`
`3B2
`
`US00782635
`
`a2) United States Patent
`US 7,826,353 B2
`(10) Patent No.:
`Nov.2, 2010
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Honkasaloet al.
`
`
`(54) METHOD, SYSTEM AND NETWORK
`ELEMENTFOR AUTHORIZINGA DATA
`TRANSMISSION
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Zhi-Chun Honkasalo, Kauniainen (FI);
`Tuija Hurtta, Espoo(FI); Vilho
`Raisdénen, Helsinki (FI)
`
`........... 370/941
`2/2003 Shaheenetal.
`2003/0035401 Al*
`............ 709/225
`3/2003 Rezaiifar etal.
`2003/0055964 Al*
`w. 370/328
`7/2004 Auterinen.......
`2004/0131023 AL“
`we 370/352
`9/2004 Engmannetal.
`2004/0190492 Al*
`2005/0276229 AL™ 12/2005 Torabi ....een. 370/252
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`WO 02/32165
`4/2002
`
`
`
`WO
`
`(73) Assignee: Nokia Corporation (FI)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the termofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`:
`VSG. TS) by IDeA aay,
`!
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/677,493
`(22)
`Filed:
`Oct. 3, 2003
`
`3GPP, 3”? Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification
`Group Services and Aspects; Dynamic Policy control enhancements
`for end-to-end QoS; (Release 6), (Feb. 2003).
`3GPP, 3 Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification
`Group and System Aspects; End-to-end Quality of Service (QoS)
`concept and architecture; (Release 5), (Mar. 2003).
`* cited by examiner
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2004/0223602 Al
`Nov. 11, 2004
`.
`ee
`_.
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`(EP)
`seesesenveee 03010128
`
`Primary Examiner—Ricky Ngo
`Assistant Examiner—Gary Mui
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Mintz, Levin, Cohn,Ferris,
`Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
`
`(30)
`ABSIT
`(57)
`May 5, 2003
`A mechanism for controlling connection parameters for a
`(51)
`Int.Cl
`communication connection between network elementsis dis-
`(2006.01)
`HoL 7226
`closed. When the communication connectionIs initialized, an
`4
`52) US EL tascenitnnsinn 370290; 370252; ae authorization for the connection parameters ofservices is
`:
`i
`.
`requested froma policy control entity which decides on con-
`(58) Field of Classification Search oh ees 370/230,
`nection parameters to be authorized for the communication
`SeceenREHae2001 ’oe me 7 » 465, 310
`connectionand onservice types whichcanbe provided forthe
`See applicationfile for complete search history.
`communication connection. A decision messageis sentto a
`References Cited
`communication control network element wherein the deci-
`a ;
`sion message comprises the authorization for the connection
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`parameters, service types usable for the communication con-
`370/230.1
`6,621,793 B2*
`9/2003 Widegren etal
`nection, and an information portion indicating, for each ser-
`709/227
`6.850.983 B2*
`2/2005 Reraiifarctal. ............
`vice, whetheror not thepolicy control entity controls a further
`
`6.963.565 B1* 11/2005 Brenneretal. ........... 370/351
`authorization regarding at least one ofthe indicated service
`6.970423 B2* [1/2005 Chuah ccccccccccceccceeeee.s.. 370/230
`types in the communication connection. The decision mes-
`7,024,487 B2"
`4/2006 Mochizukiet al.
`.......... 709/238
`sage is enforced in the communication connection by the
`
`........ 370/230.1
`2002/0036983 Al”
`3/2002 Widegren etal.
`communication control network element.
`2002/0114305 Al*
`8/2002 Oyama etal.
`............... 370/338
`2002/0184510 AL*®
`12/2002 Shieh wee TLBV/LBS
`
`(56)
`
`74 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`APPLICATION
`APPLICATION
`APPLICATION
`
`
`
`FUNCTION
`FUNCTION
`FUNCION
`
`
`
`SERVICE 1
`SERVICE 2
`SERVICE 3
`
`
`eo peenD
`
`
`
`
`5
`
`4
`
`MANAGER
`DATABASE
`
`(PDF)
`
`INTERFACE (e.g. Go)
`
`
`INTERFACE (e.g. Gq) SUBSCRIPTION POLICY CONTROL
`
`GATEWAY(COMMUNICATION
`
`CONTROL) NETWORK ELEMENT
`
`(GGSN,ISN etc.)
`
`T-MOBILE EXHIBIT 1004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 2, 2010
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
`
`NOILdaOSans (AXOUd
`NOILVOI'IddV
`
`NOILVOITddVNOILVOI'TddV
`€ADIANASZ@AQIANTS
`
`NOIONNANOILONNA
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`YWAOVNVA
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`ASVAVLVG
`
`
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`TIOUWLNODADDITION
`
`ALLING
`
`(add)
`
`
`
`(045‘3'2)FOVANALNI
`
`US 7,826,353 B2
`
`TOM
`
`
`LINANATATUOMLAN(TOWMLNOD
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`NOLLVOINOWAWOD)AVMALVD
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`(bx)°3°9)FOVAMALNI
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov.2, 2010
`
`Sheet 2 of 6
`
`US 7,826,353 B2
`
`UE INITIALIZES COMMUNICATION CONNECTION AND SENDS
`PACKET BASED DATA TRANSMISSION PROTOCOL CONTEXT
`
`S10
`
`S20
`
`REQUEST TO (MOBILE) COMMUNICATION NETWORK CONNECTED
`CONTROL ENTITY
`SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNICATION CONNECTION
`FURTHER AUTHORIZATION FOR FLOWSIN THE SERVICES
`
`
`COMMUNICATION CONTROL ELEMENT RECEIVES REQUEST
`FROM UE AND TRANSMITS A REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZING
`CONNECTION PARAMETERS(QoS) AND RESOURCES TO POLICY
`
`POLICY CONTROL ENTITY DECIDES ON THE BASIS OF USER
`SUBSCRIPTION PROFILE AND/OR APPLICATION SERVICE
`INFORMATION ON CONNECTION PARAMETERS AND AVAILABLE
`
`$30
`
`POLICY CONTROL ENTITY GENERATES AND SENDS TO
`COMMUNICATION CONTROL ELEMENT DECISION (DEC) MESSAGE
`COMPRISING THE AUTHORIZED CONNECTION PARAMETERS AND
`SERVICES AS WELL AS AN INFORMATION PORTION CONCERNING
`
`S40
`
`COMMUNICATION CONTROL ELEMENT PROCESSES DEC
`MESSAGE, ENFORCES AUTHORIZATION DECISION AND
`DETERMINES SERVICE(S) FOR WHICH AUTHORIZATIONIS
`CONTROLLED BY POLICY CONTROL ENTITY AND SERVICE(S) FOR
`WHICH POLICY CONTROL ENTITY DOES NOT FURTHER CONTROL
`AUTHORIZATION
`
`S50
`
`FIG. 2A
`
`(+)
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov.2, 2010
`
`Sheet 3 of 6
`
`US 7,826,353 B2
`
`COMMUNICATION CONTROL ELEMENT RECEIVES A FLOW IN A
`
`SERVICE AUTHORIZED FOR THE COMMUNICATION CONNECTION
`
`S60
`
`S70
`
`
`
` YES IS SERVICE IN QUESTION
`NO
`CONTROLLED BY POLICY
`
`
`
`CONTROLENTITY?
`
`
`COMMUNICATION CONTROL
`
`
`ELEMENT ADMITS FLOWSOF
`SERVICE IN QUESTION WITHOUT
`CUNSULTING POLICY CONTROL
`ENTITY FOR AUTHORIZATION
`
`COMMUNICATION CONTROL ELEMENT REQUESTS
`FOR AUTHORIZING CONNECTION PARAMETERS
`FOR FLOW OF SERVICE IN QUESTION
`
`
` S90
`
`
`
`
`
`
`POLICY CONTROL ENTITY DECIDES ON
`
`
`CONNECTION PARAMETERSFOR SERVICEIN
`QUESTION AND SENDS DEC MESSAGE
`
`S100
`
`
`
`
`COMMUNICATION CONTROL ELEMENT PROCESSES
`
`DEC MESSAGE AND ENCFORCES AUTHORIZATION
`DECISION
`
`
`S110
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov.2, 2010
`
`Sheet 4 of 6
`
`US 7,826,353 B2
`
`
`
`REQ (UE_ID, cAP)
`
`
`
`DEC (PDP_QoS / QoS_SERV,
`
`{serv (i), policy (i)})
`
`
`FIG.3
`
`
`
` REQ(service)
`
`DEC (QoS,charging)
`
`FIG.4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 2, 2010
`
`Sheet 5 of 6
`
`US 7,826,353 B2
`
`
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 2, 2010
`
`Sheet 6 of 6
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`

`

`US 7,826,353 B2
`
`1
`METHOD, SYSTEM AND NETWORK
`ELEMENT FOR AUTHORIZINGA DATA
`TRANSMISSION
`
`BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The invention relates to a method and/or a system and/or a
`communication network device and/or a communication con-
`
`trol element usable in an arrangementfor controlling connec-
`tion parameters for a communication connection, in particu-
`lar a packet based communication connection. The invention
`relates particularly to a method and/or a system and/or a
`communication network device and/or a communication con-
`
`trol element usable in an arrangement for dynamically con-
`trolling connection parameters wherein connection param-
`eters, network resources, charging information andthe like
`are authorized by a policy control entity of a communication
`network.
`
`2. Description of the Related Art
`In thelast years, an increasingly extension of communica-
`tion networks, i.e. of wire based communication networks,
`such as the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), or
`wireless communication networks, such as the cdma2000
`(code division multiple access) system, cellular 3” genera-
`tion communication networkslike the Universal Mobile Tele-
`
`communications System (UMTS), the General Packet Radio
`System (GPRS), or other wireless communication system,
`such as the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), took
`place all over the world. Various organizations, suchas the 3”
`Generation Partnership Project (3GPP),
`the International
`Telecommunication Union (ITU), 3”” Generation Partnership
`Project 2 (3GPP2), Internet Engineering Task Force (ETF),
`and the like are working on standards for telecommunication
`network and multiple access environments.
`In general, the system structure of a communication net-
`work is such that a subscriber’s user equipment, such as a
`mobile station, a mobile phone, a fixed phone, a personal
`computer (PC), a laptop, a personaldigital assistant (PDA) or
`the like, is connected via transceivers and interfaces, such as
`an air interface, a wired interface or the like, to an access
`network subsystem. The access network subsystem controls
`the communication connection to and from the user equip-
`mentand is connected via an interface to a corresponding core
`or backbone network subsystem. The core (or backbone)
`network subsystem switchesthe data transmitted via the com-
`munication connection to a destination, such as another user
`equipment, a service provider (server/proxy), or another
`communication network.It is to be noted that the core net-
`
`work subsystem may be connected to a plurality of access
`network subsystems. Depending on the used communication
`network,the actual network structure may vary, as known for
`those skilled in the art and defined in respective specifica-
`tions, for example, for UMTS, GSMandthelike.
`Generally, for properly establishing and handling a com-
`munication connection between network elements such as the
`
`user equipment and another user terminal, a database, a
`server, etc., one or more intermediate network elements such
`as support nodesor service nodes are involved. One or more
`connection parametersare used for defining connection char-
`acteristics. This includes, for example, a packet based data
`transmission protocol information, such as a PDP (Packet
`Data Protocol) context information, for example, information
`about quality of service (QoS) requested or provided, charg-
`ing-related information, such as a charging class, etc.
`In particular in cases where a communication involves two
`or more networks of different types such as networks using
`
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`45
`
`50
`
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`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`different transmission protocols, e.g. GPRS/UMTS-based
`networks and IP-based networks, problems may occur in
`properly establishing the communication connection andset-
`ting the connection parameters such that they are optimal for
`the service in question.
`Hitherto, there have been proposed several concepts for
`achieving a solution for these problems. For example, in the
`case of a 3GPP based network, such as UMTS/GPRS, the
`following solutions are proposed.
`While in a standard 3GPP system QoS is defined per
`Access Point Name (APN), in 3GPP Release 5 (see, for
`example, 3GPP specification TS 23.207, ver5.7.9 (2003-03)),
`a so-called Policy Decision Function (PDF) is introduced for
`dynamically authorizing of QoS for IP Multimedia System
`(IMS) sessions.
`IMS specific information, Authorization
`Token and Flow ID(s) are used as binding information when
`requesting QoS authorization fora PDP context. According to
`3GPP Release 5, the PDF (or also Policy Control Function
`PCF) is described to be implemented together with a Proxy
`Connection State Control Function (P-CSCF) of the IMS.
`However, a standardized interface towards the IMS when the
`PDFis notpart of the P-CSCFis not defined in 3GPP Release
`5.
`
`Regarding the basic communication between a GGSN
`(Gateway GPRSSupport node) and a PDF, referenceis also
`made to the International patent publication No. WO
`02/32165 of the present applicant, which is incorporated by
`reference.
`
`In 3GPP Release 6 (see, for example, 3GPP specification
`TR 23.917, ver0.7.1 (2003-02)), it is planned to extend the
`dynamic authorization to include also streaming services (for
`example, Packet Switched Streaming Services (PSS)). Fur-
`thermore, according to the current understanding of 3GPP
`Release 6, a stand-alone Policy Decision Function (PDF)
`with standardized interfaces towards both the GGSN (the
`so-called Go-interface) and the IMS/PSS(the so-called Gq-
`interface) are planned.
`Thus, it is to be noted that in 3GPP Release 5 and 3GPP
`Release 6 solutions, a dynamic QoS control for a communi-
`cation connection is possible for session-based services, and
`in particular real-time services such as Voice over IP (VoIP)
`traffic. More generally, PSS streaming service is planned to
`be added to dynamically authorized services in3GPP Release
`6, in addition to IMSservices of 3GPP Release 5.
`Another approach for enhancing QoS support for IP ser-
`vices is the usage of so-called service aware core network
`element, such as a service aware GGSN (saGGSN), or the
`usage of so-called Intelligent Service Nodes (ISN). The
`saGGSNandthe ISN are service aware products which can
`provide, for example, specific charging functions. A GGSN
`provides charging per PDP context whereas service specific
`charging functions, as one example, can operate on a service
`flow level. The saGGSNandthe ISN are currently defined in
`respective specifications. A saGGSNallowsfor the detection
`of the QoS level at the network edge for selected services.
`With these enhanced core network elements, QoS can be
`controlled on a per service access point (sAP) basis or on a
`service basis within a sAP.
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`Thus, the invention provides, at least, an improved mecha-
`nism for dynamically managing and controlling connection
`parameters for a packet based communication connection
`using at least one type ofservice.
`In particular, it is desirable to provide an improved mecha-
`nism for dynamically managing and controlling connection
`
`

`

`US 7,826,353 B2
`
`3
`parameters for a packet based communication connection
`using at least one type of service wherein an accurate autho-
`rization for connection parameters and a provision of further
`information, such as QoS, charging information, andthe like,
`for specific services and/or flows within a service used in the
`communication connection are possible.
`According to one embodiment of the invention, there is
`provided, for example, a method of controlling connection
`parameters for a communication connection betweena first
`network element and a second network element. The method
`includesthe steps of initializing the communication connec-
`tion and sending a connection parameter request signaling for
`at least one service type to be used in the communication
`connection from thefirst network elementto a third network
`
`element, requesting, by the third network element, an autho-
`rization for the connection parameters from a fourth network
`element, deciding,in the fourth network element, on connec-
`tion parameters to be authorized for the communication con-
`nection and on service types which can be provided for the
`communication connection, sending a decision message from
`the fourth network element to the third network element
`
`wherein the decision message includes at least one of the
`authorization for the connection parameters, service types
`usable for the communication connection, and an information
`portion indicating, for each service, whetheror not the fourth
`network elementcontrols a further authorization regarding at
`least one of the indicated service types in the communication
`connection.
`
`Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the
`invention, there is provided, for example, a system for con-
`trolling connection parameters for a communication connec-
`tion between a first network element and a second network
`element. The system includes a third network element via
`which the communication connectionis initialized by send-
`ing a connection parameter request signaling for at least one
`service type to be used in the communication connection
`from the first network element, a fourth network element to
`whichthe third network element requests an authorization for
`the connection parameters, wherein the fourth network ele-
`ment decides on connection parameters to be authorized for
`the communication connection and on service types which
`can be provided for the communication connection, wherein
`the fourth network element generates and sends a decision
`message to the third network element wherein the decision
`message includes at least one of the authorization for the
`connection parameters, service types usable for the commu-
`nication connection, and an information portion indicating,
`for each service, whether or not the fourth network element
`controls a further authorization regarding at least one of the
`indicated service types in the communication connection.
`Moreover, according to a further embodimentofthe inven-
`tion, there is provided, for example, a communication net-
`work device for controlling connection parameters for a com-
`munication connection between a first network element and a
`
`4
`nection, and an information portion indicating, for each ser-
`vice, whether or not the device controls a further authoriza-
`tion regardingat least one ofthe indicatedservice types in the
`communication connection.
`
`Additionally, according to an embodimentofthe invention,
`there is provided, for example, a communication control net-
`work element usable in a system for controlling connection
`parameters for a communication connection betweena first
`network element and a second network element, the commu-
`nication control network element comprising means for
`receiving, when a communication connectionis initialized by
`the first network element, a connection parameter request
`signaling for at least one service type to be used in the com-
`munication connection, means for requesting, from a fourth
`network element, an authorization for the connection param-
`eters, wherein the fourth network elementdecides on connec-
`tion parameters to be authorized for the communication con-
`nection and on service types which can be provided for the
`communication connection, means for receiving from the
`fourth network element a decision message wherein the deci-
`sion message includesat least one ofthe authorization for the
`connection parameters, service types usable for the commu-
`nication connection, and an information portion indicating,
`for each service, whether or not the fourth network element
`controls a further authorization regarding at least one of the
`indicated service types in the communication connection.
`Byvirtue ofthe invention, the following advantages can be
`achieved:
`
`The connection parameter control mechanism can be
`implementedfor different types of communication networks,
`in particular for those using packet based data transmissions.
`For example, but not exclusively, the proposed solution is
`applicable in wired communication networks, such as ISDN,
`in networks using Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line
`(ADSL) technique,
`in wireless communication networks,
`such as WLAN, GPRS, UMTS, andthelike. The inventionis
`also applicable in communication connections between dif-
`ferent types ofnetworks using, for example, differenttransfer
`protocols. In particular, the invention can be implemented,for
`example, in core network elements, such as communication
`control or gateway network elements, and in connection
`parameter control functions, such as policy control entities or
`policy decision functions (PDF).
`By meansofthe invention it is possible to generalize the
`dynamic allocation of connection parameter for a communi-
`cation connection, such as QoS authorization, for different
`types of services, for example, for session-based services,
`non-session-basedservices, such as browsing and streaming,
`real-time services and/or non-real-time services. This means
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
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`45
`
`that the same QoS management information structure can be
`usedfor all the service types between the connection param-
`eter authorization element, e.g. the policy control network
`function or entity, and the communication control element,
`e.g. the gateway network element.
`By meansofthe connection parameter control mechanism,
`second network element. The device comprising means for
`a dynamic control of default QoS for packet based datatrans-
`receiving from a third network element, via which the com-
`mission protocol contexts, such as PDP contexts in UMTS
`munication connection is initialized by a connection param-
`networksorthelike, as well as an authorization ofa QoS level
`eter request signaling for at least one service type to be used
`in the communication connection fromthe first network ele-
`per service and/or per service access point and simulta-
`neously for selected flows within one or more services is
`ment, a request for an authorization for the connection param-
`possible.
`eters, means for deciding on connection parameters to be
`authorized for the communication connection and on service
`It is also possible to include further information in autho-
`rization messages from the policy control entity to the com-
`types which can be provided for the communication connec-
`munication control network element which may concern, for
`tion, meansfor generating and sending a decision message to
`example, charging policies. Thus, for example, charging ona
`the third network element wherein the decision message
`includesat least one of the authorization for the connection
`per service basis and even onaper flow basis within a service
`parameters, service types usable for the communication con-
`is possible.
`
`50
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`55
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`60
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`65
`
`

`

`US 7,826,353 B2
`
`5
`The network signaling load can be optimized when the
`communication control network element, such as the GGSN
`or ISN,is able to discriminate services for which no further
`consultation with the policy control network function or
`entity, such as the PDF,
`is necessary, i.e. which flows or
`services can be controlled by the communication control
`elementitself. However, by clearly defining thoseservices for
`which the control remains in the policy control entity, full
`flexibility concerning the authorization of connection param-
`eters and/or charging policies, and the like, is ensured.
`If a definition based on a service access point (sAP) does
`not provide sufficient granularity, it is possible to provide
`information from the policy control entity to the communi-
`cation control network element on a per service basis pro-
`vided within a sAP.In this case, a service may be identified by
`a (set) ofpacketclassifiers. Thus, an accurate identification of
`services or flows within a service is possible for the connec-
`tion parameter control.
`By meansofthe connection parameter control mechanism,
`it is also possible to take into account othercriteria for the
`connection parameter authorization. For example, policies
`based on a network load in one or more of the involved
`communication networks can be taken into account. By dis-
`criminating connection parameter authorizations for respec-
`tive services or even flows within a service, which can be
`changedonthe basis ofthe network load,a flexible control of
`network resources is possible.
`Furthermore, it is possible to dynamically allocate charg-
`ing policy for relevant services and service flows.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The aboveandstill further objects, features and advantages
`of the invention will become more apparent uponreferring to
`the description and the accompanying drawings.
`FIG. 1 showsa structure of communication network which
`may be employedin the invention;
`FIGS. 2A and 2B show a flow chart describing a connec-
`tion parameter control method according to an embodiment
`of the invention;
`FIG. 3 showsa connection parameter authorization signal-
`ing diagram according to an embodimentofthe invention;
`FIG. 4 shows a connection parameter authorization signal-
`ing diagram according to an embodimentofthe invention;
`FIG. 5 shows an example of a scenario for a connection
`parameter control according to the invention; and
`FIG. 6 showsanother example of a scenario for a connec-
`tion parameter control according to the invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`As mentioned above, the connection parameter control or
`management mechanism is used for controlling connection
`parameters, such as quality of service parameters, policy
`parameters for charging, and the like, for a communication
`connection between a first network element and a second
`network element. Thefirst and the second (terminal) network
`element maybelocated in different communication networks
`or PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) or within the same
`communication network, such as ADSL, UMTS, GPRS,
`WLAN,orthe like, wherein the communication networks of
`the first and second network elements may be, but does not
`need to be of different types.
`The respective user equipment (UE) mayalso be a terminal
`apparatus of different type. For example, the UE may be a
`mobileor fixed phone, a personal computer, a server, a mobile
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`laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA) or the
`like. Irrespective of its specific type, the UE may include
`several means whichare requiredfor its communication func-
`tionality. Such means are for example a processor unit for
`executing instructions and processing data for the communi-
`cation connection (e.g. transmission content and signaling
`related data), memory means for storing instructions and
`data, for serving as a work area of the processor andthe like
`(e.g. ROM, RAM, EEPROM,andthe like), input means for
`inputting data and instructions by software (e.g. floppy dis-
`kette, CD-ROM, EEPROM,data interface means, and the
`like), user interface means for providing monitor and manipu-
`lation possibilities to a user (e.g. a screen, a keyboard, a
`microphone and headset for communication, and the like),
`and network interface means for establishing a communica-
`tion connection under the control of the processor unit (e.g.
`wired or wireless interface means, an antenna, and thelike).
`These meanscan be integrated within one device(e.g. in case
`of a mobileor fixed telephone) or in several devices forming
`the user equipment(e.g. in case ofa laptop).
`When a communication connection by using a service
`type, such as a real-time (for example, Voice over IP call) or
`a non-real-time service (for example, interactive connection
`such as browsing) betweenthe first UE and the second UEis
`to be established, in the case of a first UE originating a
`service, the first UE initializes the communication connec-
`tion. This is effected, for example, by sending a communica-
`tion connection request signaling forat least one service type
`whichis desired to be used in the communication connection
`to the communication network to whichthe first UE is con-
`
`nected. Morespecifically the first UE (network element) per-
`forms a communication connection activation by sending,for
`example, a (primary) packet based data transmission protocol
`context, such as a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context,
`request via an access network subsystem of the connected
`communication networkto the core network subsystem ofthe
`connected communication network. The structures of the
`access network subsystem and core network subsystem
`depend on the respective communication network type. For
`existing system, these structures are commonly knownfor a
`person skilled in the art. In case of a 3GPP network system,
`for example, a UMTSTerrestrial Radio Access Network (UT-
`RAN) and/or a GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network (GE-
`RAN) on the access network subsystem side as well as a
`Serving GPRS Support Node SGSN, a Home Location Reg-
`ister (HLR), a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN)andthe
`like on the core network subsystem side may be involved.
`The terminating point of the communication connection,
`i.e. the second network element, is, for example, an applica-
`tion function (AF) being part of an application server or an
`application proxy server. The second network elementis, for
`example, part of a multimedia system, such as an IP Multi-
`media System (IMS) or the like, like a Proxy Call State
`Control Function (P-CSCF).
`The communication connection request signaling for at
`least one service type is received in the core network sub-
`system by a corresponding third network element,
`for
`example a communication control or gateway network ele-
`ment of the core (or backbone) network subsystem like a
`GGSN (or SGSN)in case of a UMTSnetwork, an ISN, a
`corresponding WLAN communication control network ele-
`mentlike a Packet Data Gateway,or the like. The communi-
`cation control or gateway network element should be able to
`trigger a request for a dynamic policy control. Now,in order
`to authorize the connection parameters for the communica-
`tion connection, the third network element requests a corre-
`sponding authorization for the connection parameters from a
`
`

`

`US 7,826,353 B2
`
`8
`control the gating in the communication connection. Also
`charging information related to services to be used in the
`communication connection can be obtained by the fourth
`network element.
`When the fourth network element has decided on the con-
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`network element, such as the GGSN,an intelligent service
`node ISN, a service-aware GGSN,the PDF(the ISPC) may be
`implemented by software or by hardware. In any case, for
`executing their respective functions, correspondingly used
`devices or network elements include several means which are
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`fourth network element. The third network element may be
`able to trigger a corresponding request to the fourth network
`element without having an authorization token or the like.
`However,
`it is to be noted that the connection parameter
`control mechanism described herein is also applicable in
`connection with an authorization token. In other words, an
`nection parameters to be authorized for the communication
`authorization token, service information like service name
`connection, a decision message is generated and transmitted
`to the third network element. For services indicated to be
`(e.g. emergency service, service related signaling, news,
`controlled by the third network element, communication
`weather etc.), packet classifier and the like can be used as
`parameterpolicy request may be performed using the binding
`binding information. The fourth network elementis prefer-
`information (e.g., flow classifier) of any of the IP flows
`ably a policy control function element or entity, being for
`belonging to the service. The authorization returned by the
`example a generalization of a 3GPP standard policy decision
`fourth element includes the binding information (e.g. flow
`function (PDF) like so-called IP Service Policy Control
`classifiers) of all the flows belonging to the service instance.
`(ISPC)element.In the following, both PDF and ISPCrefer to
`In the decision message several connection parameter
`the generalized PDF. The policy control entity is,
`for
`authorizations and further information may be included. The
`example, a separate network element connected via respec-
`connection parameter authorizations may be included for
`tive interfaces to other network elements, such as the gateway
`each flow of a service. Additionally, aggregate connection
`elementandthe application functions, or an integrated part of
`
`oneofthese network elements (for example, the P-CSCF, and parameters can be sent to the third network elementasapart
`20
`the like).
`of the set of parameters. For example, the authorization fora
`The network elements used as the third and the fourth
`quality of service level to be provided for the packet based
`data transmission protocol context is included in the decision
`message. Additionally, a list of service types usable for the
`communication connection, 1.e. of services currently acti-
`vated or allowed may be included. Furthermore, associated
`control policies and information, such as charging informa-
`tion, can be included. As an example, information related to
`services and policies to be taken into account for the commu-
`nication connection by the third network element can be
`includedin the form of an information portion such as one or
`morevectors. Such a vector may havethe form of{service(i),
`policy (@)} wherein for each activated/allowed service ()
`specific policy information are provided. The definition of a
`service may be provided, for example, by the networkservice
`management system by configuration. For instance, a service
`can be referred by a service access point (sAP) nameor by a
`set (i.e. one or more) of packet classifiers. For a particular
`service (i), the policy element may indic