System, server and method for calculating data volume of network access

• US 9,066,260 B2
• Filed: 10/18/2013
• Issued: 06/23/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
• Original Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
• Inventors: Hsu, Yu-Ching
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Tri H
• Application Number:
  US14/056,955
• Publication Number:
  US 20140119218A1
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 370229-240, 370/252, 370310-350, 370400-402, 370474-475
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1435 volume-based
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4633 Interconnection of networks using encapsulation techniques, e.g. tunneling
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing

Abstract

A calculating system is provided, which includes at least one eNB and a core network. The eNB is coupled to two mobile devices. The core network includes two servers. The first mobile device operates as a mobile access point for the second mobile device to access a computer network via the eNB and the core network. The eNB and the core network provide a charging data record (CDR) of access of the computer network of one of the two mobile devices to the second server. The first server provides separation information indicating binding relationship between a network address of the second mobile device and the other one of the two mobile devices. The second server calculates data volumes of the access of the computer network of the two mobile devices separately according to the CDR and the separation information. The second server may further bill the two mobile devices separately.

Claims

1. A calculating system for calculating data volume of network access, the calculating system comprising:

at least one eNB coupled to a first mobile device and a second mobile device; and

a core network coupled to the at least one eNB and a computer network and comprising a first server and a second server, wherein the first mobile device operates as a mobile access point (M-AP) for the second mobile device to access the computer network via the at least one eNB and the core network, the at least one eNB and the core network provide a charging data record (CDR) of access of the computer network of one of the first and second mobile devices to the second server, the first server provides to the second server separation information that indicates a binding relationship between a network address of the second mobile device and the other one of the first and second mobile devices, and the second server calculates data volumes of the access of the computer network of the first and second mobile devices separately according to the CDR and the separation information.

2. The calculating system according to claim 1, wherein the second server calculates costs incurred by the access of the computer network of the first and second mobile devices separately according to the CDR and the separation information.

3. The calculating system according to claim 1, wherein the second mobile device comprises a local access interface to communicate with the first mobile device, and the first mobile device comprises a local access interface to communicate with the second mobile device and further comprises a cellular interface to communicate with the at least one eNB.

4. The calculating system according to claim 1, wherein the core network further comprises a mobility management entity (MME), the first server provides to the MME binding information that indicates a binding relationship between the second mobile device and the first mobile device, and the MME accepts a request to establish a bearer for the second mobile device according to the binding information, wherein the bearer is exclusive resources that the core network assigns for connecting the second mobile device and the computer network.

5. The calculating system according to claim 1, wherein the first server is an authentication server, the second mobile device finds and connects to the first mobile device by an M-AP scan, the first server and the second mobile device perform an authentication procedure, and the first server assigns the network address to the second mobile device, wherein the CDR is the CDR of the first mobile device and comprises the network address of the second mobile device and an identification code of the first mobile device, and the separation information comprises the network address and an identification code of the second mobile device.

6. The calculating system according to claim 1, wherein the first server is an access network discovery and selection function server (ANDSF) and maintains an M-AP list and selects the first mobile device as the mobile access point of the second mobile device according to the M-AP list, and the M-AP list records local network information and position information of each mobile access point, wherein the position information is a position coordinate of the corresponding mobile access point or an identification code of the eNB that serves the corresponding mobile access point.

7. The calculating system according to claim 6, wherein the core network assigns the network address to the second mobile device in an attach procedure of the second mobile device.

8. The calculating system according to claim 6, wherein the first server provides to the second mobile device a local M-AP scan list according to the position information provided by the second mobile device and receives a scan report from the second mobile device, the scan report comprises a scan result of the second mobile device scanning at least one mobile access point in the local M-AP scan list, and the first server selects one of the mobile access points in the scan report as the first mobile device and sends a local connection request to the first mobile device for the second mobile device.

9. The calculating system according to claim 6, wherein the second mobile device performs an M-AP scan to provide a scan report to the first server, the scan report comprises a scan result of the second mobile device scanning at least one mobile access point, and the first server selects one of the mobile access points in the scan report as the first mobile device and sends a local connection request to the first mobile device for the second mobile device.

10. The calculating system according to claim 6, wherein the CDR is the CDR of the first mobile device and comprises the network address of the second mobile device and an identification code of the first mobile device, and the separation information comprises the network address and an identification code of the second mobile device.

11. The calculating system according to claim 6, wherein the CDR is the CDR of the second mobile device and comprises the network address of the second mobile device and an identification code of the second mobile device, and the separation information comprises a network address and an identification code of the first mobile device.

12. An authentication server, comprising:

a communication interface adapted for communicating with a first mobile device and a second mobile device, wherein the first mobile device operates as a mobile access point (M-AP) for the second mobile device to access a computer network via at least one eNB, a core network, and the authentication server; and

a processor coupled to the communication interface and performing a registration and authentication procedure via the first mobile device with the second mobile device and acquiring binding information according to the registration and authentication procedure, wherein the binding information indicates a binding relationship between the second mobile device and the first mobile device, and wherein the processor generates a charging data record (CDR) of access of the computer network of the first and second mobile devices and separately calculates data volumes of the access of the computer network of the first and second mobile devices according to the CDR and the binding information.

13. The authentication server according to claim 12, wherein the processor maintains an M-AP list and selects the first mobile device as the mobile access point of the second mobile device according to the M-AP list, and the M-AP list records local network information and position information of each mobile access point, wherein the position information is a position coordinate of the corresponding mobile access point or an identification code of the eNB that serves the corresponding mobile access point.

14. The authentication server according to claim 13, wherein the processor provides to the second mobile device a local M-AP scan list according to the position information provided by the second mobile device and receives a scan report from the second mobile device, the scan report comprises a scan result of the second mobile device scanning at least one mobile access point in the local M-AP scan list, and the processor selects one of the mobile access points in the scan report as the first mobile device.

15. The authentication server according to claim 13, wherein the processor receives a scan report generated by an M-AP scan performed by the second mobile device, the scan report comprises a scan result of the second mobile device scanning at least one mobile access point, and the processor selects one of the mobile access points in the scan report as the first mobile device.

16. The authentication server according to claim 12, wherein the processor assigns a network address to the second mobile device after the registration and authentication procedure, and calculates costs incurred by the access of the computer network of the first and second mobile devices separately according to the CDR and the binding information.

17. The authentication server according to claim 16, wherein the second mobile device and the computer network transmit data to each other via an Internet Protocol (IP) in IP tunnel between the first mobile device and the authentication server, and the processor performs an IP in IP tunnel decapsulation of an uplink packet and an IP in IP tunnel encapsulation of a downlink packet.

18. The authentication server according to claim 17, wherein the first mobile device performs the IP in IP tunnel encapsulation of the uplink packet and the IP in IP tunnel decapsulation of the downlink packet.

19. A calculating method for calculating data volume of network access, the calculating method comprising:

providing a charging data record (CDR) of access of a computer network of one of a first mobile device and a second mobile device, wherein the first mobile device operates as a mobile access point (M-AP) for the second mobile device to access the computer network via at least one eNB and a core network;

providing separation information, wherein the separation information indicates a binding relationship between a network address of the second mobile device and the other one of the first and second mobile devices; and

calculating data volumes of the access of the computer network of the first and second mobile devices separately according to the CDR and the separation information.

20. The calculating method according to claim 19, further comprising:

calculating costs incurred by the access of the computer network of the first and second mobile devices separately according to the CDR and the separation information.

21. The calculating method according to claim 19, further comprising:

providing binding information that indicates a binding relationship between the second mobile device and the first mobile device; and

accepting a request to establish a bearer for the second mobile device according to the binding information, wherein the bearer is exclusive resources that the core network assigns for connecting the second mobile device and the computer network.

22. The calculating method according to claim 19, further comprising:

performing an authentication procedure with the second mobile device, and assigning the network address to the second mobile device, wherein the CDR is the CDR of the first mobile device and comprises the network address of the second mobile device and an identification code of the first mobile device, and the separation information comprises the network address and an identification code of the second mobile device.

23. The calculating method according to claim 19, further comprising:

maintaining an M-AP list; and

selecting the first mobile device as the mobile access point of the second mobile device according to the M-AP list, wherein the M-AP list records local network information and position information of each mobile access point, and the position information is a position coordinate of the corresponding mobile access point or an identification code of the eNB that serves the corresponding mobile access point.

24. The calculating method according to claim 23, further comprising:

assigning the network address to the second mobile device in an attach procedure of the second mobile device.

25. The calculating method according to claim 23, further comprising:

providing to the second mobile device a local M-AP scan list according to the position information provided by the second mobile device;

receiving a scan report from the second mobile device, wherein the scan report comprises a scan result of the second mobile device scanning at least one mobile access point in the local M-AP scan list;

selecting one of the mobile access points in the scan report as the first mobile device; and

sending a local connection request to the first mobile device for the second mobile device.

26. The calculating method according to claim 23, further comprising:

receiving a scan report generated by an M-AP scan performed by the second mobile device, wherein the scan report comprises a scan result of the second mobile device scanning at least one mobile access point;

selecting one of the mobile access points in the scan report as the first mobile device; and

sending a local connection request to the first mobile device for the second mobile device.

27. The calculating method according to claim 23, wherein the CDR is the CDR of the first mobile device and comprises the network address of the second mobile device and an identification code of the first mobile device, and the separation information comprises the network address and an identification code of the second mobile device.

28. The calculating method according to claim 23, wherein the CDR is the CDR of the second mobile device and comprises the network address of the second mobile device and an identification code of the second mobile device, and the separation information comprises a network address and an identification code of the first mobile device.

29. A calculating method for calculating data volume of network access, executed by an authentication server, the calculating method comprising:

performing a registration and authentication procedure via a first mobile device with a second mobile device, wherein the first mobile device operates as a mobile access point (M-AP) for the second mobile device to access a computer network via at least one eNB and a core network;

acquiring binding information according to the registration and authentication procedure, wherein the binding information indicates a binding relationship between the second mobile device and the first mobile device;

generating a charging data record (CDR) of access of the computer network of the first and second mobile devices; and

separately calculating data volumes of the access of the computer network of the first and second mobile devices according to the CDR and the binding information.

30. The calculating method according to claim 29, further comprising:

maintaining an M-AP list; and

selecting the first mobile device as the mobile access point of the second mobile device according to the M-AP list, wherein the M-AP list records local network information and position information of each mobile access point, and the position information is a position coordinate of the corresponding mobile access point or an identification code of the eNB that serves the corresponding mobile access point.

31. The calculating method according to claim 30, further comprising:

providing to the second mobile device a local M-AP scan list according to the position information provided by the second mobile device;

receiving a scan report from the second mobile device, wherein the scan report comprises a scan result of the second mobile device scanning at least one mobile access point in the local M-AP scan list; and

selecting one of the mobile access points in the scan report as the first mobile device.

32. The calculating method according to claim 30, further comprising:

receiving a scan report generated by an M-AP scan performed by the second mobile device, wherein the scan report comprises a scan result of the second mobile device scanning at least one mobile access point; and

selecting one of the mobile access points in the scan report as the first mobile device.

33. The calculating method according to claim 29, further comprising:

assigning a network address to the second mobile device after the registration and authentication procedure; and

calculating costs incurred by the access of the computer network of the first and second mobile devices separately according to the CDR and the binding information.

34. The calculating method according to claim 33, wherein the second mobile device and the computer network transmit data to each other via an Internet Protocol (IP) in IP tunnel between the first mobile device and the authentication server, and the calculating method further comprises:

performing an IP in IP tunnel decapsulation of an uplink packet and an IP in IP tunnel encapsulation of a downlink packet.

35. The calculating method according to claim 34, wherein the first mobile device performs the IP in IP tunnel encapsulation of the uplink packet and the IP in IP tunnel decapsulation of the downlink packet.