Layered machine to machine (M2M) service methodology using class-based access point names (APNs) for the internet of things

An apparatus for assigning one or more service classes of device Access Point Names (APNs) for a machine-to-machine (M2M) network, comprising:

• a device having one or more APNs being capable of communicating with a server system across the network using a communication adapter;
• the server system having an application module for
• defining a plurality of services classes comprising a first service class and a second service class for the one or more APNs based on anticipated user needs, and application characteristics in relation to one or more characteristics of:
• resource type, quality of service (QoS), and bearer management, wherein service class definitions corresponding to the APN classes are arranged to provide specific levels of service to intended users based upon anticipated user needs and wherein sources available for integration can be identified and associated with creating or identifying data streams to gather associated data from within the network;
• wherein the application characteristics comprise any of for device control only, packet data network (PDN) access to M2M clearing house only, PDN access to controlled destination only, adequate for server push applications, PDN access through sponsor hookup, for subscribers which are mostly dormant, or active only when required, for integrated IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) service, always on and combinations thereof;
• identifying anticipated APNs of one or more devices to be used across the M2M network and allocating those APNs for use in accordance to the prescribed the APN class;
• and
• assigning the one or more APNs to one or more of the defined plurality of service classes wherein the first service class is defined to be distinct from the second service class by a plurality of characteristics.

A computer program product stored on a non transitory computer usable medium, comprising:

• computer readable program means for causing a computer to control an execution of an application to perform a method for assigning class-based Access Point Names (APNs) for a machine-to-machine (M2M) network, comprising the steps of:
• defining a plurality of APN classes comprising a first APN class and a second APN class by a network for one or more device APNs based on anticipated user needs, and application characteristics in relation to one or more characteristics of resource type, quality of service (QoS), and bearer management, wherein service class definitions corresponding to the APN classes are arranged to provide specific levels of service to intended users based upon anticipated user needs and wherein sources available for integration can be identified and associated with creating or identifying data streams to gather associated data from within the network;
• wherein the application characteristics comprise any of for device control only, packet data network (PDN) access to M2M clearing house only, PDN access to controlled destination only, adequate for server push applications, PDN access through sponsor hookup, for subscribers which are mostly dormant, or active only when required, for integrated IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) service, always on and combinations thereof;
• identifying anticipated APNs of one or more devices to be used across the M2M network and allocating those APNs for use in accordance to the prescribed the APN class;
• and
• assigning by the network the one or more device APNs to one or more of the defined plurality of APN classes wherein the first APN class is defined to be distinct from the second APN class by a plurality of characteristics.