U.S. patent application number 17/203012 was filed with the patent office on 2021-07-01 for network access technology indication.
The applicant listed for this patent is TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL). Invention is credited to Suresh Krishnan.
Application Number | 20210204202 17/203012 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005459410 |
Filed Date | 2021-07-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210204202 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Krishnan; Suresh |
July 1, 2021 |
NETWORK ACCESS TECHNOLOGY INDICATION
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for exchanging network
connection access technology information amongst nodes in a
communication network. An access point such as a router can include
an indication of the access technology used for its network
connection in a router advertisement message. A network device can
connect to the router using a different access technology, but use
the router's network access technology to determine operating
information.
Inventors: |
Krishnan; Suresh; (SUWANEE,
GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL) |
Stockholm |
|
SE |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005459410 |
Appl. No.: |
17/203012 |
Filed: |
March 16, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15742141 |
Jan 5, 2018 |
10952129 |
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PCT/IB2016/050773 |
Feb 12, 2016 |
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17203012 |
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62189024 |
Jul 6, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 88/04 20130101;
H04W 76/15 20180201; H04W 72/1215 20130101; H04W 48/16 20130101;
H04W 8/245 20130101; H04W 88/10 20130101; H04W 48/12 20130101; H04W
88/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04W 48/16 20060101
H04W048/16; H04W 88/10 20060101 H04W088/10; H04W 48/12 20060101
H04W048/12; H04W 76/15 20060101 H04W076/15; H04W 8/24 20060101
H04W008/24; H04W 72/12 20060101 H04W072/12 |
Claims
1. A method performed by a network device, the method comprising:
establishing a local network connection with an access point using
a first access technology; receiving, from the access point, an
indication of a second access technology used by the access point
to connect to an access network; and selecting a mode of operation
of the network device based at least in part on the second access
technology used by the access point to connect to the access
network, wherein selecting the mode of operation includes
restricting data communication activity between the network device
and the access point.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, receiving, from the
access point, a local network advertisement message indicating an
availability of the local area network offered by the access
point.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the indication of the second
access technology used by the access point to connect to the access
network is included in the received local network advertisement
message.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein the local network advertisement
message is one of: a network information control message, a router
advertisement message, a service set identifier (SSID) beacon, and
a Neighbor Discovery Protocol message.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the mode of operation
of the network device is further based at least in part on the
first access technology used by the network device.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the network device is tethered to
the access point via one of a wireless connection or a wired
connection, and the access point is connected to the access network
via a cellular connection.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising, determining that the
first access technology and the second access technology are
different access technologies.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising, responsive to
determining that the first access technology and the second access
technologies are different access technologies, switching from
selecting the mode of operation of the network device based on the
first access technology to selecting the mode of operation of the
network device based on the second access technology.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein a first mode of operation
configures the network device to perform automatic upload/download
functions, and a second mode of operation configures the network
device to suspend automatic upload/download functions.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein restricting data communication
activity includes restricting at least one of uploading and
downloading data.
11. A network device comprising circuitry including a processor and
a memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the
processor whereby the network device is operative to: establish a
local network connection with an access point using a first access
technology; receive, from the access point, an indication of a
second access technology used by the access point to connect to an
access network; and select a mode of operation of the network
device based at least in part on the second access technology used
by the access point to connect to the access network, wherein
selecting the mode of operation includes restricting data
communication activity between the network device and the access
point.
12. The network device of claim 11, further operative to receive,
from the access point, a local network advertisement message
indicating an availability of the local area network offered by the
access point.
13. The network device of claim 12, wherein the indication of the
second access technology used by the access point to connect to the
access network is included in the received local network
advertisement message.
14. The network device of claim 12, wherein the local network
advertisement message is one of: a network information control
message, a router advertisement message, a service set identifier
(SSID) beacon, and a Neighbor Discovery Protocol message.
15. The network device of claim 11, wherein selecting the mode of
operation of the network device is further based at least in part
on the first access technology used by the network device.
16. The network device of claim 11, wherein the network device is
tethered to the access point via one of a wireless connection or a
wired connection, and the access point is connected to the access
network via a cellular connection.
17. The network device of claim 11, further operative to determine
that the first access technology and the second access technology
are different access technologies.
18. The network device of claim 17, further operative to,
responsive to determining that the first access technology and the
second access technologies are different access technologies,
switch from selecting the mode of operation of the network device
based on the first access technology to selecting the mode of
operation of the network device based on the second access
technology.
19. The network device of claim 11, wherein a first mode of
operation configures the network device to perform automatic
upload/download functions, and a second mode of operation
configures the network device to suspend automatic upload/download
functions.
20. The network device of claim 11, wherein restricting data
communication activity includes restricting at least one of
uploading and downloading data.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 15/742,141, which is a national stage application, filed under
35 U.S.C. .sctn. 371, of International Patent Application No.
PCT/M2016/050773 filed on Feb. 12, 2016, which claims the benefit
of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/189,024 filed on Jul. 6,
2015, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for
communicating information related to a network access technology
being used between devices.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Many of today's network devices are capable of accessing
communication networks using multiple technologies. For instance, a
mobile device can be capable of establishing both a cellular
connection such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) and/or a local area
network (LAN) connection via WiFi or other means.
[0004] Some devices are further capable of sharing their network
connection with other devices, thus acting as a router or access
point for the other devices. This feature allows for sharing a
single Internet connection on one device between other devices on
the same LAN. In some situations, the device acting as an access
point will use one type of access technology for its northbound
connection to the network and another type of access technology for
sharing its southbound connection with the other devices.
[0005] A device may be configured to have different modes of
operation, behaviors or actions which can depend on the specific
access technology used. As such, the capabilities of the device can
be dynamic and depend on its type of network connection. Some
issues can arise when a device is capable of connecting with
multiple access technologies.
[0006] Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a system and
method that obviate or mitigate the above described problems.
SUMMARY
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to obviate or
mitigate at least one disadvantage of the prior art.
[0008] In a first aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a method for indicating a network access technology used
by an access point. The method includes establishing, by the access
point, a network connection with an access network using a first
access technology. A local network advertisement is transmitted. An
indication of the first access technology used by the access point
for the network connection is transmitted.
[0009] In another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an access point device comprising circuitry including a
processor and a memory. The memory contains instructions executable
by the processor whereby the access point device is operative to
establish a network connection with an access network using a first
access technology. The access point device is operative to transmit
a local network advertisement, and to transmit an indication of the
first access technology used by the access point for the network
connection.
[0010] In another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an access point device comprising a northbound connection
module for establishing a network connection with an access network
using a first access technology; and a southbound connection module
for transmitting a local network advertisement, and for
transmitting an indication of the first access technology used by
the access point for the network connection.
[0011] In some embodiments, the local network advertisement can be
transmitted using a second access technology. The first access
technology and the second access technology can be different types
of access technologies. The indication of the first access
technology can be transmitted responsive to determining that the
first access technology and the second access technology are
different types of access technologies. In some embodiments, the
indication of the first access technology used for the network
connection can be transmitted by the access point over the local
network.
[0012] In some embodiments, a local connection request can be
received from a device over the local network. The indication of
the first access technology used for the network connection can be
transmitted by the access point to the device over the local
network.
[0013] In some embodiments, transmitting the local network
advertisement can include sending a router advertisement message.
The indication of the first access technology used for the network
connection can be included in the local network advertisement or in
a subsequent message.
[0014] In some embodiments, transmitting the local network
advertisement can include sending a network information control
message associated with the local network. The indication of the
first access technology used for the network connection can be
included in the network information control message or in a
subsequent message.
[0015] In some embodiments, the access point device can be a user
equipment capable of sharing its network connection with one or
more other devices
[0016] In another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a method for receiving network access technology
information. The method comprises receiving, by a network device, a
local network advertisement from an access point; and receiving, by
the network device, an indication of a first access technology used
by the access point to connect to an access network.
[0017] In another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a network device comprising circuitry including a
processor and a memory. The memory contains instructions executable
by the processor whereby the network device is operative to receive
a local network advertisement from an access point; and to receive
an indication of a first access technology used by the access point
to connect to an access network.
[0018] In another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a network device comprising a network connection module
and an operating module. The network connection module is
configured for receiving a local network advertisement from an
access point, and for receiving an indication of a first access
technology used by the access point to connect to an access
network. The operating mode module is configured for selecting a
mode of operation of the network device in accordance with the
first access technology used by the access point.
[0019] In some embodiments, the indication of the first access
technology used by the access point can be included in the received
local network advertisement. The local network advertisement can be
a network information control message transmitted by the access
point. Alternatively, the local network advertisement can be a
router advertisement message transmitted by the access point. The
indication of a first access technology used by the access point
can be included in an option field in a router advertisement
message.
[0020] In some embodiments, the local network advertisement can be
received via a second access technology. The network device can
optionally determine that the first access technology and the
second access technology are different types of access
technologies.
[0021] In some embodiments, the network device can select a mode of
operation of the network device in accordance with the first access
technology used by the access point. Selecting a mode of operation
of the network device can be further based at least in part on a
second network access technology associated with the local network
advertisement. Selecting a mode of operation can include
restricting data communication activity of the network device.
[0022] The various aspects and embodiments described herein can be
combined alternatively, optionally and/or in addition to one
another.
[0023] Other aspects and features of the present invention will
become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review
of the following description of specific embodiments of the
invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described,
by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures,
wherein:
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates an example communication network;
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates an Uplink Access Technology (UAT) Option
Layout;
[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates an example set of values for the UAT
field;
[0028] FIG. 4a is a flow chart illustrating a method for
communicating access technology information;
[0029] FIG. 4b is a flow chart illustrating a method for
communicating access technology information;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method for receiving
access technology information;
[0031] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a network device;
[0032] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an access point device; and
[0033] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a user equipment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] Reference may be made below to specific elements, numbered
in accordance with the attached figures. The discussion below
should be taken to be exemplary in nature, and not as limiting of
the scope of the present invention. The scope of the present
invention is defined in the claims, and should not be considered as
limited by the implementation details described below, which as one
skilled in the art will appreciate, can be modified by replacing
elements with equivalent functional elements.
[0035] Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to
mechanisms for sharing access technology information between
network access points and their connected devices. A connected
device can operate in accordance with the type of access technology
that is used by its access point for its network connection.
[0036] In an exemplary Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) network,
Router Advertisements can be used for providing common
configuration information to nodes that are attached. It may be
advantageous for a router to be capable of providing its uplink
network access technology information and/or for an attached node
to be capable of obtaining knowledge of the access technology used
by the router. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a
neighbor discovery option that will allow routers to share this
information.
[0037] In IPv6 and other networks, the access technology used by
routers on their uplinks (e.g. the connection to an access network
such as the Internet) can be different from the access technologies
used on their downlinks (e.g. the local network provided by the
router). There are some scenarios where it may be advantageous for
a router to provide its uplink access technology information to the
host(s) attached on the downlink(s). One such example is a
"tethering" scenario where a mobile phone that uses a cellular
network connection, such as LTE, shares its internet connection
with other devices that connect over a local connection, such as a
wired connection or a WiFi network link. In this case it may be
beneficial for the device(s) to know that the actual network
connection of the mobile phone acting as the access point is a
cellular link, even though the device is connected via WiFi. The
host devices can potentially modify their behavior based on this
knowledge. For example, application and software updates (and
similar bulk transfers) that are dependent on a network connection
could be rescheduled based on administrative configuration.
[0038] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
terminology of "uplink" and "downlink" is used herein to
differentiate between the two distinct connections associated with
a router/access point. The first connection is the router's
"uplink" network connection to an access network, which is commonly
referred to as its northbound connection. The second connection is
the "downlink" local network connection that is provided by the
router, which is commonly referred to as its southbound connection.
Any reference to uplink/downlink is relative to the router's
connection "up" to the access network and "down" to any connected
devices, and is not intended specify the flow of data. It will be
appreciated that, in this context, both the uplink and downlink
connections of a router can carry bi-directional traffic.
[0039] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, in this
context, a northbound interface refers to an interface that allows
an access point to communicate with an access network. Conversely,
a southbound interface allows the access point to communicate with
an attached device.
[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates an example communication network
architecture. An example network 100 can be a private network such
as a telecommunication operator network, or a public network such
as the Internet. A router or access point 120 connects to the
network 100 via a northbound network connection 110. Depending on
the router device 120 and/or the network 100 and/or other factors,
multiple types of access technologies can be used to establish the
network connection 110. In one example embodiment, router 120 can
be a first user equipment (UE) that establishes an LTE cellular
connection 110 with the network 100 (e.g. via a base station such
as an eNodeB).
[0041] The first UE 120 can be capable of tethering, or sharing its
network connection with other devices (such as other laptops,
mobile phones, tablets, etc.). The southbound local connection of
the first UE 120 to the other devices can be established over
wireless LAN (e.g. WiFi), over Bluetooth, by physical connection
using a cable (e.g. through Universal Serial Bus (USB)), or by any
other means. If tethering is done over WiFi, the feature is
commonly referred to as a "mobile hotspot". Therefore the
network-connected first UE 120 acts as a portable access point and
router for the devices connected to it.
[0042] In FIG. 1, a second UE 140 is shown as connected to the
router device 120 via the router's southbound local connection 130.
As discussed above, the local network connection 130 can be a WiFi
connection. In this example embodiment, the northbound (network)
110 and the southbound (local) 130 connections of the router 120
use different access technology types. From the perspective of the
second UE 140, it is network-connected using WiFi. Conventionally,
the second UE 140 has no knowledge that it is ultimately connected
to the access network 100 via the LTE connection 110 of its access
point 120. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide mechanisms
for an access point 120 to communicate the network access
technology (e.g. LTE) is it using to any connected devices, such as
the second UE 140.
[0043] The second UE 140 may be configured to operate in different
modes depending on its connection type. For example, the UE 140 can
be configured to operate in a first mode when its connection type
is WiFi. In this first mode of operation, the UE 140 may
automatically perform some functions related to downloading and/or
uploading information. For example, the UE 140 can be configured to
automatically download updates to software or applications whenever
it is connected via WiFi. The UE 140 can be configured to
automatically upload photos and/or videos to network storage when
connected via WiFi.
[0044] The UE 140 can further be configured to operate in a second
mode when its connection type is cellular (e.g. LTE, 4G, 3G, CDMA,
etc.). In this second mode of operation, the UE 140 may be
configured to suspend downloading or uploading functions while
connected via cellular. Alternatively, UE 140 can be configured to
prompt the user for confirmation of a performing a downloading or
uploading task while cellular-connected, as opposed to
automatically starting the task when WiFi-connected.
[0045] Conventionally, the UE 140 can select between these
different modes of operation based on its connection 130. However,
as has been described in the tethering example of FIG. 1, the
network connection 110 of the router device 120 may be the more
important factor in determining the mode of operation of UE 140.
Router 120 can be configured to transmit a message including an
indication of its northbound network access technology to UE 140.
UE 140 can be configured to receive such a communication and to
modify its behavior in accordance with the network access
technology used by its access point 120 (e.g. as opposed to, or in
combination with, using the access technology type of its local
connection 130).
[0046] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that multiple
message types and formats can be used to communicate this
information between routers and their connected devices. Protocols
such as Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol version 6 (DHCPv6) can
similarly be used to convey this information. The embodiments
described herein are provided as non-limiting, illustrative
examples.
[0047] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in common
networking scenarios, such as wireless local area network (WLAN)
described in Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
(IEEE) 802.11, a device must be in an authenticated and associated
state before sending traffic through an access point. The device
can send probe messages to discover networks in its proximity
and/or the access point can send network advertisement messages
(e.g. such as periodically sending a service set identifier (SSID)
beacon). A series of configuration or management messages can be
exchanged to establish Layer 2 connectivity between the access
point and the device. In some embodiments, one or more of these
connection establishment messages can be used by an access point to
advertise its uplink/northbound network access technology(ies) to a
device.
[0048] In some embodiments, an IPv6 Neighbor Discovery option (such
as described in Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Request for
Comments (RFC) 4861) can be used by an access point to advertise
its uplink/northbound network access technology(ies) in a router
advertisement message, following the establishment of connectivity
between the access point and a device.
[0049] IPv6 nodes (hosts and routers) on the same link use the
Neighbor Discovery Protocol to discover each other's presence, to
determine each other's link-layer addresses, to find routers, and
to maintain reachability information about the paths to active
neighbors. Hosts also use Neighbor Discovery to find neighboring
routers that are willing to forward packets on their behalf. The
Neighbor Discovery Protocol defines packet types for the purpose of
router solicitation, router advertisement, neighbor solicitation,
neighbor advertisement, and network redirects. Routers can
advertise their presence together with various link and Internet
parameters either periodically, or in response to a Router
Solicitation message, by a Router Advertisement message. Hosts can
thus discover/locate routers residing on attached links.
[0050] A router periodically broadcasts a Router Advertisement
packet announcing its availability. A host receives Router
Advertisements from all routers, building a list of default
routers. Routers can generate Router Advertisements frequently
enough that hosts will learn of their presence quickly, but not
frequently enough to rely on an absence of advertisements to detect
a router failure. Router Advertisements contain a number of
parameters that are used by the host(s) to establish a connection
(e.g. to be able to send packets) to the router. Router
Advertisements carry link-layer addresses, such that no additional
packet exchange is needed to resolve the router's link-layer
address.
[0051] The Router Advertisement message format includes a number of
defined fields as specified in RFC 4861 (e.g. IP source address, IP
destination address, router lifetime, reachable time,
retransmission time) as well as optional fields.
[0052] FIG. 2 illustrates one example of an Uplink Access
Technology (UAT) option field layout 200 which can be carried in
Router Advertisement messages broadcast by a router on a given
link. It can be used to specify the uplink network type(s) that the
router uses. This example Uplink Access Technology option 200 can
include Type, Length, and Uplink Access Technology fields.
[0053] Type is an 8-bit identifier of the type of option. The
option identifier for the UAT option can be allocated by the
Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA).
[0054] Length is an 8-bit unsigned integer. The length of the
option (including the type and length fields) in units of 8 octets.
It can be set to 1.
[0055] Uplink Access Technology is a 16-bit field that specifies
the uplink/northbound access technology used by the router sending
the Router Advertisement carrying this option.
[0056] Multiple UAT options can be added to a single Router
Advertisement message to allow for routers that use multiple uplink
network connections, using different access technologies.
[0057] FIG. 3 illustrates an example set of initial values 300 for
the UAT field that can be extended by adding new values to the IANA
registry. For example, 0x01 can be the value used in the UAT field
to indicate a 3GPP type of uplink access technology connection,
0x02 for Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), 0x03 for Cable, 0x04 for
Ethernet, etc. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these
values are provided as a non-limiting example only, and can be set
accordingly to identify and differentiate between different access
technologies as required.
[0058] The value of the UAT(s) provided in this option can either
be administratively configured or implicitly derived from the
access technology type on the uplink interfaces. The router will
set the value of the UAT field in accordance with its uplink
network connectivity.
[0059] The value of the UAT(s) provided in this option is
informational for the host(s). It can help the hosts gleam
additional information about the router's network connection and
perform different actions accordingly. Legacy hosts that do not
recognize this option field can simply ignore it.
[0060] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that FIGS. 2 and 3
illustrate a non-limiting example embodiment. The described Uplink
Access Technology information can be provided by an access point to
a host device in a variety of different messages and/or
formats.
[0061] FIG. 4a is a flow chart illustrating a method for
communicating network access technology information. The method can
be performed by a network device as described herein that is
operative to provide a network connection to other devices and
thus, act as a router or an access point for the other devices. The
access point device establishes a network connection with an access
network using a first access technology (block 400). The first
access technology defines the type of connection (i.e. cellular,
Ethernet, etc.) by which the access point connects to the access
network.
[0062] The access point device then transmits a local network
connection advertisement (block 410). In some embodiments, the
advertisement can be transmitted using a second access technology.
The advertisement can be transmitted to a particular device or
alternatively, the advertisement can be broadcasted as a
device-nonspecific message. For example, the advertisement can be
multicast to zero or more devices. In some embodiments, the first
and second access technologies can be different types of access
technologies.
[0063] The access point device transmits an indication of the first
access technology used for the network connection (block 420). The
indication can be broadcast over the local network. The indication
can be transmitted to at least one device connected to the local
network. In some embodiments, the indication of the network
connection access technology can be included in the local
connection advertisement message. In other embodiments, it can be
included in a separate, subsequent message.
[0064] In some embodiments, the transmitted local network
connection advertisement (block 410) can be a network information
control message. A network information control message can be a
configuration or a management message associated with the local
network, such as a WiFi beacon. Optionally, the indication of the
first access technology can be included in such a network
information control message. In other embodiments, the indication
of the first access technology can be sent in a subsequent
message.
[0065] In some embodiments, the transmitted local connection
advertisement (block 410) can be a Router Advertisement message.
Optionally, the indication of the first access technology can be
included in such a Router Advertisement message. In some
embodiments, an option field can be added to the Router
Advertisement message, the option field identifying the type of
access technology used by the access point to connect to the access
network.
[0066] In some optional embodiments, the indication of the first
access technology can be transmitted in response to determining
that the first access technology (e.g. used for the
uplink/northbound connection to the access network) and the second
access technology (e.g. used for the downlink/southbound connection
to the local network) are different types of access technologies.
In some embodiments, the indication of the first access technology
can be transmitted in response to determining that the access point
is offering a tethered (wired or wireless) local network
connection.
[0067] In some embodiments, the local connection advertisement
and/or the indication of the first access technology can be
transmitted by the access point device periodically.
[0068] In some embodiments, a plurality of network access
technologies used by the access point can be indicated.
[0069] In some embodiments, a connection between the access point
and a device can be established following the transmission of the
connection advertisement message (block 410). The access point can
receive packets from the device.
[0070] In some embodiments, the indication of the first access
technology can be transmitted to cause the at least one device to
select a mode of operation. The mode of operation of the device can
be configured, modified, selected, etc. at least partially in
accordance with the first access technology used by the access
point.
[0071] FIG. 4b is a flow chart illustrating an alternative method
for communicating network access technology information. The method
can be performed by an access point device as described herein. The
access point device establishes a network connection with an access
network using a first access technology (block 430). In an
exemplary embodiment, the access point can connect to the access
network via a cellular (e.g. LTE) connection.
[0072] The access point device transmits a local network connection
advertisement (block 440). In some embodiments, the advertisement
can be transmitted using a second access technology, such as WiFi
for example. In some embodiments, the access point can advertise a
tethered or mobile hotspot network. In some embodiments, the local
network advertisement can be broadcast towards one or more
devices.
[0073] The access point receives a connection, or connection
request, from a first device (block 450). The connection can be
received over the local network requesting access for the first
device to the local network.
[0074] The access point transmits, to the first device, an
indication of the first access technology used for its network
connection with the access network (block 460). In some
embodiments, the indication of the first access technology can be
included in the local network connection advertisement broadcast by
the access point. In other embodiments, the indication of the first
access technology can be included in at least one other
message.
[0075] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method for receiving
network access technology information. The method can be performed
by a network device or UE. The method begins by the device
receiving a local network advertisement from an access point (block
500). The local network advertisement can be a connection
advertisement message. The connection advertisement message can
indicate the availability of a local network. In some embodiments,
the local network advertisement can be a network information
control message, such as a WiFi beacon, sent by the access point.
In some embodiments, the local network advertisement can be a
Router Advertisement message sent by the access point. In some
embodiments, the local network advertisement can be broadcast using
a first access technology type (e.g. WiFi).
[0076] The device receives an indication of the network access
technology used by the access point (block 510). This indication
can be received in the connection advertisement or in another
subsequent message. The device can determine the network access
technology used by the access point in accordance with the
indicator. In some embodiments, the access technology used by the
access point can be a second access technology type (e.g.
cellular).
[0077] In some embodiments, when multiple routers/access points are
present, the information advertised collectively by all routers may
be a superset of the information contained in a single connection
advertisement. Additional information may be obtained by the device
through other dynamic means such as Dynamic Host Configuration
Protocol (DHCP).
[0078] In some embodiments, the device can store received
connection advertisement information in a router list. On receipt
of a valid connection advertisement, the device can extract the
source address of the packet and process it as required. If the
address is not already present in the device's router list, it can
create a new entry in the list, and initialize any required values
as indicated. If the address is already present in the device's
router list (e.g. as a result of a previously received
advertisement), the device can reset values such as its
invalidation timer to the Router Lifetime value in the newly
received advertisement. If the address is already present in the
device's router list and the received Router Lifetime value is
zero, the device can immediately time-out the entry.
[0079] In some embodiments, after extracting information from the
fixed part of the connection advertisement message, the
advertisement can be scanned for valid option fields. If the
advertisement contains an option field indicating an access
technology or access technology type used by the access point
device, the indicated network access technology can be stored
accordingly in the device's router list. In some embodiments, the
access technology information can be included in an Uplink Access
Technology (UAT) option field.
[0080] In some embodiments, the device can select a mode of
operation in accordance with the network access technology used by
the access point (block 520). This can include setting, configuring
and/or modifying device behaviors or actions based on the access
point's network connection type. In some embodiments, this can
include modifying any policies referring to the device's network
access technology to instead use the access point's network access
technology. In some embodiments this can include restricting or
suspending data upload and/or download functionality. This can
include limiting the size and/or duration of any data communication
activity of the device while the access point uses the network
access technology indicated.
[0081] In some embodiments, a mode of operation can be selected
(block 520) based at least partially on a network access technology
used by the access point, a local network access technology used by
the device, and/or any combination thereof.
[0082] In some embodiments, the device can be configured to alert
and/or prompt the user upon determining that the access technology
of the device and the network access technology of the access point
are different. The user can be prompted to select a course of
action (e.g. select an operating mode) for the device.
[0083] In some embodiments, a connection between the access point
and the device can be established following the receipt of the
connection advertisement message (in block 500). Once a connection
is established, the device can exchange packet traffic with the
access point.
[0084] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example network
device 600 according to embodiments of the present invention.
Network device 600 can be any of the router, host, access point,
mobile device, or UE nodes as have been described herein. The
network device 600 includes circuitry including a processor 602, a
memory or instruction repository 604 and a communication interface
606. The communication interface 606 can include at least one input
port and at least one output port. When operative as a
router/access point, the communication interface 606 can include an
access network communication interface and a local network
communication interface. The memory 604 contains instructions
executable by the processor 602 whereby the network device 600 is
operable to perform the various embodiments as described herein. In
some embodiments, the network device 600 can included virtualized
components hosted by the underlying physical hardware. Network
device 600 can be configured to implement any of the methods and
procedures illustrated in FIGS. 4a, 4b and 5.
[0085] When operative as an access point, device 600 is configured
to establish a network connection with an access network using a
first access technology. Device 600 then transmits a local network
advertisement and transmits an indication of the first access
technology used for the network connection to the access
network.
[0086] When operative as a mobile device, device 600 is configured
to receive a local network advertisement from an access point.
Device 600 also receives an indication of a first access technology
used by the access point to connect to an access network. In some
embodiments, device 600 is further configured to select a mode of
operation in accordance with the indicated first access technology
used by the access point.
[0087] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example access point device
700 according to embodiments of the present invention. The access
point device can be a user equipment capable of sharing its network
connection with one or more other devices. The access point device
can include a northbound connection module 710 and a southbound
connection module 720. The northbound connection module 710 can be
configured to establish an uplink/northbound network connection
using a first access technology. The southbound connection module
720 can be configured to transmit a downlink/southbound connection
advertisement to at least one other device using a second access
technology. The southbound connection module 710 can be further
configured to transmit an indication, to the at least one other
device, that the northbound network connection module 710 uses the
first access technology to connect to the access network.
[0088] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example user equipment 800
according to embodiments of the present invention. In some
embodiments, the user equipment 800 can be tethered to an access
point device. The user equipment 800 can include a network
connection module 810 and operating mode module 820. The network
connection module 810 can be configured to receive a connection
advertisement from an access point. The network connection module
810 can be further configured to receive an indication of the
uplink/northbound access technology that is used by the access
point. The operating mode module 820 can be configured to determine
a mode of operation for the user equipment in accordance with the
access technology used by the access point. In some embodiments,
the connection advertisement can be received over a first type of
access technology (e.g. WiFi) and the uplink/northbound access
technology used by the access point can be a second type of access
technology (e.g. cellular). In some embodiments, the operating mode
module 820 can be configured to select between a plurality of
operating modes, each corresponding to a different access
technology type, in accordance with the indicated uplink/northbound
access technology used by the access point.
[0089] Embodiments of the present invention may be represented as a
software product stored in a machine-readable medium (also referred
to as a computer-readable medium, a processor-readable medium, or a
computer usable medium having a computer readable program code
embodied therein). The non-transitory machine-readable medium may
be any suitable tangible medium including a magnetic, optical, or
electrical storage medium including a diskette, compact disk read
only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc read only memory
(DVD-ROM) memory device (volatile or non-volatile), or similar
storage mechanism. The machine-readable medium may contain various
sets of instructions, code sequences, configuration information, or
other data, which, when executed, cause a processor to perform
steps in a method according to an embodiment of the invention.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other
instructions and operations necessary to implement the described
invention may also be stored on the machine-readable medium.
Software running from the machine-readable medium may interface
with circuitry to perform the described tasks.
[0090] The above-described embodiments of the present invention are
intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and
variations may be effected to the particular embodiments by those
of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the
invention, which is defined solely by the claims appended
hereto.
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