CLIAMS:We claim:

1. A method for indicating a modification of capability of a user device to a network, the method comprising steps of:
triggering, by the user device, a radio connection reestablishment on detecting a change in the capability of the user device; wherein the change in capability of the user device is triggered by plugging or unplugging of an external device to the user device;
receiving, by the network from the user device, an information of the change in device capability; and
updating the device capability modification on the network based on the information received from the user device.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user device transmits the information of the change in the capability of the user device through a capability change indicator added in a radio connection establishment to the network.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the capability change indicator is an information element.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein updating the device capability modification at the network comprises of:
initiating a radio connection reestablishment with the network by the user device;
receiving, by the network, the capability change indicator transmitted from the user device indicating a change in the capabilities of the user device, if the radio connection reestablishment is successful;
sending, by the user device, a request for the device capability change information to the network;
updating the device capabilities registered in the network on receiving the updated device capability information; and
initiating one or more actions with the user device based on the updated device capabilities.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of device capabilities comprises at least one of a user device-Category, user device-MIMO capability and a plurality of physical and radio frequency capabilities of a device modem.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of data communication between the external unit and the user device is exchanged on a control channel.

7. A system for updating modification of radio capabilities of a user device to a network, the system comprising:
an external pluggable electronic device coupled with a user device, wherein the device capability of the user device is modified by plugging or unplugging of the pluggable electronic device to the user device; and
an abstraction layer provided in the user device adapted for:
triggering a radio connection reestablishment on detecting a change in the device capability; and
transmitting an information of the change in device capability to the network.

8. The system as claimed in claim 7, further comprises of a modem task module adapted for updating the device capability modification on the network based on the information received from the user device.

Dated this the 10th day of July 2014

Signature

KEERTHI J S
Patent Agent
Agent for the Applicant

,TagSPECI:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
[39 of 1970]
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(Section 10; Rule 13)

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INDICATING MODIFICATION OF AN USER DEVICE CAPABILITY TO A NETWORK

SAMSUNG R&D INSTITUTE INDIA – BANGALORE PRIVATE LIMITED
# 2870, ORION Building, Bagmane Constellation Business Park,
Outer Ring Road, Doddanakundi Circle,
Marathahalli Post, Bangalore-560 037
An Indian company

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to wireless communications, and particularly relates to a method and system for indicating a change in the modem radio characteristics and capabilities of a user device to a network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The radio access network and the evolving real time user applications are in need of a robust, fast and efficient data transmission mechanism which is better served by higher order MIMO capable devices, higher category devices etc. Current modems have fixed hardware and software configurations that limit them and make them less usable as and when the network capability enhancements are made. Therefore it is assumed that radio hardware accessories are available which when linked to a modem will enhance its radio characteristics in one or more ways, for example, to increase the MIMO capability of the device, number of RF bands supported, carrier aggregation combinations supported and the like.

The existing user equipments are capable of supporting several media types, such as audio, video, text and image, etc, and each media type can support more than one coding/decoding format. Accordingly, the user equipments may need to have various built-in or external hardware units. For a mobile phone, because of its smaller size, Plug and Play devices are used more often, such as video camera, portable mobile storage device, MP3, external keyboard, etc. The presence or absence of each of these devices means whether a terminal user can use a certain multimedia application. For example, the presence of video camera means that the user can initiate a video call.

Since these devices come into effect immediately once they are used, from the moment they take effect, the capability of the user equipment changes. A method of informing the network of the changed capability of the user equipment in real time or near real time is needed, so that the network can know the capability of the user equipment immediately, and further determine whether to accept some service requests from the user equipment and whether to accept some service requests from other user equipments when the user equipment is called for.

Currently there is no generic signaling defined for a compatible hardware radio accessory to communicate its radio characteristics with the base device in plugin/un-plug scenarios. In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a signaling mechanism which enables any compatible hardware accessory to communicate with the base device in plugin/un-plug scenarios. Further there is also a need for a signaling mechanism for the modem to inform the network about its modified radio characteristics dynamically.

The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent upon reading of the specification and study of the drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a method and system for modifying device capabilities of a user device by plugging in/out an external hardware unit.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method and system for enabling signaling between external hardware unit and the user device during a plug-in/plug-out scenario.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method and system for updating the modifications in the radio capabilities of a user device to the radio access network periodically.
The various embodiments herein provide a method for indicating a modification of capability of a user device to a network. The method comprising steps of triggering, by the user device, a radio connection reestablishment on detecting a change in the capability of the user device, wherein the change in capability of the user device is triggered by plugging or unplugging of an external device to the user device, receiving, by the network from the user device, an information of the change in device capability and updating the device capability modification on the network based on the information received from the user device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the user device transmits the information of the change in the capability of the user device through a capability change indicator added in a radio connection establishment to the network.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the capability change indicator is an information element.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, updating the device capability modification at the network comprises of initiating a radio connection reestablishment with the network by the user device, receiving, by the network, the capability change indicator transmitted from the user device indicating a change in the capabilities of the user device, if the radio connection reestablishment is successful, sending, by the user device, a request for the device capability change information to the network, updating the device capabilities registered in the network on receiving the updated device capability information and initiating one or more actions with the user device based on the updated device capabilities.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of device capabilities comprises at least one of a user device-Category, user device-MIMO capability and a plurality of physical and radio frequency capabilities of a device modem.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of data communication between the external unit and the user device is exchanged on a control channel.

Embodiments herein further provide a system for updating modification of radio capabilities of a user device to a network. The system comprising an external pluggable electronic device coupled with a user device, wherein the device capability of the user device is modified by plugging or unplugging of the pluggable electronic device to the user device and an abstraction layer provided in the user device adapted for triggering a radio connection reestablishment on detecting a change in the device capability and transmitting an information of the change in device capability to the network.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the system further comprises of a modem task module adapted for updating the device capability modification on the network based on the information received from the user device.

The foregoing has outlined, in general, the various aspects of the invention and is to serve as an aid to better understand the more complete detailed description which is to follow. In reference to such, there is to be a clear understanding that the present invention is not limited to the method or application of use described and illustrated herein. It is intended that any other advantages and objects of the present invention that become apparent or obvious from the detailed description or illustrations contained herein are within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for indicating a modification in the capability of a user device to a network, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for indicating a modification in the capability of a user device to a network, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is an exemplary signal flow diagram illustrating signaling between the external hardware unit and the main modem unit at the time of plugging/unplugging, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is an exemplary signal flow diagram illustrating exchange of messages for updating the change in capability of the user device to the network, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Although specific features of the present invention are shown in some drawings and not in others, this is done for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a method and system for indicating modification of device capabilities of a user device to the network. In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for indicating a modification in the capability of a user device to a network, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 100 comprises of a user device 102 in communication with a network node (eNB) 104 and an external hardware unit 106 plugged into to the user device 102.

The external hardware unit 106 communicates with the user device 102 through at least one of a communication device interface such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) driver unit 108a, Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) or any of the wired unit, a Near Field Communication (NFC) driver unit 108b or a Bluetooth driver unit 108c. The corresponding USB/SPI/any wired driver units 108a of external hardware unit 106 and the user device 102 exchange messages through the device interface EU. Similarly, when the external hardware unit 106 is coupled to the user device 102 through Near Field Communication (NFC), the device interface EN and the corresponding NFC driver units 108b facilitates information exchange between the user device 102 and the external hardware unit 106. When Bluetooth communication between the devices is utilized, the device interface, EB and the corresponding Bluetooth driver unit 108c provides for exchange of messages.

According to an embodiment herein, the external hardware unit is a pluggable electronic device which can be plugged into the user device, and adapted to function as a single unit. For instance the external hardware unit is at least one of a pluggable antenna, pluggable USB device, a performance booster system and the like.

The user device 102 is provided with an abstraction layer 110 which is adapted to interface the user device 102 with the external hardware unit 106 through an appropriate driver unit of the user device 102. The abstraction layer 110 is further configured for controlling the inter process communication between the external hardware unit 106 and the user device 102. The abstraction layer 110 in the user device 102 is adapted for triggering the radio connection reestablishment on detecting a change in the capability of the user device 102 and transmitting information of the change in device capability to a modem task module 112.

The system further comprises of built in RF and DSP processors 114 and an application processor unit 116 associated with the modem task module 112 which enables transmitting information regarding the change in device capability of the user device 102 to the network node (eNB) 104. The modem task module 112 is adapted to modify, reject or deactivate the external hardware unit 106 operation based on the ability of the modem task module 112 or based on the kind of load it is being processed.

Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for indicating a modification in the capability of a user device 102 to a network 104, according to an embodiment of the present invention. At step 202, the user device 102 triggers a radio connection establishment or reestablishment with the network 104 on detecting a change in device capability. The modem task module 112 associated with the user device 102 then transmits the information on the device capability changes to the network 104 at step 204. The network 104 receives the information and updates the device capability based on the information provided by the user device 102 at step 206. The network 104 further initiates one or actions based on the updated device capabilities at step 208. The one or more actions herein comprises of updating transmission formats and/or content based upon new device capabilities. The device capabilities herein comprises at least one of a user device-category, user device-MIMO capability and a physical or radio frequency capability of a device modem.

Figure 3 is an exemplary signal flow diagram illustrating signaling between the external hardware unit and the main modem unit at the time of plugging/unplugging, according to an embodiment of the present invention. When an external hardware unit 106 is plugged into the user device 102 and the control channel between the external hardware unit 106 and the user device 102 is active, the external hardware unit 106 will handshake with the user device 102 through a control channel. The control channel facilitates the communication between the external hardware unit 106 and the user device 102 for transfer of control information. The modem task module 112 facilitate capability information sharing between the user device and the network over a communication channel. Further the modem task module establishes a connection with the network over the communication channel to update the information on a change in capability of the user device.

Once the external hardware unit 106 is plugged to the user device 102, the external hardware unit 106 sends an ACTIVE indication message indicating its active state through the device interface to the abstraction layer 110 of the user device 102. The ACTIVE Indication message provides the user device with the information that the external hardware unit is plugged in/connected to the user device 102 and is powered on. The user device 102 then sends a message “Get Capability Request” requesting the capabilities of the external hardware unit 106, through the abstraction layer, to the external hardware unit. In response to the CAPABILITY REQUEST, the external hardware unit 106 provides the requested device capabilities, in a CAPABILITY RESPONSE message, to the abstraction layer. The user device 102 then sends a request for inter process communication means (IPC) to the external hardware unit 106. On receiving the posted details regarding the inter process communication means at the abstraction layer 110, from the external hardware unit 106, the user device 102 sends a CONFIG request to configure the radio characteristics, based on its own capabilities. This message is send to the external hardware unit 106 along with a request for handshake complete. If the configuration is successful, the external hardware unit 106 sends a CONFIG CONFIRM message in a handshake complete accept message to the abstraction layer 106.

The user device 102 commands the external hardware unit 106 to stay dormant by sending a SLEEP command on the control channel. Further, the user device 102 can activate a deactivated external hardware unit 106 by sending a WAKEUP command.

Further, the external hardware unit 106 sends a periodic ALIVE message indicating that the external hardware unit 106 is active/powered on to the abstraction layer 110 of the user device 102 through the control channel. When the external hardware unit 106 is unplugged or powering off, an inactive indication message is send to the abstraction layer 110 such that a reconfiguring and further network update can be initiated by the user device 102.

Here all the messages that are exchanged between the external hardware unit 106 and the user device 102 are of a specific format and syntax to ensure that the device is not tightly coupled with a specific terminal. Examples of commonly known protocols having different packet formats include, but not limited to, Ethernet protocol, transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), user datagram protocol (UDP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) and the like.

Once the user device 102 gets the notification about the hardware capabilities and characteristics of the external hardware unit 106, it can modify or reject or deactivate the external hardware unit’s operations based on its ability, status or the kind of load being processed. For example if the external hardware unit 106 is plugged in at a time when the user is on a voice call, then the user device can decide to switch off the user’s external hardware unit if it identifies that the device does not support voice and data simultaneously. This deactivation takes place until the user device observes that the voice call is turned down and the device is ready for any data communication.

Further the modem unit changes the configurations of the external hardware unit also at times when the user device observes low battery and the status is not suitable to get the external hardware unit working effectively. The user device is further adapted to command the external hardware unit to get into power save mode depending on the device consumption and usage of the battery.

Figure 4 is an exemplary signal flow diagram illustrating exchange of messages for updating the device capability changes to the network, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The completion of handshake between the external hardware unit 106 and the user device 102 enables the user device 102 to proceed with communication channel uplink, for a radio connection reestablishment, to indicate a change in the device capability to the network. The radio resource control (RRC) handling the signaling between the user device 102 and the network element e-NodeB (eNB) 104 communicates the RRC connection request received from the user device 102 to the eNB 104. The RRC receives the RRC Connection Setup message from the eNB. An RRC Connection Setup Complete message comprising the capability change indicator transmitted from the user device is send to the eNB, in response, by the RRC. Through the established RRC Connection, the eNB sends a user device capability enquiry to the RRC 401. The RRC 401 then obtains the new device capabilities from the user device 102 and responds to the eNB with the updated user device capabilities. The eNB enables updating of the plurality of device capabilities registered in the network, based on the received user device capability information, in the message. The RRC connection reconfiguration information from the network is sent from the eNB to the RRC 401, which in turn is received by the user device 102. Further RRC connections of the user device 102 like rank reporting, MIMO related actions, e. t. c., are based on this updated capability.

According to an embodiment herein, a new information element (IE) is added in the MAC header to indicate the type of scaling that the external hardware unit supplies. For example, whether the external hardware unit is only supplying the increase in the rank or it is enhancing the UE category as such. Based on this information the radio access network element (for example eNB) can schedule the modem to best of the modem’s enhanced abilities. Further the new IE introduced also indicates whether the modem capabilities have changed or are the same. The network upon sensing the IE, will initiate a regular UE capability enquiry procedure during which the device capability set gets updated with the network. Further all radio connections of the device will be based on the updated device capability. The rank reporting, antenna transmission mode and all other MIMO related aspects would be as in the case of a user device with modified device capabilities.

According to an embodiment herein, an unexpected error due to external hardware unit removal or failure is treated as if the external hardware is removed and the capabilities have changed back from the updated device capabilities to the original device capability.

The present embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments; it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the various embodiments. Furthermore, the various devices, modules, and the like described herein may be enabled and operated using hardware circuitry, firmware, and/or software embodied in a machine readable medium. Although the embodiments herein are described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the invention with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims. It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the embodiments described herein and all the statements of the scope of the embodiments which as a matter of language might be said to fall there between.