0115111A11111111111111111111111110111111
`11111111111111011111111111111111!!9t1!1
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0025056 Al
`Feb. 3, 2005
`Chen et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) PACKET COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM,
`BASE STATION AND MOBILE STATION
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`May 16, 2003
`
`(JP)
`
` P 2003-139588
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Lan Chen, Yokohama-shi (JP); Daisuke
`Kitazawa, Kawasaki-shi (JP);
`Hidetoshi Kayama, Yokohama-shi (JP);
`Narumi Umeda, Yokohama-shi (JP)
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.'
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`
` H04J 1/16
` 370/235; 370/328
`
`Correspondence Address:
`OBLON, SPIVAK, MCCLELLAND, MAIER &
`NEUSTADT, P.C.
`1940 DUKE STREET
`ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: NTT DoCoMo, Inc., Tokyo (JP)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/845,351
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`May 14, 2004
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`In a packet communications method of performing packet
`communications between a mobile station and a base sta-
`tion, the base station manages an amount of packets stored
`in a transmission buffer of the mobile station. The mobile
`station notifies a changed result of an amount of packets
`stored in the transmission buffer of the mobile station, when
`the amount of packets stored in the transmission buffer of the
`mobile station changes. The base station changes a managed
`amount in accordance with the changed result notified from
`the mobile station.
`
`VIRTUAL BUFFER
`CORRESPONDING TO
`MOBILE STATION 301
`131
`
`PACKET #4
`PACKET #3
`PACKET #2
`PACKET #1
`•
`VIRTUAL BUFFER
`CORRESPONDING TO
`MOBILE STATION 30.
`13n
`
`PACKET #2
`PACKET #1
`
`V
`
`14
`
`RESOURCE
`ALLOCATING UNIT
`
`r
`
`15
`
`TRANSMITTING
`UNIT
`
`RESERVATION
`RECOGNIZING UNIT
`
`12
`
`RECEIVING
`UNIT
`
`11
`
`VIRTUAL BUFFER
`MANAGING UNIT
`
`—••••
`5
`13
`
`BASE STATION 10
`
`Ericsson Exhibit 1012
`Page 1
`
`

`

`IV 9SOSZOO/SOOZ Sfl
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`OI Jo I loollS
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`8
`
`Patent Application Publication F
`
`
`
`BASE STATION 10
`
`11
`
`RECEIVING
`
`UNIT
`
`12
`
`RECOGNIZING UNIT
`
`RESERVATION
`
`TRANSMITTING
`
`UNIT
`
`15
`
`ALLOCATING UNIT
`
`RESOURCE
`
`14
`
`13
`
`MANAGING UNIT
`VIRTUAL BUFFER
`
`V
`
`FIG.1
`
`PACKET #1
`PACKET #2
`
`•
`
`MOBILE STATION 3On
`CORRESPONDING TO
`VIRTUAL BUFFER
`
`13n
`
`PACKET #1
`PACKET #2
`PACKET #3
`PACKET #4
`
`MOBILE STATION 301
`CORRESPONDING TO
`VIRTUAL BUFFER
`
`131 ti
`
`Ericsson Exhibit 1012
`Page 2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 3, 2005 Sheet 2 of 10
`
`US 2005/0025056 Al
`
`FIG.2
`
`V
`
`35
`
`
`,--0
`
`TRANSMISSION
`BUFFER
`
`ITTING
`TRANS
`UNIT
`
`3?
`
`6
`
`
`
`JUDGING
`UNIT
`33
`
`••••7•
`
`••
`
` RESERVING
`UNIT
`34
`
`RESERVATION RESPONSE
`RECOGNIZING UNIT
`
`32
`
`RECEIVING
`UNIT
`
`31
`
`MOBILE STATION 30
`FIG.3
`
`START
`
`DOES
`NEW PACKET
`OCCUR?
`
`IS PACKET
`DISCARDED?
`NO
`
`5102
`
`IS
`ACKET TRANSMISSIO
`SUCCESSFUL?
`
`GENERATE PLUS
`RESERVATION
`
`C)
`5104
`
`5105
`
`GENERATE MINUS
`RESERVATION
`
`Ericsson Exhibit 1012
`Page 3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 3, 2005 Sheet 3 of 10
`
`US 2005/0025056 Al
`
`FIG.4
`
`( START
`
`)
`
`YES
`
`S202
`
`STORE ARRIVAL TIME H-5204
`
`V
`ADD PACKET TO
`VIRTUAL BUFFER
`
``--- 5205
`
`Ericsson Exhibit 1012
`Page 4
`
`

`

`IV 9SOSZOO/SOOZ Sfl
`
`OI JO 17 13311S
`
`Ui
`O
`O
`
`Patent Application Publication F
`
`
`
`DELETE 3 PACKETS FROM VIRTUAL BUFFER nt„
`
`51009
`
`DELETE 2 PACKETS FROM VIRTUAL BUFFER
`
`51012
`
`51011
`
`MINUS RESERVATION (-2) <UPLINK DCCH>
`S1010
`
`51008
`
`DISCARD 2 PACKETS
`
`MINUS RESERVATION (-3) <UPLINK DCCH>
`
`51006
`
`51007
`
`3 PACKETS IS SUCCESSFUL <CPCH>
`
`TRANSMISSION OF
`
`ALLOCATED RESOURCE <DOWNLINK DCCH>
`
`51005
`
`
`
`ALLOCATE RESOURCE
`
`FOR 3 PACKETS
`
`ADD 2 PACKETS TO VIRTUAL BUFFER
`
`51004
`
`STORE ARRIVAL TIMEI--\. 51003
`
`PLUS RESERVATION(+2) <UPLINK DCCH>
`S1001
`
`51002
`
`2 PACKETS OCCUR
`
`MOBILE STATION 30
`
`BASE STATION 10
`
`F1G.5
`
`Ericsson Exhibit 1012
`Page 5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 3, 2005 Sheet 5 of 10
`
`US 2005/0025056 Al
`
`FIG.6
`
`DOES
`NEW PACKET OCCUR ?
`5301
`
`NO
`
`IS PACKET DISCARDED?
`
`DOES PACKET
`TO BE RE-TRANSMITTED
`OCCUR?
`
`GENERATE MINUS
`RESERVATION
`
`S305
`
`TRANSMISSION
`
`FIG.7
`
`START
`
`)
`
`IS RESERVATION RECEIVED ?
`S401
`
`PLUS RESERVATION ?
`
`5403
`
`NO
`
`DELETE PACKET IN
`VIRTUAL BUFFER
`A
`
`IS RADIO RESOURCE
`ALLOCATED ?
`
`5406
`
`Ericsson Exhibit 1012
`Page 6
`
`

`

`IV 9303Z00/SOOZ Sfl
`
`ADD 3 PACKETS TO VIRTUAL BUFFER
`
`52010
`
`52009
`
`PLUS RESERVATION (+3) <UPLINK DCCH>
`
`52007
`
`52008
`
`3 PACKETS FAILS <CPCH>
`
`TRANSMISSION OF
`
`TRANSMISSION TIMING / ALLOCATED RESOURCE <DOWNLINK DCCH>
`
`DELETE 3 PACKETS FROM VIRTUAL BUFFER
`
`52006
`
`52005
`ALLOCATE RESOURCE FOR 3 PACKETS
`52004-d ADD 2 PACKETS TO VIRTUAL BUFFER
`
`-
`
`STORE ARRIVAL TIME
`
`52003
`PLUS RESERVATION (+2) <UPLINK DCCH>
`
`52002
`
`vf---52001
`
`2 PACKETS OCCUR
`
`
`
`BASE STATION 10
`
`FIG.8
`
`MOBILE STATION 30
`
`Ericsson Exhibit 1012
`Page 7
`
`

`

`IV 9SOSZOO/SOOZ SI1
`
`CC
`
`BASE STATION 10
`
`17
`
`L.
`
`18
`RECOGNIZING UNIT
`
`TRAFFIC TYPE
`
`PROPAGATION PATH CONDITION
`
`RECOGNIZING UNIT
`
`RECEIVING
`
`UNIT
`
`TRANSMITTING
`
`11
`UNIT
`
`15
`
`RESERVATION RECOGNIZING
`
`UNIT
`
`14
`
`12
`
`RESOURCE ALLOCATING
`
`UNIT
`
`16
`
`SCHEDUL NG UNIT
`
`MANAGING UNIT
`VIRTUAL BUFFER
`
`5
`13
`
`FIG.9
`
`ADDITION TIME d 1 • TRAFFIC TYPE B
`ADDITION TIME d2 • TRAFFIC TYPE B
`
`PACKET #1
`PACKET #2
`
`•
`
`MOBILE STATION 30n 13n
`CORRESPONDING TO
`VIRTUAL BUFFER
`
`ADDITION TIME c1 • TRAFFIC TYPE B
`ADDITION TIME c2 • TRAFFIC TYPE B
`ADDITION TIME c3 • TRAFFIC TYPE A
`ADDITION TIME c4 • TRAFFIC TYPE A
`
`PACKET#I
`PACKET #2
`PACKET #3
`PACKET #4
`
`MOBILE STATION 301 131
`CORRESPONDING TO
`VIRTUAL BUFFER
`
`Ericsson Exhibit 1012
`Page 8
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 3, 2005 Sheet 8 of 10
`
`US 2005/0025056 Al
`
`FIG.10
`)
`START
`(
`
`5501
`YES
`GENERATE PLUS -5502
`RESERVATION
`
`1
`
`TRANSMISSION F--S503
`
`FIG.11
`
`ST
`
`IS
`RESERVATION
`RECEIVED?
`
`YES
`
`5601
`
`IS THERE ANY PACKET
`HAVING BEEN QUEUED MORE THAN
`THE MAXIMUM ACCEPTABLE
`QUEUE TIME ?
`
`IS THERE
`ANY D PACKET WHICH IS
`RECEIVED SUCCESSFULLY?
`5603
`
`NO
`
`STORE ARRIVAL TIME
`
`ADD PACKET TO
`VIRTUAL BUFFER
`
`5605
`
`DELETE PACKET IN
`VIRTUAL BUFFER
`
`S606
`
`Ericsson Exhibit 1012
`Page 9
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 3, 2005 Sheet 9 of 10
`
`IV 9S0SZ00SOOZ Sfl
`
`THAN THE MAXIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUEUE TIME,
`DELETE 2 PACKETS HAVING BEEN QUEUED MORE
`
`FROM VIRTUAL BUFFER
`
`53010
`
`DELETE 3 PACKETS FROM VIRTUAL BUFFER
`
`53009
`
`53008-\--1 RECEPTION OF 3 PACKETS IS SUCCESSFUL
`
`3 PACKETS <CPCH>
`
`53007
`
`53004
`ADD 2 PACKETS TO VIRTUAL BUFFER
`53003 "-STORE ARRIVAL TIME & TRAFFIC TYPE
`
`RESOURCE FOR 3 PACKETS
`PROCESS AND ALLOCATE
`PERFORM SCHEDULING
`
`1
`
`ALLOCATED RESOURCE <DOWNLINK DCCH>
`
`53005
`
`53006
`
`53002
`
`BASE STATION 10
`
`FIG.12
`
`PLUS RESERVATION (+2) + TRAFFIC TYPE <UPLINK DCCH>
`
`53001
`
`2 PACKETS OCCUR
`
`MOBILE STATION 30
`
`Ericsson Exhibit 1012
`Page 10
`
`

`

`OI Jo OT 13311S
`
`IV 9SOSZOO/SOOZ Sfl
`
`Patent Application Publication F O
`
`
`
`Ui
`
`BASE STATION 10
`
`RECEIVING
`
`11
`UNIT
`
`12
`
`RECOGNIZING UNIT
`
`RESERVATION
`
`TRANSMITTING
`
`UNIT
`
`15
`
`ALLOCATING UNIT
`
`RESOURCE
`
`14
`
`FIG.13
`
`13a
`
`AMOUNT MANAGING
`STORAGE PACKET
`TRANSMISSION BUFFER
`
`UNIT
`
`2 PACKETS
`
`4 PACKETS
`AMOUNT
`PACKET
`
`•
`
`STATION ID
`MOBILE
`
`n
`•
`1
`
`Ericsson Exhibit 1012
`Page 11
`
`

`

`US 2005/0025056 Al
`
`Feb. 3, 2005
`
`1
`
`PACKET COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM, BASE
`STATION AND MOBILE STATION
`
`cessing and to allocate radio resources efficiently in the
`uplink high-speed packet communications method.
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`[0001] This application is based upon and claims the
`benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application
`No. P2003-139588, filed on May 16, 2003; the entire
`contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0003] The present invention relates to a packet commu-
`nications method of performing packet communications
`between a mobile station and a base station. The present
`invention relates to a base station and a mobile station which
`can implement the packet communications method.
`
`[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
`
`[0005] Conventionally, an "HSDPA (High Speed Down-
`link Packet Access" method which is a downlink high-speed
`packet communications method is formally specified in a
`3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project).
`
`[0006] To be more specific, an "RR (Round Robin)"
`scheme, a "Max C/I (Maximum Carrier/Interference)"
`scheme and the like are proposed as a scheduling scheme in
`the downlink high-speed packet communications method.
`
`In the conventional downlink high-speed packet
`[0007]
`communications method, a transmission buffer (a queue)
`corresponding to each mobile station is provided in a base
`station, so that the base station can perform efficient sched-
`uling processing in consideration of an arrival time of
`downlink packets, a size of the transmission buffer (a length
`of the queue) and the like.
`
`[0008] On the other hand, in the conventional uplink
`high-speed packet communications method, a transmission
`buffer of each mobile station is provided in the mobile
`station.
`
`[0009] Therefore, a scheme in which each mobile station
`periodically reports an amount of packets stored in the
`transmission buffer to the base station so that the base station
`can perform the scheduling processing are proposed.
`
`[0010] However, there is a problem in that each mobile
`station requires a lot of "notification bits" to report the
`amount of packets stored in the transmission buffer, so that
`system efficiency is reduced due to a control load, in the
`conventional uplink high-speed packet communications
`method.
`
`[0011] There is a problem in that a dynamic change of an
`amount of packets stored in the transmission buffer, which
`is caused by an occurrence of packets to be transmitted, an
`occurrence of packet discard and the like, can not be
`reflected to the base station in real time, so that efficient
`scheduling processing can not be performed, wasted radio
`resources are allocated and the quality of service is
`degraded, in the conventional uplink high-speed packet
`communications method.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`In viewing of the foregoing, it is an object of the
`[0012]
`present invention to perform the efficient scheduling pro-
`
`[0013] A first aspect of the present invention is summa-
`rized as a packet communications method of performing
`packet communications between a mobile station and a base
`station.
`
`In the packet communications method, the base
`[0014]
`station manages an amount of packets stored in a transmis-
`sion buffer of the mobile station. The mobile station notifies
`a changed result of an amount of packets stored in the
`transmission buffer of the mobile station, when the amount
`of packets stored in the transmission buffer of the mobile
`station changes. The base station changes a managed amount
`in accordance with the changed result notified from the
`mobile station.
`
`[0015] A second aspect of the present invention is sum-
`marized as a base station which performs packet communi-
`cations with a mobile station. The base station includes a
`manager configured to manage an amount of packets stored
`in a transmission buffer of the mobile station. The manager
`is configured to change a managed amount in accordance
`with a changed result of an amount of packets stored in the
`transmission buffer of the mobile station. The changed result
`is notified from the mobile station.
`
`[0016] A third aspect of the present invention is summa-
`rized as a mobile station which performs packet communi-
`cations with a base station. The mobile station includes a
`transmission buffer configured to store packets to be trans-
`mitted to the base station and a notifier configured to notify
`a change result of an amount of packets stored in the
`transmission buffer to the base station when the amount of
`packets stored in the transmission buffer changes.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL
`VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0017] FIG. 1 is functional block diagram of a base station
`according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
`
`[0018] FIG. 2 is functional block diagram of a mobile
`station according to the first embodiment;
`
`[0019] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the
`mobile station according to the first embodiment;
`
`[0020] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the
`base station according to the first embodiment;
`
`[0021] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a packet
`communications method according to the first embodiment;
`
`[0022] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the
`mobile station according to a second embodiment of the
`present invention;
`
`[0023] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of the
`base station according to the second embodiment;
`
`[0024] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing a packet
`communications method according to the second embodi-
`ment;
`
`[0025] FIG. 9 is functional block diagram of a base station
`according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
`
`[0026] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of the
`mobile station according to the third embodiment;
`
`Ericsson Exhibit 1012
`Page 12
`
`

`

`US 2005/0025056 Al
`
`Feb. 3, 2005
`
`2
`
`[0027] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation of the
`base station according to the third embodiment;
`
`[0028] FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing a packet
`communications method according to the third embodiment;
`and
`
`[0029] FIG. 13 is functional block diagram of a base
`station according to a first embodiment of the present
`invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`[0030] <A Configuration of a First Embodiment of the
`Present Invention>
`
`[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, configurations of a
`base station and a mobile station which implement a packet
`communications method according to a first embodiment of
`the present invention will be described.
`
`[0032] FIG. 1 shows functional blocks of the base station
`10 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows
`functional blocks of the mobile station 30 according to the
`first embodiment.
`
`[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, the base station 10 includes a
`receiving unit 11, a reservation recognizing unit 12, a virtual
`buffer managing unit 131 a resource allocating unit 14 and a
`transmitting unit 15.
`
`[0034] The receiving unit 11 is configured to receive
`uplink packets via a common packet channel (CPCH), and
`to receive "a change result of the number of packets (a
`change result of an amount of packets)", "communication
`quality information of packets" and the like via a uplink
`dedicated control channel (DCCH).
`
`[0035] The change result of the number of packets
`includes a "plus reservation" and a "minus reservation". The
`plus reservation shows the number of packets which
`increase in a transmission buffer 35 of the mobile station 30
`(an increment amount of packets stored in the transmission
`buffer 35 of the mobile station 30). The minus reservation
`shows the number of packets which decrease in a transmis-
`sion buffer 35 of the mobile station 30 (a decrement amount
`of packets stored in the transmission buffer 35 of the mobile
`station 30).
`
`[0036] For example, the plus reservation including infor-
`mation of "+2" shows that the number of packets stored in
`the transmission buffer 35 increases by two.
`
`[0037] The minus reservation including information of
`"-2" shows that the number of packets stored in the trans-
`mission buffer 35 decreases by two.
`
`[0038] The reservation recognizing unit 12 is configured
`to recognize the plus reservation or the minus reservation
`which are included the change result of the number of
`packets notified from the mobile station 30. The reservation
`recognizing unit 12 is configured to notify the recognized
`result to the virtual buffer managing unit 13.
`
`[0039] The reservation recognizing unit 12 can be config-
`ured to notify an arrival time of the change result of the
`number of packets to the virtual buffer managing unit 131
`when the change result of the number of packets includes the
`plus reservation.
`
`[0040] The virtual buffer managing unit 13 is configured
`to manage the number of packets (an amount of packets)
`stored in the transmission buffer 35 of each mobile station
`30 to 30g.
`
`[0041] The virtual buffer managing unit 13 is configured
`to change the number of packets stored in the transmission
`buffer 35 of each mobile station 301 to 30., in accordance
`with a change result (the plus reservation or the minus
`reservation) of the number of packets stored in the trans-
`mission buffer 35 of each mobile station 301 to 30g. The
`change result is notified from each mobile station 301 to 30g.
`
`[0042] To be more specific, the virtual buffer managing
`unit 13 is configured to manage virtual buffer 131 to 131
`corresponding to each mobile station 301 to 30g.
`
`[0043] The virtual buffer managing unit 13 is configured
`to store the same number of packets as packets stored in the
`transmission buffer 35 of each mobile station 301 to 30„, in
`each virtual buffer 131 to 13g.
`
`[0044] The virtual buffer managing unit 13 is configured
`to change (increase or decrease) packets stored in each
`virtual buffer 131 to 13. corresponding to each mobile
`station 301 to 30., in accordance with the change result of the
`numbers of packets stored in the transmission buffer 35 of
`each mobile station 301 to 30g.
`
`In an example of FIG. 1, the virtual buffer man-
`[0045]
`aging unit 13 stores four packets (packets #1 to #4) in the
`virtual buffer 131 corresponding to the mobile station 301.
`And the virtual buffer managing unit 13 stores two packets
`(packets #1 and #2) in the virtual buffer 13. corresponding
`to the mobile station 30g.
`
`[0046] The virtual buffer managing unit 13 adds two
`packets to the virtual buffer 131 corresponding to the mobile
`station 30, when receiving a notification showing that the
`reservation recognizing unit 12 has recognized a plus res-
`ervation including information "+2".
`
`[0047] On the other hand, the virtual buffer managing unit
`13 deletes one packet from the virtual buffer 131 correspond-
`ing to the mobile station 301, when receiving a notification
`showing that the reservation recognizing unit 12 has recog-
`nized a minus reservation including information "-2".
`
`[0048] The virtual buffer managing unit 13 can be con-
`figured to delete packets stored in the virtual buffer 13 in
`predetermined order.
`
`[0049] When adding a packet to the virtual buffer 13, to
`13., the virtual buffer managing unit 13 can be configured to
`associate the added packet with an additional time of the
`packet.
`
`[0050] Because the packet is added to the virtual buffer
`13 to 13. in a short time after the change result of the
`number of packets arrives at the base station 10, the virtual
`buffer managing unit 13 can be configured to regard an
`arrival time of the change result as the additional time of the
`packet.
`
`[0051] The virtual buffers 131 to 13. can have the same
`sizes, and the virtual buffers 131 to 131 can have different
`sizes in accordance with the number of packets stored in the
`transmission buffer 35.
`
`Ericsson Exhibit 1012
`Page 13
`
`

`

`US 2005/0025056 Al
`
`Feb. 3, 2005
`
`3
`
`[0052] The resource allocating unit 14 is configured to
`allocate a radio resource which is used in uplink packet
`communications with the mobile station, by referring to the
`virtual buffer corresponding to the mobile station 30.
`
`[0053] For example, the resource allocating unit 14 can
`allocate the radio resources (for example, radio channels,
`codes and transmission timings) to packets stored in the
`virtual buffer managed by the virtual buffer managing unit
`13 in ascending order of a packet number starting from a
`packet #1.
`
`[0054] The transmitting unit 15 is configured to notify the
`radio resources allocated by the resource allocating unit 14
`to the mobile station via a downlink dedicated control
`channel (DCCH).
`
`[0055] As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile station 30 includes
`a receiving unit 31, a reservation response recognizing unit
`32, a judging unit 33, a reserving unit 34, a transmission
`buffer 35 and a transmitting unit 36.
`
`[0056] The receiving unit 31 is configured to receive a
`notification of the radio resources allocated by the resource
`allocation unit 14 from the base station 10 via the downlink
`DCCH.
`
`[0057] The reservation response recognizing unit 32 is
`configured to instruct the transmitting unit 36 to transmit
`uplink packets using the radio resources (for example, a
`radio channel, a code and a transmitting timing) notified by
`the resource allocation unit 14.
`
`[0058] The judging unit 33 is configured to judge whether
`a predetermined situation occurs or not.
`
`[0059] For example, the judging unit 33 can judge whether
`a packet has been generated to be transmitted to the base
`station 10 or not. The judging unit 33 can judge whether a
`packet has been discarded in the transmission buffer 35 or
`not.
`
`[0060] The judging unit 33 can judge whether a packet has
`been transmitted to the base station successfully or not. To
`be more specific, the judging unit 33 can judge whether or
`not to receive an ACK signal related to the transmitted
`packet.
`
`[0061] The judging unit 33 can judge whether a packet has
`been generated to be re-transmitted to the base station 10 or
`not. In other words, the judging unit 33 can judge whether
`transmission of the packet to the base station 10 fails or not.
`To be more specific, the judging unit 33 can judge whether
`or not to receive a NACK signal related to the transmitted
`packet.
`
`[0062] The reserving unit 34 is configured to generate the
`change result including the plus reservation or the minus
`reservation, in accordance with a judgment result from the
`judging unit 33.
`
`[0063] When packets to be transmitted to the base station
`10 are generated, the reserving unit 34 is configured to
`generate a plus reservation including the number of gener-
`ated packets, as an increment number (amount) of packets
`stored in the transmission buffer.
`
`[0064] When packets stored in the transmission buffer 35
`are discarded, the reserving unit 34 is configured to generate
`
`a minus reservation including the number of discarded
`packets, as a decrement number (amount) of packets stored
`in the transmission buffer.
`
`[0065] The transmission buffer 35 is configured to store
`packets to be transmitted to the base station 10. The trans-
`mission buffer 35 can be configured to store the generated
`packets, by using a method of inserting the generated
`packets into the queue in accordance with a predetermined
`scheduling scheme.
`
`[0066] The transmission buffer 35 can be configured to
`discard packets which have elapsed for a predetermined
`period since the packets were stored in the virtual buffer,
`packets which have been re-transmitted a predetermined
`number of times, packets which a user has cancelled to
`transmit and the like.
`
`[0067] The transmitting unit 36 is configured to transmit
`packets stored in the transmission buffer 35 to the base
`station 10 via the uplink CPCH. The transmitting unit 36 is
`configured to transmit the packets by using the radio
`resource instructed by the reservation response recognizing
`unit 32.
`
`[0068] The transmitting unit 36 is configured to transmit
`the change result including the plus reservation or the minus
`reservation generated by the reserving unit 34 to the base
`station 10 via the uplink DCCH.
`
`[0069] The transmitting unit 36 is configured to transmit
`the number of packets stored in the transmission buffer 35 at
`a predetermined interval, so as to synchronize between the
`transmission buffer 35 and the virtual buffer in the virtual
`buffer managing unit 13 of the base station 10.
`
`In the embodiment, the judging unit 33, the reserv-
`[0070]
`ing unit 34 and the transmitting unit 36 constitute a notifier
`configured to notify a change result of an amount (number)
`of packets stored in the transmission buffer 35 to the base
`station 10, each time the amount (number) of packets stored
`in the transmission buffer changes.
`
`[0071] <An Operation of the First Embodiment>
`
`[0072] First, referring to FIG. 3, an operation of the
`mobile station 30 according to the first embodiment will be
`described.
`
`[0073] As shown in FIG. 3, in step S101, the judging unit
`33 of the mobile station 30 judges whether packets to be
`transmitted to the base station 10 are generated or not, by
`monitoring an input operation of a user and the like. When
`the answer is YES, the operation moves to step S104. On the
`other hand, when the answer is NO, the operation moves to
`step S102.
`
`In step S102, the judging unit 33 judges whether
`[0074]
`packets which have elapsed for a predetermined period since
`the packets were stored in the virtual buffer, packets which
`have been re-transmitted a predetermined number of times,
`packets which a user has cancelled to transmit and the like
`are discarded or not, by monitoring the transmission buffer
`35. When the answer is YES, the operation moves to step
`S105. On the other hand, when the answer is NO, the
`operation moves to step S103.
`
`In step S103, the judging unit 33 judges whether
`[0075]
`packets are transmitted to the base station 10 successfully or
`not, by monitoring the transmitting unit 36.
`
`Ericsson Exhibit 1012
`Page 14
`
`

`

`US 2005/0025056 Al
`
`Feb. 3, 2005
`
`4
`
`[0076] To be more specific, the judging unit 33 judges that
`packets are transmitted to the base station 10 successfully,
`when the transmitting unit 26 receives an ACK signal from
`the base station 10. When the answer is YES, the operation
`moves to step S105. On the other hand, when the answer is
`NO, the operation returns to step S101.
`
`In step S104, the reserving unit 34 of the mobile
`[0077]
`station 30 generates a plus reservation including the number
`of packets generated to be transmitted to the base station 10,
`as an increment number of packets stored in the transmission
`buffer 35.
`
`In step S105, the reserving unit 34 of the mobile
`[0078]
`station 30 generates a minus reservation including the num-
`ber of discarded packets or the number of packets which
`have been transmitted to the base station 10 successfully, as
`a decrement number of packets stored in the transmission
`buffer 35.
`
`In step S106, the transmitting unit 36 of the mobile
`[0079]
`station 30 transmits the plus reservation or the minus res-
`ervation generated by the reserving unit 34 to the base
`station 10 via the uplink DCCH.
`
`[0080] The mobile station 30 is configured to perform
`steps S101 to S106 repeatedly. The mobile station 30 can be
`configured to perform steps S101 to S103 in parallel.
`
`[0081] Second, referring to FIG. 4, an operation of the
`base station 10 according to the first embodiment will be
`described.
`
`In step S201, the receiving unit 11 of the base
`[0082]
`station 10 determines whether or not to receive the change
`result of the number of packets from the mobile station 30,
`by monitoring the uplink DCCH.
`
`[0083] When the receiving unit 11 determines to receive
`the change result, in step S201, the reservation recognizing
`unit 12 of the base station 10 recognizes a plus reservation
`or a minus reservation which are included the change result
`received by the receiving unit 11.
`
`[0084] When a minus reservation is determined to be
`included in the change result, in step S203, the virtual buffer
`managing unit 13 of the base station 10 deletes packets
`corresponding to a decrement number of packets included in
`the minus reservation, from the virtual buffer corresponding
`to the mobile station which has transmitted the minus
`reservation.
`
`[0085] On the other hand, when a plus reservation is
`determined to be included in the change result, the virtual
`buffer managing unit 13 stores a reception time (an arrival
`time) of the plus reservation in step S204, and add packets
`corresponding to an increment number of packets included
`in the plus reservation in the transmission buffer 35, so as to
`associate the added packet with the reception time, in step
`S205.
`
`[0086] Third, referring to FIG. 5, an example of the packet
`communications method according to the first embodiment
`will be described.
`
`(+2) including information showing that the number of
`packets stored in the transmission buffer 35 increases by
`two.
`
`Instep S1002, the transmitting unit 36 transmits the
`[0088]
`plus reservation (+2) to the base station 10 via the uplink
`DCCH.
`
`In step S1003, the reservation recognizing unit 12
`[0089]
`notifies the plus reservation and the arrival time of the plus
`reservation to the virtual buffer managing unit 13.
`
`In step S1004, the virtual buffer managing unit 13
`[0090]
`adds two packets to the virtual buffer corresponding to the
`mobile station 30, in accordance with the notification from
`the reservation recognizing unit 12.
`
`[0091] The virtual buffer managing unit 13 can associate
`the added packets with the arrival time of the plus reserva-
`tion as the addition time of the packets.
`
`In step S1005, the resource allocating unit 14
`[0092]
`allocates radio resources (for example, a radio channel, a
`code and a transmission timing), by referring to the virtual
`buffer corresponding to the mobile station 30. In an example
`of FIG. 5, the resource allocating unit 14 allocates radio
`resources for three packets.
`
`Instep S1006, the transmitting unit 15 notifies the
`[0093]
`radio resources allocated by the resource allocating unit 14
`to the mobile station 30 via the downlink DCCH.
`
`In step S1007, the transmitting unit 36 transmits
`[0094]
`three packets to the base station 10 via the uplink CPCH, by
`using the radio resources instructed by the reservation
`response recognizing unit 32.
`
`[0095] Then, the judging unit 33 detects that three packets
`have been transmitted to the base station 10 successfully and
`the number of packets stored in the transmission buffer 35
`decreases by three. The reserving unit 34 generates a minus
`reservation (-3) including information showing that the
`number of packets stored in the transmission buffer 35
`decreases by three.
`
`In step S1008, the transmitting unit 36 transmits
`[0096]
`the minus reservation (-3) to the base station 10 via the
`uplink DCCH.
`
`In step S1009, the reservation recognizing unit 12
`[0097]
`notifies reception of the minus reservation (-3) to the virtual
`buffer managing unit 13.
`
`[0098] Then, the virtual buffer managing unit 13 deletes
`three packets from the virtual buffer corresponding to the
`mobile station 30, in accordance with the notification from
`the reservation recognizing unit 12.
`
`In step S1010, the transmission buffer 35 discards
`[0099]
`two packets which have elapsed for a predetermined period
`since the packets were stored in the virtual buffer.
`
`[0100] Then, the judging unit 33 detects that the number
`of packets stored in the transmission buffer 35 decreases by
`two. The reserving unit 34 generates a minus reservation
`(-2) including information showing that the number of
`packets stored in the transmission buffer 35 decreases by
`two.
`
`In step S1001, the judging unit 33 detects that two
`[0087]
`packets to be transmitted to the base station 10 are gener-
`ated, and the reserving unit 34 generates a plus reservation
`
`In step S1011, the transmitting unit 36 transmits the
`[0101]
`minus reservation (-2) to the base station 10 via the uplink
`DCCH.
`
`Ericsson Exhibit 1012
`Page 15
`
`

`

`US 2005/0025056 Al
`
`Feb. 3, 2005
`
`5
`
`In step S1012, the reservation recognizing unit 12
`[0102]
`notifies reception of the minus reservation (-2) to the virtual
`buffer managing unit 13.
`
`[0103] Then, the virtual buffer managing unit 13 deletes
`two packets from the virtual buffer corresponding to the
`mobile station 301 in accordance with the notification from
`the reservation recognizing unit 12.
`
`[0104] <Functions and Effects of the First Embodiment>
`
`[0105] According to the packet communications method
`of the first embodiment, the mobile station 30 is configured
`to notify the change result of the number of packets (the plus
`reservation or the minus reservation) to the base station 10,
`each time the number of the packets stored in the transmis-
`sion buffer 35 changes, so that the base station 10 can grasp
`a dynamic change in the transmission buffer 35 of the mobile
`station 30 in real time.
`
`[0106] According to the packet communications method
`of the first embodiment, the mobile station 30 is configured
`to notify the change result of the number of packets having
`a small amount of data to the base station 10, so as to prevent
`an amount of traffic between the mobile station 30 and the
`base station 10 from increasing.
`
`[0107] According to the packet comm