GB2408173A

GB2408173A - Use of communication terminal as a repeater.

Info

Publication number: GB2408173A
Application number: GB0326509A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Philip Fitton
Original assignee: Toshiba Research Europe Ltd
Current assignee: Toshiba Europe Ltd
Priority date: 2003-11-13
Filing date: 2003-11-13
Publication date: 2005-05-18
Also published as: GB0326509D0

Abstract

A distributed radio technique is disclosed in which several communication devices such as mobile telephones form an independent wireless link for communication between themselves. This independent wireless link can be exploited for relaying a connection with a base station. The relaying device may charge for this service. The client device (i.e. the device which establishes a connection to a base station via a relay device) can choose the optimal route taking into account various factors such as data rate, cost, battery power etc. The technique enables one relay device to serve several client devices at the same time, and it also enables one client device to use several relay devices at the same time.

Description

24081 73 Telecommunication The present invention relates to

telecommunications. It finds particular application in the context of mobile telephones, where severe] wireless devices can communicate with one or more base stations or other access points.

GB 2373966 discloses a technique according to which independent radio communication devices can share network information directly with each other in the local area using an independent wireless link. This network information encompasses synchronization information, interference, network configuration, neighbour cell lists, paging requests etc. The present inventor has now devised a technique according to which a wireless link between communication devices can be used for communication with a base station or access point.

WO 98/39936 discloses a cellular network with a plurality of mobile stations and a plurality of base stations. The base stations are located so that each base station has a zone of effective coverage which does not overlap with the zones of effective coverage of adjacent base stations. Hence, there are zones of reduced coverage between the base stations. When a mobile station which is outside the zone of effective coverage of a particular base station wishes to send a message to that base station, the message can be relayed by another mobile station to the destination base station.

WO 98/39936 and GB 2373966 are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

It has been appreciated, pursuant to the present invention, that various disadvantages are associated with the technique disclosed in WO 98/39936. Firstly, the requirement that the base stations are located so that each base station has a zone of effective coverage which does not overlap with the zones of effective coverage of adjacent base stations is rather limiting and not necessarily easy to achieve. A relatively complex technique of reducing and increasing transmission power at the base stations and mobile stations appears to be required, according to this WO publication.

Further, since the above requirement results in "dead" zones, any mobile station which is not equipped with facilities for establishing an independent wireless link with other mobile stations would be expected not to be able to communicate with a base station if this mobile station is located in a "dead" zone.

The present inventor has now appreciated that, whilst in the above WO publication, communication between a first mobile station and a base station is relayed by a second mobile station "out of necessity" (i.e. since in some locations no direct connection between the first mobile station and the base station can be established), pursuant to the present invention such a relayed connection can be made "out of choice" (i.e. whilst a direct connection between the first mobile station and the base station might be able to be established).

For clarity and ease of understanding, the terms "relay device" and "client device" are used in various places in the following text. These preferably have the following meaning: Client device: a communication device which establishes, or which desires to establish, a connection with a base station via a further communication device.

Relay device: a communication device which is used, or which is intended to be used, for establishing the connection between a client device and the base station or access point (i.e. the connection is made via the relay device).

The underlying concept of the present invention opens up various possibilities not appreciated in the prior art. For example, a relay device may be able to charge for its relay service. This charge would in most embodiments be made to the client device, but it could also be made to the network operator of the client device since the relay service effectively expands the coverage of the network used by the client device.

Accordingly, in one aspect the present invention provides a method of operating a communication system comprising at least first and second communication devices, the method comprising: establishing a connection between the first communication device and a base station or access point via the second communication device; and generating charging information indicative of a charge made, or a charge to be made, or a charge that would be made, in respect of the fact that the second communication device is used for establishing the connection between the first communication device and the base station or access point.

Depending on a particular implementation, the charging information could be generated by the second communication device (the relay device), the first communication device (the client device), a base station or any other appropriate part of the communication system.

The charging information could be generated before the connection is established, e.g. so as to give the user of the client device an opportunity to choose not to establish the connection if the cost is considered to be too high. Alternatively, the connection is established and thereafter the charging information is generated, in which case the user of the client device may only be informed of the actual cost afterwards (e.g. via the phone bill).

There may be various reasons for establishing the connection between the client device and the base station or access point via the relay device. Factors to be taken into account include: 30. Network cost, i.e. the overall charge for the connection via the relay device (including any charge for the relay service) as compared to the cost of a direct connection from the client device to a base station or access point (i.e. not via a relay device).

Network coverage.

Modem performance - the data rate which can be achieved in the connection via the relay device may be higher than the data rate which can be achieved in a direct connection between the client device and a base station or access point.

Network load.

Battery power - the client device may not have sufficient battery power for a direct connection (at reasonably high power) to a base station or access point, whereas the battery power at the client device may be enough to establish a (relatively low-power) link to a relay device having sufficient battery power for establishing a connection to a base station or access point.

The relay device may be able to "serve" several client devices at the same time I S (i.e. relay their communication). Conversely, one client device may be able to make use of the services of several relay devices at the same time.

The relay device may itself make use of a further relay device, i.e. the relay device becomes a client device of the further relay device. In this case the connection between the original client device and a base station or access point is established by means of a chain of several relay devices.

In another related aspect, the present invention provides a method of operating a communication system comprising at least first and second communication devices, the method comprising: establishing a first connection between the first communication device and a first base station or access point; establishing a second connection between the first communication device and a second base station or access point via the second communication device; and permitting the first communication device to use the first and second connections substantially simultaneously for communication with said base stations or access points.

Preferably, the method further comprises combining, at the first communication device, the data streams rcsu]ting from the first and second connections, so as to form a combined data stream. This is preferably done in such a way that a seamless, transparent connection results at the first communication device (the client device). By "using the first and second connections substantia]]y simultaneously" is preferably meant that data packets transmitted in the first and second connections are transmitted in an interleaved manner, that is, a first data packet is transmitted via the first connection, then a second data packet is transmitted via the second connection, then a third data packet is transmitted via the first connection etc. Suitable buffering may be necessary.

A]ternative]y, the first and second connection may be truly independent from each other, in which case the first and second connections may be able to be used truly 1 5 simultaneously.

The decision whether or not to use a particular relay device offering its "relay service" is preferably made at a client device requiring the relay service.

The decision may be made with or without input by the user of the client device.

Preferably, the decision takes into account the costs which would arise if a particular relay device were used for establishing a connection between the client device and a base station or access point. Additionally, or alternatively, the decision is based on the modem performance of the relay device(s), i.e. the decision may be to use only relay devices enabling a connection above a certain data rate.

In preferred embodiments a decision is also made, preferably at a potential relay device, whether the potential relay device "would dike to" make itself available for establishing a particular connection. That is, even if, from a technical point of view, a particular relay device may be able to be used for establishing a connection between a client device and a base station, the user of the relay device might choose not to enable the connection, or only enable it if certain conditions are met. For example, a user of the potential relay device may define that the relay device may only be used for establishing a connection between a client device and a base station if the remaining battery power at the relay device is above a certain]eve], or if the account of the user of the relay device will be credited with more than a minimum amount in respect of the relay service.

5Accordingly, in a further aspect the present invention provides a method of operating a communication system comprising a first communication device and one or more further communication device(s), the method comprising: gathering information about possible ways of establishing a connection between the first communication device and at least one base station or access point, said 10information comprising: a) charging information indicative of the costs involved in establishing a said connection via a given one or given ones of said one or more further communication device(s); and/or b) information regarding the modem performance of a given one or given 15ones of said one or more further communication device(s); and based on said gathered information, choosing one or more of said possible ways to establish a connection between the first communication device and said base station or access point.

In a further, closely related aspect, the present invention provides a method of operating a communication system comprising a first communication device, one or more further communication devices and a plurality of base stations, wherein the zones of effective coverage of at least some base stations overlap, the method comprising: 25gathering information about possible ways of establishing a connection between the first communication device and a base station, said information comprising information regarding establishing a connection via one or more of said one or more further communication devices; and based on said gathered information, choosing one or more of said possible ways 30to establish a connection between the first communication device and said base station.

Preferably, the information comprises: charging information indicative of the costs involved in establishing a said connection via a given one or given ones of said one or more further communication device(s); and/or information regarding the modem performance of a given one or given ones of said one or more further communication device(s); and/or information regarding radio coverage; and/or information regarding network load; and/or information regarding battery power of the first communication device; and/or battery power of a given one or given ones of the one or more further communication device(s).

Preferably, the first communication device and the further communication deice(s) is/are located in a zone of effective coverage of a base station or access point.

The term "zone of effective coverage" preferably has the same meaning as in WO 98/39936.

Preferably, the first communication device is located where it is able to establish a direct connection with the base station or access point. Hence, even though the first communication device (the client device) could establish a direct connection (i.e. not via another communication device) with the base station or access point, it chooses not to do so, or it chooses to establish the connection via the further communication device in addition to a direct connection with the base station or access point.

Preferably, in all of the above aspects, the communication device(s) is/are wireless devices, such as mobile terminals, laptops and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) etc. The communication devices preferably communicate with each other via an independent wireless link, such as a Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN), Short Range Devices (SRDs), infrared connections and industry standards such as Bluetooth etc. Apparatus aspects and features corresponding to method aspects and features disclosed herein are also provided, and vice versa.

Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I is a schematic diagram of a communication device for use in embodiments of the present invention; Figure 2 is a simplified diagram of an arrangement of communication devices and base stations according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a simplified diagram of an arrangement of communication devices and base stations according to a further embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 4 is a simplified diagram of an arrangement of communication devices and base stations according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

The communication device shown in Figure I can be a wireless device such as a mobile telephone (voice phone), a laptop with mobile connectivity, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or any other suitable device. In the example shown in Figure I the communication device has the same structure as the communication devices disclosed in GB 2373966, the reference signs having the following meaning: 2: Application 4: TCP/IP 6: Protocol/Modem Manager 8: Means for connection management (CM) 10: Means for mobility management (MM) 12: Means for radio resource management (RRM) 14: Cellular modem 16: User plane 18: WPAN Protocol Manager 20: WPAN Modem 22: Radio antenna It is to be understood that the abbreviation WPAN used herein represents any independent wireless link and is not restricted to a Wireless Personal Area Network, but can include other wireless links such as Short Range Devices (SRDs), Infrared connections and industry standards such as Bluetooth.

The WPAN Protocol Manager 18 and the WPAN Modem 20 form a WPAN module which, as disclosed in GB 2373966 is able to form a WPAN with one or more similar devices. This is shown schematically in Figure 2, where items 30, 40 and 50 represent communication devices and the arrows 60, 70 and 80 represent independent Nvircless links formed between these devices (i.e. the WPAN). Whilst three such devices are shown in Figure 2 it will be understood that further communication devices can form part of the WPAN. Likewise, the WPAN could be made up of only two communication devices. It is also noted that, whilst not shown in the drawings, a particular communication device within the WPAN may be able to establish an independent wireless link with one or more other communication devices, but not with all of them. For example, due to physical obstacles or relatively large distances between communication devices 30 and 40, these two devices might not be able to communicate with each other directly (i. e. as if arrow 60 was not present in Figure 2), whilst each of the devices 30 and 40 can establish an independent wireless link with communication device 50 (as represented by arrows 70 and 80). It is understood that such an arrangement could still be regarded as a suitable WPAN.

Also shown in Figure 2 are base stations 90 and 100, which may or may not form part of the same network and may or may not use the same air interface mode such as TDMA, GSM, CDMA or WCDMA. At least one and possibly some or all of communication devices 30, 40 and 50 can establish a direct connection with base stations 90 and/or 100 or are connected thereto, using radio antenna 22. The function of the various components of the communication devices may be as disclosed in GB 2373966.

As a non-limiting example, communication device 30 could be a voice phone, communication device 4() could be a laptop and communication device 50 could be a PDA.

A first embodiment wi]] now be described with reference to Figure 2. In this embodiment the laptop 40 desires a connection (or set of connections) with capabilities (in terms of bit rate, quality etc) beyond its own resources. It establishes a radio link (not shown) to a base station (e.g. ]00) and additionally requests the other available communication devices 30 and 50 within the WPAN to set up parallel links with the ] O same or other base stations so that data can be forwarded between the client device 40 and the relay devices 30 and 50. In other words, in addition to the direct connection between the client device 40 and the base station]00 two further connections are established between the client device 40 and one or more base stations via the relay devices 30 and 50.

The parallel data streams received at client device 40 via the indirect connections (via]inI;s 60 and 80) and through the direct link to base station]()0 are combined at the client device 40 to present a seamless, transparent connection.

The relay devices 30 and 50 may or may not be connected in the same air interface mode as the client device 40, and may or may not be connected to the same network operator. For example, the client device may be connected to base station] 00 via GSM (and might not support any other air interface mode), whilst relay devices 30 and/or 50 are connected using WCDMA. The fact that client device 40 does not support WCDMA does not matter since the data is forwarded by relay devices 30 and via the WPAN.

The combining of the different data streams at client device 40 is carried out by the Protocol/l\dodem Manager 6. If the ability to communicate via the WPAN is truly independent from the ability to communicate via the radio link with base station]00 the data streams can be received/transmitted truly simultaneously. In preferred embodiments a buffer or similar is provided to enable the two or more parallel streams to be combined. A]ternative]y, reception/transmission via the WPAN and the direct radio link is carried out such that data packets are received/transmitted in interleaved manner, i.e. a first packet is sent via the direct radio link, immediately thereafter a packet is sent via independent wireless link 60, and immediately thereafter a third packet is sent via independent wireless link 80, and the cycle repeats. Thus, whilst the data transmissions may not be truly simultaneous, they are substantially simultaneous.

The first embodiment finds particular application if the maximum available data rate on the direct connection between laptop 40 and base station 100 is lower than desired by the user of laptop 40 (e.g. due to increased network load). Using additional connections aria the JAPAN effectively expands the data rate afforded to the laptop 40.

Another benefit of the first embodiment is that, if laptop 40 is located just outside the range of any suitable base station the WPAN effectively expands the network coverage by relaying the required data through the neighbouring devices 30 and 50 via the (short-range) WPAN.

Thus, through the use of the distributed radio concept disclosed above a service provider with limited or non-existent coverage in a particular region can exploit the services of available relay devices to relay services to its subscribers. The relay devices then act as pico-service providers.

In return, a charge can be levied in respect of the relay service. This charge can be predetermined, or it may be dependent on the circumstances (e.g. remaining battery power at the relay device, remaining battery power available at the client device - it will be appreciated that the WPAN link normally uses less battery power than the radio link to the base station), radio coverage by the various networks involved, modem performance of the relay device, network load and network cost. Alternatively, the charge could be negotiated by the users of the client device and the relay device (perhaps within predetermined reasonable limits to prevent abuse).

The charge is preferably billed to the user of the client device and credited to the account of the user of the relay device, but it is also possible that the network operator of the network to which the relay device is connected receives a portion of the credit.

Similarly, it is possible to charge a portion of the charge to the network operator with which the client device is associated.

Preferably, the charge made or to be made in respect of the fact that the relay device is used for cstab]ishing the connection between the client device and the base station or access point is in addition to any charge in respect of the radio link established between the relay device and its base station.

In preferred embodiments charging information (indicative of any charge that ]O would be made if a particular relay device was used for establishing a connection between a client device and a base station) is generated by the potential relay device (although it could be generated anywhere in the system, even in the client device) and transmitted to the client device (or any other appropriate parts of the system) in advance of the establishing of the connection. This would give the user of the client device an opportunity to cancel the request for the connection via the relay device. This can be implemented by displaying the charging information on a display of the client device, and requesting the user of the client device to confirm that the connection via the relay device should be made. In case the costs are considered too high the relay request is cancelled.

In other embodiments the connection via the relay device is made once it is requested (and once a suitable relay device has been found) and charging information indicative of the charge which has been made (i.e. debited from the account of the user of the client device) or which will be made is generated once the connection has been established.

In preferred embodiments e.g. the client device would first gather information about possible ways of establishing a connection with a base station. This information comprises information regarding establishing the connection via one or more relay devices. Based on the gathered information the client device then chooses one or more of those possible ways to establish a connection with one or more base stations. The information to be gathered by the client device comprises, for example, charging information (i.e. how much a particular connection would cost), information regarding the modem performance of a particular relay device (indicative of the data rate available on a particular connection), information regarding radio coverage, network load and battery power of avai]ab]e relay devices. The client device can also take into account its own battery power.

Again, the client device can then prompt the user to confirm that the connection should be made. In case there are severa] possible connections on offer the user can be requested to choose which one(s) should be made.

As an a]tcnative, the client device can be set up so as to make a decision itself, i.e. without requiring a user input on every occasion. For example, the client device could always choose the cheapest connection, the fastest connection, the connection which uses the least of its own battery power, a connection via a preferred network, or base the decision on any other criteria, which can (but do not have to) be defined by the 1 5 user.

The client device could also be configured so as to only consider connections which satisfy certain criteria, e.g. only connections above a given data rate, below a certain cost etc. At the same time, a relay device can decide to offer its relay services only under certain conditions, e.g. only if the cost of the connection (to be credited to the account of the user of the relay device) is more than a predetermined threshold. Likewise, the relay device could refuse to relay connections if its remaining battery power is below a minimum level. Again, this could be done with or without user intervention.

According to the second embodiment shown in Figure 3, the laptop 40 (relay device) establishes a radio link 110 with base station 100. Laptop 40 acts as relay device for two client devices (voice phone 30 and PDA 50 at the same time). This embodiment finds particular application if the laptop 40 can establish a high data rate connection 110 with base station] 00, which the client devices 30 and 50 can exploit via the WPAN, whilst themselves perhaps not being able to establish a direct link with a base station.

This embodiment also finds application in circumstances where a client device (30 or 50) could establish a direct connection with a base station but chooses not to do so and instead uses an indirect connection via relay device 40 and the WPAN. This may have various reasons, including network cost, modem performance, network load and battery power (at the client device and at the relay device).

A third embodiment is shown in Figure 4. In this embodiment the voice phone acts as relay device for PDA SO (the client device) via link 70, whilst it is served by laptop 40 (relay device) via link 60. In other words, device 30 is both a client device and a relay device. The chain may also be longer, i.e. include two or more devices which are client device and relay device at the same time. The optimum route can depend on various factors mentioned above.

In any of the above embodiments a relay device may or may not be able to use a connection with a base station for its own purposes (e.g. for a voice call made by the user of the relay device) whilst acting as a relay device for one or more client devices.

In any of the above embodiments the base stations may be located such that their zones of effective coverage overlap. Whilst according to WO 98/39936, where the transmission power of the base stations and/or the mobile stations are adjusted to take into account adjacent base stations and/or the positions of other mobile stations, no such adjustment is preferably done in preferred embodiments of the present invention. Even though a particular communication device might be able to establish a direct connection with one or more base stations it might choose not to do so, but instead to exploit a radio link of a different communication device via the WPAN.

Although the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments as set forth above, it should be understood that these embodiments are illustrative only and that the claims are not limited to those embodiments. Those skilled in the art will be able to make modifications and alternatives in view of the disclosure which are contemplated as falling within the scope of the appended claims. Each feature disclosed or illustrated in the present specification may be incorporated in the invention, whether alone or in any appropriate combination with any other feature disclosed or illustrated herein.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A method of operating a communication system comprising at

least first and second communication devices, the method comprising: establishing a connection between the first communication device and a base station or access point via the second communication device; and generating charging information indicative of a charge made, or a charge to be made, or a charge that would be made, in respect of the fact that the second communication device is used for establishing the connection between the first communication device and the base station or access point.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the charge is in addition to any charge for connecting the first or the second communication device to the base station or access point.
3. A method according to claim I or 2, wherein data rate of said connection via the second communication device is higher than the highest possible data rate of a direct connection between the first communication device and the base station or access point.
4. A method according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connection between the second communication device and the base station or access point, as part of the connection between the first communication device and the base station or access point via the second communication device, uses a mode or network which is not supported by the first communication device.
5. A method according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second communication device is able to establish or maintain a further connection to a base station or access point for its own purposes while the first communication device is connected to said base station or access point via the second communication device.
6. A method according to any of claims I to 4, wherein the second communication device is unable to establish or maintain a further connection to a base station or access point for its own purposes while the first communication device is connected to said base station or access point via the second communication device.
7. A method according to any of claims 1 to 6, further comprising establishing or maintaining one or more further connection(s) between one or more further communication device(s) and one or more base station(s) or access point(s) via the second communication device while the first communication device is connected to said base station or access point via the second communication device.
8. A method according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second communication device is connected to said base station or access point via one or more further communication device(s).
9. A communication system comprising at least first and second communication devices, wherein the system is arranged to permit a connection between the first communication device and a base station or access point to be established via the second communication device; and wherein the system is further arranged to generate charging information indicative of a charge made, or a charge to be made, or a charge that would be made, in respect of the fact that the second communication device is used for establishing the connection between the first communication device and the base station or access point.
]O. A communication device for use in a communication system comprising said communication device and at least one further communication device, the communication device comprising: requesting means for requesting a connection between said communication device and a base station or access point to be established via said at least one further device; and processing means arranged to generate or process charging information indicative of a charge made, or a charge to be made, or a charge that would be made, in respect of the fact that the at least one further communication device is used for establishing the connection between said communication device and the base station or access point.
11. A communication device for use in a communication system comprising said communication device and at least one further communication device, the commumcaton device comprsmg: first communication means for communication with a base station or access point; second communication means for communication with said further communication device; means for enabling a connection between said further communication device and said base station or access point to be established via said communication device; and processing means arranged to generate or process charging information indicative of a charge made, or a charge to be made, or a charge that would be made, in respect of the fact that said communication device is used for establishing the connection between said further communication device and the base station or access point.
12. A base station for use in a communication system comprising at least said base station and first and second communication devices, wherein the base station is arranged to establish a connection with the first communication device via the second communication device; and wherein the base station is further arranged to generate or process charging information indicative of a charge made, or a charge to be made, or a charge that would be made, in respect of the fact that the second communication device is used for establishing the connection between the first communication device and the base station.
13. A method of operating a communication system comprising at least first and second communication devices, the method comprising: establishing a first connection between the first communication device and a first base station or access point; establishing a second connection between the first communication device and a second base station or access point via the second communication device; and permitting the first Communication device to use the first and second connections substantially simultaneously for communication with said base stations or access points.
14. A method according to claim 13, further comprising combining, at the first communication device, the data streams resulting from the first and second connections, so as to form a combined data stream.
15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the combined data stream has a higher data rate than the highest possible data rate of a direct connection between the first communication device and the first base station or access point.
16. A method according to any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the second connection has a higher data rate than the highest possible data rate of a direct connection between the first communication device and the first base station or access point.
17. A method according to any of claims 13 to] 6, wherein the connection between the second communication device and the second base station or access point as part of the second connection uses a mode or network which is not supported by the first communication device.
18. A method according to any of claims 13 to 17, further comprising: establishing one or more further connection(s) between the first communication device and a base station or access point via one or more further communication device(s); and permitting the first communication device to use the first, second and further connections substantially simultaneously for communication with said base stations or access points.
19. A method according to any of claims 13 to 17, further comprising: establishing one or more further connection(s) between one or more further communication device(s) and a base station or access point via the second communication device; and permitting the first, second and further connections to be used substantially simultaneously for communication with said base stations or access points.
20. A method according to any of claims 13 to 19, wherein the first base station or access point is the same as the second base station or access point.
21. A communication system comprising at least first and second communication devices, wherein the system is arranged to permit a first connection to be established between the first communication device and a base station or access point; wherein the system is arranged to permit a second connection between the first communication device and a second base station or access point to be established via the second communication device; and wherein the system is further arranged to permit the first communication device to use the first and second connections substantially simultaneously for communication with said base stations or access points.
22. A communication device for use in a communication system comprising said communication device and at least one further communication device, the communication device comprising: means for establishing a first connection between said communication device and a first base station or access point; requesting means for requesting a second connection between said communication device and a second base station or access point to be established via said at least one further device; and wherein said communication device is arranged to use the first and second connections substantially simultaneously for communication with said base stations or access points.
23. A method of operating a communication system comprising a first communication device and one or more further communication device(s), the method compnsmg: gathering information about possible ways of establishing a connection between the first communication device and at least one base station or access point, said information comprising: a) charging information indicative of the costs involved in establishing a said connection via a given one or given ones of said one or more further communication device(s); and/or b) information regarding the modem performance of a given one or given ones of said one or more further communication device(s); and based on said gathered information, choosing one or more of said possible ways to establish a connection between the first communication device and said base station or access point.
24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the information further comprises information regarding radio coverage, network load, battery power of the first communication device and/or battery power of a given one or given ones of the one or more further communication device(s).
25. A method according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the charging information comprises information regarding any charges to me made in respect of a connection between a given one or given ones of said one or more further communication device and the at least one base station or access point.
26. A method according to any of claims 23 to 25, wherein the charging information comprises information regarding any charges to me made in respect of the fact that a given one or given ones of said one or more further communication device(s) is used for establishing a connection between the first communication device and the at least one base station or access point.
27. A method according to any of claims 23 to 26, wherein the information regarding the modem performance of a given one or given ones of said one or more further communication device(s) comprises information regarding the data rate at which the first communication device can connect to the at least one base station or access point via a given one or given ones of said one or more further communication device(s).
28. A communication system comprising: at least first and second communication devices; means for gathering information about possible ways of establishing a connection between the first communication device and at least one base station or access point, said information comprising: a) charging information indicative of the costs involved in establishing a said connection via a given one or given ones of said one or more further communication device(s); and/or b) information regarding the modem performance of a given one or given ones of said one or more further communication device(s); and means for choosing, based on said gathered information, one or more of said possible ways to establish a connection between the first communication device and said base station(s) or access point(s).
29. A communication device for use in a communication system comprising said communication device and at least one further communication device, said communication device comprising: means for gathering information about possible ways of establishing a connection between the first communication device and at least one base station or access point, said information comprising: a) charging information indicative of the costs involved in establishing a said connection via a given one or given ones of said one or more further communication device(s); and/or b) information regarding the modem performance of a given one or given ones of said one or more further communication device(s); and means for choosing, based on said gathered information, one or more of said possible ways to establish a connection between the communication device and said base station(s) or access point(s).
30. A communication device according to claim 29, wherein the choosing means comprises means for requesting a user to make a decision as to which of said possible ways should be used to establish a said connection.
31. A communication device according to claim 29, wherein the choosing means comprises means for comparing said gathered information with one or more given criteria.
32. A communication device according to claim 31, wherein a said criterion defines a maximum for the costs of a said connection.
33. A communication device according to claim 31 or 32, wherein a said criterion defines a minimum data rate of a said connection.
34. A communication device according to any of claims 31 to 33, wherein a said criterion defines a preferred network.
35. A communication device according to any of claims 29 and 31 to 34, wherein the criteria are such that the choosing means is arranged to choose that one of said possible connections which has the fastest data rate.
36. A communication device according to any of claims 29 and 31 to 35, wherein the criteria are such that the choosing means is arranged to choose that one of said possible connections which results in the lowest costs.
37. A communication device according to any of claims 29 and 31 to 36, wherein the criteria are user-defined.
38. A communication device for use in a communication system comprising said communication device and at least one further communication device, said communcahon device comprsmg: first communication means for communication with a base station or access point; second communication means for communication with said further communication device; means for enabling a connection between said further communication device and said base station or access point to be established via said communication device; and means for providing information to said further communication device, said information comprising information regarding the modem performance of said communication device, so as to enable a decision to be made as to whether or not to establish a connection between said further communication device and said base station or access point via said communication device.
39. A communication device according to claim 38, further comprising means for requesting a user to make a decision as to whether or not to allow a said connection to be made.
40. A communication device according to claim 38, arranged to enable a said connection to be made only if one or more given criteria are fulfilled.
41. A communication device according to claim 40, wherein the criteria are user- defined.
42. A method of operating a communication system comprising a first communication device, one or more further communication devices and a plurality of base stations, wherein the zones of effective coverage of at least some base stations overlap, the method comprising: gathering information about possible ways of establishing a connection between the first communication device and a base station, said information comprising information regarding establishing a connection via one or more of said one or more further communication devices; and based on said gathered information, choosing one or more of said possible ways to establish a connection between the first communication device and said base station.
43. A method according to claim 42, wherein the information comprises: charging information indicative of the costs involved in establishing a said connection via a given one or given ones of said one or more further communication device(s); and/or information regarding the modem performance of a given one or given ones of said one or more further communication device(s); and/or information regarding radio coverage; and/or information regarding network load; and/or information regarding battery power of the first communication device; and/or battery power of a given one or given ones of the one or more further communication device(s).
44. A method according to claim 43, wherein the information regarding the modem performance of a given one or given ones of said one or more further communication device(s) comprises information regarding the data rate at which the first communication device can connect to the at least one base station or access point via a given one or given ones of said one or more further communication device(s).
45. A method according to any of claims 42 to 44, wherein the first communication device and the further communication device(s) is/are located in a zone of effective coverage of a base station or access point.
46. A method according to any of claims 42 to 45, wherein the first communication device is located where it is able to establish a direct connection with said base station or access point.
47. A communication system comprising a first communication device, one or more further communication devices and a plurality of base stations, wherein the zones of effective coverage of at least some base stations overlap, the system comprising: means for gathering information about possible ways of establishing a connection between the first communication device and a base station, said information comprising information regarding establishing a connection via one or more of said one or more further communication devices; and means for choosing, based on said gathered information, one or more of said possible ways to establish a connection between the first communication device and said base station.
48. A communication device for use in a communication system comprising said communication device, one or more further communication devices and a plurality of base stations, wherein the zones of effective coverage of at least some base stations overlap, the communication device comprising: means for gathering information about possible ways of establishing a connection between said communication device and a base station, said information comprising information regarding establishing a connection via one or more of said one or more further communication devices; and means for choosing, based on said gathered information, one or more of said possible ways to establish a connection between the communication device and said base station.
49. A method according to any of claims 1 to 8, 13 to 2O, 23 to 27 and 42 to 46, wherein the communication device and/or the second or further communication device(s) is/are wireless devices.
50. A method according to any of claims] to 8, 13 to 20, 23 to 27, 42 to 46 and 49, wherein the communication device and/or the second or further communication device(s) is/are selected from the group consisting of mobile terminals, Laptops and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs).
51. A method according to any of claims 1 to 8, 13 to 20, 23 to 27, 42 to 46, 49 and 50, wherein the communication device and the second or further communication device(s) are arranged to communicate with each other via an independent wireless link.
52. A method according to claim 51, wherein the independent wireless link comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN), Short Range Devices (SRDs), Infrared connections and industry standards such as Bluetooth.
53. A method according to any of claims I to 8, 13 to 20, 23 to 27, 42 to 46 and 49 to 52, wherein the communication device and/or the second or further communication device(s) are arranged to communicate with a said base station or access point using GSM and/or WCDMA.
54. A method, communication system, communication device or base station, substantially as herein described with reference to, or as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.