(12) United States Patent
`Kruglick
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 9,094.888 B2
`Jul. 28, 2015
`
`USOO9094888B2
`
`(54)
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`(75)
`(73)
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`(*)
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`(21)
`(22)
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`(87)
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`WIRELESS DEVICE HANDOFF BETWEEN
`WIRELESS NETWORKS
`
`Inventor: Ezekiel Kruglick, Poway, CA (US)
`
`Assignee: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY
`DEVELOPMENT LLC, Wilmington,
`DE (US)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 384 days.
`13/263,835
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`Notice:
`
`PCT Fled:
`
`Apr. 29, 2011
`
`PCT/US2O11AO34470
`
`PCT NO.:
`S371 (c)(1),
`Oct. 10, 2011
`(2), (4) Date:
`PCT Pub. No.: WO2O12/1484.10
`PCT Pub. Date: Nov. 1, 2012
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2012/O276901 A1
`Nov. 1, 2012
`
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`
`Int. C.
`H04.736/00
`H04.736/32
`HO4W 16/28
`U.S. C.
`CPC .............. H04 W36/32 (2013.01); H04 W 16/28
`(2013.01); H04W 36/0055 (2013.01)
`Field of Classification Search
`CPC ..... H04W 36/32; H04W 36/30; H04W 36/18:
`H04W 36/08; H04W 36/14: H04W 36/12
`USPC ............................ 455/436 443, 67.11, 226.2
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`8, 2002 Sandhu et al.
`6,438,389 B1
`6,829,481 B2 12/2004 Souissi
`2002fO187780 A1 12/2002 Soussi
`2006/0148451 A1
`7/2006 Narasimha
`2007/0021119 A1
`1/2007 Lee et al.
`2008/0076430 A1
`3/2008 Olson
`1 1/2008 Kezys
`2008/0273506 A1
`2008/0310371 A1
`12/2008 Russell
`2009.0017823 A1
`1/2009 Sachs et al.
`2009, O111469 A1
`4/2009 Lee et al.
`2010/0093354 A1* 4/2010 Agasheet al. ................ 455,436
`2012/014943.0 A1* 6, 2012 Siomina et al. ....
`455,525
`2013/0107865 A1
`5/2013 Diachina et al. ...
`370,331
`2014/0169267 A1* 6/2014 Zhang et al. .................. 370,315
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`JP
`
`4/2006
`1643785 A1
`3, 2006
`2006086910 A
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Australia Patent Office, International Search Report and Written
`Opinion of the International Searching Authority for PCT/US2011/
`034470, prepared on Jul. 27, 2011, Australia.
`Cheng. Sheng-Tzong et al., IPv6-based dynamic coordinated call
`admission control mechanism over integrated wireless networks,
`IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications 23, No. 11 (Nov.
`2005): pp. 2093-2103.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner — Temica M Beamer
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Brundidge & Stanger, P.C.
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Examples are disclosed for a wireless device handoff between
`a first wireless network and a second wireless network.
`
`29 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`Begin Goverage interval
`41
`
`Possible
`Wireless Dewice
`to Haidoff?
`420
`
`YES
`Receive Coverage
`Information
`43
`
`YS
`
`Coverage
`Possile?
`44
`
`NO
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`TransTitHandoff
`Request
`48
`
`Conf.
`Received
`
`Haidoff Wireless
`Device
`
`NOY Coverage
`Interial Cwer
`
`
`
`Samsung Ex. 1001, Page 1 of 22
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`

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`US 9,094.888 B2
`Page 2
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`(56)
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`JP
`KR
`KR
`WO
`WO
`WO
`
`References Cited
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2008252330 A 10, 2008
`1020060038729. A
`5, 2006
`1020090041777 A
`4/2009
`2007O66882 A1
`6, 2007
`2010121885 A1
`10, 2010
`2010 123417 A1
`10, 2010
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Mohanty, S. et al. A cross-layer (layer 2+3) handoff management
`protocol for next-generation wireless systems, IEEE Transactions on
`Mobile Computing 5, No. 10 (2006): 1347-1360.
`Ferrus, R., Vertical handover Support in coordinated heterogeneous
`radio access networks, Proceedings of the 14th IST Mobile and
`Wireless Communications Summit, Jun. 2005, Dresden, Germany,
`accessed online via http://www.eurasip.org/Proceedings/Ext/IST05/
`papers/430.pdf on Oct. 10, 2011.
`* cited by examiner
`
`Samsung Ex. 1001, Page 2 of 22
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 28, 2015
`
`Sheet 1 of 9
`
`US 9,094.888 B2
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`
`
`~ ~ ~ ~- - — - — - — *
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`
`
`*@y36euanoo
`
`9 ||
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`Samsung Ex. 1001, Page 3 of 22
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 28, 2015
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`Sheet 2 of 9
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`US 9,094.888 B2
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`0:2 ||
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`eeuw 36e læAOO G ||
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`Samsung Ex. 1001, Page 4 of 22
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 28, 2015
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`Sheet 3 of 9
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`US 9,094.888 B2
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`‘|uLIO "UILLIOO
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`Samsung Ex. 1001, Page 5 of 22
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 28, 2015
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`Sheet 4 of 9
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`US 9,094.888 B2
`US 9,094,888 B2
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`Samsung Ex. 1001, Page 6 of 22
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`Samsung Ex. 1001, Page 6 of 22
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`

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`Jul. 28, 2015
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`Sheet 5 of 9
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`US 9,094.888 B2
`US 9,094,888 B2
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`
`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Samsung Ex. 1001, Page 7 of 22
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`Samsung Ex. 1001, Page 7 of 22
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 28, 2015
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`Sheet 6 of 9
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`US 9,094.888 B2
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`Begin Coverage Interval
`410
`
`
`
`POSSible
`Wireless Device
`to HandOff?
`420
`
`Receive Coverage
`Information
`430
`
`Coverage
`Possible?
`440
`
`Transmit Handoff
`Request
`460
`
`YES
`
`
`
`Transmit
`Handoff
`Reduest?
`45O
`
`Conf.
`Received?
`47O
`
`Handoff WireleSS
`Device
`480
`
`Coverage
`Interval Over?
`490
`
`FIG.4
`
`Samsung Ex. 1001, Page 8 of 22
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 28, 2015
`
`Sheet 7 Of 9
`
`US 9,094.888 B2
`
`Receive handoff Request
`S1C
`
`Adapt
`Coverage
`Area
`52
`
`
`
`YES
`
`Adapt Ore or More Beams
`530
`
`Transit Confirration
`S4C
`
`Handoff Wireless Device
`55
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`
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`
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`Samsung Ex. 1001, Page 9 of 22
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 28, 2015
`
`Sheet 8 of 9
`
`US 9,094.888 B2
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`
`
`600 A Computer program product.
`
`602 A signal bearing medium.
`
`O4 instructions for a first Wireless network to handoff a Wireless device to a
`
`second wireless network, which, when executed by logic, cause the logic to:
`
`receive coverage information associated with the wireless device;
`
`determine whether the wireless device is possibly covered by the second
`
`wireless network based, at least in part, on the coverage information; or
`
`transmit a handoff request to the second wireless network based, at least
`
`in part, on a determination that the wireless device is possibly covered by the
`
`Second Wireless network.
`
`606 a Computer
`readable medium.
`
`FIG. 6
`
`Samsung Ex. 1001, Page 10 of 22
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 28, 2015
`
`Sheet 9 of 9
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`US 9,094,888 B2
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`Samsung Ex. 1001, Page 11 of 22
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`Samsung Ex. 1001, Page 11 of 22
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`

`

`US 9,094,888 B2
`
`1.
`WIRELESS DEVICE HANDOFF BETWEEN
`WIRELESS NETWORKS
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This Application is the National Stage filing under 35
`U.S.C. S371 of PCT Application Ser. No. PCT/US2011/
`034470 filed on Apr. 29, 2011.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`2
`device and determine whether the wireless device is possibly
`capable of being covered by the second wireless network
`based, at least in part, on the coverage information. The logic
`may also be configured to transmit a handoff request to the
`second wireless network based, at least in part, on the deter
`mination that the wireless device is possibly capable of being
`covered by the second wireless network.
`The present disclosure also describes example systems for
`a wireless device handoff between a first wireless network
`and a second wireless network. The example systems may
`include an antenna array configured to generate one or more
`adaptable beams to modify a coverage area for the first wire
`less network. The example systems may also include an adap
`tion manager. The adaption manager may have logic config
`ured to receive a handoff request from the second wireless
`network, the handoff request based, at least in part, on a
`determination by the second wireless network that the wire
`less device is capable of being covered by the first wireless
`network. The logic may also be configured to cause a beam
`from among the one or more adaptable beams to be adapted in
`order to enable the wireless device to be covered by the first
`wireless network. The logic may further be configured to
`transmit a confirmation to the second wireless network to
`indicate acceptance of the handoff request and the wireless
`device may then be handed off from the second wireless
`network to the first wireless network.
`The present disclosure also describes example computer
`program products. In some examples, the computer program
`products may include a signal bearing medium having
`instructions for a first wireless network to handoff a wireless
`device to a second wireless network. The instructions, which,
`when executed by logic may cause the logic to receive cov
`erage information associated with the wireless device.
`Responsive to the received indication, the instructions may
`also cause the logic to determine whether the wireless device
`is possibly covered by the second wireless network based, at
`least in part, on the coverage information. The instructions
`may then cause the logic to transmit a handoffrequest to the
`second wireless network based, at least in part, on a determi
`nation that the wireless device is possibly covered by the
`second wireless network.
`The foregoing Summary is illustrative only and is not
`intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustra
`tive aspects, embodiments, and features described above, fur
`ther aspects, embodiments, and features will become appar
`ent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed
`description.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The foregoing and other features of this disclosure will
`become more fully apparent from the following description
`and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accom
`panying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict
`only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure
`and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope,
`the disclosure will be described with additional specificity
`and detail through use of the accompanying drawings.
`FIGS. 1A-C illustrate an example wireless communication
`system that includes two wireless networks:
`FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an example architec
`ture for a coverage manager;
`FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an example architec
`ture for an adaption manager,
`FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart of example methods imple
`mented at a wireless network to handoff a wireless device to
`another wireless network;
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`30
`
`Unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches
`described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this
`application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in
`this section.
`Complex wireless communication systems may be
`deployed such that coverage areas for different types of wire
`less networks ("heterogeneous wireless networks') included
`in the wireless communication systems may at least tempo
`rarily overlay or overlap. These complex wireless communi
`cation systems may include at least some wireless networks
`using adaptive antenna capabilities to allow for active beam
`forming. The active beam forming, for example, may be in
`response to user traffic patterns and other system manage
`ment strategies. Also, some wireless networks may include
`towers with antenna arrays having dozens of constantly
`changing sectors of coverage due to active beam forming. As
`a result of the constantly changing sectors of coverage, a
`wireless device may able to detect a wireless network at a
`location at a given period of time. But as the sectors of
`coverage change, the wireless device may no longer detect the
`wireless network at the same location at another given period
`of time.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`The present disclosure describes example methods to be
`implemented at a first wireless network to handoff a wireless
`device to a second wireless network. The methods may
`40
`include receiving coverage information associated with the
`wireless device and determining whether the wireless device
`is capable of being covered by the second wireless network
`based, at least in part, on the received coverage information.
`A handoff request may then be transmitted to the second
`wireless network based, at least in part, on the determination
`that the wireless device is capable of being covered by the
`second wireless network.
`The present disclosure also describes example methods to
`be implemented at a first wireless network for a wireless
`device handoff between a second wireless network and the
`first wireless network. The methods may include receiving a
`handoffrequest from the second wireless network, the hand
`offrequest based, at least in part, on a determination by the
`second wireless network that the wireless device is not cur
`55
`rently covered by the first wireless network but is capable of
`being covered by the first wireless network. Based, at least in
`part, on the handoffrequest, one or more beams of an antenna
`array may be adapted to facilitate coverage of the wireless
`device by the first wireless network. The wireless device may
`then be handed off from the second wireless network to the
`first wireless network.
`The present disclosure also describes example devices for
`a first wireless network to handoff a wireless device to a
`second wireless network. The example devices may have a
`coverage manager that has logic. The logic may be configured
`to receive coverage information associated with the wireless
`
`60
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`65
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`Samsung Ex. 1001, Page 12 of 22
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`US 9,094,888 B2
`
`3
`FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart of example methods imple
`mented at the other wireless network for the wireless device
`handoff between the other wireless network and the wireless
`network;
`FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer
`program product; and
`FIG. 7 illustrates an example computing device; all
`arranged in accordance with the present disclosure.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`10
`
`4
`FIGS. 1A-C illustrate an example wireless communication
`system 100 that includes wireless networks 110 and 120. As
`shown in FIGS. 1A-C, wireless network 110 includes a cov
`erage manager 112 and an antenna array 114. Also, wireless
`network 120 includes an adaption manager 122 and an
`antenna array 124. In some examples, wireless network 110
`may have a coverage area indicated in FIGS. 1A-C as cover
`age area 115. Also, for these examples, the antenna array 124
`of wireless network 120 may be adaptable (e.g., via beam
`forming) to enable wireless network 120 to have variable
`coverage areas. These variable coverage areas are shown in
`FIGS. 1A-C as coverage area 125-1 and coverage area 125-2.
`According to Some examples, as shown in FIGS. 1A-C,
`wireless device 130A may communicatively couple to wire
`less network 110 via communication link 116A. Also, wire
`less device 140A may communicatively couple to wireless
`network 120 via communication link 126A. In some
`examples, wireless device 140A may also be communica
`tively coupled to network 110 via communication link 116I.
`As described more below, since wireless device 140A may be
`communicatively coupled to both wireless networks, a com
`munication channel 160 may be established that includes
`communication links 116I and 126A. Either wireless network
`110 or wireless network 120 may use wireless device 140A as
`a relay to communicate with the other wireless network via
`communication channel 160. Additionally and/or alterna
`tively, wireless network 110 may be communicatively
`coupled to wireless network 120 via communication channel
`170 as shown in FIGS 1A-C.
`In some examples, wireless networks 110 and 120 may be
`wireless base-stations that operate and/or may be separately
`associated with heterogeneous wireless networks. Wireless
`networks 110 and 120 may be heterogeneous based on each
`wireless network possibly operated by different network ser
`vice providers and/or in accordance with different types of
`wireless network technologies. For these examples, the dif
`ferent network service providers may be able to handoff wire
`less devices between the different wireless networks but may
`not share operating characteristics such as current and past
`coverage areas One type of wireless network technology may
`be described in an industry standard known as Institute of
`Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.16-2009
`and may be referred to as “WiMax'. Another type of wireless
`network technology may be described in one or more industry
`standards associated with the 3" Generation Partnership
`Project such as GSM, GPRS, EDGE, W-CDMA, HSPA, LTE
`or LTE-Advanced and may be referred to as “3GPP”. Yet
`another type of wireless network technology may be
`described in one or one or more industry standards associated
`with the3"Generation Partnership Project 2 such as CDMA
`2000, EV-DO, EV-DO Rev. A or EV-DO Rev. Band may be
`referred to as “3GPP2. WiMax, 3GPP or 3GPP3 types of
`wireless networks may also be referred to as wireless wide
`area networks (WLANs). Although this disclosure is not lim
`ited to only the above-mentioned standards and types of wire
`less networks.
`As mentioned above, wireless networks 110 and 120 may
`be coupled via communication channels 160 and/or 170. In
`some examples, communication channels 160 and 170 may
`operate in compliance with one or more industry standards.
`The one or more industry standards may be associated with
`3GPP, 3GPP2, IEEE 802.11-2007, or IEEE 802.16-2009 or
`may be associated with other industry standards such as stan
`dards associated with IEEE 802.1. In some examples, com
`munication channels 160 and 170 may include wireless and/
`or wired communication links to couple wireless networks
`110 and 120 and these communication links may also be
`
`15
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`In the following detailed description, reference is made to
`the accompanying drawings, which form a parthereof. In the
`drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar compo
`nents, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative
`examples or embodiments described in the detailed descrip
`tion, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other
`examples or embodiments may be utilized, and other changes
`may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the
`subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood
`that aspects of this disclosure, as generally described herein,
`and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged. Substituted,
`combined, and designed in a wide variety of different con
`figurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make
`part of this disclosure.
`This disclosure is drawn, interalia, to methods, apparatus,
`systems and computer program products related to a wireless
`device handoff between a first wireless network and a second
`wireless network.
`As contemplated in the present disclosure, constantly
`changing sectors of coverage may result in a wireless device
`being able to detect a wireless network at a location at a given
`period of time. However, as the sectors of coverage change,
`the wireless device may no longer detect the wireless network
`at the same location at another given period of time. Thus,
`beam forming or beam shaping may cause handoff challenges
`for a wireless device to possibly be handed off to the wireless
`network.
`In some examples, methods are implemented at a first
`wireless network to handoff a wireless device to a second
`wireless network. The methods may include receiving cover
`age information associated with the wireless device and
`determining whether the wireless device is capable of being
`covered by the second wireless network based, at least in part,
`45
`on the received coverage information. A handoffrequest may
`then be transmitted to the second wireless network based, at
`least in part, on the determination that the wireless device is
`capable of being covered by the second wireless network. For
`Some examples, a confirmation may then be received that
`indicates the handoffrequest has been accepted by the second
`wireless network. The wireless device may then be handed off
`to the second wireless network based, at least in part, on the
`received confirmation.
`In some other examples, methods are implemented at a first
`wireless network for a wireless device handoff between a
`second wireless network and the first wireless network. The
`methods may include receiving a handoff request from the
`second wireless network, the handoffrequest based, at least in
`part, on a determination by the second wireless network that
`the wireless device is not currently covered by the first wire
`less device but is capable of being covered by the first wireless
`network. Based, at least in part, on the handoffrequest, one or
`more beams of an antenna array may be adapted to facilitate
`coverage of the wireless device by the first wireless network.
`The wireless device may then be handed off from the second
`wireless network to the first wireless network.
`
`50
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`55
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`60
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`Samsung Ex. 1001, Page 13 of 22
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`5
`configured to operate in compliance with standards associ
`ated with 3GPP, 3GPP2, IEEE 802.11-2007, IEEE 802.16
`2009 or IEEE 802.1. Although this disclosure is not limited to
`only the above-mentioned standards. As an example, the
`communication channel 170 may be used in an LTE wireless
`communication system as a network X1 channel. The net
`workX1 channel may be used for instances where heteroge
`neous wireless networks coordinate/manage base-station to
`base-station communications between wireless networks.
`In some examples, coverage manager 112 may be co
`located with a base-station associated with wireless network
`110. In other examples, although not shown in FIGS. 1A-C,
`coverage manager 112 may be located with control elements
`(e.g., a wireless communication system head end) that may
`remotely manage and/or control wireless network 110. For
`these other examples, coverage manager 112 may be located
`remote to antenna array 114, which provides coverage area
`115 for wireless network 110. Similarly, adaption manager
`122 may be co-located with a base-station associated with
`wireless network 120. Also, in other examples, adaption man
`ager 122 may be located with control elements that may
`remotely manage and/or control wireless network 120. For
`these other examples, adaption manager 122 may be located
`remote to antenna array 124, which provides coverage areas
`125-1 and 125-2 for wireless network 120.
`In some examples, coverage area 125-1 may indicate a
`coverage area for network 120 for a past time period and
`coverage area 125-2 may indicate a coverage area for a cur
`rent or present time period. Although this disclosure is not
`limited to a wireless network having two coverage areas over
`past and present time periods, but may include any number of
`coverage areas over any number of time periods. As men
`tioned previously, antenna array124 of wireless network 120
`may be adaptable (e.g., via beam forming) to enable wireless
`network 120 to have variable coverage areas. As a result of the
`variable coverage areas, wireless device 130A, as shown in
`FIG. 1A, is within past coverage area 125-1 but is outside of
`current coverage area 125-2. Thus, although wireless device
`130A is not currently covered by wireless network 120, past
`coverage area 125-1 indicates that network 120 may be
`capable of providing coverage.
`FIG. 1B depicts a view of wireless communication system
`100 that shows numerous wireless devices communicatively
`coupled to wireless network 110. As shown in FIG. 1A,
`wireless devices 130A-H and 140A may couple to wireless
`network 110 via communication links 116A-I. In some
`examples, as described more below, coverage manager 112 of
`wireless network 110 may include logic and/or features con
`figured to receive coverage information from wireless devices
`130A-H and 140A to generate a coverage map to indicate
`possible coverage areas for neighboring wireless networks
`such as wireless network 120. The coverage information
`received from a given wireless device may include informa
`tion Such as a location for the given wireless device, whether
`a signal from one or more neighboring wireless networks can
`be detected (e.g., strong enough to communicatively couple
`with the one or more neighboring wireless networks) or an
`indication of signal strength from the one or more neighbor
`ing wireless networks.
`In some examples, as shown in FIG. 1B, wireless devices
`130A and 130H are in coverage area 125-1. As a result of
`being in coverage area 125-1, coverage information from
`wireless devices 130A and 130H may indicate that network
`120 did provide coverage to these wireless devices at a past
`time period and this information may be indicated on the
`coverage map generated as described above. Therefore,
`although coverage area 125-2 indicates no coverage for wire
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`less devices 130A and 130H at present, coverage manager
`112 may be configured to determine that wireless device
`130A and/or wireless device 130H may be capable of being
`covered by wireless network 120 based at least on the cover
`age map.
`According to some examples, it may be determined that
`wireless device 130 and/or wireless network 110 would ben
`efit from the handoff of wireless device 130 to wireless net
`work 120. For example, wireless device 130 may obtain a
`stronger signal from wireless network 120 or wireless net
`work 110 may be overburdened and may need to reduce the
`number of wireless devices coupled to its network. Also,
`wireless device 130 may be a mobile wireless device and
`coverage map information may indicate that wireless device
`130 may be moving towards wireless network 120 and away
`from wireless network 110.
`Coverage manager 112 of wireless network 110, as men
`tioned above, may have already determined that wireless
`device 130A may be capable being covered by wireless net
`work 120. As a result of wireless network 120 being capable
`of covering wireless device 130A, coverage manager 112
`may include logic and/or features to transmit a handoff
`request to wireless network 120. The handoff request, for
`example, may be transmitted via communication channel 160
`or 170. As described more below, adaption manager 122 of
`wireless network 120 may include logic and/or features con
`figured to receive the handoffrequest and determine whether
`to adapt antenna array 124 to facilitate coverage of wireless
`device 130A. If a determination was made to adapt antenna
`array124, adaption manager 122 may transmit a confirmation
`(e.g., via communication channel 160 or 170) to indicate
`acceptance of the handoff request. The coverage area for
`wireless network 120 may now be similar to coverage area
`125-1 and wireless device 130A may then be handed off from
`wireless network 110 to wireless network 120.
`FIG. 1C depicts a view of wireless communication system
`100 that shows numerous wireless devices communicatively
`coupled to wireless network 120. As shown in FIG. 1C, wire
`less devices 140A-I and 130A may couple to wireless net
`work 120 via communication links 126A-J. In some
`examples, as described more below, adaption manager 122 of
`wireless network 120 may include logic and/or features con
`figured to receive a handoff request from wireless network
`110 (e.g., via communication channel 160 or 170). As
`described above, the handoff request may be based on a
`determination by wireless network 110 that wireless device
`130A may not be currently covered by wireless network 120
`but may be capable of being covered by wireless network 120.
`Adaption manager 122 may also include logic and/or features
`to adapt one or more beams of antenna array 124 to adjust
`wireless network 120’s coverage area (e.g., back to coverage
`area 125-1) based at least on the handoff request. For
`example, the one or more beams of antenna array124 may be
`configured to provide directional signal transmissions for
`wireless network 120 via the use of beam forming techniques
`to include, but not limited to, the use of conventional beam
`formers or adaptive beam formers.
`In some examples, adaption manager 122 may adapt the
`one or more beams of antenna array 124 based on certain
`criteria. For example, adaption manager 122 may include
`logic and/or features configured to predetermine criteria Such
`as what network load would be placed on wireless network
`120 if wireless device 130A was handed off from wireless
`network 110. The network load, for example, may be based
`on an estimate of an average load for wireless devices in
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`general (e.g., based on historical network data) or may be
`based on information included in the handoffrequest received
`from wireless network 110.
`According to Some examples, adaption manager 122 may
`also include logic and/or features to determine an effect of
`adapting one or more beams may have on wireless devices
`140A-I. For example, as shown in FIG. 1C, wireless device
`140C may be within coverage area 125-2. However, if the one
`or more beams of antenna array 124 are adapted to adjust the
`coverage area back to coverage area 125-1, wireless device
`140C is outside of this coverage area. Since wireless device
`140C may no longer be covered, adaption manager 122 may
`determine not to adapt the one or more beams. Hence, a
`confirmation to indicate an acceptance will not be transmitted
`to wireless network 110. Alternatively, if adaption manager
`122 values the addition of wireless device 130A higher than
`the subtraction of wireless device 140C (e.g., wireless device
`130A may be a more profitable/preferred user), a confirma
`tion may be transmitted to wireless network 110. The cover
`age area for wireless network 120 may then be adjusted to be
`similar to coverage area 125-1 and wireless device 130A may
`then be handed off from wireless network 110 to wireless
`network 120.
`In some examples, wireless devices 130A-I or wireless
`devices 140A-J may be mobile or stationary wireless devices,
`e.g., a computer, laptop, netbook, e-book, tablet-PC. Small
`form factor portable (or mobile) electronic device such as a
`cell phone, Smartphone, a personal data assistant (PDA), a
`personal media player device, a wireless web-watch device, a
`personal headset device, an application specific device, or a
`hybrid device that may include any of the above functions.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an example architec
`ture for a coverage manager 112. As described above for
`wireless communication system 100 in FIGS. 1A-C, wireless
`network 110 may include a coverage manager 112. In some
`examples, coverage manager 112 includes features and/or
`logic configured or arranged for a first wireless network (e.g.,
`wireless network 110) to handoff a wireless device to a sec
`ond wireless network (e.g., wireless network 120).
`The example coverage manager 112 of FIG. 2, includes
`coverage logic 210, control logic 220, memory 230, input/
`output (I/O) interfaces 240 and optionally one or more appli
`cations 250. As illustrated in FIG. 2, coverage logic 210 is
`coupled to control logic 220, memory 230 and I/O interfaces
`240. Also illustrated in FIG. 2, the optional applications 250
`are arranged in cooperation with control logic 220. Coverage
`logic 210 may further include one or more of an interval
`feature 212, a receive feature 214, a determine feature 216, a
`request feature 218 or a handoff feature 219, or any reason
`able combination thereof.
`In some examples, the elements portrayed in FIG. 2's block
`diagram are configured to support or enable coverage man
`ager 112 as described in this disclosure. A given coverage
`manager 112 may include some, all or more elements than
`those depicted in FIG. 2. For example, coverage logic 210 and
`control logic 220 may separately or collectively represent a
`wide variety of logic device(s) to implement the features of
`coverage manager 112. An example logic device may include
`one or more of a computer, a microprocessor, a microcontrol
`ler, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application
`specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a sequestered thread or a
`core of a multi-core/multi-thread