Methods and apparatus for controlling wireless network resources for data sessions based on IP address usage

A network component, comprising:

• a processor;
• memory;
• computer instructions stored in the memory;
• the computer instructions being executable by the processor for controlling network resources in a wireless network for a mobile station operating for communications in a data session, the data session being associated with a data inactivity timer for terminating the data session, the computer instructions being further executable for:
• assigning, from a pool of IP addresses, a temporary IP address for the mobile station in the wireless network, the mobile station having a home IP address associated with a home network;
• calculating a ratio or percentage of the number of IP addresses assigned to mobile stations in the wireless network and the total number of IP addresses in the pool;
• setting a registration duration timer value for the mobile station to an initial value that is less than the data inactivity timer of the data session and depends on the ratio or percentage of IP addresses such that, as the ratio or percentage increases, the initial value decreases;
• causing the temporary IP address and the registration duration timer value to be sent to the mobile station, wherein the mobile station is configured to register the temporary IP address with a home agent in the home network for IP mobility service, so that data packets of the data session which are addressed to the home IP address are tunneled to the temporary IP address of the mobile station in the wireless network;
• and
• communicating a termination request which terminates the IP mobility service when no request for re-registration is received from the mobile station upon expiration of the registration duration timer value.

A method for use in a mobile station for controlling network resources while operating for communications in a data session, the data session being associated with a data inactivity timer utilized for terminating the data session, the mobile station having a home IP address associated with a home network, the method comprising:

• receiving, via an alternative network, assignment of a temporary IP address from a pool of IP addresses utilized in the alternative network;
• receiving, via the alternative network, a registration duration timer value having an initial value that is less than the data inactivity timer of the data session and depends on a calculated ratio or percentage of the number of IP addresses assigned to mobile stations in the alternative network and the total number of IP addresses in the pool, such that as the ratio or percentage increases, the initial value decreases;
• registering, via the alternative network, the temporary IP address with a home agent in the home network for IP mobility service;
• receiving, via the alternative network using the IP mobility service, data packets originally addressed to the home IP address but tunneled to the temporary IP address of the mobile station in the alternative network;
• for continuing the IP mobility service:
• prior to expiration of the registration duration timer value, communicating to the alternative network a request for re-registration;
• and
• for terminating the IP mobility service:
• upon expiration of the registration duration timer value, refraining from communicating to the alternative network a request for re-registration, thereby invoking a termination request which terminates the IP mobility service.

A mobile station, comprising:

• a controller;
• a wireless transceiver coupled to the controller;
• the controller being configured to control network resources while the mobile station operates for communications in a data session, the data session being associated with a data inactivity tinier for terminating the data session, the mobile station having a home IP address associated with a home network, the controller being further configured to;
• receive, from an alternative network via the wireless transceiver, a temporary IP address from a pool of IP addresses utilized in the alternative network;
• receive, from the alternative network via the wireless transceiver, a registration duration timer value having an initial value that is less than the data inactivity timer of the data session and depends on a calculated ratio or percentage of the number of IP addresses assigned to mobile stations in the alternative network and the total number of IP addresses in the pool, such that as the ratio or percentage increases, the initial value decreases;
• register, from the alternative network via the wireless transceiver, the temporary IP address with a home agent in the home network for IP mobility service;
• receive, from the alternative network via the wireless transceiver, using the IP mobility service, data packets originally addressed to the home IP address but tunneled to the temporary IP address of the mobile station in the alternative network;
• for continuing the IP mobility service:
• prior to expiration of the registration duration timer value, communicate to the alternative network via the wireless transceiver a request for re-registration;
• and
• for terminating the IP mobility service:
• upon expiration of the registration duration timer value, refrain from communicating to the alternative network a request for re-registration, thereby invoking a termination request which terminates the IP mobility service.