Communications with a mobile virtual base station

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for creating and managing virtual base stations in communication systems. A communication system may include a plurality of fixed base stations. A virtual base station may be created dynamically, with the creating including configuring communications of the virtual base stations to appear as originating from same base station regardless of the actual fixed base station handling communicating of signals of the virtual base station. Operation of the virtual base station may then be managed, with the managing including, continually, detecting movement of one or more mobile communication devices connected to the virtual base station, selecting one of the plurality of fixed base stations based on the movement of the one or more mobile communication devices, and assigning the virtual base station to the selected one of the plurality of fixed base stations.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for providing mobile virtual base stations in a communication system that comprises a plurality of fixed base stations, the method comprising:
 creating a virtual base station in the communication system, wherein the creating comprises configuring communications of the virtual base stations to appear as originating from same base station regardless of an actual fixed base station handling communicating of signals of the virtual base station; and   managing operation of the virtual base station, wherein the managing comprises, continually:
 detecting movement of one or more mobile communication devices connected to the virtual base station; 
 selecting one of the plurality of fixed base stations based on the movement of the one or more mobile communication devices; and 
 assigning the virtual base station to the selected one of the plurality of fixed base stations. 
   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , comprising detecting movement of the one or more mobile communication devices based on movement of a transportation means associated with the virtual base station, wherein the one or more mobile communication devices are located within the transportation means. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising concurrently providing data of the virtual base station to an assigned fixed base station and to one or more other ones of the plurality of fixed base stations. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , comprising determining the one or more other ones of the plurality of fixed base stations based on the movement of the one or more mobile communication devices. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein managing operation of the virtual base station comprises deleting the virtual base station based on one or more deletion conditions or criteria. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , comprising deleting the virtual base station based on a determination that a number of mobile communication devices connected with the virtual base station drops below a specified threshold. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , comprising deleting the virtual base station based on a determination that less than a specified minimum number of mobile communication devices remain connected with the virtual base station for at least a particular duration. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , comprising deleting the virtual base station based on a determination that a number of mobile communication devices connected with the virtual base station does not reach a minimum value after a particular time. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25 , comprising deleting the virtual base station based on a determination that at least some of a plurality of mobile communication devices connected with the virtual base station are also connected with a different virtual base station. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 25 , comprising deleting the virtual base station based on movement of a transportation means associated with the virtual base station. 
     
     
         31 . A system comprising:
 one or more circuits for managing mobile virtual base stations in a communication system that comprises a plurality of fixed base stations, wherein the one or more circuits are configured to:
 create a virtual base station in the communication system, wherein the creating comprises configuring communications of the virtual base stations to appear as originating from same base station regardless of an actual fixed base station handling communicating of signals of the virtual base station; and 
 manage operation of the virtual base station, wherein the one or more circuits are configured to, when managing operation of the virtual base station, continually:
 detect movement of one or more mobile communication devices connected to the virtual base station; 
 select one of the plurality of fixed base stations based on the movement of the one or more mobile communication devices; and 
 assign the virtual base station to the selected one of the plurality of fixed base stations. 
 
   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the one or more circuits are configured to detect movement of the one or more mobile communication devices based on movement of a transportation means associated with the virtual base station, wherein the one or more mobile communication devices are located within the transportation means. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the one or more circuits are configured to concurrently provide data of the virtual base station to an assigned fixed base station and to one or more other ones of the plurality of fixed base stations. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the one or more circuits are configured to determine the one or more other ones of the plurality of fixed base stations based on the movement of the one or more mobile communication devices. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the one or more circuits are configured to, when managing operation of the virtual base station, delete the virtual base station based on one or more deletion conditions or criteria. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the one or more circuits are configured to delete the virtual base station based on a determination that a number of mobile communication devices connected with the virtual base station drops below a specified threshold. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the one or more circuits are configured to delete the virtual base station based on a determination that less than a specified minimum number of mobile communication devices remain connected with the virtual base station for at least a particular duration. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the one or more circuits are configured to delete the virtual base station based on a determination that a number of mobile communication devices connected with the virtual base station does not reach a minimum value after a particular time. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the one or more circuits are configured to delete the virtual base station based on a determination that at least some of a plurality of mobile communication devices connected with the virtual base station are also connected with a different virtual base station. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the one or more circuits are configured to delete the virtual base station based on movement of a transportation means associated with the virtual base station.