Patent Description:
Presently, people request on daily basis mobile data for availing of services (such as web browsing, audio/video streaming, video chat, and so on) using their User Equipment ("UEs"), such as smartphones or tablets.

Operators of mobile communication networks offer - in exchange for a subscription - mobile plans providing the subscribers with a corresponding amount (e.g., in terms of Gigabytes) of mobile data they can exploit using their UE for a prescribed period of time (e.g., every month). This (e.g., monthly) amount of mobile data is referred to as mobile data quota, or simply data quota.

With the widespread of services requiring an ever-increasing amount of mobile data, data quotas offered by network operators may be not sufficient or too expensive. For example, users which regularly avail of high definition video streaming services may entirely consume their available data quota before the expiration of the prescribed period of time (e.g., before the end of the month).

<CIT> discloses a method for providing, by a server, a sharing service that enables a plurality of user equipment to share at least one of digital assets. The method may include generating a sharing group for virtually linking a first user equipment with a second user equipment in response to a grouping request message from the first user equipment, creating a virtual data sharing storage in association with the generated sharing group in order to virtually store a predetermined amount of sharing data allowance, in response to a data depositing message from the first user equipment, depositing a first amount of data allowance into the virtual data sharing storage for sharing the first amount of data allowance belonging to the first user equipment with the second user equipment virtually linked to the first user equipment as the same sharing group, and in response to a data withdrawing message from the second user equipment, withdrawing a second amount of data allowance from the sharing data allowance stored in the virtual data sharing storage for using the second amount of the sharing data allowance by the second user equipment.

<CIT> discloses to share cellular data access capabilities between mobile devices. Users of the mobile devices can be presented with options for selecting a set of polices for sharing cellular data access capabilities between the mobile devices and as a function of cellular data plan capacities. The set of policies can be stored in a memory of the mobile devices. Using a first application operating on a first one of the mobile devices and based upon the stored set of polices, a request can be transmitted to request cellular data access capabilities of a second one of the mobile devices. Using a second application operating on the second mobile device and based upon the stored set of policies, the first mobile device can be provided access to cellular data access capabilities of a second mobile devices.

<CIT> discloses a system and method implemented at a communication device or mobile hotspot device for providing access to data services over a wireless communication network to one or more user devices. The communication or hotspot device is adapted to provide router, mobile hotspot-type or ad hoc networking functions to user devices such as laptops, tablets, and other entertainment and productivity devices adapted to communicate over a wireless LAN and to provide access to broadband data services. The data services provided over the network may be subject to one or more data allowances or data transfer limits. The communication or hotspot device is adapted to manage the user device connections and data transfer to and from the communication device within the data allowances or according to predetermined prioritization.

<CIT> discloses a mobile telephone having a SIM card and control circuit including an interface for wirelessly communicating identification and/or authentication data from the SIM card over a short-range to the wireless interface of a second, SIM-less telephone, e.g. mobile telephone, thereby allowing the second telephone to access a radio communications network. The SIM-less telephone may be separately identified and/or authenticated by the donor mobile telephone, with data being transmitted over the short-range wireless connection only if the SIM-less telephone is authorised to receive the data. The donor telephone may cease to operate whilst the SIM-less telephone is connected to the network, with the donor telephone resuming operation when the SIM-less telephone disconnects, or when the short-range wireless connection is broken. The SIM-less telephone may be a motor vehicle radiotelephone.

<CIT> discloses a system for determining a quota comprises an input interface, a candidate quota determiner, one or more quota modification determiners, and an output interface. The input interface is for receiving a quota request for an activity and receiving an estimation or an actual measurement of one or more operating parameters. A candidate quota determiner is for determining a candidate quota amount based at least in part on candidate quota parameters. The one or more quota modification determiners are for determining one or more quota modifications based on the estimation or the actual measurement of the one or more operating parameters. The output interface provides a final quota amount based at least in part on the candidate quota amount and the one or more quota modifications.

<CIT> discloses a group server including a processor configured to receive a data quota usage report corresponding to data quota usage by at least one of a plurality of lines, the plurality of lines forming a group subject to a pre-paid data usage agreement with a data service provider and determine a data quota for the at least one of the plurality of lines based on at least the received data quota usage report and an accuracy threshold.

<CIT> discloses systems, methods, and software for performing online charging in next generation networks. In one embodiment, a Session Management Function (SMF) of a next generation network implements a Charging Trigger Function (CTF) that directly interfaces with an Online Charging System (OCS). The CTF transmits a charging request to the OCS requesting a quota of service units for the SMF, and receives a charging response from the OCS indicating the quota of service units granted to the SMF by the OCS. The CTF then manages the quota by allocating slices of the quota to User Plane Functions (UPF) implemented in a user plane of the next generation network.

The Applicant has found that the known solutions cited above for managing and improving data quota offered by mobile communication networks are not efficient because affected by several drawbacks.

The solution disclosed in <CIT> requires the creation of static group of users that has to explicitly interact to each other and is not able to efficiently fulfill privacy and security requirements.

The solution disclosed in <CIT> is not capable of differentiating data packets associated to each mobile device accessing network services and it works only for mobile devices that are in a geographical proximity.

<CIT> provides for a specific platform, not integrated into the mobile communication networks, that is not able to efficiently control data transfer between users and the mobile communication networks.

The solution disclosed in <CIT> is not capable of allowing a plurality of different mobile devices to interact with the mobile communication networks in an independent manner.

In view of the above, the Applicant has devised a solution for a flexible and efficient management of data quotas for data communication between UE and mobile communication networks.

An aspect of the present invention relates to a system according to independent claim <NUM>.

The system comprises at least one mobile communication network each one adapted to grant UE subscribed thereto a corresponding data quota comprising a corresponding amount of mobile data the UE is allowed to exchange with the mobile communication network it is subscribed to.

The system further comprises a broker platform configured to make available for at least one mobile communication network a corresponding set of further data quotas.

The broker platform is further configured to receive a data amount request of a corresponding additional data quota for a UE subscribed to a corresponding mobile communication network, and, in response to said received data amount request, select a further data quota from the set of further data quotas corresponding to the mobile communication network said UE is subscribed to.

The broker platform is configured to provide said additional data quota to said UE through the mobile communication network said UE is subscribed to by exploiting at least a part of said selected further additional data quota.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, said further data quotas comprise network additional data quotas made available on the broker platform in response to a data quota agreement established between said at least one mobile communication network and at least one between the broker platform and service provider.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, said further data quotas comprise at least one shared data quota taken from the data quota of a corresponding UE subscribed to the communication network corresponding to said further data quotas.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, said at least one shared data quota is made available on the broker platform in response to a data sharing agreement between the broker platform and said corresponding UE.

The broker platform is configured to, in response to a received data amount request of an additional data quota for a UE subscribed to a corresponding mobile communication network, interact with a Session Management Function of said mobile communication network for opening a Packet Forwarding Control Protocol session toward an User Plane Function instance corresponding to said selected further data quota, and provide a corresponding data threshold for said additional data quota.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the Session Management Function of said mobile communication network is configured to open said Packet Forwarding Control Protocol session and establish a packet of rules comprising an indication of a run-time data usage of said additional data quota for said UE.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the Session Management Function of said mobile communication network is further configured to instantiate an Uplink Classifier functionality within said User Plane Function instance for identifying and discriminating data packet transmitted to/received from UE using said additional data quota.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the Session Management Function of said mobile communication network is further configured to periodically forward to the broker platform the run-time data usages of additional data quotas for UE that are using said selected further data quota.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the broker platform is configured to monitor the residual availability of data of an additional data quota for a UE by making a comparison between the actual run-time data usage of said UE and the data threshold for said additional data quota.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the broker platform is configured to notify a UE about the inability of benefiting anymore from the data of the corresponding additional data quota when the actual run-time data usage of said UE equals the data threshold for said additional data quota.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the broker platform is configured to generate a notification about a reduction of available data in said selected further data quota when said actual run-time data usage of said UE equals the data threshold for said additional data quota.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the broker platform is configured to add up the run-time data usages of additional data quotas for UE that are using a same further data quota for calculating an overall data usage of said further data quota, and sending said calculated overall data usage of said further data quota to a Policy and Charging Function of the mobile communication network corresponding to said further data quota.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, said broker platform is configured to generate a notification about the expiration of a further data quota when the calculated overall data usage of said further data quota reaches a corresponding overall amount of data of said further data quota.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method according to independent claim <NUM>.

The method comprises having at least one mobile communication network grant UE subscribed thereto a corresponding data quota comprising a corresponding amount of mobile data the UE is allowed to exchange with said mobile communication network it is subscribed to.

The method further comprises having a broker platform make available for at least one mobile communication network a corresponding set of further data quotas.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises having the broker platform receive a data amount request of a corresponding additional data quota for a UE subscribed to a corresponding mobile communication network.

The method further comprises having the broker platform, in response to said received data amount request, select a further data quota from the set of further data quotas corresponding to the mobile communication network said UE is subscribed to.

The method further comprises having the broker platform provide said additional data quota to said UE through the mobile communication network said UE is subscribed to by exploiting at least a part of said selected further data quota.

These and other features and advantages of the solution according to the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof, provided merely by way of non-limitative example, to be read in conjunction with the attached drawings. On this regard, it is explicitly intended that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale (with some details thereof that can be exaggerated and/or simplified) and that, unless otherwise stated, they are simply used for conceptually illustrating the described structures and procedures. Particularly:.

<FIG> illustrates in terms of functional modules a scenario in which a method and a system for managing mobile data quotas can be applied according to an embodiment of the present invention.

It should be noted that the terms 'unit', 'system', 'platform' or 'module' are herein intended to comprise, but not limited to, hardware, firmware, software, and combinations thereof.

For example, a unit, system, platform, or module may be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computing device.

In other words, a unit, system, platform or module may comprise an application being executed on a computing device and/or the computing device itself.

One or more units, systems, platforms or modules may be localized on one computing device and/or distributed between two or more computing devices.

Units, systems, platforms or modules may comprise and/or interact with computer readable media storing data according to various data structures.

The units, systems, platforms or modules may communicate by exploiting local and/or remote processes, preferably by means of electrical, electromagnetic and/or optical signals providing one or more data packets, such as data packets from one unit, system, platform or module interacting with another unit, system or module in a local system, in a distributed system, and/or across a radio network and/or a wired network.

In this scenario, one or more mobile communication networks <NUM>(n) (n = <NUM>, <NUM>,. ) are configured to wirelessly exchange data with corresponding UE, such as smartphones or tablets. For example, the mobile communication networks <NUM>(n) may be <NUM> mobile communication networks.

In order to be allowed of exchanging data with a generic n-th mobile communication network <NUM>(n), the user of a UE has to make (usually, buy) a corresponding subscription S(n,m) to the operator of said n-th mobile communication network <NUM>(n). The generic m-th UE whose user made a subscription S(n,m) to the operator of the generic n-th mobile communication network <NUM>(n) (briefly, "UE associated to the mobile communication network <NUM>(n)") is hereinafter identified with reference <NUM>(n,m).

The UE <NUM>(n,m) associated to the mobile communication network <NUM>(n) is equipped with a corresponding Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) <NUM>(n,m) configured to securely store an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) and related keys adapted to identify and authenticate the user of the UE <NUM>(n,m) having made the subscription S(n,m). The concepts of the present invention can be also applied to the case in which the UE <NUM>(n,m) may be equipped with multiple SIMs, or a virtual SIM, or also when the UE <NUM>(n,m) is configured to perform a SIMless authentication.

Through the subscription S(n,m), the operator of the mobile communication network <NUM>(n) grants the user of the UE <NUM>(n,m) a corresponding (mobile) data quota DQ(n,m), i.e., a corresponding amount of mobile data (e.g., in terms of Gigabytes) the UE <NUM>(n,m) equipping the SIM <NUM>(n,m) is allowed to exchange with the mobile communication network <NUM>(n), for example to be used during a prescribed period of time (e.g., every month).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a data quota brokering management platform <NUM> is provided (hereinafter, simply "broker platform"), the owner of which (hereinafter, also referred to as "broker") made a data quota agreement DA(n) with one or more of the (operators of the) mobile communication networks <NUM>(n) in order to purchase therefrom corresponding sets of additional data quotas. For each mobile communication network <NUM>(n), or for a subset thereof, a corresponding set K(n) of network additional data quotas NQ(n, k) (k = <NUM>, <NUM>,. ) is purchased and made available on the broker platform <NUM>. Each network additional data quota NQ(n, k) provides a respective overall amount of data TH(n,k). As will be described in detail in the following of the description, portions of said network additional data quotas NQ(n, k) available on the broker platform <NUM> which correspond to a mobile communication network <NUM>(n) can be provided to UE <NUM>(n,m) associated to said mobile communication network <NUM>(n) in order to increase the amount of mobile data traffic the UE <NUM>(n,m) can exchange with the mobile communication network <NUM>(n).

One or more service providers <NUM>(j) (j = <NUM>, <NUM>,. ) are provided, configured to provide services (e.g., video and/or audio streaming) to UE <NUM>(n,m) whose users made a service agreement SA(n,m,j) therewith. It has to be appreciated that a same service provider <NUM>(j) is in general configured to provide services to UE <NUM>(n,m) associated to different mobile communication networks <NUM>(n).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one service provider <NUM>(j) establishes a brokering agreement AB(j) with the broker of the broker platform <NUM> in order to purchase some of the available network additional data quotas NQ(n, k) corresponding to one or more mobile communication networks <NUM>(n).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the service provider <NUM>(j) may offer to UE <NUM>(n,m), whose users made a service agreement SA(n,m,j) with the service provider <NUM>(j) itself, an additional data quota AD(n,m) taken from a selected network additional data quota NQ(n,k) corresponding to the mobile communication network <NUM>(n), to be used in place of or in addition to its data quota DQ(n,m). Said additional data quota AD(n,m) may be offered by the service provider <NUM>(j) to the UE <NUM>(n,m) as a Value-Added Service (VAS) for enjoying specific services provided by the service provider <NUM>(j) (e.g., to be used for video and/or audio streaming), or for other purposes not relating to the services provided by the service provider <NUM>(j) (e.g., to be used when the data quota DQ(n,m) is exceeded).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, in order to exploit the offered additional data quota AD(n,m), the UE <NUM>(n,m) forwards a registration and data amount request DR(n,m) to the broker platform <NUM>, specifying the amount of data (data threshold) th(n,m) of the offered additional data quota AD(n,m) and the intended way of utilization of said offered additional data quota AD(n,m) (for example, for enjoying specific services provided by the service provider <NUM>(j)). According to another embodiment of the present invention, said registration and data amount request DR(n,m) to the broker platform <NUM> is instead directly carried out by the service provider <NUM>(j) in the place of the UE <NUM>(n,m). According to an embodiment of the present invention, the registration and data amount request DR(n,m) can be sent using a communication mechanism including for example a web interface or a dedicated app.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, in response to the received registration and data amount request DR(n,m), the broker platform <NUM> is configured to select a corresponding network additional data quota NQ(n,k) - reserved for the service provider <NUM>(j) - available on the broker platform <NUM> and corresponding to the mobile communication network <NUM>(n) the requesting UE <NUM>(n,m) is associated to.

In this way, the mobile communication network <NUM>(n) may serve the UE <NUM>(n,m) using the amount of data of the additional data quota AD(n,m) taken from the selected network additional data quota NQ(n,k) instead of using data taken from its own data quota DQ(n,m).

The bidirectional arrow identified with reference <NUM> between the mobile communication networks <NUM>(n) and the broker platform <NUM> represents the interactions between the mobile communication networks <NUM>(n) and the broker platform <NUM> for the management of additional data quotas AD(n,m) which will be described in greater detail with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates in terms of functional modules a scenario in which a method and a system for managing mobile data quotas can be applied according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

The scenario illustrated in <FIG> differs from the one illustrated in <FIG> in that:.

Apart from the two difference above, the scenarios illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> are the same.

In the scenario illustrated in <FIG>, there is no service provider <NUM>(j), and the network additional data quotas NQ(n, k) purchased by the broker and provided over the broker platform <NUM> can be exploited for allowing a user of a UE <NUM>(n,m) to directly request an additional data quota AD(n,m) (corresponding to an amount of data (data threshold) th(n,m)) of the network additional data quotas NQ(n, k) through a registration and data amount request DR(n,m) to the broker platform <NUM>.

It has to be appreciated that in all the scenarios illustrated in <FIG>, the network additional data quotas NQ(n, k) may be also obtained (purchased) from a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) whose services rely on modules of an operator's mobile communication network.

In the scenarios described above with reference to <FIG>, the additional data quota AD(n,m) offered to the UE <NUM>(n,m) are parts of network additional data quotas NQ(n, k) purchased from (the operator of) the mobile communication networks <NUM>(n) by the (broker of the) broker platform <NUM> or by a service provider <NUM>(j). Instead, in the scenario of <FIG>, a (user of a) UE <NUM>(n,p) having made a subscription S(n,p) to the operator of a mobile communication network <NUM>(n) for receiving a corresponding (mobile) data quota DQ(n,p), establishes a sharing agreement SHA(n,p) with the broker platform <NUM> in order to make a shared data quota Q(n,p), taken from its own data quota DQ(n,p), available on the broker platform <NUM>. The shared data quota Q(n,p), or portions thereof, can then be offered as additional data quota(s) AD(n,m) to others UE <NUM>(n,m) associated to the same mobile communication network <NUM>(n) of the UE <NUM>(n,p).

It has to be appreciated that according to an embodiment of the present invention, in the scenario illustrated in <FIG>, the shared data quotas Q(n, p) may also be part of the data quota DQ(n,p) of UE <NUM>(n,p) obtained (purchased) from a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) whose services rely on modules of an operator's mobile communication network.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the broker platform <NUM> in any of the scenarios of <FIG> may be also owned by one of the mobile communication networks <NUM>(n).

Thanks to the solutions according to the embodiments of the present invention, each UE <NUM>(n,m) in any of the scenarios of <FIG> can be advantageously identified by the mobile communication network <NUM>(n) when it uses data from the offered additional data quotas AD(n,m) (e.g. for lawful interception purposes).

Moreover, in any of the scenarios of <FIG>, the UE <NUM>(n,m) is not able to know the origin of the data exploited from the additional data quota AD(n,m), since the data management is carried out by the broker platform <NUM>.

<FIG> schematically illustrates a set of operation phases carried out by a mobile communication network <NUM>(n), a service provider <NUM>(j), the broker platform <NUM> and a UE <NUM>(n,m) associated to the mobile communication network <NUM>(n) in the scenario of <FIG> according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The first phase according to an embodiment of the present invention provides for the establishment of a data quota agreement DA(n) between the broker platform <NUM> and the (operator of the) mobile communication network <NUM>(n) in order to purchase therefrom a corresponding set of network additional data quotas NQ(n,k). For this purpose, the broker platform <NUM> sends an agreement and data quota request to the mobile communication network <NUM>(n) (operation <NUM>), and the mobile communication network <NUM>(n) affirmatively answers to said request by sending back to the broker platform <NUM> an acceptance notification (operation <NUM>). In this way, said set of network additional data quotas NQ(n,k) is made available on the broker platform <NUM>.

The next phase according to an embodiment of the present invention provides for the establishing of a broker agreement AB(j) between the service provider <NUM>(j) and the broker platform <NUM> in order to cause the service provider <NUM>(j) making use of (e.g., purchase) some of the available network additional data quotas NQ(n, k) corresponding to the mobile communication networks <NUM>(n). For this purpose, the service provider <NUM>(j) sends a broker agreement request to the broker platform (operation <NUM>). The broker platform <NUM> verifies the service provider <NUM>(j) reputation and reliability and checks whether the broker agreement request is actually feasible from a system capacity point of view, i.e., it verifies if there is a sufficient number of available additional data quotas NQ(n, k) (operation <NUM>). In case the check gives a positive result, the broker platform <NUM> affirmatively answers to the broker agreement request by sending back to the service provider <NUM>(j) an acceptance notification (operation <NUM>).

At this point, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the additional data quotas NQ(n,k) made available on the broker platform <NUM> are reserved for the service provider <NUM>(j) (operation <NUM>) for being offered to UE <NUM>(n,m) whose users made (or will make) a service agreement SA(n,m,j) with the service provider <NUM>(j).

For this purpose, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when (the user of) a UE <NUM>(n,m) forwards (operation <NUM>) a service agreement SA(n,m,j) request to the service provider <NUM>(j) (e.g., in the form of a first-time subscription, or a subscription to some additional services), the service provider <NUM>(j) may forward in turn an offer of a corresponding additional data quota AD(n,m) to said UE <NUM>(n,m) (operation <NUM>). Said offer may specify the way said additional data quota AD(n,m) may be used, for example for enjoying services provided by the service provider <NUM>(j), or for other purposes not relating to the services provided by the service provider <NUM>(j). The service provider <NUM>(j) may also offer additional data quotas AD(n,m) as benefits for new customer acquisition purposes.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the UE <NUM>(n,m) then forwards a registration and data amount request DR(n,m) to the broker platform <NUM> (operation <NUM>), specifying the amount of data (data threshold) th(n,m) of the offered additional data quota AD(n,m), and preferably details about the intended way of utilization of said additional data quota AD(n,m), comprising for example the kind and/or number of specific services to be enjoyed, and/or the usage time thereof (for example agreed with the service provider <NUM>(j)).

According to another embodiment of the present invention, said registration and data amount request DR(n,m) is instead directly forwarded by the service provider <NUM>(j) to the broker platform <NUM> in the place of the UE <NUM>(n,m) (operation <NUM>). In this case, the service provider <NUM>(j) may be advantageously configured to forward to the broker platform <NUM> multiple registration and data amount requests DR(n,m) pertaining to a plurality of different UE <NUM>(n,m) at the same time. In this case as well, details about the intended way of utilization of said additional data quotas AD(n,m) may be provided.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the broker platform <NUM> is configured to verify the reputation and/or reliability of the UE <NUM>(n,m) corresponding to the received registration and data amount request DR(n,m) (operation <NUM>).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, once the reputation and/or reliability of the UE <NUM>(n,m) has been positively verified, the broker platform <NUM> selects a corresponding network additional data quota NQ(n,k) available on the broker platform <NUM> and assigns a portion of the network additional data quota NQ(n,k) for the offered additional data quota AD(n,m) corresponding to an amount of data th(n,m) based on the received registration and data amount request DR(n,m) (operation <NUM>). The selected portion of network additional data quota NQ(n,k) is selected among the network additional data quota NQ(n,k) reserved (e.g., owned) by the service provider <NUM>(j) and corresponding to the mobile communication network <NUM>(n) the requesting UE <NUM>(n,m) is associated to.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, once the selection of a network additional data quota NQ(n,k) fulfilling the requested additional data quota AD(n,m) is carried out, the broker platform <NUM> forwards a data amount request acceptance notification to the requesting UE <NUM>(n,m). This notification can be directly forwarded to the requesting UE <NUM>(n,m) by the broker platform <NUM> (operation <NUM>) in case the registration and data amount request DR(n,m) was directly carried out by the UE <NUM>(n,m), or can be forwarded through the service provider <NUM>(j) (operations <NUM> and <NUM>) in case the registration and data amount request DR(n,m) was carried out by the service provider <NUM>(j).

At this point, the UE <NUM>(n,m) is allowed to use the offered additional data quota AD(n,m) taken from the selected network additional data quota NQ(n,k) instead of using data taken from its own data quota DQ(n,m) (operation <NUM>).

The operations described with reference to <FIG> can be also be applied to the scenario of <FIG>, with the following differences:.

The concepts of the present invention can also be applied to the case in which the network additional data quotas NQ(n, k) are directly purchased by the service provider <NUM>(j) (like in the scenario illustrated in <FIG>), and at the same time the service provider <NUM>(j) is also the owner of the broker platform <NUM>. It has to be appreciated that in this case, a further service provider different from the one being the owner of the broker platform <NUM> (i.e., the service provider <NUM>(j)) may establish data quota agreements DA(n) and/or broker agreements AB(j) in the same way described with reference to both the two scenarios of <FIG> and <FIG>.

In order to be applied also to the scenario of <FIG>, the operations described with reference to <FIG> should be modified in the following way.

<FIG> schematically illustrates a set of operation phases carried out by the broker platform <NUM>, the UE <NUM>(n,p) and a UE <NUM>(n,m) associated to the same mobile communication network <NUM>(n) of the UE <NUM>(n,p) in the scenario of <FIG> according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The first phase according to an embodiment of the present invention provides for the establishment of a sharing agreement SHA(n,p) between the UE <NUM>(n,p) and the broker platform <NUM>. For this purpose, the UE <NUM>(n,p) sends a registration and sharing agreement request to the broker platform <NUM> specifying the intention to make (portions of) its data quota DQ(n,p) available on the broker platform <NUM> for being shared among other UE <NUM>(n,m) associated with the same mobile communication network <NUM>(n) of the UE <NUM>(n,p) and registered to the broker platform <NUM> (operation <NUM>). According to an embodiment of the present invention, said request can be sent using a communication mechanism including for example a web interface or a dedicated app. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the UE <NUM>(n,p) also specifies the overall amount of data TH(n,p) associated to the shared data quota Q(n,p) - taken from its own data quota DQ(n,p) - the UE <NUM>(n,p) requested to make available on the broker platform <NUM>. Additionally, the UE <NUM>(n,p) request may also comprise an indication about possible allowed modes for accessing and using such shared data quota Q(n,p), e.g., by filling a proper form made available by the broker platform <NUM>. For example, the UE <NUM>(n,p) request may specify of usage time, data bundle of interest, service topology and/or indication of specific events.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the broker platform <NUM> then verifies the reputation and reliability of the UE <NUM>(n,p) (operation <NUM>), and, if the verification gives a positive result, the broker platform <NUM> elects the user of the UE <NUM>(n,p) as a "super-user", granting the possibility of making the shared data quota Q(n,p) available on the broker platform <NUM> (operation <NUM>).

At this point, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the shared data quota Q(n,p) is made available on the broker platform <NUM> (operation <NUM>), and the UE <NUM>(n,p) is accordingly notified (operation <NUM>).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the broker platform <NUM> can also allow the super-user of the UE <NUM>(n,p) to make available to other UE <NUM>(n,m) a reference contact tool (e.g., email, SMS, app notifications, web page) allowing them to make specific requests about how the shared data quota Q(n,p) can be accessed and used, that can be accordingly forwarded by the super-user of the UE <NUM>(n,p) to the broker platform <NUM>.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the (user of the) UE <NUM>(n,m) forwards to the broker platform <NUM> a registration and data amount request DR(n,m) of an additional data quota AD(n,m) to be taken from the shared data quota Q(n,p), specifying the corresponding amount of data th(n,m) of said additional data quota AD(n,m), and preferably details about the intended way of utilization of said additional data quota AD(n,m) (operation <NUM>).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the broker platform <NUM> verifies the reputation and/or reliability of the UE <NUM>(n,m) that made the request as well as verifies the feasibility of the data amount requested by the UE <NUM>(n,m) (operation <NUM>).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the broker platform <NUM> selects the most suitable shared data quota Q(n,p) available on the broker platform <NUM> and assigns (a portion of) the shared data quota Q(n,p) for the additional data quota AD(n,m) corresponding to an amount of data th(n,m) based on the received registration and data amount request DR(n,m) (operation <NUM>).

At this point, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the broker platform <NUM> forwards a data amount request acceptance notification to the requesting UE <NUM>(n,m) (operation <NUM>).

At this point, the UE <NUM>(n,m) is allowed to use the additional data quota AD(n,m) taken from the shared data quota Q(n,p) instead of (or in addition to) using data taken from its own data quota DQ(n,m) (operation <NUM>).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the UE <NUM>(n,m) and the UE <NUM>(n,p) may communicate to each other through the broker platform <NUM> for allowing variations in the additional data quota AD(n,m) and/or in the data amount request DR(n,m) (e.g., for changing the way such additional data quota AD(n,m) can be exploited).

<FIG> schematically illustrates a set of operation phases carried out by modules of the mobile communication network <NUM>(n), the broker platform <NUM> and a UE <NUM>(n,m) associated to the mobile communication network <NUM>(n) for the management of additional data quotas AD(n,m) taken from selected network additional data quotas NQ(n,k) (as in the scenarios of <FIG>) or from the shared data quota Q(n,p) (as in the scenario of <FIG>) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

It is pointed out that the operation phases illustrated in <FIG> can be applied to any of the previously described scenarios with reference to <FIG>. Moreover, it has to be underlined that all the described scenarios, or at least a subset thereof, can coexist together at the same time in a more complex multiple-scenario.

Moreover, it has to be underlined that the broker platform <NUM> interfaces with the modules of the mobile communication network <NUM>(n) for identifying and discriminating data packets transmitted to and received by UE <NUM>(n,m) which relates to additional data quota AD(n,m) taken from selected network additional data quotas NQ(n,k) (as in the scenarios of <FIG> ) or from the shared data quota Q(n,p) (as in the scenario of <FIG>). For this purpose, making reference to <FIG>, wherein a reference point representation of some modules of the <NUM> mobile communication network <NUM>(n) is provided (according to <NUM> terminology, the modules being also referred to as "functions"), showing a Network Exposure Function NEF, a Session Management Function SMF, a Policy and Charging Function PCF, a User Plane Function UPF, an Access and Mobility Function AMF, a Radio Access Network RAN, a Data Network DN, and corresponding interfaces N1, N2, N3, N4, N5, N6, N7, N9, N11, N29, N30, N33, the broker platform <NUM> is represented as an Application Function (AF) interacting with the mobile communication network <NUM>(n) which may be coupled to the NEF module through interfaces N33 in case the broker platform <NUM> is not within the domain of the (operator of) the (<NUM>) mobile communication network <NUM>(n), otherwise the broker platform <NUM> is directly linked to the PCF module through interface N5.

Returning back to <FIG> and, for the sake of simplicity, assuming that the broker platform <NUM> is not within the domain of the (operator of) the (<NUM>) mobile communication network <NUM>(n), based on standard specification 3GPP TS <NUM> "Procedures for the <NUM> System - Stage <NUM>", 3GPP TS <NUM> "Policy and Charging control Framework for the <NUM> system - Stage <NUM>", 3GPP TS <NUM> "Interface between the Control Plane and the User Plane Nodes - Stage <NUM>", according to an embodiment of the present invention, the broker platform <NUM> interacts with the SMF through the NEF for opening towards a specific UPF instance (identified as UPF(CL)) a plurality of Packet Forwarding Control Protocol (PFCP) sessions, each one corresponding to a respective one of the network additional data quotas NQ(n,k) (as in the scenarios of <FIG>) or to a respective one of the shared data quota Q(n,p) (as in the scenario of <FIG>). These PFCP sessions allow communication between control plane and user plane functions through interface N4. In greater details, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the broker platform <NUM> sends to the NEF a request to establish a corresponding PFCP session for each network additional data quota NQ(n,k) (as in the scenarios of <FIG>) or for each shared data quota Q(n,p) (as in the scenario of <FIG>) (operation <NUM>), which is in turn forwarded to the SMF (operation <NUM>). For each request to establish a PFCP session for a network additional data quota NQ(n,k) (as in the scenarios of <FIG>) or for a shared data quota Q(n,p) (as in the scenario of <FIG>), the broker platform <NUM> communicates also the data amounts (data thresholds) th(n,m) of the corresponding additional data quotas AD(n,m) offered to the UE <NUM>(n,m) requiring to exploit said network additional data quota NQ(n,k) (as in the scenarios of <FIG>) or said shared data quota Q(n,p) (as in the scenario of <FIG>).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the SMF opens toward the UPF(CL) instance a PFCP session for a network additional data quota NQ(n,k) (as in the scenarios of <FIG>) or for a shared data quota Q(n,p) (as in the scenario of <FIG>), establishing for each UE <NUM>(n,m) requiring to exploit said network additional data quota NQ(n,k) (as in the scenarios of <FIG>) or said shared data quota Q(n,p) (as in the scenario of <FIG>) a corresponding packet of rules, in the 3GPP standard referred to as Packet Detection Rules (PDR) (operation <NUM>). The PDR comprises, among the others, a Forwarding Action Rule (FAR), a Buffering Action Rule (BAR), a QoS Enforcement Rule (QER), a Usage Reporting Rule (URR), and Packet Detection Information (PDI).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the URR of the PDR corresponding to a specific UE <NUM>(n,m) provides information about the way the additional data quota AD(n,m) taken from the network additional data quota NQ(n,k) (as in the scenarios of <FIG>) or from the shared data quota Q(n,p) (according to the scenario of <FIG>) is used, for example in terms of usage time, data bundle of interest, service topology and/or indication of specific events (e.g., notifications about the expiration of the additional data quota AD(n,m)).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, while the FAR, the BAR, the QER, and the PDI of the PDRs corresponding to a PFCP session are the same for all the UE <NUM>(n,m) configured to exploit the network additional data quota NQ(n,k) (as in the scenarios of <FIG>) or the shared data quota Q(n,p) (as in the scenario of <FIG>), the URR of each PDR corresponding to a UE <NUM>(n,m) provides the run-time data usage t(n,m) of the additional data quota AD(n,m) associated to said UE <NUM>(n,m), i.e., the amount of data actually used by that UE <NUM>(n,m) taken from the associated additional data quota AD(n,m). The URRs of the UE <NUM>(n,m) configured to exploit the network additional data quota NQ(n,k) (as in the scenarios of <FIG>) or the shared data quota Q(n,p) (as in the scenario of <FIG>) are calculated based on activities carried out by said UE <NUM>(n,m) when it is actually exploiting data from said network additional data quota NQ(n,k) (as in the scenarios of <FIG>) or from said shared data quota Q(n,p) (as in the scenario of <FIG>).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, once the SMF established a communication with the instance UPF(CL), the SMF instantiates the Uplink Classifier functionality within the UPF(CL) (operation <NUM>). According to an embodiment of the present invention, said Uplink Classifier (identified in <FIG> with reference UL) uses appropriate filters and parameterizations (which are defined in standard specifications) for identifying and discriminating data packets transmitted to/received from UE <NUM>(n,m) that uses the network additional data quota NQ(n,k) (as in the scenarios of <FIG>) or the shared data quota Q(n,p) (as in the scenario of <FIG>). The UPF(CL) allows data of UE <NUM>(n,m) corresponding to the associated additional data quota AD(n,m) to be forwarded to the Data Network DN via the interface N6 (operation <NUM>), and, therefore, to be transmitted to/received from the UE <NUM>(n,m). According to an embodiment of the present invention, the Uplink Classifier UL within the UPF(CL) may also interface with a generic UPF via the interface N9, so to simultaneously allow also traditional communication, i.e., based on corresponding (mobile) data quota DQ(n,m) owned by the UE <NUM>(n,m), to the Data Network DN via the N6 logical interface.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the SMF periodically receives from UPF(CL) and forwards to the broker platform <NUM> - through the NEF - the run-time data usages t(n,m) of additional data quotas AD(n,m) of the UE <NUM>(n,m) that are using the network additional data quota NQ(n,k) (as in the scenarios of <FIG>) or the shared data quota Q(n,p) (as in the scenario of <FIG>) (operations <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>). According to an embodiment of the present invention, the run-time data usages t(n,m) are obtained based on the URR of the UE <NUM>(n,m) that are using the network additional data quota NQ(n,k) (as in the scenarios of <FIG>) or the shared data quota Q(n,p) (as in the scenario of <FIG>).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, for each UE <NUM>(n,m) that is using the network additional data quota NQ(n,k) (as in the scenarios of <FIG>) or the shared data quota Q(n,p) (as in the scenario of <FIG>), the broker platform <NUM> is configured to compare its actual run-time data usage t(n,m) with the amount of data (data threshold) th(n,m) of the corresponding additional data quota AD(n,m) offered to said UE <NUM>(n,m) (as in the scenarios of <FIG>) or requested by said UE <NUM>(n,m) (as in the scenario of <FIG>) (operation <NUM>). In this way, the broker platform <NUM> is able to monitor for each UE <NUM>(n,m) the residual availability of data of the corresponding offered/requested additional data quota AD(n,m).

According to an embodiment of the present invention (not illustrated in the figures), the broker platform <NUM> may be configured to implement an early notification mechanism which provides for generating a warning when the run-time data usage t(n,m) of an additional data quota AD(n,m) by the corresponding UE <NUM>(n,m) reached a predefined fraction of the amount of data (data threshold) th(n,m) of said additional data quota AD(n,m), such as for example the <NUM>% or the <NUM>% of th(n,m).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the broker platform <NUM> is configured to periodically add up the run-time data usages t(n,m) of all the UE <NUM>(n,m) that are using a same network additional data quota NQ(n,k) (as in the scenarios of <FIG>) or a same shared data quota Q(n,p) (as in the scenario of <FIG>), in order to calculate an overall data usage T(n,k) of said network additional data quota NQ(n,k) (as in the scenarios of <FIG>) or said shared data quota Q(n,p) (as in the scenario of <FIG>), and periodically forward this overall data usage T(n,k) to the PCF (operation <NUM>).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, for each network additional data quota NQ(n,k) (as in the scenarios of <FIG>) or each shared data quota Q(n,p) (as in the scenario of <FIG>), the PCF is configured to compare the corresponding overall data usage T(n,k) with the overall amount of data TH(n,k) corresponding to the network additional data quota NQ(n,k) (as in the scenarios of <FIG>) or the shared data quota Q(n,p) (as in the scenario of <FIG>) (operation <NUM>).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the PCF is configured to notify the broker platform <NUM> updated information about the residual availability of data of the various network additional data quotas NQ(n,k) (as in the scenarios of <FIG>) or the various shared data quotas Q(n,p) (as in the scenario of <FIG>) (operation <NUM>).

As already mentioned above in relation to the previously described operations <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, the SMF periodically forwards to the broker platform <NUM> - through the NEF - the run-time data usages t(n,m) the additional data quotas AD(n,m) of the UE <NUM>(n,m) that are using the network additional data quota NQ(n,k) (as in the scenarios of <FIG>) or the shared data quota Q(n,p) (as in the scenario of <FIG>). According to an embodiment of the present invention, the broker platform <NUM> is configured to assess that a UE <NUM>(n,m) consumed all the amount of data (data threshold) th(n,m) associated to its additional data quota AD(n,m) when the run-time data usage t(n,m) of the additional data quota AD(n,m) by the corresponding UE <NUM>(n,m) reached the corresponding data threshold th(n,m) (operation <NUM>). In this case, according to an embodiment of the present invention the broker platform <NUM> properly informs the user of the UE <NUM>(n,m) about the inability of benefiting anymore from the data of its additional data quota AD(n,m), such as for example by SMS, e-mail, app-notification or other means (operation <NUM>).

According to an embodiment of the present invention (not illustrated in <FIG>), when this situation occurs, the broker platform <NUM> is configured to inform the owner of the network additional data quota NQ(n,k) (as in the scenarios of <FIG>) or of the shared data quota Q(n,p) (as in the scenario of <FIG>) corresponding to said expired additional data quota AD(n,m), about the reduction of available data in said network additional data quota NQ(n,k) (as in the scenarios of <FIG>) or in said shared data quota Q(n,p) (as in the scenario of <FIG>).

As already mentioned in relation to operation <NUM>, for each network additional data quota NQ(n,k) (as in the scenarios of <FIG>) or for each shared data quota Q(n,p) (as in the scenario of <FIG>), the PCF is configured to compare the corresponding overall data usage T(n,k) with the overall amount of data TH(n,k) of said network additional data quota NQ(n,k) (as in the scenarios of <FIG>) or said shared data quota Q(n,p) (as in the scenario of <FIG>). According to an embodiment of the present invention, the broker platform <NUM> is configured to assess that the data of the network additional data quota NQ(n,k) (as in the scenarios of <FIG>) or of the shared data quota Q(n,p) (according to the scenario of <FIG>) has been entirely consumed when the corresponding overall data usage T(n,k) reached the corresponding overall amount of data TH(n,k) (block <NUM>). In this case, the network additional data quota NQ(n,k) (as in the scenarios of <FIG>1C) or the shared data quota Q(n,p) (as in the scenario of <FIG>) cannot be used anymore.

According to an embodiment of the present invention (not illustrated in figure), when this situation occurs, the broker platform <NUM> is configured to inform the owner of said network additional data quota NQ(n,k) (as in the scenarios of <FIG>) or of said shared data quota Q(n,p) (as in the scenario of <FIG>), about the expiration of said network additional data quota NQ(n,k) (as in the scenarios of <FIG>) or of said shared data quota Q(n,p) (as in the scenario of <FIG>).

Claim 1:
A system, comprising:
- at least one mobile communication network (<NUM>(n)) each one adapted to grant UE (<NUM>(n,m)) subscribed thereto a corresponding data quota (DQ(n,m)) comprising a corresponding amount of mobile data which the UE (<NUM>(n,m)) is allowed to exchange with the mobile communication network (<NUM>(n)) it is subscribed to;
characterized in that the system further comprises:
- a broker platform (<NUM>) configured to make available for at least one mobile communication network (<NUM>(n)) a corresponding set of further data quotas (NQ(n,k), Q(n,p)), the broker platform (<NUM>) being further configured to receive a data amount request DR(n,m) of a corresponding additional data quota (AD(n,m)) for a UE (<NUM>(n,m)) subscribed to a corresponding mobile communication network (<NUM>(n)), and, in response to said received data amount request (DR(n,m)), select a further data quota (NQ(n,k), Q(n,p)) from the set of further data quotas (NQ(n,k), Q(n,p)) corresponding to the mobile communication network (<NUM>(n)) said UE (<NUM>(n,m)) is subscribed to, and provide said additional data quota (AD(n,m)) to said UE (<NUM>(n,m)) through the mobile communication network (<NUM>(n)) said UE (<NUM>(n,m)) is subscribed to by exploiting at least a part of said selected further additional data quota (NQ(n,k), Q(n,p)),
and the broker platform (<NUM>) is further configured to
- in response to a received data amount request (DR(n,m)) of an additional data quota (AD(n,m)) for a UE (<NUM>(n,m)) subscribed to a corresponding mobile communication network (<NUM>(n)), interact with a Session Management Function (SMF) of said mobile communication network (<NUM>(n)) for opening a Packet Forwarding Control Protocol session toward an User Plane Function (UPF) instance corresponding to said selected further data quota (NQ(n,k), Q(n,p)), and provide a corresponding data threshold for said additional data quota (AD(n,m)).