Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W28/00—Network traffic management; Network resource management
  • H04W28/16—Central resource management; Negotiation of resources or communication parameters, e.g. negotiating bandwidth or QoS [Quality of Service]
  • H04W28/18—Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W24/00—Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
  • H04W88/02—Terminal devices
  • H04W88/06—Terminal devices adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a procedure and a device for control of data connections in a digital, cellular communication network between a user terminal and a longdistance network.
• HSCSD High Speed Circuit Switched Data
• GPRS General Packet Radio Service
• a HSCSD-service in a TDMA-network such as a GSM-network
• the terminals can manage data 5 transmissions via the technology that is utilised, such as HSCSD or GPRS, via an interface towards the digital, cellular communication network.
• Different terminal manufacturers have arranged for terminal specific software for managing of data transmission in a digital, cellular communication network. Because the data transmission is made via a network operator's digital, cellular communication network, these communication networks must be able to manage data transmission between several different types of terminals, which results in adaptation problems when new terminal specific solutions are introduced. Moreover, a user can be obliged to use different interfaces for one and the same service for terminals from different manufacturers.
• the aim of the present invention is to remove above mentioned problem that communication networks have to manage transmission of data between several different types of terminals, and that a user can be forced to use different interfaces for one and the same service for terminals from different manufacturers, and to reduce the problem that users experience the technologies for transmission of data as expensive and difficult to use.
• aims are, according to the invention, achieved by a procedure for control of data connections in a digital, cellular, communication network in which need of data transmission between the user terminal and the longdistance network is detected.
• a data connection between the user terminal and the long-distance network is established and its characteristics are changed depending on the detected need.
• a data connection between the user terminal and the long-distance network is only set up when an access to the long-distance network is needed.
• the user consequently does not need to be connected before the need exists, which results in lower utilisation of resources and consequently also lower cost.
• the set up of the connection is made without the user needing to enter any commands at the terminal, which reduces the management for the user.
• the data transmission need is detected as a need of transmission speed between the user terminal and the long-distance network.
• the characteristics of the data connection is then changed by increasing the transmission speed of the data connection when the need of transmission speed between the user terminal and the long-distance network is greater than the current transmission speed of the data connection, and that the transmission speed of the data connection is reduced when the need of transmission speed between the user terminal and the long-distance network is smaller than the current transmission speed of the data connection.
• the data connection is disconnected when a lack of a need of data transmission between the user terminal and the long-distance network is detected during one in advance determined period of time.
• a procedure according to the invention is detected if a break occurs. If a break is detected, a data connection is set up between the user terminal and the long-distance network depending on the need of data transmission between the user terminal and the long-distance network.
• the data connection in the first digital, cellular communication network is set up between the user terminal and the long-distance network via a second digital, cellular communication network
• is collected dependending on a request controlled by the user, information about accessible digital, cellular communication networks, such as accessible digital, cellular communication networks and debiting conditions for utilisation of resources in the different communication networks.
• accessible digital, cellular communication networks such as accessible digital, cellular communication networks and debiting conditions for utilisation of resources in the different communication networks.
• one network out of the accessible, digital, cellular communication networks is utilised. For instance can that network be utilised that gives the lowest cost.
• An advantage of this procedure is that it gives possibility for the user always to use the network that gives the lowest cost when the user is outside the area where the first network, in which he/she is subscriber, is accessible and the user consequently has to utilise a second network to access the first network, so called roaming.
• an application that has an intermittent need of data transmission between the user terminal and the long- distance network is detected.
• the data transmissions of this application between the user terminal and the longdistance network is then filtered.
• the procedure according to the invention is collected, depending on input by a user, information related to the data connection, such as debiting terms/conditions, error management tables and costs for data connections since the latest billing.
• a number of parameters for the data connection such as transmission speed of the data connection at each point of time and the time the data connection has the same transmission speed, are measured.
• the characteristic data for the data connections are calculated, such as transmission speed, cost so far for the current data connection, and cost so far during one in advance determined period of time, and its characteristic data are shown to the user on a status screen to be used as basic data for decision- making by the user.
• An advantage of this embodiment is that the user will have a better base for making decisions, such as to decide whether the data connection shall be disconnected when the cost exceeds a certain level.
• the aims are achieved according to the invention also by means of a device for control of data connections in a first, digital, cellular communication network, which includes a device for detection of need of data transmission between the user terminal and the longdistance network, one to the device for detection of data transmission need connected device for change of the characteristics of the data connection based on the detected need of data transmission between the user terminal and the long-distance network, and one to the device for change of the characteristic of the data connection connected connection/disconnection device for connection/disconnection of a data connection between the user terminal and a long-distance network.
• the connection/disconnection device (9) establishes a data connection between the user terminal and a long-distance network when a need of data transmission is detected, and disconnects the data connection when a lack of need of data transmission is detected during one in advance determined period of time.
• the device also includes one to the device for change of characteristics of the data connection and to the connection/disconnection device (9) connected device for management of the interface towards the digital, cellular communication network.
• connection/ disconnection of the connection is made without the need of the user entering any commands at the terminal, which simplifies the management for the user.
• device for management of the interface to the digital, cellular network is arranged before the connection/disconnection device (9) and therefore is transparent for the user with regard to said connection/disconnection device. This simplifies the management for the user, for instance if different connection/disconnection devices are used.
• One embodiment of the device according to the invention also includes a need detection device for detection of the need of transmission speed between the user terminal and the long-distance network, and a control device for increase, respective reduction, of the transmission speed of the data connection when the need of transmission speed between the user terminal and the long-distance network is greater, respective smaller, than the current transmission speed of the data connection.
• Another embodiment of the device according to the invention also includes a break detection device for detection of breaks.
• the connection/disconnection device (9) establishes, depending on the detected need of data transmission, a data connection between the user terminal and the long-distance network when a break is detected.
• An advantage of this embodiment is that the user need not initiate a set up of a connection manually if a break occurs. This results in easier management for the user.
• One more embodiment of a device according to the invention for use at set up of a data connection in the first digital, cellular communication network between the user and the long-distance network via a second digital, cellular communication network also includes a device for collection of information about accessible, digital, cellular communication networks, such as accessible digital, cellular communication networks and debiting conditions for resource utilisation in the different communication networks, as resources to an input by a user via a control unit for input by a user.
• the device also includes a device for selection of a network among the accessible, digital, cellular communication networks based on the information about accessible, digital, cellular communication networks together with in advance determined criteria. For instance can that network be utilised that gives the lowest cost.
• An advantage of this embodiment is that it gives a possibility to the user to always use that network that gives the lowest cost when the user is outside that area where the first network, in which he/she is subscriber, is accessible and the user consequently must utilise a second network to access the first network, so called roaming.
• One more embodiment of a device also includes a device for detection of an application that has an intermittent need of transmission of data between the user and the long-distance network, and a device for filtering of the transmissions of these applications between the user terminal and the long-distance network.
• One more embodiment of a device also includes a device for collection of information related to the data connection, such as debiting terms/ conditions, error management tables, and accumulated data connection costs since the latest billing, as response to an input by a user via a control unit for input by user.
• the device also includes a device for measurement of parameters for the data connection, such as the transmission speed of the data connection at each point of time and the time the data connection has the same transmission speed, a device for calculation of characteristic data for the data connection, such as transmission speed, cost so far for the current connection, and cost so far during one in advance determined period of time, based on the connection related information and a device for presentation of these characteristic data to the user for use as basic data for decision for the user.
• An advantage with this embodiment is that the user will have better basic data to make decisions, such as to decide whether the data connection shall be disconnected when the cost exceeds a certain level.
• Figure 1 is a schematic drawing of an environment in which the invention can be used.
• FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of another environment in which the invention can be used.
• Figure 3 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a device according to the invention.
• Figure 4 shows a flow chart over a procedure according to the invention.
• FIG. 1 an environment in which one embodiment of the invention can be used.
• a user terminal 1 which includes a computer 2, connected to a mobile terminal 3.
• the mobile terminal 3 is in its turn connected to a first GSM-network 4.
• Different types of long-distance networks are connected to the GSM-network.
• Internet 5 and a LAN 6. Connections can be set up via the GSM-network 4 from the user terminal 1 to these long-distance networks.
• FIG 2 shows another environment in which the invention can be used.
• the user terminal 1 is connected to a second GSM-network 7, which in its turn is connected to the first GSM-network 4.
• This environment can be met with for instance when a user is located outside the area where the first GSM-network 4, in which he/she is subscriber, is accessible and the user consequently must utilise a second GSM-network 7 to access the first network 4, so called roaming.
• Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a device 8 according to the invention.
• the device 8 controls data connections in a GSM- network 4, between a user terminal 1 and a long-distance network, in this case Internet 5 or a LAN 6.
• the device includes a connection/disconnection device 9 located m the mobile terminal (3 in Figure 1 and 2) .
• the device 8 also includes a need detection device 10, a control device 11, a break detection device 12, and an interface management device 13, which are located in the computer 2 (2 in Figure 1 and 2) .
• the computer 2 also includes applications 14, some of which need data connections to any of the longdistance networks.
• the need detection device 10 When the user starts the user terminal, the need detection device 10 starts detecting the need of data transmission speed for the applications 14 in the user terminal. If the need detection device 10 detects that any of the applications 14 m the user terminal 1 has a data transmission need between the user terminal 1 and a long- distance network, it will inform about this to the control device 11, which controls the connection/disconnection device 9 via the interface device 13 to set up a data connection. When a data connection is established, the need detection device 10 detects the need of transmission speed of the application 14 and informs about this to the control device 11, which increases, respective reduces, the transmission speed of the data connection if the need of transmission speed is greater, respective smaller, than the current speed of the data connection.
• the control device 11 utilises hysteresis levels and delay at the increase, respective reduction, of the transmission speed of the data connection, which means that the need of transmission speed of the applications 14 must exceed, respective fall below, the transmission speed of the data connection during one m advance determined period of time, to have the increase respective reduction executed. If the need detection device 10 detects a lack of data transmission need during one m advance determined period of time, it will inform about this to the control device 11, which controls the connection/disconnection device 9 to disconnect the data connection.
• the break detection device 12 detects whether a break has occurred and, if this is the case, informs about this to the control device 11, which, provided that the need detection device 10 has informed that need of data transmission exists, controls the connection/disconnection device 9 to set up a new data connection from the user terminal 1 to a long-distance network via the GSM-network 3.
• Figure 4 a procedure according to invention for control of data connections m a GSM-network 4 between a user terminal 1 and a long-distance network (see Figure 1) .
• a detection step 15 detects the need of data transmission between the user terminal and a long- distance network and informs about this need to a route selection step 16, which directs the procedure back to the detection step 15 if a lack of need of data transmission is detected, and forwards the procedure to a set up step 17 if a need of data transmission has been detected.
• the need of data transmission is detected as the need of transmission speed between the user terminal and the long-distance network, for the applications in the user terminal.
• the set up step 17 a data connection is set up between the user terminal and the long-distance network via the GSM- network.
• a need detection step 18 the need of transmission speed, between the user terminal and the long-distance network, of the applications m the user terminal is detected and this need is informed about to a route selection step 19.
• the route selection step 19 informs about whether the need of transmission speed is higher than the current transmission speed of the data connection to a need increase step 20, which will increase the transmission speed of the data connection. If the need of transmission speed is not higher than the transmission speed of the data connection, the route selection step 19 forwards the procedure to another route selection step 21.
• the route selection step 21 informs about whether the need of transmission speed is lower than the current transmission speed of the data connection to a need reduction step 22, which reduces the transmission speed of the data connection.
• the route selection steps 21 will forward the procedure to a break step 23.
• the increase, respective reduction, of the transmission speed of the data connection in the need increase step 20, respective the need reduction step 22, is made by signalling to the GSM-network about allocating more, respective fewer, time slots to the data connection. Hysteresis levels and delay are utilised at the increase, respective reduction, of the transmission speed of the data connection in the need increase step 20, respective the need reduction step 22. This means that the need of transmission speed of the applications must exceed, respective fall below, the transmission speed of the data connection during one in advance determined period of time, to have the increase respective reduction executed.
• break step 23 breaks in the data connection are detected. If a break is detected, the procedure is forwarded to the detection step 15, where the need of data transmission is detected. If a need of data transmission is detected, a new data connection is established between the user terminal and the long-distance network. Finally is, in the route selection step 24, detected whether need of data transmission has been lacking during one in advance determined period of time that can be adjusted by the user. In case of such a lack, the data connection is disconnected in a disconnection step 25. If a need is still detected, the connection is held and the procedure is directed to the need detection step 18, at which the procedure continues until a lack of need of data transmission during one in advance determined period of time is detected and the data connection is disconnected.
• the embodiments are also described for GSM-technology .
• the invention can of course also be implemented for any other time multiplexed, cellular technology, such as the American technologies D-AMPS (Digital-Advanced Mobile Phone System) and PCS (Personal Communication Services), or the Japanese PDC (Personal Digital Cellular) .
• Internet and a LAN as long-distance networks. These shall only be regarded as examples and not as a limitation of the invention .

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Quality & Reliability (AREA)
• Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Communication Control (AREA)
• Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)

Priority Applications (3)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=20415257

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Cited By (1)

Citations (5)

• 1999
  • 1999-04-19 SE SE9901382A patent/SE521806C2/sv not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2000
  • 2000-04-19 EE EEP200100550A patent/EE04981B1/et not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2000-04-19 WO PCT/SE2000/000746 patent/WO2000064103A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2000-04-19 EP EP00928041A patent/EP1173953A1/en not_active Withdrawn
• 2001
  • 2001-09-26 NO NO20014664A patent/NO329924B1/no not_active IP Right Cessation

Patent Citations (5)

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