WO2011058395A1

WO2011058395A1 - Method and apparatus for network discovery and selection

Info

Publication number: WO2011058395A1
Application number: PCT/IB2009/055047
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sami Johannes Kekki
Original assignee: Nokia Corporation; Nokia Inc.
Priority date: 2009-11-12
Filing date: 2009-11-12
Publication date: 2011-05-19

Abstract

An example apparatus is provided that includes a processor and a memory storing executable instructions that in response to execution by the processor cause the apparatus to at least perform a number of operations. The operations include maintaining access network discovery information and inter-system mobility policies for radio access networks including one or more radio access networks within a public land mobile network and one or more radio access networks outside of the public land mobile network. The operations also include receiving a request or an indication of a trigger to transmit access network discovery information and/or inter-system mobility policies for one or more of the radio access networks. And the operations include preparing for transmission to user equipment, the respective access network discovery information and/or inter-system mobility policies so as to enable or assist the user equipment to discover available radio access networks and/or make inter-system mobility decisions.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR NETWORK

DISCOVERY AND SELECTION

TECHNICAL FIELD

Example embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an apparatus and method for network discovery and selection and, more particularly, relate to an apparatus and method for network discovery and selection in a heterogeneous network that includes multiple radio access technologies. BACKGROUND

The modern communications era has brought about a tremendous expansion of wireline and wireless networks. Various types of networking technologies have been developed resulting in an unprecedented expansion of computer networks, television networks, telephony networks, and the like, fueled by consumer demand. Beyond third generation (3G) wireless systems (B3G) and 4G mobile communication systems are considered to be heterogeneous networks that include multiple radio access technologies (RATs), which may be implemented by corresponding radio access networks (RANs). Examples of such multi-RAT environments include a 3G/WLAN overlay network and a 3G/2G environment.

Radio access technologies generally include mechanisms for controlling network discovery and selection within the particular technologies. Until recently, however, there has not existed a mechanism or proposed mechanism for controlling network discovery and selection in heterogeneous networks including multiple RATs.

The ETSI 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has defined an Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) within the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network of the Evolved Packet System (EPS). The ANDSF principles, architecture and functionality have been specified in 3GPP TS 23.402 as part of Release 9 of the 3 GPP system specification, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. ANDSF has been specified as an optional entity in the System

Architecture Evolution (SAE) core network architecture of the Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard. However, it is already evident that the ANDSF function will be widely used in any heterogeneous SAE environment where there are non-3 GPP radio access networks/technology (WLAN, Wimax) connected to the EPC.

In a heterogeneous network, there may be several access networks deployed within one public land mobile network (PLMN). In this regard, there generally exists an EPC per PLMN; and as currently defined, there exists an ANDSF situated in the EPC of each PLMN. Thus, the scope of the ANDSF is the given PLMN and its different access networks. In operation, the server that implements the ANDSF (i.e., the ANDSF server) may provide user equipment (UE) with different types of information including access network discovery information and inter-system mobility policies (where the included system may refer to the allowed/preferred/restricted/forbidden mobility between different access networks) for the particular EPC within which the ANDSF is located.

BRIEF SUMMARY

As indicated above in the background section, as currently defined by 3 GPP, the

ANDSF server is coupled to a given PLMN. When the subscriber roams in a PLMN, the subscriber may be assumed to be able to discover and then connect to the ANDSF of that PLMN. This ANDSF, then, may inform the subscriber's UE about RANs that are available for accessing the core network (CN) of that PLMN. When roaming, the UE may also connect with the ANDSF of the Home PLMN, but the scope of the ANDSF in the Home PLMN is also limited to the access networks connected to the CN of the H- PLMN.

There may be instances in which a number of RANs are available for a user for accessing a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet without going through any mobile operator's CN. These RANs can include, for example, anything from a single WLAN access point configured to allow free access to the Internet via an Internet Service Provider's network, to a city- wide free WiMAX access network with multiple access points offered by the municipality. Example embodiments of the present invention therefore deploy an ANDSF as a third-party service (e.g., "Internet service") hosted outside of a mobile operator's network - and hence, outside of a PLMN.

According to one aspect of example embodiments of the present invention, an apparatus is provided that includes a processor and a memory storing executable instructions that in response to execution by the processor cause the apparatus to at least perform a number of operations. The operations include maintaining access network discovery information and inter-system mobility policies for a plurality of radio access networks including one or more radio access networks within a public land mobile network and one or more radio access networks outside of the public land mobile network. More particularly, for example, the access network discovery information and inter-system mobility policies may be maintained for a plurality of radio access networks including one or more radio access networks within a first public land mobile network, one or more radio access networks within a second public land mobile network and one or more radio access networks outside of both the first and second public land mobile networks. In this regard, the apparatus may be located within a wide area network (e.g., the Internet) independent of any public land mobile network.

The operations that the apparatus is caused to perform also include receiving a request or an indication of a trigger to transmit, to a user equipment, access network discovery information and/or inter-system mobility policies for one or more of the radio access networks. And the operations include responding to the request or trigger, including preparing for transmission to the user equipment, the respective access network discovery information and/or inter-system mobility policies, where this information and/or policies enable or assist the user equipment to discover available radio access networks and/or make inter-system mobility decisions.

The maintained access network discovery information and inter-system mobility policies may further include location information defining a geographic scope of each of one or more of the access network discovery information or inter-system mobility policies. In such instances, the operations that the apparatus is caused to perform may further include receiving an indication of a geographic location of the user equipment, and determining access network discovery information and/or inter-system mobility policies as a function of the geographic location of the user equipment and the location information. The information and/or policies prepared for transmission, then, may include the respective determined information and/or policies.

The user equipment may be connected to the apparatus by a radio access network, information for which may not be included in the access network discovery information maintained by the apparatus. Thus, the apparatus being caused to maintain access network discovery information and inter-system mobility policies may further include receiving or discovering information regarding the radio access network by which the user equipment is connected to the apparatus. The apparatus may then be caused to acquire information for the respective radio access network, and add the acquired information to the maintained access network discovery information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S) Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a heterogeneous communication system according to various example embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a public land mobile network according to various example embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an apparatus that may be configured to operate within the system of FIG. 1 , according to various example embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart including various operations in a method according to various example embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Reference may be made herein to terms specific to a particular system, architecture or the like, but it should be understood that example embodiments of the present invention may be equally applicable to other similar systems, architectures or the like. For example, reference may be made to the 3GPP Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF); however, it should be understood that example embodiments of the present invention may be equally applicable to other mechanisms for controlling network discovery and selection, including both 3GPP and non-3GPP mechanisms.

The terms "data," "content," "information," and similar terms may be used interchangeably, according to some example embodiments of the present invention, to refer to data capable of being transmitted, received, operated on, and/or stored. The term "network" may refer to a group of interconnected computers or other computing devices. Within a network, these computers or other computing devices may be interconnected directly or indirectly by various means including via one or more switches, routers, gateways, access points or the like.

Further, as used herein, the term "circuitry" refers to any or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry); (b) to combinations of circuits and software (and/or firmware), such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of processor(s) or (ii) portions of processor(s)/software (including digital signal processor(s)), software and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions); and (c) to circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation, even if the software or firmware is not physically present.

This definition of "circuitry" applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term "circuitry" would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term "circuitry" would also cover, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other network device.

FIG. 1 depicts a heterogeneous communications system according to various example embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the system includes one or more public land mobile networks (PLMNs) 10 coupled to one or more other data or communication networks - notably a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet 12. Each of the PLMNs includes a core network (CN) 14 backbone such as the Evolved Packet Core (EPC); and each of the core networks and the Internet are coupled to one or more radio access networks (RANs) 16, air interfaces or the like that implement one or more radio access technologies (RATs). As also shown, and as described further below, the WAN further includes a server or other apparatus configured to implement a network discovery and selection function such as an Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) 18.

In addition, the system includes one or more mobile radio units that may be varyingly known as user equipment (UE) 20, terminal equipment, mobile station or the like. As a mobile terminal, the UE may be a mobile computer, mobile telephone, a portable digital assistant (PDA), a pager, a mobile television, a gaming device, a mobile computer, a laptop computer, a camera, a video recorder, an audio/video player, a radio, and/or a global positioning system (GPS) device, any combination of the aforementioned, or the like. In operation, these UEs may be configured to connect to one or more of the RANs 16 according to their particular RATs to thereby access a particular core network of a PLMN 10, or to access one or more of the other data or communication networks (e.g., the Internet 12). In various instances, a single UE, a dual-mode or multimode UE, may support multiple (two or more) RANs - thereby being configured to connect to multiple RANs. For example, a particular UE may support both GSM and UMTS radio access technologies.

Examples of radio access technologies include 3GPP radio access, UMTS radio access UTRAN (Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network), GSM radio access, CDMA 2000 radio access, Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) such as IEEE 802.xx networks (e.g., 802.1 la, 802.1 lb, 802.1 lg, 802.1 In, etc.), world interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) networks, IEEE 802.16, and/or wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs) such as IEEE 802.15, Bluetooth, low power versions of Bluetooth, ultra wideband (UWB), Wibree, Zigbee or the like. 3 GPP radio access technologies may include, for example, 3G or 3.9G (also referred to as UTRAN Long Term Evolution (LTE) or Super 3G) or E-UTRAN (Evolved UTRAN). Generally, a radio access technology may refer to any 2G, 3G, 4G or higher generation mobile communication technology and their different versions, as well as to any other wireless radio access technology that may be arranged to interwork with such a mobile communication technology.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a PLMN 10 is more particularly illustrated according to various example embodiments of the present invention. As shown, examples of radio access network types include GSM BSS (base station subsystem), GERAN, UTRAN and E-UTRAN. The GSM radio access network 22 contains of base transceiver stations (BTS) 24 and base station controllers (BSC) 26, which are together referred to as a BSS. Its purpose is to manage the radio link between UEs 20 and a core network 14 (e.g., EPC). This access network provides access to both Circuit Switched (CS) and Packet Switched (PS) core networks. In addition to the basic GSM technology, the GERAN, GSM/EDGE radio access network includes GPRS and EDGE technologies and can be connected to a UMTS core network, thus enabling real-time IP-based services.

The UTRAN 28, which is one of the 3rd Generation Wireless Mobile

Communication Technologies, can carry many traffic types from real-time CS to IP -based PS traffic. The UTRAN allows connectivity between the UE and the core network. UMTS may use wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA). The UTRAN contains the base stations (BSs) 30, which are called Node Bs, and radio network controllers (RNCs) 32. The RNC provides control functionalities for one or more Node Bs. A Node B and an RNC can be the same device, although typical implementations have a separate RNC located in a central office serving multiple Node Bs. Despite the fact that they do not have to be physically separated, there is a logical interface between them. The RNC and its corresponding Node Bs are called the radio network subsystem (RNS). There can be more than one RNS present in an UTRAN.

The E-UTRAN 48, which is one of the 4th Generation Wireless Mobile

Communication Technologies, can carry many traffic types of IP-based PS traffic. The E-UTRAN allows connectivity between a UE 20 and the core network. E-UTRAN may use OFDMA. The E-UTRAN contains the base stations (BSs) 49, which may be referred to as Evolved Node Bs, E-Node Bs, or eNBs.

A RAT may also be implemented as a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) 34, such as a IEEE 802.xx network. A WLAN distribution network may include a number of access points 36 and a WLAN access gateway (WAG) 38 through which the WLAN may be connected to a core network.

As also shown, a RAN may more generally include some type of network controlling/governing entity 40, such as a RNC 32 in UTRAN or BSC 26 in GSM BSC, which may be responsible for control of the BSs 30 (e.g., Node Bs) that are connected to the controller. As used herein, the term "network controller" or "network

controlling/governing entity" may refer to any network element or a set of network elements configured to use inter-RAT measurements for a network decision. Such a network controlling/governing entity may also include a BS or a Node-B. The network controlling/governing entity may include a controller 42, processor or the like

programmed to carry out radio resource management and mobility management functions, etc. The controller may be associated with a memory or database 44 for maintaining information required in the management functions. The network controlling/governing entity may include a switch unit 46 (such an Asynchronous Transfer Mode, ATM, switch) for switching connection between network elements within the RAN. The network controlling/governing entity may be connected to a Circuit Switched Core Network through e.g., Media Gateway MGW and to e.g., a Serving GPRS Support Node SGSN in a Packet Switched Core Network. Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which illustrates an apparatus 50 according to example embodiments of the present invention configured to perform the various functionalities described herein. As shown and described herein, the example apparatus may be configured to function as or otherwise implement one or more of the network elements depicted in FIGS. 1 or 2 (e.g., ANDSF 18, UE 20, BTS 24, BSC 26, BS 30, RNC 32, AP 36, WAG 38, network controlling/governing entity 40). The example apparatuses depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 may also be configured to perform example methods of the present invention, such as those described with respect to FIG. 4.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus 50 may, be embodied as, or included as a component of, a communications device with wired or wireless communications capabilities. In this regard, the apparatus may be configured to operate in accordance with the functionality of one or more network elements as described herein. The example apparatus may include or otherwise be in communication with one or more processors 52, memory devices 54, Input/Output (I/O) interfaces 56, communications interfaces 58 and/or user interfaces 60 (one of each being shown). The processor may be embodied as various means for implementing the various functionalities of example embodiments of the present invention including, for example, a microprocessor, a coprocessor, a controller, a special-purpose integrated circuit such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or a hardware accelerator, processing circuitry or the like. According to one example embodiment, the processor may be representative of a plurality of processors, or one or more multiple core processors, operating in concert. Further, the processor may be comprised of a plurality of transistors, logic gates, a clock (e.g., oscillator), other circuitry, and the like to facilitate performance of the functionality described herein. The processor may, but need not, include one or more accompanying digital signal processors. In some example embodiments, the processor is configured to execute instructions stored in the memory device or instructions otherwise accessible to the processor. The processor may be configured to operate such that the processor causes the apparatus to perform various functionalities described herein.

Whether configured as hardware or via instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium, or by a combination thereof, the processor 52 may be an entity capable of performing operations according to embodiments of the present invention while configured accordingly. Thus, in example embodiments where the processor is embodied as, or is part of, an ASIC, FPGA, or the like, the processor is specifically configured hardware for conducting the operations described herein. Alternatively, in example embodiments where the processor is embodied as an executor of instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium, the instructions specifically configure the processor to perform the algorithms and operations described herein. In some example embodiments, the processor is a processor of a specific device (e.g., a mobile terminal) configured for employing example embodiments of the present invention by further configuration of the processor via executed instructions for performing the algorithms, methods, and operations described herein.

The memory device 54 may be one or more computer-readable storage media that may include volatile and/or non- volatile memory. In some example embodiments, the memory device includes Random Access Memory (RAM) including dynamic and/or static RAM, on-chip or off-chip cache memory, and/or the like. Further, the memory device may include non-volatile memory, which may be embedded and/or removable, and may include, for example, read-only memory, flash memory, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disks, floppy disk drives, magnetic tape, etc.), optical disc drives and/or media, nonvolatile random access memory (NVRAM), and/or the like. The memory device may include a cache area for temporary storage of data. In this regard, at least a portion or the entire memory device may be included within the processor 52.

Further, the memory device 54 may be configured to store information, data, applications, computer-readable program code instructions, and/or the like for enabling the processor 52 and the example apparatus 50 to carry out various functions in accordance with example embodiments of the present invention described herein. For example, the memory device could be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processor. Additionally, or alternatively, the memory device may be configured to store instructions for execution by the processor.

The I/O interface 56 may be any device, circuitry, or means embodied in hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to interface the processor 52 with other circuitry or devices, such as the communications interface 58 and/or the user interface 60. In some example embodiments, the processor may interface with the memory device via the I/O interface. The I/O interface may be configured to convert signals and data into a form that may be interpreted by the processor. The I/O interface may also perform buffering of inputs and outputs to support the operation of the processor. According to some example embodiments, the processor and the I/O interface may be combined onto a single chip or integrated circuit configured to perform, or cause the apparatus 50 to perform, various functionalities of the present invention.

The communication interface 58 may be any device or means embodied in hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and/or transmit data from/to a network 62 (e.g., RAN 16, core network 14 such as EPC, the Internet 12, etc.) and/or any other device or module in communication with the example apparatus 50. The processor 52 may also be configured to facilitate

communications via the communications interface by, for example, controlling hardware included within the communications interface. In this regard, the communication interface may include, for example, one or more antennas, a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver and/or supporting hardware, including, for example, a processor for enabling communications. Via the communication interface, the example apparatus may communicate with various other network elements in a device-to-device fashion and/or via indirect communications.

The communications interface 58 may be configured to provide for

communications in accordance with any of a number of wired or wireless communication standards, including any of a number of different RATs. The communications interface may be configured to support communications in multiple antenna environments, such as multiple input multiple output (MIMO) environments. Further, the communications interface may be configured to support orthogonal frequency division multiplexed

(OFDM) signaling. In some example embodiments, the communications interface may be configured to communicate in accordance with various techniques including, as explained above, any of a number of 2G, 3G, 4G or higher generation mobile

communication technologies, radio frequency (RF), infrared (IrDA) or any of a number of different wireless networking techniques. The communications interface may also be configured to support communications at the network layer, possibly via Internet Protocol (IP).

The user interface 60 may be in communication with the processor 52 to receive user input via the user interface and/or to present output to a user as, for example, audible, visual, mechanical or other output indications. The user interface may include, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a display (e.g., a touch screen display), a microphone, a speaker, or other input/output mechanisms. Further, the processor may comprise, or be in communication with, user interface circuitry configured to control at least some functions of one or more elements of the user interface. The processor and/or user interface circuitry may be configured to control one or more functions of one or more elements of the user interface through computer program instructions (e.g., software and/or firmware) stored on a memory accessible to the processor (e.g., the memory device 54). In some example embodiments, the user interface circuitry is configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the apparatus 50 through the use of a display and configured to respond to user inputs. The processor may also comprise, or be in communication with, display circuitry configured to display at least a portion of a user interface, the display and the display circuitry configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of apparatus.

Returning now to FIG. 1, as indicated above, the WAN (e.g., Internet 12) may further include a server or other apparatus configured to implement a network discovery and selection function such as an ANDSF 18 (the respective server or other apparatus generally referred to herein as the "ANDSF"). As shown and described herein, the ANDSF of example embodiments of the present invention may be deployed as a third- party service (e.g., "Internet service") hosted outside of any mobile operator's network - and hence, outside of any PLMN 10. By deploying the ANDSF as a third-party service accessible on the Internet as opposed to coupling ANDSFs to particular PLMNs, example embodiments of the present invention may provide UEs 20 with increased freedom to discover RANs 16 other than the ones that may otherwise be advertised by a given PLMN 10 (e.g., RAN01 , RAN02, RAN03 as shown in FIG. 1. As a corollary, RAN operators may have increased freedom to make their Internet access points known to the general public via the ANDSF. In addition, PLMN operators may avoid the need to operate and maintain their own ANDSF, but may instead outsource this service and reduce their associated operating expenses.

As part of its service, the ANDSF 18 may be configured to maintain (in memory) and provide UEs 20 with information including access network discovery information and inter-system mobility policies, either by pushing the information to the UEs (e.g., in response to a trigger) or responding to queries from the UEs for the information. The access network discovery information may include a list of RANs 16 that are available to the UE 20 (which may include RANs for particular RATs if so requested by the UE), and, for each RAN, the particular RAT (e.g., WLAN) and RAN identifier (e.g., SSID of a WLAN). The access network discovery information may also include other technology specific information (e.g., one or more carrier frequencies) and/or validity conditions that indicate when the access network discovery information for one or more RANs (or RATs) is valid. Further, as the ANDSF may maintain information for the RANs of several PLMNs 10, for those RANs in a PLMN, the access network discovery information may include information regarding the respective PLMN, such as the PLMN identifier.

The inter-system mobility policies may be a set of predefined rules and preferences that affect inter-system mobility decisions made by a UE 20. The inter-system mobility policies may indicate a preference for certain RANs 16 (or RATs) over other RANs (or RATs), and/or may indicate a preference of one RAN identifier over another. Also, the inter-system mobility policies may indicate when inter-system mobility is allowed or restricted, such as by indicating that mobility is restricted from one RAT to another RAT, indicating that mobility is restricted when certain conditions are met, and/or indicating one or more validity conditions specifying when one or more policies are valid. The UE may utilize these policies to determine when inter-system mobility is allowed or restricted, and/or to select a desirable RAT or RAN that should be used to access the respective core network 14 (e.g., EPC).

Further, either or both the access network discovery information or inter-system mobility policies may include, either as part of their validity information or as a separate information, information that may define the geographic scope of the access network discovery information or inter-system mobility policies. This location information may specify a geographic location or area in any of a number of different manners such as, for example, by geographical coordinates (useful for GPS-enabled UEs) or a set of RF fingerprints such as PLMN identifier, tracking area, one or more cell identifiers, one or more access point identifiers, one or more service set identifiers (SSIDs) or the like. And in one more particular example embodiment, the access network discovery information may include location information in the form of specifying a geographic coverage area of the listed RANs 16.

According to example embodiments of the present invention, configuration information for the ANDSF 18 (e.g., network address), according to which the ANDSF may be accessed, may be acquired by UEs 20 in a number of different manners. For example, the configuration information may be supplied to UEs by the party offering the ANDSF service or an operator of a PLMN 10 served by the ANDSF (a PLMN for whose RANs the ANDSF provides information), such as by a configuration or other electronic message (e.g., Device Management, SMS, email). Additionally or alternatively, information about the ANDSF and/or any configuration information may be supplied via advertisements or other messages communicated on paper (e.g., newspapers), radio, television, the Internet or via other media channels.

Regardless of the manner by which the UEs 20 acquire the ANDSF's 18

configuration information, the ANDSF (or its operator - sometimes referred to herein as the service provider) and UEs (or its user) may establish a trust relationship, as may the ANDSF and any PLMNs 10 (or their operators) served by the ANDSF. This may enable users to trust that the ANDSF will treat as trusted or otherwise confidential any

information particular to the users (e.g., the users' locations), and may enable the PLMNs to trust that the ANDSF will treat as trusted or otherwise confidential any information particular to the PLMNs or their RANs (e.g., geographic coverage areas, inter-system mobility policies, etc.).

The trust relationships may be established in any of a number of different manners, such as by mutual agreement between the apparatuses or their users or operators (e.g., by entering into a legally-binding contract between the users/operators before or at the time of starting the use of ANDSF service). More particularly in the case of the user of a UE 20, for example, a configuration message that includes configuration information for the ANDSF 18 may be configured as an "invitation" that may further include conditions and/or rules of the ANDSF service, but that solicits the user's acceptance of the service. Additionally or alternatively, for example, the configuration message may direct the user to a Web site from which the user may review the conditions and/or rules, and/or may accept the service. In either instance, by accepting the service, a trust relationship may be established between the user and ANDSF.

The ANDSF service may be provided free of charge to the UEs 20 and/or PLMNs 10, or one of a number of different charging models may be applied to the service. In instances in which the UEs and/or PLMNs are charged for the service, a fee may be charged for each instance of providing information to a UE (the fee being charged to the UE or appropriate PLMN whose information is provided to the UE). Alternatively, UEs and/or PLMNs may subscribe to the service and pay a fee for the subscription. The service may be effectuated in conjunction with the user paying the fee, or alternatively (as in the case of a subscription), the ANDSF 18 may supply the user with a token, license key or the like so as to evidence the fee having been paid. As another alternative, the

ANDSF service provider may have an agreement with the user's home operator for the home operator to charge the user in the subscription bill, or the ANDSF service provider may implement an SMS-based charging (e.g., sending an "activation SMS" that is then charged accordingly). As a further variation, an ANDSF subscription may be a sellable item in any application store in the Internet 12.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart including various steps in a method that may be carried out by the apparatus 50 implementing the ANDSF 18 according to example embodiments of the invention. As shown at block 66, the method may include the ANDSF receiving a request to connect to a UE 20 for delivery of access network discovery information and/or inter-system mobility policies. The ANDSF may connect to the UE in a number of different manners, such as over the S 14 user-plane interface between the ANDSF and UE, as defined by 3 GPP (see, e.g., 3 GPP TS 23.402). As part of its service, the ANDSF 18 may then provide the UE with access network discovery information and/or inter-system mobility policies, either by pushing the information to the UE or responding to a query from the UE for the information.

In various instances the ANDSF 18 may provide the UE 20 with information for RANs 16 in the vicinity of the UE, and/or for policies relevant to the location of the UE. Otherwise, the UE may receive unrelated or non-applicable discovery information and/or policies. In one example embodiment, then, the UE may supply the ANDSF with an indication of its geographic location such as in the form of geographical coordinates or one or more RF fingerprints (e.g., PLMN identifier, tracking area, cell identifier, etc.). The UE may pass this location information to the ANDSF at one or more instances, such as at the time when the UE establishes its first connection with the ANDSF. The location information may then be updated periodically or in response to a particular trigger.

Regardless of the manner by which the ANDSF 18 receives the indication of the UE's 20 location, the ANDSF may thereafter determine access network discovery information and/or inter-system mobility policies relevant to the UE, as shown in block 68. For example, the ANDSF may determine the information and/or policies relevant to the UE by finding access network discovery information and/or inter-system mobility policies that include location information defining an area that includes the UE as reflected by the indication of its location. And in accordance with example embodiments of the present invention, the access network discovery information may include information regarding not only one or more RANs, but also information for any PLMNs within which the respective RANs are located (noting that one or more RANs may not be located within any PLMN). The ANDSF may then provide this relevant information and/or policies to the UE, as shown in block 70. The UE may then use the relevant information and/or policies to discover available RANs 16 and select a preferred RAN to which to connect, and/or to make inter-system mobility decisions, such as in a manner similar to that defined by 3 GPP.

To account for an increasing number of candidate RANs 16 that may be listed by the ANDSF 18 in access network discovery information, the ANDSF may be configured to dynamically update the access network discovery information the ANDSF maintains as the ANDSF is made aware of new RANs. When a UE 20 connects to the ANDSF, for example, the UE may be configured to report, or the ANDSF may be configured to discover, the RAN by which the UE connected to the ANDSF. In instances in which the ANDSF does not already maintain information for the RAN, the ANDSF may then be configured to acquire information for the RAN - such one or more items of access network discovery information (e.g., RAN identifier, location information, etc.), and add the information for the RAN to the access network discovery information maintained by the ANDSF. This may be accomplished, for example, by extending the S 14 interface to support the reporting of the identification of the RAN used by the UE to access the ANDSF.

According to one aspect of the example embodiments of present invention, the functions performed by the apparatus 50, such as those illustrated by FIG. 4, may be performed by various means. It will be understood that each block or operation of the flowchart, and/or combinations of blocks or operations in the flowchart, can be implemented by various means. Means for implementing the blocks or operations of the flowchart, combinations of the blocks or operations in the flowchart, or other functionality of example embodiments of the present invention described herein may include hardware, and/or a computer program product including a computer-readable storage medium having one or more computer program code instructions, program instructions, or executable computer-readable program code instructions stored therein. In this regard, program code instructions may be stored on a memory device, such as the memory device 54 of the example apparatus, and executed by a processor, such as the processor 52 of the example apparatus. As will be appreciated, any such program code instructions may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (e.g., processor, memory device, or the like) from a computer-readable storage medium to produce a particular machine, such that the particular machine becomes a means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart's block(s) or operation(s). These program code instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a processor, or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner to thereby generate a particular machine or particular article of manufacture. The instructions stored in the computer- readable storage medium may produce an article of manufacture, where the article of manufacture becomes a means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart's block(s) or operation(s). The program code instructions may be retrieved from a computer-readable storage medium and loaded into a computer, processor, or other programmable apparatus to configure the computer, processor, or other programmable apparatus to execute operations to be performed on or by the computer, processor, or other programmable apparatus. Retrieval, loading, and execution of the program code instructions may be performed sequentially such that one instruction is retrieved, loaded, and executed at a time. In some example embodiments, retrieval, loading and/or execution may be performed in parallel such that multiple instructions are retrieved, loaded, and/or executed together. Execution of the program code instructions may produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions executed by the computer, processor, or other programmable apparatus provide operations for

implementing the functions specified in the flowchart's block(s) or operation(s).

Accordingly, execution of instructions associated with the blocks or operations of the flowchart by a processor, or storage of instructions associated with the blocks or operations of the flowchart in a computer-readable storage medium, supports

combinations of operations for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one or more blocks or operations of the flowchart, and combinations of blocks or operations in the flowchart, may be implemented by special purpose hardware- based computer systems and/or processors which perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and program code instructions.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions other than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus comprising a processor and a memory storing executable instructions that in response to execution by the processor cause the apparatus to at least perform the following:

maintaining access network discovery information and inter-system mobility policies for a plurality of radio access networks including one or more radio access networks within a public land mobile network and one or more radio access networks outside of the public land mobile network;

receiving a request or an indication of a trigger to transmit, to a user equipment, one or more of access network discovery information or inter-system mobility policies for one or more of the radio access networks; and

responding to the request or trigger, including preparing for transmission to the user equipment, the respective one or more of access network discovery information or inter-system mobility policies, the respective one or more of access network discovery information or inter-system mobility policies enabling or assisting the user equipment to at least one of discover available radio access networks or make inter-system mobility decisions.

2. The apparatus of Claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is located within a wide area network independent of any public land mobile network.

3. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein maintaining access network discovery information and inter-system mobility policies comprises maintaining access network discovery information and inter-system mobility policies for a plurality of radio access networks including one or more radio access networks within a first public land mobile network, one or more radio access networks within a second public land mobile network and one or more radio access networks outside of both the first and second public land mobile networks.

4. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein maintaining access network discovery information and inter-system mobility policies includes maintaining location information defining a geographic scope of each of one or more of the access network discovery information or inter-system mobility policies, and wherein the memory stores executable instructions that in response to execution by the processor cause the apparatus to further perform the following:

receiving an indication of a geographic location of the user equipment; and determining one or more of access network discovery information or inter-system mobility policies as a function of the geographic location of the user equipment and the location information,

wherein preparing for transmission comprises preparing for transmission the respective, determined one or more of access network discovery information or inter- system mobility policies.

5. The apparatus of Claim 1 , wherein preparing for transmission comprises preparing the respective one or more of access network discovery information or inter- system mobility policies for transmission to the user equipment over a radio access network by which the user equipment is connected to the apparatus, and

wherein maintaining access network discovery information and inter-system mobility policies further comprises:

receiving or discovering information regarding the radio access network by which the user equipment is connected to the apparatus;

acquiring information for the respective radio access network; and adding the acquired information to the maintained access network discovery information.

6. An apparatus comprising a processor and a memory storing executable instructions that in response to execution by the processor cause the apparatus to at least perform the following:

preparing for transmission to a remote apparatus, a request for one or more of access network discovery information or inter-system mobility policies for one or more radio access networks, the remote apparatus being configured to maintain access network discovery information and inter-system mobility policies for a plurality of radio access networks including one or more radio access networks within a public land mobile network and one or more radio access networks outside of the public land mobile network; and

receiving and processing the respective one or more of access network discovery information or inter-system mobility policies, wherein processing the respective one or more of access network discovery information or inter-system mobility policies includes at least one of discovering available radio access networks or making inter-system mobility decisions.

7. The apparatus of Claim 6, wherein preparing the request for transmission comprises preparing the request for transmission to a remote apparatus located within a wide area network independent of any public land mobile network.

8. The apparatus of Claim 6, wherein preparing the request for transmission comprises preparing the request for transmission to a remote apparatus configured to maintain access network discovery information and inter-system mobility policies for a plurality of radio access networks including one or more radio access networks within a first public land mobile network, one or more radio access networks within a second public land mobile network and one or more radio access networks outside of both the first and second public land mobile networks.

9. The apparatus of Claim 6, wherein preparing the request for transmission comprises preparing the request for transmission to a remote apparatus configured to maintain location information defining a geographic scope of each of one or more of the access network discovery information or inter-system mobility policies, and wherein the memory stores executable instructions that in response to execution by the processor cause the apparatus to further perform the following:

preparing for transmission to the remote apparatus, an indication of a geographic location of the apparatus, the indication of the geographic location enabling the remote apparatus to determine one or more of access network discovery information or inter- system mobility policies to transmit to the apparatus as a function of the geographic location of the apparatus and the location information,

wherein receiving and processing the respective one or more of access network discovery information or inter-system mobility policies comprises receiving and processing the respective, determined one or more of access network discovery

information or inter-system mobility policies.

10. The apparatus of Claim 6, wherein preparing the request for transmission comprises preparing the request for transmission over a radio access network by which the apparatus is connected to the remote apparatus, the remote apparatus being further configured to receive or discover information regarding the respective radio access network, acquire information for the respective radio access network, and add the acquired information to the maintained access network discovery information.

1 1. A method comprising:

responding to the request or trigger, including preparing for transmission to the user equipment, the respective one or more of access network discovery information or inter-system mobility policies, the respective one or more of access network discovery information or inter-system mobility policies enabling or assisting the user equipment to at least one of discover available radio access networks or make inter-system mobility decisions,

wherein receiving and responding to the request or indication of a trigger are performed by a processor configured to receive and respond to the request or indication of a trigger.

12. The method of Claim 1 1, wherein receiving and responding to the request or indication of a trigger are performed by a processor located within a wide area network independent of any public land mobile network.

13. The method of Claim 11 , wherein maintaining access network discovery information and inter-system mobility policies comprises maintaining access network discovery information and inter-system mobility policies for a plurality of radio access networks including one or more radio access networks within a first public land mobile network, one or more radio access networks within a second public land mobile network and one or more radio access networks outside of both the first and second public land mobile networks.

14. The method of Claim 11 , wherein maintaining access network discovery information and inter-system mobility policies includes maintaining location information defining a geographic scope of each of one or more of the access network discovery information or inter-system mobility policies, and wherein the method further comprising: receiving an indication of a geographic location of the user equipment; and determining one or more of access network discovery information or inter-system mobility policies as a function of the geographic location of the user equipment and the location information,

15. The method of Claim 1 1 , wherein preparing for transmission comprises preparing the respective one or more of access network discovery information or inter- system mobility policies for transmission to the user equipment over a radio access network by which the user equipment is connected to an apparatus including the processor, and

16. A method comprising :

preparing for transmission to a remote apparatus, a request for one or more of access network discovery information or inter-system mobility policies for one or more radio access networks, the remote apparatus being configured to maintain access network discovery information and inter-system mobility policies for a plurality of radio access networks including one or more radio access networks within a public land mobile network and one or more radio access networks outside of the public land mobile network; and receiving and processing the respective one or more of access network discovery information or inter-system mobility policies,

wherein processing the respective one or more of access network discovery information or inter-system mobility policies includes at least one of discovering available radio access networks or making inter-system mobility decisions, and

wherein preparing the request for transmission, and receiving and processing the respective one or more of access network discovery information or inter-system mobility policies are performed by a processor configured to prepare the request for transmission, and receive and process the respective one or more of access network discovery information or inter-system mobility policies.

17. The method of Claim 16, wherein preparing the request for transmission comprises preparing the request for transmission to a remote apparatus located within a wide area network independent of any public land mobile network.

18. The method of Claim 16, wherein preparing the request for transmission comprises preparing the request for transmission to a remote apparatus configured to maintain access network discovery information and inter-system mobility policies for a plurality of radio access networks including one or more radio access networks within a first public land mobile network, one or more radio access networks within a second public land mobile network and one or more radio access networks outside of both the first and second public land mobile networks.

19. The method of Claim 16, wherein preparing the request for transmission comprises preparing the request for transmission to a remote apparatus configured to maintain location information defining a geographic scope of each of one or more of the access network discovery information or inter-system mobility policies, and wherein the method further comprising:

preparing for transmission to the remote apparatus, an indication of a geographic location of an apparatus including the processor, the indication of the geographic location enabling the remote apparatus to determine one or more of access network discovery information or inter-system mobility policies to transmit to the apparatus as a function of the geographic location of the apparatus and the location information, wherein receiving and processing the respective one or more of access network discovery information or inter-system mobility policies comprises receiving and processing the respective, determined one or more of access network discovery information or inter-system mobility policies.

20. The method of Claim 16, wherein preparing the request for transmission comprises preparing the request for transmission over a radio access network by which an apparatus including the processor is connected to the remote apparatus, the remote apparatus being further configured to receive or discover information regarding the respective radio access network, acquire information for the respective radio access network, and add the acquired information to the maintained access network discovery information.