METHOD FOR DATA TRANSFER TO TWO SEPARATE GATEWAYS AND CORRESPONDING DEVICE

Description

1. Scope of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to data transmission between a communication device and a gateway interconnecting a first network, in which the communication device is located, and a second network. More specifically, the invention relates to the simultaneous transmission of data from the communication device to two separate networks. 2. Prior art and its disadvantages

[0002] There figure 1 schematically represents the architecture of a packet-oriented communication system.

[0003] Such a system 1 comprises at least one mobile station MS, such as a mobile phone, smartphone, etc., and a first gateway GW1 interconnecting a radio communication network (not shown in the figure), within whose radio coverage the mobile station MS is located, with an access network AN. The system 1 also comprises a second gateway GW2 interconnecting the access network AN with one or more IP (Internet Protocol) networks.

[0004] When system 1 conforms to the standards defining 2G or 3G, respectively second or third generation, the first gateway GW1 is an SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node) gateway and the second gateway GW2 is a GGSN (Gateway GPRS Support Node) type gateway.

[0005] When system 1 complies with the standards defining 4G (fourth generation) or LTE (Long Terra Evolution), the first gateway GW1 is a so-called "Serving Gateway" gateway and the second gateway GW2 is a PDN (Pocket Data Network gateway) type gateway.

[0006] In order to establish a connection with equipment located in an IP network interconnected to the AN access network via the second gateway GW2, the MS mobile station initiates, in a classic manner, an attachment procedure with the first gateway GW1.

[0007] Once this attachment procedure is complete, the mobile station (MS) activates a connection context that defines the parameters for establishing the connection. Activating such a context allows the MS to obtain an IP address and define a Quality of Service (QoS) level under which data transmission over the connection is performed. As also known from document WO 2010 / 034377, a single MS can activate several different contexts. In a system compliant with the standards defining 3G, such a context is called a Pocket Data Protocol (PDP) context.

[0008] In system 1 conforms to the standards defining 4G, such a context is called an EPS (Evolved Pocket System) context.

[0009] Such contexts are specifically defined by an Access Point Name (APN) which identifies the second gateway GW2. This APN is common to all contexts activated by a given MS mobile station.

[0010] In the field of payment terminals, a new generation of modular and feature-rich payment terminals is emerging. These so-called smart payment terminals can take the form of a touchscreen tablet that accepts all payment methods and offers business services necessary for managing a store. Such a tablet runs on an operating system, such as the operating system... Android, It is possible to easily and quickly integrate business applications, such as billing applications for example, in addition to classic applications in such smart payment terminals, and thus improve the merchant experience.

[0011] Such smart payment terminals transmit both data relating to payment transactions and, for example, data relating to software updates.

[0012] The payment transaction data transmitted by these payment terminals is sensitive, and it is crucial that this transmission be highly reliable. Therefore, it is essential that the transmitted data is not lost or corrupted during transmission so that it can be processed.

[0013] Software update data requires less reliable transmission. Connection requests may be less frequent, but the volume of data transmitted can be substantial.

[0014] These new payment terminals can also include so-called "business" applications which require the establishment of permanent connections with remote servers and which can generate a volume of exchanged data that is difficult to estimate.

[0015] However, currently, a smart payment terminal is not capable of transmitting these three types of data in accordance with their respective transmission constraints. Consequently, data relating to payment transactions and data relating to software updates or "business" applications are transmitted with the same transmission parameters, such as, for example, a quality of service or QoS level ( Quality of Service ) identical, which can represent a significant cost for the merchant.

[0016] Therefore, there is a need to provide a method of transmitting data from a communication device that allows simultaneous and distinct transmission constraints to be applied depending on the type of data to be transmitted. 3. Description of the invention

[0017] The invention addresses this need by proposing a data transmission method implemented by a communication device located in a first communication network, the method comprising a data transmission phase relating to a first type of service through a first connection established between the communication device and a first gateway interconnecting the first communication network and a second communication network in accordance with a first set of parameters comprising an identifier of the first gateway and parameters relating to the transmission of data relating to the first type of service, characterized in thatthe process includes, during the transmission phase, a step of establishing at least a second connection between the communication equipment and a second gateway interconnecting the first communication network and a third communication network in accordance with a second set of parameters including an identifier of the second gateway and parameters relating to the transmission of data relating to a second type of service.

[0018] Such a transmission method allows a communication device to simultaneously establish two connections with two different gateways and thus to exchange data associated with different transmission parameters.

[0019] For example, the first gateway and the second gateway are GGSN (Gateway GPRS Support Node) type gateways as defined by the 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) standards body.

[0020] Parameters related to data transmission for a specific type of service include, for example, an access point name or APN. An access point name comprises an identifier of the GGSN gateway with which a connection is established and parameters representative of a type of service associated with the data to be transmitted.

[0021] Thus, according to the transmission method described above, a communication device is capable of activating two PDP contexts with two different GGSN gateways, contrary to what is provided for in the prior art.

[0022] The communication equipment can therefore simultaneously transmit data relating to different types of services with distinct transmission parameters. In other words, the communication equipment is capable of transferring data relating to one type of service, such as a non-guaranteed service, through a first connection, and data relating to another type of service, such as a real-time service, through a second connection.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the transmission method, the parameters relating to the transmission of data relating to the first type of service and data relating to the second type of service include at least one parameter representing a type of service associated with the data to be transmitted.

[0024] Such a type of service is, for example, a real-time service, or a service without guarantee, or a service allowing the secure transmission of data, etc.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the transmission process, the parameter representing a type of service associated with the data to be transmitted includes an identifier of a quality of service level associated with the data to be transmitted.

[0026] Thus, each connection established by the communication equipment is associated with a quality of service level defined at the time of its establishment.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the transmission process, the parameter representing a type of service associated with the data to be transmitted includes an identifier of a transport protocol according to which the data is intended to be transmitted.

[0028] Thus each connection is established in accordance with a given protocol such as RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) or IPsec (Internet Protocol Security).

[0029] According to one embodiment of the transmission method, the parameters relating to the transmission of data relating to the first type of service and data relating to the second type of service include at least one identifier of an operator controlling the first communication network.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the transmission method, the parameters relating to the transmission of data relating to a first type of service and data relating to a second type of service include at least an identifier of a drawer made in the communication equipment and into which a SIM card is intended to be inserted.

[0031] In some cases, it can be useful for communication equipment to be able to use multiple SIM cards. In this scenario, it's possible to establish certain types of connections with one SIM card but not with another.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the transmission process, the first type of service specified in the first set of parameters according to which the first connection is established is a type of service called without guarantee.

[0033] It is useful to have a connection associated with a type of service known as "non-guaranteed." This allows data to be transmitted even when a connection cannot be established according to the required data transmission parameters.

[0034] The invention also relates to communication equipment located in a first communication network and comprising means for transmitting data relating to a first type of service through a first connection established with a first gateway interconnecting the first communication network and a second communication network in accordance with a first set of parameters comprising an identifier of the first gateway and parameters relating to the transmission of data relating to the first type of service, characterized in thatThe communication equipment includes means for establishing at least a second connection with a second gateway interconnecting the first communication network and a third communication network in accordance with a second set of parameters including an identifier of the second gateway and parameters relating to the transmission of data relating to a second type of service, the first connection still being active.

[0035] Such equipment can be included in a mobile phone, a tablet, etc.

[0036] The invention further relates to a payment terminal located in a first communication network comprising at least one communication device including means for transmitting data relating to a first type of service through a first connection established with a first gateway interconnecting the first communication network and a second communication network in accordance with a first set of parameters including an identifier of the first gateway and parameters relating to the transmission of data relating to the first type of service, characterized in thatThe communication equipment includes means for establishing at least a second connection with a second gateway interconnecting the first communication network and a third communication network in accordance with a second set of parameters including an identifier of the second gateway and parameters relating to the transmission of data relating to a second type of service, the first connection still being active.

[0037] The invention finally relates to a computer program product comprising program code instructions for the implementation of a process as described above, when executed by a processor.

[0038] The invention also relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising program code instructions for executing the steps of the transmission method according to the invention as described above.

[0039] Such a recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may include a storage means, such as a ROM, for example a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit ROM, or a magnetic recording means, for example a USB flash drive or a hard drive.

[0040] On the other hand, such a recording medium can be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, which can be transmitted via an electrical or optical cable, by radio, or by other means, so that the computer program it contains can be executed remotely. The program according to the invention can, in particular, be uploaded to a network, for example, the Internet.

[0041] Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the program is incorporated, the circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the aforementioned display control method. 4. List of figures

[0042] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description, given by way of simple illustration and not limitation, in relation to the figures, among which: la figure 1schematically represents the architecture of a packet-oriented communication system according to the prior art; la figure 2 represents a communication device 20 according to an embodiment of the invention; the figures 3 , 4 And 5 represent the steps implemented during the execution of the transmission process according to an embodiment of the invention. 5. Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0043] The present invention proposes a solution enabling a communication equipment to establish several simultaneous connections with separate communication networks in order to transmit data according to different transmission parameters and in a transparent manner for a user of the communication equipment.

[0044] There figure 2 represents a communication equipment 20 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0045] The communication equipment 20 may include at least one hardware processor 201, a storage unit 202, an input device 203, a display device 204, an interface 205, at least one network interface 206 and a communications manager 207 which are connected together through a bus 208. Of course, the components of the communication equipment 20 may be connected by means of a connection other than a bus.

[0046] The processor 201 controls the operations of the communication equipment 20. The storage unit 202 stores at least one program for implementing a transmission method according to an embodiment of the invention and, where the communication equipment is embedded in a payment terminal, at least one program relating to the execution of payment transactions, to be executed by the processor 201, and various data, such as parameters used for calculations performed by the processor 201, intermediate data from calculations performed by the processor 201, etc. The processor 201 can be formed by any known and suitable hardware or software, or by a combination of hardware and software. For example, the processor 201 can be formed by dedicated hardware such as a processing circuit, or by a programmable processing unit such as a central processing unit (CPU) ( Central Processing Unit) which executes a program stored in its memory.

[0047] The 202 storage unit can be formed by any suitable means capable of storing the program or programs and data in a computer-readable manner. Examples of 202 storage units include computer-readable non-transient storage media such as semiconductor memory devices, and magnetic, optical, or magneto-optical recording media loaded into a read / write unit.

[0048] The input device 203 can be a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse used by a user to enter commands. The display device 204 can also be a display module, such as, for example, a graphical user interface or GUI (for Graphical User Interface ) .The input device 203 and the display device 204 can be fully trained using a touch screen, for example.

[0049] Interface 205 provides an interface between communication equipment 20 and an external device such as a printer. Interface 205 can communicate with the external device via a wired or wireless connection.

[0050] At least one network interface 206 provides a connection between the communication equipment 20 and a remote piece of equipment, such as a gateway GW, via a communication network, such as the Internet. The network interface 206 may provide, depending on its nature, a wired or wireless connection to the network.

[0051] The communication manager 207 is controlled by the processor 201 according to the program instructions for implementing a transmission method according to one embodiment of the invention. The operation of the communication manager 207 is explained in more detail in connection with the steps for implementing a transmission method according to one embodiment of the invention. The communication manager can be a software module or a combination of hardware and software.

[0052] THE figures 3 , 4 And 5 represent the steps implemented during the execution of the transmission process according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0053] With reference to the figure 3, in a step 301, the communication manager 207 receives at least one set of parameters associated with at least one application, such as for example a payment application or an online gaming application, loaded into the communication equipment 20.

[0054] Each application provides a type of service, such as a payment service, a maintenance service, or a default or non-guaranteed service. The different service types are associated with a score that indicates the priority given to processing data related to those services. For example, the payment service takes priority over the maintenance service and is assigned a higher score.

[0055] In a first embodiment, the communication manager 207 can receive a set of parameters associated with at least one application via the input device 203. In this embodiment, a user of the communication equipment manually enters the set of parameters.

[0056] In a second embodiment, the communication manager 207 can receive a set of parameters associated with at least one application when the application is installed in the communication equipment 20. The set of parameters associated with the application is then transmitted to the communication manager 207 through the bus 208.

[0057] Thus, a set of parameters associated with an application includes at least one identifier for a gateway (GW) with which a connection can be established to transmit application data, and parameters relating to the transmission of data specific to the type of service provided by the application. The GW identifier is, for example, an access point name.

[0058] Parameters relating to the transmission of data relating to the type of service provided by the application include, for example, a service type identifier, a transport protocol identifier according to which the data is intended to be transmitted, or a quality of service level identifier associated with the data to be transmitted, etc.

[0059] The parameter set associated with an application may also include an identifier for a telecommunications operator responsible for the access network in which the communication equipment 20 is located, as well as information necessary for attaching the communication equipment 20 to the gateway GW. Indeed, some applications embedded in the communication equipment 20 may be authorized to exchange data when the communication equipment 20 is affiliated with a first telecommunications operator, but not authorized when the communication equipment 20 is affiliated with a second telecommunications operator.

[0060] The parameter set associated with an application may include an identifier for a slot (not shown in the figures) in the communication equipment 20 into which a SIM card is intended to be inserted. The parameter set associated with an application may also include authentication material for a user of the communication equipment 20, such as usernames and passwords.

[0061] A set of parameters associated with an application corresponds to a PDP context or an EPS context. Thus, a connection established between the communication equipment 20 and a GW gateway of type GGSN or PDN corresponds to a PDP context or an EPS context.

[0062] In a step 302, the communication manager 207 stores the parameter sets associated with an application received in a table stored in the storage unit 202. If for the same type of service, there are several different parameter sets associated with an application, only the most recent application parameter set is kept.

[0063] In step 303, the communication manager 207 receives, for each type of service, an identifier of a network interface 206 of the communication equipment 20 used to establish a connection with the gateway GW identified by the access point name APN included in the parameter set associated with an application providing the type of service in question. Such an identifier of a network interface 206 is, for example, its MAC address (for Medium Access Control ) .

[0064] Thus, at the end of step 303, the communication manager 207 established a correspondence between service types and network interfaces 206.

[0065] During step 304, the communication manager 207 triggers the establishment of a connection associated with the service type without guarantee or "best effort" "between the communication equipment 20 and a GW-Def gateway interconnecting the AN access network and an IP network, called the default connection. Such a default connection is used to transmit data emitted, for example, by applications providing a service of the default type, or data emitted by applications for which the type of service provided is not known."

[0066] The default connection is a so-called "permanent" connection, meaning that as long as the communication equipment is powered on and attached to a communication network, this default connection is not interrupted.

[0067] If a previous default connection is already established when the default connection is being established, the previous default connection is interrupted and replaced by the default connection being established.

[0068] With reference to the figure 4 , when an application embedded in the communication equipment 20 triggers the establishment of a communication session with a remote server, such as for example a banking server, it informs the connection manager 207, for example by transmitting a connection establishment request message, in a 401 step.

[0069] In a 402 step, the 207 connection manager determines a state, enabled or not enabled, of a PDP or EPS context associated with the type of service provided by the application.

[0070] If such a PDP or EPS context is enabled, the connection manager transmits, in a 403 step, a message to the application including an identifier of the network interface 206 through which the communication session can be established.

[0071] If such a PDP or EPS context is not activated, the communication manager 207 triggers the activation of the PDP or EPS context corresponding to the service provided by the application in a 404 step.

[0072] In a step 405, the connection manager 207 transmits a message to the application including an identifier of the network interface 206 through which the communication session can be established.

[0073] The fact that other PDP or EPS contexts are activated does not prevent the execution of steps 401 to 405. The communication manager 207 allows several PDP or EPS contexts to be activated simultaneously even when they include different access point names and therefore correspond to connections established with different IP networks.

[0074] In one embodiment of the transmission process, the connection manager can determine that the PDP or EPS context to be activated requires a SIM card change. In such an embodiment, all active PDP or EPS contexts are deactivated. Once the SIM card change has been performed, the transmission process is executed again from step 301 to step 405.

[0075] With reference to the figure 5, when an application embedded in the communication equipment 20 triggers the closure of a communication session with a remote server, it informs the connection manager 207, for example by transmitting a connection closure request message, in a 501 step.

[0076] In step 502, the connection manager 207 determines the type of service provided by the application.

[0077] If the service type provided by the application is non-guaranteed, Connection Manager 207 allows the application to close the session in a 503 step, for example, by passing an authorization message. However, because the service type is non-guaranteed, the corresponding PDP or EPS context cannot be disabled. Therefore, Connection Manager 207 does not trigger the disabling of the PDP or EPS context, and the associated default connection is not terminated.

[0078] If the type of service provided by the application is of a different type than the no-guarantee type, the connection manager 207 determines whether the PDP or EPS context corresponding to the type of service is enabled in a 504 step.

[0079] If the PDP or EPS context corresponding to the service type is not enabled, the 207 connection manager allows the application to close the session in a 505 step.

[0080] If the PDP or EPS context corresponding to the type of service is enabled, the connection manager 207 determines, in a step 506, whether another application providing the same type of service has an active communication session, i.e., that it is transmitting data through the associated connection.

[0081] If the connection is being used by another application, the 207 connection manager allows the application to close the session in a 507 step, for example, by sending an authorization message. However, the corresponding PDP or EPS context cannot be disabled because another application is transmitting data through the connection. Therefore, the 207 connection manager does not trigger the disabling of the PDP or EPS context, and the associated connection is not interrupted.

[0082] If the connection is not being used by another application, the 207 connection manager allows the application to close the session in a 508 step, for example by passing an authorization message.

[0083] In step 509, the connection manager 207 disables the corresponding PDP or EPS context and the associated connection is terminated.

Claims

1. A method of transmitting data implemented by a communication device (20) located in a first communication network, the method comprising: - a step of establishing at least a first connection between the communication device (20) and a first gateway (GW) interconnecting the first communication network and a second communication network in accordance with a first set of parameters comprising an identifier of the first gateway (GW) and parameters relating to the transmission of data relating to a first type of service known as a non-guaranteed service, said first connection being active for as long as the communication device (20) is attached to the first communication network, - a phase of transmitting data relating to the first type of service via said first connection established between the communication device (20) and the first gateway (GW), characterised in that the method comprises, during the transmission phase, a step of establishing at least a second connection between the communication device (20) and a second gateway interconnecting the first communication network and a third communication network in accordance with a second set of parameters comprising an identifier of the second gateway and parameters relating to the transmission of data relating to a second type of service.

2. A transmission method according to claim 1, characterised in that the parameters relating to the transmission of data relating to the second type of service comprise at least one parameter representative of a type of service associated with the data to be transmitted.

3. A transmission method according to claim 2, characterised in that the parameter representative of a service type associated with the data to be transmitted comprises an identifier of a quality of service level associated with the data to be transmitted.

4. A transmission method according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterised in that the parameter representative of a service type associated with the data to be transmitted comprises an identifier of a transport protocol according to which the data is intended to be transmitted.

5. A transmission method according to claim 1, characterised in that the parameters relating to the transmission of data relating to the first service type and data relating to the second service type comprise at least an identifier of an operator controlling the first communication network.

6. A transmission method according to claim 1, characterised in that the parameters relating to the transmission of data relating to a first type of service and data relating to a second type of service comprise at least an identifier of a slot provided in the communication device (20) and into which a SIM card is intended to be inserted.

7. Communication device (20) located in a first communication network and comprising: - means for establishing at least a first connection between the communication device (20) and a first gateway (GW) interconnecting the first communication network and a second communication network in accordance with a first set of parameters comprising an identifier of the first gateway (GW) and parameters relating to the transmission of data relating to a first type of service known as a non-guaranteed service, said first connection being active for as long as the communication device (20) is attached to the first communication network, - means for transmitting data relating to the first type of service via the first connection established with the first gateway, characterised in that the communication device (20) comprises means for establishing at least a second connection with a second gateway interconnecting the first communication network and a third communication network in accordance with a second set of parameters comprising an identifier of the second gateway and parameters relating to the transmission of data relating to a second type of service, the first connection still being active.

8. A payment terminal located in a first communication network comprising at least one communication device (20) comprising - means for establishing at least a first connection between the communication device and a first gateway (GW) interconnecting the first communication network and a second communication network in accordance with a first set of parameters comprising an identifier of the first gateway (GW) and parameters relating to the transmission of data relating to a first type of service known as a non-guaranteed service, said first connection being active for as long as the communication device (20) is attached to the first communication network, - means for transmitting data relating to the first type of service via the first connection established with the first gateway (GW), characterised in that the communication equipment comprises means for establishing at least a second connection with a second gateway interconnecting the first communication network and a third communication network in accordance with a second set of parameters comprising an identifier of the second gateway and parameters relating to the transmission of data relating to a second type of service, the first connection still being active.

9. A computer program product comprising program code instructions for implementing a transmission method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 when executed by a processor.