Access system for an access network

• US 7,551,576 B2
• Filed: 10/26/2001
• Issued: 06/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Ahmavaara, Kalle
• Primary Examiner(s): Kizou; Hassan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rutkowski; Jeffrey M
• Application Number:
  US10/467,276
• Publication Number:
  US 20040068571A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,797 Days
• Field of Search: 370/328, 370/352, 370/356, 370/401, 370/419, 455/422.1, 455/424, 455/432.1, 455/437
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/50 for cross-charging network operators
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/55 for hybrid networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/204 UMTS; GPRS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2046 Hybrid network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/52 Interconnection, inter-exchange, reseller billing, billing agreements between different operators, e.g. billing identifier added on the CDR in order to cross charge the other operator, inter-operator accounting, reconciliation, bill directly resellers customers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 Reselecting a network or an air interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/1446 wherein at least one of the networks is unlicensed
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/00 Wireless network protocols or protocol adaptations to wireless operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/14 between access point controllers and backbone network device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method, system and device for providing access from a terminal device (1) to a second access network (8). To achieve this an access network device (3) belonging to an first access network (12) stores a second access network information comprising information of second access network(s) (8) accessible from the first access network (12). Communication means between the terminal device and and the first access network are established and the second access network information is delivered to the terminal device (1). The terminal device (1) accesses the second access network (8) via the first access network (12). The accessing is done based on the second access network information delivered to said terminal device (1). Thereby, service functions of the second access network, e.g. UMTS services, can be distributed via any other access network and existing broadband or high-speed access networks can be implemented in new cellular network structures. A huge capacity enhancement can thus be offered to the network operators of the cellular network without any standardization effort or license fee and at very small investment and maintenance costs.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

storing second access network information in an access network device belonging to a first access network, said second access network information comprising information of at least one second access network accessible from said first access network;

establishing communication between a terminal device and said first access network;

delivering the second access network information from said access network device to said terminal device; and

providing access from the terminal device to the second access network, wherein said providing comprises accessing said second access network via said first access network, said accessing done based on the second access network information delivered to said terminal device,

wherein said second access network information comprises a list of public land mobile network identifiers of accessible second access networks.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said terminal device is connected to the first access network via an access device and said establishing of communication comprises an establishment of the radio interface connection between said terminal device and said access device.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

allocating an internet protocol address to the terminal device.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said first access network uses wireless local area network, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing or personal area network -based radio technology.

5. A method comprising:

storing second access network information in an access network device belonging to a first access network, said second access network information comprising information of one or more second access networks accessible from said first access network;

establishing communication between a terminal device and said first access network;

delivering the second access network information from said access network device to said terminal device; and

providing access from a terminal device to a second access network, wherein said providing comprises accessing said second access network via said first access network, said accessing done based on the second access network information delivered to said terminal device,

wherein said second access network information comprises internet protocol address of a service node.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein said terminal device is connected to the first access network via an access device and said establishing of communication comprises an establishment of the radio interface connection between said terminal device and said access device.

7. A method according to claim 5, wherein the method further comprises allocating an internet protocol address to the terminal device.

8. A method according to claim 5, wherein said first access network uses wireless local area network, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing or personal area network -based radio technology.

9. A method comprising:

storing second access network information in an access network device belonging to a first access network, said second access network information comprising information of a second access network accessible from said first access network;

establishing communication between a terminal device and said first access network;

delivering the second access network information from said access network device to said terminal device; and

providing access from the terminal device to the second access network comprising accessing said second access network via said first access network, said accessing done based on the second access network information delivered to said terminal device,

wherein said second access network information comprises system information package from each accessible second access network.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein said terminal device is connected to the first access network via an access device and said establishing of communication comprises an establishment of the radio interface connection between said terminal device and said access device.

11. A method according to claim 9, wherein the method further comprises allocating an internet protocol address to the terminal device.

12. A method according to claim 9, wherein said first access network uses wireless local area network, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing or personal area network -based radio technology.

13. A method comprising:

storing second access network information in an access network device belonging to a first access network, said second access network information comprising information of a second access network accessible from said first access network;

establishing communication between a terminal device and said first access network;

delivering the second access network information from said access network device to said terminal device; and

providing access from a terminal device to a second access network, wherein said providing comprises accessing said second access network via said first access network, said accessing done based on the second access network information delivered to said terminal device,

wherein said accessing of the second access network comprises establishing a connection between the terminal device and a service node of the second access network, and

wherein said connection is used to transport radio resource control connection between the terminal device and the service node.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein said connection is maintained as long as the terminal device is in the coverage area of the first access network.

15. A method comprising:

storing second access network information in an access network device belonging to a first access network, said second access network information comprising information of a second access network accessible from said first access network;

establishing communication between a terminal device and said first access network;

delivering the second access network information from said access network device to said terminal device; and

providing access from a terminal device to a second access network, wherein said providing comprises;

accessing said second access network via said first access network, said accessing done based on the second access network information delivered to said terminal device, and

handing over between a first and a second access devices by;

abandoning the communication between the first access device and the terminal device,

establishing a new communication between the second access device and the terminal device, and

sending a signaling message to a service node from the terminal device.

16. A method comprising:

storing second access network information in an access network device belonging to a first access network, said second access network information comprising information of a second access network accessible from said first access network;

establishing communication between a terminal device and said first access network;

delivering the second access network information from said access network device to said terminal device; and

providing access from a terminal device to a second access network, wherein said providing comprises;

accessing said second access network via said first access network, said accessing done based on the second access network information delivered to said terminal device, and

handing over from a first to a second access devices by;

abandoning the communication between the first access device and the terminal device,

establishing a new communication between the second access device and the terminal device,

allocating an internet protocol address to the terminal device,

delivering of second access network information to the terminal device, and

sending a signaling message to a new service node from the terminal device.

17. A method comprising:

storing second access network information in an access network device belonging to a first access network, said second access network information comprising information of a second access network accessible from said first access network;

establishing communication between a terminal device and said first access network;

delivering the second access network information from said access network device to said terminal device; and

providing access from a terminal device to a second access network comprising accessing said second access network via said first access network, said accessing done based on the second access network information delivered to said terminal device,

wherein the data transmitted between said terminal device and said second access network comprises of protocol data units, and

wherein said protocol data units are radio link control data units.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the protocol data units are multiplexed into a data stream between the second access network and terminal device by a multiplexing protocol.

19. A method according to claim 17, wherein the protocol data units are transported over the first access network via a user datagram protocol/internet protocol tunnel.

20. A system comprising:

a first access network configured to provide communications to a terminal device; and

an access network node belonging to said first access network, said access network node configured to provide access from the terminal device to a second access network accessible from said first access network and further configured to store and deliver second access network information to said terminal device, said second access network information comprising information of the second access network,

wherein said second access network information comprises information configured to enable the terminal device to access said second access network via said first access network, wherein said second access network information comprises a list of public land mobile network identifiers of accessible second access networks.

21. A system according to claim 20, wherein said first access network further comprises an access device configured to connect said terminal device to the first access network according to the access specifications of said first access network.

22. A system according to claim 21, further comprising an establishment of the radio interface connection between said terminal device and said access device.

23. A system according to claim 20, wherein said first access network is configured to use wireless local area network, personal area network, or orthogonal frequency division multiplexing based radio technology.

24. A system comprising:

a first access network configured to provide communications to a terminal device; and

an access network node belonging to said first access network, wherein said access network node is configured to provide access from the terminal device to a second access network accessible from said first access network and to store and deliver second access network information to said terminal device, said second access network information comprising information of said second access network;

wherein said second access network information comprises information enabling the terminal device to access said second access network via said first access network, wherein said second access network information comprises internet protocol address of a service node.

25. A system according to claim 24, wherein said first access network further comprises an access device configured to connect said terminal device to the first access network according to the access specifications of said first access network.

26. A system according to claim 25 further comprising a radio interface connection established between said terminal device and said access device.

27. A system according to claim 24, wherein said first access network is configured to use wireless local area network, personal area network, or orthogonal frequency division multiplexing based radio technology.

28. A system comprising:

a first access network configured to provide communications to a terminal device; and

an access network node belonging to said first access network and configured to provide access from the terminal device to second access networks accessible from said first access network and to store and deliver second access network information to said terminal device, said second access network information comprising information of the second access networks,

wherein said second access network information comprises information configured to enable the terminal device to access each of said second access networks via said first access network, wherein said second access network information comprises system information package from each of said accessible second access networks.

29. A system according to claim 28, wherein said first access network further comprises an access device configured to connect said terminal device to the first access network according to the access specifications of said first access network.

30. A system according to claim 29 further comprising a radio interface connection established between said terminal device and said access device.

31. A system according to claim 28, wherein said first access network is configured to use wireless local area network, personal area network, or orthogonal frequency division multiplexing based radio technology.

32. A system comprising:

a first access network configured to provide communications to a terminal device; and

an access network node belonging to said first access network, wherein said access network node is configured to provide access from the terminal device to a second access network accessible from said first access network and to store and deliver second access network information to said terminal device, said second access network information comprising information of said second access network; and

said second access network information comprising information enabling the terminal device to access said second access network via said first access network, wherein said access network device is configured to allocate an internet protocol address to the terminal device.

33. A system comprising:

a first access network configured to provide communications to a terminal device; and

an access network node belonging to said first access network, wherein said access network node is configured to provide access from the terminal device to second access networks and to store and deliver second access network information to said terminal device, said second access network information comprising information of one of said second access networks that is accessible from said first access network; and

said second access network information comprising information enabling the terminal device to access said accessible second access network via said first access network,

wherein said accessing said second access network comprises establishing of a connection between said terminal device and a service node of said accessible second access network; and

wherein said connection is configured for radio resource control connection between said terminal device and said accessible service node.

34. A system according to claim 33, wherein said connection is maintained as long as said terminal device is in the coverage area of said first access network.

35. A system, comprising:

a first access network configured to provide communications to a terminal device; and

an access network node belonging to said first access network, wherein said access network node is configured to providing access from the terminal device to a second access network accessible from said first access network and to store and deliver second access network information to said terminal device, said second access network information comprising information of said second access network; and

said second access network information comprising information enabling the terminal device to access said second access network via said first access network,

wherein data transmitted between said terminal device and said second access networks comprises of protocol data units; and

wherein said protocol data units are radio link control data units.

36. A system according to claim 35, wherein said service node and the terminal device are configured to multiplex said protocol data units into a data stream between said service node and said terminal device by a multiplexing protocol.

37. A system according to claim 35, wherein said protocol data units are transported over said first access network via a user datagram protocol/internet protocol tunnel.

38. An apparatus, comprising:

storage configured to store second access network information; and

communications circuitry configured to enable a terminal device connected to a first access network to access a second access network accessible from the first access network and configured to deliver said second access network information to said terminal device, said second access network information comprising information of said second access network; and

said

second access network information comprising information enabling the terminal device to access said second access network via said first access network;

wherein said second access network information comprises a list of public land mobile network identifiers of accessible second access networks.

39. An apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said apparatus belongs to said first access network.

40. An apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said apparatus is configured to allocate an address to said terminal device.

41. An apparatus comprising:

storage configured to store a second access network information; and

a transceiver configured to enable access from a terminal device connected to a first access network to a second access network accessible from the first access network and further configured to deliver said second access network information to said terminal device, said second access network information comprising information of said second access network, wherein said second access network information comprising information enabling the terminal device to access said second access network via said first access network;

wherein said second access network information comprises internet protocol address of a service node.

42. An apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said apparatus belongs to said first access network.

43. An apparatus comprising:

memory configured to store a second access network information; and

communications circuitry configured to enable access from a terminal device connected to a first access network, to a second access network accessible from the first access network and further configured to deliver said second access network information to said terminal device, said second access network information comprising information of said second access network, wherein said second access network information comprising information enabling the terminal device to access said second access network via said first access network;

wherein said second access network information comprises system information package from each accessible second access network.

44. An apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said apparatus belongs to said first access network.