# US 2018/0324079 A1 · Optimization of packet transmission paths > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0324079 A1 - Document ID: US20180324079A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/036,147 - Filed: 2018-07-16 - Published: 2018-11-08 - Earliest claimed: 2002-05-22 - Assignees: NEC Corporation - Applicants: NEC Corporation - Inventors: Yasuhiko MATSUNAGA - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180324079A1 ## CPC - H04L 45/12: Shortest path evaluation - H04L 63/08: {for authentication of entities (cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32)} - H04W 12/03: Protecting confidentiality, e.g. by encryption - H04W 40/02: Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing - H04L 45/04: {Interdomain routing, e.g. hierarchical routing} - H04L 63/04: {for providing a confidential data exchange among entities communicating through data packet networks} - H04W 12/06: Authentication - H04W 48/18: Selecting a network or a communication service - 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 is disclosed for optimizing packet transmission paths in a mobile communication network (400) in which packets are transmitted and received between mobile stations (10-14) or between a mobile station and a fixed network (120) by way of a plurality of packet transmission device (60-64, 70-72, 80, and 81) and radio base stations (50-57). When a mobile station uses a service that is provided by a fixed network (300), imposed are applied on the packet transmission path such that packets pass by way of specific packet transmission devices (80 and 81) depending on the fixed network (external network) 300. When the mobile station uses a service that is provided by the mobile communication network (400), on the other hand, no restrictions are imposed on the packet transmission path, and the packet transmission path is thus set such that the link costs are a minimum. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A first network node in a mobile communication network including a mobile station that supports a specific service related to connectivity provided by the mobile communication network, and a second network node that connects to an external network, the first network node comprising: a receiver configured to receive, from the mobile station, a registration request message and an authentication request message; and a controller configured to determine the specific service by using information that is provided from the mobile station and indicates that the mobile station is configured to support the specific service, and to select the second network node for the mobile station supporting the specific service, when the first network node determines the specific service. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The first network node according to claim 1, wherein the controller selects the second network node based on an Accces Point Name (APN) provided from the mobile station. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The first network node according to claim 1, wherein the first network node is a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN). ### Claim 4 A method for a first network node in a mobile communication network including a mobile station that supports a specific service related to connectivity provided by the mobile communication network, and a second network node that connects to an external network, the method comprising: receiving, from the mobile station, a registration request message and an authentication request message; and determining the specific service by using information that is provided from the mobile station and indicates that the mobile station is configured to support the specific service; and selecting the second network node for the mobile station supporting the specific service, when the first network node determines the specific service. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method according to claim 4, wherein the the second network node is selected based on an Access Point Name (APN) provided from the mobile station. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The method according to claim 4, wherein the first network node is a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN). ### Claim 7 A mobile station in a mobile communication network including a first network node, and a second network node that connects to an external network, the mobile station comprising: a controller configured to support a specific service related to connectivity provided by the mobile communication network, and store an Access Point Name (APN) and information indicating that the mobile station is configured to support the specific service; and a transmitter configured to send a registration request message and an authentication request message to the first network node that determines the specific service by using the information provided from the mobile station and selects the second network node for the mobile station supporting the specific service, when the first network node determines the specific service. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The mobile station according to claim 7, wherein the first network node selects the second network node based on the APN provided from the mobile station. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The mobile station according to claim 7, wherein the first network node is a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN). ### Claim 10 A method for a mobile station in a mobile communication network including a first network node, and a second network node that connects to an external network, the method comprising: supporting a specific service related to connectivity provided by the mobile communication network; storing an Access Point Name (APN) and information indicating that the mobile station is configured to support the specific service; and sending a registration request message and an authentication request message to the first network node that determines the specific service by using the information provided from the mobile station and selects the second network node for the mobile station supporting the specific service, when the first network node determines the specific service. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, wherein the first network node selects the second network node based on the APN provided from the mobile station. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, wherein the first network node is a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN).