Abstract:
A multiple network connection method that includes: receiving, by a first device from a second device, capability information of the second device; transmitting, by the first device to the second device, a registration complete message indicating that the second device is registered to a network; and performing, by the first device, a service control for providing a service for the second device. A first connection path and a second connection path are established using the capability information. The first connection path is established between the network and the second device through the first device, and is used for conveying control information for the service. The second connection path is established between the network and the second device not through the first device, and is used for conveying user data for the service.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation of copending application Ser. No. 12/162,295 filed on Jul. 25, 2008, which is the National Stage of PCT Application No. PCT/KR2007/000341 filed Jan. 19, 2007, which claims priority to Application No. 10-2006-0088272 filed in Korea on Sep. 12, 2006, as well as U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/765,217 filed Feb. 6, 2006. The entire contents of all of the above applications are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to a multiple network connection method, and a communication device thereof, and more particularly, to a multiple network connection method capable of enabling a first communication device connectable to a first communication network to implement a service that can be provided from the first communication network through a second terminal connectable to a second communication network. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Background Art 
     Generally, a personal area network (PAN) represents a network contrary to the well-known LAN or WAN, which means that each person is provided with his own network. That is, a person implements his own network for convenience by using his portable terminal, etc. 
     The conventional PAN will be explained with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 1  is an exemplary view showing a personal area network (PAN) in accordance with the conventional art. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the PAN comprises a user equipment (UE)  10 , and mobile equipment (ME)  21  to  23 . 
     The UE  10  has a first module (not shown) connectable to a mobile communication network  50 , and is provided with various communication service from a service providing entity  53  inside the mobile communication network  50  or executes a communication with a UE#2  53 . 
     The UE  10  has a subscriber identity module (SIM) or a universal subscriber identity module (USIM), through which an authentication process and various communication services are executed. 
     The UE  10  may be provided with a communication module such as an infrared ray communication, and constitutes a PAN  40  through the communication module. 
     The ME  20  is a mobile communication device or a fixed communication device, and is provided with a communication module (not shown) for supporting a short distance communication such as an infrared ray communication. The ME  20  can participate in the PAN  40  through the communication module. 
     The ME  20  may communicate with the service providing entity  53  or the UE#2  53  inside the mobile communication network  50  through the UE  10 . Herein, a PNM application server (PNM AS)  52  controls the communication. 
     The UE  10  and the ME  20  of  FIG. 1  may constitute one PAN  40 , and may transceive data inside the PAN  40 . The ME  20  may transceive data with the service providing entity  53  or the UE#2  53  inside the mobile communication network  50  through the UE  10 . 
     That is, the ME  20  inside the PAN  40  can transceive data with the mobile communication network  50  through the UE  10 . 
     Disclosure of the Invention 
     In the aforementioned method, the ME  20  has to execute a service provided from the mobile communication network  50  through the UE  10 . 
     That is, in order for the ME  20  inside the PAN  40  to execute a service provided from the mobile communication network  50 , it has to pass through the UE  10 . However, executing the service through the UE  10  has the following problems. 
     First, since the ME  20  executes the same service as the UE  10  through the UE  10 , each battery of the UE  10  and the ME  20  is consumed. 
     Second, even if the ME  20  executes the same service as the UE  10  through the UE  10 , it is dependent on a communication environment of the UE  10 . 
     Third, since data of the ME  20  is concentrated on the UE  10 , a function of the UE 10  may be degraded. 
     Fourth, since data of the ME  20  is concentrated on the UE  10 , the UE 10  may cause a communication overload. 
     Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a multiple network connection method capable of transceiving control data for controlling a second terminal (ME) through a first communication device (UE), and capable of transceiving general data through a new connection path to which the second terminal (ME) is connectable. 
     To achieve these objects, there is provided a multiple network connection method through a first communication device comprised in a multiple network comprising one or more second communication device, the method comprising: transmitting a service request message to the second communication device by the first communication device; transmitting a response message including service connection information to the first communication device by the second communication device; transmitting the service request message including the service connection information to a network management server by the first communication device; transmitting a request message to set a new connection path with the second communication device to a service providing entity or an external communication device by the network management server; and generating a new connection path between the service providing entity or the external communication device and the second communication device, and transceiving data through the new connection path. 
     Preferably, the service may be provided to the first communication device with fee. 
     Preferably, the first communication device may have an authorization to access to the service, and may be provided with a SIM or a USIM. 
     Preferably, the service request message may include at least one of IP address information and port number of the second communication device. 
     Preferably, the service connection information may include at least one of information about IP address and information about a port number. 
     Preferably, the network management server is a personal network management (PNM) server. 
     Preferably, the service request message may include at least one of a network ID of the first communication device, a network ID of the second communication device, an IP address of the second communication device, a port number of the second communication device, and a service ID. Preferably, the new connection path may be a path, between the service providing entity and the second communication device, through another access network not through the first communication device. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a multiple network connection method through a first communication device comprised in a multiple network comprising one or more second communication device, the method comprises: transmitting a service request message to the second communication device by the first communication device when receiving the service request message from a service providing entity or an external communication device through a network management server; transmitting a response message including the service connection information to the network management server by the first communication device; transmitting the response message including the service connection information to the service providing entity or the external communication device by the network management server; and generating a new connection path between the service providing entity or the external communication device and the second communication device, and transceiving data through the new connection path. 
     Preferably, the service request message may include an indicator to instruct any second communication device to perform a service. 
     Preferably, the service request message may include an ID of the second communication device. 
     Preferably, the service request message may include a service ID representing that the service request message is for a PAN service. 
     To achieve these objects, there is also provided a communication device that participates in a network formed by a master communication device connectable to an external communication network, the communication device capable of transmitting a response message including service connection information to the master communication device if a service request message is received from the master communication device, capable of generating a new connection path with a service providing entity or an external communication device, and then capable of transceiving data through the new connection path to/from the service providing entity or the external communication device. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication device that is a first communication device comprised in a multiple network comprising one or more second communication devices, the communication device capable of delivering a service request message to a target communication device among the one or more second communication devices in the multiple network if the service request message is received from a service providing entity or an external communication device through a network management server, capable of receiving a response message including service connection information from the target communication device, and capable of transmitting connection setting information to generate a new connection path between the target communication device and the service providing entity or the external communication device to the network management server. 
    
    
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       Brief Description of the Drawings 
         FIG. 1  is an exemplary view showing a personal area network (PAN) in accordance with the conventional art; 
         FIG. 2  is an exemplary view showing a personal area network (PAN) according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an exemplary view showing a reciprocal recognition process between terminals of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exemplary view showing a registration process of the terminals of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an exemplary view showing a multiple network connection method according to one embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is an exemplary view showing a multiple network connection method according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     A multiple network connection method and a communication device thereof according to the present invention will be explained in more detail. 
       FIG. 2  is an exemplary view showing a personal area network (PAN) according to the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a personal area network (PAN)  400  transceives control data through a UE  100  (a first communication device or a master communication device), and transceives service data through a new connection path  610  to which a ME  200  (a second communication device) can access, thereby performing a service provided from a mobile communication network  500  through the ME  200 . 
     The PAN  400  may comprise the UE  100  and at least one ME  200 . 
     The UE  100  is a communication device including a first communication module (not shown) for supporting a standard such as CDMA, TD-SCDMA, TDMA, GPRS, EDGE, and WCDMA. The UE  100  accesses to the mobile communication network  500  through the first communication module, thereby performing various communication services. The UE  100  includes a subscriber identity module (SIM) or a universal subscriber identity module (USIM), through which an authentication process and various communication services are performed. 
     In order to directly communicate with the ME  200 , the UE  100  may includes a second communication module (not shown) for supporting a wireless connection such as infrared ray communication, the Bluetooth™, the Zigbee, and the wireless universal serial bus (USB), or a wire local network connection. The UE  100  may participate in the PAN  400  by the second communication module. 
     The UE  100  may communicate with a personal network management (PNM) so as to manage the PAN  400 . The UE  100  may also communicate with a PNM application server (PNM AS) or a network management server  520  so that the ME  200  can communicate with an external service providing entity  530  or a UE#2  530  connected to the mobile communication network  500 . 
     The ME  200  (the second communication device) is a mobile communication device or a fixed communication device, and includes a first communication module (not shown) for supporting a wireless connection such as infrared ray communication, the Bluetooth™, the Zigbee, and the wireless universal serial bus (USB), or supporting one or more standards of IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.16 and IEEE 802.20. The ME  200  may participate in the PAN  400  by the first communication module. 
     The ME  200  may communicate with the external service providing entity  530  or the UE#2  530  connected to the mobile communication network  500  by transceiving control data to/from the PNM AS  520  through the UE  100 , and by transceiving service data to/from the external service providing entity  530  or the UE#2  530  through a new connection path  610  via a second access system  600  (or a second access network). The new connection path  610  indicates a connection path between the ME#1  201  and the external service providing entity  530  or the UE#2  530 , which is different from the conventional connection path between the UE#1  100  and the external service providing entity  530  or the UE#2  530 . The new connection path  610  may be an Internet protocol (IP)-based connection path. 
     So far, the construction of the PAN  400  according to the present invention was explained. 
     Hereinafter, the operation of terminals inside the PAN  400  will be explained. 
       FIG. 3  is an exemplary view showing a reciprocal recognition process between terminals of  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the UE  100  registers the ME#1  201  to the PAN  400 . Herein, the UE  100  is supposed to have a USIM.
         (1) The UE  100  having a USIM performs a search (or, a scan) to recognize the ME#1  201  usable in the PAN  400 .   (2) The ME#1  201  responses to the search. As the response, the ME#1  201  may transmit a response message to the UE  100 . If the ME#1  201  is not registered in the PAN  400 , the ME#1  201  may transmit information for making its presence recognized to the UE  100 . The information may be included in the response message. That is, the response message may include an ID and a type of the ME#1  201  required for informing a presence of the ME#1  201 . For instance, the response message may include information of PAN Sub ID=None and Type=PC.   (3) The UE  100  performs a service control in response to receiving the response message. More concretely, the UE  100  checks the ID of the ME#1  201  (for example the PAN Sub ID of the ME#1  201 ). Then, if the ME#1 has no ID, the UE  100  generates a new ID (for example a new PAN Sub ID) and stores it.   (4) The UE  100  performs authentication and authorization processes after recognizing the ME#1  201 . For instance, the UE  100  transmits an authentication/authorization message to the ME#1  201 . The generated ID (for example, PAN Sub ID) may be transmitted to the ME#1 together with the authentication and authorization message.   (5) The ME#1  201  stores the ID (for example, the PAN Sub ID) received from the UE  100 .   (6) The ME#1  201  informs its capability and usable resources to the UE  100 . The capability and usable resources may be a codec, a screen size, and a network type. The capability and the usable resources may be informed by transmitting a capability informing message such as a capability announcement message.   (7) The UE  100  stores the capability and usable resources. The stored capability and usable resources of the ME#1  201  may be transmitted to the PNM AS  520  if necessary. The stored capability and usable resources may be updated when the UE  100  receives changed information from the ME#1  201 .   (8) The UE  100  informs a recognition completion to the ME  200 . The recognition completion may be informed by transmitting a positive response message such as an OK message to the ME  200 . If the ME#1  201  is aware of a success of the recognition, it waits as an idle state until a communication starts.       

     A process for the UE  100  to select the ME#1  201  so as to perform a specific service through the ME#1  201  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 4  is an exemplary view showing a registration process of the terminals of  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , after the completion of the recognition in  FIG. 3 , the UE  100  selects the ME#1  201  so as to perform a specific service through the ME#1  201 , and registers the ME#1  201  to the application server (AS)  520  in the mobile communication network  500 .
         (1) When the UE  100  is to receive a specific service such as a media service through a specific terminal inside the PAN  400 , it selects the ME#1  201  being recognized in the PAN  400 .   (2) The UE  100  requests an activation to the ME#1  201  so as to receive the specific service through the ME#1  201 . The request of the activation may be achieved by transmitting an activation request message to the ME  200 . The activation request message may be processed according to a mechanism of an access system inside the PAN  400 .   (3) The ME#1  201  is converted into a ready state so as to perform the specific service in response to the activation request.   (4) The ME#1  201  responses to the UE  100  by transmitting a response message such as an OK message to the UE  100 . The ME#1  201  waits to receive the specific message.   (5) The UE  100  requests the PNM AS  520  inside the mobile communication network  500  to change a destination for data transfer. The request of the change is achieved by transmitting a change request message to the PNM AS  520 . The change request message may be an INVITE message, and may include one or more of a PAN ID of the UE  100 , a PAN ID (SUB ID) of the ME#1  201 , an address of the ME#1  201  (IP address), a port number of the ME#1  201 , and an ID of the specific service.       

     The change request message may be transparently transmitted to the PNM AS  520  through a serving-call state control function (S-CSCF)  540  inside the mobile communication network  500 . The S-CSCF  540  is an entity to route the change request message to the PNM AS  520 , and performs a session routing in an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS). The S-CSCF  540  is well known to those skilled in the art, and thus its detail explanation will be omitted.
         (6) The PNM AS  520  performs a service control. That is, the PNM AS  520  changes a destination for transfer of the specific service data into the ME  200  by using information received from the UE  100 .   (7) The PNM AS  520  informs a completion of the change to the UE  100  by transmitting a positive response message such as an OK message.       

       FIG. 5  is an exemplary view showing a multiple network connection method according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , in the multiple network connection method, the UE#1  100  performs a specific service provided from the external service providing entity  530  or the UE#2  530  through the ME#1  201 . Herein, it is supposed that the ME#1  201  is included in the PAN  400  in  FIG. 3 , and is registered to the PNM AS  520  in  FIG. 4 .
         (1) The UE#1  100  requests a service from the ME#1  201  so as to perform a specific service or a specific service to be perform through the ME#1  201 . The request of the service may be achieved by transmitting a service request message to the ME#1  201  by the UE#1  100 . The service request message may include a query message for an address of the ME#1  201  (e.g., IP address) and a port number.   (2) The ME#1  201  performs a service control in response to the service request. More concretely, the ME#1  201  checks whether or not the service can be performed. That is, the ME#1  201  activates its second communication module by the service control. Then, the ME#1  201  obtains necessary information such as an address and a port number.   (3) The ME#1  201  transmits a response message to the UE#1  100 . The response message may include service connection information such as the obtained information.   (4) The UE#1  100  performs a service control. More concretely, the UE#1  100  updates the service connection information obtained by the received response message, i.e. information of the ME#1  201  that has been pre-stored therein (e.g., an ID of the PAN  400 ), information of the specific service, etc.   (5) The UE#1  100  requests a service from the PNM AS  520  by transmitting a service request message such as an INVITE message to the PNM AS  520 . Herein, the service request message is transparently transmitted to the PNM AS  520  through the S-CSCF  540 . The service request message may include one or more of service connection information, i.e., a PAN ID of the UE#1  100 , a PAN ID (Sub ID) of the ME#1  201 , an address (IP address) of the ME#1  201 , a port number of the ME#1  201 , and an ID of the specific service.   (6) The PNM AS  520  performs a service control in response to the service request. More concretely, the PNM AS  520  performs a service control, stores the service connection information, recognizes that service data is transceived through a new connection path  610 , and prepares a fee charging.   (7) When the setting is completed, the PNM AS  520  transmits a positive response message to the UE#1  100 . Herein, the positive response message is transparently transmitted to the UE#1  100  through the S-CSCF  540 .   (8) The PNM AS  520  requests a service to the S-CSCF  540  by transmitting a service request message such as an INVITE message.   (9) The S-CSCF  540  routes the request of the service to an external service providing entity  530  or an UE#2  530 .   (10) The external service providing entity  530  or the UE#2  530  transmits a positive or negative response message to the S-CSCF  540  in response to the service request. Herein, the positive response message may be a  200  OK message.   (11) The S-SCCF  540  transmits the positive or negative response message to the PNM AS  520 .   (12) The external service providing entity  530  or the UE#2  530  generates a new connection path  610  to the ME#1  201 .   (13-14) The external service providing entity  530  or the UE#2  530  transmits service data to the ME#1  201  through the new connection path  610 .       

       FIG. 6  is an exemplary view showing a multiple network connection method according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , in the multiple network connection method, a service is performed by a request of the external service providing entity  530 . Once the UE  100  receives a service request from the external service providing entity  530 , the ME#1  201  performs the service through the new connection path  610 . Herein, it is supposed that the ME#1  201  is included in the PAN  400  in  FIG. 3 , and is registered to the PNM AS  520  in  FIG. 4 .
         (1) The external service providing entity  530  requests a service to the S-CSCF  540  by transmitting a service request message such as an INVITE message. Herein, the service request message may include an indicator to indicate that a service is to be performed through any terminal, e.g., an ID (PAN ID) of the ME#1  201 . The service request message may include a service ID to indicate a PAN service, e.g., Service ID=PNM.   (2) The S-CSCF  540  routes the request of the service to the PNM AS  520 .   (3) The PNM AS  520  re-transmits the request of the service to the S-CSCF  540 , and the S-CSCF  540  routes the request of the service to the UE  100 .   (4) The UE  100  performs a service control in response to the request of the service. More concretely, the UE  100  performs the service control, thereby analyzing one or more of a capability of the ME#1  201 , usable resources of the ME#1  201 , and whether or not the service is usable.   (5) The UE  100  requests a service to the ME#1  201  after performing the service control. The request of the service is achieved by transmitting a service request message to the ME#1  201 . The service request message may be one or more of a capability of the ME#1  201 , usable resources of the ME#1  201 , and whether or not the service is usable.   (6) The ME#1  201  performs a service control in response to the service request. More concretely, the ME#1  201  checks one or more of its capability, its usable resources, and whether or not the service is usable. That is, the ME#1  201  can check its PAN ID (SUB ID), its address (IP address), and its port number.   (7) The ME#1  201  transmits a response message to the UE  100 . The response message may include ‘service connection information’ such as a capability of the ME#1  201 , usable resources of the ME#1  201 , and whether or not the service is usable. The ‘service connection information’ may include one or more of an ID of the ME#1  201  (PAN ID), an address of the ME#1  201  (IP address), and a port number of the ME#1  201 .   (8) The UE  100  transmits a positive response message or a negative response message to the PNM AS  520  according to the response message of the ME#1  201 . Herein, the positive response message may be a  200  OK message. As aforementioned, the positive or negative response message is transparently transmitted to the PNM AS  520  through the S-CSCF  540 .   (9) The PNM AS  520  transfers the positive response message or the negative response message to the external service providing entity  530 .   (10) The external service providing entity  530  or the UE#2  530  generates a new connection path  610  when receiving the positive response message. However, the external service providing entity  530  or the UE#2  530  transmits a failure message to the UE  100  when receiving the negative response message.   (11-12) The external service providing entity  530  transmits the service data through the new connection path  610 .       

     Effects of the present invention will be explained as follows. 
     In the present invention, the ME  200  transceives data through the new connection path  610 , which solves the conventional problem occurred when data is transceived through the UE  100  inside the PAN  400  with a concentration state. 
     First, since the ME  200  transceives data through the new connection path  610 , a battery of the UE  100  is prevented from being unnecessarily consumed. 
     Second, since the ME  200  does not execute a service through the UE  100 , it is not dependent on a communication environment of the UE  100 . 
     Third, since the ME  200  does not execute a service through the UE  100 , it does not degrade a capability of the UE  100 . 
     Fourth, since the ME  200  does not execute a service through the UE  100 , a communication overload of the UE  100  does not occur. 
     It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.