KR100923986B1 - Terminal unit for providing data roaming service restricted with whether or not offering QoS of roaming network and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a terminal apparatus and a method for providing a limited data roaming service according to whether a roaming network provides a quality of service.

According to the present invention, a terminal device connected to a roaming network and providing a data roaming service includes a service quality setting processing unit and a data roaming processing unit. The service quality setting processor sets service quality information on a data roaming service to be provided in a roaming network. When the data roaming service access request is generated in the roaming network, the data roaming processing unit interlocks with the service quality setting processing unit and according to whether or not the roaming network can provide the service quality information set for the data roaming service where the access request is generated. Determines whether or not to connect.

Therefore, since the data roaming service is unilaterally provided as the quality of service of the roaming network, it is possible to solve the user's complaint about the quality of the roaming service and thereby lower the customer complaint.

Roaming, International Roaming, Data Roaming, Radio Access Technology (hereinafter referred to as RAT), Quality of Service (QoS)

Description

Terminal unit for providing data roaming service restricted with whether or not offering QoS of roaming network and method

The present invention relates to a terminal apparatus and a method for providing a limited data roaming service according to whether a roaming network provides a quality of service. More specifically, a terminal device and a method for providing a service quality set by a user when providing a data roaming service between networks using different radio access technologies (hereinafter referred to as 'RAT') will be.

Roaming competition among mobile carriers has been fierce, and in the past few countries have been competing for the possibility of roaming.However, the convenience of using high quality roaming service is expected to be the core of the competition. Therefore, roaming competition will be driven by user convenience and quality competition.

However, in the conventional data roaming service, the terminal may not satisfy the quality of service (hereinafter referred to as 'QoS') provided in the existing home network in the roaming network. In this case, since the RATs of the home network and the roaming network are different, the quality of service that can be provided is inevitably different.

For example, QoS is 64/64 kbps (up / downlink) when using a text-based browser in the home network, but the maximum bit rate that can be provided when the RAT of the roaming network is GSM Only is 14.4 kbps. In other words, when using a text-based browser in a roaming network, the QoS of the roaming network is significantly different from that of the home network.

Accordingly, since the terminal user uses the data service as the quality of service according to the wireless access technology of the roaming network when roaming, there are many complaints about the deterioration of the service quality of the data roaming service.

Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is to provide a terminal apparatus and a method for limiting data service access in a roaming network that cannot provide preset service quality information for a data roaming service.

In order to achieve the above problems, the terminal device according to the characteristics of the present invention,

A terminal device connected to a roaming network and providing a data roaming service, comprising: a service quality setting processor configured to set service quality information on the data roaming service to be provided in the roaming network; And when the data roaming service access request is generated in the roaming network, check whether the quality of service information for the data roaming service set by the service quality setting processing unit is available and provide the set quality of service information in the roaming network. Accordingly, the data roaming processor determines whether to access the data roaming service.

Method for providing a data roaming service according to an aspect of the present invention,

A method for providing a data roaming service by a terminal device connected to a roaming network, the method comprising: setting service quality information on the data roaming service to be provided in the roaming network; When a data roaming service access request is generated in the roaming network, determining whether the roaming network can provide service quality information set for the data roaming service; Allowing access of the data roaming service when the quality of service information set for the data roaming service is available in the roaming network; And blocking the access of the data roaming service when it is impossible to provide the service quality information set for the data roaming service in the roaming network.

According to the present invention, when the terminal capable of using the high quality data service roams, if the QoS of the roaming network is low, the data service connection is not allowed at all, thereby providing an effect of solving the conventional problem of poor user quality of the data roaming service. do.

This can improve the convenience of data roaming services by eliminating customer charges or quality complaints.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted in order to clearly describe the present invention, and like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification, when a part is said to "include" a certain component, it means that it can further include other components, without excluding other components unless specifically stated otherwise. In addition, terms such as “… unit”, “… module” described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented by hardware or software or a combination of hardware and software.

Now, a terminal device and a method for providing a limited data roaming service according to whether a roaming network provides a service quality according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Prior to the description with reference to the drawings, in the present specification, a roaming service provides a service for allowing a subscriber to access a service providing area provided by other mobile communication network providers other than the service providing area of a subscribed mobile communication network service provider to continuously receive a mobile communication service. it means. In this case, the service providing area of the mobile network provider to which the subscriber is subscribed is called a home network, and the service providing area provided by other mobile communication network providers is called a roaming network. In addition, a home network and a roaming network have different radio access technologies (RATs), and roaming networks also have various types of RATs. As a representative example, the roaming service may be an international roaming service in which a home network is a domestic network and a roaming network is an overseas network.

1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a terminal device for providing a data roaming service according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal device 100 is a terminal device capable of data roaming, which is connected to the roaming network 200 and can transmit and receive data. It may be a mobile communication terminal including a mobile phone and a personal digital assistant (PDA).

The terminal device 100 includes a control unit 110, a data call connection processing unit 120, a display unit 130, an input unit 140, a wireless communication unit 150, a QoS setting processing unit 160, and a data roaming processing unit 170. do.

The controller 110 is connected to the data call connection processor 120, the display unit 130, the input unit 140, the wireless communication unit 150, the QoS setting processor 160, and the data roaming processor 170. To control the overall behavior of the. In particular, it controls a data roaming operation that restricts data service access in the roaming network 200 that does not provide a preset service quality.

The data call connection processor 120 accesses the roaming network 200 to provide the data roaming service requested by the user under the control of the controller 110 and performs data call processing.

The display unit 130 provides an interface screen for a user input for a data roaming service under the control of the controller 110.

The input unit 140 includes a keypad having a plurality of numeric keys and a plurality of function keys under the control of the controller 110 to generate a corresponding key signal when the user inputs or selects the input.

The wireless communication unit 150 is connected to the roaming network 200 under the control of the controller 110 to process data transmitted and received wirelessly with the roaming network 200.

The QoS setting processor 160 sets quality of service (QoS) information for each data roaming service to be provided when a user roams under the control of the controller 110.

Here, QoS refers to various technologies and concepts for managing traffic and bandwidth in a limited wide area network (WAN) bandwidth by differentiating service levels according to importance for a user or an application.

When roaming, the data roaming processing unit 170 receives a data call processing request from the data call connection processing unit 120 under the control of the controller 110. The data roaming processor 170 determines whether to allow the requested data call connection according to a result of determining whether the roaming network 200 can provide the QoS information set by the QoS setting processor 160 with respect to the requested data.

In this case, whether the roaming is first connected to the roaming network 200 can be confirmed through a system message received from the roaming network 200, for example, a MIB (Master Information Block) message. When roaming abroad, the PLMN ID of the MIB message may indicate whether roaming is abroad.

2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a QoS setting processing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the QoS setting processing unit 160 includes a QoS menu configuration storage unit 162, a QoS menu screen control module 164, a QoS setting storage unit 166, and a QoS setting control module 168. .

The QoS menu configuration storage unit 162 stores menu configuration information for setting a QoS parameter value when roaming for each of the possible data service types included in the terminal device 100.

The QoS menu screen control module 164 is connected to the QoS menu configuration storage unit 162 and the display unit 130. The QoS menu screen control module 164 outputs the QoS setting menu configured by using the QoS menu configuration information stored in the QoS menu configuration storage unit 162 to the display unit 130.

The QoS setting storage unit 166 stores QoS information set by a user for data service types that the terminal device 100 can provide.

The QoS setting control module 168 is connected to the QoS menu screen control module 164, the QoS setting storage unit 166, and the input unit 140. The QoS setting control module 168 controls the output of the QoS menu screen through the QoS menu screen control module 164 according to the user selection information received through the input unit 140. In addition, the QoS information set by the user through the output QoS menu screen is input through the input unit 140 and stored in the QoS setting storage unit 166.

3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a data roaming processor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the data roaming processor 170 includes a QoS setting confirmation module 172, a RAT type storage unit 174, a RAT type confirmation module 176, and a connection permission determination module 178.

The QoS setting confirmation module 172 is connected to the QoS setting storage unit 166, the data call connection processing unit 120, and the connection permission determination module 178 to interoperate with each other. When roaming, the QoS setting confirmation module 172 checks roaming QoS parameter values stored in the QoS setting storage unit 166 when a data call processing request is transmitted from the data call connection processing unit 120. Then, the determined value is output to the connection permission determination module 178.

The RAT type storage unit 174 stores Radio Access Technology (RAT) type information of various roaming networks 200 and QoS parameter values that can be provided for each RAT type.

The RAT type checking module 176 is connected to the data call connection processing unit 120, the RAT type storage unit 174, and the connection permission determining module 178 to interoperate with each other. When the RAT type checking module 176 roams, when a data call processing request is transmitted from the data call connection processing unit 120, the RAT type checking module 176 searches for the RAT type storage unit 174 to determine the RAT type of the roaming network 200 and its QoS parameter values. Check. Then, the determined value is output to the connection permission determination module 178.

The connection permission determination module 178 is connected to the QoS configuration check module 172, the RAT type check module 176, the data call connection processing unit 120, and the display unit 130 to interoperate with each other. The connection permission determination module 178 compares the QoS parameter values output by the QoS setting confirmation module 172 with the QoS parameter values output by the RAT type checking module 176 and compares the QoS parameter values set by the user with a roaming network. In step 200, it is determined whether or not available. As a result of the determination, the control information is output to the data call connection processing unit 120 so that the data call connection is possible. If not available, the display unit 130 informs that the data call connection is impossible and outputs control information to the data call connection processing unit 120 so that the data call connection is impossible.

4 is a configuration example of QoS configuration information according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows an example of QoS configuration information stored in the QoS configuration storage unit 166 of FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 4, the QoS setting information P100 includes a terminal type P101, a data service type P103, a user QoS setting when roaming P105, and a maximum bit rate in a home network P107. Can be implemented as a table of items.

The terminal type P101 is classified into a high speed packet access (HSPA) terminal and a release 3 (R3) terminal, which is one of 3G mobile communication standards.

The data service type P103 is classified according to the terminal type P101. If the terminal type is HSPA, it is divided into text-based browser, multimedia-based browser, file upload, multipack, LMS (Long Messaging Service) / MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) origination, LMS / MMS reception and dial-up networking. If the terminal type is R3, all data services are set.

When roaming, the user QoS setting (P105) has a unit of Kbps and is an item that can be set by the user as a user edit item and is set for each terminal type (P101) and data service type (P103).

The maximum bit rate (P107) in the home network is set in the case of overseas roaming, the maximum bit rate information in the domestic network for the downlink and uplink, respectively.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of information stored in the RAT type storage unit 174 of FIG. 3 as a configuration example of RAT type information according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, the RAT type information P200 may be implemented as a table consisting of items of the RAT type P201 and the maximum bit rate P203 that can be provided.

The RAT type P201 indicates an RAT type of the roaming network 200. The RAT type P201 includes Global System for Mobile Telecommunication (GSM) only, High Speed Circuit Switched Data (HSCSD), and Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE). Only, Enhanced Circuit Switched Data (ECSD), GSM General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Only, Enhanced GPRS (EGPRS), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), and High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA).

The maximum bit rate that can be provided (P203) is set to the maximum bit value that can be provided based on the downlink for each RAT type.

Meanwhile, when the RAT type checking module 176 of FIG. 3 confirms the RAT type using the RAT type information P200 of FIG. 5, the RAT type checking module 176 may be largely divided into GSM, GPRS, EGPRS, and WCDMA. The GSM network is collectively referred to as GSM when using GMSK (Gaussian Minimun Shift Keying) according to the modulation scheme, and EDGE network when used as 8-PSK (Phase Shift Keying) scheme. In addition, when a slot is allocated in a system that enables up to four time slots simultaneously in a GSM / EDGE network, these are collectively referred to as HSCSD / ECSD.

The RAT type identification module 176 distinguishes the WCDMA and GSM series by using the system information message received in the frequency band and the network.

The RAT type checking module 176 determines that the received system information message is a GPRS network if there is a GPRS indicator, and an EGPRS network if there is an EGPRS support indicator.

In addition, in the case of ECSD and HSCSD, there is no indicator indicating whether to support the HSCSD / ECSD / GPRS when the RAT type checking module 176 establishes a radio resource control (RRC) session with a base station including radio accessibility capabilities. The roaming network 200 recognizes whether or not such support. If more than one data slot is set, it can be determined as an HSCSD network or an ECSD network in each GSM network or EDGE network.

In addition, HSDPA can also be checked when the terminal performs physical channel mapping with the base station, that is, when establishing an RRC (Radio Resource Control) session.

Based on the configuration of FIGS. 1 to 5, a method of providing a data roaming service by the terminal device 100 connected to the roaming network 200 will be described.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a data roaming service according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6, QoS to be provided when data roaming is set and stored for each data roaming service (S101).

Thereafter, when a data call connection request occurs when roaming (S103), the QoS parameter value set in step S101 according to the requested data type is checked (S105). Referring to the QoS setting information (P100) of FIG. 4, it is determined whether the data service requested by the user is a text-based browser or dial-up networking, and the value stored in the user QoS setting (P105) item when roaming corresponding thereto is set. To confirm.

Next, the QoS category according to the RAT type of the roaming network 200 is checked (S107). Referring to the RAT type information P200 of FIG. 5, the RAT type and the maximum bit rate for each RAT type of the roaming network 200 are checked.

In operation S109, it is determined whether the QoS setting value is included in the QoS setting value category according to the RAT type of the roaming network 200 based on the values checked in steps S105 and S107, respectively. Referring to the QoS setting information P100 of FIG. 4 and the RAT type information P200 of FIG. 5, the data service type requested by the user is a text-based browser and the set user QoS parameter value is 64/64 kbps (uplink / downlink). Let roaming network 200 be GSM Only. At this time, since the maximum bit rate for GSM Only is 14.4 kbps, the QoS parameter value set by the user is out of the range of 64/64 kbps (uplink / downlink). Therefore, in this case, it is determined that the roaming network 200 cannot provide the user QoS of the text-based browser.

As a result of the determination in step S109, if included, the data call connection requested in step S103 is allowed (S111).

As a result of the determination in step S109, if it is not included, the screen displays that the data call connection requested in step S103 is blocked (S113) and blocks the data call connection (S115).

Next, a configuration example of a data roaming service providing screen according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10.

7 illustrates an example of a QoS setting screen when roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 7, QoS settings when roaming may be set to 'automatic' and 'manual'.

If set to 'automatic', QoS parameter values in the home network (in case of overseas roaming, domestic network) are applied according to the terminal type. Referring to the QoS setting information P100 of FIG. 4, the value stored in the maximum bit rate P107 item in the home network is applied.

If it is set to 'manual', the user interface screen for allowing the user to directly enter QoS parameters according to the data service type is displayed.

8 is an example of a QoS profile setting screen when roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 8, the QoS profile setting screen when roaming is displayed when 'manual' is selected in FIG. 7.

Referring to the QoS setting information P100 of FIG. 4, when roaming, the QoS profile setting screen is' 1. Text-based browser, 2. multimedia-based browser, 3. file upload, 4. multipack, 5. LMS / MMS origination, 6. LMS / MMS reception, 7. dial-up networking, 8. general data services.

The user can select each item listed above and enter the QoS parameter values. The QoS parameter values thus input are stored in the user QoS setting (P105) item when roaming in FIG.

In this case, the QoS parameter value input by the user may be a form in which a user directly inputs a desired value. In this case, for example, if a 200k data streaming service is to be provided without interruption, the bit rate should be provided as 200kbps, so the bit rate can be set as a QoS parameter value. Alternatively, the terminal may provide a downlink and uplink that can be provided among the maximum bit rate information (P107 of FIG. 4).

Regarding the input of the QoS parameter value of the user, various embodiments are possible, but are not limited to the above-listed exceptions.

9 is a screen example showing a data access restriction phrase when roaming according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the access permission determination module 178 of FIG. 3 determines that the data call cannot be connected, the screen displays the phrase, 'This service is not smoothly provided in the current region, so the service is automatically blocked.' Output to and cut off automatically.

10 is a screen example showing a data access restriction phrase when roaming according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 10, when the access permission determination module 178 of FIG. 3 determines that the data call cannot be connected, the roaming network 200 of FIG. 1 indicates that the QoS set by the user is not provided and the data call cannot be provided. Allows the user to set whether to connect. This means that this service is not available in the current region. Do you still want to connect? " Display the user selection item on the screen.

As described above, when it is determined that the terminal device 100 has roamed, when the user requests a data service connection, the requested data service depends on whether the roaming network 200 can provide a preset QoS when roaming. Allow or block access. Therefore, since the data roaming service is unilaterally provided by the QoS of the roaming network 200, the user's complaints may be lowered by eliminating complaints about roaming service quality of the user.

 Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements of those skilled in the art using the basic concepts of the present invention defined in the following claims are also provided. It belongs to the scope of rights.

1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a terminal device for providing a data roaming service according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a QoS setting processing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a data roaming processor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a configuration example of QoS setting information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a configuration example of RAT type information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a data roaming service according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 to 10 are configuration examples of a data roaming service providing screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (15)

In a terminal device connected to a roaming network to provide a data roaming service, A service quality setting processor configured to set service quality information on the data roaming service to be provided in the roaming network; And When the data roaming service access request is generated in the roaming network, the service quality information of the data roaming service set by the service quality setting processing unit is checked to determine whether the roaming network can provide the set service quality information. Data roaming processing unit for determining whether to access the data roaming service Terminal device comprising a. The method of claim 1, The data roaming processing unit, A service quality setting checking module for checking a data type of the data roaming service in which an access request has occurred and service quality information set for each data type; A radio access technology type checking module for checking a radio access technology type corresponding to the roaming network and a range of quality of service information for each radio access technology type among a plurality of stored radio access technology types; And It is determined whether the quality of service information checked by the service quality setting checking module is included in the range of quality of service information checked by the radio access technology type checking module. Decision whether to allow access to block data roaming service module Terminal device comprising a. The method of claim 2, The connection permission determination module, When the access of the data roaming service is blocked, a message indicating that the roaming network cannot provide the service quality information checked by the service quality setting check module is output on the terminal screen and the access to the data roaming service is automatically blocked. Terminal device. The method of claim 2, The connection permission determination module, In the case of blocking access to the data roaming service, the terminal screen displays a message indicating that the roaming network cannot provide the service quality information checked by the service quality setting check module and allowing the user to select whether to access the roaming network. And outputting the data to the terminal to block access to the data roaming service according to whether the user selects the connection. The method of claim 2, The wireless access technology type identification module, Using the system information message received from the roaming network, the presence or absence of an indicator indicating whether a specific network is supported in the system information message, and the radio accessibility information (capabilities) included when establishing a radio resource control session with the roaming network. Terminal device for determining the radio access technology type according to the determination of the roaming network. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The service quality setting processing unit, A service quality menu screen control module for providing a service quality setting screen including a setting menu of service quality parameter values editable by a user input for each data type of the data roaming service; And A service quality setting control module for storing the service quality parameter values input by the user using the service quality setting screen Terminal device comprising a. The method of claim 6, The service quality setting processing unit, Provide the quality of service parameter values stored by the quality of service control module, and are matched for each of a terminal type item, a data type item, the terminal type item and the data type item and entered by the user; A service quality setting storage unit for storing a table including a user service quality setting item for roaming and a maximum bit rate item in a home network; And Provides menu information of a service quality setting screen to be provided by the service quality screen control module, wherein the menu information is an automatic item for applying a maximum bit rate in the home network and a parameter stored in a user service quality setting item when roaming. A quality menu configuration storage including a manual item for applying a value and a setting item of a user service quality parameter value when roaming for each data type when the user selects a manual item. Terminal device further comprising. A method for providing a data roaming service by a terminal device connected to a roaming network, the method comprising: Setting quality of service information for the data roaming service to be provided in the roaming network; When a data roaming service access request is generated in the roaming network, determining whether the roaming network can provide service quality information set for the data roaming service; Allowing access of the data roaming service when the quality of service information set for the data roaming service is available in the roaming network; And Blocking access to the data roaming service when it is impossible to provide service quality information set for the data roaming service in the roaming network; Data roaming service providing method comprising a. The method of claim 8, The determining step, Confirming a data type of the data roaming service where an access request has occurred and service quality information set for each data type; Checking a range of a radio access technology type corresponding to the roaming network and quality of service information corresponding thereto among the plurality of stored radio access technology types; Comparing whether the set quality of service information is within a range of the matching quality of service information; And If the set service quality information is within the range of the matching service quality information, it is determined that the roaming network is capable of providing the service quality information set for the data roaming service, and if it is not within the range, the roaming network Determining that it is impossible to provide service quality information set for the data roaming service; Data roaming service providing method comprising a. The method of claim 9, Blocking access of the data roaming service, Outputting a phrase indicating that the roaming network cannot provide the set quality of service information on a terminal screen; And Automatically blocking access to the data roaming service Data roaming service providing method comprising a. The method of claim 9, Blocking access of the data roaming service, Outputting a phrase on the terminal screen indicating that the roaming network cannot provide the set quality of service information and allowing a user to select whether to access the service; And Blocking access to the data roaming service according to whether the user selects the connection; Data roaming service providing method comprising a. The method of claim 9, Checking the range of the quality of service information, The system information message received from the roaming network, the presence or absence of an indicator indicating whether a specific network is supported in the system information message, and the radio accessibility information (capabilities) included when establishing a radio resource control session with the roaming network. The data roaming service providing method for determining the radio access technology type according to the determination of the roaming network. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, The setting step, Providing a service quality setting screen configured as a setting menu of service quality parameter values editable by a user input corresponding to each data service type when roaming; And Storing the quality of service parameter values input by the user using the quality of service setting screen Data roaming service providing method comprising a. The method of claim 13, The storing of the quality of service parameter values may include: In the table consisting of a roaming user service quality setting item and a maximum bit rate item in a home network matched for each of the terminal type item, the data type item, the terminal type item and the data type item, And a data roaming service providing value of the service quality parameter value input by the user. The method of claim 14, Providing the service quality setting screen, Providing a menu including an automatic item for applying a maximum bit rate in the home network, a manual item for applying a user service quality setting item when roaming, and a setting item of a service quality parameter value matching the data type item How to provide data roaming service.

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