GB2352130A - Communications terminal - Google Patents
Communications terminal Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2352130A GB2352130A GB0008078A GB0008078A GB2352130A GB 2352130 A GB2352130 A GB 2352130A GB 0008078 A GB0008078 A GB 0008078A GB 0008078 A GB0008078 A GB 0008078A GB 2352130 A GB2352130 A GB 2352130A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- communications
- terminal
- mode
- terminal apparatus
- accordance
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W8/00—Network data management
- H04W8/22—Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
- H04W8/24—Transfer of terminal data
- H04W8/245—Transfer of terminal data from a network towards a terminal
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/72—Mobile telephones; Cordless telephones, i.e. devices for establishing wireless links to base stations without route selection
- H04M1/724—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
- H04M1/72403—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/72—Mobile telephones; Cordless telephones, i.e. devices for establishing wireless links to base stations without route selection
- H04M1/724—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
- H04M1/72403—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
- H04M1/72406—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality by software upgrading or downloading
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
- Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
- Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
Abstract
In the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System, terminals used by subscribers are known to operate in a standardised way, whereas operation of network elements, for example terminals, need not be so rigidly standardised. Described herein is a communications terminal capable of communicating with a network element, the terminal comprising a processor operably coupled to a communications unit and being arranged to provide a first mode of operation which provides functionality substantially in a predefined standardised manner. A second mode of operation is also provided comprising functionality which is substantially in accordance with a modified operating procedure, the terminal being capable of selectively operating in accordance with the first mode of operation or the second mode of operation so as to enable operations in a manner different from the predefined standard. The modification may amount to further facilities or to account for differences between systems. The modifications can be downloaded from a base station.
Description
- I - 2352130 COMMUNICATIONS TERMINAL AND METHOD THEREFOR The present
invention relates to a communications terminal and a method therefor of the type capable of communicating with a network element in a communications system, for example, a cellular telecommunications system, such as a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS).
In the UMTS, terminals used by subscribers are known to operate in a standardised way, whereas operation of network elements need not be so rigidly standardised. The correct operation of the network elements is the responsibility of a network operator associated with a particular UMTS, the network operator being presumed competent to ensure correct operation of the particular system.
Reference to a network element throughout this specification should be understood to include terminals as well as other entities in a communications network, either alone or in combination.
Standardising a system in the above-described way leads to a disadvantage of the terminals being totally standardised prior to deployment of the system. Consequently, operation of the system, for example, physical layer procedures such as power control procedures, is pre-defined and cannot be improved during operation of the system.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to obviate, or at least mitigate, the above described disadvantage in relation to communications systems.
According to the present invention, there is provided a communications terminal apparatus capable of communicating with a network element, the terminal comprising a processor operably coupled to a communications unit, the processor being arranged to provide a first mode of operation providing functionality substantially in accordance with a predefined standard, and a second mode of operation providing functionality which is substantially in accordance with a non- standardised operating procedure, the terminal being further arranged to selectively operate in the first or second mode of operation so as to enable the terminal to operate in a manner different to the predefined standard.
Preferably, the non-standardised operating procedure corresponds to operation of the terminal in a manner which does not conform to the predefined standard.
Preferably, the communications unit is a transmitter and receiver chain. Alternatively, the communications unit is a receiver chain.
Alternatively, the communications unit is a transmitter chain.
The network element may be a further terminal.
Preferably, the functionality corresponds to control procedures.
More preferably, the control procedures are power control procedures.
Preferably, the apparatus is capable of communicating with the further terminal via a radio-frequency interface.
Preferably, data corresponding to the second mode of operation is downloadable to the terminal apparatus.
According to the present invention, there is also provided a method of operation for a communications terminal, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a first mode of operation having functionality substantially in accordance with a predefined standard, providing a second mode of operation having functionality substantially in accordance with a non-standardised operating procedure, and selectively operating in the first or second mode of operation so as to enable the terminal to operate in a manner different to the predefined standard.
For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure I illustrates communication between a network and a terminal; and Figure 2 illustrates a memory unit for a terminal.
In Figure 1, a network and a terminal within that network are shown as straight lines. If the terminal is new to the network, the network will be unaware of its capability, and a capability exchange takes place. The network sends a query to the terminal asking if it can support extended functions. The terminal then replies to the network stating if it can or not. In Figure 1, the terminal is shown as replying that it can support extended functions and that it has n locations free to accept such extended functions. Once the network receives an affirmative reply from the terminal, it downloads the extended function(s) to the terminal as shown. Such functions are stored in a memory unit 10 which is described in more detail with reference to Figure 2.
In Figure 2, the memory unit 10 comprises a plurality of locations 12, 14 161, 181 20 which store functions for the terminal. Each function stored in a respective one of the locations operates independently to dictate the operation of the terminal.
It will readily be appreciated that the functions are defined as operational algorithms. In the memory unit 10 shown in Figure 2, the terminal has two pre-defined functions as defined by algorithms I and 2 which are stored in respective locations 12, 14. When the terminal is operating in a particular mode or carrying a particular function, the algorithm relating to that mode or function is accessed.
In accordance with the present invention, locations 16, 18, 20 are initially empty, but when the ten-ninal is interrogated by the network as described above with reference to Figure 1, empty location 16 receives the downloaded extended function in the form of an extra algorithm. Locations 18, 20 remain empty until a further extended function is to be downloaded.
As described above, the locations 12, 14 include functions which are predefined, for example, one of the locations 12, 14 may include a function 5 relating to power control.
As discussed above, it is difficult to make changes to the power control function as it is a pre-defined function in the terminal to meet with changing requirements of the network. In order to make improvements to power control, an extended function is downloaded which, when accessed, changes the way in which power control operates in a particular terminal.
It is thus possible to provide an apparatus which allows a network operator to update or override certain functionality of the apparatus. The network equipment is also able to inter-operate with either a default or improved functionality of a given terminal apparatus, the network operator having a full knowledge of the ten-ninal behavior when operating in the first or second mode. Additionally, network operators and/or a given terminal apparatus manufacturers are able to develop improved functionality for the terminal apparatus of the given manufacturer.
Claims (13)
- CLAIMS:I. A communications terminal apparatus capable of communicating with a network element, the terminal comprising a processor operably coupled to a communications unit, the processor being arranged to provide a first mode of operation providing functionality substantially in accordance with a predefined standard, and a second mode of operation providing functionality which is substantially in accordance with a nonstandardised operating procedure, the terminal being further arranged to selectively operate in the first or second mode of operation so as to enable the terminal to operate in a manner different to the predefined standard.
- 2. A communications terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the non-standardised operating procedure corresponds to operation of the terminal in a manner which does not conform to the predefined standard.
- 3. A communications terminal apparatus according to claim I or 2, wherein the communications unit is a transmitter and receiver chain.
- 4. A communications terminal apparatus according to claim I or 2, wherein the communications unit is a receiver chain.
- 5. A communications terminal apparatus according to claim I or 2, wherein the communications unit is a transmitter chain.
- 6. A communications ten-ninal apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the network element is a ftirther ten-ninal.
- 7. A communications terminal apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the functionality corresponds to control procedures.
- 8. A communications ten-ninal apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control procedures are power control procedures.
- 9. A communications ten-ninal apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus is capable of communicating with the further terminal via a radio-frequency interface.
- 10. A communications terminal apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein data corresponding to the second mode of operation is downloadable to the terminal apparatus.
- 11. A method of operation for a communications terminal, the method comprising the steps of-providing a first mode of operation having functionality substantially in accordance with a predefined standard, providing a second mode of operation having functionality substantially in accordance with a non-standardised operating procedure, and selectively operating in the first or second mode of operation so as to enable the ten-ninal to operate in a manner different to the predefined standard.
- 12. A communications terminal apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawing.
- 13. A method of operation for a communications termi"nal substantially as hereiribefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB9915739.8A GB9915739D0 (en) | 1999-07-06 | 1999-07-06 | Communications terminal and method therefor |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB0008078D0 GB0008078D0 (en) | 2000-05-24 |
GB2352130A true GB2352130A (en) | 2001-01-17 |
Family
ID=10856689
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB9915739.8A Ceased GB9915739D0 (en) | 1999-07-06 | 1999-07-06 | Communications terminal and method therefor |
GB0008078A Withdrawn GB2352130A (en) | 1999-07-06 | 2000-04-04 | Communications terminal |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB9915739.8A Ceased GB9915739D0 (en) | 1999-07-06 | 1999-07-06 | Communications terminal and method therefor |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (2) | GB9915739D0 (en) |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2269512A (en) * | 1992-08-03 | 1994-02-09 | Nokia Mobile Phones Uk | Radio telephone having means for removably receiving more than one memory module |
GB2292046A (en) * | 1994-07-26 | 1996-02-07 | Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd | Apparatus for remotely programming a radio telephone |
GB2293946A (en) * | 1994-10-05 | 1996-04-10 | Motorola Inc | Radiotelephone having a plurality of subscriber identities |
GB2305073A (en) * | 1995-08-26 | 1997-03-26 | Motorola Ltd | Personalised radio communications |
GB2319438A (en) * | 1996-11-13 | 1998-05-20 | Int Maritime Satellite Organiz | User Terminal for Multiple Services |
-
1999
- 1999-07-06 GB GBGB9915739.8A patent/GB9915739D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2000
- 2000-04-04 GB GB0008078A patent/GB2352130A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2269512A (en) * | 1992-08-03 | 1994-02-09 | Nokia Mobile Phones Uk | Radio telephone having means for removably receiving more than one memory module |
GB2292046A (en) * | 1994-07-26 | 1996-02-07 | Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd | Apparatus for remotely programming a radio telephone |
GB2293946A (en) * | 1994-10-05 | 1996-04-10 | Motorola Inc | Radiotelephone having a plurality of subscriber identities |
GB2305073A (en) * | 1995-08-26 | 1997-03-26 | Motorola Ltd | Personalised radio communications |
GB2319438A (en) * | 1996-11-13 | 1998-05-20 | Int Maritime Satellite Organiz | User Terminal for Multiple Services |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB9915739D0 (en) | 1999-09-08 |
GB0008078D0 (en) | 2000-05-24 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |