WO2019029831A1

WO2019029831A1 - Fairness in resource sharing

Info

Publication number: WO2019029831A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/070510
Authority: WO
Inventors: Horst Roessler; Alam ASHRAFUL Md
Original assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2017-08-11
Filing date: 2017-08-11
Publication date: 2019-02-14

Abstract

It is provided a method, comprising supervising if an offering indication is received, wherein the offering indication indicates that a requesting device offers a portion of a first resource for usage by a third device; obtaining and storing a history information for the requesting device based on the offering indication; monitoring if an inquiry for a quota for using a portion of a second resource of an offering device by the requesting device is received; generating the quota based on the history information if the request is received; informing on the quota in response to the inquiry, wherein each of the first resource and the second resource is at least one of a respective processing power, a respective memory, and a respective link.

Description

Fairness in resource sharing

Field of t e invention The present invention relates to an apparatus, a method, and a computer program product related to resource sharing, in particular to resource sharing in mobile networks.

Abbreviations

3GPP 3^rd Generation Partnership Project

5G 5^th Generation

App Application

CPU Central Processing Unit

CRAN Cloud RAN

D2D Device-to-Device (Communication)

HW Hardware

loT Internet of Things

IP Internet Protocol

KPI Key Performance Indicator

LTE Long Term Evolution

MEC Mobile Edge Computing

MTC Machine-type Communication

P2P Peer-to-Peer (Communication)

QoE Quality of Experience

RAM Random Access Memory

RAN Radio Access Network

UE User Equipment

VoIP Voice over IP

VoLTE Voice over LTE

WiFi Wireless Fidelity

Background of the invention State of the Art Fog Networks

The term "Fog Networks" denotes an architecture that enables end user's one client or a collaborative multitude of end-user clients or near-user edge devices to carry out a substantial amount of storage, communication and management. There are usually gigabytes sitting idle on tablets, laptops and smartphones in a household every evening, or across a table in a conference room, or among passengers of a public transport system. Idle processing power, sensing ability and wireless connectivity within the edge may be pooled within a Fog network. In a traditional Radio Access Network (RAN), all the UEs and loTs send data towards the Edge (i.e. the base stations and devices related to base stations such as a MEC device) for processing. The Edge processes this data and sends the result back to the source. This back and forth of data transmission creates (additional) latency. Moreover, as all the connected elements require resources from the Edge, this back and forth creates huge pressure on the Edge. To solve this problem FOG network is introduced in RAN, where the unused resources are shared among group(s) of users, as described above.

The new generation of LTE direct, Wi-Fi direct, or Bluetooth 5.0 provide promising solutions for a new approach for P2P communication and sharing HW resources complementary to centralized cloud resources.

State of the Art D2D Communication

LTE D2D communications is a peer to peer link which does not use the cellular network infrastructure, but enables LTE based devices to communicate directly with one another when they are in close proximity. LTE device to device communication is also being investigated for applications where peer discovery is required for commercial applications in the presence of network support.

Due to the rapidly increasing UE density, a huge amount of unused UE resources (CPU, memory etc.) should be able to relieve the traditional RAN and the 5G Cloud Radio Access Network (CRAN) infrastructure. Currently the 5G CRAN community is trying to move the baseband functionality as far as possible to the edge cloud comprising standard computing platforms to raise multiplexing gains and to provide scalability on demand.

To meet the future traffic requirement operators can't rely only on the traditional base station resources. An example of a traditional network comprising plural base stations (here: macro eNBs) connected to a core network is shown in Fig. 1. Each base station may serve one or more subscription devices such as UEs, loT devices etc. Traditional base stations may not be able to provide necessary air interface resources to meet the low latency - high bandwidth demand from future applications.

Summary of the invention It is an object of t e present invention to improve the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising at least one processor, at least one memory including computer program code, and the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being arranged to cause the apparatus to at least perform offering a portion of a resource for usage by a requesting device; indicating the offering of the portion of the resource to a sharing control server via a network; wherein an offering device is adapted to use the resource such that the resource provides a service to the offering device; the portion of the resource is offered on a direct communication path bypassing the network; the requesting device is different from the offering device; and the resource is at least one of a processing power, a memory, and a link to the network. The at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, may be arranged to cause the apparatus to further perform monitoring if the offering device receives a request for usage of the portion of the resource by the requesting device; providing the portion of the resource to the requesting device for using the portion of the resource via the direct communication path according to a quota if the request is received; wherein the request for usage may be received from the sharing control server; the request may comprise the quota.

The at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, may be arranged to cause the apparatus to further perform monitoring if the offering device receives a request for usage of the portion of the resource by the requesting device; requesting, if the request is received, the sharing control server to indicate a quota according to which the requesting device is entitled to use the portion of the resource; supervising if an indication of the quota is received from the sharing control server in response to the requesting; providing the portion of the resource to the requesting device according to the quota if the indication of the quota is received; wherein the request for usage may be received from the requesting device.

The at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, may be arranged to cause the apparatus to further perform inhibiting the providing of the portion of the quota if the quota is zero. The quota may comprise at least one of an entitled usage time indication indicating for how long the requesting device is entitled to use the portion of the resource; an entitled processing power indication indicating an entitled processing power of the portion of the resource the requesting device is entitled to use if the resource is the processing power; an entitled memory capacity indication indicating an entitled memory capacity of the portion of the resource the requesting device is entitled to use if the resource is the memory; an entitled bit rate indication indicating an entitled bit rate on the link the requesting device is entitled to use if the resource is the link; and an entitled data volume on the link the requesting device is entitled to use if the resource is the link.

An offering information may be provided when the portion of the resource is offered; and at least one of the following may apply:

the offering indication may comprise an offered time indication indicating a duration for how long the portion of the first resource is offered;

the offering indication may comprise an offered processing power indication indicating a processing power of the offered portion of the first resource;

the offering indication may comprise an offered memory indication indicating an offered memory;

the offering indication may comprise an offered bit rate indication indicating an offered bit rate on the link to the network, and

the offering indication may comprise an offered data volume indication indicating an offered data volume on the link to the network.

The at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, may be arranged to cause the apparatus to further perform monitoring if the usage of the portion of the resource by the requesting device exceeds the quota; preventing the usage of the portion of the resource by the requesting device if the usage of the portion of the resource by the requesting device exceeds the quota. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising at least one processor, at least one memory including computer program code, and the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being arranged to cause the apparatus to at least perform supervising if a first resource to be used by a requesting device is not sufficient; monitoring if a portion of a second resource is offered by an offering device on a direct communication path bypassing a network; informing a sharing control server, via the network, that the requesting device intends to use the portion of the second resource if the first resource is not sufficient and if it is monitored that the portion of the second resource is offered; using the portion of the second resource via the direct communication path after the informing; wherein the requesting device is adapted to use the first resource such that the first resource provides a service to the requesting device and to use the second resource such that the second resource provides the service to the requesting device; the requesting device is different from the offering device; and the first resource and the second resource are at least one of a processing power, a memory, and a link to the network.

The at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, may be arranged to cause the apparatus to further perform monitoring if a confirmation in response to the informing is received from at least one of the sharing control server and the offering device; inhibiting the using if the confirmation is not received.

The monitoring may monitor if the confirmation is received from the sharing control server; the confirmation may comprise a quota; and the portion of the second resource may be used such that the quota is not exceeded.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising at least one processor, at least one memory including computer program code, and the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being arranged to cause the apparatus to at least perform supervising if an offering indication is received, wherein the offering indication indicates that a requesting device offers a portion of a first resource of the requesting device for usage by a third device; obtaining and storing a history information for the requesting device based on the offering indication; monitoring if a request to use a portion of a second resource of an offering device is received from the requesting device; generating quota for using the portion of the second resource by the requesting device based on the history information if the request is received; commanding the offering device to allow the requesting device using the portion of the second resource according to the quota; wherein each of the first resource and the second resource is at least one of a respective processing power, a respective memory, and a respective link.

The at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, may be arranged to cause the apparatus to further perform inhibiting the commanding if the quota is zero. The at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, may be arranged to cause the apparatus to further perform providing a confirmation to the requesting device in response to the request when the offering device is commanded. According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising at least one processor, at least one memory including computer program code, and the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being arranged to cause the apparatus to at least perform supervising if an offering indication is received, wherein the offering indication indicates that a requesting device offers a portion of a first resource for usage by a third device; obtaining and storing a history information for the requesting device based on the offering indication; monitoring if an inquiry for a quota for using a portion of a second resource of an offering device by the requesting device is received; generating the quota based on the history information if the request is received; informing on the quota in response to the inquiry, wherein each of the first resource and the second resource is at least one of a respective processing power, a respective memory, and a respective link.

The inquiry may be received from the offering device, and the offering device may be informed on the quota. The inquiry may be received from the requesting device, and the requesting device may be informed on the quota.

In the apparatus according to any of the third and fourth aspects, the quota may comprise at least one of an entitled usage time indication indicating for how long the requesting device is entitled to use the portion of the second resource; an entitled processing power indication indicating an entitled processing power of the portion of the resource the requesting device is entitled to use if the second resource is the respective processing power; an entitled memory capacity indication indicating an entitled memory capacity of the portion of the resource the requesting device is entitled to use if the second resource is the respective memory; an entitled bit rate indication indicating an entitled bit rate on the link the requesting device is entitled to use if the second resource is the respective link; and an entitled data volume indication indicating an entitled data volume on the link the requesting device is entitled to use if the second resource is the respective link. In the apparatus according to any of the third and fourth aspects, at least one of the following may apply: the offering indication comprises an offered time indication indicating a duration for how long the portion of the first resource is offered; the offering indication comprises an offered processing power indication indicating a processing power of t e offered portion of the first resource if the first resource is the respective processing power; the offering indication comprises an offered memory indication indicating an offered memory if the first resource is the respective memory; the offering indication comprises an offered bit rate indication indicating an offered bit rate on the link to the network if the first resource is the respective link; and the offering indication comprises an offered data volume indication indicating an offered data volume on the link to the network if the first resource is the respective link.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method, comprising offering a portion of a resource for usage by a requesting device; indicating the offering of the portion of the resource to a sharing control server via a network; wherein an offering device is adapted to use the resource such that the resource provides a service to the offering device; the portion of the resource is offered on a direct communication path bypassing the network; the requesting device is different from the offering device; and the resource is at least one of a processing power, a memory, and a link to the network.

The method may further comprise monitoring if the offering device receives a request for usage of the portion of the resource by the requesting device; providing the portion of the resource to the requesting device for using the portion of the resource via the direct communication path according to a quota if the request is received; wherein the request for usage may be received from the sharing control server; the request may comprise the quota.

The method may further comprise monitoring if the offering device receives a request for usage of the portion of the resource by the requesting device; requesting, if the request is received, the sharing control server to indicate a quota according to which the requesting device is entitled to use the portion of the resource; supervising if an indication of the quota is received from the sharing control server in response to the requesting; providing the portion of the resource to the requesting device according to the quota if the indication of the quota is received; wherein the request for usage may be received from the requesting device.

The method may further comprise inhibiting the providing of the portion of the quota if the quota is zero.

The quota may comprise at least one of

an entitled usage time indication indicating for how long the requesting device is entitled to use the portion of the resource; an entitled processing power indication indicating an entitled processing power of t e portion of the resource the requesting device is entitled to use if the resource is the processing power;

an entitled memory capacity indication indicating an entitled memory capacity of the portion of the resource the requesting device is entitled to use if the resource is the memory; an entitled bit rate indication indicating an entitled bit rate on the link the requesting device is entitled to use if the resource is the link; and

an entitled data volume on the link the requesting device is entitled to use if the resource is the link.

the offering indication comprises an offered time indication indicating a duration for how long the portion of the first resource is offered;

the offering indication comprises an offered processing power indication indicating a processing power of the offered portion of the first resource;

the offering indication comprises an offered memory indication indicating an offered memory;

the offering indication comprises an offered bit rate indication indicating an offered bit rate on the link to the network, and

the offering indication comprises an offered data volume indication indicating an offered data volume on the link to the network.

The method may further comprise monitoring if the usage of the portion of the resource by the requesting device exceeds the quota; preventing the usage of the portion of the resource by the requesting device if the usage of the portion of the resource by the requesting device exceeds the quota.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method, comprising supervising if a first resource to be used by a requesting device is not sufficient; monitoring if a portion of a second resource is offered by an offering device on a direct communication path bypassing a network; informing a sharing control server, via the network, that the requesting device intends to use the portion of the second resource if the first resource is not sufficient and if it is monitored that the portion of the second resource is offered; using the portion of the second resource via the direct communication path after the informing; wherein the requesting device is adapted to use the first resource such that the first resource provides a service to the requesting device and to use the second resource such that the second resource provides the service to t e requesting device; the requesting device is different from the offering device; and the first resource and the second resource are at least one of a processing power, a memory, and a link to the network. The method may further comprise monitoring if a confirmation in response to the informing is received from at least one of the sharing control server and the offering device; inhibiting the using if the confirmation is not received.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a method, comprising supervising if an offering indication is received, wherein the offering indication indicates that a requesting device offers a portion of a first resource of the requesting device for usage by a third device; obtaining and storing a history information for the requesting device based on the offering indication; monitoring if a request to use a portion of a second resource of an offering device is received from the requesting device; generating quota for using the portion of the second resource by the requesting device based on the history information if the request is received; commanding the offering device to allow the requesting device using the portion of the second resource according to the quota; wherein each of the first resource and the second resource is at least one of a respective processing power, a respective memory, and a respective link. The method may further comprise inhibiting the commanding if the quota is zero.

The method may further comprise providing a confirmation to the requesting device in response to the request when the offering device is commanded. According to an eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method, comprising supervising if an offering indication is received, wherein the offering indication indicates that a requesting device offers a portion of a first resource for usage by a third device; obtaining and storing a history information for the requesting device based on the offering indication; monitoring if an inquiry for a quota for using a portion of a second resource of an offering device by the requesting device is received; generating the quota based on the history information if the request is received; informing on the quota in response to the inquiry, wherein each of the first resource and t e second resource is at least one of a respective processing power, a respective memory, and a respective link.

The inquiry may be received from the offering device, and the offering device may be informed on the quota.

The inquiry may be received from the requesting device, and the requesting device may be informed on the quota. In the method according to any of the seventh and eighth aspects, the quota may comprise at least one of

an entitled usage time indication indicating for how long the requesting device is entitled to use the portion of the second resource;

an entitled processing power indication indicating an entitled processing power of the portion of the resource the requesting device is entitled to use if the second resource is the respective processing power;

an entitled memory capacity indication indicating an entitled memory capacity of the portion of the resource the requesting device is entitled to use if the second resource is the respective memory;

an entitled bit rate indication indicating an entitled bit rate on the link the requesting device is entitled to use if the second resource is the respective link; and

an entitled data volume indication indicating an entitled data volume on the link the requesting device is entitled to use if the second resource is the respective link. In the method according to any of the seventh and eighth aspects, at least one of the following may apply:

the offering indication comprises an offered processing power indication indicating a processing power of the offered portion of the first resource if the first resource is the respective processing power;

the offering indication comprises an offered memory indication indicating an offered memory if the first resource is the respective memory;

the offering indication comprises an offered bit rate indication indicating an offered bit rate on the link to the network if the first resource is the respective link; and

the offering indication comprises an offered data volume indication indicating an offered data volume on the link to the network if the first resource is the respective link. Each of the methods of the fifth to eighth aspects may be a method of resource sharing.

According to a ninth aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed on an apparatus, is configured to cause the apparatus to carry out the method according to any of the fifth to eighth aspects. The computer program product may be embodied as a computer-readable medium or directly loadable into a computer. According to some embodiments of the invention, at least one of the following advantages may be achieved:

• fairness in sharing resources may be achieved;

• users may be motivated to share resources.

It is to be understood that any of the above modifications can be applied singly or in combination to the respective aspects to which they refer, unless they are explicitly stated as excluding alternatives.

Brief description of the drawings

Further details, features, objects, and advantages are apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention which is to be taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 shows a traditional mobile network;

Fig. 2 shows components of an architecture according to some embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 3 shows a network architecture on which some embodiments of the invention are based;

Fig. 4 shows a flowchart of a transmit procedure useful for understanding the invention;

Fig. 5 shows a flowchart of a receive procedure useful for understanding the invention;

Fig. 6 shows components of a use case according to some embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 7 shows components of a use case according to some embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 8 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 9 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 10 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 1 1 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 12 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 13 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 14 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 15 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 16 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of certain embodiments

Herein below, certain embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the features of the embodiments can be freely combined with each other unless otherwise described. However, it is to be expressly understood that the description of certain embodiments is given by way of example only, and that it is by no way intended to be understood as limiting the invention to the disclosed details.

Moreover, it is to be understood that the apparatus is configured to perform the corresponding method, although in some cases only the apparatus or only the method are described.

As a remedy of the above described problem, some embodiments of the invention are based on a cell-less Radio Access Network (RAN) architecture (see Fig. 3). Namely, today's UEs have advanced hardware architecture with high performance processor and RAM. In some embodiments of the invention, UEs may temporarily establish P2P communication among themselves, thus bypassing the network (RAN and core network).

In telecommunication network different users may have different priorities not only based on user's application service requirement but also based on the type of user subscription in the service provider network. According to some embodiments of the invention, a high priority user who has a better link KPI commitment from the operator can partially or fully (during idle time) share the dedicated radio link capacity (bandwidth, speed etc.) to the community by P2P communication. The P2P communication to adjacent UEs drastically improves QoE of the community members. The UEs can use a D2D or P2P method for communication among the UEs. In D2D communication, the UEs have a direct connection, wherein in P2P communication, there might be none, one, or more intermediate Access Points (AP) between the UEs. Both D2D and P2P may be considered as direct connections.

Some embodiments of the invention are primarily related to the application layer and not to the lower layers, where D2D or P2P facilities may be used. This is shown in Fig. 2. According to Fig. 2, a UE extension app is provided within the application layer of the UE. The UE extension app communicates with a sharing control server (also named "smart sharing server") via the network (RAN and potentially core network). In addition, the UE extension app maintain an active communication with one or more neighboring UEs by a direct communication link, bypassing the network. If a neighboring UE meets certain preferences and community rules, the UE app then enables the option to share resources of the UE with the neighboring UE and/or to use resources shared by the neighboring UE.

Some embodiments of the invention are based on the user (and a corresponding app on the UE ("UE app" or "UE extension app")) who has hardware resources and/or communication resources (for example based on the data and talk time package types offered by the operator) and has the willingness to temporarily share these resources. As a remuneration for the willingness, the UE may use resources from other UEs when the local resources are not sufficient to serve.

Hereinafter, sometimes the terms "offering UE" for the UE sharing his resources and "requesting UE" for the UE requesting the shared resources are used. Note that an offering UE may be a requesting UE, too. For example, an offering UE may be a requesting UE at a different time, or a UE may offer (share) some resource of one type (e.g. memory) and simultaneously use some shared resource of another type (e.g. processing power).

Moreover, some embodiments of the invention may offload a base station, because the data path from a requesting UE does not necessarily go through the same base station. It may involve different base stations as per the need of application requirement and P2P resource availability. In one use case, the user may use P2P communication to use a network resource via the user of another operator. To process its local applications and maintain the local energy consumption low the user may limit the amount of sharable resource or switch off the entire option. However, to maintain the fairness in sharing community, according to some embodiments of the invention, a UE sharing less resources may use less resources of other UEs. Cooperative communications enable efficient utilization of communication resources, by allowing nodes or terminals in a communication network to collaborate with each other by exchanging current sharing options. It is a promising technique for future communication systems. To enable the sharing, preferably a reliable and high speed link may be used. This can be implemented using already known radio protocols, e.g. LTE Direct, Wi-Fi etc. in case of loT even low latency Ethernet or an optical link. The sharing allowance may also check the current selected tariff option which may be a premium flat rate (no limited volume) or a limited volume flat rate. If it is a limited volume flat rate the remaining volume (e.g. percentage) could be part of the radio resource consumption status. In such a sharing scenario, the network should not be aware that a network service is requested from another UE (requesting UE) than the one whose link to the network is used. Hence, in the communication with the network, the serving UE (i.e. the UE sharing its resource = offering UE) may indicated its own Id, while on the application layer, the UE Id of the client UE (i.e. the UE id of the UE using the shared resource = requesting UE) may be used. Alternatively, the requesting UE may emulate the UE id of the offering UE to imitate the request origin towards the network.

The network operator may not like the proposed mechanism but if there is an advantage for the end user this feature may be enforced such as other P2P mechanism which almost bypass the operator business model.

In a use case according to some embodiments of the invention, when a UE (requesting UE) is requesting additional resources and no other hotspot is available it may detect (via LTE direct) some available radio resources of an adjacent UE (offering UE) which is currently connected to a different WiFi hotspot. If the requesting UE shares the resources of the offering UE, it results in a data path going from the requesting UE via LTE direct to the offering UE and then to a different hotspot base station.

The sharing control server ("Smart Sharing Server") may maintain a database of UE details belonging to the community and also a history of the sharing by that UE. The history may comprise e.g. the amount, sharing period and quality of sharing by that UE. The Smart Sharing Server then applies pre-defined rules to maintain the fairness among the community. For example, if a UE shares a smaller amount of resources, it gets proportionally less resources from the community during the time of its need and vice versa. The history may also include usage of resources shared by other UEs. If a UE uses a shared resource, the quota of shared resources the UE may use may be reduced accordingly.

Some embodiments of the invention are a complementary approach to the current 5G Cloud RAN activities and incorporate not the shared CRAN edge cloud resources only but also the rapid increasing UE resources which scale with the number of UEs. As shown in Fig. 4, a UE running the UE extension app may commit the community membership and may provide the personal sharing preferences by a P2P communication to surrounding community members using e.g. LTE direct. In this case, the UE is an offering UE. That is, after it is checked that the offering UE is a community member and after the resource consumption for its local processes and neighboring processes (if any) is determined, if there are any resources left to share according to the user preferences of the offering UE, a direct communication to neighboring UEs is set up. In this context, user preferences means e.g. the percentage of a resource the user is willing to share, a required QoE, etc.. The offering UE then measures its QoE and/or resource consumption, e.g. CPU and bandwidth usage. The measured values are then compared with the user preferences. If there is sufficient capacity available to share, the sharing of a portion of the respective resource is advertised (offered) to the neighboring UEs.

In some embodiments of the invention, the user may provide two stage restrictions on the amount of resource sharing. At first, the user may select the sharable amount by setting up the percentage of free or unoccupied resource sharing willingness. E.g. the user may decide that he wants to share 50% of his free capacity. The second stage is to restrict the highest amount of a shared resource. By this two stage restriction, an adequate amount of resource for future local processing may be reserved.

The second restriction is typically constant for a while (e.g. as long as the UE is live in the community). It may be changed manually by the user. The UE may inform the sharing control server on one or both restrictions. The information on the first restriction (i.e. the absolute value corresponding to the percentage of free capacity) may be provided event-based, e.g. every time the absolute value changes by more than a predefined absolute or relative value.

In some embodiments of the invention, the willingness to share a portion of a resource is also indicated to the sharing control server. A corresponding receive flow (see Fig. 5) may run in parallel on a requesting UE (which may be the same as the offering UE of Fig. 4). During the initial handshake with the Smart Sharing Server, the user sends a predefined data set e.g. authentication information, resource sharing preference, average local load etc. to the server. The server processes this information, runs the pre-defined fairness algorithm and finally sends a specific dataset back to the requested UE. The specific dataset may comprise e.g. a registration successful / unsuccessful message, information about surrounding community UEs, restriction on the amount of resources that the user can get from the community UEs etc. Thus, fairness among the community may be kept. In t e next step, the UE initiates a receiving protocol (e.g. LTE direct) and may check the user preference, meaning the conditions or settings under which a community user can get shared resources. This helps to prevent the transient effect for users getting into scanning state. User can set for example QoE, CPU, bandwidth consumption threshold as preference.

The task processing consumption is continuously measured and if this exceeds the threshold, it goes to the next step. In this case, it is checked if a notification is received that another neighboring UE (an offering UE) shares a resource and if the amount of the shared resource (together with the already available resource) fulfills the requirement. In this case, the requesting UE tries to allocate the resource of the offering UE. If a confirmation is received from the offering UE that the resource is allocated for usage by the requesting UE, the requesting UE may perform the task on the shared resource of the offering UE via the direct communication link between the former UE and the other UE.

In some embodiments of the invention, before the offering UE grants access to its shared resource, it may request a quota from the sharing control server. It provides the shared resource only according to the quota. Depending on implementation, there are several different ways how a requesting UE may request an offering UE to allow using the shared resources of the offering UE:

• The requesting UE may request directly the offering UE. In this case, according to some embodiments of the invention, the offering UE may inquire a quota from the sharing control server. If the quota is larger than 0, the offering UE may allow the requesting UE using the resource according to the quota.

• The requesting UE may send the request to the sharing control server via the network.

Then, the sharing control server determines the quota based on the sharing history of the requesting UE. If the quota is larger than 0, the sharing control server instructs the offering UE to allow the requesting UE to use the shared resource according to the quota.

In some embodiments, the requesting UE receives its quota in the handshake with the sharing control server. That is, in these embodiments, the requesting UE requests to use not more shared resources than according to the quota received from the sharing control server. In these embodiments, preferably, the handshake between the requesting UE and the smart sharing server is repeated from time to time in order to provide the requesting UE with its current quota. If the requesting UE uses resources from plural offering UEs, the sharing control server providing quota to use resources of a specific offering UE may take the quota to use resources of the other UEs take into account. E.g., it may reduce the quota for the specific offering UE accordingly.

The quota may comprise at least one of

• an entitled usage time indication indicating for how long the requesting device is entitled to use the portion of the resource;

• an entitled processing power indication indicating an entitled processing power of the portion of the resource the requesting device is entitled to use if the resource is the processing power;

• an entitled memory capacity indication indicating an entitled memory capacity of the portion of the resource the requesting device is entitled to use if the resource is the memory;

· an entitled bit rate indication indicating an entitled bit rate on the link the requesting device is entitled to use if the resource is the link; and

• an entitled data volume on the link the requesting device is entitled to use if the resource is the link. When the UE sharing the resource indicates to the sharing control server the portion of the resource it is willing to share, it may provide information corresponding to the quota to the sharing control server.

If the requesting UE does not restrict its requests according to the quota and the quota is exceeded (e.g. the offered data volume on the link or a usage time), the offering UE sharing the resource may prevent that the requesting UE still uses the shared resource. E.g., in case of a shared memory, the offering UE may not store more data of the requesting UE than according to the quota. In another example, the offering UE can control the P2P link quality. For example, the offering UE may limit the upload bandwidth (in case of quota enforcement, it may limit the bandwidth to x bps). E.g. for reserving the battery, the offering UE may also limit the transmit power etc. The total processing speed is dependent on the UE OS task scheduler. If a task needs to be finished quickly, this will be highly prioritized by OS and vice versa. Accordingly, the task priority scheduler of the offering UE may control the processing speed or completion time of the task of the requesting UE according to the quota.

The sharing control server may obtain the quota from the sharing history of the UE requesting for a further resource and predefined rules. For example, it may accumulate the offered resource over a certain time, and the quota is the accumulation result multiplied by a factor. The factor may be larger than, equal to, or smaller than 1 . In case of a bit rate or processing power, the quota may be the maximum, average, or minimum bit rate and processing power, respectively, offered by the UE.

In some embodiments, offering one resource may correspond to a quota of another type of resource according to some predefined rule. E.g., if a UE is willing to share a certain data volume, it may use a certain shared processing power later. The offering UE may offer the shared resource at another time than that when the requesting UE needs the shared resource. Hence, the requesting UE may store the indication of the offering UE that the offering UE is willing to share the shared resource. In this case, the offering UE should also indicate if it is not willing any more to share the resource. Alternatively, or in addition, the offering UE may repeatedly indicate its willingness to share. If the requesting UE requires the shared resource, it may have to wait until the offering UE indicates its willingness again.

Fig. 6 shows components of a use case according to some embodiments of the invention. The use case is hardware resource sharing. The following steps may be performed:

In this use case the smart mobile (offering UE) and the smart watch (requesting UE) belongs to the same sharing community and run the UE extension app software

At first, both the devices may establish a membership with the Smart Sharing Server and set the preference for sharing (no. of CPU cores, bandwidth etc.)

The smart mobile measures the local CPU usage and compare it with the preference threshold

It finds that enough resources are available for sharing and starts advertising (offering) the amount of sharable resources and other KPIs to the smart watch and the Smart Sharing Server

The smart watch measures the local CPU usage and finds that it is overloaded with processing tasks

The smart watch then scans for the resource sharing advertisements and finds the smart mobile message

The smart watch analyzes the advertisement and sees that the promised resource amounts and other KPIs match with the local needs. It then sends a notification to the smart mobile for outsourcing local task 8. The smart mobile requests a quota from the Smart Sharing Server, grants access to the resource according to the quota, and sends a confirmation to the smart mobile.

9. Upon the reception of confirmation, the smart watch sends data to the smart mobile to be processed. After processing the data, the smart mobile then send back the processed data to the smart watch.

10. If the quota is exceeded, the smart watch refuses processing of further data.

Fig. 7 shows components of a use case according to some embodiments of the invention. The use case is sharing the air interface. The UEs may belong to the same operator (network) or to different operators (networks). The following steps may be performed:

1 . In this use case, smart UEs from different operators belong to the same sharing community and run the UE extension app software

2. At first both the devices establish a membership with the Smart Sharing Server and set the preference for sharing (no. of CPU cores, bandwidth, speed etc.)

3. The smart UE (car, offering UE) of Operator 1 measures the current bandwidth usage and compare with the preference threshold. Here, the user chose the preference threshold is based on the package offer bought from the operator. In this use case user bought a package which has unlimited talk time and high speed data connection. So during under usage period this user (user of Operator 1 ) can share the high speed data link and talk time to the community. Other users can use this data link for pure data transmission and also for voice calls (e.g. VoIP, VoLTE can be used)

4. The smart UE (car) finds that enough resources are available for sharing and starts advertising (offering) the amount of sharable resources and other KPIs to the other UEs and to the Smart Sharing Server.

5. The smart mobile of operator 2 (requesting UE) measures the current bandwidth usage and finds that it is insufficient to meet the current requirement. In this use case, the user of operator 2 has bought a package which has lower speed data link and small amount of data volume

6. The smart mobile of operator 2 then scans for the resource sharing advertisements and finds the message of smart car of operator 1

7. The smart mobile of operator 2 analyzes the advertisement and sees that the promised bandwidth, speed of the link and other KPIs match with its local needs. It then sends a notification to the smart car of operator 1 , about the creation of a data path using the Smart Sharing Agent software. 8. The smart mobile requests a quota from the Smart Sharing Server, grants access to the air interface (link) according to the quota, and sends a confirmation to the smart mobile.

9. Upon the reception of confirmation, the smart mobile of operator 2 sends data to the smart car of operator 1 . Smart car of operator 1 then creates a data path according to the package bought from the operator 1 and the willingness of bandwidth and speed sharing amount, which is setup during the initialization of UE extension app software

10. If the quota is exceeded, the smart mobile of operator 1 refuses processing of further data.

Fig. 8 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus may be a subscription device such a UE (an offering UE), an loT device, a MTC device, or an element thereof. Fig. 9 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus according to Fig. 8 may perform the method of Fig. 9 but is not limited to this method. The method of Fig. 9 may be performed by the apparatus of Fig. 8 but is not limited to being performed by this apparatus.

The apparatus comprises offering means 10 and indicating means 20. Each of the offering means 10 and indicating means 20 may be an offerer and an indicator, respectively. Each of the offering means 10 and indicating means 20 may be an offering processor and indicating processor, respectively.

The offering means 10 offers a portion of a resource for usage by a requesting device (S10). The requesting device is different from an offering device. The offering device is adapted to use the resource such that the resource provides a service to the offering device. The resource is at least one of a processing power, a memory, and a link to the network.

The portion of the resource is offered on a direct communication path bypassing a network. E.g. the portion of the resource may be offered on a D2D link or a P2P link.

Each of the requesting device and the offering device may be a subscription device. The apparatus may be a part of the offering device.

The indicating means 20 indicates the offering of the portion of the resource according to S10 to a sharing control server via the network (S20). S10 and S20 may be performed in an arbitrary sequence. They may be performed fully or partly in parallel.

Fig. 10 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus may be a subscription device such a UE (a requesting UE), an loT device, a MTC device, or an element thereof. Fig. 1 1 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus according to Fig. 10 may perform the method of Fig. 1 1 but is not limited to this method. The method of Fig. 1 1 may be performed by the apparatus of Fig. 10 but is not limited to being performed by this apparatus.

The apparatus comprises supervising means 1 10, monitoring means 120, informing means 130, and using means 140. Each of the supervising means 1 10, monitoring means 120, informing means 130, and using means 140 may be a supervisor, monitor, informer, and user, respectively. Each of the supervising means 1 10, monitoring means 120, informing means 130, and using means 140 may be a supervising processor, monitoring processor, informing processor, and using processor, respectively.

The supervising means 1 10 supervises if a first resource to be used by a requesting device is not sufficient (S1 10). The requesting device is adapted to use the first resource such that the first resource provides a service to the requesting device.

The monitoring means 120 monitors if a portion of a second resource is offered by an offering device on a direct communication path bypassing a network (S120). The requesting device is adapted to use the second resource such that the second resource provides the service (i.e. the service provided by the first resource) to the requesting device. In other words, the first resource and the second resource correspond to each other. Both the first resource and the second resource are at least one of a processing power, a memory, and a link to the network. The requesting device is different from the offering device. Each of the requesting device and the offering device may be a subscription device. The apparatus may be a part of the requesting device.

S1 10 and S120 may be performed in an arbitrary sequence. They may be performed fully or partly in parallel.

If the first resource is not sufficient (S1 10 = no) and if it is monitored that the portion of the second resource is offered (S120 = yes), the informing means 130 informs a sharing control server, via t e network, that the requesting device intends to use the portion of the second resource (S130).

After the informing (S130), the using means 140 uses the portion of the second resource via the direct communication path (S140). Preferably, the using means uses the portion of the second resource only after a confirmation is received from at least one of the offering device and the sharing control server. In some embodiments, the confirmation is received from the sharing control server and comprises a quota. The using means then uses the portion of the second resource according to the quota.

Fig. 12 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus may be a sharing control server such as a smart sharing server or an element thereof. Fig. 13 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus according to Fig. 12 may perform the method of Fig. 13 but is not limited to this method. The method of Fig. 13 may be performed by the apparatus of Fig. 12 but is not limited to being performed by this apparatus.

The apparatus comprises supervising means 210, obtaining means 220, monitoring means 230, generating means 240, and commanding means 250. Each of the supervising means 210, obtaining means 220, monitoring means 230, generating means 240, and commanding means 250 may be a supervisor, obtainer, monitor, generator, and commander, respectively. Each of the supervising means 210, obtaining means 220, monitoring means 230, generating means 240, and commanding means 250 may be a supervising processor, obtaining processor, monitoring processor, generating processor, and commanding processor, respectively.

The supervising means 210 supervises if an offering indication is received (S210). The offering indication indicates that a requesting device offers a portion of a first resource of the requesting device for usage by a third device. The third device may be a requesting device. The first resource is at least one of a processing power, a memory, and a link.

The obtaining means 220 obtains a history information for the requesting device based on the offering indication and stores the history information (S220). For example, it stores the amount of offered resources in a predefined time period before the current time.

The monitoring means 230 monitors if a request to use a portion of a second resource of an offering device is received from the requesting device (230). The second resource is at least one of a processing power, a memory, and a link to the network. The type of the second resource (processing power, memory, link, or a combination thereof) may be the same as the type of the first resource or different therefrom. If the request is received (S230 = "yes"), the generating means 240 generates a quota for using the portion of the second resource by the requesting device based on the history information stored in S220 (S240). E.g., the quota may be generated from the history information according to a predefined rule. The commanding means 250 commands the offering device to allow the requesting device using the portion of the second resource according to the quota generated in S240 (S250).

S210 and S220 may be performed at a completely different time than S230 to S250. Typically, S230 to S250 are performed after S210 and S220. In some embodiments, S230 to S250 may be performed in parallel to or even earlier than S210 and S220. For example, the operator may grant some quota to the requesting device just for accessing the sharing group, although the requesting device has not shared any resource yet.

Fig. 14 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus may be a sharing control server such as a smart sharing server or an element thereof. Fig. 15 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus according to Fig. 14 may perform the method of Fig. 15 but is not limited to this method. The method of Fig. 15 may be performed by the apparatus of Fig. 14 but is not limited to being performed by this apparatus.

The apparatus comprises supervising means 310, obtaining means 320, monitoring means 330, generating means 340, and informing means 350. Each of the supervising means 310, obtaining means 320, monitoring means 330, generating means 340, and informing means 350 may be a supervisor, obtainer, monitor, generator, and informer, respectively. Each of the supervising means 310, obtaining means 320, monitoring means 330, generating means 340, and informing means 350 may be a supervising processor, obtaining processor, monitoring processor, generating processor, and informing processor, respectively.

The supervising means 310 supervises if an offering indication is received (S310). The offering indication indicates that a requesting device offers a portion of a first resource of the requesting device for usage by a third device. The third device may be a requesting device. The first resource is at least one of a processing power, a memory, and a link to the network. The obtaining means 320 obtains a history information for the requesting device based on the offering indication and stores the history information (S320). For example, it stores the amount of offered resources in a predefined time period before the current time.

The monitoring means 330 monitors if an inquiry for a quota for using a portion of a second resource of an offering device by the requesting device is received (S330).

If the request is received (S330 = "yes"), the generating means 340 generates the quota based on the history information stored in S320 (S340). E.g., the quota may be generated from the history information according to a predefined rule.

The informing means 350 informs on the quota in response to the inquiry (S350). S310 and S320 may be performed at a completely different time than S330 to S350. Typically, S330 to S350 are performed after S310 and S320. In some embodiments, S330 to S350 may be performed in parallel to or even earlier than S310 and S320. For example, the operator may grant some quota to the requesting device just for accessing the sharing group, although the requesting device has not shared any resource yet.

Fig. 16 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus comprises at least one processor 410, at least one memory 420 including computer program code, and the at least one processor 410, with the at least one memory 420 and the computer program code, being arranged to cause the apparatus to at least perform at least one of the methods according to Figs. 9, 1 1 , 13, and 15.

The term "portion of a resource" includes the meaning "less than the entire resource" but also the meaning "the entire resource". Embodiments of the invention are described with respect to a UE. A UE is a particular kind of a subscription device. Other subscription devices may belong to embodiments of the invention. E.g., subscription devices in which embodiments of the invention are implemented may be a loT device, a MTC device, a laptop, a tablet, a smartphone, a mobile phone, etc. Some embodiments of the invention may be employed in 3GPP devices. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited to 3GPP devices. E.g. embodiments of the invention may be employed in other wireless or wireline communication systems such as WiFi. Some embodiments of the invention are embodied as a UE application. However, they may be differently embodied, e.g. hard coded on a chip which may be integrated into a UE. One piece of information may be transmitted in one or plural messages from one entity to another entity. Each of these messages may comprise further (different) pieces of information.

Names of network elements, protocols, and methods are based on current standards. In other versions or other technologies, the names of these network elements and/or protocols and/or methods may be different, as long as they provide a corresponding functionality.

If not otherwise stated or otherwise made clear from the context, the statement that two entities are different means that they perform different functions. It does not necessarily mean that they are based on different hardware. That is, each of the entities described in the present description may be based on a different hardware, or some or all of the entities may be based on the same hardware. It does not necessarily mean that they are based on different software. That is, each of the entities described in the present description may be based on different software, or some or all of the entities may be based on the same software. Each of the entities described in the present description may be embodied in the cloud.

According to the above description, it should thus be apparent that example embodiments of the present invention provide, for example, a subscription device such as a UE, an loT device, a MTC device etc., or a component thereof, an apparatus embodying the same, a method for controlling and/or operating the same, and computer program(s) controlling and/or operating the same as well as mediums carrying such computer program(s) and forming computer program product(s). According to the above description, it should thus be apparent that example embodiments of the present invention provide, for example, a sharing control device such as a sharing control server, or a component thereof, an apparatus embodying the same, a method for controlling and/or operating the same, and computer program(s) controlling and/or operating the same as well as mediums carrying such computer program(s) and forming computer program product(s).

Implementations of any of the above described blocks, apparatuses, systems, techniques or methods include, as non-limiting examples, implementations as hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof. It is to be understood that what is described above is what is presently considered the preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, it should be noted that the description of the preferred embodiments is given by way of example only and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims:

1 . Apparatus, comprising at least one processor, at least one memory including computer program code, and the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being arranged to cause the apparatus to at least perform

offering a portion of a resource for usage by a requesting device;

indicating the offering of the portion of the resource to a sharing control server via a network; wherein

an offering device is adapted to use the resource such that the resource provides a service to the offering device;

the portion of the resource is offered on a direct communication path bypassing the network;

the requesting device is different from the offering device; and

the resource is at least one of a processing power, a memory, and a link to the network.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being arranged to cause the apparatus to further perform

monitoring if the offering device receives a request for usage of the portion of the resource by the requesting device;

providing the portion of the resource to the requesting device for using the portion of the resource via the direct communication path according to a quota if the request is received; wherein

the request for usage is received from the sharing control server;

the request comprises the quota.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being arranged to cause the apparatus to further perform

requesting, if the request is received, the sharing control server to indicate a quota according to which the requesting device is entitled to use the portion of the resource;

supervising if an indication of the quota is received from the sharing control server in response to the requesting;

providing the portion of the resource to the requesting device according to the quota if the indication of the quota is received; wherein the request for usage is received from the requesting device.

4. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being arranged to cause the apparatus to further perform

inhibiting the providing of the portion of the quota if the quota is zero.

5. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the quota comprises at least one of

an entitled usage time indication indicating for how long the requesting device is entitled to use the portion of the resource;

an entitled processing power indication indicating an entitled processing power of the portion of the resource the requesting device is entitled to use if the resource is the processing power;

6. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein an offering information is provided when the portion of the resource is offered; and at least one of the following:

7. The apparatus according to any of claims 2 and 3 or any of claims 4 to 6 dependent on any of claims 2 and 3, wherein the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being arranged to cause the apparatus to further perform monitoring if the usage of the portion of the resource by the requesting device exceeds the quota;

preventing the usage of the portion of the resource by the requesting device if the usage of the portion of the resource by the requesting device exceeds the quota.

8. Apparatus, comprising at least one processor, at least one memory including computer program code, and the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being arranged to cause the apparatus to at least perform

supervising if a first resource to be used by a requesting device is not sufficient;

monitoring if a portion of a second resource is offered by an offering device on a direct communication path bypassing a network;

informing a sharing control server, via the network, that the requesting device intends to use the portion of the second resource if the first resource is not sufficient and if it is monitored that the portion of the second resource is offered;

using the portion of the second resource via the direct communication path after the informing; wherein

the requesting device is adapted to use the first resource such that the first resource provides a service to the requesting device and to use the second resource such that the second resource provides the service to the requesting device;

the requesting device is different from the offering device; and

the first resource and the second resource are at least one of a processing power, a memory, and a link to the network.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being arranged to cause the apparatus to further perform

monitoring if a confirmation in response to the informing is received from at least one of the sharing control server and the offering device;

inhibiting the using if the confirmation is not received.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein

the monitoring monitors if the confirmation is received from the sharing control server; the confirmation comprises a quota; and

the portion of the second resource is used such that the quota is not exceeded.

1 1 . Apparatus, comprising at least one processor, at least one memory including computer program code, and the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being arranged to cause the apparatus to at least perform

supervising if an offering indication is received, wherein the offering indication indicates that a requesting device offers a portion of a first resource of the requesting device for usage by a third device;

obtaining and storing a history information for the requesting device based on the offering indication;

monitoring if a request to use a portion of a second resource of an offering device is received from the requesting device;

generating quota for using the portion of the second resource by the requesting device based on the history information if the request is received;

commanding the offering device to allow the requesting device using the portion of the second resource according to the quota; wherein

each of the first resource and the second resource is at least one of a respective processing power, a respective memory, and a respective link.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1 1 , wherein the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being arranged to cause the apparatus to further perform

inhibiting the commanding if the quota is zero.

13. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 1 and 12, wherein the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being arranged to cause the apparatus to further perform

providing a confirmation to the requesting device in response to the request when the offering device is commanded.

14. Apparatus, comprising at least one processor, at least one memory including computer program code, and the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being arranged to cause the apparatus to at least perform

supervising if an offering indication is received, wherein the offering indication indicates that a requesting device offers a portion of a first resource for usage by a third device;

monitoring if an inquiry for a quota for using a portion of a second resource of an offering device by the requesting device is received; generating t e quota based on the history information if the request is received;

informing on the quota in response to the inquiry, wherein

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the inquiry is received from the offering device, and the offering device is informed on the quota.

16. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the inquiry is received from the requesting device, and the requesting device is informed on the quota.

17. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 1 to 16, wherein the quota comprises at least one of

an entitled data volume indication indicating an entitled data volume on the link the requesting device is entitled to use if the second resource is the respective link.

18. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 1 to 17, wherein at least one of the following: the offering indication comprises an offered time indication indicating a duration for how long the portion of the first resource is offered;

the offering indication comprises an offered bit rate indication indicating an offered bit rate on the link to the network if the first resource is the respective link; and the offering indication comprises an offered data volume indication indicating an offered data volume on the link to the network if the first resource is the respective link.

19. Method, comprising

offering a portion of a resource for usage by a requesting device;

the requesting device is different from the offering device; and

20. Method, comprising

the requesting device is different from the offering device; and

21 . Method, comprising

obtaining and storing a history information for the requesting device based on the offering indication; monitoring if a request to use a portion of a second resource of an offering device is received from t e requesting device;

22. Method, comprising

monitoring if an inquiry for a quota for using a portion of a second resource of an offering device by the requesting device is received;

generating the quota based on the history information if the request is received;

informing on the quota in response to the inquiry, wherein

23. A computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed on an apparatus, is configured to cause the apparatus to carry out the method according to any of claims 19 to 22.

24. The computer program product according to claim 23, embodied as a computer-readable medium or directly loadable into a computer.