Handling packet-based data despite packet call collisions in mobile communications

• US 7,177,321 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2002
• Issued: 02/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Bae, Jung-Gon
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, CHI HO A
• Application Number:
  US10/224,593
• Publication Number:
  US 20030064726A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,637 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/447
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support

Abstract

Packet call processing involving packet-based data transfers in a mobile communications system can handle a packet call if the mobile station has the ability to accommodate the packet call even when packet call collision occurs. Upon detecting a packet call collision between a first received packet call and a second received packet call, the mobile station determines whether a Network Service Access Point Identifier (NSAPI) is available and can be allocated to handle the second received packet call. Thus, an increased number of packet calls that can be processed simultaneously by the network and/or the mobile station so that Internet-based applications, as well as other high-speed data applications can be handled more effectively and efficiently. Such packet call collision detection and NSAPI allocation techniques are applicable to various wireless and/or mobile communications environments, such as GMS, GPRS, UTMS, etc. involving data packet transmissions whereby packet call collisions may occur.

Claims

1. A method of processing packet calls in a mobile communications system comprising a switching network and at least one mobile station, the method comprising:

detecting a packet call collision between a first packet call request and a second packet call request;

determining, in response to the detecting, whether a first identifier can be allocated to process the first packet call request and whether a second identifier can be allocated to process the second packet call request; and

handling, in response to the determining, the first and second packet call requests wherein the identifiers are Network layer Access point Identifiers (NSAPIs).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the handling comprises:

allowing the first packet call request and/or second packet call request to be processed if a first identifier and/or a second identifier can be allocated respectively thereto; and

exchanging packet data between the mobile station and the switching network in accordance with the allowing, for performing the first and/or second packet call request.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the handling comprises:

rejecting the first packet call request and/or the second packet call request

if a first identifier and/or a second identifier cannot be allocated respectively thereto; and

terminating the first packet call and/or the second packet call in accordance with the rejecting.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first packet call request is sent from the mobile station.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the second packet call request is sent from the switching network.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the packet call requests relate to activating packet data protocol (PDP) contexts.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein sixteen NSAPIs are provided for packet call processing, and eleven of the sixteen NSAPIs can be allocated.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting and determining are performed by the mobile station.

9. A method of processing packet calls in a mobile communications system comprising a switching network and at least one mobile station, the method comprising:

sending a mobile station packet call request;

receiving a switching network packet call request;

detecting a packet call collision between the packet call requests;

determining whether a Network Layer Access Point Identifier (NSAPI) can be allocated to process the switching network packet call;

sending a reply informing an acceptance of the switching network packet call if an NSAPI can be allocated, or a reply informing a rejection of the switching network packet call if an NSAPI cannot be allocated;

receiving a reply informing an acceptance of the mobile station packet call; and

exchanging packet data between the mobile station and the switching network in accordance with the sent and received replies in order to process packet calls therebetween.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the packet call requests relate to activating packet data protocol (PDP) contexts.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein sixteen NSAPIs are provided for packet call processing, and eleven of the sixteen NSAPIs can be allocated.

12. An apparatus for processing packet calls in a mobile communications system comprising a switching network and at least one mobile station, the apparatus comprising:

a detector detecting a packet call collision between a first packet call request and a second packet call request; and

a processor operatively connected with the detector for determining, in response to the detecting, whether a first identifier can be allocated to process the first packet call request and whether a second identifier can be allocated to process the second packet call request, handling, in response to the determining, the first and second packet call requests wherein the identifiers are Network layer Access point Identifiers (NSAPIs).

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the processor:

allows the first packet call request and/or second packet call request to be processed if a first identifier and/or a second identifier can be allocated respectively thereto; and

exchanges packet data between the mobile station and the switching network in accordance with the allowing, for performing the first and/or second packet call request.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the processor:

rejects the first packet call request and/or the second packet call request if a first identifier and/or a second identifier cannot be allocated respectively thereto; and

terminates the first packet call and/or the second packet call in accordance with the rejecting.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the mobile station sends the first packet call request to the switching network.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the switching network sends the second packet call request to the mobile station.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the packet call requests relate to activating packet data protocol (PDP) contexts.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein sixteen NSAPIs are provided for packet call processing, and eleven of the sixteen NSAPIs can be allocated.

19. An apparatus for processing packet calls in a mobile communications system comprising a switching network and at least one mobile station, the apparatus comprising:

a processor for sending a mobile station packet call request and receiving a switching network packet call request; and

a detector for detecting a packet call collision between the packet call requests sent and received by the processor,

wherein the processor further,

determines whether a Network Layer Access Point Identifier (NSAPI) can be allocated to process the switching network packet call;

sends a reply informing an acceptance of the switching network packet call if an NSAPI can be allocated, or a reply informing a rejection of the switching network packet call if an NSAPI cannot be allocated;

receives a reply informing an acceptance of the mobile station packet call; and

exchanges packet data between the mobile station and the switching network in accordance with the sent and received replies in order to process packet calls therebetween.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the packet call requests relate to activating packet data protocol (PDP) contexts.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein sixteen NSAPIs are provided for packet call processing, and eleven of the sixteen NSAPIs can be allocated.