APPARATUS, AND ASSOCIATED METHOD, FOR FACILITATING COMMUNICATIONS BY A MOBILE NODE IN A MULTIPLE NETWORK RADIO COMMUNICATION SYSTEM HAVING INTERWORKING CAPABILITY

• US 20080064406A1
• Filed: 11/20/2007
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: BUCKLEY, ADRIAN
• Granted Patent: US 9,232,463 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/437
• 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 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• 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: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

Apparatus, and an associated method, by which to permit selection by a user of a mobile node of with which cellular communication system network that the mobile node shall communicate by way of an interworking wireless local area network. User selection is provided even when the interworking wireless local area network is directly connected to the home network of the mobile node. A determiner determines whether the interworking wireless local area network is directly connected to the home network. And, responsive to the determinations, an identifier identifies the cellular communication system network associated with the interworking wireless local area network.

Claims

1. A method in a mobile node capable of communicating with networks of a first-type and networks of a second-type for determining available networks of the second-type, the method comprising:

sending, to a first network of the first-type, a message known to be unroutable in a home network of the mobile node; and

in response to the sent message, receiving information indicative of available networks of the second-type from the first network of the first-type.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating the message known to be unroutable in the home network before sending.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sent message comprises at least one of:

an alternative network address identifier, and

an alternative network address identifier value.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the alternative network address identifier value is of value that causes failed authentication of the mobile node.

5. The method of claim 4, receiving the information in response to the sent message is based upon failed authentication of the mobile node.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the home network is a network of second type.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein:

the first network of the first-type comprises a wireless local area network, and

the home network of the mobile node comprises a public land mobile network.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the received information indicative of available networks of the second type further includes identification of public land mobile networks associated with the first network of the first type.

9. A mobile node capable of communicating with networks of a first-type and networks of a second-type configured to determine available networks of the second-type, the mobile node comprising:

a message generator configured to generate a message populated with an alternative network address identifier value, the message configured to be sent to a first network of the first-type and to generate a response information indicative of available networks of the second-type from the first network of the first-type.

10. The mobile node of claim 9, wherein the message populated with an alternative network address identifier value is known to be unroutable in a home network of the mobile node, wherein the home network is a network of the second-type.

11. The mobile node of claim 10, wherein:

the first network of the first-type comprises a wireless local area network, and

the home network of the mobile node comprises a public land mobile network.

12. The mobile node of claim 9 further comprising:

a transmitter coupled to the message generator, the transmitter configured to transmit the message to the first network of the first-type; and

a receiver configured to receive the generated response information from the first network of the first-type.