Network selection involving GANC redirection

• US 20060114871A1
• Filed: 11/28/2005
• Published: 06/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Buckley, Adrian, Carpenter, Paul, Bumiller, George Baldwin
• Application Number:
  US11/287,638
• Publication Number:
  US 20060114871A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44505 Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4511 using domain name system [DNS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0083 Determination of parameters used for hand-off, e.g. generation or modification of neighbour cell lists
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 Reselecting a network or an air interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]
• 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 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/53 based on regulatory allocation policies
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/11 Allocation or use of connection identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• 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: H04W 88/12 Access point controller devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/06 between gateways and public network devices

Abstract

In one embodiment, a scheme is provided for effectuating generic access network (GAN) selection with respect to a user equipment (UE) device that is operable in wide area cellular network ((WACN) bands as well as in wireless access network bands (e.g., GAN bands and/or UMA bands). A network node (e.g., a GAN controller (GANC) or UMA network controller (UNC)) is equipped with logic for resolving service requirements as well as network information gathered by the UE device. Based thereon, an appropriate list of UNCs/GANCs is provided to the UE device for selection, the UNCs/GANCs being operable with one more wide area cellular networks identified for the UE device.

Claims

1. A network selection method, comprising:

gathering network information by a user equipment (UE) device via scanning in at least one band;

transmitting by said UE device at least one of said network information and a set of service requirements to a network node; and

resolving said network information and said set of service requirements by said network node to determine an appropriate list of generic access network controllers (GANCs) operable with a plurality of wide area cellular networks identified for said UE device, wherein said list of GANCs is transmitted to said UE device via a response message for selection by said UE device.

2. The network selection method as recited in claim 1, wherein said wide area cellular networks comprise at least one of a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network, an Enhanced Data Rates for Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) Evolution (EDGE) network, a 3^rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)-compliant network, an Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (IDEN), a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network, and a Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN).

3. The network selection method as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said GANCs is identified with a corresponding Uniform Resource Locator (URL).

4. The network selection method as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said GANCs is identified with a corresponding Internet Protocol (IP) address.

5. The network selection method as recited in claim 1, wherein said network information comprises at least one of Cell Global Identification (CGI) information of a registered wide area cellular network, CGI information relating to available wide area cellular networks, cause values of any prior registration failures, Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH) information of at least one available wide area cellular network, and Packet Control Channel (PCCH) information of at least one available wide area cellular network.

6. The network selection method as recited in claim 1, wherein said service requirements comprise at least one of voice-only services, data-only services, voice-and-data services, GAN services, handover services, calling plans associated with said UE device, and location area information associated with said UE device.

7. The network selection method as recited in claim 1, wherein said network node comprises a default GANC associated with said UE device.

8. The network selection method as recited in claim 1, wherein said network node comprises a home network GANC associated with said UE device.

9. The network selection method as recited in claim 1, wherein said network node comprises a provisioning GANC associated with said UE device.

10. The network selection method as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of said network information and said set of service requirements is transmitted by said UE device via a Generic Access—

Resource Control (GA-RC) REGISTER REQUEST message.

11. The network selection method as recited in claim 10, wherein said response message comprises a GA-RC REGISTER REDIRECT message.

12. A network selection system, comprising:

means associated with a user equipment (UE) device for gathering network information via scanning in at least one band;

means associated with said UE device for transmitting at least one of said network information and a set of service requirements to a network node; and

means associated with said network node for resolving said network information and said set of service requirements to determine an appropriate list of generic access network controllers (GANCs) operable with a plurality of wide area cellular networks identified for said UE device, wherein said list of GANCs is transmitted to said UE device via a response message for selection by said UE device.

13. The network selection system as recited in claim 12, wherein said wide area cellular networks comprise at least one of a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network, an Enhanced Data Rates for Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) Evolution (EDGE) network, a 3^rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)-compliant network, an Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (IDEN), a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network, and a Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN).

14. The network selection system as recited in claim 12, wherein each of said GANs is identified with a corresponding Uniform Resource Locator (URL).

15. The network selection system as recited in claim 12, wherein each of said GANs is identified with a corresponding Internet Protocol (IP) address.

16. The network selection system as recited in claim 12, wherein said network information comprises at least one of Cell Global Identification (CGI) information of a registered wide area cellular network, CGI information relating to available wide area cellular networks, cause values of any prior registration failures, Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH) information of at least one available wide area cellular network, and Packet Control Channel (PCCH) information of at least one available wide area cellular network.

17. The network selection system as recited in claim 12, wherein said service requirements comprise at least one of voice-only services, data-only services, voice-and-data services, GAN services, handover services, calling plans associated with said UE device, and location area information associated with said UE device.

18. The network selection system as recited in claim 12, wherein said network node comprises a default GANC associated with said UE device.

19. The network selection system as recited in claim 12, wherein said network node comprises a home network GANC associated with said UE device.

20. The network selection system as recited in claim 12, wherein said network node comprises a provisioning GANC associated with said UE device.

21. The network selection system as recited in claim 12, wherein at least one of said network information and said set of service requirements is transmitted by said UE device via a Generic Access—

Resource Control (GA-RC) REGISTER REQUEST message.

22. The network selection system as recited in claim 21, wherein said response message comprises a GA-RC REGISTER REDIRECT message.

23. A user equipment (UE) device, comprising:

a logic module for facilitating identification of a set of appropriate service requirements relative to operating said UE device;

a communication subsystem for gathering network information via scanning in at least one band and for transmitting at least one of said network information and said service requirements to a network node; and

a logic module for selecting a generic access network controller (GANC) from a set of GANCs provided by said network node, said list of GANCs being determined upon resolving said network information and said service requirements by said network node, wherein said list of GANCs is transmitted to said UE device via a response message for selection by said UE device.

24. The UE device as recited in claim 23, wherein said GANCs are identified with Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) corresponding to a set of GANCs that provide connectivity to wide area cellular networks (WACNs) identified for said UE device.

25. The UE device as recited in claim 23, wherein said GANCs are identified with Internet Protocol (IP) addresses corresponding to a set of GANCs that provide connectivity to wide area cellular networks (WACNs) identified for said UE device.

26. The UE device as recited in claim 23, wherein said network information comprises at least one of Cell Global Identification (CGI) information of a wide area cellular network on which said UE device is registered, CGI information relating to available wide area cellular networks, cause values of any prior registration failures, Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH) information of at least one available wide area cellular network, and Packet Control Channel (PCCH) information of at least one available wide area cellular network.

27. The UE device as recited in claim 23, wherein said service requirements comprise at least one of voice-only services, data-only services, voice-and-data services, GAN services, handover services, calling plans associated with said UE device, packet data services capability, and Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) services capability, said service requirements being selectable based on location area information associated with said UE device.

28. The UE device as recited in claim 23, wherein said network node comprises a default GANC associated with said UE device.

29. The UE device as recited in claim 23, wherein said network node comprises a home network GANC associated with said UE device.

30. The UE device as recited in claim 23, wherein said network node comprises a provisioning GANC associated with said UE device.

31. The UE device as recited in claim 23, wherein at least one of said network information and said set of service requirements is transmitted by said communication subsystem via a Generic Access—

Resource Control (GA-RC) REGISTER REQUEST message.

32. The UE device as recited in claim 31, wherein said response message comprises a GA-RC REGISTER REDIRECT message.

33. A generic access network controller (GANC) operable with a user equipment (UE) device disposed in a wireless environment, comprising:

means for receiving at least one of network information and a set of service requirements from said UE device via a registration request message;

means for resolving said network information and said set of service requirements to determine an appropriate list of generic access network controllers (GANCs) operable with one or more wide area cellular networks identified for said UE device; and

means for transmitting said list of GANCs to said UE device via a response message responsive to said registration request message.

34. The GANC as recited in claim 33, wherein said wide area cellular networks comprise at least one of a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network, an Enhanced Data Rates for Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) Evolution (EDGE) network, a 3^rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)-compliant network, an Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (IDEN), a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network, and a Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN).

35. The GANC as recited in claim 33, wherein said GANCs are identified with Uniform Resource Locators (URLs).

36. The GANC as recited in claim 33, wherein said GANCs are identified with Internet Protocol (IP) addresses.

37. The GANC as recited in claim 33, wherein said network information comprises at least one of Cell Global Identification (CGI) information of a registered wide area cellular network, CGI information relating to available wide area cellular networks, cause values of any prior registration failures, Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH) information of at least one available wide area cellular network, and Packet Control Channel (PCCH) information of at least one available wide area cellular network.

38. The GANC as recited in claim 33, wherein said service requirements comprise at least one of voice-only services, data-only services, voice-and-data services, GAN services, handover services, calling plans associated with said UE device, packet data services capability, and Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) services capability, said service requirements being selectable based on location area information associated with said UE device.

39. The GANC as recited in claim 33, wherein said network information is gathered by said UE device via scanning in at least one band.