Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
  • H04W4/16—Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
  • H04L12/02—Details
  • H04L12/14—Charging, metering or billing arrangements specially adapted for data communications, e.g. authentication, authorisation and accounting [AAA] framework
  • H04L12/1453—Methods or systems for payment or settlement of the charges for data transmission involving significant interaction with the data transmission network
  • H04L12/1457—Methods or systems for payment or settlement of the charges for data transmission involving significant interaction with the data transmission network using an account
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
  • H04L12/02—Details
  • H04L12/14—Charging, metering or billing arrangements specially adapted for data communications, e.g. authentication, authorisation and accounting [AAA] framework
  • H04L12/1453—Methods or systems for payment or settlement of the charges for data transmission involving significant interaction with the data transmission network
  • H04L12/1471—Methods or systems for payment or settlement of the charges for data transmission involving significant interaction with the data transmission network splitting of costs
  • H04L12/1478—Methods or systems for payment or settlement of the charges for data transmission involving significant interaction with the data transmission network splitting of costs the splitting involving only the communication parties
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
  • H04M15/80—Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects
  • H04M15/8083—Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects involving reduced rates or discounts, e.g. time-of-day reductions or volume discounts
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
  • H04M15/93—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP using near field or similar technologies
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
  • H04W4/24—Accounting or billing
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
  • H04W88/02—Terminal devices
  • H04W88/04—Terminal devices adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W76/00—Connection management
  • H04W76/10—Connection setup
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W76/00—Connection management
  • H04W76/10—Connection setup
  • H04W76/15—Setup of multiple wireless link connections
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W84/00—Network topologies
  • H04W84/18—Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Definitions

• the available capacity for a mobile wireless device to access a radio access network can be limited at times due to poor channel conditions, limited transmission power, and base station scheduling constraints.
• RAN radio access network
• this situation may give rise to applications or operations on a mobile device that may require much higher throughput than a regular best effort RAN bearer can provide to that mobile device, thus diminishing user experience.
• a method for providing improved service to a wireless device in a radio access network includes determining one or more helper wireless devices capable of assisting the wireless device to improve radio access network service to the wireless device via a respective link of the one or more helper devices with the radio access network. Further, the method includes selecting at least one helper device of the determined one or more helper wireless devices to assist the wireless device in obtaining improved service from the radio access network. Additionally, the method includes establishing a wireless link between the wireless device and the selected at least one helper device allowing the wireless device to communicate with the network via the at least one helper device, wherein the wireless link is an out of band wireless link not communicating within the radio access network. In addition, a transfer of credit is signaled to the selected at least one helper device to compensate the helper device for providing the wireless device access to the radio access network.
• an apparatus for providing improved service to a wireless device in a radio access network includes at least one processor configured to determine one or more helper wireless devices capable of assisting the wireless device to improve radio access network service to the wireless device via a respective link of the one or more helper devices with the radio access network. Additionally, the processor is configured to select at least one helper device of the determined one or more helper wireless devices to assist the wireless device in obtaining improved service from the radio access network. Still further, the processor is configured to establish a wireless link between the wireless device and the selected at least one helper device allowing the wireless device to communicate with the network via the at least one helper device, wherein the wireless link is an out of band wireless link not communicating within the radio access network. The at least one processor is also configured to signal a transfer of credit to the selected at least one helper device to compensate the helper device for providing the wireless device access to the radio access network. The apparatus also includes a memory in communication with the at least one processor.
• an apparatus for providing improved service to a wireless device in a radio access network.
• the apparatus includes means for determining one or more helper wireless devices capable of assisting the wireless device to improve radio access network service to the wireless device via a respective link of the one or more helper devices with the radio access network.
• the apparatus includes means for selecting at least one helper device of the determined one or more helper wireless devices to assist the wireless device in obtaining improved service from the radio access network.
• the apparatus includes means for establishing a wireless link between the wireless device and the selected at least one helper device allowing the wireless device to communicate with the network via the at least one helper device, wherein the wireless link is an out of band wireless link not communicating within the radio access network.
• the apparatus includes means for signaling a transfer of credit to the selected at least one helper device to compensate the helper device for providing the wireless device access to the radio access network.
• a computer program product comprising a computer- readable medium.
• the medium includes code for causing a computer to determine one or more helper wireless devices in a radio access network capable of assisting a wireless device in a radio access network to obtain improved radio access network service for the wireless device via a respective link of the one or more helper devices with the radio access network.
• the medium includes code for causing a computer to select at least one helper device of the determined one or more helper wireless devices to assist the wireless device in obtaining improved service from the radio access network.
• the medium includes code for causing a computer to establish a wireless link between the wireless device and the selected at least one helper device allowing the wireless device to communicate with the network via the at least one helper device, wherein the wireless link is an out of band wireless link not communicating within the radio access network.
• the medium includes code for causing a computer to signal a transfer of credit to the selected at least one helper device to compensate the helper device for providing the wireless device access to the radio access network.
• the present disclosure provides a method for providing improved service to a wireless device in a radio access network.
• the disclosed method includes receiving a request from another primary wireless device for improved service from a radio access network by using a radio access network connection of the wireless device.
• the method includes establishing an out of band wireless link between the wireless device and the primary wireless device allowing the primary wireless device to utilize the radio access network connection of the wireless device for access to the radio access network.
• the method includes receiving a transfer of credit from at least one of the primary device and an operator of the radio access network for providing the primary device access to the radio access network.
• an apparatus provides improved service to a wireless device in a radio access network by including means for receiving a request from another primary wireless device for improved service from a radio access network by using a radio access network connection of the wireless device.
• the apparatus also includes means for establishing an out of band wireless link between the wireless device and the primary wireless device allowing the primary wireless device to utilize the radio access network connection of the wireless device for access to the radio access network.
• the apparatus also includes means for receiving a transfer of credit from at least one of the primary device and an operator of the radio access network for providing the primary device access to the radio access network.
• a computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium
• the medium includes code for causing a computer to receive a request in a wireless device from another primary wireless device for improved service from a radio access network by using a radio access network connection of the wireless device.
• the medium also includes code for causing a computer to establish an out of band wireless link between the wireless device and the primary wireless device allowing the primary wireless device to utilize the radio access network connection of the wireless device for access to the radio access network.
• the medium includes code for causing a computer to receive a transfer of credit from at least one of the primary device and an operator of the radio access network for providing the primary device access to the radio access network.
• an apparatus for providing improved service to a wireless device in a radio access network includes means for determining when a first wireless device is initiating an upgraded connection with the radio access network by using at least one second wireless device assisting the first wireless device in at least one cooperative session. Additionally, the apparatus includes means for determining an incentive credit to transfer to the assisting second wireless device based at least on energy costs incurred by the second wireless device for the at least one cooperative session.
• an apparatus for providing improved service to a wireless device in a radio access network includes at least one processor configured to determine when a first wireless device initiates an upgraded connection with the radio access network by using at least one second wireless device assisting the first wireless device in at least one cooperative session.
• the at least one processor is also configured to determine an incentive credit to transfer to the assisting second wireless device based at least on energy costs incurred by the second wireless device for the at least one cooperative session.
• the apparatus includes a memory in communication with the at least one processor.
• a computer program product comprising a computer- readable medium
• the medium including code for causing a computer to determine when a first wireless device initiates an upgraded connection with a radio network by using at least one second wireless device assisting the first wireless device in at least one cooperative session for accessing the radio network. Further, the medium includes code for causing a computer to determine an incentive credit to transfer to the assisting second wireless device based at least on energy costs incurred by the second wireless device for the at least one cooperative session.
• FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary cooperative system according to the present disclosure
• FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary apparatus that may be used in implementing the system shown in FIG. 1;
• FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method that may be implemented by a helper device to effect a helping session with at least one other helper device;
• FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a first helping session using primary and helping devices.
• FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a second helping session using primary and helping devices
• FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary apparatus operable for employing the presently disclosed methods for implementing an exemplary cooperative system for assisting with access to a RAN;
• the system 100 includes at least one operator network 102.
• the network or networks may include one or more base stations, NodeB's, eNodeB's, or another type of radio access point(s) for access to a RAN or RANs.
• the network 102 also may include network controllers, backhaul, backbone, and other links such as IP or Internet links, as well as the operator(s) core networks.
• the represented cloud 102 is not limited to merely one RAN or RAT and operator, but may be considered also to include multiple types of RANs and/or RATs, as well as multiple operators of corresponding RANs.
• the wireless link 1 12 is out-of-band link meaning that the radio technology utilized for link 112 is different from links 106 and 1 10.
• mobile device 104 may be configured to select at least one other mobile device among many available other mobile devices based on their RAN access link conditions to the desired RAN 102 using that mobile device's RAN access link (e.g., helper 108 and its corresponding link 110). The selection may be made according to various factors and information received either from another mobile device or the RAN.
• mobile devices in the system such as 104 and 108, may be configured to exchange RAN access link information with each other, including the data rate, channel condition, delay, and delay jitter concerning their RAN access links.
• a mobile device such as primary device 104, may be configured to assess the merit of using another mobile as a helper to access the RAN 102 based on those collected RAN access link information.
• the merit of using a helper's RAN access link is a based on the combined factors of the out-of- band link (e.g., 1 12) and the helper's RAN access link (e.g., 110).
• the primary device 104 may be configured to find the best helper device according to the assessment of the merits among multiple potential helper devices (and their associated RAN access links).
• the primary device may be further configured to assess the merits of choosing to access the RAN 102 through another helper device's RAN link 1 10 and the direct link 1 12 over simply using its own RAN link 106.
• the primary device 104 is configured choose to access the RAN through the best helper's RAN access link (e.g., 1 10) if the merit of using a helper's RAN access link outperforms the merit of using the primary device's own direct RAN access link. Otherwise, the primary device 104 would simply use its own direct RAN access link 106 for RAN access.
• this choice of helper devices may be made periodically or upon triggering events to ensure good utilization of cooperation.
• Wireless link 1 12 which is an out-of-band link (i.e., different band or RAT from the RAN(s)) between the primary device 104 and the helper device 108, may comprise a wireless technology such as IEEE 802.1 1 WiFiTM, as one example, but may also include any other suitable wireless technologies having efficacious data rates, capacity, and throughput.
• the path for access of a primary device to a RAN may consist of multiple links (i.e., multiple helper devices along the path to the RAN), or parallel links (i.e., two or more helper devices operate in parallel where the primary device has multiple out-of-band wireless links to multiple helper devices each accessing the RAN directly).
• FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary apparatus 200 that may be used in implementing the system 100 shown in FIG. 1.
• the apparatus includes a primary device 202 and a helper device 204 that are both configured to access one or more RAN networks 206 shown representationally as a cloud.
• the primary device 202 may include one or more modems for transmitting and receiving wireless signals from one or more corresponding RATs. Additionally, the one or more modems may implement multiple data processing and RF chains to transmit and receive data via different RATs.
• Devices 202 and 204 are illustrated with two processing and RF chains 208 and 210 or 212 and 214 for purposes of illustrating two distinct RATs for effecting the RAN access link and the out-of-band link. It is noted, however, that FIG.
• processing and RF chains 208 and 212 are operable for wireless communication with at least one RAN, such as network 206.
• Processing and RF chains 210 and 214 are operable for effecting wireless communication between the devices 202 and 204 over an out-of-band link, such as an 802.11 link, as one example.
• data and information from the TX processors 216, 218 is modulated by respective modulators 222, 224, and delivered to RF transmit/receive circuits 226, 228 for wireless transmission of data via respective one or more antennas 230, 232.
• transmissions from transmitter/receiver 226 are to the RAN 206, whereas transmissions from transmitter/receiver 228 are to another node or device, such as helper device 204.
• the transmitter/receivers 226, 228 also receive wireless transmissions respectively from the RAN 206 or another node or device (e.g., 204).
• the received transmissions are demodulated by demodulators 234, 236 and then processed (e.g., decoded, etc.) by receive data processors 238, 240 for use by the DSP 220 or other processors (not shown).
• multiple parallel transmit/receive chains 208, 210, 212, 214 used for respective RATs utilized by devices 202, 204, or combined processing that provides data to multiple transmit/receive circuits (e.g., 226, 228) that operate according to respective RATs.
• the present apparatus and methods may be applied in devices operable with one or more RATs such as LTE, LTE Advanced, 3 GPP based systems, GSM, UMTS, HSPA, CDMA, lxEVDO, W-CDMA, other 3G and 4G technologies, IEEE 802.11 WiFi, WiFi direct, WPAN (IEEE 802.15), WiMax (IEEE 802.16), WiGig, MBWA (IEEE 802.20), cognitive radio (IEEE 802.22), Bluetooth®, or various other mesh network systems such as IEEE 802.1 Is, as merely a few examples.
• RATs such as LTE, LTE Advanced, 3 GPP based systems, GSM, UMTS, HSPA, CDMA, lxEVDO, W-CDMA, other 3G and 4G technologies, IEEE 802.11 WiFi, WiFi direct, WPAN (IEEE 802.15), WiMax (IEEE 802.16), WiGig, MBWA (IEEE 802.20), cognitive radio (IEEE 802.22), Bluetooth®, or various other mesh network systems
• device 202 may determine and select a helper device (e.g., 204) with a better wireless link (e.g., 274) to the RAN 206 to assist in increasing throughput and capacity as discussed in connection with FIG. 1. This is accomplished by the further utilization of an out-of-band link 276 between the two devices 202 and 204.
• the data path for the primary device 202 to access the RAN 206 during a helping session would be via modem or processing and RF chain 210 over out- band-link 276 to modem or processing and RF chain 214.
• the processor 266 may then direct that data for primary device 202 is transmitted and received via modem or processing and RF chain 212 via an "in-band" link 274 having superior quality to link 272 to access the RAN 206.
• Data received from the RAN 206 at helper device 204 for primary device 202 is then routed via 214 and out-of-band link 276 to primary device 202.
• the operator may solely perform the credit transfers, where the operator transfers credit from the primary device's account to the helper device's account.
• the primary device may not actively cause the credit transfer to occur. Rather, the operator may detect cooperative helping sessions, and then determine and initiate credit transfer to the helper device, including both transfers from the primary device's account and incentivizing credit from the operator.
• method 300 may executed by primary devices 104 or 202. More specifically, method 300 may be implemented by a processor within the primary device, such as processor 220 or similar device directing the operation of the cooperative helping session, as well as processing and RF chains (e.g., 210) that carry out the particular transmission and reception of data and information with the helpers (e.g., 204) over the out of band link (e.g., 276).
• processor 220 or similar device directing the operation of the cooperative helping session
• processing and RF chains e.g., 210) that carry out the particular transmission and reception of data and information with the helpers (e.g., 204) over the out of band link (e.g., 276).
• the process in block 404 provides that a helper device may then establish at least one out of band wireless link between the wireless device and the another wireless device allowing the another wireless device to utilize the radio access network connection of the wireless device for access to the radio access network.
• Process 404 may include establishing a direct out of band wireless link from the helping device to a primary device, such as illustrated by links 1 12 and 276. Nonetheless, process 404 may also encompass a situation where one helper device is relaying data and information to another helper device in a concatenated fashion as part of a relay or mesh providing RAN access to a primary device.
• method 400 includes receiving a transfer of credit from at least one of the primary device and an operator of the radio access network for providing the primary device access to the radio access network as illustrated by block 406.
• the transferred credit may include funds from a primary user's account to the helper's account to compensate for the cooperative helping session or an injection of funds from an operator to the account of the helping device to incentivize or motivate further cooperative behavior, or both.
• process of block 406 may be effected by processor 266 or similar device, or alternatively through the use of an application or application programming interface in the helper device to receive or at least indicate receipt of micropayment transfers of credit from the operator of the RAN to the account of the helper device and/or payments from the user of the primary device via the RAN operator(s) for the cooperative session.
• the presently disclosed incentive system functions to provide one or more of flow of credit between the operator and helper devices, a primary device and the operator, and primary and helper devices to incentivize cooperative behavior.
• the incentive system includes at least two features.
• a first feature is that a primary device or an operator (or both) may provide a certain amount of credit to a helper device as compensation for usage of the helper's RAN link.
• this credit may be based on a helping cost perceived by the helping device (or user of the helping device).
• the RAN operator may provide a certain amount of credit to a helper based on the extra revenue harvested by the operator due to cooperative sessions (i.e., for the extra revenue paid by the primary device for the increased throughput service).
• the incentive system may include at least two fund/credit flows.
• One credit flow is a credit (e.g., money funds) transferred from a primary device to its helper device to compensate the helper's energy cost to operate on the RAN link and the out-of-band link.
• the other credit flow may be another credit type (e.g., minutes) transfer from the RAN operator to the cooperative session's helper device. This second transfer could serve to assist the helper device to potentially pay for a future cooperation as a helper device as a further incentive, or simply for extra minutes for the user of the helper device.
• the credit transfer from the operator to the cooperative session's helper device may be configured such that the amount of fund/credit transfer is less than the extra revenue the operator obtains through the cooperative session to provide incentive for the operator to offer these sessions.
• the fund/credit transfer may also be configured such that the amount of the transfer is larger than an "opportunity cost,” which will be more fully defined and discussed later.
• a second feature of the present incentive scheme may also include a credit unification mechanism to unify or normalize the merit of energy consumption perceived by mobile devices and the merit of air resources perceived by the operator.
• a credit unification mechanism to unify or normalize the merit of energy consumption perceived by mobile devices and the merit of air resources perceived by the operator.
• the amount of time utilized by the helper mobile device in assisting could be used for determining the merit for compensation/credit
• another way to judge merit is based on energy consumption.
• the amount of fund/credit transfer may be based on sufficiently compensating a helper device for the additional energy spent at the helper.
• the unit of the credit may be normalized to the energy unit of joules, but is not limited to solely this particular unit of energy.
• the credit may be calculated to be the number of joules that the helper device expends in participating in a cooperative session.
• the credit could be calculated to be the amount of joules the helper device spends to utilize the extra airtime harvested by the operator due to the cooperation. That is, since a primary device is requesting and using additional data resources in a cell of the RAN, the operator will charge for this upgraded service.
• the primary device could be configured to compensate the helper directly or the primary device could trigger the particular RAN operator to provide the credit (which could therein debit the primary device user's account, for example).
• the present scheme provides for normalization and unification of the unit basis between the cost to help expended by the helper device and the benefits to operator of the overall capacity increase.
• opportunity cost is defined as the gap or difference between the amount of credit that a helper mobile device obtains in a previous cooperation session and the amount of credit that the helper device has to pay to get help in a primary device role from another mobile device (acting as helper) in a subsequent helping session.
• FIGs. 5 and 6 show two helping sessions that demonstrate the concept of opportunity cost.
• mobile device 502 is a very good conditioned mobile device acting as a helper device that helps a poorly conditioned mobile device 504 to access a RAN 506 via its RAN access link 508.
• the user of device 502 may receive only a small amount of fund/credit transfer due to the small cost to mobile device 502 for providing help to mobile device 504.
• the cost to pay for the helping session 1 in the scenario of FIG. 5 is a value "CI .”
• the opportunity cost is the difference of CI and C2 (.e.g., C2-C1).
• C2 e.g., C2-C1
• this will give rise to disincentive for the user of mobile device 502 to offer further cooperation in the helping session as there is a net cost, not gain.
• an operator or other party could inject credits for incentive, such as to the user of device 502 in the example of FIGs. 5 and 6.
• a quantitative or mathematical measure may be established such that revenue that the operator harvests in a cooperative session is sufficient to inject credit or funds to a helper device for one subsequent cooperative session when two mobile devices switch their channel condition insufficiently.
• one scheme to govern the injection of credit to ensure viability of the cooperative system may include allowing a helper device to set a particular profit margin that is desired from offering the cooperative assistance to a primary device, this profit margin denoted herein with a variable a. Additionally, a portion of the extra revenue harvested by the operator arising from the first cooperation session as exemplified in FIG.
• a variable y can be used to denote the percentage of the revenue that the operator needs to inject as credits/funds to the helper.
• the credit incentive scheme then may be configured such that y > (1 + a). Stated another way, the percentage of revenue credited by the operator back to mobile helper 502 is equal to or exceeds the profit or profit margin the helper desires given a net energy expenditure over multiple cooperative sessions. However, it is axiomatic that if the profit margin demanded by helper devices for their cooperation is too high, then the costs become too great and the scheme becomes unworkable and unprofitable for an operator.
• the fund transfer is determined based on the total energy cost of both links (in-band and out of band) normalized in terms of energy units multiplied by the desired profit margin or markup.
• an operator may quantitatively establish the following relationship: y ⁇ [(l + a) /( e poor - e c i) ][ (e C 2 - e c i) + (K-l)( eooB + e C 2)].
• the operator may set the following constraints or quantitative measure: f(l + a) /( e poor - e c i) ][ (e C 2 - e c i) + (K min -1)( eooB + e c2 )J ⁇ y ⁇ [(1 + a) /( e poor - e cl ) ][ (e c2 - e cl ) + (K max -1)( e 0 0B + e c2 )J, where K min and K max are respectively the minimum and the maximum number of cooperative sessions the operator may intend to fund that have identical cooperation setups where two mobile devices switch their channel condition insufficiently.
• a RAN operator may charge a primary device to boost its data rate by providing an Application Programming Interface (API) or similar application to a mobile device or phone for enabling or signaling micropayment transactions (i.e., payment transactions involving small sums of money or amounts of credits).
• API Application Programming Interface
• micropayment transactions i.e., payment transactions involving small sums of money or amounts of credits.
• the data rate boost is at the expense of other users' data rate, since the characteristics of all active channels in the network are not changed upon this operation.
• peer-to-peer systems to configure peer nodes to cooperate among one another
• peer-to-peer systems cooperate among peer nodes primarily for storing contents more efficiently in a distributed manner, collaboratively sending data to enhance the throughput, sharing processing tasks to reduce the workload, or collaboratively transmitting signals to obtain the capacity gain in a multipath physical channel.
• the present incentivized cooperative system enables cooperation among peer mobile devices to access a RAN so to increase the cell capacity as well as individual RAN access throughput, which is not present or of concern in peer-to-peer systems.
• FIG. 9 illustrates another exemplary apparatus 900 operable for employing the presently disclosed methods for implementing an exemplary cooperative system for assisting with access to a RAN.
• Apparatus 900 is operable within a wireless device, such as devices 104, 108, 202, or 204, or within portions thereof. It is first noted that apparatus 900 is illustrated with a communication bus 902 merely to indicate that the various means, blocks, modules, or circuitry within apparatus 900 are communicatively coupled and that communication of data and information occurs there between.
• Apparatus 900 also includes a means or module 908 for establishing at least one wireless link between the wireless device and the selected at least one helper device allowing the wireless device to communicate with the network via the at least one helper device, wherein the wireless link is an out of band wireless link not communicating within the radio access network.
• Means 908 may be implemented by processor 220, and processing and RF chain 210, as merely one example, but could be implemented with any equivalent thereof capable of performing the function. Additionally, in an aspect, means 908 may be configured to implement the process in block 306 of method 300.
• apparatus 1000 may include also includes a general processor 1008 (or application specific processor in another aspect), which may perform any or all of the various functions of the various means of apparatus 1000 in association with a memory device 1010 used to store instructions executable by the processor 1008 to implement one or more various functions. It is noted that any of the means in apparatus 1000 may be implemented with hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof, and may further be implemented separately as shown, or alternatively in an integral unit such as in a processor 1008 or similarly equivalent device.
• a general processor 1008 or application specific processor in another aspect
• Apparatus 1 100 further includes a means or module 1106 for determining an optimal incentive credit to transfer to the assisting second wireless device based on normalized energy costs incurred by the second wireless device for at least one cooperative session.
• means 1 106 is configured to implement the process in block 804 of method 800, for example.
• apparatus 1100 may include also includes a general processor 1108 (or application specific processor in another aspect), which may perform any or all of the various functions of the various means of apparatus 1 100 in association with a memory device 1 110 used to store instructions executable by the processor 1108 to implement one or more various functions. It is noted that any of the means in apparatus 1 100 may be implemented with hardware, software, firmware, or any combination and equivalent thereof, and may further be implemented separately as shown, or alternatively in an integral unit such as in a processor 1 108 or similarly equivalent device.
• a software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art.
• An exemplary computer program product and/or computer-readable storage medium is coupled to the processor such the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium.
• the storage medium may be integral to the processor.
• the processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC.
• the ASIC may reside in a user terminal.
• the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a user terminal.

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