Method and apparatus for counting devices related to broadcast data services

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses are provided that include counting devices for broadcast data services. The devices can be counted based on registrations received from the devices. This registration count can additionally or alternatively be used to determine whether further counting is desired. In addition, base stations can transmit counting requests to the devices using a paging message or other message such that idle mode devices can receive the counting requests. The idle mode devices can respond to the requests or send autonomous counting report by switching to an active mode for the purpose of responding or another purpose.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of communication by a user equipment (UE) with a base station, comprising:
 transmitting a registration request for a multimedia broadcast and multicast service (MBMS) service to the base station, the registration request comprising an identity of the UE, an indication of the MBMS service for which registration is requested and a location for the UE;   receiving the MBMS service based on the registration request; and   autonomously reporting counting to the base station, the counting being related to the reception of the MBMS service from the base station.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving the MBMS service includes switching the UE to an active mode. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the switching to the active mode is in response to one of:
 a random access procedure;   a network request from an application;   reception of a paging signals from the base station;   origination of a unicast data call;   an update of interest in the MBMS service; or   a change in the receiving the MBMS service.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the location for the UE comprises a cell sector identifier for the base station. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the MBMS service is a unicast service or a multicast service. 
     
     
         6 . A user equipment (UE) for communicating with a base station, comprising:
 means for transmitting a registration request for a multimedia broadcast and multicast service (MBMS) service to the base station, the registration request comprising an identity of the UE, an indication of the MBMS service for which registration is requested and a location for the UE;   means for receiving the MBMS service based on the registration request; and   means for autonomously reporting counting to the base station, the counting being related to the reception of the MBMS service from the base station.   
     
     
         7 . The UE of  claim 6 , wherein the means for receiving the MBMS service includes means for switching the UE to an active mode. 
     
     
         8 . The UE of  claim 7 , wherein the switching to the active mode is in response to one of:
 a random access procedure;   a network request from an application;   reception of a paging signals from the base station;   origination of a unicast data call;   an update of interest in the MBMS service; or   a change in the receiving the MBMS service.   
     
     
         9 . The UE of  claim 6 , wherein the location for the UE comprises a cell sector identifier for the base station. 
     
     
         10 . The UE of  claim 6 , wherein the MBMS service is a unicast service or a multicast service. 
     
     
         11 . A user equipment (UE) for communicating with a base station, comprising:
 at least one processor configured to:
 transmit a registration request for a multimedia broadcast and multicast service (MBMS) service to the base station, the registration request comprising an identity of the UE, an indication of the MBMS service for which registration is requested and a location for the UE; 
 receive the MBMS service based on the registration request; and 
 autonomously report counting to the base station, the counting being related to the reception of the MBMS service from the base station. 
   
     
     
         12 . The UE of  claim 11 , wherein the receiving the MBMS service includes switching the UE to an active mode. 
     
     
         13 . The UE of  claim 12 , wherein the switching to the active mode is in response to one of:
 a random access procedure;   a network request from an application;   reception of a paging signals from the base station;   origination of a unicast data call;   an update of interest in the MBMS service; or   a change in the receiving the MBMS service.   
     
     
         14 . The UE of  claim 11 , wherein the location for the UE comprises a cell sector identifier for the base station. 
     
     
         15 . The UE of  claim 11 , wherein the MBMS service is a unicast service or a multicast service. 
     
     
         16 . A computer program product for communicating by a user equipment (UE) with a base station, comprising:
 a non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising:
 code for transmitting a registration request for a multimedia broadcast and multicast service (MBMS) service to the base station, the registration request comprising an identity of the UE, an indication of the MBMS service for which registration is requested and a location for the UE; 
 code for receiving the MBMS service based on the registration request; and 
 code for autonomously reporting counting to the base station, the counting being related to the reception of the MBMS service from the base station. 
   
     
     
         17 . The computer program product of  claim 16 , wherein the code for receiving the MBMS services includes code for switching the UE to an active mode. 
     
     
         18 . The computer program product of  claim 17 , wherein the switching to the active mode is in response to one of:
 a random access procedure;   a network request from an application;   reception of a paging signals from the base station;   origination of a unicast data call;   an update of interest in the MBMS service; or   a change in the receiving the MBMS service.   
     
     
         19 . The computer program product of  claim 16 , wherein the location for the UE comprises a cell sector identifier for the base station. 
     
     
         20 . The computer program product of  claim 16 , wherein the MBMS service is a unicast service or a multicast service.