Apparatus, system and method of communicating non-cellular access network information over a cellular network

• US 10,292,180 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2016
• Issued: 05/14/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intel IP Corporation (Intel Corporation)
• Inventors: Sirotkin, Alexander
• Primary Examiner(s): Truong, Lan-Huong
• Application Number:
  US15/294,731
• Publication Number:
  US 20170142691A1
• Time in Patent Office: 940 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0417 Feedback systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0456 Selection of precoding matrices or codebooks, e.g. using matrices antenna weighting
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/00 Time-division multiplex systems H04J14/00 takes precedence; relay systems H04B7/14; selecting techniques H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/18 Automatic repetition systems, e.g. Van Duuren systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1812 Hybrid protocols; Hybrid automatic repeat request [HARQ]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1887 Scheduling and prioritising arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/24 Key scheduling, i.e. generating round keys or sub-keys for block encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/80 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/08 Monitoring or testing based on specific metrics, e.g. QoS, energy consumption or environmental parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0035 Resource allocation in a cooperative multipoint environment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0051 of dedicated pilots, i.e. pilots destined for a single user or terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0055 Physical resource allocation for ACK/NACK for physical mapping arrangements in ARQ protocols H04L1/1861
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0057 Physical resource allocation for CQI
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0062 Avoidance of ingress interference, e.g. ham radio channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0076 Allocation utility-based
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0092 Indication of how the channel is divided
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0094 Indication of how sub-channels of the path are allocated
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0096 Indication of changes in allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/14 Two-way operation using the same type of signal, i.e. duplex
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/1469 using time-sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/22 : using time-division multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 : wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/30 : for supporting lawful interception, monitoring or retaining of communications or communication related information circuit switched telephony call monitoring H04M3/2281
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1104 : Session initiation protocol [SIP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 : for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/65 : Network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/762 : at the source reformatting of additional data in video distribution servers H04N21/2355
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 : Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 : based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/14 : using a plurality of keys or algorithms
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 : Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/0431 : Key distribution or pre-distribution; Key agreement
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 : Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/32 : Hierarchical cell structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 : Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 : Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0231 : based on communication conditions dynamic wireless traffic scheduling definition based on channel quality criteria H04W72/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0066 : of control information between different types of networks in order to establish a new radio link in the target network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0069 : in case of dual connectivity, e.g. decoupled uplink/downlink
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/00692 : using simultaneous multiple data streams, e.g. cooperative multipoint [CoMP], carrier aggregation [CA] or multiple input multiple output [MIMO] allocation of physical resources in CoMP or in CA H04L5/0035
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/22 : for handling the traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 : Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 : Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/10 : using broadcasted information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 : Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/20 : Selecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0251 : using monitoring of local events, e.g. events related to user activity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/001 : Synchronization between nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/02 : Arrangements for increasing efficiency of notification or paging channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/00 : Local resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/02 : Selection of wireless resources by user or terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0446 : Resources in time domain, e.g. slots or frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/046 : the resource being in the space domain, e.g. beams
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/12 : Wireless traffic scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/1263 : Mapping of traffic onto schedule, e.g. scheduled allocation or multiplexing of flows
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/20 : Control channels or signalling for resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/21 : in the uplink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/23 : in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/00 : Wireless channel access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/11 : Allocation or use of connection identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 : Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/27 : Transitions between radio resource control [RRC] states
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/28 : Discontinuous transmission [DTX]; Discontinuous reception [DRX]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 : Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 : using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 : Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of communicating non-cellular access network information via a cellular network. For example, an Evolved Node B (eNB) may include a radio to transmit a control message over a cellular communication medium, the control message including access network information of at least one non-cellular network within a coverage area of the eNB.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising a memory, and a processor configured to cause a User Equipment (UE) to:

establish a protected connection with an evolved Node B (eNB) of a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network;

receive a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message in a radio transmission from the eNB over the protected connection, the RRC message comprises a protected message, which is protected by encryption, the RRC message comprising Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) authentication information corresponding to a WLAN, and WLAN identifier information, the WLAN identifier information comprises one or more WLAN identifiers of one or more WLANs;

connect to the WLAN based on the WLAN identifier information in the RRC message; and

based on the WLAN authentication information corresponding to the WLAN, determine a security key to be used by the UE for a WLAN connection with the WLAN.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the RRC message comprises a RRC Connection Reconfiguration (RRCConnectionReconfiguration) message.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the security key comprises a Pre-Shared Key (PSK).

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more WLAN identifiers comprise at least one of a Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID), or a Service Set Identifier (SSID).

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more WLAN identifiers comprise a list of WLAN identifiers of a plurality of WLANs.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a radio to receive the RRC message.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising one or more antennas.

8. A product comprising one or more tangible computer-readable non-transitory storage media comprising computer-executable instructions operable to, when executed by at least one processor, enable the at least one processor to cause a User Equipment (UE) to:

establish a protected connection with an evolved Node B (eNB) of a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network;

receive a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message in a radio transmission from the eNB over the protected connection, the RRC message comprises a protected message, which is protected by encryption, the RRC message comprising Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) authentication information corresponding to a WLAN, and WLAN identifier information, the WLAN identifier information comprises one or more WLAN identifiers of one or more WLANs;

connect to the WLAN based on the WLAN identifier information in the RRC message; and

based on the WLAN authentication information corresponding to the WLAN, determine a security key to be used by the UE for a WLAN connection with the WLAN.

9. The product of claim 8, wherein the RRC message comprises a RRC Connection Reconfiguration (RRCConnectionReconfiguration) message.

10. The product of claim 8, wherein the security key comprises a Pre-Shared Key (PSK).

11. The product of claim 8, wherein the one or more WLAN identifiers comprise at least one of a Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID), or a Service Set Identifier (SSID).

12. The product of claim 8, wherein the one or more WLAN identifiers comprise a list of WLAN identifiers of a plurality of WLANs.

13. An apparatus comprising a memory, and a processor configured to cause an evolved Node B (eNB) of a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network to:

establish a protected connection with a User Equipment (UE);

generate a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message comprising Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) authentication information and WLAN identifier information for the UE, the RRC message comprises a protected message, which is protected by encryption, the WLAN authentication information comprises authentication information corresponding to a WLAN to assist the UE in determining a security key for a WLAN connection with the WLAN, the WLAN identifier information comprises one or more WLAN identifiers of one or more WLANs; and

transmit to the UE a radio transmission comprising the RRC message over the protected connection.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the RRC message comprises a RRC Connection Reconfiguration (RRCConnectionReconfiguration) message.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the one or more WLAN identifiers comprise at least one of a Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID), or a Service Set Identifier (SSID).

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the one or more WLAN identifiers comprise a list of WLAN identifiers of a plurality of WLANs.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 comprising a radio to transmit the RRC message.

18. The apparatus of claim 13 comprising one or more antennas.

19. A product comprising one or more tangible computer-readable non-transitory storage media comprising computer-executable instructions operable to, when executed by at least one processor, enable the at least one processor to cause an evolved Node B (eNB) of a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network to:

establish a protected connection with a User Equipment (UE);

generate a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message comprising Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) authentication information and WLAN identifier information for the UE, the RRC message comprises a protected message, which is protected by encryption, the WLAN authentication information comprises authentication information corresponding to a WLAN to assist the UE in determining a security key for a WLAN connection with the WLAN, the WLAN identifier information comprises one or more WLAN identifiers of one or more WLANs; and

transmit to the UE a radio transmission comprising the RRC message over the protected connection.

20. The product of claim 19, wherein the RRC message comprises a RRC Connection Reconfiguration (RRCConnectionReconfiguration) message.

21. The product of claim 19, wherein the one or more WLAN identifiers comprise at least one of a Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID), or a Service Set Identifier (SSID).

22. The product of claim 19, wherein the one or more WLAN identifiers comprise a list of WLAN identifiers of a plurality of WLANs.