Multi-Network Terminal-Proximity Discovery Using Joint Spectrum

A second mobile communication device configured for proximity discovery between a first mobile communication device and said second mobile communication device for enabling said first communication device and said second communication device to set up a device-to-device communication session, wherein:

• said first mobile communication device is communicatively connected to a first communication network for receiving a first communication service via said first communication network in a first geographic area and in a first frequency-band;
• said second mobile communication device is communicatively connected to a second communication network, different from said first communication network, for receiving a second communication service via said second communication network in a second geographic area and in a second frequency-band;
• said second communication network is configured to monitor a third frequency-band, disjoint from the first frequency-band and disjoint from the second frequency-band;
• said first mobile communication device is configured to transmit first information in said third frequency-band, wherein said first information is representative of a first identifier of said first mobile communication device and of a first geographic location of said first mobile communication device,
• wherein said second mobile communication device is further configured for:
• receiving said first information from said second communication network and in said second frequency-band;
• under control of said first identifier consulting a database for determining if said first mobile communication device is listed as associated with said second mobile communication device;
• if said first mobile communication device is listed as associated with said second mobile communication device, determining a second geographic location of said second mobile communication device;
• and
• determining a spatial proximity between said first mobile communication device and said second mobile communication device based on said first geographic location and said second geographic location.

Control software, which, when being executed by a processor in a second mobile communication device, is operative to configure said second mobile communication device for proximity discovery between a first mobile communication device and said second mobile communication device for enabling said first communication device and said second communication device to set up a device-to-device communication session, wherein:

• said first mobile communication device is communicatively connected to a first communication network for receiving a first communication service via said first communication network in a first geographic area and in a first frequency-band;
• said second mobile communication device is communicatively connected to a second communication network, different from said first communication network, for receiving a second communication service via said second communication network in a second geographic area and in a second frequency-band;
• said second communication network is configured to monitor a third frequency-band, disjoint from the first frequency-band and disjoint from the second frequency-band;
• said first mobile communication device is configured to transmit first information in said third frequency-band, wherein said first information is representative of a first identifier of said first mobile communication device and of a first geographic location of said first mobile communication device,
• the control software comprising:
• first instructions for receiving said first information from said second communication network;
• second instructions for consulting, under control of said first identifier, a database for determining if said first mobile communication device is listed as associated with said second mobile communication device;
• third instructions for determining a second geographic location of said second mobile communication device if said first mobile communication device is listed as associated with said second mobile communication device;
• and
• fourth instructions for determining a spatial proximity between said first mobile communication device and said second mobile communication device based on said first geographic location and said second geographic location.