Procedure for multi-APN communication

Abstract

Method for operating an M2M device with a telematics M2M module and a mobile radio eUICC, comprising: - Establishing an M2M network connection via the telematics M2M module to an M2M server using a first APN; - Establishing a mobile network connection via the eUICC to a mobile server using a second APN different from the first; characterized by the steps: - by the M2M device, in particular by the telematics M2M module or by the eUICC or by both the telematics M2M module and the eUICC: -- Determine whether the mobile network's APN capability is Multi-APN capable or Single-APN capable; -- in the case that the mobile network is determined as a single APN: establishing the M2M network connection and the mobile network connection only conditionally, including: as long as one network connection, M2M network connection or mobile network connection is established, preventing the establishment of the other network connection, mobile network connection or M2M network connection; and -- in case the mobile network is detected as multi-APN: even if one network connection, M2M network connection or mobile network connection is already established, allow the establishment of the other network connection, mobile network connection or M2M network connection.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a method for communication in a mobile radio network using a device that requires several APNs in parallel, for example an M2M module, especially a telematics module, in a vehicle. State of the art

[0002] US 2016 / 0066186 A1 shows a method for managing networks or access to such networks.

[0003] US 2017 / 0078869 A1 shows telecommunications terminals that dial into a cellular network and use corresponding services there.

[0004] A mobile device (commonly referred to as a "mobile device" in English-speaking countries) (e.g., a smartphone or cell phone) establishes a data connection to the mobile provider's GGSN (Gateway GPRS Support Node) via the APN (Access Point Name). The APN is a DNS hostname (Domain Name System) in the GPRS backbone system and is structured similarly to a web address on the Internet, e.g., "www.vodafone.de," etc. The term APN is also used in the successor networks to GSM (2G), namely UMTS (3G) and LTE (4G).

[0005] Modern M2M devices in vehicles (motor vehicles) have a telematics M2M module and a telecommunications eUICC (eUICC = embedded Integrated Universal Circuit Card), both of which are connected to a modem on the M2M device. This allows two separate network connections to the outside world. The telematics M2M module can be used to contact a vehicle manufacturer's server via a first telematics radio network in order to address control units, e.g. ECUs (ECU = Electronic Control Unit) for vehicle functions. The eUICC can be used to contact a server in the backend system of the mobile network operator (provider) via a second, conventional mobile network, specifically a provisioning server of the provider, in order to load updates for the eUICC's software, firmware and / or operating system into the eUICC.

[0006] The telematics M2M module and the eUICC of the M2M device use different APNs to contact their respective assigned servers. This allows the telematics M2M module and the eUICC to maintain network connections to their servers simultaneously.

[0007] Some mobile networks allow the simultaneous use of multiple APNs. Such mobile networks are referred to as multi-APN capable mobile networks. Other mobile networks, such as some Japanese mobile networks, do not allow the simultaneous use of multiple APNs. Such mobile networks are referred to as single-APN capable mobile networks.

[0008] If the eUICC is operated in a single-APN-capable mobile network, and a network connection to the eUICC's mobile server is established under a first APN while the telematics M2M module is connected to the M2M server under a second APN, the mobile network will automatically interrupt the connection between the telematics M2M module and the M2M server. Thus, establishing a data connection via the eUICC undesirably interrupts ongoing manufacturer services for the vehicle. Conversely, an ongoing eUICC data connection is interrupted by establishing a telematics connection to the M2M server in parallel. Summary of the invention

[0009] The invention is based on the object of creating a method for operating an M2M device with a telematics M2M module and a mobile radio eUICC, which allows operation with as little or no interference as possible even in single-APN capable mobile radio networks, in which the telematics M2M module and the eUICC interfere with each other as little as possible, but on the other hand entails as few restrictions as possible on network connections.

[0010] This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1 and an M2M device according to the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0011] The method according to claim 1 is based on an M2M device with a telematics M2M module and a mobile radio eUICC, with which external network connections can be established - usually via a modem of the M2M device to which the telematics M2M module and eUICC are both connected. According to the invention, if the mobile radio network in whose reception area the eUICC is currently located and which is to be used for a (data) connection is determined to be a single APN, the establishment of the M2M network connection and the mobile radio network connection is only carried out conditionally. The conditionality comprises that as long as a network connection exists in the M2M network connection (an M2M network connection has been established at some point and has not yet been terminated), the other network connection, i.e. the mobile radio network connection, is prevented from being established.It also prevents an M2M network connection from being established in parallel as long as a mobile network connection exists. This prevents the first established network connection from being uncontrollably terminated by establishing a second network connection.

[0012] According to claim 6, the telematics M2M module and / or the eUICC, or generally the M2M device, has an application, e.g. an applet, in particular a Java or native applet, which effects the conditional connection establishment according to the invention.

[0013] In the case of a single-APN-capable mobile network, only one telematics M2M module network connection or one eUICC network connection is operated. If a network connection already exists, the establishment of another network connection is prevented.

[0014] Therefore, according to claim 1, a method is created, and according to claim 6, a corresponding M2M device is created, which allows the M2M device to operate with as little or no interference as possible, even in single-APN capable mobile networks.

[0015] If the mobile network is Multi-APN capable, unconditional, unrestricted parallel operation of two network connections can be permitted, including unrestricted connection establishment, especially for data communication, to a second network if a first connection to a first of the two networks already exists. This allows, for example, a subscription profile download to the eUICC via the mobile network connection even while an M2M connection is active. This leads to better accessibility of the eUICC and faster download completion.

[0016] For example, a subscription profile is loaded into the eUICC via the cellular network connection. Control data for an ECU of the M2M device, for example, is loaded via the M2M network connection. In a multi-APN-capable network, subscription profile downloads and sending of M2M control data to ECUs are possible in parallel, without interference, across two concurrent network connections. In a single-APN-capable cellular network, however, subscription profile downloads and sending of M2M control data to ECUs are only performed sequentially or alternately interleaved to prevent mutual interference between the two processes.

[0017] Optionally, the determined (single or) multi-APN capability is transmitted to an APN database via the M2M network connection and / or mobile network connection, preferably together with an identifier (e.g. name) of the mobile network provider.

[0018] If such an APN database is available, when determining the (single or) multi-APN capability of the mobile network, it is checked whether there is an entry for the mobile network in the APN database and, if so, the entry is determined when determining the (single or) multi-APN capability.

[0019] Determining the (single or) multi-APN capability of a mobile network can be done using the following procedure, for example. The M2M device, more specifically the telematics M2M module or the eUICC, or both, attempts to establish network connections using two different APNs (possibly via the modem). If the attempted network connection is successful using both APNs simultaneously, the mobile network is identified as multi-APN capable. If the attempted network connection fails, the mobile network is identified as single-APN capable. Along with the detected APN capability, an identifier (name) of the mobile provider, i.e., the network operator, is recorded.

[0020] Optionally, the captured mobile provider identifier (name) and the associated APN capability can be sent via a network connection to the aforementioned APN database, which collects, archives, and makes available APN capabilities from mobile providers. APN capabilities that have already been identified using the described method or by other means and saved in the APN database can subsequently be easily retrieved by looking them up in the APN database. Short description of the drawings

[0021] In the following, the invention is explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 an M2M device with a telematics M2M module and a mobile radio eUICC, according to embodiments of the invention; Fig. 2 a table with APN capabilities of different mobile network providers, according to embodiments of the invention. Detailed description of implementation examples

[0022] Fig. Figure 1 shows M2M device D with a telematics M2M module and a mobile eUICC, as well as a modem to which both the telematics M2M module and the eUICC are connected. The telematics M2M module enables the establishment of an M2M network connection to an M2M server via the modem using designated APNs of the mobile operator (provider). The mobile operator (provider) forwards the data packets accordingly to a connected server via a specially configured virtual private network (VPN). Within the M2M device, the telematics M2M module is connected to a series of ECUs (Electronic Control Units), which control vehicle functionalities such as engine control, transmission control, climate control, and the like. The telematics M2M module and ECUs are typically interconnected via a CAN bus or a comparable bus system.The eUICC also enables the establishment of a mobile network connection, specifically a data connection in the mobile network, to a mobile server using the mobile operator's APN via the modem. An application (APP) is installed in the telematics M2M module or in the eUICC or in the telematics M2M module as well as in the eUICC. This application is configured to determine whether the mobile network's APN capability is multi-APN capable or single-APN capable. If the mobile network is determined to be single-APN, the application is configured to only conditionally permit the establishment of the M2M network connection and the mobile network connection. As long as one network connection, M2M network connection, or mobile network connection is established (and has not yet been terminated), the establishment of the other network connection, mobile network connection, or M2M network connection, is prevented.

[0023] Fig.2 shows a table with APN capabilities of different mobile network providers and resulting restrictions for establishing network connections, according to embodiments of the invention. The mobile network providers Fantofon and Fonofon operate single-APN capable mobile networks. Consequently, as long as the eUICC in the Fantofon or Fonofon mobile network is ready for connection, the additional establishment of an eUICC data connection in the mobile network is not permitted during an ongoing M2M data connection. The mobile network providers Kombikom and Multifon operate multi-APN capable mobile networks. Consequently, as long as the eUICC in the Kombikom or Multifon mobile network is ready for connection, the establishment of an eUICC data connection in the mobile network is readily permitted during an ongoing M2M data connection.

Claims

[1] Method for operating an M2M device with a telematics M2M module and a mobile radio eUICC, comprising: - Establishing an M2M network connection via the telematics M2M module to an M2M server using a first APN; - Establishment of a mobile network connection via the eUICC to a mobile server using a second APN different from the first; characterized by the steps: - by the M2M device, in particular by the telematics M2M module or by the eUICC or by both the telematics M2M module and the eUICC: -- Determine whether the mobile network's APN capability is Multi-APN capable or Single-APN capable; -- in the case that the mobile network is determined as a single APN: establishing the M2M network connection and the mobile network connection only conditionally, including: as long as one network connection, M2M network connection or mobile network connection is established, preventing the establishment of the other network connection, mobile network connection or M2M network connection; and -- in case the mobile network is detected as multi-APN: even if one network connection, M2M network connection or mobile network connection is already established, allow the establishment of the other network connection, mobile network connection or M2M network connection. [2] The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: transmitting the determined APN capability to an APN database via the M2M network connection and / or mobile network connection. [3] The method of claim 2 further comprising: when determining the APN capability of the mobile network, checking whether an entry for the mobile network exists in the APN database and, if so, using the entry when determining the APN capability. [4] Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the determination of an APN capability of the mobile network as multi-APN capable or single-APN capable is carried out by means of the following procedure: - by the M2M device, in particular by the telematics M2M module and / or by the eUICC: experimentally establishing a network connection with two different APNs; - If the initial connection is successful, determine whether the mobile network's APN capability is multi-APN capable; - If the initial connection attempt fails, determine whether the mobile network's APN capability is Single-APN capable. [5] M2M device (D), comprising a telematics M2M module and a mobile eUICC, configured to perform the steps: - Establishing an M2M network connection via the telematics M2M module to an M2M server using a first APN; - Establishment of a mobile network connection via the eUICC to a mobile server using a second APN different from the first; characterized by : - in the M2M device, in particular in the telematics M2M module or in the eUICC or in the telematics M2M module as well as in the eUICC: -- an application (APP) that is configured to determine an APN capability of the mobile network as Multi-APN capable or Single-APN capable; -- wherein the application (APP) is configured, in the event that the mobile network is determined to be a single APN: to only conditionally permit the establishment of the M2M network connection and the mobile network connection, comprising: as long as one network connection, M2M network connection or mobile network connection is established, preventing the establishment of the other network connection, mobile network connection or M2M network connection, wherein the application (APP) is further configured to: -- in case the mobile network is detected as multi-APN: even if one network connection, M2M network connection or mobile network connection is already established, allow the establishment of the other network connection, mobile network connection or M2M network connection. [6] M2M device (D) according to claim 5, wherein the application is further configured to transmit the determined APN capability to an APN database via the M2M network connection and / or the mobile network connection. [7] M2M device (D) according to claim 6, wherein the application (APP) is further configured to check, when determining the APN capability of the mobile network, whether an entry for the mobile network exists in the APN database and, if so, to use the entry when determining the APN capability.

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