AU2009250996B2

AU2009250996B2 - Method and apparatus for efficiently delivering supplementary services to multi-technology capable wireless transmit/receive units

Info

Publication number: AU2009250996B2
Application number: AU2009250996A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Shamim Akbar Rahman; Kamel M. Shaheen
Original assignee: InterDigital Technology Corp
Current assignee: InterDigital Technology Corp
Priority date: 2003-10-29
Filing date: 2009-12-17
Publication date: 2013-06-27
Anticipated expiration: 2024-10-15
Also published as: AU2007216797A1; AU2009250996A1; AU2007216797B2

Abstract

A wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU), method and system for efficiently handling various types of wireless services across multiple wireless access 5 technologies for WTRUs that may operate in multiple types of networks is disclosed. C3 LCD: <~ CL 0 p0< < 0) co~~w <n U] 0 1L LC to _l C,) CL <' El coi cc C u-I l a-_ u-Ij cfl (55

Description

pool Section 29 Regulation 3.2(2) AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Application Number: Lodged: Invention Title; Method and apparatus for efficiently delivering supplementary services to multi technology capable wireless transmit/receive units The following statement is a full description of this Invention, including the best method of performing It known to us: P111AHAU1107 [0001] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EFFICTENTLY DELIERIG SUPPLEMENTARY SERVICES TO MULTI-TECDTOLOGY CAPABLE WIRELESS TRANSMtT/RECEIVE UNITS [0002] FIELD OF INVETION [00031 The present invention relates to wireless communication system. More particularly, the present invention relates to delivery of services to multi-technology capable wireless transmit/receive units. [0004 BACKGROUND 100051 Although the meanings of the following acronyms are well understood by skilled artisans, the following list is deemed to assist in a better understanding of the invention: [0006 SGPP third generation partnership project AAA authentication, authorization, and accounting A? access point CCF chargng control function CSCF call state control function FUR equipment identity register GGSN gateway GPRS support node GMSC gateway MSC GPRS general packet radio system GSM global system for mobile ommnication HLR home location register H3ss home subscriber server IP internet protocol IWMSC interwnrking MSC for SMS MMS muiti-media services MS mobile station MSO mobile switching station PDG packet data gateway PRY physical layer -1- PDA personal digital assistant SO service center SIM subscriber identity module SMS short messaging service TCP transmission control protocol UMTS universal mobile teleconmnunications systemL VoIP voice over internet protocol WAG wireless application gateway WAT wireless access technology WLAN wireless local area network WTRU wireless transmiVreceive unit [0007] The trend in the wireless industry is to increasingly support wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs) that support multiple Wireless Access Technologies' (WATs) in heterogeneous networks. Network interworking introduces the possibility of several WATs (e.g., several different types of wireless local area networks) such 802.1a, 802.11b, 802.11g, ete& being connected to a cellular type network (e~g., a Universal Mobile Telecomannicatioxs Syste (UMTS) network). Further, using subscriber identity module (SiM) technology, users =ay switch their 802,11b card to an 802.11a card, for example, or any other type of multi-mode card using their SIM to access the network while the network is not totally aware of the WAT supported at the WTRU level. Additionally, users may use their 802.11 eards, for example, in different types of WTRUs, such-as- when-they obtain a new laptop or personal digital assistant (PDA), for example. 10008] In light of the above, it is desirable to efidently handle various types of wireless services across multiple WATs for WTRUs that may operate in cellular and WLAN type networks. -2- 3 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a method and system for efficiently handling various types of wireless services across multiple wireless access technologies for WTRUs that may operate in different types of networks. In one aspect the present invention provides a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) including: a registration message generator configured to query an operating system of the WTRU or an applications module of the WTRU for information to generate a list of applicati ns/services supported by the WTRU, and configured to generate a registration message including a wireless local area network WLAN capability report based on informat on obtained in response to the query; a transmitter configured to send the WLAN capability report to a cellular network via a WLAN and a receiver configured to receive services from the cellular network via the WLAN in response to the WLAN capability report. I another aspect the present invention provides a method for use in wireless communication, the method including: querying an operating system of a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) or an applications module of the WTRU for information to generate a list of applications/services supporte- by the WTRU; generating a registration message including a wireless local area network (WLAN) capability report based on information obtained in response to the query; sending the WLAN capability report to a cellular network via a WLAN; and receiving services from the cellular network via the WLAN in response to the WLAN capability report. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a WTRU logical block diagram embodying the principles of the present invention. Figure 2 is a block diagram of steps involved in performing a registration-based operation wherein a capability report is provided in accordance with present invention. F gure 2A is a timeline illustration of the procedure illustrated in Figure 2. F gure 3 is a block diagram of steps involved in performing a network-solicited operation wherein a capability report is provided in accordance with the present invention. F gure 3A is a timeline illustration of the procedure illustrated in Figure 3.

100171 DETAILED DESCRIPTQN OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 10018} Hereafter, a WTRU includes, but is not limited to, a user equipment, mobile station, tied or mobile subscriber unit, pager, PDA or any other type of device capable of operating in a wireless environment. When referred to hereafter, a base station includes but is not limited to a Node B, site controfler, access point CAP) or any other type of interfacing device in a wireless enviromnent. [00191 Figure 1 is a simplified logical block diagram of the layers provided in a WTRU 12, it being understood that a similar layered structure is provided in the network. The objective is to convey the capabilities of the WTRU to the network so that the network can tailor the services provided to the WTRU in accordance with the WTRU's capabilities. As an example, devices such as a PDA, a laptop equipped with a wireless communication card. and a cell phone may all be capable of comnunicating with a MLAN, but each device has different capabilities. A laptpp typically has a larger memory and greater processing power than both a PDA and a cell phone. Different laptops may have different capabilities; one laptop being able to conduct video conferencing while another laptop being unable to support such services. [0020] Referring to Figt-ne 2, a process for WTRU registration that includes the generation and transmittal of a capability report as shown, by combining notiicatiou of services supported by the WTRU with a registration process, the network is than able to tailor the services provided to the WTRU communicating with the network. Each ime -a--multi-WATs WTRU, also referred to as a multi-technology WTRU (i.e., a WTRUT capable of operating iY nore than one type of wireless network), successfuRy registers for service with an authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA) server 16 of a 3GPP network 14 through WLAN access network 22, a WLAN application capability report is sent to the 30PP network 14 and preferably to the home subscriber server (H$S) 18. -4- 10021) With reference to Figure 1, initially, the WTRU operating system 15, at step (1), directs the registry application 13 to register the WTRU with the network, for example, the WTRU registers with the BGPP network through a WLAN. At step (2), the registry application generates and sends a capability report based on either information from the operating system 15 or applications module 17 of the WTRTJ to include WLAN applications that interact with the SGPP network, such as short message service (SMS) and voice over IP (VoIP), as well as any other currently supported applications. Drivers, such as a 3GPP driver 19a and WLAN device driver 19b, as well as other drivers 19c, support the services obtained from the network. The layers 13, ;7, 15 and associated drivers are also provided in the network to support registry, receipt and storage of the capability report and, subsequent thereto, to provide the services identified in the capability report obtained from the WTRU. [0022] The WLAN capability- report is preferably a list of all supported air interface (PRY) capabilities cnrrently supported by the WTRU 12 (e.g., 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11, 802.16, 802.20, -UMTS-FDD, UMTS-TDD, TDSCDMA, GPRS, CDMA2000, or any other type of wireless network). 100231 The WLAN capability report preferably also includes a list of all supported applications/services currently supported by the WTRU (e.g., web browsing, mail, SMS, VoP, or any other type of wireless service). The list of supported services can be associated with certaia PHY capabilities (e.g., 802.11b card with MIMS service capabilities). The list may also indicate third generation (3G) interworking suclh as SGPP and/or-8GPP2-(e.g., GPRS/802,11 dual-mode cards supporting GPRS based SMS services) and/or other services developed in. the future for existing or future networks. Optionally, the lists can identify the type and capacity of equipment of the WTRU, i.e. whether the WTRU is a cell phone, lap top computer, etc. with memory and processing speed capacities. The information regarding the device capability may be stored in the device drivers illustrated in Figure 1. -- 5- (0024] The SMS message is preferably sent from a 3GPP network to a WTRU on an 802.11 network that is displayed to a user. The lists described above are preferably standardized. 10025] The WLAN capability report is generated by a " t t hi" application program for generating the capability report. The 'thi" application program can be on top of the operating system (e.g., like a Windowse program) and, being tbin," does not require thousands of lines of code, but requires only several hundred lines of code. For example, the "thin" program is provided in the WLAN/3GPP application registry (AR) 13 in the WTRU 12 shown in Figure 1, wherein the network registry queries the WTRU's operating system 1T or the applications rodule 17, to determine the list of relevant applications. 10026 As illustrated in Figure 2, the capability report is preferably sent encrypted from the end user WTU (currently on a WLAN) through WLAN access network 22 to the 3GPP AAA server 16, which forwards the report to the SGPP HSSfHLR 18/20. The report is preferably sent encrypted via transmission control protocoVmiternet protocol (TCP/IP) from the WTRU 12 vn the WLAN to the 3GPP AAA server 16, at step (2), and the 3GPP AAA server 16 then preferably forwards the report to the HSS 18 as part of the WLAN registration process, at step (8). The HSS/HLR 18/20 sends an acknowledgement (ACK) to the AAA server 16, at step (4) which sends an ACK to WTRU 12 through VLAN network 22, at step (5). 100271 Thereafter, whenever the HSS/HIR 18/20 is queried for the location and capability of the user, a relevant cheek is-made to determine if the user's WTRU supports that capability in the WLAN network. [0028] Referring to the top portion of Figure 2, WL1AN access network 22 communicates with 3GPP AAA server 16 through a Wr/Wb interface. HS 18 and 1HLR 20 communicate with SGPP AAA. server 16 through interfaces Wz and D/Gr', respectively. -6- [0029] As indicated in parentheses in Figure 2, the system components and steps involved in performing a registration based operation are preferably: 1. WTRU 12 generates WLAN application capability report. 2. WTRU 12 transmits report via WLAN 22 to 3GPP AAA server 16. & 3GP-P AAA server 16 forwards report to HSS/fILR 18/20. 4. RSS/HLR 18/20 acknowledges the report to AAA server 16. 5 SG-PP 14 acknowledges the report to the WTRU 12 via WLAN 22. Thereafter, any 3GPP node that attempts to deliver service to the WTRU in the WLAN network will check if the WTRU supports the service in WLAN mode. 10030] The tiing of these steps is shown and described in greater detail in Figure 2A, wherein a capability report is created at step S1, the WTRU 12 generating a WLAN application capability report and, at step S2, transmitting the report to the 3GPP AAA server 16 through WLAN 22 (shown in Figure 2). The 3GPP AAA server 16, at step S3, forwards the report to HSS 18 and HES 18, at step S4, stores the report and, at step S5, acknowledges the report, sending an acknowledgenment (ACK) to AA server 16. AAA server 16, at step S6, sends an ACK to WTRU 12 through VLAN access network 22. Then, any 3GPP node that delivers service to the WTRU 12 in the WLAN network can first determine if the WTRU supports the service when operating in WLAN mode, by accessing HSS 18. 100311 Referring now to Figure 3, the system components are the same as those shown in Figare 2. The preferred-steps inveived in performing a network-solicited capability operation, as indicated in parentheses in Figure 3; can be sunmarzed as follows: 1. SYS message is sent from S 24. 2. GMSC.26 queries HSs 18 about VTRU 12 location. 3. TSS 18 returns PDG/WAG 28 address. 4. GMSC 26 forwards SMS to PDG/WAG 28. -7- 5. PDGIWAG 28 queries the VTU 12 via WLAN 22 about SMS capabilities. 6. WTRU 12 lists al service capabilties and reports to P)G/WAG 28. If successful, PDG/WAG 28 delivers SMS to WTRU 12 through WLAN 22. (0032] - Timing of these steps is shown in Figure SA wherein a capability report has not previously been provided. In this embodiment, a short message system (SMS) message is sent from service center (SC) 24 to a gateway Mobile Switching Center (MSO) or an interorking MSC for SMS (GMSC/IWSMC) 26, at step 81, and responsive thereto, GMSO/IWSMC 26, at step 82, queries HSS 18 about the WTRU location. The HSS 18, at step (8), provides a packet data gateway or a wireless application gateway (PDG/WAG) address to the GMSCIWSMC 26 and the GMSC/IWBMC 26, at step S4, forwards the SMS message to the PDG/WAG 28. The PDG/WAG 28, at step 85, queries the WTRU 12 (through WLAN access network 22 shown in Figure 3) about its SMS capabilities and WTRU 12, at step 86, and through WLAN access network 22, lists all service capabilities and provideB a report to the PDG/WAG 28. Then, if successful, the PDG/WAG 28, at step 87, delivers SMS to WTRU 12. If not successful, the PDG/WAG 28 denies service, at step 87A. [0033] It should be noted that althongh the present invention has been described in connection with an interworking 8GPP and WLAN, it is important to note that the present invention may be implemented in all types of wireless communication systems and further in any combination. -8-

Claims

1. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) including: a registration message generator configured to query an operating system of the WTRU or an applications module of the WTRU for information to generate a list of applications/services supported by the WTRU, and configured to generate a registration message including a wireless local area network WLAN capability report based on information obtained in response to the query; a transmitter configured to send the WLAN capability report to a cellular network via a WLAN and a receiver configured to receive services from the cellular network via the WLAN in response to the WLAN capability report.

2. The WTRU of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is configured to send the WLAN capability report during registration with the cellular network.

3. The WTRU of claim 1 wherein the registration generator is configured to include in the WLAN capability report a list of air interface capabilities of the WTRU.

4. 'he WTRU of claim 1 wherein the cellular network is a GSM network, a 3GPP network, a GPRS network, or a UMTS network.

5. 'Ihe WTRU of claim 1, wherein the receiver is configured to receive an acknowledgement from the cellular network via the WLAN.

6. 'he method of claim 5, wherein the receiving an acknowledgement includes receiving a registration acknowledgement message.

7. The WTRU of claim 1, wherein the WLAN capability report includes the indication that the WTRU is configured to receive Short Message Service (SMS) from the cellular network via the WLAN, and wherein the receiver is configured to receive Short Message Service (SMS).

8. The WTRU of claim 3, wherein the WLAN capability report includes in the list of air interface capabilities an indication whether the WTRU is capable of communicating using an

802.11xt chnology. 10 9. 'he WTRU of claim 1, wherein the registration message generator is a thin application program. 10. A method for use in wireless communication, the method including: querying an operating system of a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) or an applications module of the WTRU for information to generate a list of applications/services supported by the WTRU; generating a registration message including a wireless local area network (WLAN) capability report based on information obtained in response to the query; sending the WLAN capability report to a cellular network via a WLAN; and receiving services from the cellular network via the WLAN in response to the WLAN capability report. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the WLAN capability report is sent during registration with the cellular network. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the WLAN capability report includes a list of air interface capabilities of the WTRU. 13. T e method of claim 10, wherein the cellular network is a GSM network, a 3GPP network, a GPRS network, or a UMTS network. 14. T ie method of claim 10, further including: receiving an acknowledgement from the cellular network via the WLAN. 15. T e method of claim 14, wherein the receiving an acknowledgement includes receiving a registration acknowledgement message. 16. T e method of claim 10, wherein the WLAN capability report includes an indication that the WTRU is configured to receive Short Message Service (SMS) from the cellular network via the WLAN, and wherein the receiving services includes receiving SMS. 17. T:e method of claim 10, wherein the WLAN capability report includes an indication whether the WTRU is capable of communicating using an 802.11x technology. 11 18. The method of claim 10, further including: using a thin application program for the querying and the generating of the WLAN capability report. 19. The WTRU of claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures. 20. The method of claim 10 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures. INTERDIGITAL TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION WATERMARK PATENT & TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS P26572AU02