# US 2020/0287818 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 2020/0287818 A1 - Document ID: US20200287818A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/883,782 - Filed: 2020-05-26 - Published: 2020-09-10 - Earliest claimed: 2002-05-22 - Assignees: NEC Corporation - Applicants: NEC Corporation - Inventors: Yasuhiko MATSUNAGA - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200287818A1 ## 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 system, the first network node comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor, the at least one memory storing instructions that when executed by the at least one processor cause the at least one processor to: receive, from a mobile station, a path establishment request message including type information that is not a name or an address of a node that is to be connected, the type information comprising either: a first type indicating that the mobile station requests to establish a first path, or a second type indicating that the mobile station requests a second path, employ a selection method that selects a second network node based on an Access Point Name (APN), determine whether the type information indicates the first type or the second type, and transfer at least a part of the path establishment request message to the second network node using the selection method, when the first network node determines that the type information indicates the first type. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The first network node according to claim 1, wherein the instructions stored in the at least one memory further comprise instructions that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to transfer at least the part of the path establishment message to a third network node not using the selection method, when the first network node determines that the type information indicates the second type. ### Claim 3 A communication method of a first network node in a mobile communication system, the method comprising: receiving, from a mobile station, a path establishment request message including type information that is not a name or an address of a node that is to be connected, the type information comprising either: a first type indicating that the mobile station requests to establish a first path, or a second type indicating that the mobile station requests a second path; employing a selection method that selects a second network node based on an Access Point Name (APN); determining whether the type information indicates the first type or the second type; and transferring at least a part of the path establishment request message to the second network node using the selection method, when the first network node determines that the type information indicates the first type. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method according to claim 3, further comprising: transferring at least the part of the path establishment message to a third network node not using the selection method, when the first network node determines that the type information indicates the second type. ### Claim 5 A mobile station in a mobile communication system, the mobile station comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor, the at least one memory storing instructions that when executed by the at least one processor cause the at least one processor to: store type information that is not a name or an address of a node that is to be connected, the type information comprising either: a first type indicating that the mobile station requests to establish a first path, or a second type indicating that the mobile station requests a second path, send a path establishment request message including the type information to a first network node that determines whether the type information indicates the first type or the second type, and receive a response message from the first network node via a base station, the first network node selecting a second network node based on an Access Point Name (APN) when the first network node determines that the type information indicates the first type. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The mobile station according to claim 5, wherein the first network node selects a third network node when the first network node determines that the type information indicates the second type. ### Claim 7 A communication method of a mobile station in a mobile communication system, the method comprising: storing type information that is not a name or an address of a node that is to be connected, the type information comprising either: a first type indicating that the mobile station requests to establish a first path, or a second type indicating that the mobile station requests a second path; sending a path establishment request message including the type information to a first network node that determines whether the type information indicates the first type or the second type; and receiving a response message from the first network node via a base station, the first network node selecting a second network node based on an Access Point Name (APN) when the first network node determines that the type information indicates the first type. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method according to claim 7, wherein the first network node selects a third network node when the first network node determines that the type information indicates the second type.