1. A method for handing over a user equipment (UE), comprising:
a donor access node with which the UE is in communication via a relay node receiving context information from the relay node; and
the donor access node using the context information to identify data packets that belong to the UE,
wherein the context information includes at least one of:
a UE logical flow identifier; or
relay node radio bearer configuration information,
wherein the UE logical flow identifier is mapped to a combination of a UE and a radio bearer through radio resource signaling between the donor access node and the relay node,
wherein the mapping is encoded in at least one RRC message; and
wherein the donor access node is configured to support handing over the UE to a target access node using at least one of:
a proxy S1 termination point at the access node; or
an early S1 path switch from a first S1 path to a second S1 path, the first S1 path being terminated at the donor access and the second S1 path being terminated at the target access node and wherein the early S1 path switch comprises sending a path switch request before the handover of the UE to the target access node is complete.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the data packets are forwarded from the donor access node to the target access node.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the donor access node, based on the relay node radio bearer configuration information, identifies a Packet Data Convergence Protocol queue to which the UE belongs and checks the UE logical flow identifier of each data packet in the Packet Data Convergence Protocol queue to identify the data packets that belong to the UE.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein each UE radio bearer, based on the UE logical flow identifier, has its own PDCP sub-queue within the RN radio bearer level PDCP queue.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one RRC message is signaled between the donor access node and the relay node when a new radio bearer is added on a Uu interface for the UE.
6. A donor access node, comprising:
a processor configured such that the donor access node receives context information from a relay node, the donor access node communicating with a user equipment (UE) via the relay node, and further such that the donor access node uses the context information to identify data packets that belong to the UE,
wherein the context information includes at least one of:
a UE logical flow identifier; or
relay node radio bearer configuration information,
wherein the UE logical flow identifier is mapped to a combination of a UE and a radio bearer through radio resource signaling between the donor access node and the relay node,
wherein the mapping is encoded in at least one RRC message; and
wherein the donor access node is configured to support handing over the UE to a target access node using at least one of:
a proxy S1 termination point at the access node; or
an early S1 path switch from a first S1 path to a second Si path, the first S1 path being terminated at the donor access and the second S1 path being terminated at the target access node and wherein the early S1 path switch comprises sending a path switch request before the handover of the UE to the target access node is complete.
7. The donor access node of claim 6, wherein the data packets are forwarded from the donor access node to the target access node.
8. The donor access node of claim 6, wherein the donor access node, based on the relay node radio bearer configuration information, identifies a Packet Data Convergence Protocol queue to which the UE belongs and checks the UE logical flow identifier of each data packet in the Packet Data Convergence Protocol queue to identify the data packets that belong to the UE.
9. The donor access node of claim 8, wherein each UE radio bearer, based on the UE logical flow identifier, has its own PDCP sub-queue within the RN radio bearer level PDCP queue.
10. The donor access node of claim 6, wherein the at least one RRC message is signaled between the donor access node and the relay node when a new radio bearer is added on a Uu interface for the UE.
11. A method for handing over a user equipment (UE), comprising:
a relay node sending context information to a donor access node with which the UE is in communication via the relay node, wherein the donor access node uses the context information to identify data packets that belong to the UE,
wherein the relay nodes sends the context information in a handover request message to the donor access node,
wherein the context information includes at least one of:
a UE logical flow identifier; or
relay node radio bearer configuration information,
wherein the UE logical flow identifier is mapped to a combination of a UE and a radio bearer through radio resource signaling between the donor access node and the relay node,
wherein the mapping is encoded in at least one RRC message; and
wherein the donor access node is configured to support handing over the UE to a target access node using at least one of:
a proxy S1 termination point at the access node; or
an early S1 path switch from a first S1 path to a second S1 path, the first S1 path being terminated at the donor access and the second S1 path being terminated at the target access node and wherein the early S1 path switch comprises sending a path switch request before the handover of the UE to the target access node is complete.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the data packets are forwarded from the donor access node to the target access node.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the donor access node, based on the relay node radio bearer configuration information, identifies a Packet Data Convergence Protocol queue to which the UE belongs and checks the UE logical flow identifier of each data packet in the Packet Data Convergence Protocol queue to identify the data packets that belong to the UE.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein each UE radio bearer, based on the UE logical flow identifier, has its own PDCP sub-queue within the RN radio bearer level PDCP queue.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one RRC message is signaled between the donor access node and the relay node when a new radio bearer is added on a Uu interface for the UE.
16. A relay node, comprising:
a processor configured such that the relay node sends context information to a donor access node that is in communication with a user equipment (UE) via the relay node, the donor access node using the context information to identify data packets that belong to the UE,
wherein the relay nodes sends the context information in a handover request message to the donor access node,
wherein the context information includes at least one of:
a UE logical flow identifier; or
relay node radio bearer configuration information,
wherein the UE logical flow identifier is mapped to a combination of a UE and a radio bearer through radio resource signaling between the donor access node and the relay node,
wherein the mapping is encoded in at least one RRC message; and
wherein the donor access node is configured to support handing over the UE to a target access node using at least one of:
a proxy S1 termination point at the access node; or
an early S1 path switch from a first S1 path to a second S1 path, the first S1 path being terminated at the donor access and the second S1 path being terminated at the target access node and wherein the early S1 path switch comprises sending a path switch request before the handover of the UE to the target access node is complete.
17. The relay node of claim 16, wherein the data packets are forwarded from the donor access node to the target access node.
18. The relay node of claim 16, wherein the donor access node, based on the relay node radio bearer configuration information, identifies a Packet Data Convergence Protocol queue to which the UE belongs and checks the UE logical flow identifier of each data packet in the Packet Data Convergence Protocol queue to identify the data packets that belong to the UE.
19. The relay node of claim 18, wherein each UE radio bearer, based on the UE logical flow identifier, has its own PDCP sub-queue within the RN radio bearer level PDCP queue.
20. The relay node of claim 16, wherein the at least one RRC message is signaled between the donor access node and the relay node when a new radio bearer is added on a Uu interface for the UE.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A computer-implemented method of operating a reward program comprising:
a. providing a reward account database for storing at least (i) a first reward account for transactions between a user and a first merchant, the first reward account identified by a user identification and a first merchant identification, and (ii) a second reward account for transactions between the user and a second merchant, the second reward account identified by the user identification and a second merchant identification;
b. adding a first set of rewards to the first reward account in the reward account database as a result of a first purchase transaction between the user and the first merchant, wherein the user identification and the first merchant identification are used to access the first reward account; and
c. adding a second set of rewards to the second reward account in the reward account database as a result of a second purchase transaction between the user and the second merchant, wherein the user identification and the second merchant identification are used to access the second reward account.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the user identification comprises a user payment account identification linked to a user payment account that is used to pay for the first purchase transaction and the second purchase transaction.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the user payment account identification is obtained from a token presented by the user for the first purchase transaction and the second purchase transaction.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the token is a credit card and the user payment account identification is the credit card number.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein the token is a debit card and the user payment account identification is the debit card number.
6. The method of claim 3 wherein the token is a smart card and the user payment account identification is programmed into the smart card.
7. The method of claim 3 wherein the token is a handheld computing device and the user payment account identification is programmed into the handheld computing device.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein at least the first set of rewards is added to the first reward account in the reward account database as a result of receiving a first instruction to add reward points, as a result of the first purchase transaction, the first instruction comprising the user identification and the first merchant identification.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein at least the first set of rewards is added to the first reward account in the reward account database based on a previously defined rule.
10. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of reducing the rewards in the first reward account in the reward account database as a result of a reward redemption transaction between the user and the first merchant, wherein the user identification and the first merchant identification are used to access the first reward account.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the rewards are reduced in the first reward account in the reward account database as a result of receiving a reward redemption instruction as part of the reward redemption transaction, the reward redemption instruction comprising the user identification and the first merchant identification.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein the rewards are reduced in the first reward account in the reward account database based on a previously defined rule.
13. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of establishing a cluster of participating merchants comprising the first merchant and the second merchant, and further enabling the user to execute a reward redemption transaction at the second merchant using the reward points from the first reward account by
reducing the rewards in the first reward account in the reward account database as a result of a reward redemption transaction between the user and the second merchant, and
conveying consideration from the first merchant to the second merchant in exchange for reducing the rewards in the first reward account.
14. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
d. storing at the reward account database a reward exchange account associated with the user;
e. exchanging rewards from the first reward account into the reward exchange account associated with the user; and
f. exchanging rewards from the second reward account into the reward exchange account associated with the user.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein at rewards are exchanged from the first reward account into the reward exchange account associated with the user pursuant to an instruction received from a user computer operated by the user.
16. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of reducing the rewards in the reward exchange account associated with the user as a result of a reward redemption transaction.
17. The method of claim 2 wherein the reward account database is stored in an issuing bank computer associated with an issuing bank and interconnected with a computer network, and wherein the user payment account is associated with the issuing bank.
18. The method of claim 1 wherein the reward account database is stored in a central reward server computer interconnected with a computer network.
19. The method of claim 1 wherein the reward account database is stored in an acquiring bank computer associated with an acquiring bank and interconnected with a computer network.
20. The method of claim 1 wherein the first purchase transaction between the user and the first merchant is executed with a first merchant computer interconnected with the computer network.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein the first merchant computer comprises a point of sale device that inputs the user payment account identification.
22. The method of claim 20 wherein the first purchase transaction between the user and the first merchant is an online transaction executed with a user computer interconnected with the computer network.
23. A reward program computer comprising a reward account database in memory for storing at least (i) a first reward account for transactions between a user and a first merchant, the first reward account identified by a user identification and a first merchant identification, and (ii) a second reward account for transactions between the user and a second merchant, the second reward account identified by the user identification and a second merchant identification; wherein the reward program computer is programmed to
a) add a first set of rewards to the first reward account in the reward account database as a result of a first purchase transaction between the user and the first merchant, wherein the user identification and the first merchant identification are used to access the first reward account; and
b) add a second set of rewards to the second reward account in the reward account database as a result of a second purchase transaction between the user and the second merchant, wherein the user identification and the second merchant identification are used to access the second reward account.
24. The reward program computer of claim 23 wherein the user identification comprises a user payment account identification linked to a user payment account that is used to pay for the first purchase transaction and the second purchase transaction.
25. The reward program computer of claim 24 wherein the user payment account identification is obtained from a token presented by the user for the first purchase transaction and the second purchase transaction.
26. The reward program computer of claim 25 wherein the token is a credit card and the user payment account identification is the credit card number.
27. The reward program computer of claim 25 wherein the token is a debit card and the user payment account identification is the debit card number.
28. The reward program computer of claim 25 wherein the token is a smart card and the user payment account identification is programmed into the smart card.
29. The reward program computer of claim 25 wherein the token is a handheld computing device and the user payment account identification is programmed into the handheld computing device.
30. The reward program computer of claim 23 further programmed to add the first set of rewards to the first reward account in the reward account database as a result of receiving a first instruction to add reward points, as a result of the first purchase transaction, the first instruction comprising the user identification and the first merchant identification.
31. The reward program computer of claim 23 further programmed to add the first set of rewards to the first reward account in the reward account database based on a previously defined rule.
32. The reward program computer of claim 23 further programmed to reduce the rewards in the first reward account in the reward account database as a result of a reward redemption transaction between the user and the first merchant, wherein the user identification and the first merchant identification are used to access the first reward account.
33. The reward program computer of claim 32 further programmed to reduce the rewards in the first reward account in the reward account database as a result of receiving a reward redemption instruction as part of the reward redemption transaction, the reward redemption instruction comprising the user identification and the first merchant identification.
34. The reward program computer of claim 32 further programmed to reduce the rewards in the first reward account in the reward account database based on a previously defined rule.
35. The reward program computer of claim 23 wherein a cluster of participating merchants is established comprising the first merchant and the second merchant, and the user is enabled to execute a reward redemption transaction at the second merchant using the reward points from the first reward account, and the reward program computer is further programmed to
reduce the rewards in the first reward account in the reward account database as a result of a reward redemption transaction between the user and the second merchant, and
wherein consideration is conveyed from the first merchant to the second merchant in exchange for reducing the rewards in the first reward account.
36. The reward program computer of claim 23 wherein the reward account database further stores a reward exchange account associated with the user, and wherein the reward program computer is further programmed to
exchange rewards from the first reward account into the reward exchange account associated with the user; and
exchange rewards from the second reward account into the reward exchange account associated with the user.
37. The reward program computer of claim 36 wherein the rewards are exchanged from the first reward account into the reward exchange account associated with the user pursuant to an instruction received from a user computer operated by the user.
38. The reward program computer of claim 36 wherein the reward program computer is further programmed to reduce the rewards in the reward exchange account associated with the user as a result of a reward redemption transaction.
39. In a networked credit card system comprising a computer network that interconnects with an issuing bank computer associated with an issuing bank, an acquiring bank computer associated with an acquiring bank, a first merchant computer associated with a first merchant, and a second merchant computer associated with a second merchant, wherein the issuing bank computer interacts with the acquiring bank computer to authorize purchase transactions for a user using a user payment account, associated with the issuing bank, for purchase transactions with at least one of the first merchant and the second merchant, the issuing bank computer comprising a reward account database in memory for storing at least (i) a first reward account for transactions between the user and the first merchant, the first reward account identified by a user identification comprising a user payment account identification linked to the user payment account, and a first merchant identification, and (ii) a second reward account for transactions between the user and a second merchant, the second reward account identified by the user identification and a second merchant identification; wherein the issuing bank computer is programmed to
a) add a first set of rewards to the first reward account in the reward account database as a result of a first purchase transaction between the user and the first merchant, wherein the user identification and the first merchant identification are used to access the first reward account; and
b) add a second set of rewards to the second reward account in the reward account database as a result of a second purchase transaction between the user and the second merchant, wherein the user identification and the second merchant identification are used to access the second reward account.
40. In a networked credit card system comprising a computer network that interconnects with an issuing bank computer associated with an issuing bank, an acquiring bank computer associated with an acquiring bank, a first merchant computer associated with a first merchant, and a second merchant computer associated with a second merchant, wherein the issuing bank computer interacts with the acquiring bank computer to authorize purchase transactions for a user using a user payment account, associated with the issuing bank, for purchase transactions with at least one of the first merchant and the second merchant, the credit card system further comprising a central reward server computer interconnected with the computer network and comprising a reward account database in memory for storing at least (i) a first reward account for transactions between the user and the first merchant, the first reward account identified by a user identification comprising a user payment account identification linked to the user payment account, and a first merchant identification, and (ii) a second reward account for transactions between the user and a second merchant, the second reward account identified by the user identification and a second merchant identification; wherein the central reward server computer is programmed to
a) add a first set of rewards to the first reward account in the reward account database as a result of a first purchase transaction between the user and the first merchant, wherein the user identification and the first merchant identification are used to access the first reward account; and
b) add a second set of rewards to the second reward account in the reward account database as a result of a second purchase transaction between the user and the second merchant, wherein the user identification and the second merchant identification are used to access the second reward account.
41. In a networked credit card system comprising a computer network that interconnects with an issuing bank computer associated with an issuing bank, an acquiring bank computer associated with an acquiring bank, a first merchant computer associated with a first merchant, and a second merchant computer associated with a second merchant, wherein the issuing bank computer interacts with the acquiring bank computer to authorize purchase transactions for a user using a user payment account, associated with the issuing bank, for purchase transactions with at least one of the first merchant and the second merchant, the acquiring bank computer comprising a reward account database in memory for storing at least (i) a first reward account for transactions between the user and the first merchant, the first reward account identified by a user identification comprising a user payment account identification linked to the user payment account, and a first merchant identification, and (ii) a second reward account for transactions between the user and a second merchant, the second reward account identified by the user identification and a second merchant identification; wherein the acquiring bank computer is programmed to
a) add a first set of rewards to the first reward account in the reward account database as a result of a first purchase transaction between the user and the first merchant, wherein the user identification and the first merchant identification are used to access the first reward account; and
b) add a second set of rewards to the second reward account in the reward account database as a result of a second purchase transaction between the user and the second merchant, wherein the user identification and the second merchant identification are used to access the second reward account.