interest indication message includes:
 an MBMS identifier of respective MBMSs the UE is receiving or interested to receive; or 
 a temporary mobile group identity (TMGI) of the respective MBMSs the UE is receiving or interested to receive. 
 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising means for indicating, to the base station via the wireless communication network, capability information of the UE associated with MBMS reception. 
     
     
       21. The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the means to transmit the MBMS interest indication message are to transmit the MBMS interest indication message if:
 one or more of the MBMSs the UE is receiving or interested in receiving is not offered on any of one or more serving cells that are currently serving the UE; 
 all receivers of the UE are currently being used to receive transmissions from the one or more serving cells; and 
 unicast access is permitted on the respective carrier frequency associated with the one or more of the MBMSs the UE is receiving or interested in receiving. 
 
     
     
       22. The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising means to obtain an indicator of a carrier selection mode to be used by the UE, wherein the carrier selection mode is a first selection mode that prioritizes selection of carrier frequencies that provide MBMSs or a second selection mode that prioritizes selection of carrier frequencies based on signal quality without regard to whether the respective carrier frequency transmits MBMS. 
     
     
       23. An apparatus to be employed by a base station, comprising:
 means for transmitting, to a user equipment (UE) via a wireless communication network, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) assistance information to indicate one or more carrier frequencies by which a plurality of MBMSs are to be provided; 
 means for receiving, from the UE via the wireless communication network, an MBMS interest indication message to indicate one or more of the carrier frequencies by which the UE is receiving or is interested to receive two or more of the plurality of MBMSs; and 
 means for receiving, from the UE via the wireless communication network, an indicator of how many of the MBMSs the UE is to receive. 
 
     
     
       24. The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the MBMS assistance information further includes an indicator of a carrier selection mode to be used by the UE, wherein the carrier selection mode is a selected one of a first selection mode that prioritizes selection of carrier frequencies that provide MBMSs or a second selection mode that prioritizes selection of carrier frequencies based on signal quality without regard to whether the respective carrier frequency transmits MBMS. 
     
     
       25. The apparatus of  claim 23 , further comprising means for receiving, from the UE via the wireless communication network, another MBMS interest indication having a null frequency to indicate that the UE is no longer receiving or interested in receiving any of the MBMSs.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/489,327, filed Sep. 17, 2014, entitled “MULTICAST/BROADCAST SERVICE CONTINUITY IN MULTI-CARRIER NETWORKS,” which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/531,848, filed Jun. 25, 2012, entitled “MULTICAST/BROADCAST SERVICE CONTINUITY IN MULTI-CARRIER NETWORKS,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/542,086, filed Sep. 30, 2011, entitled “ADVANCED WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNIQUES,” the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to the field of communications, and more particularly, to multicast/broadcast service continuity in wireless communication networks. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Some wireless communications networks employ multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) to broadcast media and/or other transmissions to a plurality of user equipment (UE). In some cases MBMS may be offered only on some carriers in multi-carrier networks. Maintaining service continuity for the UE in such networks can be challenging. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. To facilitate this description, like reference numerals designate like structural elements. Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a wireless communication network in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a user equipment in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a base station in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a method for supporting multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) that may be performed by a user equipment in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method for managing MBMS service that may be performed by a base station in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  schematically depicts an example system in accordance with various embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) service continuity in a wireless communication network. 
     Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that alternate embodiments may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials, and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that alternate embodiments may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments. 
     Further, various operations will be described as multiple discrete operations, in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the illustrative embodiments; however, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation. 
     The phrase “in some embodiments” is used repeatedly. The phrase generally does not refer to the same embodiments; however, it may. The terms “comprising,” “having,” and “including” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise. The phrase “A and/or B” means (A), (B), or (A and B). The phrase “A/B” means (A), (B), or (A and B), similar to the phrase “A and/or B”. The phrase “at least one of A, B and C” means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C) or (A, B and C). The phrase “(A) B” means (B) or (A and B), that is, A is optional. 
     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described, without departing from the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that the embodiments of the present disclosure be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof. 
     As used herein, the term “module” may refer to, be part of, or include an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and/or memory (shared, dedicated, or group) that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality. 
       FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a wireless communication network  100  in accordance with various embodiments. Wireless communication network  100  (hereinafter “network  100 ”) may be an access network of a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) long-term evolution (LTE) network such as evolved universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN). The network  100  may include a base station, e.g., enhanced node base station (eNB)  104 , configured to wirelessly communicate with user equipment (UE)  108 . 
     At least initially, the eNB  104  may have an established wireless connection with the UE  108 . The network  100  may further include one or more additional eNB&#39;s, such as eNB  112 . The eNBs may each have generally the same transmission power capabilities as one another or, alternatively, some of the eNBs may have relatively lower transmission power capabilities. For example, in one embodiment the eNB  104  may be a relatively low-power base station such as a pico eNB, femto eNB, and/or Home eNB (HeNB) configured to communicate with the UE  108  within a first area  116 , while the eNB  112  may be a relatively high-power base station such as a macro eNB configured to communicate within a second area  120  that is larger than the first area  116 . In some embodiments, eNB  104  may be a closed subscriber group eNB. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the UE  108  may include a communications module  224  and an MBMS module  228 . The communications module  224  may be further coupled with one or more of a plurality of antennas  232  of the UE  108  for communicating wirelessly over network  100 . 
     The UE  108  may include any suitable number of antennas  232 . In various embodiments, the UE  108  may include at least as many antennas  232  as a number of simultaneous spatial layers or streams received by the UE  108  from the eNBs  104  and/or  112 , although the scope of the present disclosure may not be limited in this respect. The number of simultaneous spatial layers or streams may also be referred to as transmission rank, or simply rank. 
     One or more of the antennas  232  may be alternately used as transmit or receive antennas. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more of the antennas  232  may be dedicated receive antennas or dedicated transmit antennas. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , eNB  104  may include a communications module  336  and an MBMS module  340  coupled with one another at least as shown. The communications module  336  may be further coupled with one or more of a plurality of antennas  344  of the eNB  104 . The communications module  336  may communicate (e.g., transmit and/or receive) with one or more UEs (e.g., UE  108 ). In various embodiments, the eNB  104  may include at least as many antennas  344  as a number of simultaneous transmission streams transmitted to the UE  108 , although the scope of the present disclosure may not be limited in this respect. One or more of the antennas  344  may be alternately used as transmit or receive antennas. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more of the antennas  344  may be dedicated receive antennas or dedicated transmit antennas. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more of the antennas  344  may alternate between communicating in one or more cells  116   a - c.    
     In some embodiments, the eNB  112  may have similar modules/components as eNB  104 . 
     In various embodiments, the MBMS module  340  of the eNB  104  may transmit, via the communications module  336 , MBMS assistance information to the UE  108 . In some embodiments, the MBMS assistance information may be included in a system information block (SIB) transmission. The MBMS assistance information may identify a carrier by which one or more upcoming MBMS services are to be provided. In some embodiments, the MBMS assistance information may include a frequency indicator to identify the carrier. The frequency indicator may be a numerical value of the frequency of the carrier and/or an index corresponding to the carrier. 
     The MBMS assistance information may further include in indicator of a carrier selection mode to be used by the UE  108 . In some embodiments, the carrier selection mode may be a first selection mode that prioritizes selection of carriers that provide MBMS services or a second selection mode that prioritizes carriers based on signal quality (e.g., without regard to whether the carrier offers MBMS services). This carrier selection mode indicator may be used to manage loading of the carriers. With either selection mode, the UE  108  may receive the MBMS service on a “best effort” basis. 
     For example, if there is low congestion on the MBMS-bearing carrier, the carrier selection mode may be set to the first selection mode and the UE  108  may prioritize the MBMS-bearing carrier if the UE  108  wishes to receive MBMS services. The UE  108  may also receive unicast service on the MBMS-bearing carrier. If there is high congestion, the carrier selection mode may be set to the second selection mode so that the UE  108  will prioritize carriers based on signal quality without regard to whether the carrier transmits MBMS. In that case, the UE  108  may select an MBMS-bearing carrier or a non-MBMS carrier for unicast service, for example based on relative signal quality. The UE  108  may still receive the MBMS service based on a “best effort,” for example, if the UE  108  selects the MBMS-bearing carrier for unicast service and/or the UE  108  has another receiver to receive MBMS service. 
     In some embodiments, the MBMS assistance information may further include a non-MBMS restriction indicator of whether the carrier is restricted for non-MBMS access. If the carrier is restricted for non-MBMS access, the UE  108  may receive the MBMS transmission on that carrier, but may not interact with the cell that transmits the MBMS (e.g., eNB  112 ) on that carrier. This may facilitate management of loading on the MBMS-bearing carriers and/or cooperation between the serving eNB (e.g., eNB  104 ) and the MBMS-transmitting eNB (e.g., eNB  112 ). 
     In some embodiments, the MBMS assistance information transmitted by eNB  104  may include information about MBMS services transmitted by another eNB (e.g., eNB  112 ). In one embodiment, the network  100  may include higher power eNBs (e.g., eNB  112  in  FIG. 1 ) that transmit MBMS services (in addition to providing unicast services), and lower power eNBs (e.g., eNB  104  in  FIG. 1 ) that provide unicast service but do not transmit MBMS services. The UE  108  may receive the MBMS assistance information from any of the eNBs of the network  100 , whether or not the eNB provides the MBMS services. For example, the UE  108  may receive the MBMS assistance information from the serving eNB that is currently associated with the UE  108 . This may facilitate service continuity for the UE  108 . 
     In some embodiments, the MBMS assistance information may include information for multiple alternative MBMS-bearing carriers. The multiple alternative MBMS-bearing carriers may be transmitted by the same eNB or different eNBs. 
     In some embodiments, the eNB  104  may transmit MBMS assistance information for MBMS services transmitted by a different provider of wireless communications services than the provider associated with the eNB  104 . For example, the eNB  104  may be associated with a first provider, and the eNB  112  may be associated with a second provider. The first provider may have an agreement with the second provider for the second provider to provide MBMS services for customers of the first provider. Accordingly, the eNB  104  may transmit MBMS assistance information for MBMS services transmitted by the second provider which are available to the UE  108 . 
     In some embodiments, the MBMS assistance information transmitted to the UE  108  by the serving eNB  104  about MBMS services carried by another eNB (e.g., eNB  112 ) may also include information captured in SIB 13 , as defined by LTE Release  9  and LTE Release  10 . In that case, the UE  108 , using the information obtained from the serving eNB  104 , may directly find the location of MCH on the host eNB  112  and process it without reading any system information from the host eNB  112 . 
     In some embodiments, the MBMS related information may be broadcast by serving eNB  104  using as an extension of SIB 13  by indicating relevance of included information to one or more alternative carriers. 
     In various embodiments, the UE  108  (e.g., the MBMS module  228  in conjunction with the communications module  224 ) may transmit an MBMS interest indication message to the eNB  104 . In some embodiments, the MBMS interest indication message may be transmitted via radio resource control (RRC) signaling. 
     The MBMS interest indication message may include information related to one or more targeted MBMS services which the UE wants to receive. In some embodiments, the UE may receive an electronic service guide that includes information related to upcoming MBMS services offered in the network  100 . The UE may select the one or more targeted MBMS services from the upcoming MBMS services included in the electronic service guide. 
     In some embodiments, the MBMS interest indication message may include a frequency of the individual targeted MBMS services. The MBMS interest indication message may include a frequency field that includes the frequency of the targeted MBMS services. In some embodiments, multiple MBMS services may be offered on the same carrier frequency. Alternatively, the frequency field may include a null value if there are no targeted MBMS services. 
     In various embodiments, the MBMS interest indication message may include information related to which subframes of the MBMS-bearing carrier are used to transmit the MBMS service. For example, the MBMS interest indication message may include one or more MBMS identifiers, such as a multicast-broadcast single frequency network (MB SFN) area identity, a temporary mobile group identity (TMGI), and/or a service identity of the targeted MBMS services. Alternatively, or additionally, the MBMS interest indication message may include multicast channel (MCH) information to identify subframes of the carrier frequency on which the targeted MBMS services are transmitted. 
     The eNB  104  may use the MBMS identifier and/or MCH information to determine which subframes of the carrier frequency are occupied by transmissions of the targeted MBMS services. The eNB  104  may make scheduling decisions and/or configure inter-frequency measurements based on the content of the MBMS interest indication message. For example, in some embodiments, the eNB  104  may schedule other transmissions and/or measurements (such as inter-frequency measurements) for the UE  108  on subframes of the carrier frequency that are not used for the targeted MBMS services. 
     In some embodiments, the UE  108  may use the same processor resources to process MBMS service and unicast service. The eNB  104  may take this into account when making scheduling decisions. For example, the MBMS interest indication message may indicate a percentage of the UE  108 &#39;s processing power that is consumed/remains and/or expected to be consumed/remain due to the targeted MBMS services. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE  108  may indicate how many MBMS services the UE  108  is to receive concurrently (e.g., 1 or 2). 
     In some embodiments, the MBMS interest indication message may include a data processing headroom information element to indicate a level of data processing capacity of the UE  108 . For example, the data processing headroom information element may include a Boolean value to indicate whether the UE  108  has reached a threshold data processing capacity or not (e.g., due to MCH reception). Alternatively, the data processing headroom information element may include multiple bits to indicate how much data processing capacity the UE  108  has left for unicast data. 
     The eNB  104  may use the data processing capacity information to avoid scheduling unicast data for the UE  108  concurrent with MBMS services that would exceed the total data processing power of the UE  108 . In some embodiments, the total data processing power may be signaled separately to the eNB  104  as part of a UE category/capability. 
     In some embodiments, the MBMS interest indication message may include an MBMS-selection indicator to indicate whether the UE  108  is capable of receiving unicast service on the MBMS-bearing carrier frequency. The eNB  104  may use this indicator to make scheduling decisions for the UE  108 . 
     In some embodiments, the MBMS interest indication may include a priority indicator to identify the UE  108 &#39;s priority for receiving the targeted MBMS services compared with receiving unicast service. In some embodiments, the priority indicator may be set by a user of the UE  108 . 
     In some embodiments, the priority indicator may be a single bit to indicate if MBMS service or unicast service is prioritized. In other embodiments, the priority indicator may include multiple bits to allow for multiple levels of priority. For example, a two-bit priority indicator may be used to indicate one of four levels of priority for the UE  108 . 
     The four levels of priority may include a first level of priority in which the UE  108  is to receive MBMS service only and disconnect from all non-MBMS services. Accordingly, all non-MBMS services may be released by the network  100  and the UE  108  may be considered detached from the network  100 . The UE  108  may perform a reconnection process to reconnect to the network  100  and resume unicast service. 
     In a second level of priority, MBMS may be given priority with unicast in idle. Under the second level of priority, all ongoing non-MBMS services may be released by the network  100 , and the UE  108  goes into an idle mode. Paging messages may still be received by the UE  108  (e.g., for priority services). 
     In a third level of priority, MBMS may be given priority, but the UE  108  may maintain unicast services on a “best effort” basis. The network  100  may release all guaranteed bit rate (GBR) connections with the UE  108 . 
     In a fourth level of priority, MBMS may be given low priority (e.g., unicast may be given priority over MBMS service). MBMS service may be accommodated only if there is no impact on unicast services, including GBR service. 
     In some embodiments, one priority indicator may be provided in the MBMS interest indication message that applies to all of the targeted MBMS services included in the message. In other embodiments, the MBMS interest indication message may include separate priority indicators for the individual targeted MBMS services. 
     In some embodiments, the MBMS interest indication may also indicate a relative priority among multiple targeted MBMS services. For example, the targeted services may be listed in the MBMS interest indication message in the order of their priority. 
     In various embodiments, the UE  108  may transmit the MBMS interest indication message to the eNB  104  only if one or more conditions are met. For example, the UE  108  may transmit the MBMS interest indication message if the targeted MBMS service is not offered on any of one or more serving cells that are currently serving the UE, all receivers of the UE are currently being used to receive transmissions from the serving cells, and unicast is permitted on the carrier frequency of the targeted MBMS service. The UE  108  may send another MBMS interest indication message if the identity and/or priority of the targeted MBMS services changes. Limiting the frequency of transmission of the MBMS interest indication message may reduce signal congestion. 
     Additionally, or alternatively, the UE  108  may send MBMS interest indication messages including the data processing headroom information element when changes occur to the remaining data processing capacity of the UE  108  (e.g., if the UE  108  stops receiving one or more MBMS transmissions). In some embodiments, the UE  108  may only update the eNB  104  about changes to the UE  108 &#39;s data processing capacity if the change is above a threshold amount. Additionally, or alternatively, a threshold may be set below which changes to the processing capacity may not be indicated to the eNB  104 . 
     In some embodiments, one or more of the parameters indicated by the MBMS interest indication message may be passed from a source eNB to a target eNB during handover of the UE  108  from the source eNB to the target eNB. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a method  400  of supporting MBMS service in accordance with various embodiments. Method  400  may be performed by a UE, such as UE  108 . In some embodiments, the UE may include and/or have access to one or more computer-readable media having instructions stored thereon, that, when executed, cause the UE to perform the method  400 . 
     At  404 , the UE may receive MBMS assistance information from an eNB (e.g., eNB  104 ). In some embodiments, the MBMS assistance information may be included in an SIB transmission. The MBMS assistance information may include a frequency of one or more MBMS carriers on which MBMS services are to be transmitted, an indicator of a carrier selection mode to be used by the UE, and an indicator of whether non-MBMS access to the MBMS carrier is permitted. The carrier selection mode may be a first selection mode that prioritizes selection of carriers that provide MBMS services or a second selection mode that prioritizes carriers based on signal quality. 
     In some embodiments, the MBMS carriers may be transmitted by a different eNB than the eNB from which the UE receives the MBMS assistance information. For example, the UE may receive the MBMS assistance information from a serving eNB. The serving eNB may or may not transmit MBMS carriers. In some embodiments, the serving eNB may be a relatively low power eNB (e.g., a pico eNB and/or an HeNB) and/or a closed subscriber group eNB. 
     At  408 , the UE may receive one or more MBMS services based on the received MBMS assistance information. The UE may select one or more targeted MBMS services that the UE wishes to receive. For example, the targeted MBMS services may be selected by the user of the UE. The UE may then use the information included in the MBMS assistance information to receive the targeted MBMS services. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a method  500  of managing MBMS service with a UE (e.g., UE  108 ) in accordance with various embodiments. Method  500  may be performed by an eNB, such as eNB  104 . In some embodiments, the eNB may include and/or have access to one or more computer-readable media having instructions stored thereon, that, when executed, cause the eNB to perform the method  500 . 
     At  504 , the eNB may receive an MBMS interest indication message from a UE including information related to a targeted MBMS service which the UE wants to receive. For example, the MBMS interest indication message may include MCH information that identifies the resources (e.g., subframes) of the MBMS carrier that are used for the targeted MBMS service. The MBMS interest indication message may include a frequency field that identifies the frequency of the MBMS carrier on which the targeted MBMS service is to be transmitted. In some embodiments, the frequency field may include a null value to indicate that there are no targeted MBMS services for the UE or UE is no longer interested in any on going to upcoming MBMS service. 
     The MBMS interest indication message may include further information as discussed herein. For example, the MBMS interest indication message may include an MBSFN area identity, a TMGI, and/or a service identity of the targeted MBMS service. Additionally, or alternatively, the MBMS interest indication message may include a priority indicator to identify a priority of receiving the targeted MBMS service compared with receiving unicast service for the UE. 
     In some embodiments, the MBMS interest indication message may be sent if one or more conditions are met, as discussed herein. The MBMS interest indication message may be received via RRC signaling. 
     At  508 , the eNB may manage communications with the UE based on the MBMS interest indication message. For example, the eNB may schedule transmissions and/or measurements for the UE on resources of the MBMS carrier on which the MCH for the targeted MBMS service is not transmitted. 
     The eNB  104 / 112  and/or UE  108  described herein may be implemented into a system using any suitable hardware and/or software to configure as desired.  FIG. 6  illustrates, for one embodiment, an example system  600  comprising one or more processor(s)  604 , system control logic  608  coupled with at least one of the processor(s)  604 , system memory  612  coupled with system control logic  608 , non-volatile memory (NVM)/storage  616  coupled with system control logic  608 , a network interface  620  coupled with system control logic  608 , and input/output (I/O) devices  632  coupled with system control logic  608 . 
     The processor(s)  604  may include one or more single-core or multi-core processors. The processor(s)  604  may include any combination of general-purpose processors and dedicated processors (e.g., graphics processors, application processors, baseband processors, etc.). 
     System control logic  608  for one embodiment may include any suitable interface controllers to provide for any suitable interface to at least one of the processor(s)  604  and/or to any suitable device or component in communication with system control logic  608 . 
     System control logic  608  for one embodiment may include one or more memory controller(s) to provide an interface to system memory  612 . System memory  612  may be used to load and store data and/or instructions, for example, for system  600 . System memory  612  for one embodiment may include any suitable volatile memory, such as suitable dynamic random access memory (DRAM), for example. 
     NVM/storage  616  may include one or more tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media used to store data and/or instructions, for example. NVM/storage  616  may include any suitable non-volatile memory, such as flash memory, for example, and/or may include any suitable non-volatile storage device(s), such as one or more hard disk drive(s) (HDD(s)), one or more compact disk (CD) drive(s), and/or one or more digital versatile disk (DVD) drive(s), for example. 
     The NVM/storage  616  may include a storage resource physically part of a device on which the system  600  is installed or it may be accessible by, but not necessarily a part of, the device. For example, the NVM/storage  616  may be accessed over a network via the network interface  620  and/or over Input/Output (I/O) devices  632 . 
     Network interface  620  may have a transceiver  622  to provide a radio interface for system  600  to communicate over one or more network(s) and/or with any other suitable device. The transceiver  622  may implement communications module  224 . In various embodiments, the transceiver  622  may be integrated with other components of system  600 . For example, the transceiver  622  may include a processor of the processor(s)  604 , memory of the system memory  612 , and NVM/Storage of NVM/Storage  616 . Network interface  620  may include any suitable hardware and/or firmware. Network interface  620  may include a plurality of antennas to provide a multiple input, multiple output radio interface. Network interface  620  for one embodiment may include, for example, a wired network adapter, a wireless network adapter, a telephone modem, and/or a wireless modem. 
     For one embodiment, at least one of the processor(s)  604  may be packaged together with logic for one or more controller(s) of system control logic  608 . For one embodiment, at least one of the processor(s)  604  may be packaged together with logic for one or more controllers of system control logic  608  to form a System in Package (SiP). For one embodiment, at least one of the processor(s)  604  may be integrated on the same die with logic for one or more controller(s) of system control logic  608 . For one embodiment, at least one of the processor(s)  604  may be integrated on the same die with logic for one or more controller(s) of system control logic  608  to form a System on Chip (SoC). 
     In various embodiments, the I/O devices  632  may include user interfaces designed to enable user interaction with the system  600 , peripheral component interfaces designed to enable peripheral component interaction with the system  600 , and/or sensors designed to determine environmental conditions and/or location information related to the system  600 . 
     In various embodiments, the user interfaces could include, but are not limited to, a display (e.g., a liquid crystal display, a touch screen display, etc.), a speaker, a microphone, one or more cameras (e.g., a still camera and/or a video camera), a flashlight (e.g., a light emitting diode flash), and a keyboard. 
     In various embodiments, the peripheral component interfaces may include, but are not limited to, a non-volatile memory port, a universal serial bus (USB) port, an audio jack, and a power supply interface. 
     In various embodiments, the sensors may include, but are not limited to, a gyro sensor, an accelerometer, a proximity sensor, an ambient light sensor, and a positioning unit. The positioning unit may also be part of, or interact with, the network interface  620  to communicate with components of a positioning network, e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) satellite. 
     In various embodiments, the system  600  may be a mobile computing device such as, but not limited to, a laptop computing device, a tablet computing device, a netbook, a smartphone, etc. In various embodiments, system  600  may have more or less components, and/or different architectures. 
     Although certain embodiments have been illustrated and described herein for purposes of description, a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent embodiments or implementations calculated to achieve the same purposes may be substituted for the embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that embodiments described herein be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20180103
Publication Date: 20211116
Grant Date: 20211116
Priority Date: 20110930
Inventors: ETEMAD, KAMRAN
ZHANG, YUJIAN
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04W72/27", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W72/30", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W72/20", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W72/23", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W72/541", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W52/0222", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04L47/41", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04L45/245", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W52/0235", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W36/0007", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W52/146", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W48/16", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W76/40", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W4/08", 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Family ID: 47992518