Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to network communications, and more particularly to machine-to-machine (M2M) data communications. The present invention provides for a method, apparatus and computer program product for allocating and assigning a first APN used in the M2M network which is utilized to provide a M2M control message, to provide satisfactory service levels to a user of the network without overburdening the assigned APN. A control APN approach using M2M control messaging is provided.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is related to co-owned and co-pending U.S. patent application entitled “LAYERED MACHINE TO MACHINE (M2M) SERVICE METHODOLOGY USING CLASS-BASED ACCESS POINT NAMES (APNS)”, filed on Feb. 13, 2013 as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/766,113 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to network communications, and more particularly to machine-to-machine (M2M) data communications. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Machine to machine (M2M) network communications involve technologies to communicate with other devices often of similar abilities, different from traditional cellular communication networks for instance. In basic M2M environments, a device having limited logic (such as a sensor, meter, etc.) is resident at a location to typically capture measurable event data (such as temperature, pressure, quantity, etc.). The device is connected through a communications network to a remote computer or server having an application layer of specific software. The data received from the device is converted to relevant information associated with the measured event data through the application and may often thereafter undergo analysis or further similar assessment. In many cases a device, when activated, may trigger and communicate the events it is intended for so that those communicated events will then be acted upon by other machines, applications, and/or users on the network. 
     M2M environments often involve systems of networks, wired and wireless, that are to be connected to the internet and include personal appliances and similar devices. In M2M networks, typically devices maybe stationary or mobile and be connected via wired or wireless access protocols, often through WiFi network protocols or a 3GPP Mobile network protocol. These devices may also have seasonal and/or elastic connectivity needs (e.g., agricultural business needs, store and forward capability). Often in busy M2M networks, there is an ‘always on’ device being used such as a general packet radio services (GPRS) or internet gateway. However, M2M communication infrastructure remains most suited to the communication needs and patterns of devices having similar abilities, characteristically, for communicating with other systems and devices on the same network. 
       FIG. 1A  depicts a basic M2M communication network  100  having typical sensor-type devices  120 ,  130  and  140 . In  FIG. 1A , the M2M network  100  has a central communication gateway  110  in which communications from devices  120 ,  130  and  140  are linked with a service provider network  150 . The linkage may be wired or wireless, and is depicted as the security camera  120  and the water alarm sensor  130  in wireless communication with the gateway  110 . Similarly, the traffic camera sensor  140  is in wired communication with the gateway, though one will appreciate that there are many variations to the type and protocol of communication for  FIG. 1A . 
     From  FIG. 1A , data sensed and obtained by the devices is transmitted across the M2M network to the service provider network  150  where the data may be shared as raw data or converted to information, often through software applications. Notification equipment  160  wirelessly receives the data from the service provider network  150  and acts in accordance with the received data for the specific event. For instance where the notification equipment is an alert system to send a text to a building owner in the event of a water leak, and the water sensor has sent data indicating a water leak, the notification equipment will then trigger an event to notify the building owner. Similarly, from  FIG. 1A , where the user  170  receives a suite of rolling historical data as to traffic camera operation cycles, the user may then act accordingly based on the received cumulative information. 
     Devices suitable for use with M2M networks often may have multiple access point names (APNs) available for implementation. The APN is the name of a gateway between a GPRS (or 3G, etc.) mobile network and another computer network, which may often be the public Internet for instance. It will be appreciated that APNs are often used in 3GPP data access networks, e.g. general packet radio service (GPRS), evolved packet core (EPC), etc.  FIG. 1B  sets forth a typical APN format  190  having a network identifier portion ( 191 ) and an operator identifier portion ( 192 ). 
     For example, in order for a device to obtain a viable data connection with a carrier, an APN must be configured to present to the carrier. In operation, the carrier will then examine this presented identifier to determine what type of network connection should be created. A carrier may determine in one or more instances for example what IP addresses may be assigned to the device, what security associations should be utilized, etc. Other configurations for an APN for utilization of services may be aligned such as with email, web surfing, custom services, banking services, etc., where each service has its associated APN. 
     Additionally, the APN identifies the packet data network (PDN), that a mobile data user wants to communicate with. In addition to identifying a PDN, an APN may also be used to define the type of service, (e.g. connection to a wireless application protocol (WAP) server, multimedia messaging service (MMS)), that is provided by the PDN. Often in Long Term Evolution (LTE)/Evolution Packet Systems (EPS) and 2G/3G packet data in general, PDN access service is offered with a fixed number of APNs (typically one) where there is no difference in the offered APNs other than the differing PDN endpoint. For example, LTE is a 4G technology. 
       FIG. 2  sets forth a typical LTE/EPS architecture  200  for a M2M network. From  FIG. 2 , User equipment (UE) functions include devices  210  and similar. UE functions include a universal subscriber identity module holding authentication information, provide for supporting LTE uplink and downlink air interface and monitoring radios and conveys performance to the evolved node B (eNB) channel quality indicator— 220 ,  224 . The Radio Access Network (RAN) portion includes eNBs  220 ,  224  and communication with the mobility management entity (MME) function  228 . 
     The eNB functions include radio resource management, radio bearer control, radio admission control, connection mobility control and uplink/downlink scheduling, for example. MME selection is also preferably performed by the eNB functions. 
     The MME functions  228  include non-access stratum (NAS) signaling, NAS signaling security, signaling for mobility between 3GPP access networks (S3), PDN gateway and serving gateway selection, roaming to home subscriber (HSS)  230 , bearer management functions, authentication, etc. The HSS is linked with the MME where the HSS provides for storage of subscriber data, roaming restrictions list, accessible access point names (APNs), subscriber data management, and similar. 
     Communication from the MME  228  to the serving gateway (S-GW)  232  occurs across the core portion of the network as depicted in  FIG. 2 , where the S-GW provides for local mobility anchor inter eNB handover (such as from eNB  224 ), packet routing/forwarding, transport level packet uplinking and downlinking, accounting on user and QoS class identifier granularity for inter-operator charging, uplink and downlink charging per UE, packet data node and QoS class identifier, etc. 
     Communication between the S-GW and PDN Gateway (P-GW)  234  occurs as depicted in  FIG. 2  where the P-GW provides for a PDN gateway, per-user packet filtering, UE internet protocol (IP) address allocation, transport level packet marking for downlinking, uplink/downlink service level charging and rate enforcement, etc. The P-GW communicates with the Public Data Network  248 , where for providing data transmission services. The P-GW also communicates with the Policy and charging rules function (PCRF)  236 . 
     The PCRF provides for interfaces and application functions such as proxy-call session control function (P-CSCF), interfaces with the PDN gateway to convey policy decisions to it, treatment of services in the PDN gateway in accordance with a user subscription policy, and similar. The PCRF communicates such information with the applications portions of the network including an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)  240  and through applications  242 . 
       FIG. 3  sets forth an exemplary bearer architecture  300  showing logic relationships across a EUTRAN to EPC to PDN. The EUTRAN is also known as an e-UTRA, being the air interface of 3GPP&#39;s Long LTE upgrade path for mobile networks (Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network). From  FIG. 3 , the EPS bearer is an end-to-end tunnel defined to a specific QoS at  360 , where the tunnel traverses UE  310 , eNB  320 , S-GW  330 , P-GW  340  and Peer entity  350 . Planes between logic functions such as S1, being a user plane between the eNB and serving gateways, are provided for in  FIG. 3  as LTE-UU, S1, S5-S8 (Signaling interfaces), and SGi (interface into the IP PDN). Similarly, the bearer architecture provides for an EPS bearer  362  which has four parameters including a QoS class identifier, allocation and retention policy (ARP), guaranteed bit rate or max bit rate (MBR), and aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR). An external bearer not having a MBR is provided for at  364 . A radio access bearer (E-RAB)  370 , S5-S8 bearer  372  and radio bearer  374  are also logically depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
     From  FIG. 3 , logically, each EPS bearer context represents an EPS bearer between the UE and a PDN. EPS bearer contexts can remain activated even if the radio and S1 bearers  376  constituting the corresponding EPS bearers between UE and MME are temporarily released. An EPS bearer context can be either a default bearer context or a dedicated bearer context. A default EPS bearer context is activated when the UE requests a connection to a PDN. The first default EPS bearer context, is activated during the EPS attach procedure. Additionally, the network can activate one or several dedicated EPS bearer contexts in parallel 
     As will be appreciated from  FIG. 3 , in LTE/EPS networks, one or more bearers are established between the UE and network (EPC) to provide the UE with ready-to-use IP connectivity to the PDN. Typically a bearer is associated with specific QoS, for example, between the UE and the EPC. While the EPS bearer management procedures are defined in 3GPP specifications and references, these procedures are often specifically and purposefully allocated to perform certain unique tasks or communications. 
     Using the procedures described in the 3GPP specifications prescriptively provides for procedural compliance, such as those of EPS bearer modifications; however, as a result it is possible to inadvertently overload other system constraints I so doing or not achieve objectives needed by a user in other means. For instance, the EPS nearer modifications is a well-known procedure which can be used to deliver M2M control data where a device may be customized by application logic to recognize special application payloads via the procedure. Similarly, the device can transmit special data to the network using the same procedure. Unfortunately, the payload for such is generally small, and as a result the assigned default APN, which provides for guaranteed bit rates (MBRs), may become overloaded where the user&#39;s ability to web surf, use email and similar is constrained. 
     Therefore, what is desired is an approach to intelligently allocate and assign a first APN used in the M2M network which is utilized to provide a M2M control message, to provide satisfactory service levels to a user of the network without overburdening the subscribed APN. 
     As used herein the terms device, appliance, terminal, remote device, wireless asset, etc. are intended to be inclusive, interchangeable, and/or synonymous with one another and other similar communication-based equipment for purposes of the present invention though one will recognize that functionally each may have unique characteristics, functions and/or operations which may be specific to its individual capabilities and/or deployment. 
     As used herein the term M2M communication is understood to include methods of utilizing various connected computing devices, servers, clusters of servers, wired and/or wirelessly, which provide a networked infrastructure to deliver computing, processing and storage capacity as services where a user typically accesses applications through a connected means such as but not limited to a web browser, terminal, mobile application (i.e., app) or similar while the primary software and data are stored on servers or locations apart from the devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention fulfills these needs and has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available technologies. 
     One embodiment of the present invention includes a method for assigning a control Access Point Name (APN) in a machine-to-machine (M2M) network independent of user application level traffic. The method preferably includes assigning the control APN and one or more subscribed APN(s); establishing a default bearer for the control APN; sending M2M control data from a first network point to a second network point; and, receiving the M2M control data at the second point. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention includes a computer program product stored on a computer usable medium, comprising: computer readable program means for causing a computer to control an execution of an application to perform a method for assigning a control Access Point Name (APN) in a machine-to-machine (M2M) network independent of user application level traffic. The computer product preferably includes assigning the pseudo APN and a subscribed APN; establishing a default bearer for the pseudo APN; sending M2M control data in a first instance from either a user equipment (UE) point to a core network (CORE) or from a CORE to a UE; and, retrieving the sent M2M control data. 
     The present invention provides an approach to intelligently allocate and assign a first APN used in the M2M network which is utilized to provide a M2M control message, to provide satisfactory service levels to a user of the network without overburdening the subscribed APN. In so doing, the present invention provides for a low-cost M2M control messaging approach independent of user application level traffic. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  depicts a basic M2M communication network having typical sensor-type devices; 
         FIG. 1B  sets forth a typical APN format having a network identifier portion and an operator identifier portion; 
         FIG. 2  sets forth a typical LTE/EPS architecture for a M2M network; 
         FIG. 3  sets forth an exemplary bearer architecture showing logic relationships across a EUTRAN to EPC to PDN; and, 
         FIG. 4  sets forth one embodiment of the present invention providing for a method for assigning a control Access Point Name (APN) in a machine-to-machine (M2M) network independent of user application level traffic, from the CORE to the UE. 
         FIG. 5  sets forth one embodiment of the present invention providing for a method for assigning a control Access Point Name (APN) in a machine-to-machine (M2M) network independent of user application level traffic, from the UE to the CORE. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention relates generally to network communications, and more particularly to machine-to-machine (M2M) data communications. 
     The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment and the generic principles and features described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein. 
     Mobile devices are able to connect to a M2M network once they are authenticated and authorized. Often a device&#39;s credentials or authority is obtained through an authentication; authorization and accounting (AAA) network in communication with the M2M network. Once a device is authenticated and authorized, the device may often be automatically configured with DNS, routing information and an IP address AAA. Similarly, the authentication occurs only where the APN of the device is in alignment with the communication requirements of the M2M network. 
       FIG. 4  sets forth one embodiment of the present invention providing for a method  400  for assigning a control Access Point Name (APN) in a machine-to-machine (M2M) network independent of user application level traffic, from the CORE to the UE. The method starts at  401  and may proceed in assigning a control APN and a subscribed APN at  410 . As used here, a control APN is intended to be a special APM that is not used for user traffic but is specific for use in transmission and receipt of M2M control message(s) only. A control APN does not require a guaranteed maximum bit rate (GBR) default bearer and rather only utilizes a non-GBR default bearer. Further a control-APN does not require a dedicated bearer in operation. 
     Further, as used herein the term “M2M control data” or “M2M control messaging” is intended to mean data which traverses a device-to-network messaging scheme designed to control M2M device(s) for (1) network connection resource management, (2) device control command delivery, (3) periodic report (e.g. location info and signal strength) from the device, (4) event report triggered by pre-defined conditions at device, and (5) other non-user application level control data exchange. For clarity, M2M control messaging does not involve application level messaging, but may be triggered by request from customer&#39;s application on PDN. Examples of M2M control messaging include shoulder-tap, over-the-air-parameter-administration (OTAPA) operation, AerFrame MCF, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) control operation, etc. 
     Further from  FIG. 4 , following the assignment of  410 , a procedure to send the M2M control message is set forth at  420 . The methodology of the present invention of steps for sending the M2M control message are dependent on the first point of send and the second point of receipt. For instance, from  FIG. 4 , at  430 , the first point of transmission of the M2M control message is from the EPC or CORE.  FIG. 4  depicts steps of the present invention where the message is sent from the CORE to the user equipment or user entity (UE) (also understood as a device). 
     From  FIG. 4 , the M2M control data is prepared for sending by overriding one or more M2M quality of service (QoS) and traffic flow template (TFT) parameters at  430 . Preferably, the step of preparing is performed by a Policy and Charging Rules Function application (PCRF). 
     As used herein, the term TFT is a set of all packet filters associated with an EPS bearer. A packet filter may be associated with a protocol. A packet filter Identifier shall be used to identify a packet filter, where several packet filters can be combined to form a Traffic Flow Template. As used herein the Bearer level QoS is associated with a bearer and all traffic mapped to that will receive same bearer level packet forwarding treatment. Bearer level QoS parameter values of the default bearer are assigned by the network based on the subscription data received from HSS. 
     In LTE the decision to establish or modify a dedicated bearer is taken by EPC and bearer level QoS parameters are assigned by EPC. These values “shall” not be modified by MME but are forwarded transparently to EUTRAN. However MME may reject the establishment of dedicated bearer if there is any discrepancy. 
     In a preferred embodiment, a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) may be deployed using the present invention. The PCRF is the software node designated in real-time to determine policy rules in a multimedia network. Typically the PCRF would be a controller, logic or software component that operates at the network core and accesses subscriber databases and other specialized functions, such as a charging system, in a centralized manner. Because it operates in real time, the PCRF has an increased strategic significance and broader potential role than traditional policy engines. The PCRF is the part of the network architecture that aggregates information to and from the network, operational support systems, and other sources (such as portals) in real time, supporting the creation of rules and then enables an automatic approach to making policy decisions for each subscriber active on the network. Preferably, the PCRF can also be integrated with different platforms like billing, rating, charging, and subscriber database or can also be deployed as a standalone entity. Preferably, in the present invention, a PCRF is used to provide a plurality of definition and assignment rules for executing the steps of defining and assigning. 
     Returning to  FIG. 4 , the step of overriding may be accomplished by one or more of: (i) operator specific QoS class identifier (QCI) values by 1 octet; (ii) maximum bit rate (MBR) by four octets, whereby two octets are per each uplink and each downlink; (iii) APN aggregate maximum bit rate (APN-AMBR) by six octets, whereby three octets are per each uplink and each downlink; and (iv) one or more TFT parameters by between three and two hundred fifty seven octets in relation to the number of included packet filters. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of the above steps is undertaken. In a further preferred embodiment, each step (1) through (iv) is required. 
     From  FIG. 4 , at  440 , a PDN gateway (P-GW) initiates a bearer modification procedure for the control APN with the PCRF and providing one or more QoS parameters. The QoS parameters are then received. Preferably, the procedure is one of a IP-CAN Session Modification as defined in 3GPP TS 23.203 (see http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/23203.htm) incorporated herein by reference. 
     At  450 , the UE receives the M2M control data. As part of this step, upon receipt of the modify EPS bearer context request message from the MME associated with the control APN, the UE retrieves the M2M control data from the delivered QoS parameters. In this manner the assignment of a control APN with an M2M control message from the CORE to the UE, being independent of user application level traffic is achieved. 
       FIG. 5  sets forth one embodiment of the present invention providing for a method for assigning a control Access Point Name (APN) in a machine-to-machine (M2M) network independent of user application level traffic, from the UE to the CORE. Further from  FIG. 5 , following the assignment of  510 , a procedure to send the M2M control message is set forth at  520 . At  520 , the M2M control message is from the UE.  FIG. 5  depicts steps of the present invention where the message is sent from the UE to the CORE. 
     From  FIG. 5 , the M2M control data is prepared for sending by overriding one or more M2M quality of service (QoS) and traffic flow template (TFT) parameters at  530 . For the present invention, the step of overriding includes overriding one or more of: (i) operator specific QoS class identifier (QCI) values by 1 octet; (ii) maximum bit rate (MBR) by four octets, whereby two octets are per each uplink and each downlink; (iii) guaranteed bit rate (GBR) by four octets, whereby two octets are per each uplink and each downlink; and (iv) one or more TFT parameters by between three and two hundred fifty seven octets in relation to the number of included packet filters. In a preferred embodiment, the step of overriding includes at least a plurality of (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv). In a further preferred embodiment, the step of overriding includes all of (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv). 
     At  540 , the present invention provides for the UE initiating a bearer modification procedure for the control APN. At  550 , the step of receiving further includes receiving a modify EPS bearer context request message, whereafter the PDN gateway (P-GW) and PCRF retrieve the M2M control data and reject the request message. In this manner the assignment of a control APN with an M2M control message from the UE to the CORE, being independent of user application level traffic is achieved. 
     Advantageously, the present invention in operation does not require a change in the network operations as only standard based bearer management procedures are incorporated; similarly, only M2M control data delivery occurs on the control plane such that there is no user plan traffic involved thereby being nearly transparent to the user applications; and, since non-GBR is utilized for the present invention for the control APN, there is no dedicated resource required. Additionally, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a user of the present invention may also apply pre-defined set(s) of M2M control data and modify or extend such to suit specific applications requirements while remaining within the scope of the invention herein. 
     Additional utilization of the present invention is envisioned in one or more embodiments where the sources available for integration may be identified and associated with creating or identifying data streams to gather associated data from within the network. 
     Although the present invention has been described in accordance with the embodiments shown, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that there could be variations to the embodiments and those variations would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, many modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Many other embodiments of the present invention are also envisioned. 
     In one or more preferred embodiments, servers and/or back-end servers may include Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) servers. 
     The term IMS is intended to mean the IP Multimedia Subsystem or IP Multimedia Core Network Subsystem (IMS) which is an architectural framework for delivering IP multimedia services. The term OTT or “over-the-top” generally refers to the delivery of content and services over an infrastructure that is not under the same administrative control as the content or service provider. 
     Further, the following references are incorporated herein by reference: 3GPP TS 23.203 (http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/23203.htm); 3GPP TS 29.212 (http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/29212.htm); 3GPP TS 24.301 (http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/24301.htm); and, 3GPP TS 23.401 (http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/23401.htm). 
     Any theory, mechanism of operation, proof, or finding stated herein is meant to further enhance understanding of the present invention and is not intended to make the present invention in any way dependent upon such theory, mechanism of operation, proof, or finding. It should be understood that while the use of the word preferable, preferably or preferred in the description above indicates that the feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention, that scope being defined by the claims that follow.