# US 10,873,988 B2 · Method and apparatus for providing next generation network service in heterogeneous network environment

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- Number: US 10,873,988 B2
- Document ID: US10873988B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/661,415
- Filed: 2019-10-23
- Published: 2020-02-20
- Granted: 2020-12-22
- Earliest claimed: 2016-05-12
- Assignees: SK Telecom Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: SK Telecom Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Sangsoo Jeong; Chang-Soon Choi
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10873988B2

## CPC

- H04L 67/141: Setup of application sessions (admission control or resource allocation in data switching networks H04L47/70)
- H04L 1/18: Automatic repetition systems, e.g. Van Duuren systems
- H04L 69/085: specially adapted for interworking of IP-based networks with other networks
- H04W 76/16: Involving different core network technologies, e.g. a packet-switched [PS] bearer in combination with a circuit-switched [CS] bearer
- H04W 88/10: adapted for operation in multiple networks, e.g. multi-mode access points
- H04W 92/02: Inter-networking arrangements
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)
- H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72)

## Abstract

A method and an apparatus are disclosed for providing a next-generation network service in a heterogeneous network environment. The present disclosure in some embodiments provides a method and an apparatus, which can operate a conventional network and a next-generation network in an interworking arrangement with high reliability, and can process high-speed data communications by using the next-generation network.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus for controlling a base station in a mobile communication system including a plurality of heterogeneous networks, the apparatus comprising:
a communication unit configured to receive, from a terminal, a network connection establishment message including information on support of dual connectivity using at least two different generation networks of the heterogeneous networks; and
a control unit configured to
determine whether to approve or disapprove dual connectivity by the terminal by using the information on the terminal and the received information on support of the dual connectivity using at least two different generation networks of the heterogeneous networks, and
select one gateway for supporting the terminal based on the determined result,
wherein the communication unit transmits the network connection establishment request message to the selected gateway, and
wherein the control unit determines each maximum data transfer rate for the plurality of heterogeneous networks and transmits each maximum data transfer rate to the selected gateway.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the information on support of dual connectivity includes information on whether the terminal supports dual connectivity using at least two different generation networks of the heterogeneous networks, whether the terminal requests utilization of dual connectivity, or whether the terminal belongs to a service area for using dual connectivity.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the control unit approves support of dual connectivity by the terminal, when the terminal supports dual connectivity, the terminal requests support of dual connectivity, and the terminal belongs to the service area for using dual connectivity.

### Claim 4

A base station apparatus in a mobile communication system including a plurality of heterogeneous networks, the base station apparatus comprising:
a communication unit configured to receive a connection establishment message, including information on support of dual connectivity from a terminal; and
a control unit configured to determine, when the communication unit receives the connection establishment message, whether or not the control unit supports dual connectivity using at least two different generation networks of the heterogeneous networks,
wherein the control unit determines each maximum data transfer rate for the plurality of heterogeneous networks and transmits each maximum data transfer rate to a selected gateway.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The base station apparatus of claim 4, wherein the information on support of dual connectivity includes information on whether the terminal supports dual connectivity using at least two different generation networks of the heterogeneous networks, whether the terminal requests utilization of dual connectivity, or whether the terminal belongs to a service area for using dual connectivity.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The base station apparatus of claim 5, wherein the control unit approves support of dual connectivity by the terminal, when the terminal supports dual connectivity, the terminal requests support of dual connectivity, and the terminal belongs to the service area for using dual connectivity.