Access network discovery and selection and internet protocol multimedia system service architecture

• US 8,185,152 B1
• Filed: 06/11/2009
• Issued: 05/22/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Marvell Asia Pte Limited (Marvell Technology Group Limited)
• Original Assignee: Marvell International Limited (Marvell Technology Group Limited)
• Inventors: Goldner, Alla
• Primary Examiner(s): Afshar, Kamran
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rod, Yousef
• Application Number:
  US12/482,545
• Time in Patent Office: 1,076 Days
• Field of Search: 455/552.1, 455/553.1, 455/436, 455/437, 455/444, 370/331, 370/329, 370/338, 370/282, 370/360, 370/408
• US Class Current: 455/552.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service

Abstract

An access network discovery and selection (ANDSF) module includes a first transceiver that receives an service continuity signal from a service centralization and continuity application server (SCC AS). A first control module generates a preference and policy information signal based on the service continuity signal. The preference and policy information signal includes a list of access networks available for selection by a service request device (SRD). The first transceiver transmits the preference and policy information signal from the ANDSF module to the SRD.

Claims

1. An access network discovery and selection module comprising:

a first transceiver configured to receive a service continuity signal from a service centralization and continuity application server via a first interface, wherein the first interface is connected between the service centralization and continuity application server and the access network discovery and selection module; and

a first control module configured to generate a preference and policy information signal based on the service continuity signal, wherein the preference and policy information signal includes a list of access networks available for selection by a service request device,

wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit the preference and policy information signal from the access network discovery and selection module to the service request device via a second interface, and wherein the second interface is connected between the access network discovery and selection module and the service request device.

2. The access network discovery and selection module of claim 1, wherein the service centralization and continuity application server is configured to generate the service continuity signal to maintain an active session of the service request device during at least one of a handover and a session transfer.

3. The access network discovery and selection module of claim 1, wherein the service centralization and continuity application server is configured to generate the service continuity signal to maintain:

packet switched to circuit switched service continuity using Internet protocol multimedia system centralized services;

packet switched to packet switched service continuity between a 3^rd generation access network and a non-3^rd generation access network;

or

packet switched to packet switched service continuity in conjunction with packet switched to circuit switched service continuity.

4. The access network discovery and selection module of claim 1, wherein (i) the first transceiver is configured to receive the service continuity signal and (ii) the first control module is configured to generate the preference and policy information signal based on an indication of a handover of the service request device between a first access network and a second access network.

5. The access network discovery and selection module of claim 1, wherein:

the first transceiver is configured to receive the service continuity signal based on an indication of a session transfer of the service request device;

or

the first control module is configured to generate the preference and policy information signal based on an indication of a session transfer of the service request device.

6. The access network discovery and selection module of claim 1, wherein the service continuity signal is an Internet protocol multimedia system service continuity signal.

9. The access network discovery and selection module of claim 1 wherein at least one of:

the first transceiver is configured to receive the service continuity signal based on use of an Internet protocol multimedia system level mechanism to maintain service continuity for the service request device; and

the first control module is configured to generate the preference and policy information signal based on use of an IMS-Internet protocol multimedia system level mechanism to maintain service continuity for the service request device.

12. The access network discovery and selection module of claim 1, wherein the service continuity signal comprises at least one of load balancing information and operator access network type preferences.

13. The ANDSF access network discovery and selection module of claim 1, wherein the preference and policy information signal comprises inter-system mobility policy information and access network discovery information.

14. The access network discovery and selection module of claim 1, wherein the preference and policy information signal comprises validity conditions.

15. The access network discovery and selection module of claim 14, wherein the validity conditions indicate when access network discovery information is valid and locations where the access network discovery information applies to the service request device.

16. The access network discovery and selection module of claim 14, wherein the preference and policy information signal comprises:

access types available to the service request device;

access identifications for an access type; and

an indication of whether mobility is permitted for the service request device.

17. A network system comprising:

the access network discovery and selection module of claim 1; and

the service centralization and continuity application server,

wherein the service centralization and continuity application server comprises a second control module configured to transmit the service continuity signal to the access network discovery and selection module via a second transceiver.

18. A network system comprising;

the access network discovery and selection module of claim 1; and

the service request device,

wherein the service request device comprises;

a second transceiver configured to receive the preference and policy information signal; and

a second control module configured to select an access network based on the preference and policy information signal.

7. An access network discovery and selection module comprising:

a first transceiver configured to receive a service continuity signal from a service centralization and continuity application server; and

a first control module configured to generate a preference and policy information signal based on the service continuity signal, wherein the preference and policy information signal includes a list of access networks available for selection by a service request device,

wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit the preference and policy information signal from the access network discovery and selection module to the service request device, and

wherein at least one of (i) the first transceiver is configured to receive the service continuity signal and (ii) the first control module is configured to generate the preference and policy information signal based on an indication of an Internet protocol address change of the service request device.

8. The access network discovery and selection module of claim 7, wherein:

the first control module is configured to generate the preference and policy information signal when the indication is true, and

the first control module is configured to not generate the preference and policy information signal when the indication is false.

10. An access network discovery and selection module comprising:

a first transceiver configured to receive a service continuity signal from a service centralization and continuity application server; and

a first control module configured to generate a preference and policy information signal based on the service continuity signal, wherein the preference and policy information signal includes a list of access networks available for selection by a service request device,

wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit the preference and policy information signal from the access network discovery and selection module to the service request device,

wherein

the first transceiver is configured to receive the service continuity signal based on use of an Internet protocol multimedia system level mechanism to maintain service continuity for the service request device, or

the first control module is configured to generate the preference and policy information signal based on use of an Internet protocol multimedia system level mechanism to maintain service continuity for the service request device,

wherein the first control module is configured to generate the preference and policy information signal when the Internet protocol multimedia system level mechanism is used to maintain service continuity of the service request device, and

wherein the first control module is configured to not generate the preference and policy information signal when the Internet protocol multimedia system level mechanism is not used to maintain service continuity of the service request device.

11. An access network discovery and selection module comprising:

a first transceiver configured to receive a service continuity signal from a service centralization and continuity application server; and

a first control module configured to generate a preference and policy information signal based on the service continuity signal, wherein the preference and policy information signal includes a list of access networks available for selection by a service request device,

wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit the preference and policy information signal from the access network discovery and selection module to the service request device, and

wherein the first control module is configured to generate the preference and policy information signal independent of the service continuity signal and based on at least one of (i) an indication of an Internet protocol address change of the service request device and (ii) use of an Internet protocol multimedia system level mechanism to maintain service continuity of the service request device.