National traffic steering device for a better control of a specific wireless/LTE network

This technology discloses a controlling and steering device for maintaining national connection between a mobile device of a subscriber and a mobile network. The system comprises: a tracing module, a steering logic module and a communication module. The tracing module is configured to: (i) periodically sample a mobile device of a subscriber or a location of the mobile device; and (ii) check amount of data sent and received from the mobile device is below a specified threshold. The steering logic module is configured to determine if a national connection between a mobile device of a subscriber via a Mobility Management Entity (MME) and a mobile network via a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) is permitted and wherein the communication module is arranged to send and receive messages from HSS to MME and from MME to HSS.

FIELD

This technology relates generally to national connection steering of mobile device subscribers to a preferred Mobile network to reduce costs of roaming. More particularly, this technology relates to a national controlling and steering device for maintaining a mobile device of a subscriber connected to a specific network.

SUMMARY

This technology provides a controlling and steering device for maintaining national connection between a mobile device of a subscriber and a mobile network. An example of the system comprises: a steering logic module configured to determine when a national connection between a mobile device of a subscriber via a Mobility Management Entity (MME) and a mobile network via a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) is permitted; a communication module is arranged to send and receive messages from HSS to MME and from MME to HSS; and a tracing module configured to periodically sample a mobile device of a subscriber or a location of the mobile device and to check amount of data sent and received from the mobile device is below a specified threshold. The redirection of mobile device is enabled in case the amount of data sent and received from the mobile device exceeds a predefined maximum threshold or precedes a predefined minimum threshold, by initiating a cancel Packet Data Protocol (PDP) procedure to move the terminal into an idle mode and scanning for available mobile networks.

According to some examples of this technology the redirection is enabled after verifying the device home network coverage, capacity and availability in a specific location and time.

According to some examples of this technology the coverage, capacity and availability are examined in relation to one or more predefined parameters including at least one of: type of usage, type of service, or amount of data already exchanged for that service.

According to some examples of this technology the periodic sampling is achieved by at least one of the following methods: using a timer, monitoring behavior of the terminal via signaling messages, or by receiving input from external monitoring system.

According to some examples of this technology in case Home Public Land Mobile (HPLM) network appears in the list of mobile networks that were scanned then HPLM network is being selected.

According to some examples of this technology in case a HPLM network is not in the list of mobile networks that were scanned by the terminal, the terminal selects an already Visited Public Land Mobile (VPLM) network.

According to some examples of this technology the steering logic module enables to send a response to the MME in case HPLM network was selected or an already VPLM network was selected.

According to some examples of this technology in case the terminal initiated an update location with a different VPLM that is a preferred one, an answer is forwarded to the HSS and the HSS replies with an acknowledgment Update Location Answer (ULA).

According to some examples of this technology in case the terminal initiated an update location with a different VPLM that is a non-preferred one the steering device will not relay the message to the MME and initiate a countdown procedure to the number of location requests, wherein upon reaching predefined number of location request the PLMN ID is checked, if the value of the PLMN ID is the same value as it was in the previous four times, the ULA will be forwarded to the MME and the update location procedure is enabled, otherwise the countdown procedure is activated for at least a second time.

According to some examples of this technology after applying the countdown procedure for predefined number of times and PLMN ID is not matching any previous connection requests attempts, then a location update request is not forwarded to MME and a ULA message will be generated.

According to some examples of this technology tracing module apply the sampling of the mobile device and check amount of data sent and received from the mobile device only when the device current location appears in the database of available locations of the steering logic module.

This technology provides a method for maintaining national connection between a mobile device of a subscriber and a mobile network, using a steering device. The method comprising: determining when a connection between a mobile device of a subscriber via a Mobility Management Entity (MME) and a mobile network via a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) is permitted, sending and receiving messages from HSS to MME and from MME to HSS and periodically sampling a mobile device of a subscriber or a location of the mobile device and to check amount of data sent and received from the mobile device is below a specified threshold.

The redirection of mobile device is enabled in case the amount of data sent and received from the mobile device exceeds a predefined maximum threshold or precede a predefined minimum threshold, by initiating a cancel Packet Data Protocol (PDP) procedure to move the terminal into an idle mode and scanning for available mobile networks.

These, additional, and/or other aspects and/or advantages of this technology are set forth in examples in the detailed description which follows; possibly inferable from the detailed description; and/or learnable by practice of this technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before explaining at least one example of this technology in detail, it is to be understood that this technology is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. This technology is applicable to other examples or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

The term “roaming” as used herein in this application, is defined as an extension of connectivity service for mobile devices in a different mobile network than the home network where the mobile device subscriber is registered to.

The term “idle mode” as used herein in this application, is defined as a mode of a mobile device that does not have a dedicated channel to the mobile network, but it may be reached or access to the mobile network.

For business purposes, a specific provider of mobile network services may wish to maintain its mobile device subscribers connected to a predefined mobile network for specific services. When a mobile device subscriber is roaming i.e. connected to a Visited Public Land Mobile (VPLM) network, the VPLM network provider may charge premium charges from the provider of mobile network that the mobile device subscriber is registered to. Therefore, the provider of mobile network that the mobile device subscriber is registered to may wish to avoid these charges by maintaining the mobile device subscriber connected to its mobile network, as much as possible.

The provider of mobile network services may be any provider. For the reference of this patent application the provider of mobile connection services may be a public safety network provider. Public safety activity involves in preventing and protecting the general public from events that may endanger its safety.

Examples of this technology provide a controlling and steering device for maintaining national connection between a mobile device of a subscriber and a mobile network.

FIG. 1is a block diagram of a controlling and steering device120connected to one of the mobile networks110,160and170, according to some examples of this technology.

According to an aspect of this technology, a mobile device may be connected to a Visited Public Land Mobile (VPLM)170. In existing System Architecture Evolution (SAE) each mobile device may be registered to a list of different Tracking Areas (TA) and may move within the areas that are in the list without performing TA update i.e. location update. However, once a mobile device has moved to an area that is not in the list of TA, for example to an area that is covered by mobile network160, i.e. VPLM1, the mobile device performs a TA update procedure to the network, i.e. VPLM1. The TA update procedure starts with the mobile device sending a TA update message to Mobility Management Entity (MME)130in VPLM1 network160. Upon reception of the TA update message, the MME130checks if a context for the sending mobile device is available. If it is not available the MME130asks the old MME140in VPLM170to send it the context of the sending mobile device. Once the MME130has received the context of the sending mobile device, it informs the Home Subscriber Server (HSS) for example, via means of diameter signaling that the context of the sending mobile device has moved to a new MME. As a response, the HSS cancels the context of the mobile device in the old MME140and then sending the response to the new MME130with the context of the mobile device for updating the MME130.

A controlling and steering device120(also referred to as a Signaling Delivery Controller (SDC) with data steering logic) may be positioned to control and steer connection between a mobile device of a subscriber via MME in a VPLM network and HSS150in Home Public Land Mobile network (HPLM)110. Accordingly, the controlling and steering device120controls the communication between HSS and MME, by allowing or not allowing communication between a MME and HSS. Hence, controlling which VPLM network may be used by the subscriber mobile device.

FIG. 2is a block diagram of a controlling and steering device200that is performing an enforced redirect of a connection, according to some examples for the controlling and steering device120of this technology.

According to an aspect of this technology, the controlling and steering device200includes at least one processor201and a memory203which are coupled together by one or more buses or other links, although the controlling and steering device200may include other types and numbers of systems, devices, components and/or other elements in other configurations.

The processor201of the controlling and steering device200may execute one or more programmed instructions stored in the memory201for maintaining a mobile device of a subscriber connected to a specific network as illustrated and described in the examples herein, although other types and numbers of functions and/or other operation can be performed. The processor201may include one or more central processing units and/or general purpose processors with one or more processing cores, for example.

The memory203of the controlling and steering device200stores the programmed instructions for one or more aspects of the present technology as described and illustrated herein, although some or all of the programmed instructions could be stored and executed elsewhere. In this example, the memory203includes a steering logic module210, a communication module220, and a tracing module230with a subscriber240having a timer250and thresholds of an amount of data260, although other types and numbers of other programmed instructions, modules and/or other data could be stored. A variety of different types of memory storage devices, such as a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM) in the system or a floppy disk, hard disk, CD ROM, DVD ROM, or other non-transitory computer readable medium which is read from and written to by a magnetic, optical, or other reading and writing system that is coupled to the processor201, can be used for the memory203.

The tracing module230may be configured to: (i) periodically sample a mobile device of a subscriber or a location of the mobile device or receive an input from external monitoring system (e.g. charging system); and (ii) check the type and/or the amount of data sent and received from the mobile device is within predefined threshold values. According to some examples checking if the amount of data is below a specified threshold to identify idle time when the user is not using the mobile device. According to some examples checking if the amount of data is above a specified threshold to identify when the user is using the mobile device for long periods at high usage rates when not using the home network. In order to periodically sample the mobile device of a selected subscriber or a selected group of subscribers, each subscriber is assigned a timer250. When the timer250expires for the subscriber the type and/or the amount of data that is exchanged from the subscriber's mobile device is checked. If the amount of data is below or above a specified threshold260, meaning that the subscriber is not in the middle of a conversation or having long expensive conversation, then the controlling and steering device200initiates a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) cancel procedure to move the mobile device into an idle mode.

According to another aspect of this technology, after the mobile device is scanning for available mobile network and selecting a mobile network the controlling and steering device200by operating a steering logic module210is configured to determine if a national connection between the mobile device of a subscriber via a MME (not shown) and a mobile network via a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) is allowed. Steering logic module210may also communicate with external node230holding external steering rules and data.

According to yet another aspect of this technology, the controlling and steering device200by operating a communication module220is arranged to send and receive messages from HSS to MME and from MME to HSS.

FIG. 3Ais a flow diagram of first step of a controlling and steering device320performing enforced redirect of connection, according to some examples of this technology. According to an aspect of this technology, a mobile device i.e. terminal310may be periodically sampled by a controlling and steering device320. The controlling and steering device320may operate a tracing module (not shown) to perform periodic samples of the terminal310by assigning a timer to it. Or alternatively its behavior is monitored via signaling messages. When the timer that was assigned is expired, the tracing module230checks if an amount of data that is being exchanged is below or above a predefined threshold (stage330). If the amount of data, absolute amount or a specific type of data (meaning, related to a specific service usage) is not below or above the predefined threshold, meaning the terminal310is in use the tracing module230keeps checking the amount of data that is being exchange.

According to an aspect of this technology, if the amount of data that is being exchanged is below or above a predefined threshold, in other words, the terminal for example is not in the middle of a conversation or having long expensive one, or based on other parameters (such as duration of session) the controlling and steering device320may initiate a cancel Packet Data Protocol (PDP) procedure (stage335) to move the terminal310into an idle mode (stage340). Or based on other decision parameters that enforce active communication to be interrupted. Then, the terminal310may scan for available mobile networks.

FIG. 3Bis a flow diagram of second step of the controlling and steering device200performing enforced redirect of connection, according to some other examples of this technology.

According to an aspect of this technology, if Home Public Land Mobile (HPLM) network appears in the list of mobile networks that were scanned (stage350) then HPLM network is being selected (stage360). If HPLM network is not in the list of mobile networks that were scanned by the terminal310, the terminal310may select an already Visited Public Land Mobile (VPLM) network (stage355).

According to another aspect of this technology, after selecting a mobile network (stage355or stage360) the terminal310may initiate location update with the selected mobile network (stage365).

According to another aspect of this technology, the HSS may send a response380to MME and the controlling and steering device320may operate steering logic module to determine if the response may be sent to the MME. The controlling and steering device320may allow the response to be sent to the MME (stage385) in case HPLM network was selected or an already VPLM network was selected.

According to yet another aspect of this technology, in case the terminal initiated an update location with a different VPLM (stage370) and in case a VPLM that is a preferred one is selected, the answer is forwarded to the HSS and the HSS replies with an acknowledgment Update Location Answer (ULA). However, if the controlling and steering device320decides that this network is not preferred it will not relay the message to the MME and count the number of update location requests. Once four consecutive update location requests have been received (typically with 15 seconds apart) the Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) ID will be stored in an onboard database with dynamic filled memory of latest PLMN IDs that have been tried for that IMSI.

According to some examples of this technology, upon receiving the fifth update location request the following scenarios may occur: (i) if the value of the PLMN ID is the same value as it was in the previous four times, the ULA will be forwarded to the MME and the update location procedure is enabled as this redirection; (ii) if the value of the PLMN ID is a different value than it was in the previous four times and not equal to an entry that was previously stored in the database but still a non-preferred VPLM value, then another sequence of four consecutive update location request is activated and the first scenario which is described above applies. PLMN ID is stored in the database for later reference. (iii) if the value of the PLMN id is the same value as before (meaning, the four consecutive times) after a sequence of five times where the value of PLMN ID was the same or the PLMN is matching an entry in the stored list of already seen VPMN ids and the message will be relayed successfully to the MME.

According to some examples of this technology, when the value of PLMN ID has changed and none of the above scenarios occur then a location update request is not forwarded to MME and a ULA message will be generated with a configurable reason why the location update request was refused.

FIG. 4is a block diagram of a controlling and steering device400performing a deducted redirect of connection, according to some other examples for the controlling and steering device120of this technology. In these examples, the controlling and steering device400has the same structure and operation as the controlling and steering device200except as illustrated and described with the examples herein. Elements in controlling and steering device400which are like those in controlling and steering device200will have like reference numerals.

According to another aspect of this technology, the controlling and steering device400includes at least one processor401and a memory403which are coupled together by one or more buses or other links, although the controlling and steering device400may include other types and numbers of systems, devices, components and/or other elements in other configurations.

The processor401of the controlling and steering device400may execute one or more programmed instructions stored in the memory401for performing a deducted redirect of connection as illustrated and described in the examples herein, although other types and numbers of functions and/or other operation can be performed. The processor401may include one or more central processing units and/or general purpose processors with one or more processing cores, for example.

The memory403of the controlling and steering device400stores the programmed instructions for one or more aspects of the present technology as described and illustrated herein, although some or all of the programmed instructions could be stored and executed elsewhere. In this example, the memory403includes a steering logic module410, a location retrieval module420, a tracing module430with location information440and thresholds of an amount of data460, and a database of locations for available Home Public land Mobile (HPLM) network450, although other types and numbers of other programmed instructions, modules and/or other data could be stored. A variety of different types of memory storage devices, such as a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM) in the system or a floppy disk, hard disk, CD ROM, DVD ROM, or other non-transitory computer readable medium which is read from and written to by a magnetic, optical, or other reading and writing system that is coupled to the processor401, can be used for the memory403.

According to an aspect of this technology, a selected user or a selected group of users are enforced to connect with a specified home network only after analyzing and verifying by the controlling and steering device the home network coverage, capacity and availability in a specific location, time in relation to one or more predefined parameters, such as type of usage, type of service or amount of data already exchanged for that service. The one or more predefined parameters may be activation of an event, for example natural disaster and the like.

A priority list communication is allowed in general or for a specific service or amount of data, meaning, there may be rules only for video or other specific service which allows an unlimited use of data for a specific user. When the user is using another service, the amount of data can be limited and/or forced to be steered away to another network.

As discussed above, according to an aspect of this technology, the controlling and steering device400may include: (i) a tracing module430; and (ii) a steering logic module410. Mobile network location information may be provided by the mobile network signaling, an external monitoring system or via other sources such as Global Positioning System (GPS). This information may be configured as push/pull with specified frequencies. How the network gets information on the location may not be limited. It may for example be via: (i) network signaling; (ii) monitoring signaling; and/or (iii) alternative sources like a GPS system which either via a central server or via an application on the terminal shares its location information.

According to another aspect of this technology, information regarding location in which a successful usage of HPLM network is performed is saved periodically in a database450. The database450may be located in the controlling and steering device400, but may for example be located in one or more external devices or other storage systems in communication with the controlling and steering device400.

According to yet another aspect of this technology, the controlling and steering device400may operate a steering and logic module410to determine if a selected user that was traced by the tracing module430as exchanging data below or above a threshold460or other policies apply and is using a mobile network in a specific location440should be enforced to connect via HPLM network.

According to yet another aspect of this technology, the steering and logic module410may operate a location retrieval module420to check if the specific location440exists in the database of available HPLM450. If the

FIG. 5Ais a flow diagram of an activity of the controlling and steering device400that is performing a deducted redirect of a connection, according to some examples of this technology. The National Steering Logic (NTSL) device520may trace the location of the subscriber and check a database of available location, if current location is stored as a location where there is a successful usage of HPLM. In case there is a successful usage of HPLM in the location, the NTSL checks if the subscriber's activity is low or high. ‘Low’ or high activity may be defined by the policies of the operator and can be different for different type of usage or devices. In case the activity is low or high, the NTSL may cancel the Internet Protocol (IP) Connectivity Access Network (CAN) session which is PDP session equivalent in LTE and the subscriber may enter into idle mode.

According to an aspect of this technology, NTSL device520may trace the location of a subscriber by network signaling or other methods such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS) (stage530). If current network location of the subscriber is found in a database of available locations (stage535), meaning locations that successful usage of the HPLM is possible for the current time, then in case the subscriber is exchanging amount of data below or above a defined threshold (stage540) meaning the subscriber is in minimum activity or having long conversation, then PDP session will be cancelled (stage545) and the terminal may enter into idle mode (stage550).

FIG. 5Bis a flow diagram of an activity of a controlling and steering device400that is performing an enforced redirect of a connection, according to some examples of this technology. In enforced redirect, actively terminals are forced back to the HPLM when there is coverage and/or capacity available.

According to an aspect of this technology, the subscriber's device (i.e. terminal) may scan for available networks. In case, HPLM network appears in the list of found networks as a result of the scan (stage555), the HPLM may be selected (stage565), otherwise a network that is an already VPLM is selected (stage560). After a network is selected for the subscriber a location update is being initiated with the selected network and sent to HSS525(stage570). The HSS525may send a response (stage575) via NTLS and the NTLS may allow the response to be sent to the terminal510(stage560).

According to another aspect of this technology, if the network identity is different than the HPLM or an already visited VPLM, then the VPLM will initiate the default traffic steering mode and wait until either the preferred HPLM or an already attempted VPLM is received.

According to another aspect of this technology, if the same network identity is received as previously logged on to the location update procedure will be allowed without interference (stage580). Optionally, the NTSL520may modify the threshold of minimum or maximum activity for the subscriber.

In the above description, an example is an example or implementation of this technology. The various appearances of “one example”, “an example” or “some examples” do not necessarily all refer to the same examples.

Although various features of this technology may be described in the context of a single example, the features may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although this technology may be described herein in the context of separate examples for clarity, this technology may also be implemented in a single example.

Furthermore, it is to be understood that this technology can be carried out or practiced in various ways and that this technology can be implemented in examples other than the ones outlined in the description above.

This technology is not limited to those diagrams or to the corresponding descriptions. For example, flow need not move through each illustrated box or state, or in exactly the same order as illustrated and described.

Meanings of technical and scientific terms used herein are to be commonly understood as by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this technology belongs, unless otherwise defined.

This technology also may be embodied as a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for one or more aspects of the present technology as described and illustrated by way of the examples herein, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to carry out the steps necessary to implement the methods of this technology as described and illustrated with the examples herein.