IP Library Granted Patent US 12,641,510
Granted Patent B2
US 12,641,510 · App. 17/228,553 · Granted May 26, 2026

Wireless communication method, wireless communication system, base station, and wireless station

Inventors: Yoshiaki Ohta (Yokohama, JP); Shinichiro Aikawa (Yokohama, JP)
Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte Ltd.
H04W36/38H04L5/00H04L5/001H04W36/00692H04W36/087
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,641,510
App. No.
17/228,553
Granted
May 26, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A wireless communication method including: when a wireless station has dual connectivity to a first base station that is a primary base station and a second base station that is a secondary base station and when a handover of the primary base station is to be performed from the first base station to a third base station, transmitting from the first base station to the third base station a first signal requesting the handover, when the third base station makes a determination not to change the secondary base station based on the first signal, transmitting from the third base station to the second base station a second signal indicating the determination and to the first base station a third signal indicating the determination, and performing the handover based on the third signal without transferring a connection between the wireless station and the second base station to the first base station.

Claims (42)

1 . A wireless communication method comprising:

transmitting, by a first base station that is a primary base station for a wireless station, to a third base station, a first signal requesting a switching of the primary base station to the third base station when the wireless station has a multiple connection and when a handover of the wireless station from the first base station to the third base station is to be performed, wherein the multiple connection comprises at least a first connection and a second connection, and the first connection is a connection between the wireless station and the first base station, and the second connection is a connection between the wireless station and a second base station that is a secondary base station for the wireless station, and wherein the first connection corresponds to a first data bearer and a first data channel between the wireless station and the first base station, and the second connection corresponds to a second data bearer and a second data channel between the wireless station and the second base station;

receiving, by the first base station from the third base station, a second signal indicating that the second connection is to be maintained, wherein the second signal includes an information element for downlink forwarding that indicates that downlink communication of the second data bearer and the second data channel is not to be transferred to the first base station or the third base station during the handover based on a determination by the third base station that the second connection is to be maintained; and

performing, by the first base station, the handover of the wireless station and the switching without transferring the second connection and the downlink communication of the second data bearer and the second data channel to neither the first base station nor the third base station based on the information element for downlink forwarding.

2 . The wireless communication method of claim 1 , wherein the first signal includes an identifier of the second base station.

3 . The wireless communication method of claim 1 , wherein performing the handover of the wireless station and the switching without transferring the second connection comprises transferring the connection to the third base station.

4 . The wireless communication method of claim 1 , wherein performing the handover of the wireless station and the switching with transferring the second connection comprises transferring the connection to the third base station.

5 . The wireless communication method of claim 1 , further comprising:

transmitting, by the first base station to the wireless station, a reference signal; and

receiving, by the first base station from the wireless station, a measurement report that includes a result of a measurement of the reference signal.

6 . The wireless communication method of claim 5 , wherein the first signal is based at least in part on the measurement report.

7 . The wireless communication method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving, by the first base station from the third base station, a third signal indicating that the second connection is not to be maintained, wherein the third signal includes the information element for downlink forwarding that indicates that the downlink communication of the second data bearer and the second data channel is to be transferred to the first base station or the third base station during the handover; and

performing, by the first base station, the handover of the wireless station with transferring the second connection and the downlink communication of the second data bearer and the second data channel to either the first base station or the third base station.

8 . A first base station for wireless communication, comprising:

at least one memory; and

at least one processor coupled with the at least one memory and configured to cause the first base station to:

transmit, to a third base station, a first signal requesting a switching of the first base station that is a primary base station for a wireless station to the third base station when the wireless station has a multiple connection and when a handover of the wireless station from the first base station to the third base station is to be performed, wherein the multiple connection comprises at least a first connection and a second connection, and the first connection is a connection between the wireless station and the first base station, and the second connection is a connection between the wireless station and a second base station that is a secondary base station for the wireless station, and wherein the first connection corresponds to a first data bearer and a first data channel between the wireless station and the first base station, and the second connection corresponds to a second data bearer and a second data channel between the wireless station and the second base station;

receive, from the third base station, a second signal indicating that the second connection is to be maintained, wherein the second signal includes an information element for downlink forwarding that indicates that downlink communication of the second data bearer and the second data channel is not to be transferred to the first base station or the third base station during the handover based on a determination by the third base station that the second connection is to be maintained; and

perform the handover of the wireless station and the switching without transferring the second connection and the downlink communication of the second data bearer and the second data channel to neither the first base station nor the third base station based on the information element for downlink forwarding.

9 . The first base station of claim 8 , wherein the first signal includes an identifier of the second base station.

10 . The first base station of claim 8 , wherein, to perform the handover of the wireless station and the switching without transferring the second connection, the at least one processor is configured to cause the first base station to transfer the connection to the third base station.

11 . The first base station of claim 8 , wherein, to perform the handover of the wireless station and the switching with transferring the second connection, the at least one processor is configured to cause the first base station to transfer the connection to the third base station.

12 . The first base station of claim 8 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the first base station to:

transmit, to the wireless station, a reference signal; and

receiving, from the wireless station, a measurement report that includes a result of a measurement of the reference signal.

13 . The first base station of claim 12 , wherein the first signal is based at least in part on the measurement report.

14 . The first base station of claim 8 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

receive, from the third base station, a third signal indicating that the second connection is not to be maintained, wherein the third signal includes the information element for downlink forwarding that indicates that the downlink communication of the second data bearer and the second data channel is to be transferred to the first base station or the third base station during the handover; and

perform the handover of the wireless station with transferring the second connection and the downlink communication of the second data bearer and the second data channel to either the first base station or the third base station.

15 . A processor for wireless communication, comprising:

at least one controller coupled with at least one memory and configured to cause the processor to:

transmit, to a third base station, a first signal requesting a switching of a first base station that is a primary base station for a wireless station to the third base station when the wireless station has a multiple connection and when a handover of the wireless station from the first base station to the third base station is to be performed, wherein the multiple connection comprises at least a first connection and a second connection, and the first connection is a connection between the wireless station and the first base station, and the second connection is a connection between the wireless station and a second base station that is a secondary base station for the wireless station, and wherein the first connection corresponds to a first data bearer and a first data channel between the wireless station and the first base station, and the second connection corresponds to a second data bearer and a second data channel between the wireless station and the second base station;

receive, from the third base station, a second signal indicating that the second connection is to be maintained, wherein the second signal includes an information element for downlink forwarding that indicates that downlink communication of the second data bearer and the second data channel is not to be transferred to the first base station or the third base station during the handover based on a determination by the third base station that the second connection is to be maintained; and

perform the handover of the wireless station and the switching without transferring the second connection and the downlink communication of the second data bearer and the second data channel to neither the first base station nor the third base station based on the information element for downlink forwarding.

16 . The processor of claim 15 , wherein the first signal includes an identifier of the second base station.

17 . The processor of claim 15 , wherein the at least one controller is further configured to:

receive, from the third base station, a third signal indicating that the second connection is not to be maintained, wherein the third signal includes the information element for downlink forwarding that indicates that the downlink communication of the second data bearer and the second data channel is to be transferred to the first base station or the third base station during the handover; and

perform the handover of the wireless station with transferring the second connection and the downlink communication of the second data bearer and the second data channel to either the first base station or the third base station.

18 . The processor of claim 17 , wherein, to perform the handover of the wireless station and the switching with transferring the second connection, the at least one controller is configured to transfer the connection to the third base station.

19 . The processor of claim 15 , wherein the first signal includes an identifier of the second base station.

20 . The processor of claim 15 , wherein, to perform the handover of the wireless station and the switching without transferring the second connection, the at least one controller is configured to transfer the connection to the third base station.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 15, 2024
From: YAMATO KANZAI LIMITED
To: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 066792/0035 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 13, 2024
From: FCNT LIMITED
To: YAMATO KANZAI LIMITED
Reel/Frame 066753/0700 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 11, 2024
From: FUJITSU CONNECTED TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
To: FCNT LIMITED
Reel/Frame 066719/0509 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 13, 2021
From: FUJITSU LIMITED
To: FUJITSU CONNECTED TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
Reel/Frame 055900/0373 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 15220754 · Jul 27, 2016
Continuation PCTJP2014000539 · Jan 31, 2014
Related Publication 20210235352A1 · Jul 29, 2021
References Cited (53)
US 11012909B2 · Ohta · 2021 [cited by examiner]
US 20130215772A1 · Kaur · 2013 [cited by examiner]
US 20150017993A1 · Ishii · 2015 [cited by examiner]
US 20150023319A1 · Park · 2015 [cited by examiner]
US 20150117405A1 · Takahashi · 2015 [cited by examiner]
US 20150312810A1 · Yasuda · 2015 [cited by examiner]
US 20150350969A1 · Dudda · 2015 [cited by examiner]
US 20150358865A1 · Fu · 2015 [cited by examiner]
US 20160021581A1 · Deenoo · 2016 [cited by examiner]
US 20160278030A1 · Yi · 2016 [cited by examiner]
KR 1020170140442A · 2017 [cited by applicant]
WO 2013133871A1 · 2013 [cited by applicant]
WO 2013157537A1 · 2013 [cited by applicant]
CMCC, “HO signaling flow for small cell enhancement” R3-132227, Nov. 11-15, 2013 (Year: 2013). [cited by examiner]
ZTE Corporation, “Discussion on handover procedure for small cell,” R2-140114, Jan. 27, 2014 (Year: 2014). [cited by examiner]
CMCC “HO signaling flow for small cell enhancement” 3GPP R3-132227, Nov. 11-15, 2013 (Year: 2013). [cited by examiner]
3GPP TS36.300 V12.0.0, “3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) and Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network … [cited by applicant]
3GPP TS36.211 V12.0.0, “3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Physical channels and modulation (Release 12)”, Dec. 2… [cited by applicant]
3GPP TS36.212 V12.0.0, “3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Multiplexing and channel coding (Release 12)”, Dec. 20… [cited by applicant]
3GPP TS36.213 V12.0.0, “3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Physical layer procedures (Release 12)”, Dec. 2013. [cited by applicant]
3GPP TS36.321 V12.0.0, “3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol specification (Re… [cited by applicant]
3GPP TS36.322 V11.0.0, “3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Radio Link Control (RLC) protocol specification (Relea… [cited by applicant]
3GPP TS36.323 V11.2.0, “3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) specification … [cited by applicant]
3GPP TS36.331 V12.0.0, “3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Radio Resource Control (RRC); Protocol specification (… [cited by applicant]
3GPP TS36.413 V12.0.0, “3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN); S1 Application Protocol (S1AP) (Release 12)”,… [cited by applicant]
3GPP TS36.423 V12.0.0, “3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN); X2 application protocol (X2AP) (Release 12)”,… [cited by applicant]
Alcatel-Lucent et al., “Handover procedure in CA,” Agenda Item: 7.1.5, 3GPP TSG-RAN WG2 Meeting #70, R2-103155, Montreal, Canada, May 11-15, 2010. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report issued for corresponding International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2014/000539, mailed Jan. 31, 2014, with a partial English translation. [cited by applicant]
3GPP TR 36.842 V12.0.0 (Dec. 2013)3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Study on Small Cell enhancements for E-UTRA and E-UTRAN; Higher layer aspects (Release 12), Dec. … [cited by applicant]
Notification of Reasons for Refusal issued by the Japan Patent Office for corresponding Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-559615, mailed on Apr. 23, 2019, with an English translation. [cited by applicant]
Second Notification of Office Action issued by the China National Intellectual Property Administration for corresponding Chinese Patent Application No. 201480074519.2, dated Apr. 12, 2019, with an English translation. [cited by applicant]
Summons to attend oral proceedings pursuant to Rule 115(1) EPC issued by the European Patent Office for corresponding European Patent Application No. 14880684.7-1214, dated Mar. 5, 2019. [cited by applicant]
First Notification of Office Action and search report issued by the China National Intellectual Property Administration for corresponding Chinese Patent Application No. 201910535991.6, mailed on Jan. 28, 2021, with an E… [cited by applicant]
First Notification of Office Action issued by the State Intellectual Property Office of China for corresponding Chinese Patent Application No. 201480074519.2, dated Sep. 30, 2018, with an English translation. [cited by applicant]
ZTE Corporation: “Discussion on handover procedure for small cell”, Agenda Item: 7.2.1, 3GPP TSG-RAN WG2 Meeting #85, R2-140114, Prague, Czech Republic, Jan. 10-14, 2014. [cited by applicant]
CMCC: “HO signaling flow for small cell enhancement”, Agenda Item: 20.2, 3GPP TSG-RAN WG3 Meeting #82, R3-132227, San Francisco, USA, Nov. 11-15, 2013. [cited by applicant]
NSN et al: “Handover procedure in case of bearer only served by SeNB(1A)”, Agenda Item: 20.2.1, 3GPP TSG-RAN WG3 Meeting #82, R3-132101, San Francisco, USA, Nov. 11-15, 2013. [cited by applicant]
ERICSSON: “Signalling procedures for dual connectivity”, Agenda Item: 7.2.2.1, 3GPP TSG-RAN WG2 Meeting #84, R2-134219, San Francisco, USA, Nov. 11-15, 2013. [cited by applicant]
Extended European search report with supplementary European search report and the European search opinion issued by the European Patent Office for corresponding European Patent Application No. 14880684.7, mailed on Dec.… [cited by applicant]
European Office Action for corresponding European Patent Application No. 14880684.7, dated Mar. 15, 2018. [cited by applicant]
Decision of Refusal issued by the Japan Patent Office for corresponding Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-559615, mailed on Feb. 13, 2018, with an English translation. [cited by applicant]
Notification of Reasons for Refusal issued by the Japan Patent Office for corresponding Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-559615, mailed on Oct. 3, 2017, with an English translation. [cited by applicant]
Notice of Final Rejection issued by the Korean Intellectual Property Office for corresponding Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-7021889, mailed on Sep. 12, 2017, with English translation. [cited by applicant]
Notice of Last Preliminary Rejection issued by the Korean Intellectual Property Office for corresponding Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-7021889, mailed on Jan. 10, 2018, with English translation. [cited by applicant]
Notice of Preliminary Rejection issued by the Korean Intellectual Property Office for corresponding Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-7021889, mailed on May 31, 2017, with English translation. [cited by applicant]
Non-Final Office Action issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office for corresponding U.S. Appl. No. 15/220,754, electronically delivered on Jan. 29, 2018. [cited by applicant]
Final Office Action issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office for corresponding U.S. Appl. No. 15/220,754, electronically delivered on Oct. 25, 2018. [cited by applicant]
Non-Final Office Action issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office for corresponding U.S. Appl. No. 15/220,754, electronically delivered on May 28, 2019. [cited by applicant]
Final Office Action issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office for corresponding U.S. Appl. No. 15/220,754, electronically delivered on Nov. 19, 2019. [cited by applicant]
Non-Final Office Action issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office for corresponding U.S. Appl. No. 15/220,754, electronically delivered on May 19, 2020. [cited by applicant]
Non-Final Office Action issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office for corresponding U.S. Appl. No. 15/220,754, electronically delivered on Sep. 25, 2020. [cited by applicant]
Notice of Allowance issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office for corresponding U.S. Appl. No. 15/220,754, electronically delivered on Feb. 10, 2021. [cited by applicant]
Notice of Reasons for Refusal issued by the Japan Patent Office for corresponding Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-115540, mailed on Mar. 10, 2020, with an English machine translation. [cited by applicant]