# US 11,452,157 B2 · Communication connection control in a non-homogenous network scenario > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,452,157 B2 - Document ID: US11452157B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/266,213 - Filed: 2018-08-09 - Published: 2021-08-26 - Granted: 2022-09-20 - Earliest claimed: 2018-08-09 - Assignees: Nokia Technologies Oy - Applicants: Nokia Technologies Oy - Inventors: Daniela Laselva; Ahmad Awada; Simone Redana; Ingo Viering; Muhammad Naseer-Ul-Islam - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11452157B2 ## CPC - H04W 76/15: Setup of multiple wireless link connections - H04W 36/008357: {Determination of target cell based on access point [AP] properties, e.g. AP service capabilities} - H04W 36/00837: {Determination of triggering parameters for hand-off} - H04W 36/13: {Cell handover without a predetermined boundary, e.g. virtual cells} - H04W 48/16: Discovering, processing access restriction or access information - H04W 72/04: Wireless resource allocation - H04W 36/00698: {using different RATs} - H04W 36/305: {Handover due to radio link failure (control signalling for hand-off failure H04W36/0079)} - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) ## Abstract An apparatus for use by a first communication network control element configured to control a communication connection of at least one communication element in a first network area providing a specific communication capability, the apparatus including processing circuitry, and memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processing circuitry, wherein the memory and the instructions are configured to, with the processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least: to determine that a communication element communicating in the first network area and using the specific communication capability enters a second network area which does not provide the specific communication capability and that there is a switching of the communication connection to the second network area, and to cause sending of connection switching information related to the switching of the communication connection of the communication element to a second communication network control element. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for use with a first communication network control element or function configured to control a communication connection of at least one communication element or function in a first network area providing a specific communication capability or function, the apparatus comprising: at least one processing circuitry, and at least one non-transitory memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processing circuitry, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least: to determine that a communication element or function of the at least one communication element or function communicating in the first network area and using the specific communication capability or function enters at least one second network area which does not provide the specific communication capability or function and that a switching of the communication connection to the at least one second network area is initiated, to cause sending of a request, to at least one second communication network control element or function configured to control a communication connection of the communication element or function in the at least one second network area, to conduct a switched mode for providing service continuity for the communication element or function using the specific communication capability or function by starting a dual or multi connectivity communication, wherein the switched mode involves that at least one split or switched bearer is established to the communication element or function with the at least one second communication network control element or function via which the communication element or function communicates with at least one of the first network area or the at least one second network area, and wherein data traffic for the continued service using the specific communication capability or function is transmitted to or from the communication element of function from or to the first communication network control element or function via the at least one second communication network control element or function using the at least one split or switched bearer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least: when requesting the switched mode, to send a secondary cell addition preparation request to the at least one second communication network control element or function for setting up a dual or multi connectivity communication with the second communication network control element or function as a secondary cell, to provide to the at least one second communication network control element or function configuration information of the communication element or function related to the specific communication capability or function, to prepare suitable resources for data traffic transmission via an interface between the first communication network control element or function and the second communication network control element or function, and to transmit data packets between the communication element or function and a core network via the interface between the first communication network control element or function and the second communication network control element or function. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least: when requesting the switched mode, to send a handover request to the second communication network control element or function including configuration information of the communication element or function related to the specific communication capability or function, and a request for providing service continuity with using dual or multi connectivity communication, to receive and process a request from the second communication network control element or function to configure a split or switched bearer for service continuity, to configure a split or switched bearer of the communication element or function with the second communication network control element or function acting as a master cell, and to instruct the communication element or function to stop monitoring user and control planes of the first communication network control element or function, to prepare suitable resources for data traffic transmission via an interface between the first communication network control element or function and the second communication network control element or function, and to transmit data packets between the communication element or function and a core network via the interface between the first communication network control element or function and the second communication network control element or function. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least: to set a validity timer indicating a timing when the dual or multi connectivity communication for providing service continuity is to be terminated in the at least one second network area, and to provide the validity timer to the at least one second communication network control element or function. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switched mode involves that the first communication network control element or function of the first network area is set as a master cell group and one second communication network control element or function of the at least one second network area is set as a secondary cell group, or that one second communication network control element or function of the at least one second network area is set as a master cell group and the first communication network control element or function of first network area and other second communication network control elements or functions are set as a secondary cell group. ### Claim 6 An apparatus for use with a second communication network control element or function configured to control a communication connection of at least one communication element or function in at least one second network area which does not provide a specific communication capability or function, the apparatus comprising: at least one processing circuitry, and at least one non-transitory memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processing circuitry, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least: to receive and process, in case a communication element or function of the at least one communication element or function using the specific communication capability or function enters from a first network area providing the specific communication capability or function into the at least one second network area and switching of the communication connection to the at least one second network area is initiated, a request from a first communication network control element or function configured to control a communication connection of the communication element or function in the first network area to conduct a switched mode for providing service continuity for the communication element by starting a dual or multi connectivity communication, wherein the switched mode involves that: at least one split or switched bearer is established to the communication element or function with the second communication network control element or function via which the communication element or function communicates with at least one of the first network area or the at least one second network area, and wherein data traffic for the continued service using the specific communication capability or function is transmitted to or from the communication element of function from or to the first communication network control element or function via the second communication network control element or function using the at least one split or switched bearer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least: when requesting the switched mode, to receive and process a secondary cell addition preparation request from the first communication network control element or function for setting up a dual or multi connectivity communication with the second communication network control element or function as a secondary cell, to receive, from the first communication network control element or function, and store configuration information of the communication element or function related to the specific communication capability or function, to prepare suitable resources for data traffic transmission via an interface between the first communication network control element or function and the second communication network control element or function, to prevent establishing a connection to a user plane function for the specific communication capability of function for avoiding a path switch, to confirm the switched mode to the first communication network control element or function, to reserve communication resources via a radio interface towards the communication network or function for providing traffic data related to the specific communication capability or function, and to serve the data traffic of the communication element or function with forwarding data packets between the communication element or function and a core network via the interface between the first communication network control element or function and the second communication network control element or function. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least: when requesting the switched mode, to receive and process a handover request from the first communication network control element or function including configuration information of the communication element or function related to the specific communication capability or function, and a request for providing service continuity with using dual or multi connectivity communication, to respond, when service continuity can be supported, to the handover request with transmitting a request to the first communication network control element or function to configure a split or switched bearer for service continuity, to establish a split or switched bearer with the communication element or function where the second communication network control element or function acting as a master cell, to prepare suitable resources for data traffic transmission via an interface between the first communication network control element or function and the second communication network control element or function, and to serve the data traffic of the communication element or function with forwarding data packets between the communication element or function and a core network via the interface between the first communication network control element or function and the second communication network control element or function. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least: to receive and process information indicating a validity timer indicating a timing when the dual or multi connectivity communication for providing service continuity is to be terminated in the at least one second network area, and to terminate the dual or multi connectivity communication with the communication element or function when the timer expires with conducting a handover to the second communication network control element or function. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least: to initiate, in case it is determined that the communication element or function enters from the at least one second network area into another network area providing the specific communication capability of function, switching of the communication connection to the other network area, to provide configuration information of the communication element or function related to the specific communication capability or function to a communication network control element or function of the other network area, and to terminate the switched mode when the switching of the communication connection to the other network area is completed. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least: to receive and process, from the first communication network control element or function, a communication capability search mode indication for informing the second communication network control element or function to set the communication element or function into a communication capability search mode in which a further switching of the communication connection to another network area providing the specific communication capability or function is accelerated. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the switched mode involves that the first communication network control element or function of the first network area is set as a master cell group and one second communication network control element or function of the at least one second network area is set as a secondary cell group, or that one second communication network control element or function of the at least one second network area is set as a master cell group and the first communication network control element or function of first network area and other second communication network control elements or functions are set as a secondary cell group. ### Claim 13 A method for use in a first communication network control element or function configured to control a communication connection of at least one communication element or function in a first network area providing a specific communication capability or function, the method comprising: determining that a communication element or function of the at least one communication element or function communicating in the first network area and using the specific communication capability or function enters at least one second network area which does not provide the specific communication capability or function and that a switching of the communication connection to the at least one second network area is initiated, causing to send a request, to at least one second communication network control element or function configured to control a communication connection of the communication element or function in the at least one second network area, to conduct a switched mode for providing service continuity for the communication element or function using the specific communication capability or function with starting a dual or multi connectivity communication, wherein the switched mode involves that at least one split or switched bearer is established to the communication element or function with the at least one second communication network control element or function via which the communication element or function communicates with at least one of the first network area or the at least one second network area, and wherein data traffic for the continued service using the specific communication capability or function is transmitted to or from the communication element of function from or to the first communication network control element or function via the at least one second communication network control element or function using the at least one split or switched bearer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, further comprising when requesting the switched mode, sending a secondary cell addition preparation request to the at least one second communication network control element or function for setting up a dual or multi connectivity communication with the second communication network control element or function as a secondary cell, providing to the at least one second communication network control element or function configuration information of the communication element or function related to the specific communication capability or function, preparing suitable resources for data traffic transmission via an interface between the first communication network control element or function and the second communication network control element or function, and transmitting data packets between the communication element or function and a core network via the interface between the first communication network control element or function and the second communication network control element or function. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, further comprising: when requesting the switched mode, sending a handover request to the second communication network control element or function including configuration information of the communication element or function related to the specific communication capability or function, and a request for providing service continuity with using dual or multi connectivity communication, receiving and processing a request from the second communication network control element or function to configure a split or switched bearer for service continuity, configuring a split or switched bearer of the communication element or function with the second communication network control element or function acting as a master cell, and instructing the communication element or function to stop monitoring user and control planes of the first communication network control element or function, preparing suitable resources for data traffic transmission via an interface between the first communication network control element or function and the second communication network control element or function, and transmitting data packets between the communication element or function and a core network via the interface between the first communication network control element or function and the second communication network control element or function. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, further comprising: setting a validity timer indicating a timing when the dual or multi connectivity communication for providing service continuity is to be terminated in the at least one second network area, and providing the validity timer to the at least one second communication network control element or function. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the switched mode involves that the first communication network control element or function of the first network area is set as a master cell group and one second communication network control element or function of the at least one second network area is set as a secondary cell group, or that one second communication network control element or function of the at least one second network area is set as a master cell group and the first communication network control element or function of first network area and other second communication network control elements or functions are set as a secondary cell group. ### Claim 18 A method for use in a second communication network control element or function configured to control a communication connection of at least one communication element or function in at least one second network area which does not provide a specific communication capability or function, the method comprising: receiving and processing, in case a communication element or function of the at least one communication element or function using the specific communication capability or function enters from a first network area providing the specific communication capability or function into the at least one second network area and switching of the communication connection to the at least one second network area is initiated, a request from a first communication network control element or function configured to control a communication connection of the communication element or function in the first network area to conduct a switched mode for providing service continuity for the communication element with starting a dual or multi connectivity communication, wherein the switched mode involves that: at least one split or switched bearer is established to the communication element or function with the second communication network control element or function via which the communication element or function communicates with at least one of the first network area or the at least one second network area, and wherein data traffic for the continued service using the specific communication capability or function is transmitted to or from the communication element of function from or to the first communication network control element or function via the second communication network control element or function using the at least one split or switched bearer. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method according to claim 18, further comprising: when requesting the switched mode, receiving and processing a secondary cell addition preparation request from the first communication network control element or function for setting up a dual or multi connectivity communication with the second communication network control element or function as a secondary cell, receiving, from the first communication network control element or function, and storing configuration information of the communication element or function related to the specific communication capability or function, preparing suitable resources for data traffic transmission via an interface between the first communication network control element or function and the second communication network control element or function, preventing establishing a connection to a user plane function for the specific communication capability of function for avoiding a path switch, confirming the switched mode to the first communication network control element or function, reserving communication resources via a radio interface towards the communication network or function for providing traffic data related to the specific communication capability or function, and serving the data traffic of the communication element or function with forwarding data packets between the communication element or function and a core network via the interface between the first communication network control element or function and the second communication network control element or function. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method according to claim 18, further comprising: when requesting the switched mode, receiving and processing a handover request from the first communication network control element or function including configuration information of the communication element or function related to the specific communication capability or function, and a request for providing service continuity with using dual or multi connectivity communication, responding, when service continuity can be supported, to the handover request with transmitting a request to the first communication network control element or function to configure a split or switched bearer for service continuity, establishing a split or switched bearer with the communication element or function where the second communication network control element or function acting as a master cell, preparing suitable resources for data traffic transmission via an interface between the first communication network control element or function and the second communication network control element or function, and serving the data traffic of the communication element or function with forwarding data packets between the communication element or function and a core network via the interface between the first communication network control element or function and the second communication network control element or function. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The method according to claim 18, further comprising: receiving and processing information indicating a validity timer indicating a timing when the dual or multi connectivity communication for providing service continuity is to be terminated in the at least one second network area, and terminating the dual or multi connectivity communication with the communication element or function when the timer expires with conducting a handover to the second communication network control element or function. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The method according to claim 18, further comprising: initiating, in case it is determined that the communication element or function enters from the at least one second network area into another network area providing the specific communication capability of function, switching of the communication connection to the other network area, providing configuration information of the communication element or function related to the specific communication capability or function to a communication network control element or function of the other network area, and terminating the switched mode when the switching of the communication connection to the other network area is completed. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The method according to claim 22, further comprising receiving, from the first communication network control element or function, and processing a communication capability search mode indication for informing the second communication network control element or function to set the communication element or function into a communication capability search mode in which a further switching of the communication connection to another network area providing the specific communication capability or function is accelerated. ### Claim 24 (depends on 18) The method according to claim 18, wherein the switched mode involves that the first communication network control element or function of the first network area is set as a master cell group and one second communication network control element or function of the at least one second network area is set as a secondary cell group, or that one second communication network control element or function of the at least one second network area is set as a master cell group and the first communication network control element or function of first network area and other second communication network control elements or functions are set as a secondary cell group.