Mobile IP node device and access information

• US 20050136920A1
• Filed: 12/19/2003
• Published: 06/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Mizell, Jerry, Currin, Steven, Rink, Fred
• Granted Patent: US 7,228,133 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/433
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/14 Charging , metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1073 Registration or de-registration
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/02 Processing of mobility data, e.g. registration information at HLR [Home Location Register] or VLR [Visitor Location Register]; Transfer of mobility data, e.g. between HLR, VLR or external networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities

Abstract

A method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a home agent and a mobile terminal that communicate to facilitate the home agent becoming aware of a device type and access technology being used to gain access to a network by way of the home agent so that the home agent may provide appropriate billing and network control. More specifically, the mobile IP registration process according to a mobile IP protocol is modified to add parameter extensions that allow the mobile terminal to provide this information. The two specific parameters that are added include one that defines the access technology and another that defines the device type in the described embodiments of the present invention. Specifically, the extension that defines the access technology includes a mobile IP client that has operator definable configurations that relate to the access technology. The mobile IP client specifies whether a wireless local area network or wireless cellular network is being used and, in one embodiment of the invention, which type of wireless local area network or cellular network is being used.

Claims

1. A mobile IP network;

comprising;

a mobile terminal that provides an indication, within a registration request of access technology and device type;

a home agent (HA) that receives and processes the registration request with the indication of access technology and device type of the mobile terminal wherein the HA responds with subsequent transmissions that, in one of form and size, is based upon at least one of the access technology and device type.

2. A home agent (HA) for serving a mobile terminal in a mobile IP network, comprising:

a processor for executing computer instructions that define operational logic of the HA;

a bus coupled to the processor for transmitting computer instructions and control signals to and from the processor within the HA;

a bus controller for controlling communications and timing of communications thereon;

a network port for coupling the HA to a wireless communication network to enable the HA to communicate with the mobile terminal;

memory coupled to the bus, the memory including the computer instructions that define operational logic for routing data packets between the mobile terminal, the defined HA and the mobile IP network;

the memory further including computer instructions that define logic for communicating with the mobile terminal;

wherein the HA receives a registration request from the mobile terminal including an indication access technology being used by the mobile terminal corresponding to the registration request and an indication of device type of the mobile terminal; and

wherein the HA processes subsequent responses to the mobile terminal based upon at least one of the access technology and device type.

3. The HA of claim 2 wherein the access type is a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS).

4. The HA of claim 2 wherein the access type is a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS).

5. The HA of claim 2 wherein the access type is cdma2000.

6. The HA of claim 2 wherein the access type is one of a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and a wireline network.

7. The HA of claim 2 wherein the access type is one of 802.11(a), 802.11(b), 802.11(g) and Bluetooth.

8. The HA of claim 2 wherein the device type is a personal computer.

9. The HA of claim 2 wherein the device type is a game device.

10. The HA of claim 2 wherein the device type is a personal digital assistant.

11. The HA of claim 2 wherein the device type is a wireless mobile terminal.

12. The HA of claim 2 wherein the device type is a digital pager device.

13. A mobile terminal for use in a mobile IP network, comprising:

a processor for executing computer instructions that define operational logic of a home agent (HA);

a bus coupled to the processor for transmitting computer instructions and control signals to and from the processor within the HA;

a bus controller for controlling communications and timing of communications thereon;

transceiver circuitry for enabling the mobile terminal to communicate with the HA by way of a communication network;

memory coupled to the bus, the memory including the computer instructions that define operational logic for establishing a communication link with the HA; and

wherein the mobile terminal produces a registration request including an indication of access technology being used that corresponds to the registration request and an indication of device type of the mobile terminal.

14. The mobile terminal of claim 13 wherein the access type is one of General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), cdma2000 or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN).

15. The mobile terminal of claim 14 wherein the access type is one of 802.11(a), 802.11(b), 802.11(g) and Bluetooth.

16. The mobile terminal of claim 13 wherein the device type is one of a personal computer, personal digital assistant, digital pager device or wireless mobile terminal.

17. A method by one of a mobile terminal and a home agent in a mobile IP network, comprising:

determining one of a plurality of access technologies to use to access the home agent by way of one of an access point or a base station; and

transmitting a registration request, the registration request indicating the determined access technology being used by the mobile terminal corresponding to the registration request and a device type of the mobile terminal.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein access technology is one of General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), cdma2000 or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN).

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the WLAN is one of 802.11(a), 802.11(b), 802.11(g) and Bluetooth.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the device type is one of a personal computer, personal digital assistant, digital pager device or wireless mobile terminal.