591 results about "Broadcast multicast" patented technology

A push-to-talk (“PTT”) group call system, for use as, e.g., a public safety wireless network, includes a CDMA-based 1x-EVDO radio access network operably connected to a PTT server over an IP network. The radio access network includes base stations for radio communications with a number of distributed mobile stations. In carrying out wireless communications, the group call system combines IP-based voice and other real-time multimedia services with the 1x-EVDO radio access network's Broadcast Multicast Service. This allows a number of users to receive the same copy of an IP-based media stream for point-to-multipoint, group transmissions. To reduce call setup times, the group call system uses “standing” call groups, which are ongoing group communication channels pre-established between the PTT server and authorized group users. Thus, mobile stations link to one or more standing call groups of interest upon power-up, prior to users speaking.

A technique for content delivery in wireless networks which associates a desired broadcast / multicast (BCMC) territory with the content, estimates cell sector coverage area from a subscriber location data set, and then identifies a set of cell sectors to be sent the content using a BCMC protocol. The method involves first receiving a description of a designated broadcast / multicast (BCMC) territory in terms of a physical area. Next, a content indicator associated with the BCMC territory is identified. The content indicator identifies content, such as text or image data, that is to be supplied to subscribers located in the territory. A cell sector coverage area is then estimated from a subscriber location data set wherein the data set includes at least a geographic location and a cell sector identifier for multiple subscribers. The BCMC territory description and the estimated cell sector coverage areas are then compared against the subscriber location data set to identify a set of targeted cell sectors. Finally, the content indicator is then sent to the set of targeted cell sectors using a BCMC protocol.

A presence tracking architecture for datagram-based protocols. A client application seeking to know the presence or lack thereof of a device and / or service utilizes a standard protocol in a non-intuitive way to trigger notification of the device and / or service before any associated timeout expires. At first presence, a multicast message is broadcast to notify all devices. Subsequently, on-demand notification may be requested by a client application by sending directly (e.g., in unicast) to the device before its timeout has expired a message that is normally only sent in multicast. If capable, the device can then respond normally with a unicast message indicating it is on-line. If the response is not received, the device and / or service is determined to be off-line.

A method is provided for efficiently multiplexing interlaced broadcast traffic over a wireless network. The multiplexing scheme organizes unused slots in at least some base stations so that unicast traffic employing hybrid ARQ may be delivered therein.

A communication system provides one or more of congestion information and subscriber information to a broadcast applications server when the server receives a request to start a broadcast-multicast service in a coverage area. By providing the one or more of congestion information and subscriber information to the server, the server is able to make an informed, intelligent decision concerning blocking, unblocking, downgrading, or upgrading a broadcast-multicast flow of multiple broadcast-multicast flows requested for delivery to, or currently delivered to, the coverage area via a serving base station, and / or whether to add a new broadcast-multicast flow to the broadcast-multicast flows delivered to the coverage area.

A method and system for providing a broadcast / multicast (BCAST) service, are provided. The method includes obtaining, by the terminal, at least one BCAST service from a visiting network when the terminal roams in the visiting network.

A message transmitted from a mobile station to a base station in a wireless network providing broadcast multicast services includes a quality of service feature associated with multicast data transmissions broadcast from the base station to a plurality of mobile stations to provide real-time feedback to the base station and allow the mobile station to release or reject the broadcast multicast service.

A system and method for ensuring an improved transition at the application layer when distribution of media is changed from broadcast / multicast bearers to unicast bearers and vice versa. A mapping is defined between the timeline of a Packet-Switched Streaming Service (PSS) session and the Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) session timeline. This mapping is used to enable the correct positioning of the stream in a PSS session by a PSS server after a handover has occurred. Broadcast multicast service center (BM-SC) signals can support various options for media playback after a MBMS-PSS handover in a PSS session description protocol (SDP) file or in the MBMS user service description (USD). In response, the client can signal its choice in the RTSP request that is sent when switching to the PSS session.

A multimedia broadcast multicast type service (MBMS) is offered to mobile subscribers. A RAN node communicates with one or more radio base stations that transmit and receive information with mobile subscriber terminals, some of which subscribe to the MBMS. The RAN node communicates with multiple core network packet data nodes that receive MBMS data for delivery to the RAN node. One of the multiple core network packet data nodes is selected to provide the MBMS data associated with the MBMS to the RAN node. The others are instructed not to provide the MBMS data, but they still perform other MBMS support functions for their mobile terminals such as MBMS charging, etc.

The present invention relates to a method, signal and devices for facilitating distribution of multimedia broadcast multicast services, i.e. MBMS, in a telecommunications network by receiving an MBSM session start message from a broadcast / multicast service center; sending control traffic on a control network; sending as control traffic to a serving node an MBMS session start request message and including a common tunnel end-point identifier, i.e. common TEID, in the MBMS session start request message; receiving information from the serving node indicating the acceptance of using IP multicast; and sending media content on an IP multicast backbone to hosts that have joined the multicast group using the common TEID. If any part of the communication network does not accept the IP multicast backbone as distribution method tunnels will be used between the gateway and serving node and between the serving node and control node.

A method of digital rights management for a broadcast-multicast service, the method comprising receiving a request from a terminal to join a service domain having a common group key; transmitting encryption of one or more service encryption keys using the common group key to the terminal that requested to join; and allowing the terminal to share the same contents and the same services with one or more other devices within the service domain.

This invention relates to a method, system, transmitter, network element, receiver and software application for a system capable of point-to-multipoint transmission, wherein one or more data packets are transmitted from a transmitter to one or more receivers, wherein at least at one specific receiver of said receivers, a reception of repair data packets is required, wherein repair information is signaled to a repair server in order to trigger a transmission of said repair data packets, and wherein said repair information comprises information related to the number of transmitted data packets correctly received at said specific receiver. Said system may for instance be the 3GPP Multimedia Broadcast Multicast System, said transmission of data packets may for instance be controlled by the File Delivery Over Unidirectional Transport protocol and said signaling of said repair information may for instance be controlled by the Hypertext Transfer Protocol.

In a method of tracking a user in a communication network supporting a broadcast-multicast service, the network classifies groups of users into tracking areas. Movement of a user may be tracked as the user crosses a boundary between two tracking areas in the network. The method may enable a balance to be achieved between use of uplink overhead and the level or granularity of tracking desired, so as to conserve radio resources.

The present inventions relates to a system for communication of data information, e.g. multimedia content, over a wireless network connecting a plurality of end user stations and supporting broadcast / multicast transmission. It comprises central server means with at least one central cache arrangement for storing at least selected parts of data information relevant for at least a segment of the wireless network, transmission scheduling means for transmission scheduling, central cache arrangement control means for, by using scheduling information, controlling a central cache arrangement push engine for multicast / broadcast pushing of information to end user stations within said at least one segment of the wireless network. The end user stations comprise or are associated with proprietary, local push content caching means for holding the pushed data information, and, upon request by the respective end user, selected data information may be presented to the end user in a customized manner via a user client from said local caching means.

An apparatus and methods for transmitting information over a home coax network are provided. A method according to the invention for transmitting information over a home coax network preferably includes adding a multicast transmission mode to a system that previously only had unicast transmission mode and broadcast mode. The method preferably includes broadcasting multicast (“MC”) traffic. The MC traffic may be directed to a predetermined MC group. The MC traffic may be transmitted from an ingress node to a plurality of egress nodes. A portion of the plurality of egress nodes may belong to the MC group. Upon receipt by at least one of the egress nodes of the MC traffic, the method may further include using the at least one egress node to filter the received MC traffic to determine whether the MC traffic is directed to a group for which the egress node is a member.

A data transmission method transmits data to a group of receiving communication devices in a communication system comprising at least one cellular network. The method includes defining, by an application server situated beyond a cellular network, a group of receiving communication devices in the cellular network, the application server having no visibility to locations of receiving devices in the cellular network. The method also includes receiving, in a broadcast / multicast network entity configured to provide broadcast and multicast services in the cellular network, data to be transmitted from the application server to the group. The method also includes transmitting the data from the broadcast / multicast network entity to the group using broadcast and / or multicast transmission. Furthermore, a network entity in a cellular network and a communication system are provided configured to implement the method.

A method and a system for implementing MBMS. According to embodiments of the present invention, the MBMS are born on different multimedia broadcast multicast bearers; each multimedia broadcast multicast bearers corresponds to a multimedia broadcast multicast area; an association relationship between the different multimedia broadcast multicast bearers of MBMS of a same type is set at a network side; when the UE switches between different multimedia broadcast multicast areas, the network side provides the UE with the multimedia broadcast multicast bearer of the multimedia broadcast multicast area where the UE is located currently according to the association relationship between the multimedia broadcast multicast bearers corresponding to the MBMS request by the UE. The method and the system in accordance with the present invention can support MBMS better.

A message transmitted from a base station to a plurality of mobile stations in a wireless network providing broadcast multicast services includes one or more fields providing configuration information associated with multicast services deployed on each frequency in the coverage area of the base station and a flag indicating whether the message includes all of the one or more fields or only select ones of the one or more fields having updated configuration information.

A method of wireless communication. In one embodiment, the method comprises the step of receiving a multicast control message. The multicast control message may include information regarding one or more of the following: a number of available multicast services, one or more resource thresholds for each available multicast service, one or more identifiers for each available multicast service, one or more radio access capability requirements for each available multicast service, and / or notification of termination and / or continuation of multicast service. Subscription information, such as multicast subscription type, payment authentication data and billing information, may be transmitted and correspond with the received multicast control message. In response to the received multicast control message, a multicast service may be selected. Once multicast service is selected, one or more signals may be transmitted corresponding to the selected multicast service. This signal(s) may convey, for example, access time to the selected multicast service.

The invention provides for a receiver transmitter comprising: a plurality of logical access points; for downloading a duration into a mobile terminal in accordance with an access point determination of the maximum amount of time information linked with a downlink broadcast traffic to deliver all the broadcast / multicast information in a single communication stream. The invention also provides for a method of broadcast / multicast frames “Duration” are set to values in order to deliver all the broadcast / multicast information in a single communication stream eliminating the requirement for contending for the medium for each broadcast / multicast frame transmission. This pseudo-reservation of the wireless medium can also be made periodic for enabling broadcast / multicast services.

A system and method for signaling the availability of a Multimedia Broadcast / Multicast Service (MBMS) user service in multiple variants. Various embodiments involve the usage of the additional capacity introduced by MBMS Over a Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) in order to carry a higher quality or more robust variant of the service in MBMS. The broadcast multicast service center (BM-SC) provides the same MBMS user service in two variants, one for the regular MBMS and the other for MBSFN. The MBSFN variant of the service may be charged differently and would then need to be protected separately. In various embodiments, the user equipment is informed that the same service is present in different variants and therefore can then select one of the available variants for consumption.

A push-to-talk (“PTT”) group call system, for use as, e.g., a public safety wireless network, includes a CDMA-based 1x-EVDO radio access network operably connected to a PTT server over an IP network. The radio access network includes base stations for radio communications with a number of distributed mobile stations. In carrying out wireless communications, the group call system combines IP-based voice and other real-time multimedia services with the 1x-EVDO radio access network's Broadcast Multicast Service. This allows a number of users to receive the same copy of an IP-based media stream for point-to-multipoint, group transmissions. To reduce call setup times, the group call system uses “standing” call groups, which are ongoing group communication channels pre-established between the PTT server and authorized group users. Thus, mobile stations link to one or more standing call groups of interest upon power-up, prior to users speaking.

A communication system (100) determines whether to establish a point-to-point or point-to-multipoint communication for conveyance of Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services (MBMS) data based on a number of user equipments (102-104) being serviced by the communication system for MBMS service. The system broadcasts an access probability factor (154) in a control message to the user equipments. For a large number of MBMS users being counted (158), the method will select a point-to-multipoint broadcast (160). If the number of user equipments being counted is relatively small, the access probability factor is modified by a ratio of the number of point-to-point connections over the point-to-multipoint connections over the number of users being counted (174). The UE may need to join multiple base stations' in the counting procedure to obtain the system diversity gain.

In response to a BCMCS service request from a mobile station, a base station separately informs the mobile station whether the requested BCMCS service is available. Thus, the base station can include only broadcast channel information necessary for actual broadcast in a broadcasting overhead message, and if the BCMCS service is stopped or unavailable, the base station can order the mobile station to interrupt the BCMCS service, thereby reducing the load on system resources.

The invention relates to a method, a terminal and a system for point-to-multipoint calling in a cluster system based on a long term evolution (LTE) technology. The method comprises the following steps of: establishing a communication channel between a source terminal and a target terminal through a base station, a core network, an internet protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS) domain and an application server; and transmitting voice data between the source terminal and the target terminal through the communication channel, a broadcast multicast service center (BM-SC) and a multimedia broadcast multicast service gateway (MBMS-GW). By the method, a point-to-multipoint cluster communication mechanism is finished by maintaining the conventional air interface protocol to the greatest extent or performing function expansion to the minimum extent on the basis of the conventional air interface protocol; an IP multimedia subsystem +PTT over cellular (IMS+PoC) framework is utilized, and parts of network elements in the conventional network framework are subjected to the function expansion, so that the communication channel between the source terminal and the target terminal is established specifically by the base station, the core network, the IMS domain and the application server; and the voice data is transmitted between the source terminal and the target terminal by the communication channel and the BM-SC, so that point-to-multipoint service of the cluster system in an LTE network is realized, and the compatibility and the fusion between the cluster system and the conventional LTE network are facilitated.

A method and related user device for executing handover between a multimedia broadcast multicast single frequency network (MBSFN) and non-MBSFN regions of a communication network are disclosed. The communication network includes a first community forming the MBSFN region, a second community not forming the MBSFN region and a keeping community between the first and second communities. The keeping community belongs to the MBSFN region, wherein the broadcast keeping community in the keeping community indicates information. The method includes steps as follows: receiving the indicating information of the keeping community so as to learn that the user device in the keeping community; measuring a first signal intensity transmitted based on MBSFN and aiming to a pre-determined business in the keeping community and a second signal intensity transmitted based on a single community; and selecting the first community or the second community as the target community when the difference between the first and second signal intensities is less than a pre-determined threshold value. This invention is capable of providing continuous MBMS service for user under the condition that the user device moves in different communication regions.

In a broadcast / multicast service based on user location information, when a terminal sets contents desired to be received in a specific area, a broadcast / multicast server checks current location information of the terminal transmitted from a location server or from the corresponding terminal, selects contents provided in the corresponding area, and transmits it to the terminal. Thus, a waste of a communication channel can be prevented, and since a user can selectively receive contents or information according to his / her location, user's satisfaction and convenience can be enhanced.

Method and apparatus that provide for broadcast multicast services in an ultra mobile broadband network are disclosed. A broadcast transmission structure provides for efficient indexing of subbands reserved for BCMCS. Transmissions on the logical channels are segmented into error control blocks beginning with zero or one MAC packet received by a MAC layer. A transmitting entity appends parameters relating to content change within a next ultraframe at end of every broadcast packet that is not a stuffing packet. A mapping message of multiple Physical Layer groups addresses a single logical channel when SFN (Single Frequency Network) coverage of an associated subband group is different from SFN coverage of the logical channel.

Methods for signaling information to a group of users in a communication network supporting a broadcast-multicast service are described, in which one or more indicator bits of a sequence may be assigned to indicate transmission of signaling information that is related to the group. The sequence may be transmitted to the group on a first channel, with the signaling information related to the group being transmitted on a second channel.

The invention provides a method for carrying out statistic multiplexing in an evolution multimedia broadcast multicast service (e-MBMS) system, including: ensuring statistic multiplexing set and statistic multiplexing set information aiming at the service at a broadcast multicast service center (BM-SC); establishing an evolution grouping system (EPS) of the service to support at a gateway, and ensuring the AMBR set supported by the EPS and the AMBR set information according to the statistic multiplexing set information at the BM-SC; and dispatching the service at the base station (eNB) according to the AMBR set information ensured at the gateway, thereby distributing a plurality of service shares belonging to the same AMBR set to the resources of the set.