WO2006136992A2

WO2006136992A2 - Method and apparatus for group call communication with virtual ad hoc network

Info

Publication number: WO2006136992A2
Application number: PCT/IB2006/051949
Authority: WO
Inventors: Li Sun; Dan Shang
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2005-06-23
Filing date: 2006-06-19
Publication date: 2006-12-28
Also published as: WO2006136992A3

Abstract

The present invention proposes a method and apparatus for communication in virtual ad hoc network. First, under the assistance of a network system of a cellular mobile communication network, a plurality of P2P enabled UEs perform multicast connectivity testing. Then, a group of UEs that can communicate directly with each other are determined from the plurality of UEs according to the multicast connectivity testing result and the network system allocates the same radio resources to the group of UEs for performing virtual ad hoc network communication. Next, the sending orders for each UE in the group of UEs are determined based on the principle that only one UE can use the radio resources to send data at a time. Finally, the group of UEs transfers traffic data via the P2P direct links between them by utilizing the same radio resources allocated, based on the determined sending orders. By integrating the advantages of the cellular mobile communication network and the ad hoc network communication while overcoming their drawbacks, the method and apparatus can be used to implement applications similar to real-time communication between multiple persons.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMMUNICATION WITH VIRTUAL AD HOC NETWORK

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to wireless communication networks, and more particularly, to method and apparatus for communication with virtual ad hoc network in wireless communication networks supporting P2P communication mode.

BACKGROUND ART OF THE INVENTION Cellular mobile communication is one of the hottest spots in communication field.

With research to cellular mobile communication going deeper, cellular mobile communication techniques have been very mature so far.

Cellular mobile communication networks have been set up in many nations and regions to provide mobile communication services for users. The coverage area of cellular mobile communication networks thus has been broad enough for users to realize global roaming and communication. Furthermore, in combination with Internet nowadays, cellular mobile communication networks can also provide various data services for users.

In a cellular mobile communication network, communication between UEs (User Equipments) has to be carried out through the relay of base stations. Thus, two UEs can communicate with each other even if they are far away from each other. However, such a communication mode has poor flexibility since infrastructures need to be constructed beforehand to communicate. In addition, each UE will occupy different radio resources (such as frequencies, timeslots, channel codes and etc.) and relay signals through base stations during communication process, resulting in low resource utilization and efficiency. With regard to the drawbacks in the communication mode adopted by cellular mobile communication networks, ad hoc network communication has been proposed employing a novel communication mode. In ad hoc network communication, UEs can communicate in a point-to-point and multi-hop way, control and signal relay by base stations being unnecessary. The advantages of ad hoc network communication are obvious. First of all, the flexibility is desirable. Ad hoc network communication can be performed without deploying infrastructures beforehand since UEs themselves can establish ad hoc network communication between each other, which fits nicely in the areas out of the coverage of cellular mobile communication networks or the areas where communication infrastructures are destroyed due to flood, earthquake and the like. Furthermore, radio resources can be saved effectively because all UEs communicate using the same radio resources in ad hoc network communication.

Ad hoc network communication, however, also has its own drawbacks. First, it's complicated to implement ad hoc network communication; secondly, each UE has difficulty in management of dynamic routes since the joining and departure of UEs are dynamic and random in ad hoc network communication; thirdly, resource utilization conflicts may arise since all UEs communicate with the same radio resource in ad hoc network communication.

Mobile communications allows people to communicate anytime and anywhere, so more and more people exchange information via mobile communication. Normally, mobile communication provides voice services for people to communicate with each other. However, people are no longer satisfied with this now, and they also want to perform realtime online information exchange between multiple persons by using mobile communication, for example various games, and specifically various simple playing card games, such as bridge games, mah-jongg games, poker games and the like.

Based on existing mobile communication techniques, real-time communication between multiple persons can be realized by adopting cellular mobile communication network or ad hoc network communication. However, as described above, cellular mobile communication networks have poor flexibility and low resource utilization and efficiency, while ad hoc network communication is difficult to implement, has difficulty in management of dynamic routes and is subject to resource utilization conflicts, thus it's not a good choice to perform the above applications by using existing cellular mobile communication network or ad hoc network communication.

It is, therefore, necessary to provide a communication method which integrating the advantages of cellular mobile communication network and ad hoc network communication while overcoming their drawbacks, to implement applications similar to real-time communication between multiple persons.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for communication with virtual ad hoc network, which selects a group of UEs that can communicate with each other directly among a plurality of P2P enabled UEs, under the help of the network system (base station or RNC) of the mobile communication network through multicast connectivity test, and allocates the corresponding radio resources. Then, the group of UEs performs multicast communication via the P2P direct links between them, utilizing the allocated radio resource according to the predefined communication rule.

In conventional ad hoc network communication, a UE can only establish communication by itself and its management of dynamic routes is complicated. Comparatively, in the virtual ad hoc network communication of the present invention, communication can be established more easily between UEs, without performing complex management of dynamic routes and there will be no occurrence of resource utilization conflicts.

To fulfill the object of the present invention, a method for communication with virtual ad hoc network to be executed by a UE according to the present invention, comprising the steps of:

(a) sending to a network system a request message for establishing virtual ad hoc network communication between a group of UEs including the UE; (b) receiving from the network system radio resources allocated for the group of UEs to perform virtual ad hoc network communication;

(c) obtaining sending order information for each UE in the group of UEs; and

(d) sending data to other UEs in the group of UEs via P2P direct links between the UE and the other UEs by using the allocated radio resources when the UE reaches its sending order indicated by the sending order information.

To fulfill the object of the present invention, a method for communication with virtual ad hoc network to be executed by a UE according to the present invention, comprising the steps of: (A) receiving from a network system radio resources allocated to a group of UEs including the UE to perform virtual ad hoc network communication;

(B) receiving from an organizer UE sending order information for each UE in the group of UEs; and (C) sending data to other UEs in the group of UEs via P2P direct links between the UE and the other UEs by using the allocated radio resources when the UE reaches its sending order indicated by the sending order information.

To fulfill the object of the present invention, a method for communication with virtual ad hoc network to be executed by a network system according to the present invention, comprising the steps of:

(1) receiving a request message sent from a UE, for establishing virtual ad hoc network communication between a group of UEs including the UE; (2) allocating same radio resources to the group of UEs to perform virtual ad hoc network communication; and

(3) sending the same radio resources allocated to each UE in the group of UEs respectively so that the UEs communicate via P2P direct links between them by using the same radio resources allocated.

To fulfill the object of the present invention, a UE according to the present invention, comprising: a sending means, for sending to a network system a request message for establishing virtual ad hoc network communication between a group of UEs including the UE; a receiving means, for receiving radio resources allocated to the group of UEs for performing virtual ad hoc network communication from the network system and obtaining sending order information of each UE in the group of UEs; and a communicating means, for sending data to other UEs in the group of UEs via P2P direct links between the UE and the other UEs by using the allocated radio resources when the UE reaches its sending order indicated by the sending order information.

To fulfill the object of the present invention, a UE according to the present invention, comprising: a receiving means, for receiving from a network system radio resources allocated for a group of UEs including the UE to perform virtual ad hoc network communication and obtaining sending order information for each UE in the group of UEs from an organizer UE; and a communicating means, for sending data to other UEs in the group of UEs via P2P direct links between the UE and the other UEs by using the allocated radio resources when the UE reaches its sending order indicated by the sending order information.

To fulfill the object of the present invention, a network system according to the present invention, comprising: a receiving means, for receiving a request message sent from a UE, for establishing virtual ad hoc network communication between a group of UEs including the UE; an allocating means, for allocating same radio resources to the group of UEs to perform virtual ad hoc network communication; and a sending means, for sending the same radio resources allocated to each UE in the group of UEs respectively so that the UEs transmit/receive data via P2P direct links between them by using the same radio resources allocated.

Other objects and attainments together with a fuller understanding of the invention will become apparent and appreciated by referring to the following descriptions and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig.l is a schematic flowchart showing the virtual ad hoc network communication method of the present invention;

Fig.2 is a diagram showing the ad hoc network communication system of the present invention;

Figs.3 A and 3B are detailed flowcharts showing the virtual ad hoc network communication method of the present invention; Fig.4 shows the interface of the application participants according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig.5 shows the interface of the application onlookers according the embodiment illustrated in Fig.4;

Fig.6 is the flowchart showing the virtual ad hoc network communication method of the embodiment described in Fig.4;

Fig.7 is the block diagram showing the UE and network system of the present invention. Throughout all the above drawings, like reference numerals will be understood to refer to like, similar or corresponding features or functions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Fig.l is a schematic flowchart showing the virtual ad hoc network communication method of the present invention. According to the virtual ad hoc network communication method as shown in Fig.l, first, a plurality of P2P enabled UEs perform multicast connectivity test by referring to P2P communication mode, under the help of the network system of the cellular mobile communication network (step SlO). Then, a group of UEs that can communicate with each other directly are determined among the plurality of UEs according to the multicast connectivity test result and the network system allocates the same radio resources for the group of UEs to perform ad hoc network communication (step S20). Next, based on the principle that only one UE can use the radio resources to send data at a time, the sending orders of the group of UEs are determined (step S30). Finally, the group of UEs transfers traffic data via the P2P direct links between them by using the same radio resources allocated, according to the determined sending orders (step S40).

As to P2P communication mode and the specific process for transferring traffic data via P2P direct link, detailed descriptions are given in the china patent applications Serial No. 03119892.9 and 03119894.5 filed by KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N. V. on March 7, 2003, which are incorporated herein by reference.

Fig.2 is a diagram showing the ad hoc network communication system of the present invention. As shown in Fig.l, by referring to P2P communication mode, UEl, UE2, UE3 and UE4 maintain signaling links with the network system respectively such that the network system can still hold control over each UE. In addition, direct links for P2P communication are established between UEl as the transmitting UE and UE2, UE3 and UE4 as the receiving UE.

In the virtual ad hoc network communication as shown in Fig.2, UE1-UE4 are set to different sending orders beforehand based on the principle that only one UE can use the radio resources to send data at a time. When UEl reaches its sending order, UEl sends traffic data via the direct links, by using the same radio resources, i.e. carrier frequencies, timeslots and channel codes, allocated by the network system. At the receiving side, UE2, UE3 and UE4 receive traffic data from UEl via their respective direct links with UEl, by using the same radio resources allocated.

Detailed descriptions will be given below to the virtual ad hoc network communication method of the present invention, taken in conjunction with Figs. 3A and

3B.

When UEl camping in a cell attempts to perform applications such as playing card games together with other UEs such as UE2-UE8 through the virtual ad hoc network communication, UEl as the application initiator sends to the network system a request message for establishing virtual ad hoc network communication between UE1-UE8 (step SlOO). Wherein the request message may be sent by UEl through starting a random access procedure and the request message includes the call number list of UE2-UE8 and the requirements for the invitees to join the application. On receipt of the request message for establishing virtual ad hoc network communication, the network system allocates a group ID to the group of UEs UE1-UE8 and sets the testing communication parameters for the group of UEs to perform cross multicast testing (step SIlO). The testing communication parameters include the radio resources for multicast testing, maximum transmission power, multicast testing start time and duration and etc. Wherein, the radio resources for multicast testing include carrier frequencies, timeslots, channel codes and etc.. Here, the carrier frequencies for multicast testing can be different from the carrier frequencies allocated by the plan to the cell where UEl is camping. As to the specific process of selecting the carrier frequencies different from those allocated the cell where UEl is camping in, detailed descriptions are given in the china patent application Serial No. 200410056538.0 filed by KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS

ELECTRONICS N. V. on August 10, 2004, which are incorporated herein by reference.

The network system sets a capability state table for the group of UEs UE1-UE8 so as to record the status indicating whether each UE in UE1-UE8 receives probe signals multicast by other UEs when UE1-UE8 perform cross multicast testing through the P2P direct links between them (step S 120).

Then, the network system starts a cross multicast testing procedure, to monitor the status indicating whether the group of UEs transmit/receive signals to/from each other via the P2P direct links between them. The specific description of cross multicast testing procedure is as follows.

First, the network system chooses as the sender of multicast testing a UE that has never acted as the sender of multicast testing, with other UEs as the receiver of multicast testing (step S130). For ease of illustration, the following description takes UE2 as the sender of multicast testing and UEl and UE3-UE8 as the receiver of multicast testing.

The network system sends a multicast testing message to UE2 as the sender of multicast testing and UEl and UE3-UE8 as the receiver of multicast testing respectively (step S 140). Wherein, the multicast testing message includes at least the group ID, the call number of the application initiator UEl, the call number of the multicast testing sender UE2, the call number list of multicast testing receivers UEl and UE3-UE8, the requirement for invitees and the testing communication parameters. Then, the network system starts a timer TIMER 1, to monitor the time for multicast testing (step S 150).

After the multicast testing sender UE2 receives the multicast testing message from the network system, it starts a timer TIMER 2 to monitor the multicast testing start time, according to the multicast testing start time included in the testing communication parameters in the multicast testing message (step S 160).

When detecting the expiration of TIMER 2, UE2 starts a timer TIMER 3 to monitor the multicast testing end time according to the multicast testing duration included in the testing communication parameter, and meanwhile sends probe messages constantly via P2P direct links between UEl, UE3-UE8 and it, by utilizing the radio resources and maximum transmission power for multicast testing included in the testing communication parameter (step S 170). When detecting the expiration of TIMER 3, the multicast testing sender UE2 stops sending the probe message and stays on the current channel to wait for messages from the network system (step S 180). Simultaneously with the operation of multicast testing sender UE2, the multicast testing receivers UEl and UE3-UE8 check whether the current multicast testing sender is the application initiator UEl based on the multicast testing messages received from the network system (step S190). If it's found from checking that the current multicast testing sender is the application initiator UEl, UE2-UE8 respectively check whether the requirement for invitee included in the multicast testing message is matched (step S200). If it's found from checking that the requirement for invitee is not matched, the corresponding multicast testing receiver UE returns to idle status (step S210). If it's found from checking that the requirement for invitee is matched, the corresponding multicast testing receiver UEs start a timer TIMER 4 respectively to monitor the multicast testing duration time and start detecting the probe message sent from the multicast testing sender via the P2P direct link (step S220). If it's found from checking that the current multicast testing sender is not the application initiator UEl, which indicates that UEl has performed multicast testing once, the multicast testing receiver proceeds to step S220 directly, without checking whether the requirement for invitee is matched. Since the multicast testing sender UE2 is not the application initiator UEl in the current multicast testing, UEl and UE3-UE8 start a timer TIMER 4 respectively and start to monitor the probe message sent from UE2 via the P2P direct links. Then, UEl and UE3-UE8 each judge whether any probe message is detected (step S230). If UEl and UE3-UE7 judges that each of them has detected a probe message, for example, UEl and UE3-UE7 stop their respective timer TIMER 4 and send a detection report to the network system respectively (step S240), then stays on the current channel to wait for messages from the network system (step S250). If UE8 finds that it has not detected any probe message, for example, UE8 further judges whether its timer TIMER 4 has expired (step S260). If UE8 judges that its timer TIMER 4 has not expired, UE8 returns to step S230. If UE8 judges that its timer TIMER 4 has expired, it further judges whether the current multicast testing sender is the application initiator UEl (step S270). If it's found from judgment that the current multicast testing sender is the application initiator UEl, which indicates that UE8 can't perform P2P communication with the application initiator UEl, that is, UE8 can't participate in the corresponding application initiated by

UEl, thus UE8 returns to idle status (step S280). Otherwise, it's assumed that the current multicast testing sender is UE2. Although P2P communication can't be performed between UE8 and UE2, UE8 still has an opportunity to be a participant or onlooker of the corresponding application initiated by UEl, thus UE8 stays on the current channel to wait for messages from the network system (step S250). It's assumed here that UE8 still fails to monitor any probe message after the timer TIMER 4 expires.

The network system receives detection reports from the multicast testing receivers (step S290), and judges constantly whether the timer TIMER 1 has expired meanwhile (step S300). If it's found from judgment that the timer TIMER 1 has not expired, the network system returns to step S290 to continue reception of the detection reports. If it's found from judgment that the timer TIMER 1 has expired, the network system stops reception of the detection reports (step S320).

Based on the detection reports from the multicast testing receivers, the network system records in the capability state table the status indicating whether the multicast testing receivers receive testing signals. Specifically, for multicast testing receivers UEl and UE3-UE7 that send the detection reports, the network system records in the capability state table that the multicast testing receivers UEl and UE3-UE7 can receive probe message transmitted from the multicast testing sender UE2 (step S330). For the multicast testing receiver UE8 that doesn't send any detection report, the network system first judges whether the current multicast testing sender is the application initiator UEl (step S340). If no, the network system records in the capability state table that the multicast testing receiver UE8 can't receive any probe message sent from the multicast testing sender UE2 (step S350). If yes, the network system deletes the multicast testing receiver UE8 from the group of UEs (step S360). At this time, the current multicast testing sender UE2 is not the application initiator UEl, so the network system records in the capability state table that the multicast testing receiver UE8 can't receive any probe message sent from the multicast testing sender UE2. Then, the network system judges whether all UEs in the group of UEs have acted as the multicast testing sender once (step S370). If no, the network system choose as the multicast testing sender for the next round of multicast testing one UE from the group of UEs that has not acted as the multicast testing sender (step S380), and then returns to step S 140 to perform similar operations. If yes, the network system stops cross multicast testing procedure (step S390).

According to the capability state table, the network system initially chooses the candidate list of the application participants and application onlookers from the group of UEs (step S400). Wherein the application participants should be able to transmit and receive signals with each other via P2P direct links between them, and the application onlookers should be able to receive signals sent from all application participants via the

P2P direct links. Then, the network system sends a member selection message to the application initiator UEl, wherein the member selection message includes the candidate list of the application participants and application onlookers (step S410).

On receipt of the member selection message sent from the network system, the application initiator UEl determines ultimately the application participants and application onlookers according to the member selection message, and chooses a UE as the application organizer from the application participants (step S420). Here, for ease of illustration, UEl- UE4 are determined as the application participants, UE5-UE6 as the application onlookers and UE4 as the application organizer ultimately. Then, the application initiator UEl sends a member selection confirmation message to the network system, wherein the member selection confirmation message includes the call numbers of the application participants UE1-UE4, the application onlookers UE5-UE6 and the application organizer UE4 determined ultimately (step S430).

After receiving the member selection confirmation message sent from the application initiator UEl, the network system chooses UE1-UE4 as the application participants, UE5- UE6 as the application onlookers and UE4 as the application organizer from the group of UEs (step S440), and allocates the same radio resources for UE1-UE6 to perform virtual ad hoc network communication (step S450). Then, the network system sends a virtual ad hoc network communication establishment success message to each UE of the group of UEs UE1-UE8 respectively (step S460), wherein the message includes the same radio resources allocated and the list of the call numbers of UE1-UE6 and the role each UE plays (application participant, application onlooker or application organizer). On receipt of the virtual ad hoc network communication establishment success message sent from the network system, each of UE1-UE8 judges whether it is the application participant, application onlooker or application organizer according to the message (step S470). If no, for example, UE7-UE8 return to idle status (step S480). If yes, for example, UE1-UE6 download and start the application to be executed (step S490). For the application organizer UE4, it also determines the sending orders of the application participants UE1-UE4 according to the virtual ad hoc network communication establishment success message received and based on the principle that only one UE can use the radio resources to send data at a time (step S500). Then, the application organizer UE4 sends the determined sending order information to the application participants UEl- UE4 and the application onlookers UE5-UE6 (step S510), wherein the application organizer UE4 can forward the determined sending order information to UE1-UE6 via the network system, or send it to UE1-UE6 via the P2P direct links between it and UE1-UE6.

After the application participants UE1-UE3 receives the sending order information sent from the application organizer UE4, the application participants UE1-UE4 perform corresponding operations based on the sending order information during the process of executing the downloaded application. Taking the application participant UE2 as an example, the application participant UE2 judges whether its sending order has been reached currently based on the received sending order information (step S520). If yes, the application participant UE2 sends the data produced by its application to UE1-UE6 with the same radio resources allocated via the P2P direct links between it and UE1-UE6 (step S530). If no, the application participant UE2 receives data sent from UEl and UE3-UE4 via the P2P direct links between them with the same radio resources allocated (step S540). On receipt of the sending order information sent from the application organizer UE4, the application onlookers UE5-UE6 respectively receive data sent from the application participants UE1-UE4 via the P2P direct links between it and UE1-UE4 with the same radio resources allocated, during the process of executing the downloaded application (step S550). When the application is completed, the application organizer UE4 sends a virtual ad hoc network communication completion message to the network system (step S560).

On receipt of the virtual ad hoc network communication completion message sent from the application organizer UE4, the network system reclaims the same radio resources allocated to UE1-UE6 for virtual ad hoc network communication (step S570).

Detailed descriptions are given above to the virtual ad hoc network communication of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the flowcharts shown in Figs.3A and 3B.

Detailed description will be given below to an virtual ad hoc network communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention in conjunction with accompanying drawings, taking the popular "eighty scores" playing card game program as an example.

Fig.4 illustrates the interface of the application participant UEl in the "eighty scores" playing card game program. As shown in the figure, the left side of the interface shows the application participants UE1-UE4 and their accumulated scores, the double-arrow directing to the application participant whose sending order has been reached currently; the right side of the interface shows the application onlookers UE5-UE6; the word prompt above the center of the interface indicates the application participant whose sending order has been reached; the center of the interface shows the cards dealt by application participants UEl- UE4; below the center of the interface are illustrated the cards not dealt yet and still held in the hand of the application participant UEl.

Fig.5 illustrates the interface of the application onlooker UE5 in the "eighty scores" playing card program. As shown in the figure, the left side of the interface shows the application participants UE1-UE4 and their accumulated scores, the double-arrow directing to the application participant whose sending order has been reached; the right side of the interface shows another application participant UE6; the word prompt above the center of the interface indicates the application participant whose sending order has been reached, in the center of the interface are shown the poker cards dealt by the application participants

UE1-UE4, and below the center of the interface UE5 is shown as an application onlooker in the card program.

Detailed description will be given below to the process of performing "eight scores" playing card program by using virtual ad hoc network communication, taken in conjunction with Fig.6.

It's assumed here that UE1-UE4 are the application participants, UE5-UE6 are the application onlookers and UE4 is the application organizer.

The network system allocates the same radio resources for UE1-UE6 to perform virtual ad hoc network communication (step S700).

The application participants UE1-UE4 and the application onlookers UE5-UE6 download and start "eighty scores" playing card program, and display the program interface respectively (step S710).

Based on the principle that only one UE can use the radio resources to send data at a time, the application organizer UE4 initially determines the sending orders for the application participants UE1-UE4 and sends the sending order information to the application participants UE1-UE4 and the application onlookers UE5-UE6 respectively

(step S720).

The application organizer UE4 shuffles and distributes the cards to the application participants UE1-UE4 to start a game, and then sends the information about the cards distributed to the application participants UE1-UE4 to the application participants UEl- UE4 respectively (step S730), wherein the application organizer UE4 sends the card information for UE1-UE3 to UE1-UE3 respectively via the P2P direct links between it and the application participants UE1-UE3 using the radio resources allocated. On receipt of the card information sent from the application organizer UE4, the application participants UE1-UE3 sends a receipt confirmation message to the application organizer UE4, to notify the application organizer UE4 of the receipt of the distributed cards (step S740). Then, the application participants UE1-UE4 update their respective program interface (step S750).

Subsequently, the application participants UE1-UE4 runs "eighty scores" card program to start the current game. During every round of card dealing in the game, the application participants UE1-UE4 operate according to the sending order information sent from the application organizer UE4.

Let's take the application participant UEl as an example. The application participant UEl judges whether its sending order has been reached according to the sending order information (step S760). If yes, the application participant UEl indicates on its program interface that its sending order has been reached, to prompt its user to choose the card to be dealt, and send information about the card to be dealt via the P2P direct links between it and the application participants UE2-UE4 and the application onlookers UE5-UE6 by using the radio resources allocated after its user selects the card to be dealt (step S770). If no, the application participant UEl waits the application participants UE2, UE3 or UE4 whose sending order has been reached to deal its poker card (step S780). The application participant UEl constantly detects whether it has received the information about the poker cards that have been dealt from the application participants UE2, UE3 or UE4 (step S790). If yes, the application participant UEl updates its program interface according to the received information about the card dealt (step S800).

After the application participants UE1-UE4 have dealt cards or have received the cards dealt by other application participants, the application participants UE1-UE4 and the application organizer UE4 judge whether this round of card dealing is completed, i.e. whether the application participants UE1-UE4 all have dealt cards in this round of card dealing (step S810). If no, the application participants UE1-UE4 return to step S760 and continue to operate; if yes, the application organizer UE4 calculates the scores won by each of the application participants UE1-UE4 in this round of card dealing and determines the winner in this round of card dealing according to the calculated scores and updates the sending orders of the application participants UE1-UE4 according to the principle that the winner gets the first sending order in the next round of card dealing and only one UE can use the radio resources to send data at a time (step S820). Then, the application organizer UE4 judges whether the current game is over (step S830). If no, the application organizer

UE4 sends the scores won by each of the application participants UE1-UE4 in this round of card dealing and the updated sending order information of the application participants UE1-UE4 via the P2P direct links between it and the application participants UE1-UE3 and the application onlookers UE5-UE6 to them by using the radio resources allocated (step S840), and then returns to step S760 to continue the next round of card dealing. If yes, the application organizer UE4 calculates the total scores won by each of the application participants UE1-UE4 in the current game and determines the winner of the current game according to the calculated total scores and updates the sending orders of the application participants UE1-UE4 according to the principle that the winner gets the first sending order in the first round of next game and only one UE can use the radio resources to send data at a time (step S850). Then, the application organizer UE4 sends the total scores won by each of the application participants UE1-UE4 in the current game and the updated sending order information of the application participants UE1-UE4 via the P2P direct links between it and the application participants UE1-UE3 and the application onlookers UE5-UE6 to them by using the radio resources allocated (step S860), and then returns to step S730 to continue the next game.

The above virtual ad hoc network communication method of the present invention can be implemented in software or in hardware or in combination of both. Additionally, the virtual ad hoc network communication method of the present invention can be applied in playing card games, and equally applied to other application cases in various multi-party real-time communication like other multi-person games, teleconferences, online voting and etc.

Fig.7 is the block diagram showing UEs and a network system of the present invention, wherein only components in the application initiator UE 100, the network system 200 and the invitee UEs 300 related to the present invention are shown.

As shown in Fig.7, in the application initiator UE 100, a sending means 10 sends to the network system 200 a request message for establishing a virtual ad hoc network communication between a group of UEs formed by the application initiator UE 100 and the invitee UEs 300. A receiving means 20 receives the multicast testing message from the network system 200. If the multicast testing message shows the application initiator UE 100 is the multicast testing sender, the sending means 10 sends a probe message to other UEs in the group of UEs via the P2P direct links. If the multicast testing message shows the application initiator UE 100 is the multicast testing receiver, the receiving means 20 receives the probe message sent from other UEs in the group of UEs. A judging means 30 judges whether the power of the received probe message is above a predefined threshold value. If the power of the probe message is above the predefined threshold value, the sending means 10 sends a probe report to the network system 200. After multicast testing is completed, the receiving means 20 receives the radio resources allocated for the group of UEs to perform virtual ad hoc network communication from the network system 200 and obtains the sending order information for each UE in the group of UEs. When the application initiator UE 100 reaches its sending order indicated by the sending order information, a communicating means 50 sends data to the invitee UEs 300 via the P2P direct link between the application initiator UE 100 and the invitee UEs 300 by using the radio resources allocated. Furthermore, when the application initiator UE 100 is the application organizer UE, a determining means 40 determines the sending orders for each

UE in the group of UEs and the sending means 10 sends the determined sending order information to each UE in the group of UEs.

In the network system 200, a receiving means 210 receives the request message for establishing a virtual ad hoc network communication between a group of UEs formed by the application initiator UE 100 and the invitee UEs 300 from the application initiator UE

100. A setting means 220 sets a capability state table for the group of UEs. A testing means 230 enables each of the group of UEs to perform cross multicast testing via the P2P direct links between them. A recording means 240 records in the capability state table the status indicating whether each of the group of UEs receives any probe message, based on the probe reports received during the cross multicast testing. According to the capability state table, a determining means 250 determines the UEs that are able to perform virtual ad hoc network communication from the group of UEs. An allocating means 260 allocates the same radio resources for performing virtual ad hoc network communication to the group of UEs. A sending means 270 sends the same radio resource allocated to each of the group of UEs, so that each UE can send and receive data via the P2P direct links between them by using the same radio resources allocated.

In each invitee UE 300, a receiving means 20 receives the multicast testing message from the network system 200. If the multicast testing message indicates that the invitee UE 300 is the multicast testing sender, a sending means 10 sends a probe message to other UEs in the group of UEs including the invitee UE 300 via the P2P direct links. If the multicast testing message indicates that the invitee UE 300 is the multicast testing receiver, a receiving means 20 receives the probe message sent from other UEs in the group of UEs and a judging means 30 judges whether the power of the received probe message is above a predefined threshold value. If the power of the probe message is above the predefined threshold value, the sending means 10 sends a probe report to the network system 200. After multicast testing is completed, the receiving means 20 receives the radio resources allocated for the group of UEs to perform virtual ad hoc network communication from the network system 200 and obtains the sending order information for the group of UEs. When the invitee UE 300 reaches its sending order indicated by the sending order information, a communicating means 50 sends data to other UEs in the group of UEs via the P2P direct links by using the radio resources allocated. Furthermore, if the invitee UE 300 is the application organizer UE, a determining means 40 determines the sending order information for the group of UEs and the sending means 10 sends the determined sending order information to each of the group of UEs.

It can be seen from the above detailed description to the preferred embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with accompanying drawings that the network system assists the UEs to perform cross multicast testing process in the virtual ad hoc network communication of the present invention and the network system can still manage the UEs through maintaining signaling connection with the UEs during communication process. Therefore, compared with conventional ad hoc network communication in which the UEs can only establish communication by themselves and the management of dynamic routes is very complex, the UEs can establish communication more easily and complex management of dynamic routes is not necessary in the virtual ad hoc network communication of the present invention.

In addition, since the UEs send data according to the determined sending orders by using the radio resources allocated in the virtual ad hoc network communication of the present invention, there will be no resources utilization conflicts in the virtual ad hoc network communication of the present invention compared with conventional ad hoc network communication where resource utilization conflicts are prone to occur.

Furthermore, the UEs use the same radio resources to receive and send data directly via the P2P direct links between them in the virtual ad hoc network communication of the present invention, without relay through the network system, and accordingly the virtual ad hoc network communication can save more radio resources and have higher efficiency compared with conventional cellular mobile communication networks.

It is to be understood by those skilled in the art that various improvement and modifications can be made to the method and apparatus for communication with virtual ad hoc network as disclosed in the present invention without departing from the basis of the present invention, the scope of which is to be defined by the attached claims herein.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method for communication in virtual ad hoc network to be executed by a UE (User Equipment), comprising the steps of: (a) sending to a network system a request message for establishing virtual ad hoc network communication between a group of UEs including the UE;

(b) receiving from the network system radio resources allocated for said group of UEs to perform virtual ad hoc network communication;

(c) obtaining sending order information for each UE in said group of UEs; and (d) sending data to other UEs in said group of UEs via P2P direct links between the

UE and the other UEs by utilizing the allocated radio resources when the UE reaches its sending order indicated by the sending order information.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said sending order information is formed by a UE as an application organizer in said group of UEs.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the following steps are further included before the step (c) if the UE is said application organizer:

(cl) determining the sending order information for each UE in said group of UEs; and

(c2) sending the determined sending order information to each UE in said group of UEs.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the step (c2) further comprising: sending said sending order information to each UE in said group of UEs via the P2P direct links between it and each UE in said group of UEs, by utilizing said same radio resources allocated.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the step (c2) further comprising: sending said sending order information to each UE in said group of UEs through said network system.

6. The method according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein said sending order information is determined based on the principle that only one UE use the radio resources to send data at a time.

7. The method according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the following steps are further comprised before the step (b):

(bl) receiving a multicast test message from said network system; and (b2) performing multicast testing with said other UEs via the P2P direct links between it and said other UEs, based on the received multicast test message.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step (b2) further comprising: receiving probe messages sent from said other UEs; judging whether the power of the received probe messages is above a predefined threshold value; and sending probe reports to said network system if the power of the probe messages is above the predefined threshold value.

9. A method for communication in virtual ad hoc network to be executed by a UE, comprising the steps of:

(A) receiving from a network system radio resources allocated for a group of UEs including the UE to perform virtual ad hoc network communication;

(B) receiving from an organizer UE sending order information for each UE in said group of UEs; and

(C) sending data to other UEs in said group of UEs via P2P direct links between the UE and the other UEs by utilizing the allocated radio resources when the UE reaches its sending order indicated by the sending order information.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the following steps are included before the step (B) if the UE is determined as an application organizer in said group of UEs: determining the sending order for each UE in said group of UEs; and sending the determined sending order information to each UE in said group of UEs.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the following steps are further included before the step (A): (Al) receiving a multicast test message from said network system; and (A2) performing multicast testing with said other UEs via the P2P direct links between it and said other UEs, according to the received multicast test message.

12. A method for communication with virtual ad hoc network to be executed by a network system, comprising the steps of:

(1) receiving a request message sent from a UE, for establishing virtual ad hoc network communication between a group of UEs including the UE;

(2) allocating same radio resources for said group of UEs to perform virtual ad hoc network communication; and

(3) sending the same radio resources allocated to each UE in said group of UEs respectively so that the UEs communicate with each other via the P2P direct links between them by utilizing the same radio resources allocated.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the following steps are further included before the step (2):

(2a) setting a capability state table for said group of UEs;

(2b) notifying each UE in said group of UEs of performing cross multicast test via the P2P direct links between them; (2c) recording, in the capability state table, status indicating whether each UE can receive probe messages sent from other UEs in said group of UEs; and

(2d) determining UEs capable of performing virtual ad hoc network communication from said group of UEs according to the capability state table.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said step (2b) further comprising: sending a multicast test message to each UE in said group of UEs so that said each UE performs cross multicast test via the P2P direct links between them ; and receiving detection reports sent from said each UE.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the following steps are further included before the step (2):

(2e) receiving the sending order information for each UE in said group of UEs sent from a UE as an application organizer in said group of UEs; and (2f) forwarding the received sending order information to other UEs in said group of UEs.

16. AUE (User Equipment), comprising: a sending means, for sending to a network system a request message for establishing virtual ad hoc network communication between a group of UEs including the UE; a receiving means, for receiving from the network system radio resources allocated to said group of UEs for performing virtual ad hoc network communication and obtaining sending order information for each UE in said group of UEs; and a communicating means, for sending data to other UEs in said group of UEs via P2P direct links between the UE and the other UEs by utilizing the allocated radio resources when the UE reaches its sending order indicated by the sending order information.

17. The UE according to claim 16, wherein said sending order information is formed by a UE as an application organizer in said group of UEs.

18. The UE according to claim 17, wherein if the UE is said application organizer UE, the UE further comprises: a determining means, for determining the sending order information for each UE in said group of UEs; and wherein, said sending means sends the determined sending order information to each UE in said UEs.

19. The UE according to claim 16, 17 or 18, wherein said sending order information is determined based on the principle that only one UE use the radio resources to send data at a time.

20. The UE according to claim 16, 17 or 18, wherein said receiving means receives a multicast test message from said network system; and said sending means performs multicast test with said other UEs via the P2P direct links between it and said other UEs, based on the received multicast test message.

21. The UE according to claim 20, further comprising: a judging means, for judging whether the power of the received probe messages is above a predefined threshold value; and wherein, said receiving means receives probe messages sent from said other UEs, and said sending means sends a probe report to said network system when the power of the probe messages is above the predefined threshold value.

22. AUE (User Equipment), comprising: a receiving means, for receiving from a network system radio resources allocated for a group of UEs including the UE to perform virtual ad hoc network communication and obtaining sending order information for each UE in said group of UEs; and a communicating means, for sending data to other UEs in said group of UEs via P2P direct links between the UE and the other UEs by utilizing the allocated radio resources when the UE reaches its sending order indicated by the sending order information.

23. The UE according to claim 22, further comprising: a sending means, for performing multicast test with said other UEs via the P2P direct links between it and said other UEs, according to the received multicast test message; and wherein, said receiving means receives a multicast test message from said network system.

24. The UE according to claim 23, further comprising: a judging means, for judging whether the power of the received probe messages is above a predefined threshold value; and wherein, said receiving means receives probe messages sent from said other UEs, and said sending means sends a probe report to said network system when the power of the probe messages is above the predefined threshold value.

25. A network system, comprising: a receiving means, for receiving a request message sent from a UE, for establishing virtual ad hoc network communication between a group of UEs including the UE; an allocating means, for allocating same radio resources to said group of UEs to perform virtual ad hoc network communication; and a sending means, for sending the same radio resources allocated to each UE in said group of UEs respectively so that the UEs transmit/receive data via P2P direct links between them by utilizing the same radio resources allocated.

26. The network system according to claim 25, further comprising: a setting means, for setting a capability state table for said group of UEs; a testing means, for enabling each UE of said group of UEs to perform cross multicast test via the P2P direct links between them; a recording means, for recording in the capability state table status indicating whether each UE in said group of UEs is capable of receive probe messages sent from other UEs; and a determining means, for determining the UE capable of performing virtual ad hoc network communication from said group of UEs according to the capability state table.

27. The network system according to claim 26, wherein, said sending means sends a multicast test message respectively to each UE in said group of UEs so that each of the UEs performs cross multicast test via the P2P direct links between them; and said receiving means receives detection reports sent from each of said UEs.

28. The network system according to claim 25, wherein, said receiving means, receives the sending order information for each UE in said group of UEs sent from a UE as an application organizer in said group of UEs; and said sending means, forwards the received sending order information to other UEs in said group of UEs respectively.