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US006904055B2
(12) United States Patent ao) Patent No.: us 6,904,055 B2
Pichna et al. (45) Date of Patent: Jun. 7,2005
(54) AD HOC NETWORKING OF TERMINALS AIDED BY A CELLULAR NETWORK
(75) Inventors: Roman Pichna, Espoo (FI); Keijo Lahetkangas, Oulu (FI); Kai Mustonen, Oulu (FI)
(73) Assignee: Nokia Corporation, Espoo (FI)
( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 235 days.
(21) Appl. No.: 10/179,397
(22) Filed: Jun. 24, 2002
(65) Prior Publication Data
US 2003/0235174 Al Dec. 25, 2003
(51) Int. C I. II04J 3/16
(52) U.S. CI 370/467; 370/352
(58) Field of Search 370/313, 352,
370/400, 401, 465, 467
(56) References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
2001/0024443 Al * 9/2001 Alriksson et al 370/401
2002/0191575 Al * 12/2002 Kalavade et al 370/338
2003/0035437 Al * 2/2003 Garahi et al 370/465
A fast and secure ad hoc communication system is established between terminals with the aid of a network. Terminals equipped with a non-cellular interface may establish a high data rate peer-to-peer or multi-hop ad hoc connection with the support of a cellular network. The cellular network may provide signaling for user authentication, peer identification, key distribution for a secure non-cellular connection set-up, radio resources management messages, routing assistance information, as well as charging and billing for the service. A non-cellular link may be used for fast and secure ad hoc communication between the terminals. Signaling may be transported either over a non-cellular access network or, using dual-mode terminals, over the cellular RAN. A combination of the signaling transports is also possible.
37 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
