Method and system utilizing millimeter wave connection

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (300A; 300B; 300C) for exchanging digital content between a communication system (100) and a connectable device (UD) connected thereto. The communication system (100) comprises a first base station (120), the first base station (120) being configured to exchange digital content via a wireless communication link in a first frequency band, the frequency of the first frequency band being higher than or equal to 6 GHz. The communication system (100) comprises a second base station (115), the second base station (115) being configured to exchange digital content via a wireless communication link in a second frequency band, the frequency of the second frequency band being lower than 6 GHz. The method comprises: (i) determining (310) the location of a connectable device (UD); (ii) causing (325, 330, 335) the connectable device (UD) and a first base station (120) to attempt to establish a wireless communication link between them in a first frequency band; (iii) if (330) the wireless communication link has been successfully established in the first frequency band, causing (345) the first base station (120) to exchange digital content with the connectable device (UD) via the wireless communication link established in the first frequency band; (iv) if the wireless communication link has not been successfully established in the first frequency band, prompting (350, 355) the user of the connectable device (UD) to change the location of the connectable device (UD), and (v) after step (iv), performing steps (ii) and (iii).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to wireless communication networks. In particular, the present invention relates to wireless communication networks with millimeter wave (mmW) connectivity capabilities. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and systems for utilizing mmW connectivity in such wireless communication systems. Background Art

[0002] The growing demand for mobile data services and the scarcity of spectrum in the sub-6 GHz frequency bands (or cellular bands) have attracted recent attention to the development of wireless communication systems that can utilize the large amount of available spectrum in the mmW frequency bands (or mmW bands).

[0003] Technologies utilizing mmW frequency bands are expected to play a role in fifth-generation (5G) cellular networks and beyond, due to their potential for multi-gigabit and ultra-low latency communication links.

[0004] Radio propagation on a wireless communication link in the mmW band (or mmW wireless communication link, or mmW communication link) is particularly sensitive to the presence of obstacles that may severely impair the transmission of signals or data (such as digital content) to / from mmW-enabled user devices. Examples of obstacles may include the presence of buildings, walls, foliage, and people.

[0005] As disclosed in T. Wu, T. S. Rappaport, C. M. Collins, “Safe for generations to come”, IEEE Microwave Magazine, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 65-84, March 2015, other examples of obstacles may include everyday objects (such as clothing, keys, laptops) that are typically close to mmW-enabled user devices in daily use: these objects, when considered individually, may cause unrelated attenuation (e.g., attenuation less than 3 dB) to the signals or data exchanged over the mmW communication link, but the attenuation caused by multiple such objects may be superimposed, which may prevent signal transmission / reception or signal transmission / reception at the minimum expected quality (e.g., in terms of “bit error rate” (BER)).

[0006] By way of example only, if a mmW-enabled user device is placed in a container (such as a pocket, bag, backpack, or briefcase), it may be unreachable (or below a minimum desired quality) by any mmW transmissions, e.g., due to attenuation introduced by the material of the additional layers of the container made of and / or by the material of any other objects stored in the container with the mmW-enabled user device. The above disadvantages are exacerbated in crowded environments where many obstacles may threaten the positive outcome of the transmissions.

[0007] US2018302138 discloses a wireless communication device, comprising: a first antenna circuit that forms a beam selected from a plurality of first beams through a beamforming process performed for communication using a millimeter wave band; and a monitor that displays a first pattern indicating a radiation direction of the selected beam.

[0008] WO2018116701 discloses that a connection possibility evaluation unit evaluates whether it is possible to connect to a content distribution device in a millimeter wave band. If it has been evaluated as a result of the connection possibility evaluation that the connection is possible, between the time point of selecting the content to be downloaded and the time point of requesting to download the selected content to be downloaded, a request signal generation unit generates a connection request signal for requesting to connect to the content distribution device in the millimeter wave band, and transmits the connection request signal to the content distribution device via a millimeter wave wireless unit. The control unit downloads the content to be downloaded from the content distribution device via the millimeter wave wireless unit. Summary of the invention

[0009] The applicant has found that none of the solutions known in the art are satisfactory.

[0010] In particular, the Applicant has discovered that none of the solutions known in the art teach how to efficiently handle the exchange of digital content over a mmW communication link in the presence of fixed and / or variable obstructions.

[0011] The Applicant has faced the above-mentioned problem and has devised a method and system for dynamically enabling the exchange of digital content over a mmW communication link or over a wireless communication link in addition to (ie different from) a mmW communication link.

[0012] One or more aspects of the invention are set out in the independent claims, with advantageous features of the same invention indicated in the dependent claims, the wording of which is incorporated herein verbatim by reference (with reference to any advantageous features provided by a particular aspect of the invention applying mutatis mutandis to any other aspect).

[0013] More specifically, one aspect of the present invention relates to a method for exchanging digital content between a communication system and a connectable device connected thereto. The communication system comprises a first base station, the first base station being configured to exchange digital content via a wireless communication link in a first frequency band, the frequency of the first frequency band being higher than or equal to 6 GHz. The communication system comprises a second base station, the second base station being configured to exchange digital content via a wireless communication link in a second frequency band, the frequency of the second frequency band being lower than 6 GHz. The method comprises:

[0014] (i) determine the location of the connectable device;

[0015] (ii) causing the connectable device and the first base station to attempt to establish a wireless communication link between them in the first frequency band;

[0016] (iii) if the wireless communication link in the first frequency band has been successfully established, causing the first base station to exchange digital content with the connectable device via the wireless communication link established in the first frequency band;

[0017] (iv) if a wireless communication link is not successfully established in the first frequency band, prompting a user of the connectable device to change the location of the connectable device, and

[0018] (v) After step (iv), perform steps (ii) and (iii).

[0019] In an additional or alternative embodiment to any of the preceding embodiments, the method further comprises repeating iterative step (ii) until:

[0020] A wireless communication link in the first frequency band is established or a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

[0021] According to an additional or alternative embodiment of any of the preceding embodiments, the method further comprises repeating iteratively

[0022] The steps (iv) and (v) are as follows:

[0023] The threshold number of iterations has been reached.

[0024] In accordance with an additional or alternative embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the method further includes, if a threshold number of iterations has been reached and a wireless communication link has not been successfully established in the first frequency band, causing the connectable device and the second base station to establish a wireless communication link in a second frequency band, and causing the second base station to exchange digital content with the connectable device via the wireless communication link established in the second frequency band.

[0025] In an additional or alternative embodiment to any of the preceding embodiments, step (v) comprises performing step (i) before steps (ii) and (iii).

[0026] In accordance with an additional or alternative embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, step (ii) is performed after determining that a successful wireless communication link is expected to be established between the connectible device and the first base station in the first frequency band based on the location of the connectible device determined in step (i) and based on historical information about historical wireless communication links in the first frequency band at that location.

[0027] In an additional or alternative embodiment to any of the preceding embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0028] If, based on the location of the connectable device determined in step (i) and based on historical information regarding historical wireless communication links in the first frequency band at that location, it is expected that no successful wireless communication link can be established between the connectable device and the first base station in the first frequency band: then

[0029] performing the step of prompting a user of the connectable device to change the location of the connectable device, and

[0030] Perform steps (ii) and (iii).

[0031] According to an additional or alternative embodiment of any of the preceding embodiments, for each location, the history information includes an indication of historical successful wireless communication links that have been successfully established with the first base station at the location in the first frequency band, and an indication of historical unsuccessful wireless communication links that have not been successfully established with the first base station at the location in the first frequency band. If the number of historical successful wireless communication links in the first frequency band at the location is higher than the number of historical unsuccessful wireless communication links in the first frequency band at the location by a predefined amount, then a successful wireless communication link is expected to be established in the first frequency band between the connectable device and the first base station.

[0032] In an additional or alternative embodiment to any of the preceding embodiments, the digital content includes one or both of the following:

[0033] a file available at a communication network of the communication system and ready to be downloaded when the connectable device is connected to said communication network;

[0034] A file that is pushed to a connected device when predetermined conditions are met.

[0035] In an additional or alternative embodiment to any of the preceding embodiments, step (i) includes determining a current location of the connectable device or an upcoming location of the connectable device.

[0036] In an additional or alternative embodiment to any of the preceding embodiments, the wireless communication link in the first frequency band includes at least one of:

[0037] Millimeter wave communication links;

[0038] Sub-millimeter wave communication links;

[0039] optical communication links, such as infrared, ultraviolet and / or visible light communication links, and

[0040] WiGig communication link.

[0041] In an additional or alternative embodiment to any of the preceding embodiments, the wireless communication link in the second frequency band includes at least one of:

[0042] a cellular communications link, such as one established using one or more of UTRA, WCDMA, CDMA2000, GERAN, LTE, LTE-Advanced, and NR radio access technologies; and

[0043] Wi-Fi communication link.

[0044] In an additional or alternative embodiment to any of the preceding embodiments, the connectable device includes:

[0045] A user device such as a mobile phone, smartphone, tablet, personal digital assistant (PDA) or laptop, or

[0046] Indoor and / or outdoor machines for industrial and / or domestic applications.

[0047] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a communication system for exchanging digital content with a connectable device connected thereto. The communication system comprises:

[0048] A first base station configured to exchange digital content via a wireless communication link in a first frequency band, the frequency of the first frequency band being higher than or equal to 6 GHz;

[0049] a second base station configured to exchange digital content via a wireless communication link in a second frequency band, the second frequency band having a frequency below 6 GHz;

[0050] The communication network is configured as follows:

[0051] (i) determine the location of the connectable device;

[0052] (ii) causing the connectable device and the first base station to attempt to establish a connection between them at the first frequency

[0053] Establishing a wireless communication link in the band;

[0054] (iii) if the wireless communication link in the first frequency band has been successfully established, causing the first base station to communicate with the connectable device through the wireless communication link established in the first frequency band;

[0055] Exchange digital content;

[0056] (iv) if a wireless communication link is not successfully established in the first frequency band, prompting a user of the connectable device to change the location of the connectable device, and

[0057] (v) After step (iv), perform steps (ii) and (iii). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments thereof; for a better understanding, the following description should be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0059] Figure 1 A communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0060] Figure 2 The main modules of the user equipment according to the embodiment of the present invention are shown;

[0061] Figure 3A shows a process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0062] Figure 3B shows a process according to another embodiment of the present invention, and

[0063] Figure 3C A process according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] Figure 1 A communication system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0065] Hereinafter, when one or more features of the communication system 100 (and user equipment or other connectable devices connected thereto, and the processes implemented by them) are introduced by the wording "according to an embodiment", they will be interpreted as additional or alternative features to any previously introduced features, unless otherwise indicated and / or unless there is an obvious incompatibility among the feature combinations.

[0066] The communication system 100 is configured to exchange signals and data carried thereon with one or more users connected to the communication system 100 .

[0067] The data may include, for example, digital content such as voice, video, messaging, and multimedia broadcasts, hereinafter referred to as content.

[0068] According to an embodiment, the communication system 100 is configured to exchange such signals with one or more connectable devices connected to the communication system 100 .

[0069] A connectable device is herein a device having multi-mode communication capabilities for communicating over different communication links. For purposes of this disclosure, a connectable device is herein a device configured to communicate over at least a millimeter wave communication link and one or more other wireless communication links different from the millimeter wave communication link (as better discussed below).

[0070] According to an embodiment, the connectable device(s) comprise(s) user device(s), such as a user device UD.

[0071] According to an embodiment, the communication system 100 is configured to exchange such signals with one or more users connected to the communication system 100 through respective user devices such as user devices UD.

[0072] According to an embodiment, communication system 100 includes core network 105. Core network 105 may be any type of network configured to provide aggregation, authentication, call control / switching, charging, service invocation, gateway, and subscriber database functions or at least a subset thereof (ie, one or more).

[0073] Without loss of generality, the core network 105 may be, for example, a 4G / LTE core network or a 5G core network.

[0074] According to an embodiment, the communication system 100 includes a content provider 110 for transmitting / receiving content to / from a user device UD.

[0075] According to an embodiment, the communication system 100 includes a base station 115 .

[0076] The base station 115 is preferably configured to wirelessly interface with the user device UD to allow it to access the content provider 110 through one or more communication networks of the communication system 100, thereby allowing the user to receive content from the content provider 110 on his / her own user device UD. Examples of communication networks of the communication system 100 may include the core network 105 and the Internet network.

[0077] According to an embodiment, the base station 115 is configured to generate and exchange (i.e., transmit and / or receive) signals through a cellular communication link. Hereinafter, signals on a cellular communication link (such as, for both establishing a cellular communication link and for exchanging content on an established cellular communication link) will also be referred to as cellular signals.

[0078] Any suitable radio access technology may be used to establish the cellular communication link. Examples of radio access technologies include UTRA ("UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access"), WCDMA ("Wideband Code Division Multiple Access"), CDMA2000, GERAN ("GSMEDGE Radio Access Network"), LTE ("Long Term Evolution"), LTE-Advanced, and NR ("New Radio").

[0079] Regardless of the radio access technology, the frequency band of the cellular communication link (hereinafter referred to as the cellular frequency band) is generally below 6 GHz (frequency band below 6 GHz) - see, for example, Table 5.5-1 "E-UTRA operating band" and 5.6.1-1 "E-UTRA channel bandwidth" of the latest release of 3GPP TS 36.101. For the purpose of this disclosure, the frequency band below 6 GHz refers to the frequency of the frequency band below 6 GHz (i.e., the frequencies included therein) being lower than 6 GHz.

[0080] According to an embodiment, the base station 115 comprises a relatively high power transceiver station that provides radio coverage over a relatively wide geographical area (also referred to as a macro cell). By way of example only, where the communication system 100 is based on LTE / LTE-Advanced radio access technology, the base station 115 is or comprises an eNodeB.

[0081] Although not shown, the communication system 100 may include one or more additional base stations: for example, the additional base station(s) may be at least partially identical to or different from the base station 115, depending on one or more radio access technologies of the communication system 100. According to an embodiment, the base station 115 and / or the additional base station(s) may be configured to communicate via a wireless communication link in addition to (i.e., different from) a cellular communication link in a frequency band below 6 GHz.

[0082] As a non-exhaustive example only, in addition to or in lieu of cellular signals, base station 115 and / or (one or more) additional base stations may be configured to exchange radio signals via Wi-Fi radio access technology (the 802.11 standard provides for different sub-6 GHz frequency bands (such as 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) for use in Wi-Fi radio access technology), i.e., base station 115 and / or (one or more) additional base stations may be configured to exchange signals via a Wi-Fi communication link.

[0083] According to an embodiment, the communication system 100 comprises a base station 120, for example within a macro cell.

[0084] According to an embodiment, base station 120 comprises a lower power, smaller coverage transceiver station.

[0085] According to an embodiment, the base station 120 is configured to exchange (i.e., transmit and / or receive) signals via a millimeter wave (mmW) wireless communication link (hereinafter referred to as an mmW communication link). Hereinafter, signals on the mmW communication link (e.g., both for establishing the mmW communication link and for exchanging content on the established mmW communication link) will also be referred to as mmW signals, and the geographical area over which the base station 120 provides radio coverage will also be referred to as an mmW cell.

[0086] Millimeter waves are radio waves with a wavelength in the range of 1 mm-10 mm, which corresponds to a frequency band (or mmW band) of 30 GHz-300 GHz (also called “extremely high frequency” (EHF) band).

[0087] Although it is exemplarily assumed in the present disclosure that the base station 120 exchanges mmW signals through the mmW communication link, this should not be construed as limiting. In fact, without loss of generality, the base station 120 can be configured to exchange signals in any frequency band above 30 GHz.

[0088] As a non-exhaustive example only, in addition to or in lieu of mmW signals, the base station 120 may be configured to exchange radio signals via a submillimeter wave wireless communication link, i.e., the base station 120 may be configured to exchange radio signals via one or more submillimeter communication links. Submillimeter waves are radio waves with a wavelength in the range of 0.1 mm to 1 mm, which corresponds to a frequency band of 300 GHz to 3 THz (also referred to as the "terahertz or extremely high frequency" (THF) band).

[0089] As just another non-exhaustive example, in addition to or in lieu of mmW signals (and / or radio signals on submillimeter wave wireless communication links), the base station 120 may be configured to exchange optical signals, such as infrared (IR), visible (LiFi) and / or ultraviolet (UV) optical signals, i.e., the base station 120 may be configured to exchange optical signals via one or more optical communication links. IR, LiFi and UV optical signals are electromagnetic waves with wavelengths in the range of 100 nm to 100 μm, which corresponds to a frequency band of 3 THz to 3 PHz.

[0090] As just another non-exhaustive example, in addition to or in lieu of mmW signals (and / or radio signals and / or optical signals over submillimeter wave wireless communication links), base station 120 may be configured to exchange radio signals over a WiGig (also known as 60 GHz Wi-Fi) communication link.

[0091] According to a basic embodiment, the base station 120 may be configured to exchange signals in any frequency band above 6 GHz, i.e., a frequency band exceeding 6 GHz (i.e., a frequency band whose frequency is above 6 GHz), rather than in a frequency band below 6 GHz on which the base station 115 is configured to exchange signals. In any case, the 6 GHz frequency band should not be interpreted as a fixed frequency band discriminator or threshold, because, depending on the implemented radio access technology, the base station 115 may be configured to exchange signals in a frequency band below the lower frequency band, and the base station 120 may be configured to exchange signals in a frequency band above the upper frequency band, which is, for example, equal to or higher than the lower frequency band. By way of example only, the base station 115 may be configured to exchange signals in a frequency band below 10 GHz, and the base station 120 may be configured to exchange signals in a frequency band above 10 GHz, or above 20 GHz, or above 30 GHz.

[0092] Hereinafter, according to an exemplary consideration scenario in which the base station 115 is configured to transmit cellular signals via one or more cellular communication links and the base station is configured to transmit mmW signals via one or more mmW communication links, the base station 115 and the base station 120 will be referred to as a cellular base station 115 and a mmW base station 120, respectively.

[0093] According to an embodiment, the cellular base station 115 and the mmW base station 120 are part of a radio access network.

[0094] According to an embodiment, the radio access network architecture is divided into two entities, namely a central unit (CU) 125 and one or more distributed units (DUs) controlled by the central unit 125 to enhance the flexibility of the communication network.

[0095] According to an embodiment, the central unit 125 is configured to control the cellular base stations 115 and the mmW base stations 120 , which thus act as distributed units of the radio access network.

[0096] By way of example only, the central unit 125 may be an eNB CU or an ng-eNB CU, depending on whether it is communicatively coupled to a 4G / LTE core network or a 5G core network, respectively, the cellular base station 115 may be an eNB DU or a gNB DU, depending on whether it is implemented in accordance with an LTE or NR radio access technology, respectively, and the mmW base station 120 may be a gNB DU, since it is implemented in accordance with an NR radio access technology.

[0097] According to an embodiment, the radio access network may also include other base stations and / or network elements (not shown), such as Figure 1According to different embodiments, the CU, DU and RRU may be integrated / co-located or maintained at different locations (such as independent CU, DU, RRU, or co-located CU and DU, or RRU and DU integrated, or CU, DU and RRU integrated), as reported in the ITU technical report "Transport network support of IMT-2020 / 5G".

[0098] According to an embodiment, the radio access network, in particular the central unit 125 thereof, may generally be communicatively coupled with one or more core networks, such as the core network 105. According to an embodiment, the core network 105 may be coupled with other networks, such as the Internet network 130.

[0099] In the exemplary embodiment considered, the content provider 110 is communicatively coupled to the Internet network 130. Additionally or alternatively, the content provider 110 may be communicatively coupled to any communication network. Furthermore, although the content provider 110 has been exemplarily illustrated as being outside of the communication network, embodiments are not excluded in which the content provider 110 or at least one functional subset thereof is physically or logically located within one or more communication networks and / or other entities of the communication system 100.

[0100] For purposes of the present disclosure, the central unit 125 is configured to route content from the content provider 110 and available at the core network 105 to the cellular base station 115 or the mmW base station 120 (to allow transmission of the content to a user device via a cellular communication link or a mmW communication link, respectively), for example under core network instructions.

[0101] According to an embodiment, the user device UD includes a multi-mode communication capability for communicating over different communication links. For the purpose of this disclosure, the user device UD may be configured to communicate with the mmW base station 120 over a mmW communication link and to communicate with the cellular base station 115 over a cellular communication link (or over any other wireless communication link different from the mmW communication link).

[0102] The user device UD can be, for example, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a laptop computer, or any other portable or mobile device with processing, input / output, and memory modules suitable for supporting different messaging protocols (such as push notifications) and running software applications (e.g., mobile applications in the example of the mobile device discussed as the user device UD).

[0103] The user device UD is associated with a user, who is for example the owner of the user device UD. In the discussed example of the mobile device as the user device UD, it is assumed that the user device UD and the associated user are located at the same location, whereby the location of the user or the location of the user device UD will be indifferently referenced hereinafter.

[0104] According to an embodiment not shown, the user device UD is communicatively coupled to an external device providing a notification function, i.e., a notification device external to the user device UD, which is configured to deliver notifications to the user in an instant manner and with reduced human intervention. According to an embodiment, the external notification device includes one or more wearable smart devices (such as a smart watch, a wristband, a finger ring, an in-ear headset). It should be understood that when the user device UD is a device other than a smart phone (such as a laptop or a tablet), the external notification device may include a smart phone.

[0105] Figure 2 The main modules of the user device UD according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown. The term "module" is intended to emphasize its functional (rather than implementation) aspects in this article. In fact, without loss of generality, each module can be implemented by software, hardware and / or a combination thereof according to its function. In addition, the module (or at least a subset thereof) may also reflect the physical structure of the user device UD at least conceptually. In any case, it should be appreciated that one or more of the modules shown may be integrated together in a single electronic package or chip.

[0106] For the sake of simplicity, Figure 2 Only modules of the user device UD considered relevant to the understanding of the present invention are shown and will be discussed hereinafter, wherein other well-known modules and / or components of the user device UD are intentionally omitted.

[0107] According to an embodiment, the user device UD comprises a control module 205. The control module 205 is preferably configured to control the overall operation of the user device UD, for example by controlling the modules of the user device UD discussed below, or at least a subset thereof (ie one or more).

[0108] For example only, the control module 205 may perform signal encoding, data processing, power control, input / output processing, and / or any other functionality that enables the user device UD to operate in a wireless environment.

[0109] According to an embodiment, the control module 205 includes a processor. The processor may include a general purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller, an ASIC ("application specific integrated circuit") circuit, an FPGA ("field programmable gate array") circuit, or a combination thereof.

[0110] According to an embodiment, the user equipment UD comprises a transceiver module (hereinafter referred to as mmW transceiver module) 210 configured to transmit and receive mmW signals (ie, signals through one or more mmW communication links).

[0111] The mmW transceiver module 210 may include, for example, an antenna system (not shown) for transmitting and receiving mmW signals, a receiver for converting received mmW signals into baseband signals and demodulating them, and a transmitter for converting baseband signals into mmW signals and transmitting them through the antenna system.

[0112] According to an embodiment, the user equipment UD comprises a transceiver module 215 configured to transmit and receive signals via a wireless communication link other than a mmW communication link. According to the exemplary embodiment considered, the transceiver module 215 is configured to transmit and receive cellular signals via one or more cellular communication links, whereby it will be referred to as a cellular transceiver module 215.

[0113] The cellular transceiver module 215 may, for example, include an antenna system (not shown) for transmitting and receiving cellular signals, a receiver (not shown) for converting received cellular signals into baseband signals and demodulating them, and a transmitter (not shown) for converting baseband signals into cellular signals and transmitting them through the antenna system.

[0114] In addition to or in lieu of the cellular transceiver module 215, the user device UD may include one or more wireless transceiver modules (not shown) configured to exchange wireless signals (or combinations thereof) other than cellular signals. By way of example only, the wireless transceiver module(s) may be configured to exchange optical signals (such as infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), and / or visible light signals) and / or Wi-Fi signals.

[0115] According to an embodiment, the user device UD comprises a memory module 220. For the purposes of this disclosure, the memory module 220 is preferably configured to store and run software applications (eg mobile applications in the discussed example of a mobile device as user device UD).

[0116] According to an embodiment, the memory module 220 includes a non-removable memory (not shown). The non-removable memory may include, for example, a RAM ("random access memory") memory, and / or a ROM ("read only memory") memory, and / or a hard disk, and / or any other type of memory storage device.

[0117] According to an embodiment, the memory module 220 includes a removable memory (not shown). The removable memory may include, for example, a SIM ("Subscriber Identity Module") card and / or a memory stick, and / or an SD ("Secure Digital") memory card.

[0118] According to an embodiment, the user device UD comprises an input / output module 225, which is preferably configured to allow data input and output. The input / output module may, for example, comprise one or more of a speaker / microphone, a keyboard and / or a display / touchpad.

[0119] According to an embodiment, the user device UD includes a location module 230, which may be configured to provide location information about the location of the user device UD. The location information may, for example, include the geographical location of the user device UD. For example, the geographical location may be expressed in terms of geographical coordinates such as longitude, latitude, and altitude.

[0120] According to an embodiment, the location module 230 includes a GPS receiver, and the location information includes, for example, a GPS signal received at the GPS receiver.

[0121] Additionally or alternatively, the user device UD may receive location information (or at least a portion thereof) from a base station (such as, for example, cellular base station 115) and / or determine the location of the user device UD based on the timing of signals received from two or more nearby base stations.

[0122] Additionally or alternatively, the user device UD may receive location information (or at least a portion thereof) from a sensing device (not shown) provided along one or more predefined paths that the user may follow: by way of example only, the predefined paths may be a guided tourist tour, or a predefined entry / exit path to a train station or airport terminal or cruise terminal or tourist attraction.

[0123] According to an embodiment, the location information includes information on the current location of the user device UD.

[0124] According to an embodiment, the location information includes information about the upcoming location of the user device UD. The upcoming location of the user device UD refers to the location that the user device UD is expected to take after the current location in this article. The upcoming location can be determined, for example, based on a predefined path followed by the user device UD. According to an embodiment, the upcoming location is determined based on the predefined path and the current stage that the user is actually taking in the predefined path. The current stage can be determined, for example, based on the current location of the user device UD.

[0125] In the following, reference will also be made to the current / upcoming location of the user device UD when distinguishing between the current location and the upcoming location of the user device UD is not relevant to understanding the present invention.

[0126] Although not shown, the user device UD may include peripheral modules (not shown), which may include one or more software and / or hardware modules that provide additional features, additional functions and / or additional wired or wireless connections. By way of example only, additional peripherals may include one or more of an accelerometer, an electronic compass, a satellite transceiver, a digital camera (for photos or videos), a USB (“Universal Serial Bus”) port, a vibration device, a television transceiver, a Bluetooth module, an FM radio unit, a digital music player, a media player, a video game player module, an Internet browser, etc.

[0127] Back to Figure 1 According to an embodiment, the communication system 100 includes an operation & maintenance (O&M) module 135 communicatively coupled to the core network 105 .

[0128] According to an embodiment, the O&M module 135 is configured to collect, store, and provide information about historical mmW communication links (hereinafter, historical mmW information) to the core network 105. According to an alternative embodiment, the historical mmW information may be generated and stored at any entity external to the O&M module 135, for example, based on data provided by the O&M module 135 (e.g., periodically or aperiodically).

[0129] According to an embodiment, for each position taken by the user equipment, the historical mmW information may include the result (such as success or failure) of a past attempt (by the user equipment) to connect to the mmW base station 120 to establish an mmW communication link. In other words, for each position taken by the user equipment during past attempts to connect to the mmW base station 120, the historical mmW information may include an indication of a historical mmW communication link successfully established with the mmW base station (or a successful historical mmW communication link) and an indication of a historical mmW communication link that was not successfully established with the mmW base station (or an unsuccessful historical mmW communication link).

[0130] According to an embodiment, the communication system 100 is configured to implement a process or method (as better discussed below) aimed at managing a communication link through which content transfer to / from a user device UD may take place.

[0131] The process may be performed, for example, at the core network 105 , or at an entity external to the core network 105 and communicatively coupled to both the core network 105 and the O&M module 135 .

[0132] Figure 3A A process or method 300A is shown according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0133] In summary, the process 300A is intended to manage (e.g., allow or prevent) content exchange between the user device UD and the mmW base station 120 via the mmW communication link or between the user device and the cellular base station 115 via the cellular communication link. In the following, the actual situation of the content to be transmitted to the user device UD will be considered only by way of example.

[0134] As mentioned above, content may include, for example, voice, video, messaging, and multimedia broadcasts.

[0135] The content may be of any size; however, as will be apparent from the following discussion, process 300A is particularly advantageous when the content is of a relatively large size (eg, greater than 0.5 GB).

[0136] According to a first exemplary content transmission scenario (hereinafter referred to as a content download scenario), the content from the content provider 110 is a file (such as an email attachment) that is available at a communication network (such as the core network 105 and the Internet network 130) and is ready to be downloaded when the user device UD accesses the communication network (such as when the user device UD accesses an email service). Content download herein refers to content transmission in response to a user actively (i.e., purposefully) requesting content through his / her own user device UD.

[0137] According to a second exemplary content transmission scenario (hereinafter referred to as a content push scenario), the content from the content provider 110 may be a file pushed to the user device UD when a predetermined condition is met (e.g., by a mobile application running on the user device UD). Content push herein refers to the automatic (i.e., autonomous) transmission of content by a communication network (such as the core network 105 and the Internet network 130) in response to a predetermined condition, so that the user passively receives the content on his / her own user device UD when the predetermined condition is met.

[0138] According to an embodiment, in a content push scenario, automatic (ie, autonomous) transmission of content by a communication network is authorized at a previous stage (such as a service registration stage).

[0139] According to an embodiment, the predetermined condition includes a predetermined location, and when the user device UD is at the predetermined location, content push to the user device UD is triggered.

[0140] The predetermined location may be, for example, the current / upcoming location of the user device UD within a geographic area (e.g., a macro cell identified by the cellular base station 115, or the current / upcoming location of the user device UD along one or more predefined paths that the user device UD is following (such as a guided tourist tour, and / or predefined entry / exit paths to a train station and / or an airport terminal and / or a cruise terminal and / or a tourist attraction).

[0141] In either or both cases, the user may, for example, download a corresponding mobile application (such as a mobile application designed to guide the user along one or more predefined paths) on his / her user device UD, perform a service registration phase (e.g., by the mobile application itself), authorize the mobile application to push notifications (hereinafter referred to as notification authorization) (e.g., by the mobile application itself), and preferably select (e.g., by the mobile application itself) one or more categories or types of content to be notified to the user device UD when available.

[0142] According to an embodiment (not shown), the user may grant (confirm) or deny notification authorization by touching or selecting a corresponding box during the configuration process of the mobile application. Additionally or alternatively, the user may grant (confirm) or deny notification authorization at a later stage, for example, at any time after the configuration process: as an example only, the user may grant (confirm) or deny notification authorization by accessing a corresponding menu option of the user device UD and / or the mobile application.

[0143] Returning to process 300A, by way of example only, reference will be generally made to content that must be transmitted to the user device UD, regardless of the content transmission scenario considered (e.g., content download scenario or content push scenario). As will be explained appropriately when discussing the process steps, some process steps may differ depending on the content transmission scenario considered.

[0144] According to an embodiment, the process 300A starts when content that has to be transmitted from the content provider 110 to the user device UD is available at the communication network (action node 305).

[0145] According to an embodiment, a location (such as current / upcoming location) of the user device UD is determined (action node 310).

[0146] According to an embodiment, the current / upcoming location of the user device UD is determined at the user device side. As described above, the current / upcoming location of the user device UD may be based on location information received at the location module 230 of the user device UD, for example.

[0147] According to an embodiment, the current / upcoming location of the user equipment UD is preferably communicated to the core network 105 via the cellular base station 115 (and the central unit 125 ).

[0148] According to an embodiment, when considering a content push scenario, the current / upcoming location of the user device UD may be available at the core network 105 before the content from the content provider 110 is available at the communication network (i.e., before the action node), because in such a scenario, the current / upcoming location of the user device UD may have triggered the content availability.

[0149] According to an embodiment, a check is performed (e.g. at the core network 105) to check whether the user device UD is / will be within a mmW cell (decision node 315), e.g. based on a determined current / upcoming location of the user device UD, e.g. because a mmW base station with which an mmW communication link is established for content transmission is available in the vicinity of the location of the user device UD.

[0150] According to an embodiment, if the user device UD is not / will not be within the mmW cell according to the determined current / upcoming location of the user device UD (no exit branch of the decision node 315), which means that no mmW base station is available near the location of the user device UD with which an mmW communication link can be established for content transmission, then the content transmission from the communication network to the user device preferably occurs through a cellular communication link established between the user device UD and the base station 115 (or through any wireless communication link other than the mmW communication link) - action node 375. In other words, if the user device UD is not / will not be within the mmW cell according to the determined current / upcoming location of the user device UD, the cellular base station 115 is caused to transmit the content to the user device UD.

[0151] According to an embodiment, information on the progress of the content transmission is provided to the user, for example, in the form of a progress bar displayed on the user device UD.

[0152] According to an embodiment, if the user device UD is / will be within the mmW cell according to the determined current / upcoming location of the user device UD (the exit branch of the decision node 315 is), which means that the mmW base station with which the mmW communication link can be established for content transmission is available near the location of the user device UD, then (e.g., at the core network 105) a check is performed to check the reliability of the mmW communication link in the current / upcoming location of the user device UD (decision node 320). The reliability of the mmW communication link herein refers to the probability of success of the connection with the mmW base station (for establishing the mmW communication link).

[0153] According to an embodiment, the reliability of the mmW communication link in the current / upcoming location of the user equipment UD is checked (for example, at the core network 105) based on historical mmW information associated with the current / upcoming location, or at least based on a subset thereof (as described above, the historical mmW information is, for example, stored in the O&M module or in any entity external thereto, and made available upon request in the core network 105 or at any other entity running the process).

[0154] Just as an example, if, for example based on historical mmW information, the number of historical successful mmW communication links in the current / upcoming location is higher than the number of historical unsuccessful mmW communication links in the current / upcoming location, then the mmW communication link in the current / upcoming location may be considered or classified as reliable.

[0155] As just another example, if, for example, based on historical mmW information, the number of historical successful mmW communication links is higher than the number of historical unsuccessful mmW communication links by a predefined amount, then the mmW communication links in the current / upcoming location may be considered or classified as reliable: As just an example, when, at a certain current / upcoming location, the number of historical successful mmW communication links and historical unsuccessful mmW communication links is equal to or slightly different, then any mmW communication link between the user equipment UD and the mmW base station in the current / upcoming location may be considered or classified as unreliable. According to an embodiment, such an unreliable condition associated with a certain current / upcoming location may be removed on a periodic or aperiodic basis (so as to restore such current / upcoming location to a reliable location).

[0156] As another example only in addition to or in lieu of any previous example, if no historical mmW information is available for the current / upcoming location, i.e., if no past attempts have been made to establish a mmW communication link at the current / upcoming location (the mmW communication link is therefore a new communication link) to date, then the mmW communication link in the current / upcoming location may be considered or classified as reliable.

[0157] Returning to the decision node 320, according to an embodiment, if, for example based on historical mmW information, the mmW communication link in the current / upcoming location of the user device UD is reliable (the exit branch of the decision node 320 is), that is, it is expected that a successful mmW communication link is established between the user device UD and the mmW base station 120, then the user device UD is made to perform a connection attempt to connect to the mmW base station 120 to establish a mmW communication link therebetween (action node 325).

[0158] According to an embodiment, the iterative mmW connection attempt is repeated until the mmW communication link is established (successful mmW connection attempt) or a predetermined time period has passed (indicated by "Timeout1" in the figure), whichever condition occurs first. This is schematically shown in the figure by action 325 and decision 330, 335 nodes: If (so far) no mmW communication link has been established (i.e., if any previous mmW connection attempt has failed) (exit branch no of decision node 330), and the predetermined time period Timeout1 has not passed (exit branch no of decision node 335), the mmW connection attempt is repeated (action node 325).

[0159] According to an embodiment, if the mmW communication link has been established before the predetermined time period has passed (the exit branch of the decision node 330 is), that is, a successful result of (one or more) mmW connection attempts, then the content transmission from the communication network to the user device UD preferably occurs via the mmW communication link so established between the user device UD and the mmW base station 120 (that is, the content is transmitted to the user device UD by the mmW base station 120) - action node 345.

[0160] According to an embodiment, information on the progress of the content transmission is provided to the user, for example, in the form of a progress bar displayed on the user device UD.

[0161] According to an embodiment, when a mmW communication link is established (ie, successful outcome of the mmW connection attempt(s)), the historical mmW information is updated accordingly (action node 340).

[0162] According to an embodiment, the updating of historical mmW information includes adding successful results of (one or more) mmW connection attempts to existing mmW communication links or adding successful results of (one or more) mmW connection attempts to new (ie, not yet existing) mmW communication links.

[0163] According to an embodiment, if no mmW communication link is established after a predetermined time period Timeout1 has elapsed (i.e., all mmW connection attempts performed so far have failed) (exit branch no of decision node 330 and exit branch yes of decision node 335), and if (exit branch yes of decision node 370) a threshold number of repeated iterations has been reached (as described below, each repeated iteration includes a notification prompting the user device to move his / her own user device UD to a different location, and a subsequent mmW connection attempt), then content transmission from the communication network to the user device UD occurs via a cellular communication link established between the user device UD and the cellular base station 115 (or via any wireless communication link in the frequency band below 6 GHz other than the cellular communication link) - action node 375.

[0164] According to an embodiment, upon determining a failure of the mmW communication link (ie, an unsuccessful outcome of the mmW connection attempt(s)), the historical mmW information is updated accordingly (action node 365).

[0165] According to an embodiment, the updating of the historical mmW information includes adding the unsuccessful result of the mmW connection attempt to an existing mmW communication link or adding the unsuccessful result of the mmW connection attempt to a new (ie, not yet existing) mmW communication link.

[0166] Returning to the decision node 320, according to an embodiment, if, for example based on historical mmW information, the mmW communication link in the current / upcoming location of the user device UD is considered to be unreliable (no exit branch of the decision node 320), that is, it is expected that a successful mmW communication link cannot be established between the user device UD and the mmW base station 120, the user is caused (or induced or prompted) to change the location of the user device UD (action node 350).

[0167] According to an embodiment, in order to cause or induce the user to change the location of the user device UD, a notification is delivered (such as pushed) to the user device UD (action node 350). As described above, additionally or alternatively, the notification can be delivered (such as pushed) to one or more wearable smart devices associated with the user device UD. According to an embodiment, the notification is delivered (e.g., pushed) to the user device UD by a communication network through standard or non-standard messaging or by means of application / service synchronization.

[0168] According to an embodiment, the notification (and, preferably, any other signaling prior to the (one or more) mmW connection attempts) is delivered by the communication network through the base station 115, i.e., through one or more cellular communication links (such as, dedicated one or more cellular communication links). Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, cellular signals (i.e., signals in the lower frequency band below 6 GHz) are utilized to try to actively move the user device UD to a more suitable position to receive mmW signals (i.e., signals in the higher frequency band).

[0169] For example, the notification may be a push notification, such as a banner at the top of a smartphone screen, a pop-up bubble or badge on a button taskbar, a dialog box that interrupts and blocks the view of any previously running application, and may contain a text and / or sound image message (possibly further playing an alert sound to attract the user's attention).

[0170] According to an embodiment, the notification includes a message indicating that the content is available at the communication network and can be transmitted over the mmW communication link once the propagation condition of the mmW signal between the user equipment UD and the mmW base station 120 improves.

[0171] In response thereto, the user may move his / her own user device UD to a different location that is expected to result in a successful mmW communication link.

[0172] According to an embodiment, the user is prompted to move his / her own user device UD to a different location which is essentially decided by him / herself.

[0173] While it is reasonable to assume that the user's reaction to each notification is to move his / her own user device UD to a different location (especially on the first notification, when the user may have to take his / her own user device UD out of a pocket or bag to view the notification), similar considerations apply: the user does not move his / her own user device UD to a different location when responding to one or more notifications: indeed, in the meantime, any obstacles that have caused the mmW communication attempts performed so far to fail, such as obstacles or temporary failures or malfunctions in the mmW base station 120, may have been removed or adjusted (without requiring any change of position of the user device UD).

[0174] According to an embodiment (not shown), the notification further comprises one or more authorization processes. The authorization process(es) may for example comprise a content authorization process, i.e. a process for authorizing the transmission of content to the user device UD (content authorization), and / or an mmW authorization process, i.e. a process for authorizing the transmission of content to the user device UD via the mmW communication link (mmW authorization).

[0175] According to an embodiment (not shown), the user may grant (confirm) or deny content authorization and / or the user may grant (confirm) or deny mmW authorization. By way of example only, content and / or mmW authorization may be granted by touching the notification or by other gestures (e.g., by sliding on the notification box), while content and / or mmW authorization may be denied by not taking any action on the notification (i.e., ignoring).

[0176] According to an embodiment, content authorization and / or mmW authorization may be considered granted if a gesture on the notification is performed within a specified time period, at the end of which no action on the notification may be interpreted as authorization being denied.

[0177] Content authorization may be particularly (but not exclusively) advantageous in content push scenarios, for example, in order to give the user a degree of control over passively receiving content on his / her own user device UD.

[0178] According to an embodiment, the content authorization process may take place when the content that has to be transmitted to the user device UD is available at the communication network (action node 305).

[0179] mmW authorization may be particularly (but not exclusively) advantageous in content push scenarios and content download scenarios, for example, in order to give the user a degree of control over user equipment parameters (such as power consumption) affected by the choice of communication links over which content transfer is permitted.

[0180] Returning to the action node 350, according to an embodiment, another predetermined time period (indicated by "Timeout2" in the figure) is waited (decision node 355), during which the user can move his / her own user device UD to a different location. This is schematically shown in the figure by the loop connection between the exit branch No of the decision node 355 (which means that the predetermined time period Timeout2 has not yet passed) and its input: as long as the predetermined time period Timeout2 has not yet passed (exit branch No of the decision node 355), the user can change the location of the user device UD. According to an embodiment (not shown), as long as the predetermined time period Timeout2 has not yet passed, the user is prompted to change the location of the user device by one or more further notifications.

[0181] According to an embodiment, the further notification(s) are similar to the notification pushed at the action node 350. Alternatively, the further notification(s) may be different from the notification pushed at the action node 350 for sound and / or light and / or text indication.

[0182] According to an embodiment not shown, a maximum number of further notifications is set.

[0183] Additionally or alternatively, a signal from the user device UD indicating a change in position of the user device UD may trigger (one or more) mmW connection attempts (action node 325) before the predetermined time period Timeout2 ends (or passes). This may be performed, for example, by utilizing one or more sensors of the user device UD when provided. By way of example only, the signal from the user device UD indicating a change in position of the user device UD may be generated in response to a change in acceleration and / or orientation of the user device sensed by an appropriate accelerometer and / or gyroscope.

[0184] According to an embodiment, after the predetermined time period Timeout2 has passed, during which the user may have moved his / her own user device UD to a different location, or when a signal from the user device UD indicates a change in the location of the user device UD, one or more further mmW connection attempts are performed (by the user device UD) to connect to the mmW base station 120 to establish a mmW communication link (e.g., based on such a different location, if the user has actually moved his / her own user device UD). According to an embodiment, the further mmW connection attempts are repeated as discussed above in conjunction with the action node 325 and the decision nodes 330, 335: this is schematically illustrated in the figure by the connection between the decision node 355 and the action node 325.

[0185] Returning to decision node 335, according to an embodiment, if the mmW communication link has not been established after the predetermined time period Timeout1 has passed (i.e., all mmW connection attempts performed so far have failed) (the exit branch of decision node 330 is no and the exit branch of decision node 335 is yes), the user is prompted to change the location of the user device UD, and one or more mmW connection attempts are performed based on the changed location of the user device UD.

[0186] According to an embodiment, the user is prompted to change the location of the user device UD, as discussed above in conjunction with the action node 350 and the decision node 355: a notification is delivered (e.g., pushed) to the user device UD (action node 350), in response to the notification (and within a predetermined time period Timeout2 - decision node 355), the user can move his / her own user device UD to a different location, and iterate (one or more) mmW connection attempts (action node 325 and decision nodes 330, 335) repeatedly for the changed location until the mmW communication link has been established (the exit branch of the decision node 330 is) or the predetermined time period Timeout1 has passed (the exit branch of the decision node 335 is), whichever condition occurs first.

[0187] According to an embodiment, the notification (one or more) (action node 350), waiting for the change of the position of the user device UD within the predetermined time period Timeout2 (decision node 355), and the subsequent (one or more) mmW connection attempts (nodes 325-335) are repeatedly iterated until the mmW communication link is established (successful mmW connection attempt, the exit branch of the decision node 330 is) or the threshold number of repeated iterations has been reached (the exit branch of the decision node 370 is), whichever condition occurs first. This is schematically shown in the figure by the loop connection between the decision node 370 and the action node 350: as long as the threshold number of iterations has not been reached (the exit branch of the decision node 370 is not), the user is prompted (or induced) to change the position of the user device UD, and (one or more) mmW connection attempts are performed based on the changed position.

[0188] According to a not shown embodiment, after prompting the user to move his / her own user device UD, the current / upcoming location of the user device UD may be (re)determined (action node 310) and the process 300A will resume as discussed above in connection with nodes 315-375: in other words, in this embodiment, the exit branch of the decision node 355 will connect to the action node 310 instead of the action node 325. Due to this embodiment, a check is (re)performed to check whether the user device UD is / will still be within the mmW cell (decision node 315), since the movement of the user / user device UD may result in a location outside the mmW cell.

[0189] Returning to decision node 335, if the predetermined time period Timeout1 has passed (the exit branch of decision node 335 is), which means an unsuccessful result of the mmW connection attempt for the current location(s) of the user device UD, the historical mmW information is updated accordingly (action node 365), and if a threshold number of iterations has been reached (the exit branch of decision node 370 is), content transmission from the communication network to the user device UD occurs via a cellular communication link established between the user device UD and the cellular base station 115 (or via any wireless communication link other than the mmW communication link) (action node 375).

[0190] Reference now Figure 3B , which shows a process 300B according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0191] Process 300B is similar to process 300A, so like process steps are represented by like numbers and their explanation will not be repeated for the sake of brevity.

[0192] The process 300B differs from the process 300A mainly in that no check is performed to check the reliability of the mmW communication link in the current / upcoming location of the user equipment UD (i.e., in Figure 3B Decision node 320 is not provided in the activity diagram of Figure 3B In an embodiment, if, based on the determined current / upcoming location of the user device UD, the user device UD is / will be within the mmW cell (the exit branch of decision node 315 is), which means that an mmW base station with which an mmW communication link can be established for content transmission is available near the location of the user device UD, then an mmW connection attempt is performed (action node 325) until the mmW communication link is established (the exit branch of decision node 330 is) or the predetermined time period "Timeout1" has passed (the exit branch of decision node 335 is), whichever condition occurs first, and the notification (nodes 350 and 355) and subsequent mmW connection attempts are repeatedly iterated until the mmW communication link has been established (the exit branch of decision node 330 is) or a threshold number of iterations has been reached (the exit branch of decision node 370 is), whichever condition occurs first.

[0193] Figure 3B Embodiments of can be implemented, for example, when it is desired or required to manage (or select) the communication link over which content transmission to / from the user device UD may occur that is not based on historical mmW information. Figure 3B No process steps regarding the mmW history information (such as steps of storing / updating the mmW history information at action nodes 340 and 365 of process 300A) are provided in the activity diagram of FIG. 300A.

[0194] Reference now Figure 3C , which shows a process 300C according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0195] Process 300C is similar to process 300B, so like process steps are represented by like numbers and their explanation will not be repeated for the sake of brevity.

[0196] The main difference between process 300C and process 300B is that the notification at action node 350 occurs before any mmW connection attempt. Figure 3CIn an embodiment, if, based on the determined current / upcoming location of the user device UD, the user device UD is / will be within the mmW cell (the exit branch of decision node 315 is), then a (first) notification is delivered (e.g., pushed) to the user device UD (action node 350) to notify the user of the availability of the mmW communication link, and after a predetermined time period Timeout2 has passed, during which time period the user can pick up his / her own user device UD to view the notification (the exit branch of decision node 355 is), (one or more) mmW connection attempts are repeatedly iterated (action node 325 and decision nodes 330, 335) until the mmW communication link has been established (the exit branch of decision node 330 is) or the predetermined time period Timeout1 has passed (the exit branch of decision node 335 is), whichever condition occurs first.

[0197] Figure 3C Embodiments of this can be implemented, for example, when it is desired or required to immediately notify the user of the availability of a mmW communication link in the vicinity of the location of the user device UD. Also, in this embodiment, the first notification can also be considered to have a triggering function: indeed, the action of picking up the user device UD (e.g. from a pocket or bag) to view the notification inherently causes the user device UD to move to a different location - as should be understood, the triggering function of the first notification can also be in Figure 3A and 3B It is envisaged in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0198] Similar to Figure 3A and 3B In an embodiment, process 300C may provide multiple iterations, for example, each iteration starts with a corresponding notification to prompt the user to change the location of his / her own user device UD: as long as the threshold number of iterations has not been reached (no exit branch of decision node 370), the user is prompted (or induced) to change the location of the user device UD and perform (one or more) mmW connection attempts based on the changed location (action node 325 and decision nodes 330, 335).

[0199] Naturally, in order to meet local and specific requirements, those skilled in the art may apply many logical and / or physical modifications and changes to the above invention. More specifically, although the present invention has been described to a certain extent with reference to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in form and details and other embodiments are possible. In particular, different embodiments of the present invention may even be practiced without the specific details set forth in the foregoing description to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention; on the contrary, well-known features may be omitted or simplified to avoid unnecessary details hindering the description. In addition, it is expressly intended that specific elements and / or method steps described in conjunction with any disclosed embodiment of the present invention may be incorporated into any other embodiment.

[0200] More specifically, the invention is suitable for implementation by equivalent methods (by using similar steps, removing some non-essential steps, or adding further optional steps); moreover, these steps may be performed in a different order, simultaneously or (at least partially) in an interleaved manner.

[0201] Furthermore, although illustrative explicit references have been made above to user equipment as a connectable device, the principles of the present invention are equally applicable to other connectable devices or apparatuses other than user equipment. Examples of such connectable devices or apparatuses include indoor and / or outdoor machines for industrial and / or domestic applications (such as industrial robots, warehouse robots, service robots, vacuum cleaning / floor washing robots) that are capable of communicating via mmW communication links, where the mmW communication links may fail due to obstacles encountered during machine movement.

[0202] In these applications, the notifications discussed above may also include instructions or commands to move from a current location to another location, such as temporarily (e.g., to attempt to establish or restore a mmW communication link and allow the machine to download data, such as the time required for processing or task instructions) from the current location.

Claims

1. A method (300A; 300B; 300C) for exchanging digital content between a communication system (100) and a connectable device (UD) connected thereto, wherein the communication system (100) comprises a first base station (120) and a second base station (115), the first base station (120) being configured to exchange digital content via a wireless communication link in a first frequency band, the frequency of the first frequency band being higher than or equal to 6 GHz, the second base station (115) being configured to exchange digital content via a wireless communication link in a second frequency band, the frequency of the second frequency band being lower than 6 GHz, the method comprising: (i) determining (310) a location of a connectable device (UD); (ii) causing (325, 330, 335) the connectable device (UD) and the first base station (120) to attempt to establish a wireless communication link between them in a first frequency band; (iii) if (330) a wireless communication link has been successfully established in the first frequency band, causing (345) the first base station (120) to exchange digital content with the connectable device (UD) via the wireless communication link established in the first frequency band; (iv) if a wireless communication link is not successfully established in the first frequency band, prompting (350, 355) a user of the connectable device (UD) to change the location of the connectable device (UD), and (v) after step (iv), performing steps (ii) and (iii), Wherein, the method further comprises: Prior to step (ii), whether the connectable device (UD) is within the cell of the first base station (120) is determined based on the determined location of the connectable device (UD), and if it is determined that the connectable device (UD) is within the cell of the first base station (120), a notification is sent to the connectable device (UD) to inform the user of the availability of the wireless communication link in the first frequency band.

2. The method (300A; 300B; 300C) of claim 1, further comprising repeating the iterative step (ii) until: A wireless communication link in the first frequency band is established (330) or a predetermined period of time (Timeout1) has elapsed (335).

3. The method (300A; 300B) of claim 1, further comprising repeating the iteration The steps (iv) and (v) are as follows: The threshold number of iterations has been reached.

4. The method (300A; 300B; 300C) according to claim 3, further comprising: If a threshold number of iterations has been reached and a wireless communication link has not been successfully established in the first frequency band, a wireless communication link is established (375) between the connectable device (UD) and the second base station (115) in a second frequency band, and the second base station (115) exchanges digital content with the connectable device (UD) via the wireless communication link established in the second frequency band.

5. The method (300A; 300B; 300C) of claim 1, wherein step (v) comprises performing step (i) before steps (ii) and (iii).

6. According to the method (300A) of claim 1, step (ii) is performed after: determining (320) that a successful wireless communication link is expected to be established in the first frequency band between the connectable device (UD) and the first base station (120) based on the location of the connectable device (UD) determined in step (i) and based on historical information about historical wireless communication links in the first frequency band at this location.

7. The method (300A) of claim 6, comprising: If (320) based on the location of the connectable device (UD) determined in step (i) and based on historical information about historical wireless communication links in the first frequency band at that location, it is expected that no successful wireless communication link can be established between the connectable device (UD) and the first base station (120) in the first frequency band: then performing said prompting (350, 355) a user of the connectable device (UD) to change the location of the connectable device (UD), and Perform steps (ii) and (iii).

8. The method (300A) of claim 6, wherein: For each location, the historical information includes an indication of historical successful wireless communication links that have been successfully established with the first base station (120) at the location in the first frequency band, and an indication of historical unsuccessful wireless communication links that have not been successfully established with the first base station (120) at the location in the first frequency band, wherein if (320) the number of historical successful wireless communication links in the first frequency band at the location is higher than a predefined amount of the number of historical unsuccessful wireless communication links in the first frequency band at the location, then a successful wireless communication link is expected to be established in the first frequency band between the connectable device (UD) and the first base station (120).

9. The method (300A; 300B; 300C) of claim 1, wherein the digital content comprises one or both of: a file available at a communication network (105, 130) of a communication system and ready to be downloaded when a connectable device (UD) is connected to said communication network; A file that is pushed to a connectable device (UD) when predetermined conditions are met.

10. The method (300A; 300B; 300C) of claim 1, wherein said step (i) comprises determining a current location of the connectable device or an upcoming location of the connectable device (UD).

11. The method (300A; 300B; 300C) of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication link in the first frequency band comprises at least one of: Millimeter wave communication links; Sub-millimeter wave communication links; optical communication links, such as infrared, ultraviolet and / or visible light communication links, and WiGig communication link.

12. The method (300A; 300B; 300C) of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication link in the second frequency band comprises at least one of: a cellular communications link, such as one established using one or more of UTRA, WCDMA, CDMA2000, GERAN, LTE, LTE-Advanced, and NR radio access technologies; and Wi-Fi communication link.

13. The method (300A; 300B; 300C) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the connectable device (UD) comprises: A user device such as a mobile phone, smartphone, tablet, personal digital assistant (PDA) or laptop, or Indoor and / or outdoor machines for industrial and / or domestic applications.

14. A communication system (100) for exchanging digital content with a connectable device (UD) connected thereto, the communication system (100) comprising: A first base station (120) configured to exchange digital content via a wireless communication link in a first frequency band, the frequency of the first frequency band being higher than or equal to 6 GHz; a second base station (115) configured to exchange digital content via a wireless communication link in a second frequency band having a frequency below 6 GHz; The communication network (105) is configured to: (i) determine the location of the connectable device (UD); (ii) causing the connectable device (UD) and the first base station (120) to attempt to establish a wireless communication link between them in the first frequency band; (iii) if a wireless communication link has been successfully established in the first frequency band, causing the first base station to exchange digital content with the connectable device (UD) through the wireless communication link established in the first frequency band; (iv) if a wireless communication link is not successfully established in the first frequency band, prompting a user of the connectable device (UD) to change the location of the connectable device (UD), and (v) after step (iv), performing steps (ii) and (iii), Wherein, the communication network (105) is further configured as: Prior to step (ii), whether the connectable device (UD) is within the cell of the first base station (120) is determined based on the determined location of the connectable device (UD), and if it is determined that the connectable device (UD) is within the cell of the first base station (120), a notification is sent to the connectable device (UD) to inform the user of the availability of the wireless communication link in the first frequency band.

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