WO2013134954A1

WO2013134954A1 - Method and apparatus for mobile terminal assisted discontinuous reception

Info

Publication number: WO2013134954A1
Application number: PCT/CN2012/072442
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wei Hong; Na WEI; Erlin Zeng; Haiming Wang
Original assignee: Renesas Mobile Corporation
Priority date: 2012-03-16
Filing date: 2012-03-16
Publication date: 2013-09-19

Abstract

A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to enable a network entity to schedule time for a mobile terminal in at least a portion of inactive time, thus enabling the use of unscheduled time with high efficiency. The method may further include causing a CF-end frame to be transmitted to one or more stations in an instance in which WiFi traffic is not detected. The method may further include determining whether a PEI is to be transmitted based on at least one of a determined WiFi traffic load or a current WiFi transmission speed. The method may further include causing the PEI to be transmitted to a network entity.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOBILE TERMINAL ASSISTED

DISCONTINUOUS RECEPTION

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0001] Some embodiments of the present invention relate generally to communications technology and, more particularly, to mobile terminal assisted discontinuous reception (DRX) for In-Device Coexistence (IDC) with wireless fidelity (WiFi).

BACKGROUND

[0002] In order to allow users to access various networks and services ubiquitously, an increasing number of mobile terminals are equipped with multiple radio transceivers. See 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) TR 36.816 v 11.0.0, which is hereby incorporated by reference. For example, a mobile terminal may be equipped with a long term evolution (LTE), WiFi and Bluetooth transceivers, as well as a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver. Due to the proximity of multiple radio transceivers within the same mobile terminal, the transmit power of one transmitter may be much higher than the received power level of another receiver. By means of filter technologies and sufficient frequency separation, the transmit signal may not result in significant interference. However in some coexistence scenarios, for example different radio technologies within the same mobile terminal operating on adjacent frequencies, current filter technology might not provide sufficient separation.

[0003] In some examples, a mobile terminal having at least an LTE and WiFi transceiver may be configured to use LTE as a backhaul link to enable other mobile terminals to access the Internet via a WiFi connection with the mobile terminal. In this scenario, the WiFi transceiver is operated as an access point. Other example instances of coexistence include, but are not limited to, LTE and WiFi offload, LTE and a GNSS receiver and/or the like.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0004] In some example embodiments, a method is provided that comprises causing a contention free (CF)-end frame to be transmitted to one or more stations in an instance in which WiFi traffic is not detected. The method of this embodiment may also include determining whether a point coordination function (PCF) end indicator (PEI) is to be transmitted based on at least one of a determined WiFi traffic load or a current WiFi transmission speed. The method of this embodiment may also include causing the PEI to be transmitted to a network entity.

[0005] In some example embodiments, an apparatus is provided that includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code with the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to at least cause a CF-end frame to be transmitted to one or more stations in an instance in which WiFi traffic is not detected. The at least one memory and computer program code may also be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to determine whether a PEI is to be transmitted based on at least one of a determined WiFi traffic load or a current WiFi transmission speed. The at least one memory and computer program code may also be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to cause the PEI to be transmitted to a network entity.

[0006] In some example embodiments, a computer program product may be provided that includes at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer- readable program instructions stored therein with the computer-readable program instructions including program instructions configured to cause a CF-end frame to be transmitted to one or more stations in an instance in which WiFi traffic is not detected. The computer-readable program instructions may also include program instructions configured to determine whether a PEI is to be transmitted based on at least one of a determined WiFi traffic load or a current WiFi transmission speed. The computer-readable program instructions may also include program instructions configured to cause the PEI to be transmitted to a network entity.

[0007] In some example embodiments, an apparatus is provided that includes means for causing a CF-end frame to be transmitted to one or more stations in an instance in which WiFi traffic is not detected. The apparatus of this embodiment may also include means for determining whether a PEI is to be transmitted based on at least one of a determined WiFi traffic load or a current WiFi transmission speed. The apparatus of this embodiment may also include means for causing the PEI to be transmitted to a network entity.

[0008] In some example embodiments, a method is provided that comprises receiving a PEI from a mobile terminal functioning as a WiFi access point, the PEI transmitted in an instance in which at least one of WiFi traffic was not detected by the mobile terminal or that the mobile terminal does not currently have any pollable stations in a polling list. The method of this embodiment may also include receiving a PCF end repetition indicator (PERI). In some example embodiments, the PERI is received with at least one of a buffer status of one or more stations associated with the mobile terminal, the buffer report or a WiFi transmission speed. The method of this embodiment may also include determining whether to schedule the mobile terminal in inactive time in a DRX cycle based on the received PEI and PERI.

[0009] In some example embodiments, an apparatus is provided that includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code with the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to at least receive a PEI from a mobile terminal functioning as a WiFi access point, the PEI transmitted in an instance in which at least one of WiFi traffic was not detected by the mobile terminal or that the mobile terminal does not currently have any pollable stations in a polling list. The at least one memory and computer program code may also be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to receive a PERI. In some example embodiments, the PERI is received with at least one of a buffer status of one or more stations associated with the mobile terminal, the buffer report or a WiFi transmission speed. The at least one memory and computer program code may also be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to determine whether to schedule the mobile terminal in inactive time in a DRX cycle based on the received PEI and PERI.

[0010] In some example embodiments, a computer program product may be provided that includes at least one non- transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer- readable program instructions stored therein with the computer-readable program instructions including program instructions configured to receive a PEI from a mobile terminal functioning as a WiFi access point, the PEI transmitted in an instance in which at least one of WiFi traffic was not detected by the mobile terminal or that the mobile terminal does not currently have any pollable stations in a polling list. The computer-readable program instructions may also include program instructions configured to receive a PERI. In some example embodiments, the PERI is received with at least one of a buffer status of one or more stations associated with the mobile terminal, the buffer report or a WiFi transmission speed. The computer-readable program instructions may also include program instructions configured to determine whether to schedule the mobile terminal in inactive time in a DRX cycle based on the received PEI and PERI. [0011] In some example embodiments, an apparatus is provided that includes means for receiving a PEI from a mobile terminal functioning as a WiFi access point, the PEI transmitted in an instance in which at least one of WiFi traffic was not detected by the mobile terminal or that the mobile terminal does not currently have any pollable stations in a polling list. The apparatus of this embodiment may also include means for receiving a PERI. In some example

embodiments, the PERI is received with at least one of a buffer status of one or more stations associated with the mobile terminal, the buffer report or a WiFi transmission speed. The apparatus of this embodiment may also include means for determining whether to schedule the mobile terminal in inactive time in a DRX cycle based on the received PEI and PERI.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Having thus described the example embodiments of the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a system having at least one mobile terminal that may benefit from an embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 2 is a block diagram of an apparatus that may be embodied by a mobile terminal in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating operations performed by a mobile terminal in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0016] Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating operations performed by a network entity in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. [0018] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" refers to all of the following:

(a)hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and (b) to combinations of circuits and software (and/or firmware), such as (as applicable): (i) to a combination of processor(s) or (ii) to portions of processor(s)/software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and

(c) to circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that

require software or firmware for operation, even if the software or firmware is not

physically present.

[0019] This definition of "circuitry" applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term "circuitry" would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term "circuitry" would also cover, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or application specific integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other network device.

[0020] In some example embodiments, interference between multiple transceivers may to addressed using time division multiplexing (TDM) based on a 3GPP Release 8, 9 and /or 10 DRX mechanism. See for example R2-1 10230 and R2-112188, both of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein. The architecture of a medium access control (MAC) sublayer generally includes a distributed coordination function (DCF), a point coordination function (PCF) and a hybrid coordination function (HCF). The PCF may be built on top of the Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA)/collision avoidance (CA)-based DCF, and may be usable on infrastructure network configurations. The PCF may provide contention free (CF) frame transfer by utilizing the access priority provisions provided by this scheme. In some example embodiments, an active point coordinator (PC) shall be located at an access point and may be configured to restrict PCF operation to infrastructure networks. CF may be activated by the point coordinator capable access point by setting, for example, the CFPMaxDuration parameter in the CF Parameter Set of the MLMEStart.request to a nonzero value.

[0021] In some example embodiments, the PCF may be configured to control frame transfers during a contention free period (CFP). The CFP may be configured to alternate with a contention period (CP). Each CFP may be configured to begin with a Beacon frame that, for example, is configured to include a DTIM element (hereafter referred to as a DTIM). The point coordinator may then cause a CFP to be generated at the CFP repetition interval (CFPPeriod). The

CFPPeriod is defined herein as a plurality of DTIM intervals. The point coordinator then may cause a CF-End or CF-End+ acknowledgement (ACK) frame to be transmitted at the end of each CFP and may terminate any CFP at or before the a CFPMaxDuration, based on available traffic and size of the polling list by sending a CF-End frame.

[0022] In some example embodiments, a network entity such as an enhanced Node B (eNB) may be configured to determine and cause a DRX configuration to be signaled to the mobile terminal, based on a mobile terminal suggested TDM pattern. Other criteria such as traffic type may be considered by the network entity. During an inactive time, in the DRX pattern, the mobile terminal may be configured to delay the initiation of a dedicate scheduling request and/or a Random Access Channel (RACH) procedure.

[0023] In some example embodiments, WiFi is configured to operate in a DCF mode, however, other modes such as PCF may be used. A DRX pattern may then be configured according to a CFP and CP length set by the access point, which as described herein is a WiFi Access Point operating on a mobile terminal. However, in some embodiments, there may not be any WiFi traffic and/or there may not be any pollable stations (STA) in some of the CFPs, thus resulting in time allocated based on the CFP would be not be used.

[0024] As is described herein, a method, apparatus and computer program product is configured to enable a network entity to schedule time for a mobile terminal in at least a portion of inactive time, thus enabling the efficient use of unscheduled time. In some example

embodiments, a mobile terminal, functioning as a WiFi access point, may be configured to transmit a CF-End frame to any associated WiFi STAs in an instance in which there is no WiFi traffic and/or there are not any pollable STAs in a polling list. The mobile terminal may further cause a PCF End Indicator (PEI) to be generated and caused to be transmitted to a network entity. Alternatively or additionally, the mobile terminal may also cause a PCF End Repetition Indicator (PERI) signal to be transmitted to the network entity during an LTE scheduling period. The network entity may then be configured to provide additionally scheduling time based on the received PEI and/or PERI. [0025] Although the method, apparatus and computer program product may be implemented in a variety of different systems, one example of such a system is shown in Figure 1, which includes communication devices (for example, mobile terminal 10 and mobile terminals 12a-n) that are capable of communication via a network entity 14, such as a base station, a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNB) or other network entity, with a network 18 (for example, a core network). As is described herein, the mobile terminal 10 may be configured to function as a WiFi access point for mobile terminals 12a-n, and thus the mobile terminal 10 may provide similar functionality as network entity 14 functioning as a wireless router or WiFi station. By way of example, the mobile terminal 10 may provide Internet access to the mobile terminals 12a-n via an LTE backhaul link with the network entity 14.

[0026] Other communications may be envisioned, but are not required in the current invention such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or LTE- Advanced (LTE-A), other networks may support the method, apparatus and computer program product of embodiments of the present invention including those configured in accordance with wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA), CDMA2000, global system for mobile communications (GSM), general packet radio service (GPRS) and/or the like. Alternatively or additionally. The network 18 may include a collection of various different nodes, devices or functions that may be in communication with each other via corresponding wired and/or wireless interfaces. For example, the network may include one or more cells, including network entity 14, each of which may serve a respective coverage area. As described herein, the network 18, may be configured to operate as a wireless network subscription service. The serving cell and the neighbor cells could be, for example, part of one or more cellular or mobile networks or public land mobile networks (PLMNs). In turn, other devices such as processing devices (for example, personal computers, server computers or the like) may be coupled to the mobile terminal 10, the mobile terminals 12a-n and/or other communication devices via the network 18.

[0027] A communication device, such as the mobile terminal 10 and/or mobile terminals 12a-n (also known as user equipment (UE), STA, communications device or the like), may be in communication with other communication devices or other devices via the network entity 14 and, in turn, the network 18. In some cases, the communication device may include an antenna for transmitting signals to and for receiving signals from a serving cell. [0028] In some example embodiments, the mobile terminal 10 and/or the mobile terminals 12a-n may be a mobile communication device such as, for example, a mobile telephone, portable digital assistant (PDA), pager, laptop computer, or any of numerous other hand held or portable communication devices, computation devices, content generation devices, content consumption devices, or combinations thereof. As such, the mobile terminal 10 and/or the mobile terminals 12a-n may include one or more processors that may define processing circuitry either alone or in combination with one or more memories. The processing circuitry may utilize instructions stored in the memory to cause the mobile terminal 10 and/or the mobile terminals 12a-n to operate in a particular way or execute specific functionality when the instructions are executed by the one or more processors. The mobile terminal 10 and/or the mobile terminals 12a-n may also include communication circuitry and corresponding hardware/software to enable communication with other devices and/or the network 18.

[0029] In some example embodiments, for example, the mobile terminal 10, the mobile terminals 12a-n and/or the network entity 14 may be embodied as or otherwise include an apparatus 20 as generically represented by the block diagram of Figure 2. While the apparatus 20 may be employed, for example, by a mobile terminal 10, mobile terminals 12a-n or a network entity 14, it should be noted that the components, devices or elements described below may not be mandatory and thus some may be omitted in certain embodiments. Additionally, some embodiments may include further or different components, devices or elements beyond those shown and described herein.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, the apparatus 20 may include or otherwise be in

communication with processing circuitry 22 that is configurable to perform actions in accordance with example embodiments described herein. The processing circuitry may be configured to perform data processing, application execution and/or other processing and management services according to an example embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the apparatus or the processing circuitry 22 may be embodied as a chip or chip set. In other words, the apparatus or the processing circuitry 22 may comprise one or more physical packages (for example, chips) including materials, components and/or wires on a structural assembly (for example, a baseboard). The structural assembly may provide physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical interaction for component circuitry included thereon. The apparatus or the processing circuitry 22 may therefore, in some cases, be configured to implement an embodiment of the present invention on a single chip or as a single "system on a chip." As such, in some cases, a chip or chipset may constitute means for performing one or more operations for providing the functionalities described herein.

[0031] In some example embodiments, the processing circuitry 22 may include a processor 24 and memory 28 that may be in communication with or otherwise control a communication interface 26 and, in some cases, a user interface 30. As such, the processing circuitry 22 may be embodied as a circuit chip (for example, an integrated circuit chip, a baseband integrated circuit) configured (for example, with hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software or the like) to perform operations described herein. However, in some embodiments taken in the context of the mobile terminal 10 and/or mobile terminals 12a-n, the processing circuitry 22 may be embodied as a portion of a mobile computing device or other mobile terminal.

[0032] The user interface 30 (if implemented) may be in communication with the processing circuitry 22 to receive an indication of a user input at the user interface and/or to provide an audible, visual, mechanical or other output to the user. As such, the user interface may include, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a display, a touch screen, a microphone, a speaker, and/or other input/output mechanisms. The apparatus 20 need not always include a user interface. For example, in instances in which the apparatus is embodied as a network entity 14, the apparatus may not include a user interface. As such, the user interface is shown in dashed lines in Figure 2.

[0033] The communication interface 26 may include one or more interface mechanisms for enabling communication with other devices and/or networks. In some cases, the communication interface may be any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware, or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and/or transmit data from/to a network 18 and/or any other device or module in communication with the processing circuitry 22, such as between the mobile terminal 10, the mobile terminals 12a-n and the network entity 14. In this regard, the communication interface may include, for example, one or more transceivers, such as by not limited to an LTE transceiver 164, a WiFi transceiver 166 and a Bluetooth transceiver 168.

[0034] In some example embodiments, the processor 24 is configured to provide signals to and receive signals from the LTE transceiver 164, the WiFi transceiver 166 and the Bluetooth transceiver 168, respectively. The processor 24 may, for example, be embodied as various means including circuitry, one or more microprocessors with accompanying digital signal processor(s), one or more processor(s) without an accompanying digital signal processor, one or more coprocessors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more controllers, processing circuitry, one or more computers, various other processing elements including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) or an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or some combination thereof. In some example embodiments the processor 24 may comprise an LTE baseband integrated circuit configured to provide signals to and receive signals from the LTE transceiver 164, a WiFi baseband integrated circuit configured to provide signals to and receive signals from the WiFi transceiver 166 and/or a Bluetooth baseband integrated circuit configured to provide signals to and receive signals from the Bluetooth transceiver 168.

[0035] Accordingly, although illustrated in Figure 2 as a single processor, in some example embodiments the processor 24 may comprise a plurality of processors. These signals sent and received by the processor 24 may include signaling information in accordance with an air interface standard of an applicable cellular system, and/or any number of different wireline or wireless networking techniques, comprising but not limited to Wi-Fi, wireless local access network (WLAN) techniques such as Bluetooth™ (BT), Ultra-wideband (UWB), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, 802.16, and/or the like. In addition, these signals may include speech data, user generated data, user requested data, and/or the like. In this regard, the mobile terminal may be capable of operating with one or more air interface standards, communication protocols, modulation types, access types, and/or the like. More particularly, the mobile terminal may be capable of operating in accordance with various first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, third-generation (3G) communication protocols, fourth-generation (4G) communication protocols, Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) communication protocols (for example, session initiation protocol (SIP)), and/or the like. For example, the mobile terminal may be capable of operating in accordance with 2G wireless communication protocols IS- 136 (Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), IS-95 (Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)), and/or the like. Also, for example, the mobile terminal may be capable of operating in accordance with 2.5G wireless communication protocols General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), and/or the like. Further, for example, the mobile terminal may be capable of operating in accordance with 3G wireless communication protocols such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Time Division-Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA), and/or the like. The mobile terminal may be additionally capable of operating in accordance with 3.9G wireless communication protocols such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E- UTRAN) and/or the like. Additionally, for example, the mobile terminal may be capable of operating in accordance with fourth-generation (4G) wireless communication protocols such as LTE Advanced and/or the like as well as similar wireless communication protocols that may be developed in the future.

[0036] Some Narrow-band Advanced Mobile Phone System (NAMPS), as well as Total Access Communication System (TACS), mobile terminals may also benefit from embodiments of this invention, as should dual or higher mode phones (for example, digital/analog or TDMA/CDMA analog phones). Additionally, the mobile terminal 10 and/or mobile terminals 12a-n may be capable of operating according to WiFi or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) protocols.

[0037] The mobile terminal 10 and/or mobile termmals 12a-n may also include one or more means for sharing and/or obtaining data. For example, the mobile terminal 10 and/or mobile terminals 12a-n may comprise a short-range radio frequency (RF) transceiver and/or interrogator so data may be shared with and/or obtained from electronic devices in accordance with RF techniques. The mobile terminal 10 and/or mobile terminals 12a-n may comprise other short- range transceivers, such as, for example, an infrared (IR) transceiver. In this regard, the mobile terminal 10 and/or mobile terminals 12a-n and, in particular, the short-range transceiver may be capable of transmitting data to and/or receiving data from electronic devices within a proximity of the mobile terminal, such as within 10 meters, for example. The mobile terminal 10 and/or mobile terminals 12a-n may be capable of transmitting and/or receiving data from electronic devices according to various wireless networking techniques, including 6LoWpan, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi low power, WLAN techniques such as IEEE 802.11 techniques, IEEE 802.15 techniques, IEEE 802.16 techniques, and/or the like.

[0038] In an example embodiment, the memory 28 may include one or more non-transitory memory devices such as, for example, volatile and/or non-volatile memory that may be either fixed or removable. The memory may be configured to store information, data, applications, instructions or the like for enabling the apparatus 20 to carry out various functions in accordance with example embodiments of the present invention. For example, the memory could be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processor 24 or as a buffer for data received or transmitted by the WiFi transceiver 166. Additionally or alternatively, the memory could be configured to store instructions for execution by the processor. As yet another alternative, the memory may include one of a plurality of databases that may store a variety of files, contents or data sets. Among the contents of the memory, applications may be stored for execution by the processor in order to carry out the functionality associated with each respective application. In some cases, the memory may be in communication with the processor via a bus for passing information among components of the apparatus.

[0039] The processor 24 may be embodied in a number of different ways. For example, the processor may be embodied as various processing means such as one or more of a

microprocessor or other processing element, a coprocessor, a controller or various other computing or processing devices including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or the like. In an example embodiment, the processor may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 28 or otherwise accessible to the processor. As such, whether configured by hardware or by a combination of hardware and software, the processor may represent an entity (for example, physically embodied in circuitry - in the form of processing circuitry 22) capable of performing operations according to embodiments of the present invention while configured accordingly.

Thus, for example, when the processor is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the processor may be specifically configured hardware for conducting the operations described herein.

Alternatively, as another example, when the processor is embodied as an executor of software instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processor to perform the operations described herein.

[0040] Figures 3 and 4 are flowcharts illustrating the operations performed by a method, apparatus and computer program product, such as apparatus 20 of Figure 2, in accordance with some example embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. It will be understood that each block of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, may be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, processor, circuitry and/or other device associated with execution of software including one or more computer program instructions. For example, one or more of the procedures described above may be embodied by computer program instructions. In this regard, the computer program instructions which embody the procedures described above may be stored by a memory device 28 of an apparatus employing an embodiment of the present invention and executed by a processor 24 in the apparatus. As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (for example, hardware) to produce a machine, such that the resulting computer or other programmable apparatus provides for implementation of the functions specified in the flowcharts' block(s). These computer program instructions may also be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage memory that may direct a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage memory produce an article of manufacture, the execution of which implements the function specified in the flowcharts' block(s). The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide operations for implementing the functions specified in the flowcharts' block(s). As such, the operations of Figures 3 and 4, when executed, convert a computer or processing circuitry into a particular machine configured to perform an example embodiment of the present invention. Accordingly, the operations of Figures 3 and 4 define an algorithm for configuring a computer or processing circuitry 22, for example, processor, to perform an example embodiment. In some cases, a general purpose computer may be provided with an instance of the processor which performs the algorithms of Figures 3 and 4 to transform the general purpose computer into a particular machine configured to perform an example embodiment.

[0041] Accordingly, blocks of the flowcharts support combinations of means for performing the specified functions and combinations of operations for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one or more blocks of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. [0042] In some embodiments, certain ones of the operations above may be modified or further amplified as described below. Moreover, in some embodiments additional optional operations may also be included (an example of which is shown in dashed lines in Figure 3). It should be appreciated that each of the modifications, optional additions or amplifications below may be included with the operations above either alone or in combination with any others among the features described herein.

[0043] Referring now to Figure 3, the operations of a method, apparatus and computer program product of an example embodiment are configured to enable a mobile terminal to signal a request for additional scheduling (for example LTE active time) time from a network entity, As shown in operation 302, the apparatus 20 embodied, for example, by a mobile terminal 10, may include means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the processor 24, the communications interface 26 or the like, for causing a CF-end frame to be transmitted to one or more stations in an instance in which WiFi traffic is not detected. As shown in operation 304, the apparatus 20 embodied, for example, by a mobile terminal 10, may include means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the processor 24, the communications interface 26 or the like, for causing the CF- end frame to be transmitted to one or more stations in an instance in which there are not any pollable stations in a polling list. In an instance in which a mobile terminal, such as mobile terminal 10, causes a CF-end frame, the mobile terminal may, as shown in operation 306, the apparatus 20 embodied, for example by the mobile terminal 10, may include means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the processor 24 or the like, for determining whether a PEI is to be transmitted based on at least one of a determined WiFi traffic load or a current WiFi transmission speed.

[0044] Alternatively or additionally, in some example embodiments, a WiFi baseband integrated circuit and a LTE baseband integrated circuit may be configured as distinct circuits embodied by the processor 24. In such cases, the WiFi baseband integrated circuit may be configured to determine the WiFi traffic load or the current WiFi transmission speed. The WiFi baseband integrated circuit may be configured to cause a PEI to be recommended to an LTE baseband integrated circuit, such as embodied by the processor 24. In some example

embodiments, the LTE baseband integrated circuit may then be configured to cause the PEI to be transmitted to the network entity 14 via the LTE transceiver 164. The signaling of the PEI may be accomplished during LTE unscheduled time via LI signaling or via the MAC control element (CE) in a later LTE active time. In some example embodiments, the PEI signaling may be applied by the network entity for a single DRX cycle, a predetermined number of DRX cycles or may be applicable until a new PEI is transmitted.

[0045] As shown in operation 308, the apparatus 20 embodied, for example, by a mobile terminal 10, may include means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the processor 24, the communications interface 26 or the like, for generating a buffer report based on a buffer status of one or more stations. In some example embodiments, such as for example in quality of service (QoS) supported 802.11 systems, the mobile terminal, functioning as a WiFi access point, may determine its own WiFi buffer status, but may also be configured to determine each associated STA's buffer status. As shown in operation 310, the apparatus 20 embodied, for example, by a mobile terminal 10, may include means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the processor 24, the communications interface 26 or the like, for causing a PERI to be transmitted to a network entity, wherein the PERI is transmitted with at least one of the buffer status of the one or more stations, STAs buffer report, AP's buffer report, STA average transmission speed or the like.

[0046] In some example embodiments, the PERI may include, but is not limited to a PEI, a PEI configured for one or more DRX cycles or a PEI configured for a predetermined number of DRX cycles. The PERI includes a field duration and repetition duration to indicate to the network entity when the CFP is configured to end and the number of succeeding CFP Repetition Intervals (RI) that PCF End Time applies. In some example embodiments, the mobile terminal, such as mobile terminal 10, may cause a PERI to be signaled in LTE scheduled time in an instance in which the mobile terminal is requesting more LTE scheduling time.

[0047] In one example embodiment and by way of an example implementation, at a CFP repetition interval (RI) n+1, there may not be any additional WiFi traffic. In such a case, the mobile terminal may be configured to cause a CF-End frame to be transmitted to any STAs associated with the mobile terminal 10. During an LTE scheduling period (e.g. active time) in a DRX cycle n+2, the LTE may receive routed traffic for one or more associated STAs from a network entity 14. Therefore, based on, for example, a determined LTE downlink (DL)/uplink (UL) traffic status, average WiFi transmission speed and WiFi DL/UL traffic status, the mobile terminal may determine to cause a PERI to be transmitted to the network entity before the end of the LTE scheduling time. In this example, the PERI is configured to indicate to the network entity that the CFP will end at 60% CFP in the succeeding three CFP RIs so that network entity may cause LTE transmission/reception to start at the determined CF-End time.

[0048] In some example embodiments, a field duration is defined as follows: a PCF End Time field identifies the percent of CFP time that this CFP will end. The length of this field may be 5 bits. A repetition Number Field may identify the number of succeeding CFP RIs that a particular PCF End Time applies, The length of this field maybe 3 bits. The following table includes values of Logical Control Identification (LCID) for Downlink Shared Channel (DL- SCH):

[0049] Referring now to Figure 4, the operations of a method, apparatus and computer program product of an example embodiment are configured to enable a network entity determine an instance in which additional scheduling time is needed by a mobile terminal. As shown in operation 402, the apparatus 20 embodied, for example, by a network entity 14, may include means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the processor 24, the communications interface 26 or the like, for receiving a PEI from a mobile terminal functioning as a WiFi access point, the PEI transmitted in an instance in which at least one of WiFi traffic was not detected by the mobile terminal or that the mobile terminal does not currently have any pollable stations in a polling list. In some example embodiments, upon receiving the PEI, the network entity 14 may be configured to schedule the mobile terminal in at least a portion of inactive time.

[0050] As shown in operation 404, the apparatus 20 embodied, for example, by a network entity 14, may include means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the processor 24, the communications interface 26 or the like, for receiving a PERI, wherein the PERI is received with at least one of the buffer status of the one or more stations, the buffer report or a WiFi transmission speed. As shown in operation 406, the apparatus 20 embodied, for example, by a network entity 14, may include means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the processor 24, the communications interface 26 or the like, for determining whether to schedule the mobile terminal in inactive time in a DRX cycle based on the received PEI and PERI.

[0051] Advantageously and in some example embodiments, the systems and methods herein enable the ability to modify the DRX cycle patter without using RRC signaling. Further the systems and methods herein are configured to utilize, for example, the available LTE, 4G, 3G and/or the like resources with higher efficiency.

[0052] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

What is Claimed is:

1. A method comprising:

determining whether a point coordination function (PCF) end indicator (PEI) is to be transmitted based on at least one of a determined wireless fidelity (WiFi) traffic load or a current WiFi transmission speed in an instance in which a contention free (CF)-end frame is transmitted to one or more stations because WiFi traffic was not detected; and

causing the PEI to be transmitted to a network entity.

2. A method according to Claim 1, wherein the PEI is configured to be applied by the network entity until an instance in which at least one of a completion of a single discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle, a completion of one or more DRX cycles or a new PEI is received by the network entity.

3. A method according to any one of Claims 1 or 2, wherein the PEI is configured to be transmitted during unscheduled time and is further configured to be transmitted as at least one of LI signaling or a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE).

4. A method according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the PEI is configured, in an instance in which the PEI is received by the network entity, to cause the network entity to schedule the use of at least a portion of inactive time in a current discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle.

5. A method according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the CF-end frame is transmitted to one or more stations because there are not any pollable stations in a polling list.

6. A method according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, further comprising: generating a buffer report based on a buffer status of one or more stations; and causing a PCF end repetition indicator (PERI) to be transmitted to a network entity, wherein the PERI is transmitted with at least one of the buffer status of the one or more stations, the buffer report or a WiFi transmission speed.

7. A method according to Claim 6, wherein the PERI is transmitted during a scheduling time and is configured to comprise a request for additional scheduling time.

8. A method according to any one of Claims 6 or 7, wherein the PERI comprises at least one of a PEI, a PEI configured for one or more discontinuous reception (DRX) cycles or a PEI configured for a predetermined number of DRX cycles.

9. A method according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, further comprising:

causing received WiFi transmissions to be caused to be transmitted by an LTE transceiver to a network entity based on a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle.

10. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least:

determine whether a point coordination function (PCF) end indicator (PEI) is to be transmitted based on at least one of a determined wireless fidelity (WiFi) traffic load or a current WiFi transmission speed in an instance in which a contention free (CF)-end frame is transmitted to one or more stations because WiFi traffic was not detected; and

cause the PEI to be transmitted to a network entity.

1 1. An apparatus according to Claim 10, wherein the PEI is configured to be applied by the network entity until an instance in which at least one of a completion of a single discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle, a completion of one or more DRX cycles or a new PEI is received by the network entity.

12. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 10 or 1 1, wherein the PEI is configured to be transmitted during unscheduled time and is further configured to be transmitted as at least one of LI signaling or a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE).

13. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 10 to 12, wherein the PEI is configured, in an instance in which the PEI is received by the network entity, to cause the network entity to schedule the use of at least a portion of inactive time in a current discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle.

14. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 10 to 13, wherein the CF-end frame is transmitted to one or more stations because there are not any pollable stations in a polling list.

15. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 10 to 14, wherein the at least one memory including the computer program code is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:

generate a buffer report based on a buffer status of one or more stations; and cause a PCF end repetition indicator (PERI) to be transmitted to a network entity, wherein the PERI is transmitted with at least one of the buffer status of the one or more stations, the buffer report or a WiFi transmission speed.

16. An apparatus according to Claim 15, wherein the PERI is transmitted during a scheduling time and is configured to comprise a request for additional scheduling time.

17. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 15 or 16, wherein the PERI comprises at least one of a PEI, a PEI configured for one or more discontinuous reception (DRX) cycles or a PEI configured for a predetermined number of DRX cycles.

18. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 10 to 17, wherein the at least one memory including the computer program code is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:

cause received WiFi transmissions to be caused to be transmitted by an LTE transceiver to a network entity based on a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle.

19. A computer program product comprising:

at least one computer readable non-transitory memory medium having program code stored thereon, the program code which when executed by an apparatus cause the apparatus at least to:

cause the PEI to be transmitted to a network entity.

20. A computer program product according to Claim 19, wherein the PEI is configured to be applied by the network entity until an instance in which at least one of a completion of a single discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle, a completion of one or more DRX cycles or a new PEI is received by the network entity.

21. A computer program product according to any one of Claims 19 or 20, wherein the PEI is configured to be transmitted during unscheduled time and is further configured to be transmitted as at least one of LI signaling or a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE).

22. A computer program product according to any one of Claims 19 to 21, wherein the PEI is configured, in an instance in which the PEI is received by the network entity, to cause the network entity to schedule the use of at least a portion of inactive time in a current discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle.

23. A computer program product according to any one of Claims 1 to 22, wherein the CF- end frame is transmitted to one or more stations because there are not any pollable stations in a polling list.

24. A computer program product according to any one of Claims 1 to 23, wherein the at least one memory including the computer program code is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:

25. A computer program product according to Claim 24, wherein the PERI is transmitted during a scheduling time and is configured to comprise a request for additional scheduling time.

26. A computer program product according to any one of Claims 24 or 25, wherein the PERI comprises at least one of a PEI, a PEI configured for one or more discontinuous reception

(DRX) cycles or a PEI configured for a predetermined number of DRX cycles.

27. A computer program product according to any one of Claims 19 to 26, wherein the at least one memory including the computer program code is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: cause received WiFi transmissions to be caused to be transmitted by an LTE transceiver to a network entity based on a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle.

28. An apparatus comprising:

means for determining whether a point coordination function (PCF) end indicator (PEI) is to be transmitted based on at least one of a determined wireless fidelity

(WiFi) traffic load or a current WiFi transmission speed in an instance in which a contention free (CF)-end frame is transmitted to one or more stations because WiFi traffic was not detected; and

means for causing the PEI to be transmitted to a network entity.

29. An apparatus according to Claim 28, wherein the PEI is configured to be applied by the network entity until an instance in which at least one of a completion of a single discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle, a completion of one or more DRX cycles or a new PEI is received by the network entity.

30. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 28 or 29, wherein the PEI is configured to be transmitted during unscheduled time and is further configured to be transmitted as at least one of LI signaling or a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE),

31. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 28 to 30, wherein the PEI is configured, in an instance in which the PEI is received by the network entity, to cause the network entity to schedule the use of at least a portion of inactive time in a current discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle.

32. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 28 to 31, wherein the CF-end frame is transmitted to one or more stations because there are not any pollable stations in a polling list.

33. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 28 to 32, further comprising: means for generating a buffer report based on a buffer status of one or more stations; and

means for causing a PCF end repetition indicator (PERI) to be transmitted to a network entity, wherein the PERI is transmitted with at least one of the buffer status of the one or more stations, the buffer report or a WiFi transmission speed.

34. An apparatus according to Claim 33, wherein the PERI is transmitted during a scheduling time and is configured to comprise a request for additional scheduling time.

35. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 33 or 35, wherein the PERI comprises at least one of a PEI, a PEI configured for one or more discontinuous reception (DRX) cycles or a PEI configured for a predetermined number of DRX cycles.

36. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 28 to 35, further comprising:

means for causing received WiFi transmissions to be caused to be transmitted by an LTE transceiver to a network entity based on a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle.

37. A method comprising:

receiving a PEI from a mobile terminal functioning as a wireless fidelity (WiFi) access point, the PEI transmitted in an instance in which at least one of WiFi traffic was not detected by the mobile terminal or that the mobile terminal does not currently have any pollable stations in a polling list;

receiving a PCF end repetition indicator (PERI), wherein the PERI is received with at least one of a buffer status of one or more stations associated with the mobile terminal, the buffer report or a WiFi transmission speed; and

determining whether to schedule the mobile terminal in inactive time in a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle based on the received PEI and PERI.

38. A method according to Claim 37, wherein the PEI is configured to be applied until an instance in which at least one of a completion of a single DRX cycle, a completion of one or more DRX cycles or until a new PEI is received.

39. A method according to any one of Claims 37 or 38, wherein the PEI is configured to be received during unscheduled time and is further configured to be received via at least one of LI signaling or a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE).

40. A method according to any one of Claims 37 to 39, wherein the PERI is received during a scheduling time and is configured to comprise a request for additional scheduling time.

41. A method according to any one of Claims 37 to 40, wherein the PERI comprises at least one of a PEI, a PEI configured for one or more DRX cycles or a PEI configured for a predetermined number of DRX cycles.

42. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

receive a PEI from a mobile terminal functioning as a wireless fidelity (WiFi) access point, the PEI transmitted in an instance in which at least one of WiFi traffic was not detected by the mobile terminal or that the mobile terminal does not currently have any pollable stations in a polling list; receive a PCF end repetition indicator (PERI), wherein the PERI is received with at least one of a buffer status of one or more stations associated with the mobile terminal, the buffer report or a WiFi transmission speed; and determine whether to schedule the mobile terminal in inactive time in a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle based on the received PEI and PERI.

43. An apparatus according to Claim 42, wherein the PEI is configured to be applied until an instance in which at least one of a completion of a single DRX cycle, a completion of one or more DRX cycles or until a new PEI is received.

44. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 42 or 43, wherein the PEI is configured to be received during unscheduled time and is further configured to be received via at least one of

LI signaling or a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE).

45. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 42 to 44, wherein the PERI is received during a scheduling time and is configured to comprise a request for additional scheduling time.

46. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 42 to 45, wherein the PERI comprises at least one of a PEI, a PEI configured for one or more DRX cycles or a PEI configured for a predetermined number of DRX cycles.

47. A computer program product comprising:

receive a PEI from a mobile terminal functioning as a wireless fidelity (WiFi) access point, the PEI transmitted in an instance in which at least one of

WiFi traffic was not detected by the mobile terminal or that the mobile terminal does not currently have any pollable stations in a polling list; receive a PCF end repetition indicator (PERI), wherein the PERI is received with at least one of a buffer status of one or more stations associated with the mobile terminal, the buffer report or a WiFi transmission speed; and determine whether to schedule the mobile terminal in inactive time in a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle based on the received PEI and PERI.

48. A computer program product comprising according to Claim 47, wherein the PEI is configured to be applied until an instance in which at least one of a completion of a single DRX cycle, a completion of one or more DRX cycles or until a new PEI is received.

49. A computer program product comprising according to any one of Claims 47 or 48, wherein the PEI is configured to be received during unscheduled time and is further configured to be received via at least one of LI signaling or a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE).

50. A computer program product comprising according to any one of Claims 47 to 49, wherein the PERI is received during a scheduling time and is configured to comprise a request for additional scheduling time.

51. A computer program product comprising according to any one of Claims 47 to 50, wherein the PERI comprises at least one of a PEI, a PEI configured for one or more DRX cycles or a PEI configured for a predetermined number of DRX cycles.

52. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving a PEI from a mobile terminal functioning as a wireless fidelity

(WiFi) access point, the PEI transmitted in an instance in which at least one of

WiFi traffic was not detected by the mobile terminal or that the mobile terminal does not currently have any pollable stations in a polling list;

means for receiving a PCF end repetition indicator (PERI), wherein the PERI is received with at least one of a buffer status of one or more stations associated with the mobile terminal, the buffer report or a WiFi transmission speed; and means for determining whether to schedule the mobile terminal in inactive time in a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle based on the received PEI and PERI.

53. An apparatus according to Claim 52, wherein the PEI is configured to be applied until an instance in which at least one of a completion of a single DRX cycle, a completion of one or more DRX cycles or until a new PEI is received.

54. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 52 or 53, wherein the PEI is configured to be received during unscheduled time and is further configured to be received via at least one of

LI signaling or a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE).

55. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 52 to 54, wherein the PERI is received during a scheduling time and is configured to comprise a request for additional scheduling time.

56. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 52 to 55, wherein the PERI comprises at least one of a PEI, a PEI configured for one or more DRX cycles or a PEI configured for a predetermined number of DRX cycles.