Methods and apparatus for machine-to-machine based communication service classes

• US 20100057485A1
• Filed: 08/29/2008
• Published: 03/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Luft, Achim
• Granted Patent: US 8,737,989 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/411
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/10 Active monitoring, e.g. heartbeat, ping or trace-route
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/107 wherein the security policies are location-dependent, e.g. entities privileges depend on current location or allowing specific operations only from locally connected terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/108 when the policy decisions are valid for a limited amount of time
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/1416 Event detection, e.g. attack signature detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/1441 Countermeasures against malicious traffic countermeasures against attacks on cryptographic mechanisms H04L9/002
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/12 Detection or prevention of fraud
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/126 Anti-theft arrangements, e.g. protection against subscriber identity module [SIM] cloning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/70 Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/18 Service support devices; Network management devices

Abstract

Methods and apparatus enabling a wireless network to provide differentiated services to a machine-to-machine (M2M) client. In one embodiment, the wireless network comprises a UMTS network, and the Home Location Register (HLR) entity identifies subscriptions as machine-to-machine (M2M) enabled devices based on flags or other descriptors associated with each M2M device, and imposes one or more rule sets (e.g., service restrictions) based on this identification. The classification of M2M devices within the HLR may optionally include additional capability or profile data for the M2M device (e.g. static, low mobility, low data activity, etc.). Various other network entities may use the M2M identification to modify the delivered data service, so as to optimize network resources. Furthermore, monitoring of M2M client behavior can be used to detect and notify the network operator of abnormal, fraudulent, or malicious activity. Business methods utilizing the aforementioned methods and apparatus are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of operating a wireless network, said method comprising:

providing a first user station category; and

providing a second user station category;

wherein said operator of said wireless network implements a plurality of operating rules which at least partly differ based at least in part on whether a subscriber comprises said first or second user station categories.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said operating rules which differs between said first or second station categories comprises an operating rule restricting said automated apparatus subscriber from performing a location update.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

assigning said second user station category to a first automated apparatus subscriber;

determining whether said first automated apparatus subscriber has issued a location update request; and

identifying said first automated apparatus as being at least potentially subject to service theft.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said operating rules which differs between said first or second user station categories comprises an operating rule which restricts access to services based at least in part on a temporal parameter.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said operating rule comprises one which restricts the number or volume of data traffic initiated by a user device within said second category during certain times.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein said operating rule comprises one which allows data traffic to be initiated by a user device only during certain prescribed windows of time.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein said operating rule comprises one which restrict data traffic initiated by a user device to a certain maximum per unit time.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said operating rules which differs between said first or second mobile station categories comprises an operating rule which restricts generated data traffic to a maximum value.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said operating rules which differs between said first or second mobile station categories comprises an operating rule which restricts access to a subscriber based on a network traffic parameter.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said network traffic parameter comprises an amount of data traffic in a source cell.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said network traffic parameter comprises an amount of data traffic in a target cell.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said wireless network comprises a UMTS cellular network, said first category comprises an ordinary subscriber category;

and said second category comprises an automated apparatus subscriber category.

13. A computer readable apparatus comprising a storage medium adapted to store at least one computer program, said computer program which, when executed by a processing device, governs the operation of a subscriber in a wireless network by at least:

assigning a first user type to a network subscriber, said first user type comprising one of a plurality of user types which are at least partly different from one another; and

implementing a set of operating rules for said network subscriber, said set of operating rules governed at least in part on said assigning of said first user type.

14. The computer readable apparatus of claim 13, wherein said set of operating rules comprises at least one rule that governs the operation of outgoing calls to said network subscriber, and at least one rule that governs the operation of incoming calls to said network subscriber.

15. The computer readable apparatus of claim 13, wherein said set of operating rules comprises an operating rule which restricts access to services based on a time parameter.

16. The computer readable apparatus of claim 13, wherein at least one of said operating rules comprises an operating rule which restricts generated data traffic to a maximum value.

17. The computer readable apparatus of claim 13, wherein at least one of said operating rules comprises an operating rule which restricts access to a subscriber based on a network traffic parameter.

18. The computer readable apparatus of claim 17, wherein said network traffic parameter comprises an amount of data traffic in one of a source cell or a target cell.

19. The computer readable apparatus of claim 13, wherein at least one of said operating rules comprises an operating rule which restricts data traffic to a fixed amount per a unit of time.

20. The computer readable apparatus of claim 13, wherein said wireless network comprises a cellular wireless network compliant with UMTS, and said first user type comprises a machine-to-machine (M2M) user type.

21. The computer readable apparatus of claim 20, wherein said at least one computer program is configured to:

access a service or device profile relating to said network subscriber; and

implement said operating rules for said subscriber based at least in part on said profile.

22. The computer readable apparatus of claim 21, wherein said profile is stored in said network, and is at least partly constructed based on anecdotal observations of the operational patterns of said network subscriber.

23. The computer readable apparatus of claim 13, wherein said at least one computer program is configured to cause said network subscriber to perform location updates during one or more prescribed periods of time.

24. Apparatus for use in a wireless network, comprising:

a digital processor;

at least one network interface in data communication with said digital processor; and

a memory storing at least one computer program, said at least one computer program comprising instructions which when executed by said digital processor, govern the operation of a subscriber in a wireless network according to the method comprising;

reading a user category associated with a wireless network subscriber received via said at least one network interface;

determining whether said user category is directed to an ordinary subscriber or an automated subscriber; and

implementing one or more operator rules for said wireless network subscriber based at least in part on said act of determining.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said network comprises a UMTS wireless network, and said apparatus comprises a home location register (HLR) apparatus.

26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said act of determining comprises determining that said category for said subscriber is directed to an automated subscriber, and said act of implementing comprises implementing at least one rule which is intended to facilitate detection of surreptitious use or service theft on an account of said subscriber.

27. A method of regulating network access in a wireless network comprising at least one Machine-to-Machine (M2M) client device and a network entity, said method comprising:

providing a mobile subscriber category identifier to said at least one M2M client that distinguishes said M2M client from an ordinary subscriber;

correlating said mobile subscriber category identifier with a unique identifier for said at least one M2M client;

receiving an access attempt by said at least one M2M client, said access attempt comprising a request for a network service and said unique identifier;

determining said mobile subscriber category identifier based in part on said unique identifier; and

permitting or denying access to said wireless network based at least in part on the compatibility of said request for network service with said mobile subscriber category identifier.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said unique identifier comprises the at least one M2M client International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said at least one M2M client comprises a plurality of M2M clients, said plurality each sharing an identical IMSI.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

regulating said plurality of M2M clients so that only one of said plurality may utilize said wireless network at any given time.

31. A method of detecting unauthorized use of a wireless device within a wireless network, the method comprising:

assigning a classification to said device which is different than that for user devices within said network;

monitoring the activity of said device according to one or more operating rules, said one or more rules being selected based at least in part on said classification; and

based at least in part on said monitoring, implementing one or more actions relating to said device.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein said assigning a classification comprises assigning a classification indicative of a substantially automated device.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein said implementing one or more actions comprises terminating or suspending services to wireless device.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein said implementing comprises implementing one or more analysis routines against said wireless device.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein said monitoring comprises comparing the usage of the network by said wireless device over a period of time to a prescribed usage template established for that particular device.

36. A method of operating a wireless network having a plurality of M2M devices and a plurality of user devices associated therewith so as to frustrate theft of services, the method comprising:

marking or flagging individual ones of said M2M devices within the network to indicate that they belong to an M2M class;

causing said M2M devices to each perform, if required, a location update operation during a prescribed time interval; and

monitoring said M2M devices for location updates performed outside of said time interval.

37. A method of doing business in a wireless network, the method comprising:

establishing at least two classes of subscribers, a first of said at least two classes comprising a class for users meeting first criteria, and a second of said at least two classes comprising a class for users not meeting said first criteria; and

offering a less costly subscription plan to users of said first class;

wherein said criteria are such that less network resources are required to service said users of said first class than those of said second class.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein said first criteria comprise at least one criterion regarding regularity or periodicity of use.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein said first criteria comprise at least one criterion regarding volume of data transmitted or received per unit time during use.

40. The method of claim 37, further comprising requiring at least a portion of said users in said first class to perform location updates only during one or more prescribed periods.

41. The method of claim 37, further comprising requiring at least a portion of said users in said first class to perform calls or access requests in a patterned fashion so as to optimize network operation.