FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 OF 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)
“METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONNECTING PLURALITY
OF SUBSCRIBER EQUIPMENT WITH A CUSTOMER
PREMISE EQUIPMENT”
We, Jio Platforms Limited, an Indian National, of Office - 101, Saffron, Nr.
Centre Point, Panchwati 5 Rasta, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad - 380006, Gujarat, India.
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in
which it is to be performed.
2
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONNECTING PLURALITY OF
SUBSCRIBER EQUIPMENT WITH A CUSTOMER PREMISE
EQUIPMENT
5 FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of
wireless communication systems. More particularly, embodiment of the present
disclosure relates to a method and a system for connecting plurality of subscriber
10 equipment with a customer premise equipment.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The following description of the related art is intended to provide
15 background information pertaining to the field of the disclosure. This section may
include certain aspects of the art that may be related to various features of the
present disclosure. However, it should be appreciated that this section is used only
to enhance the understanding of the reader with respect to the present disclosure,
and not as admissions of the prior art.
20
[0003] Wireless communication technology has rapidly evolved over the past few
decades, with each generation bringing significant improvements and
advancements. The first generation of wireless communication technology was
based on analog technology and offered only voice services. However, with the
25 advent of the second-generation (2G) technology, digital communication and data
services became possible, and text messaging was introduced. 3G technology
marked the introduction of high-speed internet access, mobile video calling, and
location-based services. The fourth-generation (4G) technology revolutionized
wireless communication with faster data speeds, better network coverage, and
30 improved security. Currently, the fifth-generation (5G) technology is being
deployed, promising even faster data speeds, low latency, and the ability to connect
3
multiple devices simultaneously. With each generation, wireless communication
technology has become more advanced, sophisticated, and capable of delivering
more services to its users.
[0004] User equipment, or 5 UE, is a term used in 3G/4G/5G/6G cellular
communications to describe a cellular device, such as a smartphone, tablet, laptop,
or other type of wireless device that is used to access the network. A UE may
support one or more subscriber’s identification modules (SIMs). Using a SIM, UE
of a subscriber connects with a cellular network. Such connection is called a
10 subscriber connection, which is authenticated by network using credentials
associated with the SIM and identified in network using a setup of IPv4/IPv6
addresses. As per the subscriber’s plan, the network applies policy on the subscriber
connection and performs charging and billing on the connection.
15 [0005] Further, a CPE (Customer Premises Equipment) is an equipment that is
installed at a subscriber’s location, and is used to connect the subscriber’s premises
to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) or other networks. In addition to
providing connectivity with a PSTN, providing LAN connectivity options, the CPE
also facilitates the user/subscriber to connect to a cellular network.
20
[0006] Even though multiple devices, each owned by a different user, connects to
a CPE using LAN connectivity, the cellular network may still perceive it as a single
subscriber connection, and in some conditions, is unable to recognize or identify
multiple users in the LAN of the CPE.
25
[0007] In the existing systems, a single CPE may be connected to single subscriber
equipment, i.e., a single home gateway, wherein a single home gateway may be
connected to one or more devices. In this case, the identification of the subscriber
equipment (SE) is not a problem. However, when the CPE is connected to multiple
30 subscriber equipment i.e. multiple home gateways, identification of the SEs may be
4
a problem. Thus, there is a need for recognizing multiple devices/users connected
to LAN of the CPE as ‘subscribers’, authenticate the ‘subscriber’ and apply policy
and charging as per their plan. Once a SE is identified, then the internet policies and
charging policies can be applied on the same. The present invention aims to address
the 5 above and other inherent problems in the state of the art.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0008] This section is provided to introduce certain aspects of the present disclosure
10 in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description.
This summary is not intended to identify the key features or the scope of the claimed
subject matter.
[0009] An aspect of the present disclosure may relate to a method for connecting a
15 plurality of subscriber equipment (SEs) with a customer premise equipment (CPE),
the method comprising establishing, by a session establishment unit, one of: an
internet protocol (IP) packet data unit (PDU) session for each logical CPE unit
among a plurality of logical CPE units in a physical CPE unit, and an ethernet PDU
session for the physical CPE unit. The method further comprises assigning, by an
20 assignment unit, an Internet Protocol (IP) address to each SE among the plurality
of SEs. The method further comprises applying, by a policy application unit, one or
more policies to each SE among the plurality of SEs based on a plan provisioned
for each logical CPE unit.
25 [0010] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, each logical CPE unit is
associated with a separate subscriber identity module (SIM) provisioned with the
plan.
[0011] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the method further
30 comprises assigning, by the assignment unit, the Internet Protocol (IP) address to
each SE among the plurality of SEs, is based further on one of: a pre-defined
5
mapping of the plurality of logical CPE units and the plurality of SE in an event of
creation of the plurality of logical CPE units in the physical CPE unit, and an
attachment of the each SE with a Cellular Core Network (CCN) in an event of
creation of the ethernet PDU session.
5
[0012] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the attachment of each SE
with the CCN is based on an IP assignment request sent from each SE to the CCN.
[0013] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the one or more policies
10 comprise one or more of a set of internet policies, a set of other general policies,
and a set of charging policies.
[0014] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, prior to establishing, by
the session establishment unit, the IP PDU session for each logical CPE unit among
15 the plurality of logical CPE units, the method comprises creating, by a creation unit,
a plurality of logical CPE units in the physical CPE unit.
[0015] Another aspect of the present disclosure may relate to a system for
connecting a plurality of subscriber equipment (SEs) with a customer premise
20 equipment (CPE). The system comprises a session establishment unit. The session
establishment unit is configured to establish one of: an internet protocol (IP) packet
data unit (PDU) session for each logical CPE unit among a plurality of logical CPE
units in a physical CPE unit, and an ethernet PDU session for the physical CPE unit.
The system further comprises an assignment unit connected to at least the session
25 establishment unit. The assignment unit is configured to assign an internet protocol
(IP) address to each SE among the plurality of SEs. The system further comprises
a policy application unit connected to at least the assignment unit. The policy
application unit is configured to apply one or more policies to each SE among the
plurality of SEs, based on a plan provisioned for each logical CPE unit.
30
6
[0016] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure may relate to a non-transitory
computer readable storage medium storing instructions for connecting plurality of
subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment the instructions include
executable code which, when executed by one or more units of a system, causes: a
session establishment unit of the system 5 to establish one of: an internet protocol
(IP) packet data unit (PDU) session for each logical CPE unit among a plurality of
logical CPE units in a physical CPE unit, and an ethernet PDU session for the
physical CPE unit. Further, the executable code, when executed, causes an
assignment unit of the system to assign an internet protocol (IP) address to each SE
10 among the plurality of SEs. Further, the executable code, when executed, causes a
policy application unit of the system to apply one or more policies to each SE
among the plurality of SEs, based on a plan provisioned for each logical CPE unit.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
15
[0017] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one
embodiment disclosed herein satisfies are listed herein below.
[0018] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system and a method for
20 connecting a plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment.
[0019] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a method and a system for
connecting a plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment
by creating multiple logical CPE instances.
25
[0020] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a method and a
system for connecting a plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise
equipment by creating an ethernet PDU (packet data unit) session and working in
bridged mode.
30
7
[0021] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a method and a
system for connecting a plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise
equipment thereby reducing the cost without any deterioration in user experience.
5
[0022] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a solution that
makes optimum utilisation of the CPE resources by sharing the resource as well as
available bandwidth across multiple users across multiple home gateways, and
applying internet policies and charging plans/policies on the subscriber equipment
10 by identifying the subscriber equipment more effectively.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and constitute
15 a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods
and systems in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the
different drawings. Components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale,
emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present
disclosure. Also, the embodiments shown in the figures are not to be construed as
20 limiting the disclosure, but the possible variants of the method and system
according to the disclosure are illustrated herein to highlight the advantages of the
disclosure. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that disclosure of such
drawings includes disclosure of electrical components or circuitry commonly used
to implement such components.
25
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a computing device upon
which the features of the present disclosure may be implemented, in accordance
with exemplary implementation of the present disclosure.
8
[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a system for connecting
plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment, in
accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a 5 method flow diagram for connecting plurality of
subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment, in accordance with
exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates a first exemplary scenario flow diagram for connecting
10 plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment, in
accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates a second exemplary scenario flow diagram for connecting
plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment, in
15 accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.
[0029] The foregoing shall be more apparent from the following more detailed
description of the disclosure.
20 DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various
specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of
embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, that
25 embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific
details. Several features described hereafter may each be used independently of one
another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature may not
address any of the problems discussed above or might address only some of the
problems discussed above.
30
9
[0031] The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not
intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather,
the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in
the art with an enabling description for implementing an exemplary embodiment.
It should be understood that various changes 5 may be made in the function and
arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the
disclosure as set forth.
[0032] Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough
10 understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these
specific details. For example, circuits, systems, processes, and other components
may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to obscure the
embodiments in unnecessary detail.
15
[0033] Also, it is noted that individual embodiments may be described as a process
which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure
diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as
a sequential process, many of the operations may be performed in parallel or
20 concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process
is terminated when its operations are completed but could have additional steps not
included in a figure.
[0034] The word “exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” is used herein to mean
25 serving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the
subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition, any
aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” is not
necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or
designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques
30 known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms
“includes,” “has,” “contains,” and other similar words are used in either the detailed
10
description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive—in a manner
similar to the term “comprising” as an open transition word—without precluding
any additional or other elements.
[0035] As used herein, “a user equipment”, 5 “a user device”, “a subscriber
equipment”, “a smart-user-device”, “a smart-device”, “an electronic device”, “a
mobile device”, “a handheld device”, “a wireless communication device”, “a
mobile communication device”, “a communication device” may be any electrical,
electronic and/or computing device or equipment, capable of implementing the
10 features of the present disclosure. The user equipment/device may include, but is
not limited to, a mobile phone, smart phone, laptop, a general-purpose computer,
desktop, personal digital assistant, tablet computer, wearable device or any other
computing device which is capable of implementing the features of the present
disclosure. Also, the user device may contain at least one input means configured
15 to receive an input from unit(s) which are required to implement the features of the
present disclosure.
[0036] All modules, units, components used herein, unless explicitly excluded
herein, may be software modules or hardware processors, the processors being a
20 general-purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a
digital signal processor (DSP), a plurality of microprocessors, one or more
microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller,
Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Array
circuits (FPGA), any other type of integrated circuits, etc.
25
[0037] As used herein the transceiver unit includes at least one receiver and at least
one transmitter configured respectively for receiving and transmitting data, signals,
information or a combination thereof between units/components within the system
and/or connected with the system.
30
11
[0038] As discussed in the background section, the current known solutions have
several shortcomings. The present disclosure aims to overcome the abovementioned
and other existing problems in this field of technology by providing a
method and a system of connecting a plurality of subscriber equipment with a
customer premise equipment. The 5 current known solutions for providing home and
business level broadband using single customer premise equipment (CPE) and
subscriber identity module (SIM) to multiple customers have several shortcomings
such as in the currently known solutions, the CPE is normally installed outside
customer’s premise, and it is connected to home gateway though an Ethernet Cable.
10 This arrangement ensures that good signal is received outside home even in mid
band and mm Wave.
[0039] In an example, an operator wants to provide home broadband services using
a CPE. The operator wants to minimize cost per broadband connection by sharing
15 the CPE connection among multiple homes (broadband subscribers). Typically,
such CPE can be placed on the rooftop of a residential building or any other place
where the cellular signal strength and coverage is good. Each home can have a
HGW (Home Gateway) that connects with CPE over a large area network (LAN)
and further provides LAN connectivity (such as Ethernet and WLAN) to devices in
20 the home. The HGW is a specific example of SE (Subscriber Equipment). The
operator needs to be able to enforce policy such as bandwidth management on each
broadband subscriber connection and charge the broadband subscriber as per the
subscribed plan.
25 [0040] This is only one example and there could be more such use-cases. A person
skilled in the art would appreciate that the above example does not limit or restrict
the present disclosure in any possible manner.
[0041] The present disclosure aims to overcome the above-mentioned and other
30 existing problems in this field of technology by using the CPE with SIM as a
network device that can provide services to multiple customers thereby mainly
12
reducing the cost without any deterioration in user experience and can identify the
subscriber equipment if the CPE is connected to multiple home gateways. Since the
CPE comprises a 4G/5G modem, the cost of the CPE is very high. Therefore, it is
a prudent idea to share a single CPE among maximum number of subscriber
equipment. This can be done 5 by sharing single CPE across multiple homes or the
home gateways. In an implementation, the disclosure comprises of multiple logical
CPE instances in one physical CPE and each of these logical CPEs are mapped to
distinct SE in CPE’s LAN. The logical CPE’s identity becomes the identity of the
mapped SE. In another implementation, the disclosure comprises of creating
10 ethernet PDU (packet data unit) session and working in bridged mode by the
consumer premise equipment (CPE), so that all the subscriber equipment (SE)
ethernet frames reaches the cellular core network (CCN) and SE’s identity is visible.
This implementation may be applicable only to the technologies where Ethernet
PDU session type is supported.
15
[0042] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0043] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a computing device [100]
20 upon which the features of the present disclosure may be implemented in
accordance with exemplary implementation of the present disclosure. In an
implementation, the computing device [100] may also implement a method for
connecting a plurality of subscriber equipment (SEs) with a customer premise
equipment (CPE) utilising the system. In another implementation, the computing
25 device [100] itself implements the method for connecting plurality of subscriber
equipment with a customer premise equipment using one or more units configured
within the computing device [100], wherein said one or more units are capable of
implementing the features as disclosed in the present disclosure.
30 [0044] The computing device [1100] may include a bus [102] or other
communication mechanism for communicating information, and a hardware
13
processor [104] coupled with bus [102] for processing information. The hardware
processor [104] may be, for example, a general-purpose microprocessor. The
computing device [100] may also include a main memory [106], such as a randomaccess
memory (RAM), or other dynamic storage device, coupled to the bus [102]
for 5 storing information and instructions to be executed by the processor [104]. The
main memory [106] also may be used for storing temporary variables or other
intermediate information during execution of the instructions to be executed by the
processor [104]. Such instructions, when stored in non-transitory storage media
accessible to the processor [104], render the computing device [100] into a special10
purpose machine that is customized to perform the operations specified in the
instructions. The computing device [100] further includes a read only memory
(ROM) [108] or other static storage device coupled to the bus [102] for storing static
information and instructions for the processor [104].
15 [0045] A storage device [110], such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, or solid-state
drive is provided and coupled to the bus [102] for storing information and
instructions. The computing device [100] may be coupled via the bus [1102] to a
display [112], such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), Liquid crystal Display (LCD),
Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, Organic LED (OLED) display, etc. for
20 displaying information to a computer user. An input device [114], including
alphanumeric and other keys, touch screen input means, etc. may be coupled to the
bus [102] for communicating information and command selections to the processor
[104]. Another type of user input device may be a cursor controller [116], such as a
mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys, for communicating direction
25 information and command selections to the processor [104], and for controlling
cursor movement on the display [112]. The input device typically has two degrees
of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g., x) and a second axis (e.g., y), that allow
the device to specify positions in a plane.
30 [0046] The computing device [100] may implement the techniques described
herein using customized hard-wired logic, one or more ASICs or FPGAs, firmware
14
and/or program logic which in combination with the computing device [100] causes
or programs the computing device [100] to be a special-purpose machine.
According to one implementation, the techniques herein are performed by the
computing device [100] in response to the processor [104] executing one or more
sequences of one or more 5 instructions contained in the main memory [106]. Such
instructions may be read into the main memory [106] from another storage medium,
such as the storage device [110]. Execution of the sequences of instructions
contained in the main memory [106] causes the processor [104] to perform the
process steps described herein. In alternative implementations of the present
10 disclosure, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with
software instructions.
[0047] The computing device [100] also may include a communication interface
[118] coupled to the bus [102]. The communication interface [118] provides a two15
way data communication coupling to a network link [120] that is connected to a
local network [122]. For example, the communication interface [118] may be an
integrated services digital network (ISDN) card, cable modem, satellite modem, or
a modem to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding type of
telephone line. As another example, the communication interface [118] may be a
20 local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a
compatible LAN. Wireless links may also be implemented. In any such
implementation, the communication interface [118] sends and receives electrical,
electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams representing
various types of information.
25
[0048] The computing device [100] can send messages and receive data, including
program code, through the network(s), the network link [120] and the
communication interface [118]. In the Internet example, a server [130] might
transmit a requested code for an application program through the Internet [128], the
30 ISP [126], the local network [122], the host [124] and the communication interface
[118]. The received code may be executed by the processor [104] as it is received,
15
and/or stored in the storage device [110], or other non-volatile storage for later
execution.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 2, an exemplary block diagram of a system [200] for
connecting a plurality of subscriber equipment 5 with a customer premise equipment
is shown, in accordance with the exemplary implementations of the present
disclosure. The system [200] comprises at least one session establishment unit
[202], at least one assignment unit [204], at least one policy application unit [206],
and at least one creation unit [208]. Also, all of the components/ units of the system
10 [200] are assumed to be connected to each other unless otherwise indicated below.
As shown in the figures all units shown within the system [200] should also be
assumed to be connected to each other. Also, in FIG. 2 only a few units are shown,
however, the system [200] may comprise multiple such units or the system [200]
may comprise any such numbers of said units, as required to implement the features
15 of the present disclosure. Further, in an implementation, the system [200] may be
present in a user device/ user equipment [102] to implement the features of the
present disclosure. In another implementation, the system [200] may reside in a
server or a network entity. In yet another implementation, the system [200] may
reside partly in the server/ network entity.
20
[0050] The system [200] is configured for connecting a plurality of subscriber
equipment with a customer premise equipment, with the help of the interconnection
between the components/units of the system [200].
25 [0051] In one example, the system [200] may be in communication with other
network entities/components known to a person skilled in the art. Such network
entities/components have not been depicted in FIG. 2 and have not been explained
here for the sake of brevity.
30 [0052] In order to connect a plurality of subscriber equipment (SEs) with a
customer premise equipment (CPE), the session establishment unit [202] is
16
configured to establish one of: an internet protocol (IP) packet data unit (PDU)
session for each logical CPE unit among a plurality of logical CPE units in a
physical CPE unit, and an ethernet PDU session for the physical CPE unit.
[0053] In an implementation 5 of the present disclosure, during an association of a
new Subscriber Equipment (SE) with the network, a mapping may be done at the
network level to connect the specific Subscriber Equipment (SE) with the
corresponding logical Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) unit. The mapping
confirms that the SE may be assigned to a particular user within the network.
10
[0054] The term ‘subscriber equipment’ refers to a device used by an end user to
access network services. The examples include smartphones, laptops, IoT devices,
etc. Further, the ‘CPE’ refers to the equipment located at the subscriber’s/customer’s
location that serves as an interface between the subscriber equipment (SEs) and the
15 network service provider.
[0055] Furthermore, an IP PDU session is used to transmit data packets over the
internet between SEs and the network via the CPE. The PDU session refers to a
connection that facilitates data transfer between the SEs and CPE.
20
[0056] Also, the logical CPE unit refers to virtual units of CPE that can be created
inside the physical CPE with different identities and can act as separate CPE
devices/units to manage network communication independently. The physical CPE
unit is the actual hardware device located at the customer’s locations. It interacts
25 with the network on a physical level, handling connections, data routing, and
communication with SEs.
[0057] Thereafter, the ethernet PDU session refers to the transmission of data
packets between devices using Ethernet protocol, which is fast and stable.
30
17
[0058] For example, let’s assume, there are multiple devices (such as smartphones,
laptops, and smart TVs) in an area (such as home, office, etc.). The CPE manages
network connections for the multiple devices. The CPE may include one or more
logical units that handle different tasks. The one or more logical units ensures that
each d 5 evice may connect to the network appropriately.
[0059] In an example, each logical unit of the CPE is associated with a separate
subscriber identity module (SIM) provisioned with a subscription plan. The
subscription plan may refer to a service plan that may be provided by the network
10 service provider to a customer. The subscription plan may be related to internet
service, voice calls, data usage limits, speed restrictions, and any other services
associated with the user’s subscription. Each Subscriber Identity Module (SIM),
may be associated with a particular logical unit of the CPE that is configured with
the network settings, policies, and permissions corresponding to the subscription
15 plan.
[0060] In an implementation of the present disclosure, each logical CPE instance
serves one SE. Each pair of CPE instance and SE connect with each other over the
LAN. Further, each logical unit of the CPE may be associated to a unique
20 Subscriber Identity Module (SIM). The SIM may have a specific network service
plan, such as, but not limited to, a particular data speed, minutes of voice calls, etc.
Each logical unit of the CPE may be associated with a separate SIM so that each
subscriber connected to the logical unit of the CPE operates independently.
25 [0061] In an implementation, prior to establishment of the IP PDU session for each
logical CPE unit among the plurality of logical CPE units, the creation unit [208] is
configured to create a plurality of logical CPE units in the physical CPE unit. This
means that the creation unit [208] engages the physical CPE’s resources in a way
that each logical CPE may act like a separate, independent device for the associated
30 SE.
18
[0062] For example, in a home served by a single physical CPE unit, there are
multiple users who want to use network services. For each user, to use these
services, for example, gaming, voice calls, etc., each logical unit of the CPE allows
the multiple users to share resources of the single physical CPE according to their
5 subscription plan.
[0063] Once the logical units of the CPE are created, the session establishment unit
[202] initiates an IP PDU session for each logical CPE unit. This means that each
logical unit of the CPE may assign a unique IP session, which allows it to handle
10 data transmission independently.
[0064] Continuing further, an assignment unit [204] is configured to assign an
internet protocol (IP) address to each SE among the plurality of SEs.
15 [0065] In an implementation of the present disclosure, each SE may request an IP
address from the core network (i.e., the CCN). The core network then assigns an IP
address to each SE, via the assignment unit [204], to the corresponding logical CPE
unit. The logical CPE unit then may provide the assigned IP address to the SE,
confirming that each device has a unique identifier for communication.
20
[0066] In an implementation of the present disclosure, once the multiple logical
CPE units are created within a physical CPE unit, the assignment unit [204] assigns
IP addresses to each SE based on a pre-defined mapping. The pre-defined mapping
refers to a mapping between IP addresses and SE that may exist in a database
25 associated with the core network.
[0067] For example, if a home network has three logical CPE units for different
purposes (like accessing web, gaming, and security), each SE (such as a computer,
gaming console, or security camera) may receive an IP address based on its
30 association with one of the logical unit of the CPE.
19
[0068] Alternatively, if an Ethernet PDU session is established, the assignment of
IP addresses comprises sending, by each SE, an IP address assignment request to
the core network (CCN) as part of the Ethernet session setup. The core network
then assigns an IP address to the SE and connects the address to the SE. The CCN
may have full visibility of the SE session in 5 this case and is also able to delete the
SE session in case the SE is no longer connected.
[0069] In an implementation of the present disclosure, the attachment of each SE
to the Core Network (CCN) initiates with the SE sending an IP address assignment
10 request to the CCN in an event of creation of the Ethernet PDU session. This request
is initiated by the SE when it connects to the network and needs an IP address to
communicate.
[0070] Thus, in an implementation, the assignment unit [204] is configured to
15 assign the Internet Protocol (IP) address to each SE among the plurality of SEs,
based further on one of: a pre-defined mapping of the plurality of logical CPE units
and the plurality of SEs in an event of creation of the plurality of logical CPE units
in the physical CPE unit, and an attachment of the each SE with the CCN [407] in
an event of creation of the ethernet PDU session.
20
[0071] Continuing further, once the plurality of logical CPEs have been created and
the IP address has been assigned to each of the SEs, the policy application unit [206]
is configured to apply one or more policies to each SE among the plurality of SEs,
based on a plan provisioned for each logical CPE unit.
25
[0072] In an implementation of the present disclosure, once the IP address is
assigned, various policies related to internet usage and charging may apply to each
SE. The CPE session in the network is equivalent to SE session.
30 [0073] Further, these policies may be applied to each SE based on its requirements
and service plan. The plan provisioned refers to the setup of the SE, like a phone or
20
a computer, with a service plan that determines the kind of services it can access on
the network. The policies are applied as per the subscription plan provisioned for
the SE.
[0074] In an implementation, the one or more 5 policies comprise one or more of a
set of internet policies, a set of other general policies, and a set of charging policies.
[0075] In an example, the set of internet policies define how SEs use the internet.
The internet policies set limits on how much data an SE may use each month, such
10 as 100 GB. In addition, the internet policies may be utilized to determine bandwidth
required for activities such as video calls, audio calls, email service, and the like.
For instance, a video call needs more bandwidth than an audio call. Therefore, the
internet policies may have pre-defined bandwidths for each activity to avoid any
lag or delay during calls or during accessing internet.
15
[0076] In another example, a set of charging policies define how SEs may bill for
internet and other services. The set of charging policies may define how charges are
calculated for any service. The charges may be calculated by an amount of data
used beyond a set limit. For example, SEs may be charged extra if they use more
20 data than their plan allows. There are rules for billing special services, like higher
fees for faster internet or gaming services. In another example, the charges may be
fixed for monthly, quarterly, or yearly usage of services.
[0077] Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary method flow diagram [300] for
25 connecting plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment,
in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure is shown.
[0078] In an implementation the method [300] is performed by the system [200].
Further, in an implementation, the system [200] may be present in a server device
30 to implement the features of the present disclosure. Also, as shown in Figure 4, the
method [300] starts at step [302].
21
[0079] At step [304], the method comprises, establishing, by a session
establishment unit [202], one of: an internet protocol (IP) packet data unit (PDU)
session for each logical CPE unit among a plurality of logical CPE units in a
physical CPE unit, and an ethernet PDU session for the physical CPE unit.
5
[0080] In an implementation of the present disclosure, during an association of a
new Subscriber Equipment (SE) with the network, a mapping may be done at the
network level to connect the specific Subscriber Entity (SE) with the corresponding
logical Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) unit. The mapping confirms that the
10 SE may be assigned to a particular user within the network.
[0081] Furthermore, an IP PDU session is used to transmit data packets over the
internet between SEs and the network via the CPE. The PDU session refers to a
connection that facilitates data transfer between the SEs and CPE.
15
[0082] In an implementation, each logical CPE unit is associated with a separate
subscriber identity module (SIM) provisioned with the plan.
[0083] In an implementation of the present disclosure, each logical CPE unit may
20 be associated to a unique Subscriber Identity Module (SIM). The SIM may have a
specific network service plan, such as but not limited to, a particular data speed,
minutes of voice calls, etc. Each logical unit of the CPE may be associated with a
separate SIM so that each subscriber connected to the logical unit of the CPE
operates independently.
25
[0084] In an implementation, wherein prior to establishing, by the session
establishment unit [202], the IP PDU session for each logical CPE unit among the
plurality of logical CPE units, the method comprises creating, by a creation unit
[208], a plurality of logical CPE units in the physical CPE unit. This means that
30 the creation unit [208] engages the physical CPE’s resources in a way that each
logical CPE may act like a separate, independent device for the associated SE.
22
[0085] Once the logical CPE units are created, the establishment unit [202] initiates
an IP PDU session for each logical CPE unit. This means that each logical CPE unit
may assign a unique IP session, 5 which allows it to handle data transmission
independently.
[0086] At step [306], the method comprises, assigning, by an assignment unit [204],
an Internet Protocol (IP) address to each SE among the plurality of SEs.
10
[0087] In an implementation of the present disclosure, each SE may request an IP
address from the core network (i.e., CCN). The network then assigns an IP address
to each SE, via the assignment unit [204] to the corresponding logical CPE unit.
The logical CPE unit then may provide the assigned IP address to the SE,
15 confirming that each device has a unique identifier for communication.
[0088] In an implementation of the present disclosure, once the multiple logical
CPE units are created within a physical CPE unit, the assignment unit [304] assigns
IP addresses to each SE based on a pre-defined mapping. The pre-defined mapping
20 refers to a mapping between IP addresses and SE that may exist in a database
associated with the core network.
[0089] Alternatively, if an Ethernet PDU session is established, the assignment of
IP addresses comprises sending by each SE an IP address assignment request to the
25 core network (CCN) as part of the Ethernet session setup. The core network then
assigns an IP address to the SE and connects the address to the SE. The CCN may
have full visibility of the SE session in this case and is also able to delete the SE
session in case the SE is no longer connected.
30 [0090] In an implementation of the present disclosure, the attachment of each SE
to the Core Network (CCN) initiates with the SE sending an IP address assignment
23
request to the CCN in an event of creation of the Ethernet PDU session. This request
is initiated by the SE when it connects to the network and needs an IP address to
communicate.
[0091] Thus, in an implementation, 5 the assignment unit [204] is configured to
assign the Internet Protocol (IP) address to each SE among the plurality of SEs,
based further on one of: a pre-defined mapping of the plurality of logical CPE units
and the plurality of SE in an event of creation of the plurality of logical CPE units
in the physical CPE unit, and an attachment of each SE with the CCN [407] in an
10 event of creation of the ethernet PDU session.
[0092] At step [308], the method comprises, applying, by a policy application unit
[206], one or more policies to each SE among the plurality of SEs based on a plan
provisioned for each logical CPE unit.
15
[0093] In an implementation of the present disclosure, once the IP address is
assigned, various policies related to internet usage and charging may apply to each
SE. The CPE session in the network is equivalent to SE session. Further, these
policies may be applied to each SE based on its requirements and service plan. The
20 policies are applied as per the subscription plan provisioned for the SE.
[0094] In an implementation, the one or more policies comprises one or more of a
set of internet policies, a set of other general policies, and a set of charging policies.
25 [0095] In an example, the set of internet policies define how SEs use the internet.
The internet policies set limits on how much data an SE may use each month, such
as 100 GB. In addition, the internet policies may be utilized to determine bandwidth
required for activities such as video calls, audio calls, email service, and the like.
For instance, a video call needs more bandwidth than an audio call. Therefore, the
30 internet policies may have pre-defined bandwidths for each activity to avoid any
lag or delay during calls or during accessing internet.
24
[0096] In another example, a set of charging policies define how SEs are billed for
internet and other services. The set of charging policies may define how charges are
calculated for any service. The charges may be calculated by an amount of data
used beyond a set limit. For example, SEs may be charged extra if they use more
data than their plan allows. Also, there are 5 rules for billing special services, like
higher fees for faster internet or gaming services. In another example, the charges
may be fixed for monthly, quarterly, or yearly usage of services.
[0097] Thereafter, the method terminates at step [310].
10
[0098] FIG. 4 illustrates a first exemplary scenario [400] flow diagram for
connecting a plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment,
in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. This first
scenario refers to the case where IP PDU session for each logical CPE unit among
15 a plurality of logical CPE units in a physical CPE unit, is established.
[0099] This depicts a network architecture that includes a physical CPE (Customer
Premise Equipment) connected to a cellular radio network, which communicates
with a Cellular Core Network (CCN) and a data network.
20
[0100] Subscriber Equipment (SE1, SE2, SE3, SEn) [401]: These are end user
devices, such as smartphones, laptops, or IoT devices, etc., that connect to the
network. All SEs are connected behind the physical CPE, sharing a common LAN
(Local Area Network) through the L2 Switch / L3 Router [403].
25
[0101] L2 Switch/L3 Router [403]: This network switch and router facilitate
communication between the SEs in the same LAN and/or wide area network
(WAN). The L2 switch operates at the data link layer, while the L3 router operates
at the network layer, routing data between SEs and the external network.
30
25
[0102] The physical CPE [405] serves as a gateway device that connects the LAN
to the external Cellular Radio Network. The physical CPE [405] includes multiple
logical CPEs (LCPEs) that are mapped to a particular SE in the LAN. For example,
LCPE1 may correspond to SE1, LCPE2 to SE2, and so on. The LPCE is a logical
5 unit of the CPE.
[0103] The logical CPEs manage individual sessions and policies for each SE,
confirming that network activities (such as IP address assignment, policies, and
session handling) may be difference for each SE. Cellular Radio Network: This
10 represents the wireless network infrastructure that connects the physical CPE to the
CCN [407].
[0104] Cellular Core Network (CCN) [407]: The CCN [407] handles the
establishment and management of communication sessions for both the physical
15 CPE [405] and the SEs. The SEs and CPE [405] communicate via established
sessions with the CCN [407], which handles authentication, IP address assignment,
and data routing.
[0105] Data Network [409]: This represents the external network that the SEs and
20 CPE [405] access through the CCN [407]. It may be the Internet or other private
networks where data is stored or retrieved by the SEs.
[0106] FIG. 5 illustrates a second exemplary scenario [500] flow diagram for
connecting a plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment,
25 in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. This
second scenario refers to the case where ethernet PDU session for the physical CPE
unit is established.
[0107] An exemplary architecture involves a Customer Premise Equipment (CPE)
30 [505], a plurality of Subscriber Equipment (SEs), and a Cellular Core Network
(CCN) [507], while creating an Ethernet packet data unit (PDU) session.
26
[0108] As shown in FIG. 5, the plurality of SEs, namely SE-1, SE-2, SE-3, ..., SEn
[501], are connected within the same Local Area Network (LAN) behind the CPE.
These SEs are part of a network configuration where all devices behind the CPE
are interconnected through an L2 Switch or L3 Router [503].
5
[0109] The CPE [505] is responsible for establishing and managing connectivity
between the SEs and the CCN [507]. In the embodiment, the CPE [505] operates in
bridge mode, thereby facilitating the Ethernet PDU session for the SEs. The bridge
mode configuration of CPE [505] allows the SEs to maintain individual sessions
10 with the Cellular Core Network [507] while using the CPE [505] as a pass-through
device.
[0110] Further, the CPE [505] communicates with the CCN [507] over a Cellular
Radio Network to manage the data sessions between the SEs and a Data Network
15 [509]. The data sessions, which are initiated by each SE, are routed through the CPE
[505] and then passed to the CCN [507] for communication with external networks.
[0111] The CPE [505] in this configuration handles the flow of data without
interfering with or altering the traffic, as it operates in bridge mode.
20
[0112] The present disclosure further discloses a non-transitory computer readable
storage medium storing instructions for connecting plurality of subscriber
equipment with a customer premise equipment, the instructions include executable
code which, when executed by one or more units of a system, causes: a session
25 establishment unit [202] of the system [200] to establish one of: an internet protocol
(IP) packet data unit (PDU) session for each logical CPE unit among a plurality of
logical CPE units in a physical CPE unit, and an ethernet PDU session for the
physical CPE unit. Further, the instructions include executable code which, when
executed causes an assignment unit [204] of the system [200] to assign an internet
30 protocol (IP) address to each SE among the plurality of SEs. Further, the
instructions include executable code which, when executed causes a policy
27
application unit [206] of the system [200] to apply one or more policies to each SE
among the plurality of SEs, based on a plan provisioned for each logical CPE unit.
[0113] As is evident from the above, the present disclosure provides a technically
advanced solution for connecting 5 plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer
premise equipment. The present solution for sharing single customer premise
equipment across multiple home gateways by supporting multiple logical CPE
instances, and/or by creating an ‘ethernet’ packet data network (PDU) session and
CPE working in bridged mode, in one of the implementations, as there is no change
10 required in the core network or subscriber equipment. The only entity involving
some complexity is the CPE. This also results in cost reduction in implementing the
overall solution.
[0114] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the disclosed
15 implementations, it will be appreciated that many implementations can be made and
that many changes can be made to the implementations without departing from the
principles of the present disclosure. These and other changes in the implementations
of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, whereby it is to
be understood that the foregoing descriptive matter to be implemented is illustrative
20 and non-limiting.
[0115] Further, in accordance with the present disclosure, it is to be acknowledged
that the functionality described for the various components/units can be
implemented interchangeably. While specific embodiments may disclose a
25 particular functionality of these units for clarity, it is recognized that various
configurations and combinations thereof are within the scope of the disclosure. The
functionality of specific units as disclosed in the disclosure should not be construed
as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Consequently, alternative
arrangements and substitutions of units, provided they achieve the intended
30 functionality described herein, are considered to be encompassed within the scope
of the present disclosure.
28
We Claim:
1. A method for connecting a plurality of subscriber equipment (SEs) with a
customer premise equipment (CPE), the method comprising:
- establishing, by a session establishment unit [202], one of: an internet
protocol (IP) pa 5 cket data unit (PDU) session for each logical CPE unit
among a plurality of logical CPE units in a physical CPE unit, and an
ethernet PDU session for the physical CPE unit;
- assigning, by an assignment unit [204], an Internet Protocol (IP)
address to each SE among the plurality of SEs; and
10 - applying, by a policy application unit [206], one or more policies to
each SE among the plurality of SEs based on a plan provisioned for
each logical CPE unit.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein each logical CPE unit is
15 associated with a separate subscriber identity module (SIM) provisioned
with the plan.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the assigning, by the
assignment unit [204], the Internet Protocol (IP) address to each SE among
20 the plurality of SEs, is based further on one of: a pre-defined mapping of
the plurality of logical CPE units and the plurality of SE in an event of
creation of the plurality of logical CPE units in the physical CPE unit, and
an attachment of the each SE with a Cellular Core Network (CCN) in an
event of creation of the ethernet PDU session.
25
4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the attachment of each SE with
the CCN is based on an IP assignment request sent from each SE to the
CCN.
29
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more policies
comprise one or more of a set of internet policies, a set of other general
policies, and a set of charging policies.
5 6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein prior to establishing, by the
session establishment unit [202], the IP PDU session for each logical CPE
unit among the plurality of logical CPE units, the method comprises:
- creating, by a creation unit [208], a plurality of logical CPE units in the
physical CPE unit.
10
7. A system for connecting a plurality of subscriber equipment (SEs) with a
customer premise equipment (CPE), the system comprising:
- a session establishment unit [202] configured to:
o establish one of: an internet protocol (IP) packet data unit (PDU)
15 session for each logical CPE unit among a plurality of logical
CPE units in a physical CPE unit, and an ethernet PDU session
for the physical CPE unit;
- an assignment unit [204] connected to at least the creation unit [208],
the assignment unit [204] configured to:
20 o assign an internet protocol (IP) address to each SE among the
plurality of SEs; and
- a policy application unit [206] connected to at least the assignment unit
[204], the policy application unit [206] configured to:
o apply one or more policies to each SE among the plurality of
25 SEs, based on a plan provisioned for each logical CPE unit.
8. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein each logical CPE unit is
associated with a separate subscriber identity module (SIM) provisioned
with the plan.
30
30
9. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the assignment unit [204] is
configured to assign the Internet Protocol (IP) address to each SE among
the plurality of SEs, based further on one of: a pre-defined mapping of the
plurality of logical CPE units and the plurality of SE in an event of creation
of the plurality of logical CPE 5 units in the physical CPE unit, and an
attachment of the each SE with a Cellular Core Network (CCN) [407] in an
event of creation of the ethernet PDU session.
10. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the attachment of each SE with
10 the CCN is based on an IP assignment request sent from each SE to the
CCN.
11. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the one or more policies comprise
one or more of a set of internet policies, a set of other general policies, and
15 a set of charging policies.
12. The system as claimed in claim 7, the system further comprising a creation
unit [208], wherein prior to the establishment of the IP PDU session for each
logical CPE unit among the plurality of logical CPE units, the creation unit
20 [208] is configured to: - create a plurality of logical CPE units in the physical CPE unit.