MANAGING A DATA NETWORK CONNECTION FOR MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS BASED ON USER LOCATION

• US 20110235546A1
• Filed: 09/29/2010
• Published: 09/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Horn, Gavin Bernard, Giaretta, Gerardo, Griot, Miguel, Song, Osok
• Granted Patent: US 9,503,970 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/254
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/17 Selecting a data network PoA [Point of Attachment]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 Gateway arrangements

Abstract

Providing for select Internet Protocol traffic offload (SIPTO) in a mobile communication environment is described herein. By way of example, SIPTO traffic can be facilitated via local packet gateways (P-GWs) that provide an interface to the Internet or a like data network, in addition to a centralized gateway GPRS support node (GGSN). Eligibility for SIPTO can be on a user equipment (UE) by UE basis; for instance, relying on stored subscription or account information to determine SIPTO eligibility. In particular aspects, eligibility for SIPTO can also be based on a packet network by packet network basis, or a combination of the foregoing. This enables flexibility in determining whether SIPTO can be established for a given UE in a given location, and can be based for instance on UE capability, subscription status information, data network capability, tariff rates, and so on, as well as different legal requirements of government jurisdictions.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication, comprising:

receiving a request to establish a data network connection for a user equipment (a UE) coupled with a mobile network;

determining whether a selected local Internet Protocol (IP) traffic service is permitted for the UE based on a set of stored subscription information pertaining to the UE; and

identifying a local data network gateway associated with a cell or an access point of the mobile network serving the UE for establishing the data network connection if the SIPTO is permitted.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the local IP traffic service is a select IP traffic offload (SIPTO), and further comprising determining whether the SIPTO is permitted for an access point name (an APN) specified with the request, and rejecting the request if the SIPTO is not permitted for the APN.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining whether the SIPTO is permitted for the APN further comprises identifying whether the APN meets a QoS requirement of traffic associated with the request.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the subscription information is updated on a semi-static basis based on radio bearer capabilities of the APN, subscription status of the UE, a tariff rate associated with the local data network gateway, or a combination thereof.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein determining whether the SIPTO is permitted for the APN comprises determining whether charging requirements associated with the request are supported by the local data network gateway.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the local IP traffic service is permitted for the UE comprises determining whether content tracking requirements associated with the UE are supported by the local data network gateway.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the local data network gateway further comprises performing a domain name server query (a DNS query).

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising forming a fully qualified domain name (a FQDN) comprising an indicator that enables a domain name server to:

retrieve a proximate local data network gateway that is geographically or topologically closest to a mobile network cell serving the UE; and

return the proximate local data network gateway in response to the DNS query.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the indicator is based on an identifier of the UE and specifies whether a subscription of the UE allows the local IP traffic service, or is based on an identifier of the cell or the access point of the mobile network and implies a capability of the local data network gateway to support the network connection, or a combination thereof.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the local data network gateway further comprises referencing a mobile network cell serving the UE to obtain a data set that associates mobile network access points of the mobile network with local data network gateways.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising initiating deactivation of the data network connection upon expiration of a traffic timeout, or upon the UE moving out of a range of cells of the mobile network that are served by the local data network gateway.

12. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

memory for storing instructions that facilitate localized Internet Protocol (IP) traffic service; and

a data processor that executes modules to implement the instructions, the modules comprising;

a receiving module that identifies a request for a connection to an IP network and that retrieves a set of subscription information for a user equipment (a UE) initiating the request;

a parsing module that analyzes the subscription information and determines whether the UE is permitted to utilize local packet gateway (local GW) service;

a reference module that identifies a local GW to establish the connection to the IP network, and that is associated with a base station providing mobile network service to the UE.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the reference module performs a domain name server query (a DNS query) to identify the local GW.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the reference module creates a fully qualified domain name (a FQDN) that enables a domain name server to return the local GW that is geographically or topologically closest to the base station.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the FQDN is based at least in part on an identifier of the UE or an identifier of the base station.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the reference module obtains a specified P-GW identifier associated with the base station from memory or from the base station.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the parsing module extracts a set of local GWs that the UE is permitted to access from the subscription information.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising an access module that compares an identifier of the local GW obtained from the reference module to the set of local GWs obtained from the parsing module to determine whether the UE is permitted to utilize local GW service in response to the request.

19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein a set of IP network access point names (APNs) included in the subscription information are associated with respective permitted/unpermitted flags, and further wherein a status of a permitted/unpermitted flag is updated based on at least one of:

subscription status of the UE;

government tracking requirements instituted for the UE;

radio bearer capabilities of an associated local GW;

or

a tariff charged by an operator of the associated local GW.

20. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the parsing module determines that the UE is permitted to utilize local GW service if an APN included in the request is associated with a permitted/unpermitted flag set to permitted in the subscription information.

21. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a termination module that initiates deactivation of the connection upon expiration of a traffic timeout, or upon the UE moving outside a service range of the local GW.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the service range of the local GW is determined from at least one of:

a list of bases stations, tracking areas, routing areas, location areas or radio network controllers that are associated with the local GW;

or

a DNS query that returns an identifier of the local GW.

23. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

means for receiving a request to establish a data network connection for a user equipment (a UE) coupled with a mobile network;

means for determining whether a local Internet Protocol (IP) traffic service is permitted for the UE based on a set of stored subscription information pertaining to the UE; and

means for identifying a local data network gateway to establish the data network connection associated with a cell or an access point of the mobile network serving the UE, if the local IP traffic service is permitted.

24. At least one processor configured for wireless communication, comprising:

a first module that receives a request to establish a data network connection for a user equipment (a UE) coupled with a mobile network;

a second module that determines whether a local Internet Protocol (IP) traffic service is permitted for the UE based on a set of stored subscription information pertaining to the UE; and

a third module that identifies a local data network gateway to establish the data network connection that is associated with a cell or an access point of the mobile network serving the UE, if the local IP traffic service is permitted.

25. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium, comprising;

a first set of code for causing a computer to receive a request to establish a data network connection for a user equipment (a UE) coupled with a mobile network;

a second set of code for causing the computer to determine whether a local Internet Protocol (IP) traffic service is permitted for the UE based on a set of stored subscription information pertaining to the UE; and

a third set of code for causing the computer to identify a local data network gateway to establish the data network connection that is associated with a cell or an access point of the mobile network serving the UE, if the local (IP) traffic service is permitted.

26. A method of wireless communication, comprising:

identifying a data network connection established for a user equipment (a UE) that receives wireless service from a mobile network base station;

referencing a first identifier associated with a data network access point that facilitates the data network connection; and

initiating deactivation of the data network connection if the first identifier does not match a second identifier of a data network access point associated with the mobile network base station.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the first identifier and the second identifier comprise respective first and second Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and the initiating deactivation is conditioned on the first and second IP addresses being non-identical.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

performing a domain name server query (a DNS query) for the mobile network base station or for the UE;

retrieving an access point identifier in response to the DNS query; and

employing the access point identifier as the second identifier.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising forming a fully qualified domain name (a FQDN) that facilitates identifying a local packet gateway that is geographically or topologically nearest to the mobile network base station, wherein the FQDN is based on at least one of:

an identifier of the UE;

or

an identifier of the mobile network base station.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein:

matching the first identifier and the second identifier further comprises referencing a list of data network access point identifiers associated with the mobile network base station and determining whether the first identifier is included in the list of data network access point identifiers; and

the list of data network access point identifiers comprises respective mobile network tracking areas, mobile network location areas, mobile network routing areas, base station identifiers, or radio network controller identifiers, or a combination thereof, for one or more data network access points associated with the mobile network base station.

31. The method of claim 26, further comprising initiating a deactivation request and sending the deactivation request to the UE if the first identifier does not match the second identifier.

32. The method of claim 26, further comprising initiating a deactivation request and sending the deactivation request to a network entity that manages the data network connection if the first identifier does not match the second identifier.

33. The method of claim 26, further comprising determining that the UE is conducting or has conducted a handover to the mobile network base station, and initiating deactivation of the data network connection as a result of the handover.

34. The method of claim 26, further comprising forwarding a reactivation command to the UE that causes the UE to request reactivation of the data network connection at the data network access point associated with the mobile base station.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising forwarding the reactivation command as a result of:

rebooting of a local data network gateway supporting the data network connection;

load balancing of the local data network gateway with associated local data network gateways;

or

the UE traveling, or anticipation of the UE traveling, outside of a coverage area of the local data network gateway.

36. An apparatus configured for wireless communication, comprising:

memory for storing instructions configured for management and removal of active data network connections associated with a radio access network (a RAN); and

a data processor for executing modules that implement the instructions, the modules comprising;

a maintenance module that identifies an established packet connection at a local packet gateway (a local GW) that serves the RAN; and

a termination module that initiates a deactivation of the packet connection if a user equipment (UE) identified with the connection is actively coupled with a wireless node of the RAN that is outside of a service area of the local GW.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, further comprising a reference module that is configured to determine whether the wireless node is outside the service area of the local GW.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the reference module:

performs a domain name server query (a DNS query) for the UE or for the wireless node and retrieves a current local GW associated with the UE or with the wireless node; and

compares an identifier of the local GW with a second identifier of the current local GW.

39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the reference module determines the wireless node to be within the service area if the identifier and the second identifier are the same.

40. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the reference module creates a fully qualified domain name (a FQDN) that enables a domain name server to return the current local GW that is geographically or topologically closest to the wireless node.

41. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the reference module acquires a data set that correlates wireless nodes within the service area to the local GW, and checks whether the wireless node of the RAN is correlated to the local GW.

42. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the termination module sends a deactivation command to the UE or to a network entity that manages the connection at the local GW to deactivate the connection.

43. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the maintenance module determines, or receives a determination, that the UE has conducted a handover to the wireless node or has accessed the wireless node from idle state, and scans the local GW to identify the connection.

44. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the maintenance module forwards a reactivation command to the UE that causes the UE to request reactivation of the connection via the wireless node.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the maintenance module forwards the reactivation command in response to at least one of:

rebooting of the local GW;

load balancing of the local GW and one or more other P-GWs;

or

the UE activating a connection outside of the service area.

46. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

means for identifying a packet connection at a local packet gateway (a local GW) that provides data network service to a radio access network (a RAN); and

means for terminating the connection if a user equipment (UE) identified with the connection is actively coupled with a wireless node of the RAN that is outside of a service area of the local GW, wherein the service area is defined by at least one of;

a data set that correlates wireless nodes of the RAN to the local GW;

or

the set of wireless nodes for which a domain name server query comprising an identifier of the UE or an identifier of the wireless node returns the local GW.

47. At least one data processor configured for wireless communication, comprising:

a first module that identifies a packet connection at a local packet gateway (a local GW) that provides data network service to a radio access network (a RAN); and

a second module that terminates the connection if a user equipment (UE) identified with the connection is actively coupled with a wireless node of the RAN that is outside of a service area of the local GW, wherein the service area is defined by at least one of;

a data set that correlates wireless nodes of the RAN to the local GW;

or

the set of wireless nodes for which a domain name server query comprising an identifier of the UE or an identifier of the wireless node returns the local GW.

48. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium, comprising;

a first set of code for causing a computer to identify a packet connection at a local packet gateway (a local GW) that provides data network service to a radio access network (a RAN); and

a second set of code for causing the computer to terminate the connection if a user equipment (UE) identified with the connection is actively coupled with a wireless node of the RAN that is outside of a service area of the local GW, wherein the service area is defined by at least one of;

a data set that correlates wireless nodes of the RAN to the local GW;

or

the set of wireless nodes for which a domain name server query comprising an identifier of the UE or of the wireless node returns the local GW.

49. A method of wireless communication, comprising:

establishing a data network connection via a wireless network;

receiving a request to deactivate the data network connection; and

initiating a request to reactivate the data network connection if a cell identifier of a current serving cell is different from a most recent cell identifier associated with the data network connection.

50. The method of claim 49, further comprising performing a handover to a neighboring cell, wherein receiving the request to deactivate results at least in part from performing the handover.

51. The method of claim 49, further comprising receiving a reactivation command for the data network connection, and comparing the cell identifier with the most recent cell identifier as a result of receiving the reactivation command.

52. The method of claim 49, wherein initiating the request further comprises determining that the current serving cell is outside of a service range of a local data network gateway supporting the data network connection.

53. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

memory for storing instructions configured to maintain packet network services in a mobile access environment;

a data processor that executes modules to implement the instructions, the modules comprising;

a connection module that receives a command to deactivate a packet network connection that is established at a selected Internet Protocol traffic offload gateway (a SIPTO gateway); and

a continuation module that initiates a request to reactivate the packet network connection if a cell identifier of a current serving cell is different from a most recent cell identifier associated with the packet network connection.

54. The apparatus of claim 53, further comprising a mobility module that detects a handover or an active link from idle state to the current serving cell, wherein receiving the command to deactivate results at least in part from the handover or the active link from idle state.

55. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the connection module receives an explicit reactivation command and triggers the continuation module in response there with.

56. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the continuation module determines that the current serving cell is outside of a service range of the SIPTO gateway.

57. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

means for establishing a data network connection via a wireless network;

means for receiving a request to deactivate the data network connection; and

means for initiating a request to reactivate the data network connection if a cell identifier of a current serving cell is different from a most recent cell identifier associated with the data network connection.

58. At least one processor configured for wireless communication, comprising:

a first module that establishes a data network connection via a wireless network;

a second module that receives a request to deactivate the data network connection; and

a third module that initiates a request to reactivate the data network connection if a cell identifier of a current serving cell is different from a most recent cell identifier associated with the data network connection.

59. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium, comprising;

a first set of code that causes a computer to establish a data network connection via a wireless network;

a second set of code that causes the computer to decode a request to deactivate the data network connection received from an entity of the wireless network; and

a third set of code that causes the computer to initiate a request to reactivate the data network connection if a cell identifier of a current serving cell is different from a most recent cell identifier associated with the data network connection.