IP Library Granted Patent US 11,838,441
Granted Patent B2
US 11,838,441 · App. 17/666,845 · Granted Dec 5, 2023

Communication apparatus and communication method

Inventor: Kaichiro Saito (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
H04M3/42144G06Q10/00G06Q10/063H04M3/38H04M2203/053H04M2203/358
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,838,441
App. No.
17/666,845
Granted
Dec 5, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A communication apparatus includes a user signal transmission unit that transmits a user signal required for an end user to perform communication; a manager function implementing unit that implements a function provided to a manager of the present apparatus; a license monitoring unit that monitors a license of the present apparatus, and outputs a function limitation signal when the license has expired; and a function limitation unit that limits the function implemented by the manager function implementing unit when receiving the function limitation signal. In a communication apparatus that transmits a user signal required for an end user to perform communication, a function of the apparatus is limited when a relevant license has expired, while preventing an influence of the limitation upon the end user.

Claims (12)

1. A radio communication apparatus in a mobile communication system, the radio communication apparatus comprising:

one or more memories configured to store instructions; and

one or more processors configured to execute the instructions to:

perform radio transmission and reception functions,

transfer data from a plurality of mobile stations towards a core network,

adopt license information indicating a license period and a license function representing at least settings of the radio transmission and reception functions, and

restrict the radio transmission and reception functions based on expiration of the license period.

2. A method for a radio communication apparatus in a mobile communication system, the method comprising:

performing radio transmission and reception functions;

transferring data from a plurality of mobile stations to a core network,

adopting license information indicating a license period and a license function representing at least settings of the radio transmission and reception functions; and

restricting the radio transmission and reception functions when the license period expires.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 25, 2026
From: NEC CORPORATION
To: NEC ASIA PACIFIC PTE LTD.
Reel/Frame 074814/0461 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2009-127527 · May 27, 2009 · national
Continuity (4)
Continuation 16846610 · Apr 13, 2020
Continuation 15972540 · May 7, 2018
Continuation 13320136
Related Publication 20220166875A1 · May 26, 2022