Point to multi-point services using shared channels in wireless communication systems

Abstract

Service data is transferred in a wireless communication system. A first service identification is synchronously transmitted for reception by a group of users of a cell in the system. The group of users does not include all of the users of the cell. Each of the group of users receives the service identification. Each of the group of users monitors for a second service identification being transmitted over a downlink shared channel. The service data is transmitted over the downlink shared channel with the second service identification. Each of the group of users detects the second service identification and receives the service data of the downlink shared channel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for joining a multimedia broadcast multicast service session in wireless communications, the method comprising:
 monitoring a control channel for a service identifier of the multimedia broadcast multicast service session;   decoding the service identifier to determine a time interval of the multimedia broadcast multicast service session;   receiving a service message indicating a plurality of multimedia broadcast multicast service sessions;   selecting one of the plurality of multimedia broadcast multicast service service sessions; and   receiving the chosen multimedia broadcast multicast service session on a downlink shared channel on the decoded time interval.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the service identifier is received on a transmission time interval basis. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein additional service identifiers are received for ongoing multimedia broadcast multicast service sessions. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein users register to receive the service identifiers. 
     
     
         5 . A user equipment configured to join a multimedia broadcast multicast service session in wireless communications, the user equipment comprising:
 a transmitter, a receiver and an antenna array;   the transmitter, receiver and antenna array configured to monitor a control channel for a service identifier of the multimedia broadcast multicast service session;   the processor configured to decode the service identifier to determine a time interval of the multimedia broadcast multicast service session;   the receiver and antenna array configured to receive a service message indicating a plurality of multimedia broadcast multicast service sessions;   the processor configured to choose select one of the plurality of multimedia broadcast multicast service sessions; and   the receiver and the antenna array configured to receive the chosen multimedia broadcast multicast service session on a downlink shared channel on the decoded time interval.   
     
     
         6 . The user equipment of  claim 5 , wherein the service identifier is received on a transmission time interval basis. 
     
     
         7 . The user equipment of  claim 5 , wherein additional service identifiers are received for ongoing multimedia broadcast multicast service sessions. 
     
     
         8 . The user equipment of  claim 5 , wherein users register to receive the service identifiers.