ACCESS CONTROL FOR ACCESS TERMINALS

• US 20100197307A1
• Filed: 01/27/2010
• Published: 08/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Song, Osok, Agashe, Parag A., Pandit, Krishna S., Horn, Gavin B.
• Application Number:
  US12/695,044
• Publication Number:
  US 20100197307A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/435.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/02 by periodical registration
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/00 User notification, e.g. alerting and paging, for incoming communication, change of service or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B

Abstract

Problems caused by interaction between paging optimization and synchronizing CSG information are mitigated by setting a network indication indicating, for example, that a subscriber is no longer a member of a CSG, but the network has not yet received confirmation that an access terminal associated with the subscriber has been informed of this. A timer-based scheme may be employed for removing a CSG ID from the subscriber information for a subscriber once it is determined that the subscriber is no longer a member of the CSG. In addition, a temporary member of a CSG may determine whether it is still a member of a CSG upon expiration of a CSG timer. Also, the frequency with which an access terminal registers may be changed based on various criteria. Furthermore, an allowed CSG list may be selectively included in a page message depending on the destination of the page message.

Claims

1. A method of communication, comprising:

performing an access at an access point that is associated with a closed subscriber group;

determining that an access terminal that performed the access has not accessed any access point associated with the closed subscriber group within a defined period of time prior to the access; and

registering at the access point based on the determination.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determination comprises determining that the access terminal has not sent a non-access stratum message to any access point associated with the closed subscriber group.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the determination that the access terminal has not sent a non-access stratum message comprises determining that the access terminal:

has not registered at any access point associated with the closed subscriber group;

has not performed an attach procedure at any access point associated with the closed subscriber group; and

has not sent a service request to any access point associated with the closed subscriber group.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising removing an identifier of the closed subscriber group from a list of closed subscriber groups at the access terminal if a rejection message is received in response to the registration at the access point.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising resetting a timer that times the defined period of time if the registration is successful.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the access comprises reselecting to the access point during idle mode.

7. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

an access controller configured to perform an access at an access point that is associated with a closed subscriber group,

a timer configured to determine that an access terminal that performed the access has not accessed any access point associated with the closed subscriber group within a defined period of time prior to the access; and

a registration controller configured to register at the access point based on the determination.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the determination comprises determining that the access terminal has not sent a non-access stratum message to any access point associated with the closed subscriber group.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the registration controller is further configured to reset the timer if the registration is successful.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the access comprises reselecting to the access point during idle mode.

11. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

means for performing an access at an access point that is associated with a closed subscriber group;

means for determining that an access terminal that performed the access has not accessed any access point associated with the closed subscriber group within a defined period of time prior to the access; and

means for registering at the access point based on the determination.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the determination comprises determining that the access terminal has not sent a non-access stratum message to any access point associated with the closed subscriber group.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising means for resetting a timer that times the defined period of time if the registration is successful.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the access comprises reselecting to the access point during idle mode.

15. A computer-program product, comprising:

computer-readable medium comprising code for causing a computer to;

perform an access at an access point that is associated with a closed subscriber group;

determine that an access terminal that performed the access has not accessed any access point associated with the closed subscriber group within a defined period of time prior to the access; and

register at the access point based on the determination.

16. The computer-program product of claim 15, wherein the determination comprises determining that the access terminal has not sent a non-access stratum message to any access point associated with the closed subscriber group.

17. The computer-program product of claim 15, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the computer to reset a timer that times the defined period of time if the registration is successful.

18. The computer-program product of claim 15, wherein the access comprises reselecting to the access point during idle mode.

19. A method of communication, comprising:

reselecting to a cell of an access point;

determining a type of the cell; and

selecting how frequently an access terminal registers at the cell based on the type of the cell.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the determination comprises determining whether the cell is a closed subscriber group cell, a hybrid cell, or an open cell.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the selection comprises electing to register more frequently if the cell is a closed subscriber group cell.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising determining available wireless coverage at the access terminal, wherein the selection is further based on the available wireless coverage.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the determination of available wireless coverage comprises determining whether wireless coverage is only available from a closed subscriber group cell.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the determination of available wireless coverage comprises determining whether wireless coverage is only available from a hybrid cell.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the determination of available wireless coverage comprises determining whether wireless coverage is available from at least one alternate cell.

26. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

a reselection controller configured to reselect to a cell of an access point; and

a registration controller configured to determine a type of the cell, and further configured to select how frequently an access terminal registers at the cell based on the type of the cell.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the determination comprises determining whether the cell is a closed subscriber group cell, a hybrid cell, or an open cell.

28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the selection comprises electing to register more frequently if the cell is a closed subscriber group cell.

29. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a wireless coverage detector configured to determine available wireless coverage at the access terminal, wherein the selection is further based on the available wireless coverage.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the determination of available wireless coverage comprises determining whether wireless coverage is available from at least one alternate cell.

31. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

means for reselecting to a cell of an access point;

means for determining a type of the cell; and

means for selecting how frequently an access terminal registers at the cell based on the type of the cell.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the determination comprises determining whether the cell is a closed subscriber group cell, a hybrid cell, or an open cell.

33. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the selection comprises electing to register more frequently if the cell is a closed subscriber group cell.

34. The apparatus of claim 31, further comprising means for determining available wireless coverage at the access terminal, wherein the selection is further based on the available wireless coverage.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the determination of available wireless coverage comprises determining whether wireless coverage is available from at least one alternate cell.

36. A computer-program product, comprising:

computer-readable medium comprising code for causing a computer to;

reselect to a cell of an access point;

determine a type of the cell; and

select how frequently an access terminal registers at the cell based on the type of the cell.

37. The computer-program product of claim 36, wherein the determination comprises determining whether the cell is a closed subscriber group cell, a hybrid cell, or an open cell.

38. The computer-program product of claim 36, wherein the selection comprises electing to register more frequently if the cell is a closed subscriber group cell.

39. The computer-program product of claim 36, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the computer to determine available wireless coverage at the access terminal, wherein the selection is further based on the available wireless coverage.

40. The computer-program product of claim 39, wherein the determination of available wireless coverage comprises determining whether wireless coverage is available from at least one alternate cell.

41. A method of communication, comprising:

determining that a timer for a closed subscriber group at an access terminal has expired; and

updating a list of closed subscriber groups at the access terminal as a result of the determination to determine whether the access terminal is still a member the closed subscriber group.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the updating comprises accessing a closed subscriber group list server to receive updated closed subscriber group information for the access terminal.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the closed subscriber group list server is accessed via OMA-DM signaling or OTA signaling.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein the closed subscriber group list server is accessed via an access point that is not associated with the closed subscriber group.

45. The method of claim 42, further comprising:

determining, based on the updated list, that the access terminal is still a member of the closed subscriber group; and

increasing how frequently the access terminal registers at an access point associated with the closed subscriber group as a result of the determination that the access terminal is still a member of the closed subscriber group.

46. The method of claim 41, wherein the updating of the list comprises initiating access at an access point associated with the closed subscriber group.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the access comprises registering at the access point.

48. The method of claim 46, further comprising removing an identifier of the closed subscriber group from the list if a rejection message is received in response to the initiated access.

49. The method of claim 46, further comprising:

determining that the initiated access resulted in a successful access of the cell; and

increasing how frequently the access terminal registers at the cell as a result of the successful access.

50. The method of claim 46, further comprising reselecting to the access point, wherein the determination is made while camping on the access point as a result of the reselection.

51. The method of claim 46, further comprising reselecting to the access point after the determination and prior to the initiation of access.

52. The method of claim 41, wherein the access terminal is a temporary member of the closed subscriber group.

53. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

a timer configured to determine that a timer value for a closed subscriber group at an access terminal has expired; and

a list manager configured to update a list of closed subscriber groups at the access terminal as a result of the determination to determine whether the access terminal is still a member the closed subscriber group.

54. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the updating comprises accessing a closed subscriber group list server to receive updated closed subscriber group information for the access terminal.

55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein:

the list manager is further configured to determine, based on the updated list, that the access terminal is still a member of the closed subscriber group; and

the apparatus further comprises a registration controller configured to increase how frequently the access terminal registers at an access point associated with the closed subscriber group as a result of the determination that the access terminal is still a member of the closed subscriber group.

56. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the updating of the list comprises initiating access at an access point associated with the closed subscriber group.

57. The apparatus of claim 56, further comprising a registration controller configured to:

determine that the initiated access resulted in a successful access of the cell; and

increase how frequently the access terminal registers at the cell as a result of the successful access.

58. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

means for determining that a timer for a closed subscriber group at an access terminal has expired; and

means for updating a list of closed subscriber groups at the access terminal as a result of the determination to determine whether the access terminal is still a member the closed subscriber group.

59. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the updating comprises accessing a closed subscriber group list server to receive updated closed subscriber group information for the access terminal.

60. The apparatus of claim 59, further comprising:

means for determining, based on the updated list, that the access terminal is still a member of the closed subscriber group; and

means for increasing how frequently the access terminal registers at an access point associated with the closed subscriber group as a result of the determination that the access terminal is still a member of the closed subscriber group.

61. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the updating of the list comprises initiating access at an access point associated with the closed subscriber group.

62. The apparatus of claim 61, further comprising:

means for determining that the initiated access resulted in a successful access of the cell; and

means for increasing how frequently the access terminal registers at the cell as a result of the successful access.

63. A computer-program product, comprising:

computer-readable medium comprising code for causing a computer to;

determine that a timer for a closed subscriber group at an access terminal has expired; and

update a list of closed subscriber groups at the access terminal as a result of the determination to determine whether the access terminal is still a member the closed subscriber group.

64. The computer-program product of claim 63, wherein the updating comprises accessing a closed subscriber group list server to receive updated closed subscriber group information for the access terminal.

65. The computer-program product of claim 64, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the computer to:

determine, based on the updated list, that the access terminal is still a member of the closed subscriber group; and

increase how frequently the access terminal registers at an access point associated with the closed subscriber group as a result of the determination that the access terminal is still a member of the closed subscriber group.

66. The computer-program product of claim 63, wherein the updating of the list comprises initiating access at an access point associated with the closed subscriber group.

67. The computer-program product of claim 66, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the computer to:

determine that the initiated access resulted in a successful access of the cell; and

increase how frequently the access terminal registers at the cell as a result of the successful access.