Managing network-initiated quality of service setup in mobile device and network

• US 8,204,505 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2009
• Issued: 06/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Jin, Haipeng, Song, Osok, Agashe, Parag A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Appiah, Charles
• Assistant Examiner(s): KOHLMAN, CHRISTOPHER J
• Application Number:
  US12/483,638
• Publication Number:
  US 20100009690A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,103 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 455/450
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/20 Control channels or signalling for resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems

Abstract

Systems, methodologies, and devices are described that manage employment of network (NW)-initiated resource allocation and user equipment (UE)-initiated resource allocation for a UE. To employ NW-initiated resource allocation, a core network can transmit an indicator to the UE indicating that Policy and Charging Control (PCC) is supported by a network associated with the UE. The UE receives the indicator and other information, such as indicator regarding whether the current access network supports NW-initiated resource allocation and whether the current application prefers NW-initiated resource allocation, determines that NW-initiated resource allocation is to be employed, and the core network initiates resource allocation for the UE. If any indicator is not received by the UE, or the UE receives an indicator that indicates PCC is not supported or not preferred, the UE determines that UE-initiated resource allocation is to be employed, and transmits a request for resource allocation to the core network.

Claims

1. A method that facilitates communication by a mobile communication device in a wireless network environment, comprising:

receiving at least one indicator that indicates at least whether Policy and Charging Control (PCC) for network-initiated resource allocation is supported by a core network to facilitate determining whether resource allocation for the mobile communication device is to be initiated by the mobile communication device or the core network;

receiving at least one other indicator or configuration that indicates whether an application employed with the mobile communication device prefers initiation of the resource allocation by the core network; and

establishing a bearer between the mobile communication device and the core network in accordance with the resource allocation initiated by the mobile communication device or the core network based at least in part on the indicators.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining that the core network is to initiate the resource allocation for the mobile communication device based at least in part on the indicators.

3. The method of claim 1, the at least one indicator is received by the mobile communication device when an application that prefers network-initiated resource allocation but also supports mobile-communication-device-initiated resource allocation is being employed with the communication device, wherein such application is an operator controlled application.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining that the mobile communication device is to initiate the resource allocation for the mobile communication device when at least one of the at least one indicator is not received by the mobile communication device or the at least one indicator indicates that the mobile communication device is to initiate the resource allocation for the mobile communication device;

generating a request for resource allocation; and

transmitting the request for resource allocation to the core network to facilitate establishing the bearer between the mobile communication device and the core network.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

employing an application that supports only mobile-communication-device-initiated resource allocation with the mobile communication device in accordance with mobile-communication-device-initiated resource allocation based at least in part on the at least one indicator, wherein such application is operator controlled or is not operator controlled.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining that the mobile communication device is roaming;

determining that the mobile communication device is to initiate the resource allocation for the mobile communication device based at least in part on determining that the mobile communication device is roaming and the at least one indicator indicates Policy and Charging Control (PCC) is not supported by the roaming network;

generating a request for resource allocation; and

transmitting the request for resource allocation to the core network to facilitate establishing the bearer between the mobile communication device and the core network.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

employing at least one of an application supporting mobile-communication-device-initiated resource allocation or an application preferring network-initiated resource allocation but also supporting mobile-communication-device-initiated resource allocation with the mobile communication device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the resource allocation relates to Quality of Service (QoS) associated with the mobile communication device.

9. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

a memory that retains instructions related to reception of at least one indicator that indicates whether Policy and Charging Control (PCC) for network-initiated resource allocation is supported by a core network and resource allocation for a mobile communication device is to be initiated by the mobile communication device or the core network, reception of at least one other indicator that indicates whether network-initiated resource allocation is preferred by an application associated with the mobile communication device, and set up of a bearer between the mobile communication device and the core network in accordance with the resource allocation initiated by the mobile communication device or the core network based at least in part on the indicators; and

a processor, coupled to the memory, configured to execute the instructions retained in the memory.

10. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 9, wherein the application is an application that prefers network-initiated resource allocation but supports mobile-communication-device-initiated resource allocation and the application that is an operator controlled application.

11. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 9, wherein the memory retains instructions related to:

connection to an access network;

determination that the mobile communication device is to initiate the resource allocation for the mobile communication device when at least one of the indicators is not received by the mobile communication device or indicates that the mobile communication device is to initiate the resource allocation for the mobile communication device;

generation of a request for resource allocation; and

transmission of the request for resource allocation to the core network to facilitate establishing the bearer between the mobile communication device and the core network.

12. A wireless communications apparatus that facilitates communication associated with a mobile device, comprising:

means for receiving at least one indicator that indicates whether Policy and Charging Control (PCC) for network-initiated resource allocation is supported by a core network and resource allocation for the mobile device is to be initiated by the mobile device or the core network;

means for receiving at least one other indicator or configuration that indicates whether an application employed with the mobile device prefers initiation of the resource allocation by the core network; and

means for establishing a bearer between the mobile device and the core network in accordance with the resource allocation initiated by the mobile device or the core network based at least in part on the indicators.

13. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

means for determining that the mobile device is to initiate the resource allocation for the mobile device when at least one of the at least one indicator is not received by the mobile device or the at least one indicator indicates that the mobile device is to initiate the resource allocation for the mobile device;

means for generating a request for resource allocation; and

means for transmitting the request for resource allocation to the core network to facilitate establishing the bearer between the mobile device and the core network.

14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising:

a first set of codes for causing a computer to receive at least one indicator that indicates whether Policy and Charging Control (PCC) for network-initiated resource allocation is supported by a core network and resource allocation for the mobile communication device is to be initiated by the mobile communication device or the core network;

a second set of codes for causing a computer to receive at least one other indicator or configuration that indicates whether an application employed with the mobile communication device prefers initiation of the resource allocation by the core network; and

a third set of codes for causing the computer to set up a bearer between the mobile communication device and the core network in accordance with the resource allocation initiated by the mobile communication device or the core network based at least in part on the indicators.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, further comprising:

a fourth set of codes for causing a computer to determine that the mobile communication device is to initiate the resource allocation for the mobile communication device when at least one of the at least one indicator is not received by the mobile communication device or the at least one indicator indicates that the mobile communication device is to initiate the resource allocation for the mobile communication device;

a fifth set of codes for causing a computer to generate a request for resource allocation; and

a sixth set of codes for causing a computer to transmit the request for resource allocation to the core network to facilitate establishing the bearer between the mobile communication device and the core network.

16. In a wireless communications system, an apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to;

receive at least one indicator that indicates whether Policy and Charging Control (PCC) for network-initiated resource allocation is supported by a core network and resource allocation for a mobile device is to be initiated by the mobile device or the core network, and to receive at least one other indicator or configuration that indicates whether an application employed with the mobile communication device prefers initiation of the resource allocation by the core network; and

establish a bearer between the mobile device and the core network in accordance with the resource allocation initiated by the mobile device or the core network based at least in part on the at least one indicator.

17. A method that facilitates communication associated with a mobile device, comprising:

transmitting at least one indicator to the mobile device to facilitate indicating to the mobile device that Policy and Charging Control (PCC) for network-initiated resource allocation is supported and at least one of a core network is to initiate resource allocation associated with the mobile device or the mobile device is to initiate the resource allocation associated with the mobile device;

transmitting at least one other indicator or configuration to the mobile device, the at least one other indicator indicating whether network-initiated resource allocation is preferred by an application employed with the mobile device; and

establishing a bearer between the mobile device and the core network in accordance with the resource allocation initiated by the mobile device or the core network based at least in part on the indicators.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

configuring a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) for a Type 2 application, where the Type 2 application is an operator controlled application to facilitate employing network-initiated resource allocation as a preferred mode of operation but also supports mobile-device-initiated resource allocation.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

setting up a gateway control session between the Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) and a signaling gateway (SGW), associated with the core network, wherein support for network-initiated resource allocation is indicated;

setting up an internet protocol connectivity access network between the Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) and a Public Data Network Gateway (PGW), associated with the core network, wherein support for network-initiated resource allocation is indicated.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

receiving service information comprising information indicating that the Type 2 application is being employed with the mobile device;

provisioning Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rules; and

provisioning Quality of Service (QoS) rules to facilitate establishing the bearer.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

receiving service information indicating that an application supporting mobile-device-initiated resource allocation only is employed with the mobile device;

at least one of;

transmitting the at least one indicator to the mobile device, wherein the at least one indicator indicates that the Policy and Charging Control (PCC) for network-initiated resource allocation is not supported and resource allocation is to be initiated by the mobile device, or

omitting transmission of the at least one indicator to the mobile device, wherein the at least one indicator indicates that initiation of the resource allocation by the core network is supported and preferred;

determining that the mobile device is to initiate the resource allocation; and

receiving a request for the resource allocation from the mobile device to facilitate establishing the bearer.

22. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

receiving information indicating that the mobile device is roaming, wherein an application that supports mobile-device-initiated resource allocation only or an application that prefers network-initiated resource allocation but supports mobile-device-initiated resource allocation is employed with the mobile device;

determining that the mobile device is to initiate the resource allocation; and

receiving a request for the resource allocation from the mobile device to facilitate establishing the bearer.

23. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

a memory that retains instructions related to transmission of at least one indicator to a mobile device to facilitate indicating to the mobile device that Policy and Charging Control (PCC) for network-initiated resource allocation is supported and at least one of a core network is to initiate resource allocation associated with the mobile device or the mobile device is to initiate the resource allocation associated with the mobile device, transmission of at least one other indicator or configuration that indicates whether network-initiated resource allocation is preferred by an application associated with the mobile device, and establishment of a bearer between the mobile device and the core network in accordance with the resource allocation initiated by the mobile device or the core network based at least in part on the indicators; and

a processor, coupled to the memory, configured to execute the instructions retained in the memory.

24. A wireless communications apparatus that facilitates communication associated with a mobile communication device, comprising:

means for transmitting at least one indicator to the mobile communication device to facilitate indicating to the mobile communication device that Policy and Charging Control (PCC) for network-initiated resource allocation is supported and at least one of a core network is to initiate resource allocation associated with the mobile communication device or the mobile communication device is to initiate the resource allocation associated with the mobile communication device;

means for transmitting at least one other indicator or configuration to the mobile communication device, the at least one other indicator indicating whether network-initiated resource allocation is preferred by an application employed with the mobile communication device; and

means for setting up a bearer between the mobile communication device and the core network in accordance with the resource allocation initiated by the mobile communication device or the core network based at least in part on the indicators.

25. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising:

a first set of codes for causing a computer to transmit at least one indicator to a mobile communication device to facilitate indicating to the mobile communication device that Policy and Charging Control (PCC) for network-initiated resource allocation is supported and at least one of a core network is to initiate resource allocation associated with the mobile communication device or the mobile communication device is to initiate the resource allocation associated with the mobile communication device;

a second set of codes for causing a computer to transmit at least one other indicator or configuration to the mobile communication device, the at least one other indicator indicating whether network-initiated resource allocation is preferred by an application employed with the mobile communication device; and

a third set of codes for causing a computer to establish a bearer between the mobile communication device and the core network in accordance with the resource allocation initiated by the mobile communication device or the core network based at least in part on the indicators.

26. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 25, further comprising:

a fourth set of codes for causing a computer to configure a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) for a Type 2 application, where the Type 2 application is an operator controlled application to facilitate employing network-initiated resource allocation as a preferred mode of operation but also supports mobile-communication-device-initiated resource allocation.

27. The non-transitory computer-readable medium computer program product of claim 26, further comprising:

a computer readable medium comprising code for;

an fifth set of codes for causing a computer to receive service information comprising information indicating that the Type 2 application is being utilized with the mobile communication device;

a sixth set of codes for causing a computer to provision Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rules; and

a seventh set of codes for causing a computer to provision Quality of Service (QoS) rules to facilitate establishing the bearer.

28. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 25, further comprising:

a fourth set of codes for causing a computer to receive service information indicating that a Type 1 application that supports only mobile-communication-device-initiated resource allocation is utilized with the mobile communication device;

a fifth set of codes for causing a computer to at least one of;

transmit the at least one indicator to the mobile communication device, wherein the at least one indicator indicates that the resource allocation is to be initiated by the mobile communication device, or

omit transmission of the at least one indicator to the mobile communication device, wherein the at least one indicator indicates that initiation of the resource allocation by the core network is supported and preferred;

a sixth set of codes for causing a computer to determine that the mobile communication device is to initiate the resource allocation; and

a seventh set of codes for causing a computer to receive a request for the resource allocation from the mobile device to facilitate establishing the bearer.

29. In a wireless communications system, an apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to;

transmit at least one indicator to the mobile communication device to facilitate indicating to the mobile communication device that Policy and Charging Control (PCC) for network-initiated resource allocation is supported and at least one of a core network is to initiate resource allocation associated with the mobile communication device or the mobile communication device is to initiate the resource allocation associated with the mobile communication device;

transmit at least one other indicator or configuration to the mobile device indicating whether network-initiated resource allocation is preferred by an application employed with the mobile device; and

set up a bearer between the mobile communication device and the core network in accordance with the resource allocation initiated by the mobile communication device or the core network based at least in part on the indicators.