US7061880B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Systems and methods for multicast communications
Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
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Filing: 2001-10-11
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Granted: 2006-06-13
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Expires: 2021-10-11
Abstract
Abstract Systems and methods are provided to establish multicast capabilities for communication systems including wireless communication and internet protocol (IP). An exemplary communication system may include one or more content servers (CSs), IP network, packet data serving nodes (PDSNs), IP radio-to-packet network (IP (RP)), base stations (BSs), and mobile stations (MSs) all communicatively coupled together. The content servers may provide a communication multicast on the same IP multicast address. The PDSN to MS communications may use, for example, protocols IGMP (IPv4) and/or MLD (IPv6) for control signaling of the IP multicasting. These protocols may be augmented by MCFTP. The signaling may include identifiers including the IP multicast address, a flow code that may be generated by the PDSN, a unique mapping reference identifier, and various radio parameters. Various signal flow approaches are presented for establishing and maintaining multicast communication between a content server and a mobile station.
Inventors
- 👤 Henrik Basilier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 13:26
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W4/00; H04W4/06; H04W4/08; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/02; H04L12/16; H04L12/18; H04L12/185; H04L12/189; H04W72/00; H04W72/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for managing a multicast session in a communication system, comprising the steps of: generating a first multicast flow identifier that is used to select one of many available multicast session information flows; generating a second multicast flow identifier, smaller than the first multicast flow identifier, that is used to select one of many available multicast session information flows; establishing an inter-relationship between the first multicast flow identifier and the second multicast flow identifier; generating a set of radio parameters to establish a communication channel to support a selected multicast session information flow; mapping the second multicast flow identifier to the set of radio parameters; sending the mapping of the second multicast flow identifier to the set of radio parameters to a mobile station (MS) requesting receipt of the selected multicast session information flow; and sending the second multicast flow identifier to the MS.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for managing a multicast session in a communication system, comprising the steps of: generating a first multicast flow identifier that is used to select one of many available multicast session information flows; generating a second multicast flow identifier, smaller than the first multicast flow identifier, that is used to select one of many available multicast session information flows; establishing an inter-relationship between the first multicast flow identifier and the second multicast flow identifier; generating a set of radio parameters to establish a communication channel to support a selected multicast session information flow; mapping the second multicast flow identifier to the set of radio parameters; sending the mapping of the second multicast flow identifier to the set of radio parameters to a mobile station (MS) requesting receipt of the selected multicast session information flow; and sending the second multicast flow identifier to the MS.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first multicast flow identifier is globally unique and the second multicast flow identifier is locally unique.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein a router generates the first multicast flow identifier and the second multicast flow identifier, and establishes their inter-relationship, and the BS generates the set of radio parameters.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of: storing the inter-relationship between the first multicast flow identifier and the second multicast flow identifier in the BS.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first multicast flow identifier determines that only a single transmission of the selected multicast session information flow is sent over a radio broadcast channel even though multiple routers have respective MSs requesting the same selected multicast session information flow.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein the second multicast flow identifier determines that the MS continues to receive the selected multicast session information flow after transitioning from a connection with a first BS to a connection with a second BS where the selected multicast session information flow is routed through the same router.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein the routers are packet data serving nodes (PDSNs) and the multicast session is provided using internet protocol (IP).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of: sending multicast filter information from the MS to the router using a multi-channel flow treatment protocol (MCFTP) message, wherein multicast filter information is used to generate the first multicast flow identifier.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
171 words
A communication system for managing a multicast session, comprising: a router configured to generate a first multicast flow identifier that is used to select one of many available multicast session information flows and to generate a second multicast flow identifier, smaller than the first multicast flow identifier, that is used to select one of many available multicast session information flows, wherein the router is further configured to establish an inter-relationship between the first multicast flow identifier and the second multicast flow identifier; a base station (BS) configured to generate a set of radio parameters to establish a communication channel to support a select multicast session information flow and to map the second multicast flow identifier to the set of radio parameters; and wherein the BS is configured to send the mapping of the second multicast flow identifier to the set of radio parameters to a mobile station (MS), and the router is configured to send the second multicast flow identifier to the MS in a multi-channel flow treatment protocol (MCFTP) statement.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
171 words
A communication system for managing a multicast session, comprising: a router configured to generate a first multicast flow identifier that is used to select one of many available multicast session information flows and to generate a second multicast flow identifier, smaller than the first multicast flow identifier, that is used to select one of many available multicast session information flows, wherein the router is further configured to establish an inter-relationship between the first multicast flow identifier and the second multicast flow identifier; a base station (BS) configured to generate a set of radio parameters to establish a communication channel to support a select multicast session information flow and to map the second multicast flow identifier to the set of radio parameters; and wherein the BS is configured to send the mapping of the second multicast flow identifier to the set of radio parameters to a mobile station (MS), and the router is configured to send the second multicast flow identifier to the MS in a multi-channel flow treatment protocol (MCFTP) statement.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 9 , wherein the first multicast flow identifier is globally unique and the second multicast flow identifier is locally unique.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 9 wherein the system is configured to store the inter-relationship between the first multicast flow identifier and the second multicast flow identifier in the BS.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 9 , wherein the first multicast flow identifier determines that only a single transmission of the multicast flow is sent over a radio broadcast channel even though multiple routers have respective MSs requesting the same selected multicast session information flow.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein the second multicast flow identifier determines that the MS continues to receive the selected multicast session information flow after transitioning from a connection with a first BS to a connection with a second BS where the selected multicast session information flow is routed through the same router.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the routers are packet data serving nodes (PDSNs) and the multicast session is provided using internet protocol (IP).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
165 words
An internet protocol (IP) multicast service, comprising: a router configured to generate a first multicast flow identifier that is used to select one of many available multicast session information flows and generate a second multicast flow identifier, smaller than the first multicast flow identifier, that is used to select one of many available multicast session information flows; a base station (BS) coupled to the router, the BS stores an inter-relationship between the first multicast flow identifier and the second multicast flow identifier and generates a set of radio parameters to establish a communication channel to support a selected multicast session information flow and maps the second multicast flow identifier to the set of radio parameters; and a mobile station (MS) coupled to the base station that selects one of the many available multicast session information flows, receives the second multicast flow identifier from the router, receives the radio parameters from the BS, and tunes into the selected multicast session information flow using the radio parameters.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
165 words
An internet protocol (IP) multicast service, comprising: a router configured to generate a first multicast flow identifier that is used to select one of many available multicast session information flows and generate a second multicast flow identifier, smaller than the first multicast flow identifier, that is used to select one of many available multicast session information flows; a base station (BS) coupled to the router, the BS stores an inter-relationship between the first multicast flow identifier and the second multicast flow identifier and generates a set of radio parameters to establish a communication channel to support a selected multicast session information flow and maps the second multicast flow identifier to the set of radio parameters; and a mobile station (MS) coupled to the base station that selects one of the many available multicast session information flows, receives the second multicast flow identifier from the router, receives the radio parameters from the BS, and tunes into the selected multicast session information flow using the radio parameters.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The service of claim 15 , wherein the router establishes an inter-relationship between the first multicast flow identifier and the second multicast flow identifier.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The service of claim 16 , wherein the first multicast flow identifier is globally unique and the second multicast flow identifier is locally unique.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
The service of claim 17 , wherein the BS sends the mapping of the second multicast flow identifier to the set of radio parameters to the MS, and the router sends the second multicast flow identifier to the MS in a multi-channel flow treatment protocol (MCFTP) statement.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
47 words
The service of claim 18 , wherein the first multicast flow identifier determines that only a single transmission of the selected multicast session information flow is sent over a radio broadcast channel even though multiple routers have respective MSs requesting the same selected multicast session information flow.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
54 words
The service of claim 19 , wherein the second multicast flow identifier determines that the MS continues to receive the selected multicast session information flow after transitioning from a connection with a first BS to a connection with a second BS where the selected multicast session information flow is routed through the same router.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The service of claim 20 , wherein the routers are packet data serving nodes (PDSNs).
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The service of claim 15 , wherein the IP multicast service is provided by the BS over a radio broadcast channel in response to a request from the MS.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The service of claim 15 , wherein the IP multicast service is provided by a BS over a dedicated radio channel in response to a request from the MS.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
The service of claim 15 , wherein the IP multicast service is provided by the BS over a radio broadcast channel even though the MS requests a dedicated radio channel.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The service of claim 15 , wherein the IP multicast service is provided by the BS over a dedicated radio channel even though the MS requests a broadcast radio channel.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
155 words
A communication system for managing a multicast session, comprising: a router configured to generate a first multicast flow identifier that is globally unique and used to select one of many available multicast session information flows; and a base station (BS) that generates a set of radio parameters to establish a communication channel and maps the first multicast flow identifier to the set of radio parameters, wherein the BS sends the mapping of the first multicast flow identifier to the set of radio parameters to a mobile station (MS), and the router sends the first multicast flow identifier to the MS in a multi-channel flow treatment protocol (MCFTP) statement wherein the router generates a locally unique second multicast flow identifier, smaller than the first multicast flow identifier, that is used to select one of many available multicast session information flows and establishes an inter-relationship between the first multicast flow identifier and the second multicast flow identifier.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
155 words
A communication system for managing a multicast session, comprising: a router configured to generate a first multicast flow identifier that is globally unique and used to select one of many available multicast session information flows; and a base station (BS) that generates a set of radio parameters to establish a communication channel and maps the first multicast flow identifier to the set of radio parameters, wherein the BS sends the mapping of the first multicast flow identifier to the set of radio parameters to a mobile station (MS), and the router sends the first multicast flow identifier to the MS in a multi-channel flow treatment protocol (MCFTP) statement wherein the router generates a locally unique second multicast flow identifier, smaller than the first multicast flow identifier, that is used to select one of many available multicast session information flows and establishes an inter-relationship between the first multicast flow identifier and the second multicast flow identifier.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 26 , wherein router receives multicast filter information in a MCFTP message sent from the MS, and the multicast filter information is used to generate the first multicast flow identifier.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 26 , wherein the system is configured to store the inter-relationship between the first multicast flow identifier and the second multicast flow identifier in the BS.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 26 , wherein the router sends the second multicast flow identifier to the MS in a multi-channel flow treatment protocol (MCFTP) statement.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2009-06-12 | 2009-12-12 | 2010-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-06-12 | 2013-12-12 | 2014-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-06-12 | 2017-12-12 | 2018-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |