Apparatus, and associated method, for facilitating communications by a mobile node in a multiple network radio communication system having interworking capability

Abstract

Apparatus, and an associated method, by which to permit selection by a user of a mobile node of with which cellular communication system network that the mobile node shall communicate by way of an interworking wireless local area network. User selection is provided even when the interworking wireless local area network is directly connected to the home network of the mobile node. A determiner determines whether the interworking wireless local area network is directly connected to the home network. And, responsive to the determinations, an identifier identifies the cellular communication system network associated with the interworking wireless local area network.

Claims

1. A method, comprising: receiving, at a wireless local area network (WLAN) and from a mobile node, a message comprising an alternative network address identifier (NAI), the alternative NAI being different than a root NAI, wherein the root NAI identifies a home cellular communication system network associated with the mobile node, and the alternative NAI is selected by the mobile node to incorrectly identify the home cellular communication system network; and transmitting, from the WLAN and in response to the message comprising the alternative NAI, a list that identifies a public land mobile network (PLMN) accessible via the WLAN.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the message that comprises the alternative NAI is generated by the mobile node.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the WLAN is an interworking-WLAN (I-WLAN).

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the home cellular communication system network is a home PLMN.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile node selects a PLMN from the list.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the mobile node communicates with the selected PLMN.

7. A wireless local area network (WLAN), comprising: at least one hardware processor; and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium coupled to the at least one hardware processor and storing programming instructions for execution by the at least one hardware processor, wherein the programming instructions, when executed, cause the at least one hardware processor to perform operations comprising: receiving, from a mobile node, a message comprising an alternative network address identifier (NAI), the alternative NAI being different than a root NAI, wherein the root NAI identifies a home cellular communication system network associated with the mobile node, and the alternative NAI is selected by the mobile node to incorrectly identify the home cellular communication system network; and transmitting, in response to the message comprising the alternative NAI, a list that identifies a public land mobile network (PLMN) accessible via the WLAN.

8. The WLAN of claim 7, wherein the message that comprises the alternative NAI is generated by the mobile node.

9. The WLAN of claim 7, wherein the WLAN is an interworking-WLAN (I-WLAN).

10. The WLAN of claim 7, wherein the home cellular communication system network is a home PLMN.

11. The WLAN of claim 7, wherein the mobile node selects a PLMN from the list.

12. The WLAN of claim 11, wherein the mobile node communicates with the selected PLMN.

13. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions which, when executed, cause a computing device to perform operations comprising: receiving, at a wireless local area network (WLAN) and from a mobile node, a message comprising an alternative network address identifier (NAI), the alternative NAI being different than a root NAI, wherein the root NAI identifies a home cellular communication system network associated with the mobile node, and the alternative NAI is selected by the mobile node to incorrectly identify the home cellular communication system network; and transmitting, from the WLAN and in response to the message comprising the alternative NAI, a list that identifies a public land mobile network (PLMN) accessible via the WLAN.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the message that comprises the alternative NAI is generated by the mobile node.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the WLAN is an interworking-WLAN (I-WLAN).

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the home cellular communication system network is a home PLMN.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the mobile node selects a PLMN from the list.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the mobile node communicates with the selected PLMN.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates a functional block representation of a multiple network communication system in which an embodiment of the present invention is operable.

(2) FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate representations of a listing maintained at the mobile node that identifies wireless local area networks and whether such wireless local area networks maintain direct connections with a home network associated with the mobile node.

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates a message sequence diagram representative of signaling generated during exemplary operation of the communication system shown in FIG. 1 pursuant to an embodiment of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 4 illustrates a method flow diagram listing the method of operation of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) Referring first to FIG. 1, a communication system, shown generally at 10, provides for radio communications with mobile nodes, which the mobile node 12 is representative. The mobile node forms a dual-mode, mobile node capable of operation in a first manner and at least a second manner. In the exemplary implementation, the mobile node is separately operable pursuant to an IEEE 802.11(b), or variant, operating specification, and a 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) operating standard. In other implementations, the mobile node is operable pursuant to other operating standards. Accordingly, while the following description of exemplary operation of an embodiment of the present invention shall be described with respect to its implementation in which the data is communicated pursuant to the operating protocols of the IEEE 802.11(b) and 3GPP operating specifications, operation of an embodiment of the present invention is analogously also operable in communication systems operable pursuant to other operating standards. The following description of exemplary operation is, therefore, by way of example not by way of limitation.

(6) The communication system includes network infrastructure, here formed of multiple networks. Some of the networks are operable pursuant to a wireless local area network operating standard, here the IEEE 802.11(b) operating standard, and others are operable pursuant to a cellular communication system operating standard, here a 3GPP operating standard. In the exemplary representation of the figure, four wireless local area networks 14 are shown, and two cellular communication system networks 16 are shown. Three of the wireless local area networks 14, networks 14-1, 14-2, and 14-3, are deployed in manners that encompass a common area, here identified by the cell 18-1-3. And, an additional wireless local area network 14-N is also shown, here representative of a wireless local area network that encompasses another area, represented by the cell 18-N. The wireless local area networks 14 each include interworking units (IWUs) 22 that facilitate interworking between the wireless local area networks and cellular communication system networks, here the cellular communication system networks 16. The wireless local area network 14-1 is directly connected to the cellular system network 16-1. And, the wireless local area network 14-2 is directly connected to the cellular system network 16-2. The networks 16-1 and 16-2 are connected. And, thereby, the wireless local area network 14-1 is also indirectly connected to the cellular system network 16-2. And, also, the wireless local area network 14-2 is indirectly connected to the cellular system network 16-1.

(7) The mobile node 12 is operable, as noted above, pursuant to the operating standards by which the wireless local area networks and the cellular system networks are operable. The mobile node includes transceiver circuitry, here represented by a transmit part 26 and a receive part 28. The transceiver circuitry is operable in conventional manner, operating pursuant to the protocols set forth in the operating specifications, to form communication connections with, and effectuate communication of data with selected networks in whose coverage areas that the mobile node is positioned, by way of a radio air interface.

(8) Positioned as shown in the figure, the mobile node is positioned within the coverage areas of the wireless local area networks 14-1, 14-2, and 14-3. When the mobile node initiates communications, the mobile node scans for the availability of the wireless local area networks by scanning channels upon which signals are broadcast by such networks. The mobile node, in the exemplary implementation, includes a WLAN scan list 32 that identifies WLANs with which the mobile node is permitted to attempt to communicate. The lists identify, for instance, the frequencies at which the listed wireless local area networks broadcast control, or other, information. Pursuant to interworking between the networks, the mobile node is capable of communicating, by way of a wireless local area network, with a cellular system network, viz., a communication station that is coupled to the communication system network. The mobile node is permitted communication with a cellular system network pursuant, e.g., a service subscription. Pursuant to the service subscription, a home network is associated with the mobile node, typically a network in whose coverage area that the mobile node is most regularly positioned. Here, the network that forms the home network of the mobile node 12 is the network 16-2, identified as the HPLMN (Home Public Land Mobile Network) associated with the mobile node. Other cellular system networks, not the home network associated with the mobile node, are referred to as visited networks. Here, the network 16-1, identified as a VPLMN (Visited Public Land Mobile Network).

(9) As noted previously, interworking between the networks 14 and 16 conventionally provides for notification to the mobile node, once in communication connectivity with a wireless local area network, of the cellular system networks with which the wireless local area network maintains associations. When the information is delivered to the mobile node, a user of the mobile node is able to select with which of the cellular system networks, if any, to effectuate communications. Pursuant to existing proposals and practice, the mobile node is provided with the information regarding the associated cellular communication system networks pursuant to association procedures in which the mobile node attempts authentication with a selected wireless local area network. The authentication attempt fails, and pursuant to the failure of the authentication, the mobile node is provided with the indications of the cellular communication system networks with which the wireless local area network is associated. However, when the wireless local area network is in direct connection with the home cellular communication system network associated with the mobile node, the mobile node is not provided with the associated networks to permit a user of the mobile node to select with which of the cellular communication system networks with which to communicate. Existing operation, therefore, limits the ability of a user of the mobile node to select with which cellular communication system network to communicate when the wireless local area network is directly connected to the home network of the mobile node.

(10) Pursuant to operation of an embodiment of the present invention, a manner is provided by which to provide user selection of the cellular communication system network with which to communicate even when the wireless local area network with which the mobile node is associated in communication connectivity is directly connected to the home cellular communication system network of the mobile node. The user of the mobile node is thereby provided opportunity to select with which of the available cellular communication system networks to communicate irrespective of whether the home network of the mobile node is directly connected to the wireless local area network with which the mobile node is associated in the communication connectivity.

(11) The mobile node further includes apparatus 42 of an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 42 is formed of functional entities, implementable in any desired manner, including, for instance, algorithms executable by processing circuitry.

(12) The apparatus includes a determiner 44 that operates to determine whether the wireless local area network with which the mobile node is in communication connectivity is directly connected to the home cellular communication system network associated with the mobile node. And, the apparatus includes an identifier that identifies which, if any, of the wireless local area networks to which the mobile node is in the communication connectivity is available with which to communicate with the mobile node. The identifier is operable, at least responsive to determinations made by the determiner, here indicated to be provided to the identifier by way of the line 48.

(13) In the exemplary implementation, the determiner includes a direct connection listing 52 that is formed of entries that identify wireless local area networks, such as by their SSID (Service Set Identifier) values and, associated with each entry, an indication of whether the wireless local area network is directly connected to the home cellular communication system network associated with the mobile node. The listing is permanently stored at the mobile node, provided thereto, e.g., during initial provisioning of the mobile node. In one implementation, the listing is updatable to update the identifications of direct connections with the entries forming the listing as well as to add, or to remove, entries from the listing. In another exemplary implementation, the listing 52 identifies home WLANs.

(14) The determiner receives indications of the wireless local area network with which the mobile node is in communication connectivity, here indicated on the line 54, and the indications are provided to an accessor and comparator 56. The indications provided on the line 54 are provided, for instance, by the receive part of the mobile node based upon detection of information broadcast by the wireless local area networks listed on the WLAN scan list 32.

(15) The accessor and comparator 56 accesses the listing 52 and compares values stored thereat with the indications provided on the line 54. Responsive to the comparison, a determination is made as to whether the indication delivered on the line 54 corresponds to an entry on the listing 52 that identifies that the network identified in the entry is directly connected to the home network associated with the mobile node.

(16) Results of the comparison are provided on the line 48 to the identifier that, in the exemplary implementation, includes an authentication message generator 62. The identifier also includes memory elements that store values of root network address identifiers (RNAIs). The root network address identifier stored at the memory element 64 is of a value that correctly identifies the home cellular communication system network associated with the mobile node. And, the value stored at the memory element 66 is of a different value, i.e., a value that incorrectly, or erroneously, identifies the home network. In other words, the different value is an alternative value.

(17) In an alternate implementation, the different value of the network address identifier is randomly generated and the memory element 66 is substituted with a random value generator.

(18) When the indications provided on the line 48 identify that the WLAN with which the mobile node is in communication connectivity does not have a direct connection to the home network associated with the mobile node, the root NAI associated with the home network, stored at the memory element 64 is retrieved, and used by the authentication message generator pursuant to authentication procedures. If, however, the determiner determines that the WLAN is directly connected to the home network associated with the mobile node, the value of the network address identifier is retrieved from the memory element 66. And, the authentication message generator uses this value pursuant to authentication procedures. Authentication fails when the correct network address identifier is used but the WLAN is not directly connected to the home network of the mobile node. And, when the WLAN is directly connected to the home network, the erroneous network address identifier causes the authentication to fail. In another implementation, the alternative value, stored at the memory element 66 is always utilized irrespective of whether the WLAN is directly connected with the home network of the mobile node. Here, also, authentication fails. And, determinations made by the determiner are obviated. Responsive to failed authentication, the WLAN sends a message to the mobile node that includes identification of the cellular communication system networks with which the WLAN maintains an association. And a user of the mobile node is able to select from the returned identifications with which of the cellular communication system networks that the mobile node shall subsequently communicate.

(19) In an alternate implementation, a list is maintained at the mobile node of known WLANs and their respective associations of PLMNs. When a WLAN noted on the list is located, the authentication procedure that is used to obtain information regarding the cellular system networks associated with the WLAN is not performed, and HPLMN information stored at the list is provided to the user of the mobile node. And, authentication procedures using an other NAI is not required to obtain the information regarding the cellular system networks associated with the WLAN.

(20) FIG. 2 illustrates a representation of the direct connection listing 52 that forms part of the apparatus 42 embodied at the mobile node 12 (shown in FIG. 1). The listing is exemplary and is here shown to be formed of a plurality of entries 72. With respect to the exemplary communication system shown in FIG. 1, four entries, associated with the wireless local area networks 1, 2, 3, and N, form the listing. Each entry is identified in a first column 76 by a service set identifier (SSID) that identifies each of the wireless local area networks. And, an indication is noted in the column 78 indexed together with the service set identifier of the WLAN with which it is associated. Here, the SSID of the second WLAN 14-2 is directly connected to the home network associated with the mobile node. And, the column 78 includes an indication of the direct connection.

(21) FIG. 2B illustrates a listing 52 that is embodied at the mobile node 12 pursuant to a further embodiment of the present invention. Here, the entries include an entry 72 identified as WLAN 2, viz., the WLAN 14-2 shown in FIG. 1. Here, the inclusion of the WLAN 2 in the listing identifies the WLAN to have a direct connection with the HPLMN of the mobile node.

(22) FIG. 3 illustrates a message sequence diagram representative of exemplary operation of the communication system 10 shown in FIG. 1. Here, the wireless local area networks 14-1, 14-2, and 14-3 broadcast signals that are detected by the mobile node. The signals are indicated in the figures by the segments 82-1, 82-2, and 82-3. The mobile node accesses its WLAN scan list 32 (shown in FIG. 1) to determine to which channels to tune. And, by tuning to the identified channels, the mobile node detects, indicated by the block 86, the transmitted signals.

(23) The mobile node accesses the direct connection listing (shown in FIG. 1). Here, accessing and comparing is performed, as indicated by the block 88. Responsive to the comparisons, determinations are made as to whether the wireless local area network with which the mobile node is in communication connectivity, here selected to be the wireless local area network 14-2, an authentication message is generated and sent thereto, indicated by the segment 92. Because the network 14-2 is directly connected to the network 16-2, here the home network associated with the mobile node, the authentication fails. An authentication failure response 94 is provided to the mobile node together with indications of the networks with which the network 14-2 maintains associations. Once received at the mobile node, the indications of the available networks are displayed, indicated by the block 102, to the user of the mobile node, and, as indicated by the block 104, the user selects with which of the available networks that the mobile node shall communicate.

(24) FIG. 4 illustrates a method, shown generally at 112, representative of the method of operation of an embodiment of the present invention. The method facilitates communications of a mobile node in a multi-network communication system having a first set of first type networks and a second set of second type networks. The mobile node is associated with a home network comprised of a second type network of the second set. The method facilitates communications by the mobile node, once the mobile node is connected in communication connectivity with a first type network of the first set, with a selected network of the second set.

(25) First, and as indicated by the block 114, a determination is made if the network of the first set with which the mobile node is connected in the communication connectivity is directly connected with the home network.

(26) Then, as indicated by the block 116, identification is made of which, if any, of the networks of the second set of networks are available with which to communicate with the mobile node.

(27) Thereby, through operation of an embodiment of the present invention, a manner is provided by which to permit a user of a mobile node to select the cellular communication system network with which the mobile node shall communicate. Selection is possible irrespective of whether the home network associated with the mobile node is directly connected to the wireless local area network through which the mobile node communicates.

(28) The previous descriptions are of preferred examples for implementing the invention, and the scope of the invention should not necessarily be limited by this description. The scope of the present invention is defined by the following claims.