WO2013156429A1

WO2013156429A1 - Method and apparatus to collect information about communication using direct wireless connection

Info

Publication number: WO2013156429A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/057778
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan Jette; Sean Kelley
Original assignee: Nokia Siemens Networks Oy
Priority date: 2012-04-17
Filing date: 2013-04-15
Publication date: 2013-10-24

Abstract

A method, apparatus and computer program product, comprising: communicating, by a first user equipment, using a direct wireless connection between the first user equipment and a second user equipment; and collecting, by the first user equipment, information associated with the direct wireless connection; and sending, by the first user equipment, one or more indications of the information associated with the direct wireless connection over another wireless connection.

Description

Title

METHOD AND APPARATUS TO COLLECT INFORMATION ABOUT COMMUNICATION USING DIRECT

r WIRELESS CONNECTION

b

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to wireless communication and, more specifically, relates to wireless communications between user equipment in a wireless network.

This section is intended to provide a background or context to the invention0 disclosed below. The description herein may include concepts that could be pursued, but are not necessarily ones that have been previously conceived, implemented or described. Therefore, unless otherwise explicitly indicated herein, what is described in this section is not prior art to the description in this application and is not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

5 The following abbreviations that may be found in the specification and/or the drawing figures are defined as follows:

3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project

CN Core Network

D2D Device-to-Device

0 DL DownLink (from base station to user equipment) eNB evolved Node B (e.g., LTE base station)

E-UTRAN Evolved UTRAN

ID IDentification

IE Information Element

5 LTE Long Term Evolution

MME Mobility Management Entity

NCE Network Control Element

RAB Radio Access Bearer

RAN Radio Access Network

0 RRC Radio Resource Control

Rx Reception or Receiver

SGW Serving GateWay

TS Technical Standard

Tx Transmission or Transmitter

5 UE User Equipment

UTRAN Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network QCI QoS Class Identifier

QoS Quality of Service

A new feature for 3GPP is "Proximity Services", which allows discovery and direct communication between devices that are in proximity (bypassing the E-UTRAN, e.g., the base station in an E-UTRAN network). Proximity services are expected to be used under operator control, e.g., when under LTE coverage such as for network offloading. Proximity services may also in some cases be used outside operator control, e.g., in the absence of LTE coverage, such as for public safety, and typically within the operator's spectrum. It should be noted that Proximity service communications also may be referred to as device-to-device (D2D) communications. In the context of this disclosure, a device in "proximity' to another device means that the first device can detect the presence of the other device and communicate with it via a direct wireless connection. For example, 'proximity" in terms of distance will be less if one user is indoors, more if the users are outdoors and in direct line of sight, etc.

A problem occurs in that direct communication between devices using the operator's wireless spectrum or unlicensed spectrum limits the operator's ability: (1 ) to evaluate each user's Quality of Service (QoS), to ensure consistent user experience; and (2) to measure traffic volume, e.g., for network planning and optimization.

There is provided according to a first aspect a method, comprising: communicating, by a first user equipment, using a direct wireless connection between the first user equipment and a second user equipment; and collecting, by the first user equipment, information associated with the direct wireless connection; and sending, by the first user equipment, one or more indications of the information associated with the direct wireless connection over another wireless connection.

The collecting information may further comprise collecting quality of service related information for the direct wireless connection.

One or more timestamps for associated one or more of the information or one or more of the quality of service related information or both one or more of the information and one or more of the quality of service related information may be collected and sent.

Multiple ones of the one or more of the information or multiple ones of the one or more of the quality of service related information or both at least one of the one or more of the information and at least one of the one or more of the quality of service related information may be collected and sent.

The method may further comprise sending, by the first user equipment, a message indicating that the information associated with the direct wireless connection is stored and available for retrieval; and receiving, by the first user equipment, a request for the stored information; and sending is performed in response to receiving the request.

The method may further comprise receiving, by the first user equipment, a message indicating one or more of the information associated with the direct wireless connection to be collected; and collecting is performed responsive to receiving the message.

The sending may be performed during at least one of: while the communicating using the direct wireless communication occurs and after the communicating using the direct wireless connection ceases.

The sending may further comprise sending the one or more indications to a base station of a radio access network.

The message indicating that the information associated with the direct wireless connection is stored and available for retrieval may further comprise an indication communication using the direct wireless connection is no longer configured to be used.

The message indicating the one or more of the information associated with the direct wireless connection to be collected may further comprise information configuring the first user equipment to perform the communicating using the direct wireless connection.

The quality of service related information may comprise at least one of throughput for one or both of transmission or reception over the direct wireless connection and packet delay for transmission over the direct wireless connection and packet discard rate for transmission over the direct wireless connection and packet loss rate for one or both of transmission or reception over the direct wireless connection.

The quality of service related information may be per one or more groups of quality of service class identifiers, or per one or more groups of radio access bearers.

The information may comprise at least one of a total number of transferred bytes for one or both of transmission or reception over the direct wireless connection and a duration of the direct wireless connection and a global cell identification of a cell where the first user equipment was configured to perform the direct wireless connection and location information for one or both of the first user equipment or the second user equipment and estimated distance between the first and second user equipment and downlink radio measurements for a serving cell and neighbor cells.

A computer program product may be configured to perform a method according to the first aspect.

The computer program product may be embodied on a computer readable medium. There is provided according to a second aspect a method, comprising: configuring, by a base station, a first user equipment to communicate using a direct wireless connection between the first user equipment and a second user equipment; and receiving, at the base station and from the first user equipment, one or more indications of information associated with the direct wireless connection and collected by the first user equipment during the direct wireless connection.

The receiving may further comprise receiving one or more indications of quality of service related information for the direct wireless connection.

One or more timestamps for associated one or more of the information or one or more of the quality of service related information or both one or more of the information and one or more of the quality of service related information may be received.

Multiple ones of the one or more of the information or multiple ones of the one or more of the quality of service related information or both at least one of the one or more of the information and at least one of the one or more of the quality of service related information may be received.

The method may further comprise receiving, by the base station, a message indicating that the information associated with the direct wireless connection is stored on the first user equipment and available for retrieval; and sending, by the base station, a request for the stored information; and receiving the one or more indications is performed subsequent to sending the request.

The message indicating that the information associated with the direct wireless connection is stored and available for retrieval and may further comprise an indication communication using the direct wireless connection is no longer configured to be used.

The method may further comprise prior to receiving, sending by the base station a message indicating one or more of the information associated with the direct wireless connection is to be collected by the first user equipment.

The receiving may be performed during at least one of while the communicating using the direct wireless communication occurs and after the communicating using the direct wireless connection ceases.

The quality of service related information may comprises at least one of throughput for one or both of transmission or reception over the direct wireless connection and packet delay for transmission over the direct wireless connection and packet discard rate for transmission over the direct wireless connection and packet loss rate for one or both of transmission or reception over the direct wireless connection.

A computer program product may be configured to perform a method according to the second aspect

The computer program product may be embodied on a computer readable medium.

There is provided according to a third aspect an apparatus, comprising: means for communicating, using a direct wireless connection with a further apparatus; means for collecting, information associated with the direct wireless connection; and means for sending, one or more indications of the information associated with the direct wireless connection over another wireless connection.

Collecting information may further comprise collecting quality of service related information for the direct wireless connection.

The apparatus may further comprise: means for sending a message indicating that the information associated with the direct wireless connection is stored and available for retrieval; means for receiving, a request for the stored information; wherein said sending is performed in response to receiving the request.

The apparatus may further comprise: means for receiving, a message indicating one or more of the information associated with the direct wireless connection to be collected; wherein said collecting is performed responsive to receiving the message. The sending may be performed during at least one of while the communicating using the direct wireless communication occurs and after the communicating using the direct wireless connection ceases.

The information may comprise at least one of: a total number of transferred bytes for one or both of transmission or reception over the direct wireless connection and a duration of the direct wireless connection and a global cell identification of a cell where the first user equipment was configured to perform the direct wireless connection and location information for one or both of the first user equipment or the second user equipment and estimated distance between the first and second user equipment and downlink radio measurements for a serving cell and neighbor cells.

A user equipment may comprise the apparatus according to the third aspect.

There is provided according to a fourth aspect an apparatus, comprising: means for configuring a first user equipment to communicate using a direct wireless connection between the first user equipment and a second user equipment; and means for receiving from the first user equipment, one or more indications of information associated with the direct wireless connection and collected by the first user equipment during the direct wireless connection.

The receiving may further comprise receiving one or more indications of quality of service related information for the direct wireless connection. One or more timestamps for associated one or more of the information or one or more of the quality of service related information or both one or more of the information and one or more of the quality of service related information may be received.

The apparatus may further comprise means for receiving, a message indicating that the information associated with the direct wireless connection is stored on the first user equipment and available for retrieval; means for sending, a request for the stored information; and means for receiving the one or more indications is performed subsequent to sending the request.

The apparatus may further comprise means for sending a message indicating one or more of the information associated with the direct wireless connection is to be collected by the first user equipment.

A base station may comprise the apparatus according to the fourth aspect.

There is provided according to a fifth aspect a system comprising: a base station; a first user equipment; and a second user equipment; wherein said base station comprises means for configuring, said first user equipment to communicate using a direct wireless connection between said first user equipment and said second user equipment; and said first user equipment comprises means for collecting information associated with the direct wireless connection; and sending to said base station one or more indications of the information associated with the direct wireless connection over another wireless connection.

There is provided according to a sixth aspect an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including program code; the at least one memory and the computer program configured to, with the at least one processor cause the apparatus to perform: communicating, using a direct wireless connection with a further apparatus; collecting information associated with the direct wireless connection; sending one or more indications of the information associated with the direct wireless connection over another wireless connection.

The apparatus may further perform sending a message indicating that the information associated with the direct wireless connection is stored and available for retrieval; receiving, a request for the stored information; wherein said sending is performed in response to receiving the request.

The apparatus may further perform receiving, a message indicating one or more of the information associated with the direct wireless connection to be collected; wherein said collecting is performed responsive to receiving the message. The sending may be performed during at least one of while the communicating using the direct wireless communication occurs and after the communicating using the direct wireless connection ceases.

A user equipment may comprise the apparatus according to the fifth aspect.

There is provided according to a sixth aspect an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including program code; the at least one memory and the computer program configured to, with the at least one processor cause the apparatus to perform: configuring a first user equipment to communicate using a direct wireless connection between the first user equipment and a second user equipment; receiving from the first user equipment, one or more indications of information associated with the direct wireless connection and collected by the first user equipment during the direct wireless connection. The receiving may further comprise receiving one or more indications of quality of service related information for the direct wireless connection.

The apparatus may perform receiving, a message indicating that the information associated with the direct wireless connection is stored on the first user equipment and available for retrieval; sending, a request for the stored information; and receiving the one or more indications is performed subsequent to sending the request.

The apparatus may further perform sending a message indicating one or more of the information associated with the direct wireless connection is to be collected by the first user equipment.

A base station may comprise the apparatus according to the sixth aspect.

There is provided according to an seventh aspect a system comprising: a base station; a first user equipment; and a second user equipment; wherein said base station comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory including program code; the at least one memory and the computer program configured to, with the at least one processor cause the base station to perform: configuring, said first user equipment to communicate using a direct wireless connection between said first user equipment and said second user equipment; and said first user equipment comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory including program code; the at least one memory and the computer program configured to, with the at least one processor cause the apparatus to perform: collecting information associated with the direct wireless connection; and sending to said base station one or more indications of the information associated with the direct wireless connection over another wireless connection.

There is provided according to an eight aspect an apparatus, comprising: a transceiver configured to communicate using a direct wireless connection with a further apparatus; a collector configured to collect information associated with the direct wireless connection; wherein said transceiver is further configured to send, one or more indications of the information associated with the direct wireless connection over another wireless connection.

The transceiver may be further configured to send a message indicating that the information associated with the direct wireless connection is stored and available for retrieval; means for receiving, a request for the stored information; wherein said sending is performed in response to receiving the request. The transceiver may be further configured to receive a message indicating one or more of the information associated with the direct wireless connection to be collected; wherein said collecting is performed responsive to receiving the message.

The sending may be performed during at least one of while the communicating using the direct wireless communication occurs and after the communicating using the direct wireless connection ceases.

A user equipment may comprise the apparatus according to the eight aspect.

There is provided according to a ninth aspect an apparatus, comprising: a controller configured to configure a first user equipment to communicate using a direct wireless connection between the first user equipment and a second user equipment; and a transceiver configured to receive from the first user equipment, one or more indications of information associated with the direct wireless connection and collected by the first user equipment during the direct wireless connection. The receiving may further comprise receiving one or more indications of quality of service related information for the direct wireless connection.

The transceiver may be further configured to receive a message indicating that the information associated with the direct wireless connection is stored on the first user equipment and available for retrieval; send a request for the stored information; and receive the one or more indications is performed subsequent to sending the request.

The transceiver may be further configured to send a message indicating one or more of the information associated with the direct wireless connection is to be collected by the first user equipment.

A base station may comprise the apparatus according to the ninth aspect.

There is provided according to a tenth aspect a system comprising: a base station; a first user equipment; and a second user equipment; wherein said base station comprises a controller configured to configure, said first user equipment to communicate using a direct wireless connection between said first user equipment and said second user equipment; and said first user equipment comprises a controller configured to collect information associated with the direct wireless connection; and a transceiver configure to send to said base station one or more indications of the information associated with the direct wireless connection over another wireless connection.

BRIEF DESCRI PTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the attached Drawing Figures:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary system in which the exemplary embodiments may be practiced;

FIG. 2 is an example of a signaling diagram for data collection for proximity services in which a UE is in an RRC_CONNECTED mode during direct communication;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a flowchart performed by a user equipment for data collection for proximity services;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a flowchart performed by a base station for data collection for proximity services;

Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of a mobile communication device according to some embodiments; and

Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of a control apparatus according to some embodiments.

DETAI LED DESCRI PTION OF THE DRAWI NGS

As stated above, there are problems associated with allowing user equipment to communicate with each other. Before proceeding with description of exemplary embodiments to address these problems, a description of an exemplary system is first described. Turning to FIG. 1 , this figure shows a block diagram of an exemplary system in which the exemplary embodiments may be practiced. In FIG. 1 , two UEs 1 10-1 and 1 10-2 are, at certain times, in wireless communication with a network 100, via corresponding links 1 1 1 -1 and 1 1 1 -2 (e.g., implementing a Uu interface). The UEs also, at certain times, communicate between themselves using a direct wireless connection over the link 1 12. Each user equipment 1 10 includes one or more processors 120, one or more memories 125, and one or more transceivers 130 interconnected through one or more buses 127. The one or more transceivers 130 are connected to one or more antennas 128. The one or more memories 125 include computer program code 123. The one or more memories 125 and the computer program code 123 are configured to, with the one or more processors 120, cause the corresponding user equipment 1 10 to perform one or more of the operations as described herein.

The eNB 140 includes one or more processors 150, one or more memories 155, one or more network interfaces (N/W l/F(s)) 161 , and one or more transceivers 160 interconnected through one or more buses 157. The one or more transceivers 160 are connected to one or more antennas 158. The one or more memories 155 include computer program code 153. The one or more memories 155 and the computer program code 153 are configured to, with the one or more processors 150, cause the eNB 140 to perform one or more of the operations as described herein. The one or more network interfaces 161 communicate over a network such as the networks 170 and 131 . Two or more eNBs 140 communicate using, e.g., network 170. The network 170 may be wired or wireless or both and may implement, e.g., an X2 interface.

The wireless network 100 may include a network control element (NCE) 145 that may include MME/SGW functionality, and which provides connectivity with a further network, such as a telephone network and/or a data communications network (e.g., the Internet). The eNB 140 is coupled via a network 131 to the NCE 145. The network 131 may be implemented as, e.g., an S1 interface. The NCE 145 includes one or more processors 175, one or more memories 171 , and one or more network interfaces (N/W l/F(s)) 180, interconnected through one or more buses 185. The one or more memories 171 include computer program code 173. The one or more memories 171 and the computer program code 173 are configured to, with the one or more processors 175, cause the NCE 145 to perform one or more operations.

For LTE, the eNB 140 forms the RAN, and the NCE 145 forms (e.g., part of) the CN. There may be more elements than the NCE/MME/SGW 145 in the CN. For instance, the CN could contain a PDN (Packet Data Network) gateway or HSS (Home Subscriber Server), and the like.

The computer readable memories 125, 155, and 171 may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The processors 120, 150, and 175 may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on a multi-core processor architecture, as non- limiting examples.

In general, the various embodiments of the user equipment 1 10 can include, but are not limited to, cellular telephones such as smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) having wireless communication capabilities, portable computers having wireless communication capabilities, image capture devices such as digital cameras having wireless communication capabilities, gaming devices having wireless communication capabilities, music storage and playback appliances having wireless communication capabilities, Internet appliances permitting wireless Internet access and browsing, tablets with wireless communication capabilities, as well as portable units or terminals that incorporate combinations of such functions.

A further possible mobile communication device will now be described in more detail with reference to Figure 5

The mobile communication device 1200 may receive signals over an air interface 1207 via appropriate apparatus for receiving and may transmit signals via appropriate apparatus for transmitting radio signals. In Figure 5 transceiver apparatus is designated schematically by block 1206. The transceiver apparatus 1206 may be provided for example by means of a radio part and associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the mobile device.

In some embodiments, the apparatus for receiving and/or transmitting signals 1206 may be a communicating and/or transceiving means which may communicate with a plurality of further apparatus. In some embodiments the communicating means and the sending means may use different wireless connections

A mobile device is typically provided with a collecting means 1210 which may collect information as described in accordance with some embodiments. The collecting means 1210 may comprise at least one data processing entity 1201 , at least one memory 1202 and other possible components 1203 for use in software and hardware aided execution of tasks it is designed to perform, including control of access to and communications with access systems and other communication devices. The data processing, storage and other relevant control apparatus can be provided on an appropriate circuit board and/or in chipsets (not shown).

Figure 6 shows an example of a control apparatus for a communication system according to some embodiments. The control apparatus 1300 comprises a configuration means 1306, which may configure at least one user equipment; and a transceiving means 1304 which may transmit information to and/or receive information from at least one user equipment. The configuration means 1306 may comprise at least one memory 1301 , at least one data processing unit 1302, 1303. The receiving means may be an input/output interface. Via the interface the control apparatus can be coupled to a receiver and a transmitter of the base station. For example the control apparatus can be configured to execute an appropriate software code to provide the control functions.

The exemplary embodiments herein concern communication using a direct wireless connection by two user equipment using an operator's wireless spectrum or unlicensed spectrum. That is, the two user equipment 1 10-1 and 1 10-2 directly communicate between each other using wireless spectrum (e.g., via link 1 12), without communicating via a wireless network (e.g., an eNB 140) for at least the communication between the two user equipment 1 10. In an exemplary embodiment, a user equipment 1 10 collects information about the communication using the direct wireless connection, and reports the information back to the network 100 (e.g., via the eNB 140).

Illustratively, while engaged in direct wireless communications, a UE collects (e.g., stores in memory 125) one or more of the following non-limiting list of information:

1 ) QoS related information, e.g., throughput (e.g., Tx and/or Rx), packet delay (e.g., Tx only), packet discard rate (e.g., Tx only), and/or packet loss rate (e.g., Tx and/or Rx), which could be per QCI, per RAB, or per group(s) of QCI or RAB;

2) Total number of transferred bytes (e.g., Tx and/or Rx);

3) Duration of the direct wireless connection;

4) Global cell ID where the UE was configured to perform the direct wireless connection (e.g., in an operator-controlled case);

5) Location information, taken periodically and/or taken in response to an event (e.g., the transfer of data), for one or both of the UEs;

6) Estimated distance between the UEs, taken periodically and/or in response to an event (e.g., the transfer of data)

7) DL radio measurements for E-UTRAN cells (e.g., serving cell and non- serving cells);

8) Timestamps of 1 ) to 7). In an exemplary embodiment, the UE 1 10 collects the information if requested or configured by the network to do so, or always (e.g., collecting the information is mandatory, such as being required via a standard), or a combination of the two. The request or configuration may be made, e.g., using an existing message (e.g. RRC Connection Reconfiguration message or Logged Measurement Configuration message), or a new message. The information collection may be performed as follows:

1 ) Some information may always be collected, while other information may be collected only if requested or configured by the network;

2) If configured, the configuration could be supplied at the same time the UE is configured to perform communication via a direct wireless connection (e.g., in an operator-controlled case).

When the UE resumes normal LTE operation, the UE 1 10 may indicate, e.g., via RRC signaling that logged data is available for retrieval. For example, a "direct communication related data available" indicator can be included in an RRC Connection Setup Complete message, RRC Connection Reestablishment Complete message, or RRC Connection Reconfiguration Complete message, and retrieved by the network using the UE Information Request / Response messages. The "direct communication related data available" indicator may be a new IE in an existing UL message. The retrieval can use a new information record in existing DL/UL messages.

It is noted the UE resuming normal LTE operation is only one possible case. For instance, it is described below that the UE can still maintain a connection with the E- UTRAN while performing direct wireless communication with another UE (e.g., so "normal LTE operation" is never ceased during direct wireless communication) and further the collected information can be reported in real time (not just logged for later reporting).

FIGS. 2 and 3 concern signaling diagrams for possible signaling to enable data collection for proximity services. These diagrams are merely exemplary and should not be construed as being limiting.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an example is shown of a signaling diagram for data collection for proximity services in which a UE 1 10-1 is in an RRC_CONNECTED mode during direct communication. Typically, both UEs 1 10-1 and 1 10-2 are connected to the network (e.g., eNB 140) and are therefore in the RRC_CONNECTED mode, but at least the UE 1 10-1 is in the RRC_CONNECTED mode. It is also noted that both UEs 1 10-1 and 1 10-2 may be configured to collect information associated with the direct wireless connection. This example begins in operation 1 , where there is a data path (e.g., user plane) communication between the eNB 140 and UE-1 1 10-1. This communication occurs using one or more bearers on link 1 1 1 -1 in FIG. 1 . In operation 2, the eNB 140 determines a communication using a direct wireless connection (e.g., a "direct communication") between UEs 1 10-1 and 1 10-2 is to occur and therefore determines a direct communication start trigger should occur. Responsive to the determination a direct communication start trigger should occur, the eNB 140 signals in operation 3 an RRCConnectionReconfiguration message to the UE 1 10-1 . This message configures the UE for direct communication. This message may also be used to trigger the UE 1 10-1 to, e.g., collect information during the direct communication that is reported in real time to the eNB and/or logged for later retrieval by the eNB, and the information to be logged and/or reported may be any of the possible logged information 1 ) to 8) presented above or other information. Indications to log and/or report information may be included in the message (e.g., in the lEs described below) in operation 3 or, as described above, the UE 1 10-1 could be triggered by operation 3 to log and/or report information that has already been programmed into the UE 1 10 to log and/or report, or some combination of indications and programming may be used. It should be noted that the RRCConnectionReconfiguration message, and all other messages described herein, are merely examples of messages that may be used. Implementation of exemplary embodiments is not limited to the messages particularly described herein.

In one example, the ReportConfigDirect IE is used in the RRCConnectionReconfiguration message to direct the UE 1 10-1 to perform real-time reporting of collected information. This IE may also provide additional reporting configuration information, such as how often the reporting should be performed. In operation 6, therefore, the UE 1 10-1 performs real-time reporting of collected information to the eNB 140. As another example, the LoggedConfigDirect IE is used in the RRCConnectionReconfiguration message to direct the UE 1 10-1 to perform logging of information and subsequent non-real-time reporting of the information. This IE may also provide additional logging configuration information, such as how often the logging should be performed. In operation 6, therefore, the UE 1 10-1 performs real-time logging of collected information, and subsequent retrieval by eNB 140 is performed as described below. In operation 4, the UE 1 10-1 responds with an RRCConnectionReconfigurationComplete message.

In operation 5, the UEs 1 10-1 and 1 10-2 perform the communication using a direct wireless connection via a data path (e.g., user plane) and one or more data bearers on the link 1 12. In operation 6, the UE performs data collection, such as real-time reporting and/or logging. The logging occurs during the direct communication in operation 5, and the reporting occurs in one example in real-time during the direct communication in operation 5 or could occur after completion of the direct communication in operation 5 or may occur both in real-time and after completion of the direct communication in operation 5 (e.g., some information is reported real-time and some information is reported after completion of the direct communication).

In operation 7, the eNB 140 determines the direct communication stop trigger should occur and, responsive to this determination, in operation 8 signals an RRCConnectionReconfiguration message to the UE 1 10-1 . It is noted the RRCConnectionReconfiguration message configures the UE for E-UTRAN communication, and this message also acts as a stop condition for operation 6 (i.e., realtime reporting and/or logging is stopped). It is also noted a stop condition for operation 6 can also occur if the U E 1 10-1 determines that direct communication is to cease. In operation 9, the UE 1 10-1 signals an RRCConnectionReconfigurationComplete message to the eNB 140. In the example where the UE 1 10-1 logged information in operation 6, the U E 1 10 informs the E-UTRAN (e.g., eNB 140) that the UE 1 10 has a stored data log related to direct communication by including an indication (shown in FIG. 2 as "Indication of stored data log") in the RRCConnectionReconfigurationComplete message in operation 9.

In operation 10, there is a data path (e.g., user plane) communication between the eN B 140 and UE-1 1 10-1 . In instances where the information is logged and subsequently reported, there would be additional request message(s) from the eNB 140 to the UE 1 10- 1 , requesting the logged information, and response message(s) from the UE to the eNB 140, reporting the logged information. See blocks 460 and 560, 465 and 565, and 470 and 570 in FIGS. 3 and 4, described below.

Note that FIG. 2 shows a particular case where UE-1 1 10-1 is initially communicating with UE-2 1 10-2 via the E-UTRAN (operation 1 ), then via direct wireless communication when the two U E are in proximity (operation 5), and finally via the E-

UTRAN again, e.g., when they are no longer in proximity (operation 10). Note that this is not intended to preclude UE-1 1 10-1 from simultaneously having a data path with eNB 140 and UE-2 1 10-2 (i.e., data bearers connected to UE-2, and also data bearers connected to E-UTRAN for, e.g., web browsing). In other words, operations 3 and 5 do not necessarily mean that there is no longer a data path between U E-1 1 10-1 and eNB

140. Also, this is not intended to preclude UE-1 1 10-1 from determining the direct communication stop trigger should occur and releasing the direct wireless communication with UE-2 1 10-2 (thus skipping operations 7-10).

Turning to FIG. 3, a block diagram is shown of a flowchart performed by a user equipment for data collection for proximity services. The blocks in the flowchart may be performed by computer program code 123 executed by the one or more processors 120, may be performed by hardware (e.g., an integrated circuit embodied as part of the one or more processors 120), or may be performed by a combination of these. The blocks in the flowchart may also represent a method or operations of computer program code for use with a computer, the computer code on a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., one or more memories 125) of a computer program product. In this example, the user equipment is UE 1 10-1 shown in FIGS. 1 -3 and described therewith.

The flowchart in FIG. 3 begins in block 405, wherein the UE 1 10-1 is configured via received signaling (e.g., from eNB 140) and corresponding internal configuration to communicate using a direct wireless connection between the first user equipment (UE 1 10-1 ) and a second user equipment (UE 1 10-2). As described above, the signaling can be the RRCConnectionReconfiguration message (FIG. 2) as an illustrative example. In block 410, the UE 1 10-1 determines information that is associated with the direct wireless connection and that is to be collected. In order to perform the determining, one or both of blocks 415 or 420 may be performed. In block 415, the UE 1 10-1 receives one or more indications of information associated with the direct wireless connection to be collected. The one or more indications are used to determine the information to be collected. As described above, one or more of the ReportConfigDirect or the LoggedConfigDirect lEs may contain the indication(s). In block 420, the UE 1 10-1 accesses internal memory (e.g., programming) to determine the information associated with the direct wireless connection to be collected.

In block 425, the UE 1 10-1 establishes the direct wireless connection between the first user equipment (UE 1 10-1 ) and the second user equipment (UE 1 10-2). In block 430, the UE 1 10-1 communicates using the direct wireless connection between the first user equipment (UE 1 10-1 ) and the second user equipment (UE 1 10-2).

In block 435, the UE 1 10-1 collects information associated with the direct wireless connection. The information covered herein is only information associated with the direct wireless communication, e.g., from the point in time where the UE is configured to perform direct wireless communication to the point in time where the UE is no longer configured to perform direction wireless communication (e.g., the UE autonomously releases the direct communication configuration, or receives a message that indicates to the UE to release the direction communication configuration). The collection in block 435 is performed during the communication using the direct wireless connection in block 430. The information may be reported in real time and/or logged (e.g., stored). Examples of the information were described above in 1 ) to 8) as logged information. Block 440 is a further example that contains the subject matter from 1 ) to 8) above. The information collected (e.g., reported and/or logged) may be one or more of the following non-limiting examples (as shown in block 440):

1 ) Quality of service related information: one or more of: throughput for one or both of transmission or reception; packet delay for transmission; packet discard rate for transmission; and/or packet loss rate for one or both of transmission or reception, each of which could be per one of QCI, per RAB, or per group(s) of QCI and/or RAB; and/or

2) One or more of: total number of transferred bytes; a duration of the direct wireless connection; a global cell identification of a cell where the first user equipment was configured to perform the direct wireless connection; location information; estimated distance between the UEs; and/or downlink radio measurements for a serving cell and neighbor cells; and (optionally)

3) Timestamps for any of 1 ) and/or 2).

Regarding group(s) of quality of service class identifiers and/or radio access bearers, in LTE for instance, a UE establishes one or more RABs with the E-UTRAN (e.g., eN B). Each RAB is associated with a set of QoS characteristics which includes a QCI (the characteristics also include items like allocation priority and retention priority). So a group of QCIs means, e.g., "a group of RABs having particular QCI values". A group of RABs simply means just that, "a group of RABs". Based on these assumptions, for example, if the operator is interested in the throughput of non-GBR bearers (another QoS characteristic), one could say that this is the set of RABs having certain QCI values (since certain QCI values are non-GBR, non Guaranteed Bit Rate), or one could say that this is a set of RABs that are non-GBR. It just depends on what characteristic one is grouping the RABs. Thus, an example of "per a group of QoS class identifiers" (i.e., a group of RABs having particular QoS values) is if the operator is interested in collecting information for all non-GBR traffic. There are multiple QCIs for non-GBR traffic. An example of "per a group of RABs" is if the operator is interested in collecting information for all RABs (i.e., a UE- based metric), e.g., "total U E throughput" (which is throughput for all RABs as a group). It is also note that a group can be just one QCI or one RAB.

In block 445, the UE 1 10-1 sends one or more indications of the information associated with the direct wireless connection over another wireless connection (e.g., between first user equipment and base station). One example of block 445 is illustrated by block 450, where the UE 1 10-1 sends the information in real-time (i.e., while the direct wireless connection is occurring). Another example of block 445 is illustrated by block 455, where the UE 1 10-1 sends the information after the communication using the direct wireless connection ceases (e.g., the direct wireless connection is closed). It should be noted that one or both of blocks 450 and 455 may be performed. For instance, some information could be sent real-time and some information could be sent after the communication ends.

Block 455 may be performed in an example through blocks 460, 465, and 470. In block 460, the UE 1 10-1 sends an indication that the information is stored (e.g., logged) and available for retrieval. In block 465, the UE 1 10-1 receives a request (e.g., from the eN B 140) for the stored information. In block 470, the UE 1 10-1 sends the information responsive to request.

In block 475, the UE 1 10-1 optionally sends one or more indications the communication using the direct wireless connection is no longer configured to be used (e.g., has ceased to be used). That is, the communication has ended. It is noted that block 460 and block 475 may be combined, such that block 460 sends the indication that the information is stored and available for retrieval and also sends the indication the communication using the direct wireless connection is no longer configured to be used. It is noted that block 475 is optional. While this block is related to operation 9 in FIG. 2, this block may not be performed if the UE releases the direct wireless connection on its own.

Referring to FIG. 4, this figure is a block diagram of a flowchart performed by a base station (e.g., eNB 140) for data collection for proximity services. The blocks in the flowchart may be performed by computer program code 153 executed by the one or more processors 150, may be performed by hardware (e.g., an integrated circuit embodied as part of the one or more processors 150), or may be performed by a combination of these. The blocks in the flowchart may also represent a method or operations of computer program code for use with a computer, the computer code on computer-readable storage medium (e.g., one or more memories 155) of a computer program product.

In block 505, the base station (e.g., eNB 140) configures a first user equipment

(e.g., UE 1 10-1 ) to communicate using a direct wireless connection between the first user equipment (UE 1 10-1 ) and a second user equipment (e.g., U E 1 10-2). This configuration was described above at least in reference to block 405. In block 510, the base station sends (e.g., optionally if the UE 1 10-1 is not configure solely by block 420 of FIG. 3, e.g., via internal programming) to the first user equipment 1 10-1 one or more indications of information 440 associated with the direct wireless connection to be collected. It is noted that blocks 505 and 510 can occur simultaneously, i.e., the same message that configures the UE to perform the direct wireless communication also indicates whether the data collection should be performed. This is related to the proposed dependent claim.

In block 515, the base station receives one or more indications of the information

(e.g., described in block 440) associated with the direct wireless connection from the first user equipment 1 10-1. As described previously, the base station may receive the indication(s) of the information in real-time (i.e., while the communication using direct wireless connection is occurring), as shown in block 550. As another example, the base station may receive the indication(s) of the information after the communication using the direct wireless connection ceases, as shown in block 555. One or both of blocks 550 and 555 may be performed.

An example of block 555 is shown in blocks 560, 565, and 570. Blocks 560, 565, and 570 correspond to blocks 460, 465, and 470, respectively. In block 560, the base station receives from the first user equipment (UE 1 10-1 ) an indication that the information is stored and available for retrieval. In block 565, the base station sends to UE 1 10-1 a request for the stored information. In block 570, the base station receives from UE 1 10-1 the information responsive to the request.

In block 575, the base station optionally receives an indication the communication using the direct wireless connection is no longer configured to be used (see block 475). Similar to block 460, block 560 may also be combined with block 575. That is, in block 560, the base station may receive the indication that the information is stored and available for retrieval and may receive the indication the communication using the direct wireless connection is no longer configured to be used. Additionally, block 475 is optional, as while this block is related to operation 9 in FIG. 2, this block may not be performed if the UE releases the direct wireless connection on its own.

If desired, the different functions discussed herein may be performed in a different order and/or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, if desired, one or more of the above-described functions may be optional or may be combined. Any sending or receiving performed herein may be performed via appropriate signaling.

Embodiments herein may be implemented in software (executed by one or more processors), hardware (e.g., an application specific integrated circuit), or a combination of software and hardware. In an example embodiment, the software (e.g., application logic, an instruction set) is maintained on any one of various conventional computer-readable media. In the context of this document, a "computer-readable medium" may be any media or means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate or transport the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer, with one example of a computer described and depicted, e.g., in FIG. 1 . A computer-readable medium may comprise a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., memories 125, 155, 171 or other device) that may be any media or means that can contain or store the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer. Although various aspects are set out above, other aspects comprise other combinations of features from the described embodiments, and not solely the combinations described above.

It is also noted herein that while the above describes example embodiments of the invention, these descriptions should not be viewed in a limiting sense. Rather, there are several variations and modifications which may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims 1 . A method, comprising:

communicating, by a first user equipment, using a direct wireless connection between the first user equipment and a second user equipment; and

collecting, by the first user equipment, information associated with the direct wireless connection; and

sending, by the first user equipment, one or more indications of the information associated with the direct wireless connection over another wireless connection.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein collecting information further comprises collecting quality of service related information for the direct wireless connection.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, in which one or more timestamps for associated one or more of the information or one or more of the quality of service related information or both one or more of the information and one or more of the quality of service related information are collected and sent.

4. The method as claimed in claim 2 or 3, in which multiple ones of the one or more of the information or multiple ones of the one or more of the quality of service related information or both at least one of the one or more of the information and at least one of the one or more of the quality of service related information are collected and sent.

5. The method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein: the method further comprises

sending, by the first user equipment, a message indicating that the information associated with the direct wireless connection is stored and available for retrieval; and receiving, by the first user equipment, a request for the stored information; and sending is performed in response to receiving the request.

6. The method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein: the method further comprises receiving, by the first user equipment, a message indicating one or more of the information associated with the direct wireless connection to be collected; and

collecting is performed responsive to receiving the message.

7. The method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sending is performed during at least one of: while the communicating using the direct wireless communication occurs and after the communicating using the direct wireless connection ceases.

8. The method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sending further comprises sending the one or more indications to a base station of a radio access network.

9. A method, comprising:

configuring, by a base station, a first user equipment to communicate using a direct wireless connection between the first user equipment and a second user equipment; and

receiving, at the base station and from the first user equipment, one or more indications of information associated with the direct wireless connection and collected by the first user equipment during the direct wireless connection.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein receiving further comprises receiving one or more indications of quality of service related information for the direct wireless connection.

1 1 . The method as claimed in claim 10, in which one or more timestamps for associated one or more of the information or one or more of the quality of service related information or both one or more of the information and one or more of the quality of service related information are received.

12. The method as claimed in claim 10 or 1 1 , in which multiple ones of the one or more of the information or multiple ones of the one or more of the quality of service related information or both at least one of the one or more of the information and at least one of the one or more of the quality of service related information are received.

13. The method as claimed in any of the claims 9 to 12, wherein the method further comprises receiving, by the base station, a message indicating that the information associated with the direct wireless connection is stored on the first user equipment and available for retrieval; and

sending, by the base station, a request for the stored information; and receiving the one or more indications is performed subsequent to sending the request.

14. The method as claimed in claim 5 or claim 13, wherein the message indicating that the information associated with the direct wireless connection is stored and available for retrieval further comprises an indication communication using the direct wireless connection is no longer configured to be used.

15. The method as claimed in any of the claims 9 to 14, further comprising

prior to receiving, sending by the base station a message indicating one or more of the information associated with the direct wireless connection is to be collected by the first user equipment.

16. The method as claimed in claim 6 or claim 15, wherein the message indicating the one or more of the information associated with the direct wireless connection to be collected further comprises information configuring the first user equipment to perform the communicating using the direct wireless connection.

17. The method as claimed in any of the claims 9 to 16, wherein the receiving is performed during at least one of while the communicating using the direct wireless communication occurs and after the communicating using the direct wireless connection ceases.

18. The method as claimed in any of the claims 2 to 8 or 10 to 17, wherein the quality of service related information comprises at least one of

throughput for one or both of transmission or reception over the direct wireless connection and

packet delay for transmission over the direct wireless connection and

packet discard rate for transmission over the direct wireless connection and packet loss rate for one or both of transmission or reception over the direct wireless connection.

19. The method as claimed in any of the claims 2 to 8 or 10 to 18, wherein the quality of service related information is per one or more groups of quality of service class identifiers, or per one or more groups of radio access bearers.

20. The method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the information comprises at least one of

a total number of transferred bytes for one or both of transmission or reception over the direct wireless connection and

a duration of the direct wireless connection and

a global cell identification of a cell where the first user equipment was configured to perform the direct wireless connection and

location information for one or both of the first user equipment or the second user equipment and

estimated distance between the first and second user equipment and

downlink radio measurements for a serving cell and neighbor cells.

21 . A computer program product configured to perform a method as claimed in any preceding claim.

22. The computer program product as claimed in claim 21 wherein the computer program product is embodied on a computer readable medium.

23. An apparatus, comprising:

means for communicating, using a direct wireless connection with a further apparatus;

means for collecting, information associated with the direct wireless connection; and

means for sending, one or more indications of the information associated with the direct wireless connection over another wireless connection.

24. The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein collecting information further comprises collecting quality of service related information for the direct wireless connection.

25. The apparatus as claimed in claim 24, in which one or more timestamps for associated one or more of the information or one or more of the quality of service related information or both one or more of the information and one or more of the quality of service related information are collected and sent.

26. The apparatus as claimed in claim 24 or 25, in which multiple ones of the one or more of the information or multiple ones of the one or more of the quality of service related information or both at least one of the one or more of the information and at least one of the one or more of the quality of service related information are collected and sent.

27. The apparatus as claimed in any of the claims 23 to 26, further comprising: means for sending a message indicating that the information associated with the direct wireless connection is stored and available for retrieval; means for receiving, a request for the stored information; wherein said sending is performed in response to receiving the request.

28. The apparatus as claimed in any of the claims 23 to 27, further comprises means for receiving, a message indicating one or more of the information associated with the direct wireless connection to be collected; wherein said collecting is performed responsive to receiving the message.

29. The apparatus as claimed in any of the claims 23 to 28, wherein the sending is performed during at least one of while the communicating using the direct wireless communication occurs and after the communicating using the direct wireless connection ceases.

30. The apparatus as claimed in any of the claims 23 to 29, wherein the sending further comprises sending the one or more indications to a base station of a radio access network.

31 . An apparatus, comprising:

means for configuring a first user equipment to communicate using a direct wireless connection between the first user equipment and a second user equipment; and means for receiving from the first user equipment, one or more indications of information associated with the direct wireless connection and collected by the first user equipment during the direct wireless connection.

32. The apparatus as claimed in claim 31 , wherein receiving further comprises receiving one or more indications of quality of service related information for the direct wireless connection.

33. The apparatus as claimed in claim 32, in which one or more timestamps for associated one or more of the information or one or more of the quality of service related information or both one or more of the information and one or more of the quality of service related information are received.

34. The apparatus as claimed in claim 32 or 33, in which multiple ones of the one or more of the information or multiple ones of the one or more of the quality of service related information or both at least one of the one or more of the information and at least one of the one or more of the quality of service related information are received.

35. The apparatus as claimed in any of the claims 31 to 34, further comprising: means for receiving, a message indicating that the information associated with the direct wireless connection is stored on the first user equipment and available for retrieval; means for sending, a request for the stored information; and means for receiving the one or more indications is performed subsequent to sending the request.

36. The apparatus as claimed in claim 27 or claim 35, wherein the message indicating that the information associated with the direct wireless connection is stored and available for retrieval further comprises an indication communication using the direct wireless connection is no longer configured to be used.

37. The apparatus as claimed any of the claims 31 to 36, further comprising, means for sending a message indicating one or more of the information associated with the direct wireless connection is to be collected by the first user equipment.

38. The apparatus as claimed in claim 28 or claim 37, wherein the message indicating the one or more of the information associated with the direct wireless connection to be collected further comprises information configuring the first user equipment to perform the communicating using the direct wireless connection.

39. The apparatus as claimed in any of the claims 31 to 38, wherein the receiving is performed during at least one of while the communicating using the direct wireless communication occurs and after the communicating using the direct wireless connection ceases.

40. The apparatus as claimed in any of the claims 24 to 30 or 32 to 39, wherein the quality of service related information comprises at least one of

packet delay for transmission over the direct wireless connection and

41 . The apparatus as claimed in any of the claims 24 to 30 or 32 to 40, wherein the quality of service related information is per one or more groups of quality of service class identifiers, or per one or more groups of radio access bearers.

42. The apparatus as claimed in any of the claims 23 to 41 , wherein the information comprises at least one of: a total number of transferred bytes for one or both of transmission or reception over the direct wireless connection and

a duration of the direct wireless connection and

estimated distance between the first and second user equipment and

downlink radio measurements for a serving cell and neighbor cells.

43. A user equipment comprising the apparatus as claimed in any of the claims 23 to 30; or 36, 38 or 40 to 42 when dependent on one of claims 23 to 30.

44. A base station comprising the apparatus as claimed in any of the claims 31 to 42.

45. A system comprising:

a base station;

a first user equipment; and

a second user equipment; wherein said base station comprises means for configuring, said first user equipment to communicate using a direct wireless connection between said first user equipment and said second user equipment; and

said first user equipment comprises means for collecting information associated with the direct wireless connection; and sending to said base station one or more indications of the information associated with the direct wireless connection over another wireless connection.