FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to providing network services in wireless networks. More specifically, the invention relates to a method and a system for providing network services to user equipments present in a predetermined area.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A network consists of a plurality of data processing systems. Network services are services that can be provided to some or all of the plurality of data processing systems. Advancements in the field of wireless technology and user equipments have led to an increase in advertising of the network services and provision of the network services.
The advertising of the network services and provision of the network services to user equipments can be achieved utilizing messaging services. Examples of messaging services include the short message service (SMS), the multimedia-messaging services (MMS), the enhanced messaging services (EMS), and the like. Advertising network services is accomplished with the help of messages having information pertaining to the network services and instructions on provisioning of the network services. The messages can then be broadcast or multicast to the user equipments utilizing technologies such as the Broadcast and Multicast Service (BCMCS), and the Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS), and the like.
In many situations, the network services need to be offered only in a predetermined area. For example, a tourist destination may wish to advertise a map and current events to visitors inside their campus. In such a case, broadcasting the information to user equipments outside the tourist destinations will lead to wastage of network resources and bandwidth.
There exist systems that limit the broadcast of the messages by adjusting radio frequency coverage and monitoring individual user equipments. However, these systems are not flexible not scalable. Further, the systems cannot be used for arbitrary shaped and sized areas.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying figures, in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which:
FIG. 1 shows a diagram illustrating an exemplary environment in which various embodiments can be implemented.
FIG. 2 shows a flow chart illustrating a method for providing at least one network service in a predetermined area of a wireless network, in accordance with an embodiment.
FIG. 3 shows a block diagram illustrating a system for providing at least one network service in a predetermined area of a wireless network, in accordance with an embodiment.
FIG. 4 shows a block diagram illustrating a transmission controller in accordance with an embodiment.
FIG. 5 shows a block diagram illustrating a network services client in accordance with an embodiment.
FIG. 6 shows a block diagram illustrating the system for providing the at least one network service in a predetermined area of the wireless network, in accordance with another embodiment.
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 OF THE INVENTION
Before describing in detail the particular method and system for providing one or more network services to user equipments in a predetermined area in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the present invention resides primarily in combinations of method steps and
apparatus components related to the method and system for providing one or more network services to user equipments in a predetermined area. 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 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.
A "set" as used in this document, means a non-empty set (i.e., comprising at least one member). The term "another", as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms "including" and/or "having", as used herein, are defined as comprising. The term "coupled", as used herein with reference to electro-optical technology, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term "program", as used herein, is defined as a sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system. A "program", or "computer program", may include a subroutine, a function, a procedure, an object method, an object implementation, an executable application, an applet, a servlet, a source code, an object code, a shared library/dynamic load library and/or other sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system.
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram illustrating an exemplary environment 100 in which various embodiments can be practiced. A plurality of cells of a communications network are illustrated in PIG. 1. The wireless network can be a wireless metropolitan area network (WMAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN), a global system of mobile communications (GSM) network, a personal communication system (PCS) network, a mobitex network, a general packet radio service (GPRS) network, a code division multiple access (CDMA) network, a universal mobile telephone service (UMTS) network, an advanced mobile phone system (AMPS) network, evolution data-only (EV-DO), internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), Multimedia Domain (MMD), and the like.
Each cell of the plurality of cells has at least one base station. In accordance to various embodiments, a cell can be an area delineated by a radio frequency boundary, such as a public land mobile network, a radio cell, and the like. For the purpose of this description, the environment 100 is shown to include a cell 102, a cell 104, and a cell 106. The cell 102 includes a base station 108 and a user equipment 110. The cell 104 includes a base station 112 and a user equipment 114. The cell 106 includes a base station 116, a user equipment 118 and a user equipment 12O. The environment 100 further includes a user equipment 122. The user equipment 122 is located outside the three cells 102, 104, and 106. The communication network provides one or more network services to the user equipments. It should be appreciated that each cell of the plurality of cells can include any number of user equipments. Examples of user equipments include, but are not limited to, laptops, personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones, and the like. The environment 100 further includes a predetermined area 124. For exemplary purpose, the predetermined area 124 has been illustrated as a rectangle. However, the predetermined area 124 can be of any size or shape. The predetermined area 124 can also be a union of multiple areas defined in terms of coordinates. The predetermined area 124 can be demarcated, for example, with the help of geographical co-ordinates of its vertices, and its shape. The predetermined area 124 can also be demarcated with the help of directional antennae at its boundaries. It
should be appreciated that any such method of demarcating an area can be used within the scope of the present invention. The predetermined area 124 can also be a three dimensional space. The three dimensional space can be defined with the help of at least two longitude value, at least two latitude value, and at least one height value.
FIG. 2 shows a flow chart illustrating a method for providing at least one network service in the predetermined area of the wireless network, in accordance with an embodiment. The method is initiated at step 202. At step 204, at least one user equipment present in the predetermined area 124 is identified. As shown in FIG. 1, the at least one user equipment present in the predetermined area 124 includes the user equipments 114 and 120. At step 206, a select set of user equipments is defined. The select set includes the at least one user equipment located in the predetermined area 124. Therefore, the select set includes the user equipments 114 and 120. At step 208, a notification is sent to the select set. The notification can be sent utilizing a messaging service, such as the short message service (SMS), the multimedia messaging services (MMS), the enhanced messaging services (EMS), and the like. The notification includes a first information which pertains to the provisioning of the at least one network service in the predetermined area 124. Before sending the notification a subscription status of the user equipments in the select state can be checked. In case it is determined that a user equipment has not subscribed to any of the at least one network service, the notification may not be sent to the user equipment. Alternatively, the notification may be sent to the user equipment irrespective of the subscription status. The first information can include, for example, a brief description of each of the at least one network service that is available, configuration parameters for enabling the at least one network service, etc. Further, an option for activating the at least one network service can also be provided as part of the notification. Users of the at least one user equipments in the select set can then opt for activating the at least one network service. The notification can further include information regarding procedure for activating the network service. The procedure can be one of an on-the- spot activation, activation through Internet, activation through sending a reply message and the like. Alternatively, the users may
choose to ignore the message and not activate the at least one network service. Based on the response of the user, the method can further include activating and providing the at least one service for the user equipment. In accordance with an embodiment, the user equipment can be removed from the select set if the user equipment is unable to respond to the notification within a pre-determined interval of time. Thereafter, the method terminates at step 210.
In accordance with another embodiment, the network service can be provisioned to the user equipments in the select set as a multicast program. To enable this, a multicast or broadcast group that includes the user equipments in the select set can be formed. The notification can then be sent as a multicast message to the multicast group. This can be enabled, for example, by utilizing multicast services such as the broadcast multicast services (BCMCS) as defined in the Third Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2) specifications, and the multimedia broadcast multicast services (MBMS) as defined in the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) specifications. Multicasting the notification ensures an efficient delivery of network service messages to the user equipments in the predetermined area 124. In accordance with yet another embodiment, the multicast group can be utilized for providing the network service in an efficient manner. Forming the multicast group requires a second information regarding each of the user equipments present in the select set. The second information can include the identity of the user equipment, the current location of the user equipment. Examples of the identity of the user equipment include, but are not limited to, a mobile number, international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI), international mobile equipment identity (IMEI), mobile subscriber integrated services digital network number (MSISDN).
In order to form the multicast group, at least one cell that provides the at least one network service in the predetermined area 124 is identified. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the cell 102, the cell 104, and the cell 106 provide the at least one network service to the predetermined area 124. After identifying the at least one cell, a monitored set of user equipments is determined. The monitored set of user equipments includes user equipments that are within the at least one cell that provides the at least one network service. The
location of each of the monitored set of user equipments is monitored as they can potentially enter the predetermined area 124. This ensures that the locations of only those user equipments that can potentially enter the predetermined area 124 are monitored. As illustrated in PIG. 1, the monitored set includes user equipments 110, 114, 118, and 120. The user equipments 114 and 120 are within the predetermined area 124 and are part of the select set. However, the user equipments 110 and 118 need to be monitored. In case these user equipments move into the predetermined area 124 they are added to the select set of user equipments. However, in case any of these user equipments leaves the at least one cell that provides the network services to the predetermined area 124, this user equipment is removed from the monitored set. For example, the user equipment 122 is outside the cells 102, 104 and 106 and is hence not a part of the monitored set. Further, in case a user equipment leaves the predetermined area 124, it is removed from the select set of user equipments. However, this user equipment remains a part of the monitored set of user equipments, as it can potentially re-enter the predetermined area 124. When a user equipment leaves the predetermined area 124, the provision of the network service can also be discontinued. A notification can be provided to this user equipment that the at least one network service is being discontinued.
FIG. 3 shows a block diagram illustrating a system for providing at least one network service in the wireless network 100 in accordance with an embodiment. As illustrated, the system includes a transmission controller 302, a network services client 304, a location server 306, and a content server 308. The transmission controller 302 is capable of transmitting a first information to a select set of user equipments in the predetermined area. The first information pertains to the provisioning of the at least one service to the at least one user equipment. The first information can include, for example, a brief description of each of the at least one network service that is available, configuration parameters for enabling the at least one network service, etc. The content server 308 stores and provides the first information to the transmission controller 302. The network services client 304 provides a second information to the transmission controller 302 with the help of which the transmission controller 302 identifies the select
set of user equipments. In an embodiment, the network services client 304 determines the identities of the user equipments that lie within the predetermined area 124 and hence, form part of the select set. Therefore, the second information includes the identity and location of the user equipments within the predetermined area 124. The network services client 304 queries the location server 306 with the geographical coordinates of the predetermined area 124. The location server 306 translates the geographical coordinates of the predetermined area to radio frequency boundaries within cells 102, 104, and 106. Further, the location server 306 determines which user equipments lie within the predetermined area 124 by querying a location register 31O with the radio frequency boundaries of the predetermined area 124. The location register 310 stores the current location of user equipments with respect to the cells 102, 104, and 106. The location register 310 can be a home location register or a visitor location register. In an alternate embodiment, the location server 306 can obtain the location of the user equipments by querying a subscriber server instead of the location register 310. The subscriber server can be a home subscriber server or a visitor subscriber server. The network services client 304 is further explained in conjunction with PIG. 5.
FIG. 4 shows a block diagram illustrating a transmission controller 302 in accordance with an embodiment. As illustrated, the transmission controller 302 includes a broadcast serving node 402 and a broadcast/multicast controller 404. In accordance with an embodiment, the notification is sent to the at least one user equipment in the predetermined are 124 as a multicast program. The broadcast serving node 402 is capable of managing a register comprising at least one multicast group and for providing the network service to the user equipments in the select set in the form of multicast Internet Protocol (IP) flows. The broadcast serving node 402 also controls the addition and removal of multicast groups to the register. Each multicast group can be identified by a multicast flow identity (referred to as a Flow Id). Therefore, any number of network services can be provided to the user equipments in the select set by creating a separate multicast group and Flow ID for each network service. The broadcast/multicast controller 404 is capable of providing session information pertaining to a session to the
broadcast serving node 402. The session can be utilized to provide the at least one network service to the select set. The session can be further utilized to send the notification the select set. In an embodiment, the broadcast/multicast controller 404 can further enable checking the identity of the at least one user equipment and verifying authorization of the at least one user equipment. The broadcast / multicast controller 404 can also enable accounting of usage history pertaining to the at least one network service availed by the at least one user equipment in the select set. The usage history can include at least one of duration of availing the at least one network service, time/date of initiation of the at least one network service, number of times the at least one network service has been availed, and the like. Further details regarding the sending of multicast messages from the transmission controller 302 to the select set of user equipments can be obtained from the 3GPP2 standard titled Broadcast and Multicast Service in cdma2000 Wireless IP Networks', version 1.0. It should be appreciated that the transmission controller can also send the multicast messages through MBMS. Further details regarding the sending of multicast messages from the transmission controller 302 using MBMS can be obtained from the 3GPP standard titled Broadcast/Multicast Services Stage 1', version 1.0, published on August 22, 2001.
Consider a case when a user of a user equipment in the select set agrees to activate a network service, after receiving the notification. The transmission controller 302 can then enable the activation of the at least one network service for the user equipment by adding the user equipment to a multicast group corresponding to the network service. Consider another case when a user equipment accessing an activated network service exits the predetermined area 124. The transmission controller 302 can then deactivate the at least one network service for the user equipment by removing the user equipment from the multicast group. The transmission controller 302 can also notify the user equipment of the deactivation.
FIG. 5 shows a block diagram illustrating a network services client 304 in accordance with an embodiment. As illustrated, the network services client 3O4 includes an identification module 502, a monitoring module 504, and a
selection module 506. The identification module 502 is capable of
identifying the at least one cell providing the at least one network service to the predetermined area 124. The monitoring module 504 is capable of determining a monitored set of user equipments. The monitored set of user equipments comprises user equipments that are present in the cells identified by the identification module 502. To obtain this information the monitoring module queries the location register 310. The selection module 506 is capable of identifying the at least one user equipment that is present in the predetermined area 124. The select set of user equipments is a subset of the monitored set of user equipments. The analyzing includes determining the location of each user equipment in the monitored set. In order to determine the location, the network services client 304 can utilize the location server 306. The selection module 506 can then identify the at least one user equipment present the predetermined area 124. The network services client 304 can then provide the second information to the transmission controller 302. As mentioned, the second information includes the identity and the location of the at least one user equipment in the predetermined area.
In an embodiment, the network services client 304 can provide the second information to the transmission controller 302 when the at least one user equipment is identified. In another embodiment, the network services client 304 can repeatedly provide the second information to the transmission controller 302 after predetermined time intervals. In this embodiment, the network services client 304 can then provide the second information pertaining to each user equipment identified during the predetermined time interval. Alternately, the network services client 304 can provide the second information to the transmission controller 302 when the network services client 304 has identified a predetermined number of user equipments. In this embodiment, the network services client 304 can then provide the second information pertaining to the predetermined number of user equipments at one time.
FIG. 6 shows a block diagram illustrating the system for providing the at least one network service in the wireless network in accordance with another embodiment. As illustrated, the system includes the transmission controller
302, a network services client 602, and a location server 604. The system

further includes the location register 310. This system is similar to the system as described in conjunction with FIG. 3. However, in this embodiment, the network services client 602 determines the cells that include the coordinates of the predetermined area 124. The network services client 602 then queries the location register 310 to obtain a list of user equipments within these cells. This list of user equipments forms the monitored set. The network services client 602 then queries the location server 604 to determine the location of each of the user equipments in the monitored list. On receiving this information from the location server 604, the network services client 602 determines which user equipments lie within the predetermined area, and hence form part of the select set. The transmission controller 302 can then send the notification to the select set.
It should be appreciated that the systems described in conjunction with FIG. 3 and FIG. 6 can be implemented in various other embodiments. For example, instead of the location server or the network services client querying the location register, the location register could be programmed to send a notification to the location server or the network services client when a change in the location of a user equipment is detected. For another example, the location of a user equipment can be determined using responses from the user equipments to pilot signals sent from a set of directional antennae. This technique is described in Indian Patent Application No. 963/DEL/2006, filed April 7, 2006. In another embodiment, the network services client can be part of a service delivery platform that provides network services to user equipments. An exemplary service delivery platform is the Motorola Global Applications Management Architecture (GAMA).
As a real-world example, consider that the system as described in conjunction with FIG. 6 is implemented at a tourist destination. The tourist destination can designate its premises as a predetermined area. The area can be large enough that it spans across multiple cells. On a periodic basis, the transmission controller 302 queries the network services client 602 to determine user equipments present in the predetermined area and form part of the select set. The network services client 6O2 queries the location
register 310 and the location server 604 to determine the identity of user
equipments within the premises. The transmission controller 302 can then send a message to these user equipments advertising the availability of network services, such as maps for the tourist destination, a listing of current events, special offers and discounts, etc. Users of the user equipments can reply to these messages and select the services they wish to activate. For example, a user can reply to the notification with an SMS message with the text 'MAPS' to activate a maps service. The transmission controller 302 can then add the user equipment to the select set for the maps service and send a map of the premise to the user equipment. When the user equipment leaves the premises, the transmission controller 302 can discontinue the maps service for the user equipment.
Various embodiments of the invention provide the following advantages. Network services can be provided to user equipments that are located in a predetermined area. The predetermined area can be of any arbitrary shape or size. Various embodiments of the invention can be implemented in conjunction with existing standards for multicasting data to particular user equipments. Further, multicasting the messages ensures that the bandwidth of the communication network providing the network services is utilized efficiently.
It will be appreciated the system for providing at least one network service in a predetermined area of a wireless network 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 the system 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 provide the at least one network service. 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.
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.
In the foregoing specification, the invention and its benefits and advantages have been described with reference to specific embodiments. 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.

WE CLAIM:
1. A method for providing at least one network service in a predetermined area of a wireless network, the wireless network comprising at least one cell, the at least one cell comprising at least one user equipment and at least one base station, the at least one base station being utilized for providing the at least one network service to the at least one user equipment, the method comprising:
identifying the at least one user equipment that is present in the predetermined area;
defining a select set comprising the at least one user equipment; and sending a notification to the select set, wherein the notification comprises a first information, the first information pertaining to providing the at least one network service.
2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising identifying the at least one cell providing the at least one network service in the predetermined area.
3. The method as recited in claim 2, further comprising determining a monitored set, the monitored set comprising the at least one user equipment, the at least one user equipment being present in the at least one cell.
4. The method as recited in claim 3, further comprising removing the at least
one user equipment from the monitored set, when the at least one user
equipment exits the at least one cell.
5. The method as recited in claim 3, further comprising:
determining a location of each of the at least one user equipment in the monitored set; and adding the at least one user equipment to the select set, the at least one user equipment being located in the predetermined area.
6. The method as recited in claim 3, further comprising:
monitoring a location of each of the at least one user equipment in the
monitored set;
identifying when the at least one user equipment enters the predetermined
area; and
adding the at least one user equipment to the select set.
7. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:
identifying when the at least one user equipment exits the predetermined
area;
removing the at least one user equipment from the select set; and
deactivating the at least one network service for the at least one user
equipment.
8. The method as recited in claim 7, further comprising notifying the at least one user equipment of the deactivating of the at least one network service.
9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein sending the notification to the select set comprises providing an option for activating the at least one network service.
10. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:
allowing activation of the at least one network service for the at least one user equipment, wherein the at least one user equipment selects activation
of the at least one network service, the at least one user equipment being in the select set; and
providing the at least one network service to the at least one user equipment, the at least one user equipment being in the select set.
11. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising determining a
subscription status of the at least one user equipment.
12. A system for providing at least one network service in a wireless network,
the wireless network comprising at least one cell, the at least one cell
comprising at least one user equipment and at least one base station, the at
least one network service being provided in a predetermined area, the system
comprising:
a transmission controller for controlling a transmission of a first information
to a select set, the first information pertaining to providing the at least one
network service, the select set comprising the at least one user equipment
that is present in the predetermined area;
a network services client for providing a second information pertaining to the
at least one user equipment that is present in the predetermined area, the
second information being provided to the transmission controller; and
a location server for determining a location of the at least one user
equipment that is present in the at least one cell, the at least one cell
providing the at least one network service in the predetermined area.
13. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the network services client
comprises:
an identification module for identifying the at least one cell providing the at least one network service;
a monitoring module for determining a monitored set, the monitored set comprising the at least one user equipment that is present in the at least one cell, the determining being performed utilizing at least one of a location
register and a subscriber server; and a selection module for identifying the at least one user equipment that is present in the predetermined area.
14. The system as recited in claim 12, further comprising a content server for storing the first information.
15. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the transmission controller
comprises:
a broadcast serving node for managing a register, the register comprising at
least one multicast group; and
a broadcast/multicast controller for providing a session information
pertaining to a session, the session information being provided to the
broadcast serving node, the session being utilized to provide the at least one
network service to the select set.
16. A system for providing at least one network service in a wireless network,
the wireless network comprising at least one cell, the at least one cell
comprising at least one user equipment and at least one base station, the at
least one network service being provided in a predetermined area, the system
comprising:
a location server for identifying the at least one user equipment that is
present in the at least one cell, the at least one cell providing the at least one
network service in the predetermined area;
a transmission controller for controlling a transmission of a first information
to a select set, the first information pertaining to providing the at least one
network service, the select set comprising the at least one user equipment
that is present in the predetermined area; and
a network services client for providing a second information pertaining to the
at least one user equipment that is present in the predetermined area, the
second information being provided to the transmission controller.
17. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein the location server comprises:
an identification module for identifying the at least one cell providing the at least one network service in the predetermined area; and a monitoring module for determining a monitored set, the monitored set comprising the at least one user equipment that is present in the at least one cell, the determining being performed utilizing at least one of a location register and a subscriber server.
18. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein the network services client comprises a selection module for identifying the at least one user equipment that is present in the predetermined area.
19. The system as recited in claim 16, further comprising a content server for storing the first information.
20. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein the transmission controller
comprises:
a broadcast serving node for managing a register, the register comprising at
least one multicast group; and
a broadcast/multicast controller for providing a session information
pertaining to a session, the session information being provided to the
broadcast serving node, the session being utilized to provide the at least one
network service to the select set.