DIRECT MODE COMMUNICATION NETWORK APPARATUS

Abstract

A direct mode communication network apparatus is provided. The direct mode communication network apparatus estimates a connection time and a proximity time of different client direct mode communication apparatuses according to apparatus information of the different client direct mode communication apparatuses. The direct mode communication network apparatus establishes a direct mode communication connection between the client direct mode communication apparatuses if the proximity time is greater than the connection time.

Description

PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/950,845 filed on Mar. 11, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a direct mode communication network apparatus; and more particularly, the direct mode communication network apparatus of the present invention determines whether to create a direct mode communication connection through estimation of a proximity time and a connection time.

BACKGROUND

In the conventional direct mode communication technologies, client direct mode communication apparatuses which are to create a direct mode communication connection therebetween primarily determine whether they are located within each other's communication ranges. If they are located within each other's communication ranges, a direct mode communication connection will be created therebetween to transmit data; and otherwise, the direct mode communication connection will not be created.

However, most of the client direct mode communication apparatuses are in a moving status. Therefore, if the client direct mode communication apparatuses that are creating a direct mode communication connection therebetween leave each other's communication ranges, failure in creation of the direct mode communication connection or incomplete data transmission will take place. This will make it impossible to accomplish the direct mode communication between the client direct mode communication apparatuses, thus causing waste of the network resources and a decrease in the overall transmission efficiency.

Similarly, in the conventional direct mode communication technologies, the client direct mode communication apparatuses determine whether to switch between network coverages of base stations mainly according to system information block (SIB) messages and S-criteria conditions. However, it cannot allow for accurate and timely switching either, and also causes waste of the network resources and a decrease in the overall transmission efficiency.

Accordingly, efforts still have to be made in the art to provide a solution capable of improving the way of creating a direct mode communication connection and the way of detecting network coverage so as to effectively reduce errors caused by incomplete data transmission and significantly improve the utilization efficiency of the network resources.

SUMMARY

Disclosed is a direct mode communication network apparatus, which comprises an information retrieving unit and a processing unit. The information retrieving unit is configured to retrieve a piece of first client information and a piece of second client information of a first client direct mode communication apparatus and a second client direct mode communication apparatus respectively. The processing unit is configured to: calculate a first communication connection estimated time and a first apparatus proximity estimated time between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus according to the first client information and the second client information; determine that the first apparatus proximity estimated time is greater than the first communication connection estimated time; and create a direct mode communication connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus according to the result that the first apparatus proximity estimated time is greater than the first communication connection estimated time.

Further disclosed is a direct mode communication network apparatus, which comprises an information retrieving unit and a processing unit. The information retrieving unit is configured to retrieve a piece of client information of a client direct mode communication apparatus. The processing unit is configured to: determine a network status estimated time and a network switching estimated time of the client direct mode communication apparatus according to the client information; determine that the network status estimated time is smaller than the network switching estimated time; and perform network switching of the client direct mode communication apparatus according to the result that the network status estimated time is smaller than the network switching estimated time.

Also disclosed is a direct mode communication network apparatus, which comprises an information retrieving unit and a processing unit. The information retrieving unit is configured to retrieve a first communication power of a first client direct mode communication apparatus and a second communication power of a second client direct mode communication apparatus. The processing unit is configured to: determine a first relative communication power between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus according to the first communication power and the second communication power; determine that the first relative communication power is greater than a direct mode communication required power; and create a direct mode communication connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus according to the result that the first relative communication power is greater than the direct mode communication required power.

Further disclosed is a direct mode communication network apparatus, which comprises an information retrieving unit and a processing unit. The information retrieving unit is configured to retrieve a communication power of a client direct mode communication apparatus. The processing unit is configured to: determine a relative communication power according to the communication power; determine that the relative communication power is greater than or smaller than a communication required power; and perform network switching of the client direct mode communication apparatus according to the result that the relative communication power is greater than or smaller than the communication required power.

The detailed technology and preferred embodiments implemented for the subject invention are described in the following paragraphs accompanying the appended drawings for people skilled in this field to well appreciate the features of the claimed invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication network system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication network apparatus 11 according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication network system 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication network apparatus 11 according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication network system 3 according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication network apparatus 11 according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication network system 4 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication network apparatus 43 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication network system 5 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication network apparatus 43 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication network system 6 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication network apparatus 43 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication network system 7 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication network apparatus 73 according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication network system 8 according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication network apparatus 81 according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication network system 9 according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication network apparatus 81 according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication network system 8a according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication network apparatus 83a according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication network system 9a according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication network apparatus 83a according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication network system 9b according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication network apparatus 93 according to the twelfth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart diagram of a direct mode communication connection creating method according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart diagram of a direct mode communication connection creating method according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart diagram of a direct mode communication connection creating method according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 16A˜16B are flowchart diagrams of a direct mode communication connection creating method according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart diagram of a direct mode communication connection creating method according to a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart diagram of a direct mode communication connection creating method according to an eighteenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart diagram of a direct mode communication connection creating method according to a nineteenth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 20A˜20B are flowchart diagram of a direct mode communication connection creating method according to a twentieth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, the present invention will be explained with reference to certain example embodiments thereof. It shall be appreciated that, these example embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention to any specific examples, embodiments, environment, applications or particular implementations described in these embodiments. Therefore, description of these example embodiments is only for purpose of illustration rather than to limit the present invention, and the scope of this application shall be governed by the claims.

In the following embodiments and the attached drawings, elements unrelated to the present invention are omitted from depiction; and dimensional relationships among individual elements in the attached drawings are illustrated only for ease of understanding, but not to limit the actual scale.

Please refer to FIGS. 1A˜1B. FIG. 1A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication network system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The direct mode communication network system 1 comprises a direct mode communication network apparatus 11, a first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and a second client direct mode communication apparatus 15. It shall be particularly appreciated that, the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 in the first embodiment is a base station. FIG. 1B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication network apparatus 11 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The direct mode communication network apparatus 11 comprises an information retrieving unit 111 (e.g., a network transceiver) and a processing unit 113. Interactions among the individual elements will be further described hereinbelow.

Firstly, the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 has a connection with the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15 respectively, so the information retrieving unit 111 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 retrieves a piece of first client information 130 and a piece of second client information 150 from the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15 respectively.

Then, the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 calculates a first communication connection estimated time CT1 and a first apparatus proximity estimated time PT1 between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15 according to the first client information 130 and the second client information 150.

Further speaking, the first client information 130 may comprise related information such as the velocity, the location, and the acceleration of the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13. Likewise, the second client information 150 may comprise related information such as the velocity, the location, and the acceleration of the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15. Thereby, the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 can determine trajectories of the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15, and estimate the first apparatus proximity estimated time PT1 available for communication between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15.

On the other hand, the first client information 130 may comprise related information such as the network transmission capability of the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13. Likewise, the first client information 150 may comprise related information such as the network transmission capability of the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15. Accordingly, the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 can estimate a first communication connection estimated time CT1 for connection creation and data transmission between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15.

Afterwards, the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 determines whether the first apparatus proximity estimated time PT1 is greater than the first communication connection estimated time CT1. If the answer is “yes”, then it means that the time available for communication between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15 is greater than the time for connection creation and data transmission, and accordingly, the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 notifies the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15 to create a direct mode communication connection 10 therebetween.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 determines that the first apparatus proximity estimated time PT1 is smaller than the first communication connection estimated time CT1, then it means that the time available for communication between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15 is smaller than the time for connection creation and data transmission (i.e., the time available for communication therebetween is insufficient to satisfy the time for connection creation and data transmission). Accordingly, the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 will not create a direct mode communication connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15.

It shall be particularly emphasized that, because the present invention mainly focuses on use of the estimated times and those skilled in the art shall readily understand from the aforesaid descriptions (1) how to estimate the apparatus proximity time according to such related information as the location and velocity of the apparatus and (2) how to estimate the connection creation and data transmission time of the apparatus according to the network transmission capability of the apparatus, these will not be further described herein.

Please refer to FIGS. 2A˜2B. FIG. 2A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication network system 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication network apparatus 11 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The architecture of the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, so elements represented by the same symbols also have the same functions and will not be further described herein. The second embodiment will mainly describe the step of creating a direct mode communication connection in more detail.

Firstly, the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 must confirm whether there is a requirement for creating a connection between clients before determining whether a direct mode communication connection is to be created between the clients. Specifically, the information retrieving unit 111 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 firstly retrieves a direct mode communication requirement REQ1 from the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15. The direct mode communication requirement REQ1 may be initiated by the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 or the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15.

After having confirmed that the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15 have a requirement for creating a connection therebetween, the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 retrieves a piece of first client information 130 and a piece of second client information 150 from the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15 respectively according to the direct mode communication requirement REQ1.

Likewise, the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 then calculates a first communication connection estimated time CT1 and a first apparatus proximity estimated time PT1 between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15 according to the first client information 130 and the second client information 150.

In the second embodiment, the first communication connection estimated time CT1 comprises a first connection creation estimated time ET1 and a first data transmission estimated time DT1. Further speaking, the first communication connection estimated time CT1 represents an overall connection time, and may be subdivided into a first connection creation estimated time ET1 for connection creation and a first data transmission estimated time DT1 for data transmission.

It shall be particularly appreciated that, assuming that errors of the aforesaid estimated times can be controlled to be within tolerable ranges, the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 can directly decide whether to create a direct mode communication connection according to the determination result of whether the first apparatus proximity estimated time PT1 is greater than the first communication connection estimated time CT1. However, to avoid false determinations, a threshold value is additionally used in the second embodiment.

More specifically, in the second embodiment, the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 further determines whether the first apparatus proximity estimated time PT1 minus the first communication connection estimated time CT1 is greater than a preset time threshold value TH1. If the answer is “yes”, it means that, after deducting the time for connection creation and data transmission, the time available for communication between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15 is still greater than the preset time value that is considered to be safe. Accordingly, the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 notifies the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15 to create a direct mode communication connection 10 therebetween.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 determines that the first apparatus proximity estimated time PT1 minus the first communication connection estimated time CT1 is smaller than the preset time threshold value TH1, it means that, after deducting the time for connection creation and data transmission, the time available for communication between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15 is smaller than the preset time value that is considered to be safe. Accordingly, the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 will not create a direct mode communication connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15.

Please refer to FIGS. 3A˜3B. FIG. 3A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication network system 3 according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication network apparatus 11 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The architecture of the third embodiment is similar to those of the previous embodiments, so elements represented by the same symbols also have the same functions and will not be further described herein. The third embodiment is mainly intended to further describe a recursive dynamic determination step.

Likewise, the information retrieving unit 111 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 retrieves a piece of first client information 130 and a piece of second client information 150 from the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15 respectively, and the processing unit 113 calculates a first communication connection estimated time CT1 and a first apparatus proximity estimated time PT1 between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15 according to the first client information 130 and the second client information 150.

Then, the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 determines whether the first apparatus proximity estimated time PT1 is greater than the first communication connection estimated time CT1. If the answer is “yes”, then the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 creates a direct mode communication connection 10 between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15. If the answer is “no”, then the direct mode communication connection will not be created between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15.

In the third embodiment, it is assumed that the direct mode communication connection 10 has been created, and then the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 can dynamically and recursively determine the necessity for maintaining the direct mode communication connection. Specifically, after the direct mode communication connection 10 has been created, the information retrieving unit 111 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 further retrieves a piece of third client information 132 from the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and retrieves a piece of fourth client information 152 from the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15. The processing unit 113 calculates a second communication connection estimated time CT2 and a second apparatus proximity estimated time PT2 between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15 according to the third client information 132 and the fourth client information 152.

Similarly, the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 determines whether the second apparatus proximity estimated time PT2 is greater than the second communication connection estimated time CT2. If the answer is “yes”, it means that the updated time available for communication between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15 is greater than the updated time for connection creation and data transmission; and accordingly, the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 maintains the direct mode communication connection 10 between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 determines that the second apparatus proximity estimated time PT2 is smaller than the second communication connection estimated time CT2, it means that the updated time available for communication between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15 is smaller than the updated time for connection creation and data transmission; and accordingly, the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 may change the direct mode communication connection 10 between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15 into a backhaul network connection.

It shall also be particularly appreciated that, assuming that errors of the aforesaid estimated times can be controlled to be within tolerable ranges, the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 can directly decide whether to maintain the direct mode communication connection according to the determination result of whether the second apparatus proximity estimated time PT2 is greater than the second communication connection estimated time CT2. However, to avoid false determinations, a threshold value is additionally used in the third embodiment.

More specifically, in the third embodiment, the second communication connection estimated time CT2 may comprise an infrastructure connection creation estimated time IT1, and the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 further determines whether the second apparatus proximity estimated time PT2 minus the infrastructure connection creation estimated time IT1 is greater than a preset time threshold value TH2. If the answer is “yes”, it means that, after deducting the time available for changing into the backhaul infrastructure connection, the time available for communication between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15 is still greater than the preset time value that is considered to be safe. Accordingly, the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 maintains the direct mode communication connection 10 between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 further determines that the second apparatus proximity estimated time PT2 minus the infrastructure connection creation estimated time IT1 is smaller than the preset time threshold value TH2, it means that, after deducting the time available for changing into the backhaul infrastructure connection, the time available for communication between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15 is smaller than the preset time value that is considered to be safe. Accordingly, the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 changes the direct mode communication connection 10 between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15 into the backhaul network connection.

More specifically, in the third embodiment, the second communication connection estimated time CT2 may also comprise the infrastructure connection creation estimated time IT1 and a second data transmission estimated time DT2. Then, the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 further determines whether the second apparatus proximity estimated time PT2 minus the infrastructure connection creation estimated time IT1 is smaller than the preset time threshold value TH2 and determines whether the second apparatus proximity estimated time PT2 minus the second data transmission estimated time DT2 is greater than a preset time threshold value TH3.

If the second apparatus proximity estimated time PT2 minus the infrastructure connection creation estimated time IT1 is smaller than the preset time threshold value TH2, it means that, after deducting the time for changing into the backhaul infrastructure connection, the time available for communication between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15 is smaller than the preset time value that is considered to be safe. However, besides changing into the backhaul connection, it may also be determined whether to complete the data transmission.

In detail, if the second apparatus proximity estimated time PT2 minus the infrastructure connection creation estimated time IT1 is smaller than the preset time threshold value TH2, the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 further determines whether the second apparatus proximity estimated time PT2 minus the second data transmission estimated time DT2 is greater than the preset time threshold value TH3. If the answer is “yes”, it means that, after deducting the time for changing the data transmission connection, the time available for communication between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15 is still greater than the preset time value that is considered to be safe. Accordingly, the direct mode communication connection 10 between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15 is maintained to complete the data transmission.

Conversely, if the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 further determines that the second apparatus proximity estimated time PT2 minus the second data transmission estimated time DT2 is smaller than the preset time threshold value TH3, it means that, after deducting the time for changing the data transmission connection, the time available for communication between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15 is smaller than the preset time value that is considered to be safe. Accordingly, the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 changes the direct mode communication connection 10 between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15 into the backhaul network connection.

It shall be particularly appreciated that, the direct mode network communication apparatus in the previous embodiments may also be replaced with a client direct mode communication apparatus so that the aforesaid connection determinations are accomplished directly by the client direct mode communication apparatus. Please refer to FIGS. 4A˜4B. FIG. 4A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication network system 4 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The direct mode communication network system 4 comprises a direct mode communication network apparatus 43 (which is the same as the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 described in the first embodiment) and a client direct mode communication apparatus 45 (which is the same as the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15 described in the first embodiment).

It shall be particularly emphasized that, the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 of the fourth embodiment may be directly a client direct mode communication apparatus. FIG. 4B is a block diagram of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The direct mode communication network apparatus 43 comprises an information retrieving unit 431 and a processing unit 433. Interactions among the individual elements will be further described hereinbelow.

Firstly, the information retrieving unit 431 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 retrieves a piece of client information 430 from the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 itself, and retrieves a piece of client information 450 from the client direct mode communication apparatus 45. Similarly, the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 then calculates a communication connection estimated time CT3 and an apparatus proximity estimated time PT3 between the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45 according to the client information 430 and the client information 450.

Likewise, the client information 430, 450 may comprise related information such as the velocity, the location and the acceleration of the client direct mode communication apparatus. Then the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 can determine trajectories of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45, and estimate the apparatus proximity estimated time PT3 available for communication therebetween. On the other hand, the client information 430, 450 may also comprise such related information as the network transmission capabilities, and accordingly, the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 can estimate a communication connection estimated time CT3 for connection creation and data transmission between the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45.

Afterwards, the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 determines whether the apparatus proximity estimated time PT3 is greater than the communication connection estimated time CT3. If the answer is “yes”, it means that the time available for communication between the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45 is greater than the time for connection creation and data transmission. Accordingly, the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 directly creates a direct mode communication connection 40 with the client direct mode communication apparatus 45.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 determines that the apparatus proximity estimated time PT3 is smaller than the communication connection estimated time CT3, it means that the time available for communication between the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45 is smaller than the time for connection creation and data transmission (i.e., the time available for communication therebetween is insufficient to satisfy the time for connection creation and data transmission). Accordingly, the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 will not create a direct mode communication connection with the client direct mode communication apparatus 45.

Please refer to FIGS. 5A˜5B. FIG. 5A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication network system 5 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication network apparatus 43 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The architecture of the fifth embodiment is similar to that of the fourth embodiment, so elements represented by the same symbols also have the same functions and will not be further described herein. The fifth embodiment will mainly describe the step of creating a direct mode communication connection in more detail.

Firstly, the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 must confirm whether there is a requirement for connection creation before determining whether a direct mode communication connection is to be created. Specifically, the information retrieving unit 431 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 firstly determines whether a direct mode communication requirement REQ2 is initiated by the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 itself or whether a direct mode communication requirement REQ2 is retrieved from the client direct mode communication apparatus 45. In the fifth embodiment, the information retrieving unit 431 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 retrieves a direct mode communication requirement REQ2 from the client direct mode communication apparatus 45.

After having confirmed that the client direct mode communication apparatus 45 has a requirement for creating a connection, the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 then retrieves a piece of client information 430 and a piece of client information 450 from the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45 respectively according to the direct mode communication requirement REQ2. Likewise, the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 then calculates the communication connection estimated time CT3 and the apparatus proximity estimated time PT3 between the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45 according to the client information 430, 450.

In the fifth embodiment, the communication connection estimated time CT3 comprises a connection creation estimated time ET3 and a data transmission estimated time DT3. Further speaking, the communication connection estimated time CT3 represents the overall connection time, and may be subdivided into a connection creation estimated time ET3 for connection creation and a data transmission estimated time DT3 for data transmission.

It shall also be particularly appreciated that, assuming that errors of the aforesaid estimated times can be controlled to be within tolerable ranges, the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 can directly decide whether to create a direct mode communication connection according to the determination result of whether the apparatus proximity estimated time PT3 is greater than the communication connection estimated time CT3. However, to avoid false determinations, a threshold value is also additionally used in the fifth embodiment.

More specifically, in the fifth embodiment, the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 further determines whether the apparatus proximity estimated time PT3 minus the communication connection estimated time CT3 is greater than a preset time threshold value TH4. If the answer is ‘yes”, it means that, after deducting the time for connection creation and data transmission, the time available for communication between the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45 is still greater than the preset time value that is considered to be safe. Accordingly, the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 creates a direct mode communication connection 40 with the client direct mode communication apparatus 45.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 determines that the apparatus proximity estimated time PT3 minus the communication connection estimated time CT3 is smaller than the preset time threshold value TH4, it means that, after deducting the time for connection creation and data transmission, the time available for communication between the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45 is smaller than the preset time value that is considered to be safe. Accordingly, the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 will not create a direct mode communication connection 10 with the client direct mode communication apparatus 45.

Please refer to FIGS. 6A˜6B. FIG. 6A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication network system 6 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication network apparatus 43 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. The architecture of the sixth embodiment is similar to those of the previous embodiments, so elements represented by the same symbols also have the same functions and will not be further described herein. The sixth embodiment is mainly intended to further describe a recursive dynamic determination step.

Likewise, the information retrieving unit 431 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 retrieves a piece of client information 430 and a piece of client information 450 from the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45 respectively, and the processing unit 433 calculates a communication connection estimated time CT3 and an apparatus proximity estimated time PT3 between the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45 according to the client information 430 and the client information 450.

Then, the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 determines whether the apparatus proximity estimated time PT3 is greater than the communication connection estimated time CT3. If the answer is “yes”, then the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 creates a direct mode communication connection 40 between the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45. If the answer is “no”, then the direct mode communication connection will not be created between the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45.

In the sixth embodiment, it is assumed that the direct mode communication connection 40 has been created, and then the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 can dynamically and recursively determine the necessity for maintaining the direct mode communication connection. Specifically, after the direct mode communication connection 40 has been created, the information retrieving unit 431 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 further retrieves a piece of client information 432 from the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 itself and retrieves a piece of client information 452 from the client direct mode communication apparatus 45. The processing unit 433 calculates a communication connection estimated time CT4 and an apparatus proximity estimated time PT4 between the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45 according to the client information 432 and the client information 452.

Similarly, the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 determines whether the apparatus proximity estimated time PT4 is greater than the communication connection estimated time CT4. If the answer is “yes”, it means that the updated time available for communication between the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45 is greater than the updated time for connection creation and data transmission; and accordingly, the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 maintains the direct mode communication connection 40 between the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 determines that the apparatus proximity estimated time PT4 is smaller than the communication connection estimated time CT4, it means that the updated time available for communication between the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45 is smaller than the updated time for connection creation and data transmission; and accordingly, the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 may change the direct mode communication connection 40 between the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45 into a backhaul network connection.

It shall also be particularly appreciated that, assuming that errors of the aforesaid estimated times can be controlled to be within tolerable ranges, the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 can directly decide whether to maintain the direct mode communication connection according to the determination result of whether the apparatus proximity estimated time PT4 is greater than the communication connection estimated time CT4. However, to avoid false determinations, a threshold value is also additionally used in the sixth embodiment.

Specifically, in the sixth embodiment, the communication connection estimated time CT4 may comprise an infrastructure connection creation estimated time IT2, and the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 further determines whether the apparatus proximity estimated time PT4 minus the infrastructure connection creation estimated time IT2 is greater than a preset time threshold value TH5. If the answer is “yes”, it means that, after deducting the time available for changing into the backhaul infrastructure connection, the time available for communication between the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45 is still greater than the preset time value that is considered to be safe. Accordingly, the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 maintains the direct mode communication connection 40 between the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 further determines that the apparatus proximity estimated time PT4 minus the infrastructure connection creation estimated time IT2 is smaller than the preset time threshold value TH5, it means that, after deducting the time available for changing into the backhaul infrastructure connection, the time available for communication between the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45 is smaller than the preset time value that is considered to be safe. Accordingly, the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 changes the direct mode communication connection 40 between the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45 into the backhaul network connection.

More specifically, in the sixth embodiment, the communication connection estimated time CT4 may also comprise the infrastructure connection creation estimated time IT2 and a data transmission estimated time DT4. Then, the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 further determines whether the apparatus proximity estimated time PT4 minus the infrastructure connection creation estimated time IT2 is smaller than the preset time threshold value TH5 and determines whether the apparatus proximity estimated time PT4 minus the data transmission estimated time DT4 is greater than a preset time threshold value TH6.

If the apparatus proximity estimated time PT4 minus the infrastructure connection creation estimated time IT2 is smaller than the preset time threshold value TH5, it means that, after deducting the time for changing into the backhaul infrastructure connection, the time available for communication between the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45 is smaller than the preset time value that is considered to be safe. However, besides changing into the backhaul connection, it may also be determined whether to complete the data transmission.

In detail, if the apparatus proximity estimated time PT4 minus the infrastructure connection creation estimated time IT2 is smaller than the preset time threshold value TH5, the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 further determines whether the apparatus proximity estimated time PT4 minus the data transmission estimated time DT4 is greater than the preset time threshold value TH6. If the answer is “yes”, it means that, after deducting the time for changing the data transmission connection, the time available for communication between the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45 is still greater than the preset time value that is considered to be safe. Accordingly, the direct mode communication connection 40 between the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45 is maintained to complete the data transmission.

Conversely, if the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 determines that the apparatus proximity estimated time PT4 minus the data transmission estimated time DT4 is smaller than the preset time threshold value TH6, it means that, after deducting the time for changing the data transmission connection, the time available for communication between the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45 is smaller than the preset time value that is considered to be safe. Accordingly, the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 changes the direct mode communication connection 40 between the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45 into the backhaul network connection.

Please refer to FIGS. 7A˜7B. FIG. 7A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication network system 7 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The direct mode communication network system 7 comprises a base station 71 and a direct mode communication network apparatus 73. It shall be particularly appreciated that, the direct mode communication network apparatus 73 of the seventh embodiment is a client direct mode communication apparatus. FIG. 7B is a block diagram of the direct mode communication network apparatus 73 according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. The direct mode communication network apparatus 73 comprises an information retrieving unit 731 (e.g., a network transceiver) and a processing unit 733. Interactions among the individual elements will be further described hereinbelow.

Firstly, the information retrieving unit 731 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 73 retrieves a piece of client information 730 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 73 itself. Then, the processing unit 733 determines a network status estimated time RT1 and a network switching estimated time ST1 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 73 itself according to the client information 730, and determines whether the network status estimated time RT1 is smaller than the network switching estimated time ST1.

If the answer is “yes”, it means that a time during which the direct mode communication network apparatus 73 is in its original network status (i.e., the network status estimated time RT1) is smaller than the network switching time (i.e., the network switching estimated time ST1); that is, it means that the direct mode communication network apparatus 73 is about to enter into a range where it can create a connection with the base station 71. Accordingly, the processing unit 733 performs network switching of the direct mode communication network apparatus 73 across the communication boundary of the base station 71.

If the answer is “no”, it means that the time during which the direct mode communication network apparatus 73 is in its original network status (i.e., the network status estimated time RT1) is greater than the network switching time (i.e., the network switching estimated time ST1); that is, it means that the direct mode communication network apparatus 73 has not come to near the range where it can create a connection with the base station 71. Accordingly, the processing unit 733 does not perform the network switching of the direct mode communication network apparatus 73 for the moment.

It shall be particularly appreciated that, the client information 730 may comprise a piece of base station location information stored in the client and a piece of client location information detected in real time by the client itself. The base station location information comprises a geographic location of the base station that was labeled in advance. Thus, when the direct mode communication network apparatus 73 is receiving a signal from the base station 71 but has not entered into the range where it can create a symmetric connection with the base station 71, the direct mode communication network apparatus 73 can determine a relative distance between the direct mode communication network apparatus 73 and the base station 71 and a velocity of the direct mode communication network apparatus 73 according to the client information 730 to facilitate calculation of the network status estimated time RT1 and the network switching estimated time ST1.

For example, the network status estimated time RT1 is one of an off-network estimated time and an in-network estimated time. When the direct mode communication network apparatus 73 is located within a range where it cannot create a symmetric connection with the base station 71, the network status estimated time RT1 is an off-network estimated time. When there is already a symmetric connection between the direct mode communication network apparatus 73 and the base station 71, the network status estimated time RT1 is an in-network estimated time.

If the network status estimated time RT1 is an off-network estimated time, the network switching estimated time ST1 is a time for the direct mode communication network apparatus 73 to switch from a network range where it cannot create a symmetric connection with the base station 71 to a network range where it can create a symmetric connection with the base station 71. Thus, if the processing unit 733 determines that the time during which the direct mode communication network apparatus 73 is in a network range where it cannot create a symmetric connection with the base station 71 (i.e., RT1) is smaller than the network switching time (i.e., ST1), the processing unit 733 performs network switching of the direct mode communication network apparatus 73 across the communication boundary of the base station 71. Conversely, the network switching will not be performed.

On the other hand, if the network status estimated time RT1 is an in-network estimated time, the network switching estimated time ST1 is the time for the direct mode communication network apparatus 73 to switch from a network range where it has a symmetric connection with the base station 71 to a network range where it cannot create a symmetric connection with the base station 71. Thus, if the processing unit 733 determines that the time during which the direct mode communication network apparatus 73 itself is located within a network range where the direct mode communication network apparatus 73 itself has a symmetric connection with the base station 71 (i.e., RT1) is smaller than the network switching time (i.e., ST1), the processing unit 73 also performs network switching of the direct mode communication network apparatus 73 across the communication boundary of the base station 71. Otherwise, the network switching will not be performed.

Please refer to FIGS. 8A˜8B. FIG. 8A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication network system 8 according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. The direct mode communication network system 8 comprises a direct mode communication network apparatus 81, a first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and a second client direct mode communication apparatus 85. It shall be particularly appreciated that, the direct mode communication network apparatus 81 of the eighth embodiment is a base station. FIG. 8B is a block diagram of the direct mode communication network apparatus 81 according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. The direct mode communication network apparatus 81 comprises an information retrieving unit 811 and a processing unit 813. Interactions among the individual elements will be further described hereinbelow.

Firstly, the direct mode communication network apparatus 81 has a connection with the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85 respectively, so the information retrieving unit 811 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 81 retrieves a first communication power 830 and a second communication power 850 from the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85 respectively.

Then, the processing unit 813 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 81 determines a first relative communication power RP1 between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85 according to the first communication power 830 and the second communication power 850. Then, the processing unit 813 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 81 determines whether the first relative communication power RP1 is greater than a direct mode communication required power DP1.

If the answer is “yes”, it means that the relative connection power between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85 is greater than the minimum required power necessary for creating a connection. Accordingly, the processing unit 813 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 81 notifies the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85 to create a direct mode communication connection 80 therebetween.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 813 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 81 determines that the first relative communication power RP1 is smaller than the direct mode communication required power DP1, it means that the relative connection power between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85 is smaller than the minimum required power necessary for creating a connection. Accordingly, the processing unit 813 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 81 will not create a direct mode communication connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85.

However, it shall be particularly emphasized that, the power signals are relatively instable, so in order to avoid that the power determined at a single specific time point is inconsistent with the practical power, a time period (not depicted) may be further used so that the processing unit 813 determines whether the first relative communication power RP1 is continuously greater than the direct mode communication required power DP1 within the time period.

If the answer is “yes”, it means that the relative connection power between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85 is indeed greater than the minimum required power necessary for creating a connection, and accordingly, a direct mode communication connection is created. If the answer is “no”, it means that the relative connection power between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85 is indeed smaller than the minimum required power necessary for creating a connection, and the direct mode communication connection will not be created.

On the other hand, because the power signals are relatively instable, a threshold value may be additionally used to facilitate the determination of whether the power satisfies the need. Specifically, the processing unit 813 may further determine whether the first relative communication power RP1 minus the direct mode communication required power DP1 is greater than a preset power threshold value TP1.

If the answer is “yes”, it means that, after deducting the direct mode communication required power, the relative power between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85 is still greater than the preset power value that is considered to be safe. Accordingly, the processing unit 813 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 81 notifies the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85 to create a direct mode communication connection 80 therebetween.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 813 determines that the first relative communication power RP1 minus the direct mode communication required power DP1 is smaller than the preset power threshold value TP1, it means that, after deducting the direct mode communication required power, the relative power between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85 is smaller than the preset power value that is considered to be safe. Accordingly, the processing unit 813 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 81 will not create a direct mode communication connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85.

Please refer to FIGS. 9A˜9B. FIG. 9A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication network system 9 according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication network apparatus 81 according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention. The architecture of the ninth embodiment is similar to those of the previous embodiments, so elements represented by the same symbols also have the same functions and will not be further described herein. The ninth embodiment is mainly intended to further describe a recursive dynamic determination step.

Likewise, the information retrieving unit 811 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 81 retrieves a first communication power 830 and a second communication power 850 from the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85 respectively, and the processing unit 813 determines a first relative communication power RP1 between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85 according to the first communication power 830 and the second communication power 850.

Then, the processing unit 813 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 81 determines whether the first relative communication power RP1 is greater than the direct mode communication required power DP1. If the answer is “yes”, the processing unit 813 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 81 creates the direct mode communication connection 80 between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85. Otherwise, if the answer is “no”, the direct mode communication connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85 will not be created.

In the ninth embodiment, it is assumed that the direct mode communication connection 80 has been created, and then the direct mode communication network apparatus 81 can dynamically and recursively determine the necessity for maintaining the direct mode communication connection. Specifically, after the direct mode communication connection 80 has been created, the information retrieving unit 811 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 81 further retrieves a third communication power 832 from the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and retrieves a fourth communication power 852 from the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85. The processing unit 813 determines a second relative communication power RP2 between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85 according to the third communication power 832 and the fourth communication power 852.

Similarly, the processing unit 813 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 81 determines whether the second relative communication power RP2 is greater than the direct mode communication required power DP1. If the answer is “yes”, it means that the updated relative communication power between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85 is greater than the minimum required power necessary for creating a connection; and accordingly, the processing unit 813 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 81 maintains the direct mode communication connection 80 between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 813 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 81 determines that the second relative communication power RP2 is smaller than the direct mode communication required power DP1, it means that the updated relative communication power between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85 is smaller than the minimum required power necessary for creating a connection; and accordingly, the processing unit 813 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 81 changes the direct mode communication connection 80 between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85 into a backhaul network connection.

It shall also be particularly emphasized that, the power signals are relatively instable, so in order to avoid that the power determined at a single specific time point is inconsistent with the practical power, a time period may be used so that the processing unit 813 determines whether the second relative communication power RP2 is continuously greater than the direct mode communication required power DP1 within the time period.

If the answer is “yes”, it means that the updated relative connection power between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85 is indeed greater than the minimum required power necessary for creating a connection, and accordingly, a direct mode communication connection is created. If the answer is “no”, it means that the updated relative connection power between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85 is indeed smaller than the minimum required power necessary for creating a connection, and the direct mode communication connection will not be created.

Similarly, a threshold value may be additionally used to facilitate the determination of whether the power satisfies the need. Specifically, the processing unit 813 may further determine whether the second relative communication power RP2 minus the direct mode communication required power DP1 is greater than a preset power threshold value TP2. If the answer is “yes”, it means that, after deducting the direct mode communication required power, the updated relative power between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85 is still greater than the preset power value that is considered to be safe. Accordingly, the processing unit 813 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 81 maintains the direct mode communication connection 80.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 813 determines that the second relative communication power RP2 minus the direct mode communication required power DP1 is smaller than the preset power threshold value TP2, it means that, after deducting the direct mode communication required power, the updated relative power between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85 is smaller than the preset power value that is considered to be safe. Accordingly, the processing unit 813 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 81 changes the direct mode communication connection 80 between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85 into a backhaul network connection.

Please refer to FIGS. 10A˜10B. FIG. 10A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication network system 8a according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention. The direct mode communication network system 8a comprises a direct mode communication network apparatus 83a and a client direct mode communication apparatus 85a. It shall be particularly appreciated that, the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a of the tenth embodiment is a client direct mode communication apparatus. FIG. 10B is a block diagram of the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention. The direct mode communication network apparatus 83a comprises an information retrieving unit 831a and a processing unit 833a. Interactions among the individual elements will be further described hereinbelow.

Firstly, the information retrieving unit 831a of the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a retrieves a communication power 850a from the client direct mode communication apparatus 85a. The processing unit 833a determines a relative communication power RP1a between the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a and the client direct mode communication apparatus 85a according to the communication power 850a. Then, the processing unit 833a of the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a determines whether the relative communication power RP1a is greater than a direct mode communication required power DP1a.

If the answer is “yes”, it means that the relative connection power between the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a and the client direct mode communication apparatus 85a is greater than the minimum required power necessary for creating a connection. Accordingly, the processing unit 833a of the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a creates a direct mode communication connection 80a between the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus 85a.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 833a of the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a determines that the relative communication power RP1a is smaller than the direct mode communication required power DP1a, it means that the relative connection power between the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus 85a is smaller than the minimum required power necessary for creating a connection. Accordingly, the processing unit 833a of the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a will not create a direct mode communication connection between the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus 85a.

However, it shall be particularly emphasized that, the power signals are relatively instable, so in order to avoid that the power determined at a single specific time point is inconsistent with the practical power, a time period (not depicted) may be further used so that the processing unit 833a determines whether the relative communication power RP1a is continuously greater than the direct mode communication required power DP1a within the time period.

If the answer is “yes”, it means that the relative connection power between the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus 85a is indeed greater than the minimum required power necessary for creating a connection, and accordingly, a direct mode communication connection is created. If the answer is “no”, it means that the relative connection power between the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a and the client direct mode communication apparatus 85a is indeed smaller than the minimum required power necessary for creating a connection, and accordingly, the direct mode communication connection will not be created.

On the other hand, also because the power signals are relatively instable, a threshold value may be additionally used to facilitate the determination of whether the power satisfies the need. Specifically, the processing unit 833a may further determine whether the relative communication power RP1a minus the direct mode communication required power DP1a is greater than a preset power threshold value TP1a.

If the answer is “yes”, it means that, after deducting the direct mode communication required power, the relative power between the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus 85a is still greater than the preset power value that is considered to be safe. Accordingly, the processing unit 833a of the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a creates the direct mode communication connection 80a.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 833a determines that the relative communication power RP1a minus the direct mode communication required power DP1a is smaller than the preset power threshold value TP1a, it means that, after deducting the direct mode communication required power, the relative power between the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a and the client direct mode communication apparatus 85a is smaller than the preset power value that is considered to be safe. Accordingly, the processing unit 833a of the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a will not create a direct mode communication connection between the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus 85a.

Please refer to FIGS. 11A˜11B. FIG. 11A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication network system 9a according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication network apparatus 83a according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention. The architecture of the eleventh embodiment is similar to those of the previous embodiments, so elements represented by the same symbols also have the same functions and will not be further described herein. The eleventh embodiment is mainly intended to further describe a recursive dynamic determination step.

Likewise, the information retrieving unit 831a of the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a retrieves a communication power 850a from the client direct mode communication apparatus 85a, and the processing unit 833a determines a relative communication power RP1a between the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a and the client direct mode communication apparatus 85a according to the communication power 850a.

Then, the processing unit 833a of the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a determines whether the relative communication power RP1a is greater than a direct mode communication required power DP1a. If the answer is “yes”, the processing unit 833a of the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a creates a direct mode communication connection 80a between the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus 85a. Otherwise, if the answer is “no”, then the direct mode communication connection will not be created between the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a and the client direct mode communication apparatus 85a.

In the eleventh embodiment, it is assumed that the direct mode communication connection 80a has been created, and then the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a can dynamically and recursively determine the necessity for maintaining the direct mode communication connection. Specifically, after the direct mode communication connection 80a has been created, the information retrieving unit 831a of the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a further retrieves a communication power 852a from the client direct mode communication apparatus 85a. The processing unit 833a then determines a relative communication power RP2a between the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus 85a according to the communication power 852a.

Similarly, the processing unit 833a of the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a determines whether the relative communication power RP2a is greater than the direct mode communication required power DP1a. If the answer is “yes”, it means that the updated relative communication power between the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a and the client direct mode communication apparatus 85a is greater than the minimum required power necessary for creating a connection; and accordingly, the processing unit 833a of the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a maintains the direct mode communication connection 80a between the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a and the client direct mode communication apparatus 85a.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 833a of the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a determines that the relative communication power RP2a is smaller than the direct mode communication required power DP1a, it means that the updated relative communication power between the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a and the client direct mode communication apparatus 85a is smaller than the minimum required power necessary for creating a connection; and accordingly, the processing unit 833a of the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a changes the direct mode communication connection 80a between the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus 85a into a backhaul network connection.

It shall also be particularly emphasized that, the power signals are relatively instable, so in order to avoid that the power determined at a single specific time point is inconsistent with the practical power, a time period may be used so that the processing unit 833a determines whether the relative communication power RP2a is continuously greater than the direct mode communication required power DP1a within the time period.

If the answer is “yes”, it means that the updated relative connection power between the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a and the client direct mode communication apparatus 85a is indeed greater than the minimum required power necessary for creating a connection, and accordingly, a direct mode communication connection is created. If the answer is “no”, it means that the updated relative connection power between the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a and the client direct mode communication apparatus 85a is indeed smaller than the minimum required power necessary for creating a connection, and the direct mode communication connection will not be created.

Similarly, a threshold value may be used to facilitate the determination of whether the power satisfies the need. Specifically, the processing unit 833a may further determine whether the relative communication power RP2a minus the direct mode communication required power DP1a is greater than a preset power threshold value TP2a. If the answer is “yes”, it means that, after deducting the direct mode communication required power, the updated relative power between the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a and the client direct mode communication apparatus 85a is still greater than the preset power value that is considered to be safe. Accordingly, the processing unit 833a of the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a maintains the direct mode communication connection 80a.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 833a determines that the relative communication power RP2a minus the direct mode communication required power DP1a is smaller than the preset power threshold value TP2a, it means that, after deducting the direct mode communication required power, the updated relative power between the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a and the client direct mode communication apparatus 85a is smaller than the preset power value that is considered to be safe. Accordingly, the processing unit 833a of the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a changes the direct mode communication connection 80a between the direct mode communication network apparatus 83a itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus 85a into a backhaul network connection.

Please refer to FIGS. 12A˜12B. FIG. 12A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication network system 9b according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention. The direct mode communication network system 9b comprises a base station 91 and a direct mode communication network apparatus 93. It shall be particularly appreciated that, the direct mode communication network apparatus 93 of the twelfth embodiment is a client direct mode communication apparatus. FIG. 12B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication network apparatus 93 according to the twelfth embodiment of the present invention. The direct mode communication network apparatus 93 comprises an information retrieving unit 931 and a processing unit 933. Interactions among the individual elements will be further described hereinbelow.

Firstly, the information retrieving unit 931 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 93 retrieves a communication power 930 from the direct mode communication network apparatus 93. Then, the processing unit 933 determines a relative communication power RP3 according to the communication power 930. Then, the processing unit 933 determines whether the relative communication power RP3 is greater than a direct mode communication required power DP3. If the answer is “yes”, it means that the relative communication power between the direct mode communication network apparatus 93 and the base station 91 allows for communication therebetween. Accordingly, the processing unit 933 performs network switching so that the direct mode communication network apparatus 93 switches from outside the network coverage of the base station 91 into the network coverage of the base station 91.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 933 determines that the relative communication power RP3 is smaller than the direct mode communication required power DP3, it means that the relative power between the direct mode communication network apparatus 93 and the base station 91 is still insufficient for communication and, accordingly, the processing unit 933 will not perform the network switching.

It shall also be particularly emphasized that, the power signals are relatively instable, so in order to avoid that the power determined at a single specific time point is inconsistent with the practical power, a time period may be used so that the processing unit 933 determines whether the relative communication power RP3 is continuously greater than the direct mode communication required power DP3 within the time period.

A thirteenth embodiment of the present invention is a direct mode communication connection creating method, a flowchart diagram of which is shown in FIG. 13. The method of the thirteenth embodiment is for use in a direct mode communication network apparatus (e.g., the direct mode communication network apparatus in one of the previous embodiments). Steps of the thirteenth embodiment are detailed as follows.

Firstly, step S1301 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to retrieve a piece of first client information and a piece of second client information of a first client direct mode communication apparatus and a second client direct mode communication apparatus respectively. Step S1302 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to calculate a first communication connection estimated time and a first apparatus proximity estimated time between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus according to the first client information and the second client information.

Then, step S1303 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to determine whether the first apparatus proximity estimated time is greater than the first communication connection estimated time. If the answer is “yes”, step S1304 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to create a direct mode communication connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus. Otherwise, if the answer is “no”, step S1305 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to create an infrastructure connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus.

A fourteenth embodiment of the present invention is a direct mode communication connection creating method, a flowchart diagram of which is shown in FIG. 14. The method of the fourteenth embodiment is for use in a direct mode communication network apparatus (e.g., the direct mode communication network apparatus in one of the previous embodiments). Steps of the fourteenth embodiment are detailed as follows.

Firstly, step S1401 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to retrieve a direct mode communication requirement of a first client direct mode communication apparatus and a second client direct mode communication apparatus. Step S1402 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to retrieve a piece of first client information and a piece of second client information of the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus respectively according to the direct mode communication requirement.

Then, step S1403 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to calculate a first communication connection estimated time and a first apparatus proximity estimated time between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus according to the first client information and the second client information. The first communication connection estimated time comprises a first connection creation estimated time and a first data transmission estimated time.

Step S1404 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to determine whether the first apparatus proximity estimated time minus the first communication connection estimated time is greater than a preset time threshold value. If the answer is “yes”, step S1405 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to create a direct mode communication connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus. Otherwise, if the answer is “no”, step S1406 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to create an infrastructure connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus.

Next, in the fourteenth embodiment, after the step S1405 has been executed and the direct mode communication connection has been created between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus, a determination may be further made dynamically on whether to interrupt the direct mode communication connection in advance or to maintain the connection. Step S1407 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to dynamically retrieve a piece of third client information and a piece of fourth client information from the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus respectively.

Similarly, step S1408 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to calculate a second communication connection estimated time and a second apparatus proximity estimated time between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus according to the third client information and the fourth client information. Step S1409 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to determine whether the second apparatus proximity estimated time is greater than the second communication connection estimated time.

If the answer is “yes”, it means that the apparatus proximity time is still sufficient to complete the communication, and step S1410 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to maintain the direct mode communication connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus and the step S1407 is repeated. Otherwise, if the answer is “no”, it means that the apparatus proximity time is insufficient to complete the communication, and step S1406 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to create an infrastructure connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus.

A fifteenth embodiment of the present invention is a direct mode communication connection creating method, a flowchart diagram of which is shown in FIG. 15. The method of the fifteenth embodiment is for use in a direct mode communication network apparatus (e.g., the direct mode communication network apparatus in one of the previous embodiments). Steps of the fifteenth embodiment are detailed as follows.

Firstly, step S1501 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to retrieve a direct mode communication requirement of a first client direct mode communication apparatus and a second client direct mode communication apparatus. Step S1502 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to retrieve a piece of first client information and a piece of second client information of the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus respectively according to the direct mode communication requirement.

Then, step S1503 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to calculate a first communication connection estimated time and a first apparatus proximity estimated time between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus according to the first client information and the second client information. The first communication connection estimated time comprises a first connection creation estimated time and a first data transmission estimated time.

Step S1504 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to determine whether the first apparatus proximity estimated time minus the first communication connection estimated time is greater than a preset time threshold value. If the answer is “yes”, step S1505 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to create a direct mode communication connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus. Otherwise, if the answer is “no”, step S1506 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to create an infrastructure connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus.

Similarly in the fifteenth embodiment, after the step S1505 has been executed and the direct mode communication connection has been created between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus, a determination may be further made dynamically on whether to interrupt the direct mode communication connection in advance or to maintain the connection. Step S1507 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to dynamically retrieve a piece of third client information and a piece of fourth client information from the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus respectively.

Next, step S1508 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to calculate a second communication connection estimated time and a second apparatus proximity estimated time between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus according to the third client information and the fourth client information. The second communication connection estimated time comprises an infrastructure connection creation estimated time.

Step S1509 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to determine whether the second apparatus proximity estimated time minus the infrastructure connection creation estimated time is greater than a preset time threshold value. If the answer is “yes”, it means that, after deducting the time for subsequently changing into the infrastructure connection, the apparatus proximity time is still sufficient for communication. Thus, step S1510 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to maintain the direct mode communication connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus and the step S1507 is repeated.

Otherwise, if the answer is “no”, it means that, after deducting the time for subsequently changing into the infrastructure connection from the apparatus proximity time, a little time is left. Therefore, in order to avoid that there is not sufficient time for changing into the infrastructure connection, step S1506 is executed directly.

A sixteenth embodiment of the present invention is a direct mode communication connection creating method, a flowchart diagram of which is shown in FIGS. 16A˜16B. The method of the sixteenth embodiment is for use in a direct mode communication network apparatus (e.g., the direct mode communication network apparatus in one of the previous embodiments). Steps of the sixteenth embodiment are detailed as follows.

Firstly, step S1601 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to retrieve a direct mode communication requirement of a first client direct mode communication apparatus and a second client direct mode communication apparatus. Step S1602 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to retrieve a piece of first client information and a piece of second client information of the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus respectively according to the direct mode communication requirement.

Then, step S1603 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to calculate a first communication connection estimated time and a first apparatus proximity estimated time between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus according to the first client information and the second client information. The first communication connection estimated time comprises a first connection creation estimated time and a first data transmission estimated time.

Step S1604 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to determine whether the first apparatus proximity estimated time minus the first communication connection estimated time is greater than a preset time threshold value. If the answer is “yes”, step S1605 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to create a direct mode communication connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus. Otherwise, if the answer is “no”, step S1606 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to create an infrastructure connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus.

Similarly in the sixteenth embodiment, after the step S1605 has been executed and the direct mode communication connection has been created between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus, a determination may be further made dynamically on whether to interrupt the direct mode communication connection in advance or to maintain the connection. Step S1607 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to dynamically retrieve a piece of third client information and a piece of fourth client information from the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus respectively.

Next, step S1608 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to calculate a second communication connection estimated time and a second apparatus proximity estimated time between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus according to the third client information and the fourth client information. The second communication connection estimated time comprises an infrastructure connection creation estimated time and a second data transmission estimated time.

Step S1609 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to determine whether the second apparatus proximity estimated time minus the infrastructure connection creation estimated time is greater than a preset time threshold value. If the answer is “yes”, it means that, after deducting the time for subsequently changing into the infrastructure connection, the apparatus proximity time is still sufficient for communication. Thus, step S1610 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to maintain the direct mode communication connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus and the step S1607 is repeated.

Otherwise, if the answer is “no”, it means that, after deducting the time for subsequently changing into the infrastructure connection from the apparatus proximity time, a little time is left. However, it is possible that the left time is still sufficient for completing the data transmission, and if this is true, then it will be unnecessary to subsequently create the infrastructure connection. Therefore, step S1611 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to determine whether the second apparatus proximity estimated time minus the second data transmission estimated time is greater than a second time threshold value. If the answer is “yes”, the step S1610 is repeated, and otherwise, the step S1606 is executed straightforwardly.

A seventeenth embodiment of the present invention is a direct mode communication connection creating method, a flowchart diagram of which is shown in FIG. 17. The method of the seventeenth embodiment is for use in a direct mode communication network apparatus (e.g., the direct mode communication network apparatus in one of the previous embodiments). Steps of the seventeenth embodiment are detailed as follows.

Firstly, step S1701 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to retrieve a piece of client information of a client direct mode communication apparatus. Step S1702 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to determine a network status estimated time and a network switching estimated time of the client direct mode communication apparatus according to the client information.

Then, step S1703 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to determine whether the network status estimated time is smaller than the network switching estimated time. If the answer is “yes”, step S1704 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to perform network switching of the client direct mode communication apparatus. Otherwise, if the answer is “no”, the network switching will not be performed, and the step S1701 is repeated. Here, the network status estimated time is one of an off-network estimated time and an in-network estimated time.

It shall be particularly appreciated that, a preset time threshold value may also be used in the seventeenth embodiment for buffering in the determination. In detail, in the step S1703, the direct mode communication network apparatus may determine whether the network status estimated time minus the network switching estimated time is smaller than a preset time threshold value. Thereby, in the same way as what described in the previous embodiments, the preset time threshold value can be used for buffering in the determination so as to avoid false determination caused by an inaccurate estimated time.

An eighteenth embodiment of the present invention is a direct mode communication connection creating method, a flowchart diagram of which is shown in FIG. 18. The method of the eighteenth embodiment is for use in a direct mode communication network apparatus (e.g., the direct mode communication network apparatus in one of the previous embodiments). Steps of the eighteenth embodiment are detailed as follows.

Firstly, step S1801 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to determine a first relative communication power between a first client direct mode communication apparatus and a second client direct mode communication apparatus according to a first communication power of the first client direct mode communication apparatus and a second communication power of the second client direct mode communication apparatus.

Then, step S1802 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to determine whether the first relative communication power is greater than a direct mode communication required power. If the answer is “yes”, step S1803 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to create a direct mode communication connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus. Otherwise, if the answer is “no”, the direct mode communication connection will not be created, and the step S1801 is repeated.

A nineteenth embodiment of the present invention is a direct mode communication connection creating method, a flowchart diagram of which is shown in FIG. 19. The method of the nineteenth embodiment is for use in a direct mode communication network apparatus (e.g., the direct mode communication network apparatus in one of the previous embodiments). Steps of the nineteenth embodiment are detailed as follows.

Firstly, step S1901 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to determine a first relative communication power between a first client direct mode communication apparatus and a second client direct mode communication apparatus according to a first communication power of the first client direct mode communication apparatus and a second communication power of the second client direct mode communication apparatus.

Then, step S1902 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to determine whether the first relative communication power minus the direct mode communication required power is continuously greater than a preset power threshold value within a time period. If the answer is “yes”, step S1903 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to create a direct mode communication connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus. Otherwise, if the answer is “no”, the direct mode communication connection will not be created, and the step S1901 is repeated.

Similarly in the nineteenth embodiment, after the direct mode communication connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus has been created, a determination may be further made dynamically on whether to interrupt the direct mode communication connection in advance or to maintain the connection. Step S1904 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to determine a second relative communication power between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus according to a third communication power of the first client direct mode communication apparatus and a fourth communication power of the second client direct mode communication apparatus.

Step S1905 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to determine whether the second relative communication power minus the direct mode communication required power is continuously greater than the preset power threshold value within a time period. If the answer is “yes”, step S1906 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to maintain the direct mode communication connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus. Otherwise, if the answer is “no”, step S1907 is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to create an infrastructure connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus.

A twentieth embodiment of the present invention is a direct mode communication connection creating method, a flowchart diagram of which is shown in FIGS. 20A˜20B. The method of the twentieth embodiment is for use in a direct mode communication network apparatus (e.g., the direct mode communication network apparatus in one of the previous embodiments). The direct mode communication network apparatus of the twentieth embodiment is a client direct mode communication apparatus, and steps of the twentieth embodiment are detailed as follows.

Firstly, assume that the direct mode communication network apparatus has not created a connection with a base station. In this case, step S2001a is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to determine a relative communication power between the direct mode communication network apparatus and the base station according to a communication power of the direct mode communication network apparatus itself. Step S2002a is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to determine whether the relative communication power is continuously greater than a communication required power within a time period. If the answer is “yes”, step S2003a is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to perform network switching of the direct mode communication network apparatus itself so that the direct mode communication network apparatus creates a connection with the base station. Otherwise, if the answer is “no”, the network switching will not be performed, and the step S2001a is repeated.

On the other hand, assume that the direct mode communication network apparatus has created a connection with a base station. In this case, step S2001b is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to determine a relative communication power between the direct mode communication network apparatus and the base station according to a communication power of the direct mode communication network apparatus itself. Step S2002b is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to determine whether the relative communication power is continuously greater than a communication required power within a time period. If the answer is “yes”, the connection with the base station is maintained, and step S2001b is repeated. Otherwise, if the answer is “no”, step S2003b is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to perform network switching of the direct mode communication network apparatus itself so that the direct mode communication network apparatus disconnects the connection with the base station.

It shall be particularly appreciated that, the direct mode communication network apparatus in the previous method embodiments may optionally a base station, or be the first or the second client direct mode communication apparatus per se. Use of different apparatuses in the present invention shall be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art upon reviewing the disclosures of the previous embodiments, so this will not be further described herein.

According to the above descriptions, the direct mode communication network apparatus of the present invention estimates the possibility of completing a direct mode communication and selectivity of network range switching mainly according to information of the client direct mode communication apparatuses, so pre-processing for the network adjustment can be done according to the estimation results to effectively improve the transmission efficiency and save the network resources.

The above disclosure is related to the detailed technical contents and inventive features thereof. People skilled in this field may proceed with a variety of modifications and replacements based on the disclosures and suggestions of the invention as described without departing from the characteristics thereof. Nevertheless, although such modifications and replacements are not fully disclosed in the above descriptions, they have substantially been covered in the following claims as appended.

Claims

1. A direct mode communication network apparatus, comprising:

an information retrieving unit, being configured to retrieve a piece of first client information and a piece of second client information of a first client direct mode communication apparatus and a second client direct mode communication apparatus respectively; and

a processing unit, being configured to: calculate a first communication connection estimated time and a first apparatus proximity estimated time between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus according to the first client information and the second client information; determine that the first apparatus proximity estimated time is greater than the first communication connection estimated time; and create a direct mode communication connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus according to the result that the first apparatus proximity estimated time is greater than the first communication connection estimated time.

2. The direct mode communication network apparatus of claim 1, wherein the information retrieving unit is further configured to:

retrieve a direct mode communication requirement of the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus; and

retrieve the first client information and the second client information of the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus respectively according to the direct mode communication requirement.

3. The direct mode communication network apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first communication connection estimated time comprises a first connection creation estimated time and a first data transmission estimated time.

4. The direct mode communication network apparatus of claim 3, wherein the processing unit is further configured to:

determine that the first apparatus proximity estimated time minus the first communication connection estimated time is greater than a preset time threshold value; and

create the direct mode communication connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus according to the result that the first apparatus proximity estimated time minus the first communication connection estimated time is greater than the preset time threshold value.

5. The direct mode communication network apparatus of claim 1, wherein the information retrieving unit is further configured to retrieve a piece of third client information and a piece of fourth client information from the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus respectively, and the processing unit is further configured to:

calculate a second communication connection estimated time and a second apparatus proximity estimated time between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus according to the third client information and the fourth client information;

determine that the second apparatus proximity estimated time is greater than the second communication connection estimated time; and

maintain the direct mode communication connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus according to the result that the second apparatus proximity estimated time is greater than the second communication connection estimated time.

6. The direct mode communication network apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second communication connection estimated time comprises an infrastructure connection creation estimated time, and the processing unit is further configured to:

determine that the second apparatus proximity estimated time minus the infrastructure connection creation estimated time is greater than a preset time threshold value; and

maintain the direct mode communication connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus according to the result that second apparatus proximity estimated time minus the infrastructure connection creation estimated time is greater than the preset time threshold value.

7. The direct mode communication network apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second communication connection estimated time comprises an infrastructure connection creation estimated time and a second data transmission estimated time, and the processing unit is further configured to:

determine that the second apparatus proximity estimated time minus the infrastructure connection creation estimated time is smaller than a first time threshold value, and the second apparatus proximity estimated time minus the second data transmission estimated time is greater than a second time threshold value; and

maintain the direct mode communication connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus according to the result that the second apparatus proximity estimated time minus the infrastructure connection creation estimated time is smaller than the first time threshold value and the second apparatus proximity estimated time minus the second data transmission estimated time is greater than the second time threshold value.

8. A direct mode communication network apparatus, comprising:

an information retrieving unit, being configured to retrieve a piece of client information of a client direct mode communication apparatus;

a processing unit, being configured to: determine a network status estimated time and a network switching estimated time of the client direct mode communication apparatus according to the client information; determine that the network status estimated time is smaller than the network switching estimated time; and perform network switching of the client direct mode communication apparatus according to the result that the network status estimated time is smaller than the network switching estimated time.

9. The direct mode communication network apparatus of claim 8, wherein the network status estimated time is one of an off-network estimated time and an in-network estimated time.

10. The direct mode communication network apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processing unit is further configured to:

determine that the network status estimated time minus the network switching estimated time is smaller than a preset time threshold value; and

perform network switching of the client direct mode communication apparatus according to the result that the network status estimated time minus the network switching estimated time is smaller than the preset time threshold value.

11. A direct mode communication network apparatus, comprising:

an information retrieving unit, being configured to retrieve a first communication power of a first client direct mode communication apparatus and a second communication power of a second client direct mode communication apparatus;

a processing unit, being configured to: determine a first relative communication power between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus according to the first communication power and the second communication power; determine that the first relative communication power is greater than a direct mode communication required power; and create a direct mode communication connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus according to the result that the first relative communication power is greater than the direct mode communication required power.

12. The direct mode communication network apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processing unit is further configured to:

determine that the first relative communication power is continuously greater than the direct mode communication required power within a time period; and

create the direct mode communication connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus according to the result that the first relative communication power is continuously greater than the direct mode communication required power within the time period.

13. The direct mode communication network apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processing unit is further configured to:

determine that the first relative communication power minus the direct mode communication required power is greater than a preset power threshold value; and

create the direct mode communication connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus according to the result that the first relative communication power minus the direct mode communication required power is greater than the preset power threshold value.

14. The direct mode communication network apparatus of claim 11, wherein the information retrieving unit is further configured to retrieve a third communication power of the first client direct mode communication apparatus and a fourth communication power of the second client direct mode communication apparatus, and the processing unit is further configured to:

determine a second relative communication power between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus according to the third communication power and the fourth communication power;

determine that the second relative communication power is greater than the direct mode communication required power; and

maintain the direct mode communication connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus according to the result that the second relative communication power is greater than the direct mode communication required power.

15. The direct mode communication network apparatus of claim 14, wherein the processing unit is further configured to:

determine that the second relative communication power is continuously greater than the direct mode communication required power within a time period; and

maintain the direct mode communication connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus according to the result that the second relative communication power is continuously greater than the direct mode communication required power within the time period.

16. The direct mode communication network apparatus of claim 14, wherein the processing unit is further configured to:

determine that the second relative communication power minus the direct mode communication required power is greater than a preset power threshold value; and

maintain the direct mode communication connection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatus according to the result that the second relative communication power minus the direct mode communication required power is greater than the preset power threshold value.

17. A direct mode communication network apparatus, comprising:

an information retrieving unit, being configured to retrieve a communication power of a client direct mode communication apparatus;

a processing unit, being configured to: determine a relative communication power according to the communication power; determine that the relative communication power is greater than a communication required power; and perform network switching of the client direct mode communication apparatus according to the result that the relative communication power is greater than the communication required power.

18. The direct mode communication network apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processing unit is further configured to:

determine that the communication power is continuously greater than the communication required power within a time period; and

perform network switching of the client direct mode communication apparatus according to the result that the communication power is continuously greater than the communication required power within the time period.

19. A direct mode communication network apparatus, comprising:

an information retrieving unit, being configured to retrieve a communication power of a client direct mode communication apparatus;

a processing unit, being configured to: determine a relative communication power according to the communication power; determine that the relative communication power is greater than a communication required power; and perform network switching of the client direct mode communication apparatus according to the result that the relative communication power is smaller than the communication required power.

20. The direct mode communication network apparatus of claim 19, wherein the processing unit is further configured to:

determine that the communication power is continuously smaller than the communication required power within a time period; and

perform network switching of the client direct mode communication apparatus according to the result that the communication power is continuously smaller than the communication required power within the time period.