DE102006018092B4 - Method, personal network device, device and computer program product - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for automatically connecting a personal network unit (PAN), which is assigned to a user's personal network (PN) and is connected to a user's home network (HNV) via a first connection (V1), to another, via a second connection (V2 ) connected to the home network (HNV) network unit (NWE) to a network in which - either the personal network unit (PAN) sends a request for automatic connection to the further network unit (NWE) to the further network unit (NWE) or a Request for automatic connection, which is addressed to the personal network unit (PAN) and is received by the further network unit (NWE), - authorization data (Auth) and / or connection guidelines (CP) and / or configuration data (Set) and / or an access class (AC) for connecting the personal network unit (PAN) to the further network unit (NWE) from a database of an administrator service (PNM) for the personal network (PN), which is provided by the home network (HNW) of the user, - the personal network unit (PAN) ...

Description

The invention relates to a method, a corresponding personal network unit and a corresponding computer program product for automatically connecting the personal network unit associated with a user's personal network to another network unit to a network. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method, a corresponding device and a corresponding computer program product for providing data for the automatic connection.

Users are increasingly turning to different electrical devices and networks. such devices are z. B. telecommunications terminals, which may also be referred to as network terminals. These include, for example, mobile phones, landline phones and personal digital assistants, in short: PDA, as well as household electrical appliances, mobile or stationary computers or consumer electronics. Networks are z. Wired or wireless public networks, e.g. Telephone networks or the Internet, or wired or wireless private networks, e.g. For example, corporate networks or home networks. A desire of users of different devices and networks is that the devices and networks simply work together, e.g. For accessing or exchanging data or for utilizing transmission resources. Due to the large and ever-increasing number of different technologies both in the devices and in the networks, many individual solutions are currently required for the respective cooperation of different devices and / or networks.

As part of the "3rd Generation Partnership Project", 3GPP for short, technical specifications are developed, which are the cooperation of different devices or networks. For example, the networks are based on different technologies, e.g. B. on the "Universal Mobile Telecommunications System", short: UMTS, or "Wireless Local Area Network", in short: WLAN. In "3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Service and System Aspects; Service requirements for Personal Network Management (PNM); Stage 1 (Release 7) ", 3GPP TS 22.259 V7.0.0, March 2006, ftp://ftp.3gpp.org/specs/2006-03/Rel-7/22_series/22259-700.zip (downloaded and printed on April 13, 2006) describes a management service for a personal network of a user. The personal network is also referred to as a "personal network". This management service is referred to as "Personal Network Management" and is provided by a user's home network. The home network of the user is, for example, the network of a mobile and / or Internet access provider, with whom the user has concluded a user agreement. The user may register with the personal network management service devices, in particular network terminals, as part of his personal network and set up within his personal network personal network units, also referred to as personal area network, PAN for short. For network terminals that are part of the user's personal network, it is provided that a connection establishment between them is permitted without restriction. For "guests", d. H. Network terminals that are not part of the user's personal network are intended to be pre-specified for these access classes. The access classes can also be referred to as "Access Class" or "Access Level". Due to an access class, a connection can be restricted.

The WO 2007/091699 A2 describes a system in which a terminal of a user who has no access authorization for a network of a service provider is indirectly connected to the network via a device of the user with access authorization to the network of the service provider. This allows the service provider to expand its offerings to those devices that do not have the appropriate access technology. To do this, a user must register the terminal once in a personal network of the user. Thereafter, the terminal can be integrated into the network of the service provider via any device of the personal network with the appropriate access technology.

The EP 1 178 693 A1 D2 describes a method by which a first terminal without network access gets access to a network via another terminal. In this case, the first terminal for the entire duration of the connection uses the other terminal as access, which is controlled by the other terminal.

The DE 697 33 245 T2 relates to a method in which a user is assigned a personal number and allows a user to make a call from each of his terminals.

The technical specification 3GPP TS 22.259 V 7.0.0 describes a network of several devices of a user and its management. To establish a connection, a device of a user sends a request to the network or the network requests the device of the user to connect to the network. In this case, exactly one device has access to the network of a service provider. Other devices can gain access to the service provider's network through this device. In addition, more can Devices using the authentication of the device with access itself can get access to the network of the service provider.

The object of the invention is to provide means to improve an automatic connection of a personal network unit with another network unit to a network over known approaches.

The object is solved by the subject matters of the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims.

The invention provides a method, a personal network entity, and a corresponding computer program product for automatically linking the personal network entity associated with a user's personal network with another network entity to a network. The personal network unit is associated with a personal network of a user and connected via a first connection to a home network of the user. The further network unit is connected to the home network via a second connection. A request for automatically connecting to the further network unit is either sent from the personal network unit to the further network unit or a request of the further network unit for automatic connection directed to the personal network unit is received. Authorization data and / or connection policies and / or configuration data and / or access class for connecting the personal network unit to the other network unit are retrieved from a database of a personal network management service. The personal network management service is provided by the user's home network. The personal network unit is set up depending on the requested authorization data and / or connection guidelines and / or configuration data and / or the access class and connected to the further network unit to a network in the form of a routing group, so that both the personal network unit and the other network unit can communicate with the home network via the first connection and the second connection.

As a result, resources, in particular access resources, z. To the home network of the user. This is particularly advantageous if the personal network unit and the further network unit have different access resources that can be used mutually depending on current transmission conditions. By forming the routing group, it is possible to easily pass a communication connection from one access resource to the other access resource. Access resources are, for example, UMTS or WLAN interfaces.

The invention is based on the recognition that the data that can be provided by the personal network management service can be used for the automatic connection of the personal network unit to the further network unit, thereby making it possible to automate the networking of network units, in particular a network of different network units and so easy. On the one hand, the personal network management service can provide the configuration data required for the connection so that manual configuration is not required, and on the other hand, can provide the connection policies to be taken into account for establishing the connection so that they are not manually set Need to become. Furthermore, providing the access class further simplifies and speeds up automatic linking, as it eliminates the need for detailed, detailed instructions for establishing the connection. By providing the authorization data is also a manual specification z. B. of access rights or rights of use is not required.

The personal network unit comprises at least one network terminal, ie may represent a single network terminal or a network of two or more network terminals associated with the user's personal network. Accordingly, the further network unit may represent a single network terminal or a network of two or more network terminals. If the network terminals of the further network unit are part of the user's personal network, then the further network unit represents another user's personal network unit. However, if the network terminals of the further network entity are not part of the user's personal network, then the further network entity represents a foreign network entity that is treated as a "guest" with respect to the connection to the user's personal network entity, for example. The network formed by automatically connecting the personal network unit and the other network unit may be an Internet Protocol-based network. The automatic connection of network devices is also called "network composition".

In an advantageous embodiment, the queried authorization data and / or connection guidelines and / or configuration data and / or access class specified a framework within which automatically negotiate connection parameters between the personal network unit and the other network unit in the automatic connection. This has the advantage that connection parameters do not have to be specified or adapted manually if these differ from one another in the personal network unit and the further network unit. This further simplifies automatic connection. The result of automatically negotiating the connection parameters is also referred to as a "composition agreement".

In a further advantageous embodiment, the authorization data and / or connection guidelines and / or configuration data and / or the access class comprise both general authorization data and / or general connection guidelines and / or general configuration data and / or a general access class applicable for automatic connection to any network units are, as well as special authorization data and / or special connection guidelines and / or special configuration data and / or a special access class, each of which is applicable only for automatic connection to a particular network unit. This has the advantage that the general authorization data and / or connection guidelines and / or configuration data and / or access class need not be configured and stored for each network unit. This simplifies the configuration of the user's personal network.

In a further advantageous embodiment, status information is requested from the database of the personal network management service, by which the personal network unit is informed whether the further network unit is currently assigned to the personal network. This has the advantage that the authorization data and / or connection guidelines and / or configuration data and / or the access class can also be stored in the database for those network units which do not have their own access to the home network and to the management service for the personal network. Furthermore, the authorization data and / or connection guidelines and / or configuration data and / or the access class can also remain stored for those network units which were already assigned to the user's personal network and / or are likely to be assigned in the future, but which currently do not belong to the user's personal network assigned. As a result, the authorization data and / or connection guidelines and / or configuration data and / or the access class need not be reconfigured when re-registering the respective network unit for the personal network. When re-registering then essentially only the status information must be updated. This simplifies the temporary unassigning and reassignment of network entities to the user's personal network. Another advantage is that auto connectivity is limited to the network devices that are available. This avoids unsuccessful attempts to establish the connection.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the personal network unit currently comprises at least a first and a second network terminal and currently at least the first network terminal is connected for communication with the management service for the personal network. Authorization of the second network terminal and optionally further network terminals of the personal network unit is performed for automatic connection to the further network unit by the first network terminal. The advantage is that even a network terminal of the personal network unit with the other network unit can be easily connected automatically, which can not communicate with the management service for the personal network itself.

Further, the present invention provides a second method, apparatus, and computer program product for providing data for automatically linking the personal network entity associated with the user's personal network to the another network entity to a network. The personal network unit is associated with a personal network of a user and connected via a first connection to a home network of the user. The further network unit is connected to the home network via a second connection. Depending on a user ID and a unit ID, a record is determined from the database. The database is associated with the Personal Network Management Service. The personal network management service is provided by the user's home network. A membership of the further network unit to the personal network of the user is checked depending on the unit identifier. The personal network unit is provided with authorization data and / or connection guidelines and / or configuration data and / or an access class from the determined data record for the automatic connection of the personal network unit with the further network unit to a network depending on the affiliation, wherein the network unit and the further network unit a network in the form of a routing group, so that both the personal network unit and the other Network unit can communicate via the first connection and the second connection to the home network.

Advantages and additional features of the above advantageous embodiments are also provided here.

Embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the schematic drawings. Show it:

1 an exemplary database structure,

2 an exemplary first flowchart,

3 an exemplary second flowchart,

4 a first application example,

5 a second application example and

6 a third application example.

Elements of the same structure or function are provided across the figures with the same reference numerals.

A personal network PN is assigned to a user and comprises at least one user's network terminal. Network terminals are, for example, mobile phones, personal digital assistants, in short: PDAs, or other portable or stationary computers. However, network terminals can z. B. also be networkable household electrical appliances or consumer electronics or industrial electronics.

The network terminals of the personal network PN are registered with a management service PNM for the user's personal network PN. The user may add other network terminals by registering with the personal network PN management service PNM to his personal network PN or remove network terminals from his personal network PN. The user's personal network PN management service PNM is provided by a user's home network HNW. If the home network HNW is a network according to the "3rd Generation Partnership Project", in short: 3GPP, then the home network HNW is also referred to as "Home Public Land Mobile Network", in short: HPLMN. Such an HPLMN is a public home network. The following explanations are by way of example related to a network according to 3GPP. However, the home network HNW can also be designed differently.

Access to a network conforming to 3GPP can be made via various wireless access networks, such as Internet access. GSM Circuit Switched, GPRS, UTRAN, UTRAN HSPA or Evolved UTRAN. However, access may also be via access networks that are not 3GPP, e.g. Via WLAN or via wired bandwidth broadband access according to ETSI TISPAN.

At least one network terminal of the personal network PN has a unique user identifier NID with which the network terminal identifies itself to the home network HNW. The user identification NID is, for example, an internationally unique subscriber identifier for mobile network terminals, which is also referred to as "International Mobile Subscriber Identity", or IMSI for short. Such a user identifier NID is stored, for example, in a so-called "Subscriber Identity Module", in short: SIM, or "Universal Subscriber Identity Module", USIM for short. A network terminal may include such a SIM or USIM. However, the user identifier NID can also be predetermined by another unique identifier.

A personal network unit PAN is associated with and is part of the user's personal network PN. The personal network unit PAN comprises at least one network terminal, ie may represent a single network terminal or a network of two or more network terminals associated with the user's personal network PN. Compared with the home network HNW, the personal network unit PAN can be unambiguously identified by the user identifier NID.

Linking network entities to a network, which may also be referred to as "network composition", is understood to be a dynamically generated cooperation between at least two network entities. According to personal network units PAN, network units may generally be individual network terminals or networks comprising at least two network terminals.

The connection of the network units to a network is preferably based on a so-called "composition agreement" that is negotiated between the network units to be connected in the connection process. The Composition Agreement specifies connection parameters for connecting the network devices to a network. The network units are configured according to the connection parameters. The connection parameters include, for example, presets, which resources and Services of the other network unit are made available, for. As data storage, applications, other connections, and to what extent control and control functions may be performed in the other network unit, z. In terms of handover of connections, local links, radio resources and quality of service, also referred to as "quality of service". Furthermore, the connection parameters may also include specifications for usage or access costs for services used via the other network unit, e.g. B. for the use of a wireless Internet access.

The connection of a personal network unit PAN with another network unit NWE is done by using the management service PNM for the personal network PN of the user. Preferably, the personal network PN management service PNM also manages connection policies CP, authentication data Auth, configuration data set and / or access classes AC for the network terminals or personal network units PAN of the user's personal network PN for automatically connecting the personal network unit PAN and the others Network unit NWE are usable. On the one hand, this information can be used to specify which resources and services the respective network terminal or the respective personal network unit PAN can use in other ways in other network terminals or network units. On the other hand, this information can be used to indicate how other network terminals or network units can access the respective network terminal or the respective personal network unit PAN.

By using the data and information to the user's personal network PN for connecting the personal network unit to the further network unit NWE, in particular another personal network unit, the basis of trust given by the personal network PN can be used to advantage for the user Connecting the network devices, e.g. By granting access and usage rights, which can be automatically taken into account in the connection.

The personal network PN management service PNM is assigned a database in which data and information about the personal network PN are stored. 1 shows part of a database structure of the database. To the user ID NID of the user, the database comprises a record, which in turn each comprises a record for the personal network PN of the user and a data set for foreign network units fNWE. Preferably, the user's personal network PN record comprises connection policies CP, and in particular, general connection policies gCP applicable for automatically connecting to any network units of the personal network PN. The connection guidelines CP or the general connection guidelines gCP include, for example, specifications for transferring communication connections, setting up routing groups RG, making available data storage, applications or connections, options for influencing the establishment and termination of connections, the use of connection resources or the setting of the connection resources quality of service.

In the personal network PN record, all network terminals and personal network units PAN of the user associated with their personal network PN are also registered. Each personal network unit PAN of the personal network PN is characterized by a unit identifier EID, which may also be referred to as a "public identity". Each device identifier EID is assigned a data record which comprises, for example, status information Stat and connection guidelines CP and in particular special connection guidelines sCP. The special connection policies sCP include connection policies CP applicable only to the respective network terminal or personal network unit PAN having the unit identifier EID. The status information Stat indicates whether the personal network unit PAN is currently active or available in the user's personal network PN. A personal network unit PAN identified as inactive or unavailable is only temporarily used in the personal network PN. The registration of this personal network unit PAN should therefore be preserved in order to be able to use it again at a later date.

Furthermore, the status information Stat can be used to also detect terminals of the user in the database that do not have access to the home network HNW and to the management service PNM for the personal network PN. The status information Stat indicates for such terminals that these are not active or not available.

Furthermore, the data record for the unit identifier EID comprises a list Devs of device units Dev. Device units Dev are, for example, the network terminals of a personal network unit. Each device unit Dev may be assigned data for public accessibility to the device unit Dev, capability data cap, authorization data Auth, configuration data set and / or further data, if applicable. By the public accessibility Pub of the device unit Dev, for example, given whether the connection with the respective device unit Dev is allowed. The capability data Cap comprise, for example, a possible transmission bandwidth or support transmission protocols of the device unit Dev. The authorization data Auth can be used to specify to which network units the extent to which the use of the device unit Dev is permitted. The configuration data set includes, for example, data required for setting up the respective network terminal for connection via the device unit Dev.

The foreign network unit data set fNWE may comprise data records for individual foreign network units fNWE identifiable by their respective unit identifier EID. An access class AC is preferably provided for the respective foreign network unit fNWE. Due to the access class AC z. B. different levels of authorization or authorization levels are easily specified, z. For example, an authorization to access certain resources or services. For example, network terminals or personal network units PAN of the personal network PN can automatically be assigned the highest access authorization. This has the advantage that this simplifies the automatic connection for these network terminals and personal network units PAN, since z. B. legal or financial aspects in the negotiation of the connection parameters need not be negotiated.

Furthermore, fNWE authorization data Auth and / or configuration data Set can also be provided for foreign network units. The authorization data specifies, for example, whether the foreign network unit fNWE may use a connection with the personal network unit PAN via WLAN for access to the Internet. Likewise, certain applications may be explicitly permitted, in addition to general permissions of access class AC. The configuration data can be used to assign identifiers to the foreign network unit fNWE or to configure the access to applications.

The provision of the authentication data Auth, the connection policies CP, the configuration data set and / or the access classes AC in the database of the personal network PN management service PNM allows better transparency and control for the cooperation of network terminals and network entities inside and outside the personal network PN of the user. It also allows cross-device use of many settings. Thus, for example, authorizations of a foreign network unit fNWE for the use of a certain functionality can be applied not only to a single network terminal but to several or all network terminals of the personal network PN that support this functionality. Furthermore, z. For example, it is also possible to implement a remote configuration in which the automatic connection of two personal network units PAN of the personal network PN from one of the two personal network units PAN can be carried out.

By having all the personal network units PAN of the user's personal network PN access to the records, it is possible that after a one-time establishment of the connection policies CP for automatically negotiating the connection parameters for a network terminal or personal network unit PAN, these connection policies CP also can be used by other network terminals or other personal network units PAN of the personal network PN. If the user exchanges z. B. a network terminal against another network terminal, then the user preferably does not redefine the connection guidelines CP, but can take these.

The database structure may also be designed differently within the scope of the invention.

2 shows an exemplary first flow diagram of a program for automatically connecting the personal network unit PAN with the further network unit NWE to a network. The program is preferably executed by the personal network unit PAN, in particular by a network terminal, which is assigned to the personal network unit PAN. The program starts in a step S1. In a step S2, the personal network unit PAN sends a request for automatic connection with the further network unit NWE to the further network unit NWE. Alternatively, the personal network unit PAN receives a corresponding request from the further network unit NWE. In a step S3, the personal network unit PAN communicates with the management service PNM for the user's personal network PN. Via the PNM management service for the personal network PN, the database associated with the PNM management service for the personal network PN is queried. By means of the querying, authorization data Auth and / or connection guidelines CP and / or configuration data set and / or access classes AC are supplied to the personal network unit PAN for connection to the further network unit NWE. In a step S4, the personal network unit PAN for connecting with the other network unit NWE and connected to this. The setup and connection preferably involves negotiating connection parameters to be used for the connection. The connection parameters may also include permissions, e.g. B. Access or use permissions. If the negotiations in step S4 succeed, then the connection is established. However, if the negotiations are not successful, then it may not be possible to establish a connection. The program ends in a step S5.

3 shows an exemplary second flow diagram of a program for providing data for automatically connecting the personal network unit PAN with the further network unit NWE to a network. The program is carried out, for example, by a device which is assigned to the home network HNW. The program is carried out, for example, by the management service PNM for the personal network PN.

The program starts in a step S10. In a step S11, the user's personal network PN managing service PNM receives the request of data to the user ID NID of the user's personal network unit PAN and to the unit identifier EID of the other network unit NWE for connecting the personal network unit PAN and the other network unit NWE , In a step S12, the data record for the user identifier NID is determined from the database. In a step S13 it is checked whether the unit identifier EID is assigned to a personal network unit PAN of the personal network PN, or in other words whether the further network unit NWE with the unit identifier EID is part of the user's personal network PN, ie another personal network unit PAN represents the personal network PN of the user. For this purpose, preferably also the status information Stat is checked. If the further network unit NWE is identified by the status information Stat as currently not belonging to the personal network PN, then it may be provided to register the further network unit NWE as part of the personal network PN or to treat the further network unit NWE as a foreign network unit fNWE.

If the further network unit NWE is part of the personal network PN of the user, then in a step S15 connection guidelines CP, in particular the general connection guidelines gCP, are determined from the database. In a step S16, connection guidelines CP, in particular the special connection guidelines sCP, and in a step S17 further data, e.g. As the public accessibility Pub, the Cap capability data, the authorization data Auth or the configuration data Set to the other network unit NWE determined with the unit identifier EID from the database. In step S18, the determined data is provided to the personal network unit PAN. If, however, the further network unit NWE is identified as inactive or inaccessible by the status information Stat, then the program is terminated after step S15 in step S18.

However, if it is determined in step S13 that the unit identifier EID is not assigned to the user's personal network PN, then the further network unit NWE is classified as a foreign network unit fNWE. In a step S19, the access class AC for the foreign network unit fNWE is checked. If the access class AC is set such that access to the personal network unit PAN for the foreign network unit fNWE is not permitted, the program is ended in step S18. The automatic connection of the personal network unit PAN and the foreign network unit fNWE is then not possible. However, if access class AC allows access, authorization data Auth and / or configuration data set and / or optionally further data from the database can be determined in a step S20. The program ends in step S18 with the provision of the determined data.

The programs may be implemented in the form of hardware in the personal network unit PAN, in particular in a network terminal or in the device. However, the programs may also be implemented in the form of computer programs comprising program instructions executable by a computer. The personal network unit or the network terminal or device may then comprise such a computer executing the program instructions of the computer program. The computer program may be part of an operating system of such a computer. Each of the computer programs may also be in the form of a computer program product comprising a computer readable medium with the program instructions. The computer-readable medium is, for example, a CD-ROM, a flash memory card, a hard disk, or other suitable computer-readable medium.

In a first application example according to 4 a first network terminal UE1 and a second network terminal UE2 are connected to a routing group RG. The first network terminal UE1 is, for example, a mobile telephone and is connected to a home network HNW via a first connection V1. The first connection V1 is based for example on UMTS. The second network terminal UE2 is, for example, a portable computer which is likewise connected to the home network HNW of the user via a second connection V2. The second connection V2 is based for example on WLAN. The first network terminal UE1 and the second network terminal UE2 are interconnected via a third connection V3. The third connection V3 is, for example, a wired connection, e.g. B. USB, or a wireless connection, eg. B. Bluetooth.

The first network terminal UE1 and the second network terminal UE2 are connected via the third connection V3 to the personal network unit PAN, which is configured as a routing group RG. As a result, the first network terminal UE1 and the second network terminal UE2 form a network such that both the first network terminal UE1 and the second network terminal UE2 can communicate with the home network HNW via the first connection V1 and / or the second connection V2. As a result, for example, the second network terminal UE2 also remains connected to the home network HNW via the third connection V3 and the first connection V1 if the second connection V2 is currently not available, since, for example, no suitable network access point is available. Likewise, the first network terminal UE1 is also connected to the home network HNW via the third connection V3 and the second connection V2, even if the first connection V1 is currently not available. Through the routing group RG an uninterrupted transfer of communication between the first connection V1 and the second connection V2 is possible.

The routing group RG is an example of a connection between two network terminals or network units to a network, in which the network terminals or network units grant each other far-reaching access and usage rights for the use of the respective access resources. Such access and usage rights can be explicitly granted to the participating network terminals or network units, for example, by corresponding authorization data Auth, connection guidelines CP, configuration data set and / or a corresponding access class AC and stored in the database of the management service PNM for the user's personal network PN. After querying this data from the database, it is very easy to set up and connect these network terminals or network units to the routing group.

In a second application example according to 5 For example, a user has a personal network unit PAN that he carries with him, and a home network HN that is installed in a building in a building registered as members of his personal network PN with the management service PNM for the personal network PN. The user who is out of the immediate range of his home network communicates with his home network HN via the first connection V1, the home network HNW and the second connection V2 with the home network HN. The first connection V1 is for example a wireless connection and based z. B. UMTS. The second connection V2 is, for example, a wired connection and is based for example on a digital subscriber line, which is also referred to as "Digital Subscriber Line", or DSL for short, or access via a television cable.

The user wants to communicate with his personal network unit PAN, when he comes within range of his home network HN, directly via the third connection V3 with his home network HN. The third connection V3 is based, for example, on WLAN. By using data stored in the database of the personal network PN management service PNM, the personal network unit PAN and the home network HN representing another network unit NWE can be automatically connected to the network through the third connection V3. It is also possible to automatically transfer the communication connection which exists via the first connection V1 and the second connection V2 between the personal network unit PAN and the home network HN to the third connection V3. The first connection V1 and the second connection V2 can then be terminated if necessary. Likewise, it is possible to continue an existing third connection V3 when the personal network unit PAN is removed outside the reach of the home network HN by using the first connection V1 and the second connection V2.

6 shows a third application example. The first network terminal UE1 and the second network terminal UE2 are connected to each other via the third connection V3 to the personal network unit PAN. The personal network unit PAN is part of the personal network PN of a first user U1. The personal network unit PAN is connected to the home network HNW of the first user U1 via the first connection V1 or via the second connection V2.

A third network terminal UE3 is part of the personal network PN of a second user U2, but not part of the personal network PN of the first user U1. From the point of view of the personal network unit PAN of the first user U1 the third network terminal UE3 represents a foreign network unit fNWE. The third network terminal UE3 is connected via a fourth connection V4 to the home network HNW of the second user U2. The first connection V1 and the fourth connection V4 are based for example on UMTS, the second connection V2 is based for example on WLAN.

The home networks HNW of the first user U1 and the second user U2 respectively provide the management service PNM for the personal network PN of the first user U1 and the second user U2, respectively. The two home networks HNW can be assigned to different providers of telecommunications services. However, it is also possible for the first user U1 and the second user U2 or the personal network unit PAN of the first user U1 and the third network terminal UE3 of the second user U2 to have the same home network HNW and the personal network PN assigned to it use. However, the personal network unit PAN of the first user U1 and the third network terminal UE3 of the second user U2 have different user identifications NID, so that a unique identification is possible.

If the first user U1 and the second user U2 want to connect the personal network unit PAN of the first user U1 and the foreign network unit fNWE of the second user U2 to each other via a fifth connection V5, the personal network unit PAN of the first user U1 sends a corresponding request for connection to the foreign network unit fNWE. Alternatively, the foreign network unit fNWE sends a corresponding request to the personal network unit PAN of the first user U1. For example, the fifth connection V5 is based on WLAN.

The request for connecting the personal network unit PAN of the first user U1 and the foreign network unit fNWE of the second user U2 to a network can be made via the fifth connection V5. Preferably, the personal network unit PAN and the foreign network unit fNWE authenticate each other via the fifth connection V5. The personal network unit PAN of the first user U1 and the foreign network unit fNWE of the second user U2 each request data required for connection via their management service PNM for the personal network PN. Preferably, the personal network unit PAN and the foreign network unit fNWE negotiate connection parameters depending on the respective retrieved data to be used for communication via the fifth connection V5.

Alternatively, the request for connection can also be made via the first or second and the fourth connection V1, V2, V4 and via the home networks HNW. As a result, mutual authentication of the personal network unit PAN and the foreign network unit fNWE is not required since the personal network unit PAN and the foreign network unit fNWE are already authenticated against their respective home network HNW.

Preferably, it is further provided that in the automatic connection of network terminals of the personal network PN to form the personal network unit PAN that network terminal with the ability to communicate with the home network HNW takes the authorization of those network terminals that does not have the ability to communicate with the home network HNW of the user.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

• AC

  access class

  Auth

  authorization data

  Cap

  capability data

  CP

  connection Policies

  dev

  unit

  Devs

  List of device units

  fNWE

  foreign network unit

  GCP

  general connection guidelines

  HN

  Home Network

  HNW

  Home network

  OATH

  unit code

  NID

  user ID

  NWE

  another network unit

  PAN

  personal network unit

  PN

  personal network

  PNM

  Management service for the personal network

  Pub

  public accessibility

  RG

  routing group

  SCP

  special connection guidelines

  set

  configuration data

  Stat

  Status information

  Sx

  step

  U1

  first user

  U2

  second user

  UE1

  first network terminal

  UB2

  second network terminal

  UE3

  third network terminal

  V1

  first connection

  V2

  second connection

  V3

  third connection

  V4

  fourth connection

  V5

  fifth connection

Claims (14)

A method for automatically connecting a personal network unit (PAN), which is assigned to a personal network (PN) of a user and connected via a first connection (V1) to a home network (HNV) of the user, with another, via a second connection (V2 ) connected to the home network (HNV) network unit (NWE) to a network in which Either the personal network unit (PAN) sends a request for automatic connection to the further network unit (NWE) to the further network unit (NWE) or an automatic connection request directed to the personal network unit (PAN) from the another network unit (NWE) is received, Authorization data (Auth) and / or connection guidelines (CP) and / or configuration data (Set) and / or access class (AC) for connecting the personal network unit (PAN) to the further network unit (NWE) from a database of a management service (PNM ) for the personal network (PN) provided by the home network (HNW) of the user, The personal network unit (PAN) is set up depending on the requested authorization data (Auth) and / or connection guidelines (CP) and / or configuration data (set) and / or the access class (AC) and with the further network unit (NWE) to a network in Form of a routing group (RG) is interconnected so that both the personal network unit (PAN) and the other network unit (NWE) via the first connection (V1) and the second connection (V2) to communicate with the home network (HNW). Method according to Claim 1, in which a frame is specified by the requested authorization data (Auth) and / or connection guidelines (CP) and / or configuration data (Set) and / or the access class (AC), within which between the personal network unit (PAN). and the other network unit (NWE) automatically negotiate connection parameters. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the authorization data (Auth) and / or connection guidelines (CP) and / or configuration data (Set) and / or the access class (AC) both general authorization data and / or general connection guidelines (gCP) and / or comprise general configuration data and / or a general access class applicable for automatic connection to any network unit, as well as special authorization data and / or special connection guidelines (sCP) and / or special configuration data and / or a special access class, each for automatic connection to a particular network device is applicable. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which status information (Stat) is requested by the personal network (PN) management service database (PN), which indicates to the personal network unit (PAN) whether the further network unit ( NWE) is currently assigned to the personal network (PN). Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the personal network unit (PAN) currently comprises at least a first and a second network terminal (UE1, UE2) and currently at least the first network terminal (UE1) for communication with the management service (PNM) for the personal network (PN) and in which an authorization of the second network terminal (UE2) and possibly further network terminals of the personal network unit (PAN) for automatic connection to the further network unit (NWE) is performed by the first network terminal (UE1). A method for providing data for an automatic connection of a personal network unit (PAN), which is assigned to a personal network (PN) of a user and connected via a first connection (V1) to a home network (HNW) of the user, with another, via a second connection (V2) to the home network (HNW) connected network entity (NWE) to a network, wherein - a record is obtained from a database associated with a personal network management service (PNM) provided by the home network (HNW) of the user is provided, depending on a user identifier (NID) and a unit identifier (EID), - a membership of the other network unit (NWE) to the personal network (PN) of the user depending on the unit identifier (EID) checked will and - the personal network unit (PAN) authorization data (Auth) and / or connection guidelines (CP) and / or configuration data n (set) and / or an access class (AC) is provided from the determined record for the automatic connection of the personal network unit (PAN) with the further network unit (NWE) to a network depending on the affiliation, wherein the personal network unit (PAN) and the further network entity (NWE) are interconnected into a network in the form of a routing group (RG) such that both the personal network entity (PAN) and the further network entity (NWE) can communicate with the home network (HNW) via the first connection (V1) and the second connection (V2). Method according to Claim 6, in which a frame is specified by the requested authorization data (Auth) and / or connection guidelines (CP) and / or configuration data (Set) and / or the access class (AC) within which there is a connection between the personal network unit (PAN). and the other network unit (NWE) automatically negotiate connection parameters. Method according to one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the authorization data (Auth) and / or connection guidelines (CP) and / or configuration data (Set) and / or the access class (AC) both general authorization data and / or general connection guidelines (gCP) and or general configuration data and / or a general access class applicable for automatic connection to any network units, as well as special authorization data and / or special connection guidelines (sCP) and / or special configuration data and / or a special access class, respectively only applicable for automatic connection to a specific network unit. Method according to one of Claims 6 to 8, in which status information (Stat) is requested from the personal network (PN) management service database (PNM), which indicates to the personal network unit (PAN) whether the other Network Unit (NWE) is currently assigned to the personal network (PN). Method according to one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the personal network unit (PAN) currently comprises at least a first and a second network terminal (UE1, UE2) and currently at least the first network terminal (UE1) for communication with the management service (PNM) for the personal network (PN) is connected and in which an authorization of the second network terminal (UE2) and possibly further network terminals of the personal network unit (PAN) for automatic connection with the further network unit (NWE) by the first network terminal (UE1) is performed. Personal network unit associated with a personal network (PN) of a user and connected to a home network (HNW) of the user via a first connection (V1) and configured - For sending a request for automatic connection to another, connected via a second connection (V2) to the home network (HNW) Network Unit (NWE) to the other network unit (NWE) or to receive a request of the other network unit (NWE) for automatic Connect, which is directed to the personal network unit (PAN), For querying authorization data (Auth) and / or connection guidelines (CP) and / or configuration data (Set) and / or an access class (AC) for connecting the personal network unit (PAN) to the further network unit (NWE) from a database of a Personal Network (PN) management service (PN) provided by the home network (HNW) of the user, depending on the requested authorization data (Auth) and / or connection guidelines (CP) and / or configuration data (Set) and / or Access class (AC), For setting up the personal network unit (PAN) and for connecting to the further network unit (NWE) to a network in the form of a routing group (RG) such that both the personal network unit (PAN) and the further network unit (NWE) have the first Connection (V1) and the second connection (V2) with the home network (HNW) can communicate. Device for providing data for an automatic connection of a personal network unit (PAN)), which is assigned to a personal network (PN) of a user and connected via a first connection (V1) to a home network (HNW) of the user, with another, network unit (NWE) connected to the home network (HNW) via a second connection (V2) to a network formed For determining a record from a database associated with a personal network (PN) management service (PN) provided by the home network (HNW) of the user depending on a user identifier (NID) and a device identifier (EID) . - For checking a membership of the other network unit (NWE) to the personal network (PN) of the user depending on the unit identifier (EID) and For providing authorization data (Auth) and / or connection guidelines (CP) and / or configuration data (Set) and / or an access class (AC) from the determined personal network unit (PAN) data set for the automatic connection of the personal network unit (PAN ) with the further network unit (NWE) to a network depending on the membership in the form of a routing group (RG) such that both the personal network unit (PAN) and the further network unit (NWE) via the first connection (V1) and the second Connection (V2) with the home network (HNW) can communicate. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having program instructions for automatically connecting a personal network unit (PAN) associated with a user's personal network (PN) and connected to a home network (HNW) of the user via a first connection (V1) network device (NWE) connected to the home network (HNW) via a second connection (V2) to a network, which, executed by a computer, results in the following steps: sending a request for automatic connection to the further network unit (NWE ) to the further network unit (NWE) and / or receiving a request of the further network unit (NWE) for automatic connection directed to the personal network unit (PAN), - requesting authorization data (Auth) and / or connection guidelines (CP) and / or configuration data (set) and / or an access class (AC) for connecting the p personal network unit (PAN) with the further network unit (NWE) from a personal network (PN) management service (PNM) database provided by the user's home network (HNW), depending on the requested authentication data (Auth) and / or connection guidelines (CP) and / or configuration data (set) and / or access class (AC), - set up the personal network unit (PAN) and connect to the other network unit (NWE) to a network, in the form of a routing group (RG) such that both the personal network unit (PAN) and the further network unit (NWE) can communicate with the home network (HNW) via the first connection (V1) and the second connection (V2). A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having program instructions for providing data for automatic connection of a personal network unit (PAN) associated with a personal network (PN) of a user and a first connection (V1) to a home network (HNW) of the user is connected to a further network unit (NWE) connected to the home network (HNW) via a second connection (V2) to a network which, executed by a computer, results in the following steps: Determining a record from a database associated with a personal network (PN) management service (PNM) provided by the user's home network (HNW) depending on a user identifier (NID) and a device identifier (EID), - Checking a membership of the other network unit (NWE) to the personal network (PN) of the user depending on the unit identifier (EID) and Provision of authorization data (Auth) and / or connection guidelines (CP) and / or configuration data (Set) and / or access class (AC) from the personal network unit (PAN) data set for automatically connecting the personal network unit (PAN) with the further network unit (NWE) to a network depending on the membership in the form of a routing group (RG) such that both the personal network unit (PAN) and the further network unit (NWE) via the first connection (V1) and the second connection (V2) can communicate with the home network (HNW).

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