Mobile Device and Method

• US 20110306386A1
• Filed: 06/09/2011
• Published: 12/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carnegie Technologies UK Co.
• Original Assignee: ROKE Manor Research Limited (Chemring Group PLC)
• Inventors: CENTOZA, Angelo, Toner, Ben, Morris, Richard, Barraclough, Kristan, Hewson, Graham, Pridham, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 8,948,810 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/552.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0893 Assignment of logical groups to network elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0894 Policy-based network configuration management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/53 using third party service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0289 Congestion control load shedding arrangements in network planning H04W16/08; performing reselection for handling the traffic H04W36/22; wireless traffic scheduling H04W72/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/52 based on load
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/04 Registration at HLR or HSS [Home Subscriber Server]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

Systems, methods and a mobile device for using policy defined by the operator to control the interfaces on which data is sent and received by the device are provided. The policy can be dynamically updated by the operator, by pushing new policy to the device for implementation. The policy can define that the device should switch certain data between two or more available interfaces at certain times, or when certain data may be sent or received over a particular interface. The device may receive new policy from the operator in order to help with the operator'"'"'s own operational objectives, such as traffic shaping or other traffic limitation to ease congestion or enforce service agreements. A policy implementing corresponding traffic limitation or shaping on the air interface between the mobile device and network base stations can be sent to the mobile device so as to reduce signaling congestion on the air-interface.

Claims

1. A method of operating a mobile device, the mobile device comprising at least a first physical networked interface and a control module;

wherein the interface is adapted to send or receive data from a data source;

the method comprising;

transferring data from the data source through the first physical networked interface;

in the control module receiving a configuration update from a third party, the configuration update comprising a third party defined policy that indicates to the mobile device one or more data transfer adaptation rules including data characteristics relating to data the transfer of which through the first physical networked interface is to be adapted; and

adapting the transfer of data through the first physical networked interface in response to the received third party defined policy;

wherein the data transfer adaptation rules in the third party defined policy are set so as to cause the mobile device to operate so as to support operational objectives of the third party.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the mobile device further comprises at least a second physical networked interface, the first and second interfaces adapted to send or receive data from one or more data sources, the method further comprising:

in response to the received third party defined policy, initiating a connection through the second interface; and

transferring data in accordance with the data characteristics defined in the third party defined policy through the second interface.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the adapting further comprises blocking the transfer of data having the characteristics defined in the third party defined policy through one of the physical interfaces on the mobile device.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the data characteristics define one or more of:

i) a particular type of data;

ii) a period of time for which the transfer of data is to be adapted;

iii) a location at which the transfer of data is to be adapted;

iv) data associated with a particular application that requests or generates data.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the third party is a service provider running a server with which the mobile device interacts by transmitting data relating to the service, and a service provider defined policy is received from the server as the third party defined policy when the service provider wishes to vary characteristics of the data transferred from the mobile device to the server.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the third party is a network operator, and a network operator defined policy is received from the network operator as the third party defined policy when the network operator is engaging in traffic shaping or other traffic limitation measures, the policy defining data characteristics of data traffic that the network wishes to limit.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the third party defined policy is an XML file comprising policy condition definitions and policy action definitions.

8. A method according to claim 2, wherein the first interface comprises a cellular interface and the second interface comprises a WIFI or WIMAX interface.

9. A method of traffic shaping in a mobile communications network, comprising:

determining that a traffic shaping condition is met; and

in response to the determination, initiating traffic shaping measures,

wherein the traffic shaping measures comprise

sending a configuration update to a mobile device wirelessly connected to the network via a first physical network interface, the configuration update comprising a network operator defined policy that indicates to the mobile device one or more data transfer adaptation rules including one or more data characteristics, the data characteristics relating to data the transfer of which through the first physical networked interface is to be adapted.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the network operator defined policy indicates the characteristics of data that is to be sent from the mobile device via a second physical networked interface on the device.

11. A method according to claim 9, wherein the network operator defined policy indicates the characteristics of data that is to be blocked from being transferred through the first physical interface to the mobile network.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the data characteristics define one or more of:

i) a particular type of data;

ii) a period of time for which the transfer of data is to be adapted;

iii) a location at which the transfer of data is to be adapted;

iv) data associated with a particular application that requests or generates data.

13. A method according to claim 9, wherein the network operator defined policy is an XML file comprising policy condition definitions and policy action definitions.

14. A method according to claim 10, wherein the first interface comprises a cellular interface and the second interface comprises a WIFI or WIMAX interface.

15. A mobile device, comprising:

at least a first physical networked interface adapted to transfer data from a data source; and

a control module arranged to receive a configuration update from a third party, the configuration update comprising a third party defined policy that indicates to the mobile device one or more data transfer adaptation rules including one or more data characteristics, the data characteristics relating to data the transfer of which through the first physical networked interface is to be adapted;

wherein the first physical networked interface is further arranged to adapt the transfer of data therethrough in response to the received third party defined policy.

16. A mobile device according to claim 15, the mobile device further comprises at least a second physical networked interface, the first and second interfaces adapted to send or receive data from one or more data sources, wherein in use in response to the received third party defined policy the mobile devices initiates a connection through the second interface and transfers data having the data characteristics defined in the third party defined policy through the second interface.