Method and system for connecting plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method and a system for connecting plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment The present disclosure encompasses establishing, by a session establishment unit [202], one of: an internet protocol (IP) packet data unit (PDU) session for each logical CPE unit among a plurality of logical CPE units in a physical CPE unit, and an ethernet PDU session for the physical CPE unit. The method further comprises assigning, by an assignment unit [204], an Internet Protocol (IP) address to each SE among the plurality of SEs. The method further comprises applying, by a policy application unit [206], one or more policies to each SE among the plurality of SEs based on a plan provisioned for each logical CPE unit.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONNECTING PLURALITY OF SUBSCRIBER EQUIPMENT WITH A CUSTOMER PREMISE EQUIPMENTFIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of wireless communication systems. More particularly, embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method and a system for connecting plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment.BACKGROUND

[0002] The following description of the related art is intended to provide background information pertaining to the field of the disclosure. This section may include certain aspects of the art that may be related to various features of the present disclosure. However, it should be appreciated that this section is used only to enhance the understanding of the reader with respect to the present disclosure, and not as admissions of the prior art.

[0003] Wireless communication technology has rapidly evolved over the past few decades, with each generation bringing significant improvements and advancements. The first generation of wireless communication technology was based on analog technology and offered only voice services. However, with the advent of the second-generation (2G) technology, digital communication and data services became possible, and text messaging was introduced. 3G technology marked the introduction of high-speed internet access, mobile video calling, and location-based services. The fourth-generation (4G) technology revolutionized wireless communication with faster data speeds, better network coverage, and improved security. Currently, the fifth-generation (5G) technology is being deployed, promising even faster data speeds, low latency, and the ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously. With each generation, wireless communication technology has become more advanced, sophisticated, and capable of delivering more services to its users.

[0004] User equipment, or UE, is a term used in 3G / 4G / 5G / 6G cellular communications to describe a cellular device, such as a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or other type of wireless device that is used to access the network. A UE may support one or more subscriber’s identification modules (SIMs). Using a SIM, UE of a subscriber connects with a cellular network. Suchconnection is called a subscriber connection, which is authenticated by network using credentials associated with the SIM and identified in network using a setup of IPv4 / IPv6 addresses. As per the subscriber’s plan, the network applies policy on the subscriber connection and performs charging and billing on the connection.

[0005] Further, a CPE (Customer Premises Equipment) is an equipment that is installed at a subscriber’s location, and is used to connect the subscriber’s premises to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) or other networks. In addition to providing connectivity with a PSTN, providing LAN connectivity options, the CPE also facilitates the user / subscriber to connect to a cellular network.

[0006] Even though multiple devices, each owned by a different user, connects to a CPE using LAN connectivity, the cellular network may still perceive it as a single subscriber connection, and in some conditions, is unable to recognize or identify multiple users in the LAN of the CPE.

[0007] In the existing systems, a single CPE may be connected to single subscriber equipment, i.e., a single home gateway, wherein a single home gateway may be connected to one or more devices. In this case, the identification of the subscriber equipment (SE) is not a problem. However, when the CPE is connected to multiple subscriber equipment i.e. multiple home gateways, identification of the SEs may be a problem. Thus, there is a need for recognizing multiple devices / users connected to LAN of the CPE as ‘subscribers’, authenticate the ‘subscriber’ and apply policy and charging as per their plan. Once a SE is identified, then the internet policies and charging policies can be applied on the same. The present invention aims to address the above and other inherent problems in the state of the art.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0008] This section is provided to introduce certain aspects of the present disclosure in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify the key features or the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0009] An aspect of the present disclosure may relate to a method for connecting a plurality of subscriber equipment (SEs) with a customer premise equipment (CPE), the method comprising establishing, by a session establishment unit, one of an internet protocol (IP) packet data unit (PDU) session for each logical CPE unit among a plurality of logical CPE units in a physical CPEunit, and an ethemet PDU session for the physical CPE unit. The method further comprises assigning, by an assignment unit, an Internet Protocol (IP) address to each SE among the plurality of SEs. The method further comprises applying, by a policy application unit, one or more policies to each SE among the plurality of SEs based on a plan provisioned for each logical CPE unit.

[0010] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, each logical CPE unit is associated with a separate subscriber identity module (SIM) provisioned with the plan.

[0011] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the method further comprises assigning, by the assignment unit, the Internet Protocol (IP) address to each SE among the plurality of SEs, is based further on one of: a pre-defined mapping of the plurality of logical CPE units and the plurality of SE in an event of creation of the plurality of logical CPE units in the physical CPE unit, and an attachment of the each SE with a Cellular Core Network (CCN) in an event of creation of the ethernet PDU session.

[0012] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the attachment of each SE with the CCN is based on an IP assignment request sent from each SE to the CCN.

[0013] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the one or more policies comprise one or more of a set of internet policies, a set of other general policies, and a set of charging policies.

[0014] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, prior to establishing, by the session establishment unit, the IP PDU session for each logical CPE unit among the plurality of logical CPE units, the method comprises creating, by a creation unit, a plurality of logical CPE units in the physical CPE unit.

[0015] Another aspect of the present disclosure may relate to a system for connecting a plurality of subscriber equipment (SEs) with a customer premise equipment (CPE). The system comprises a session establishment unit. The session establishment unit is configured to establish one of: an internet protocol (IP) packet data unit (PDU) session for each logical CPE unit among a plurality of logical CPE units in a physical CPE unit, and an ethemet PDU session for the physical CPE unit. The system further comprises an assignment unit connected to at least the session establishment unit. The assignment unit is configured to assign an internet protocol (IP) address to each SE among the plurality of SEs. The system further comprises a policy application unit connected to at least the assignment unit. The policy application unit is configured to apply one ormore policies to each SE among the plurality of SEs, based on a plan provisioned for each logical CPE unit.

[0016] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure may relate to a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions for connecting plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment the instructions include executable code which, when executed by one or more units of a system, causes: a session establishment unit of the system to establish one of: an internet protocol (IP) packet data unit (PDU) session for each logical CPE unit among a plurality of logical CPE units in a physical CPE unit, and an ethernet PDU session for the physical CPE unit. Further, the executable code, when executed, causes an assignment unit of the system to assign an internet protocol (IP) address to each SE among the plurality of SEs. Further, the executable code, when executed, causes a policy application unit of the system to apply one or more policies to each SE among the plurality of SEs, based on a plan provisioned for each logical CPE unit.OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0017] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment disclosed herein satisfies are listed herein below.

[0018] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system and a method for connecting a plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment.

[0019] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a method and a system for connecting a plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment by creating multiple logical CPE instances.

[0020] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a method and a system for connecting a plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment by creating an ethernet PDU (packet data unit) session and working in bridged mode.

[0021] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a method and a system for connecting a plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment thereby reducing the cost without any deterioration in user experience.

[0022] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a solution that makes optimum utilisation of the CPE resources by sharing the resource as well as available bandwidth across multiple users across multiple home gateways, and applying internet policies and charging plans / policies on the subscriber equipment by identifying the subscriber equipment more effectively.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods and systems in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings. Components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Also, the embodiments shown in the figures are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure, but the possible variants of the method and system according to the disclosure are illustrated herein to highlight the advantages of the disclosure. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that disclosure of such drawings includes disclosure of electrical components or circuitry commonly used to implement such components.

[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a computing device upon which the features of the present disclosure may be implemented, in accordance with exemplary implementation of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a system for connecting plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a method flow diagram for connecting plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates a first exemplary scenario flow diagram for connecting plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates a second exemplary scenario flow diagram for connecting plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.

[0029] The foregoing shall be more apparent from the following more detailed description of the disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. Several features described hereafter may each be used independently of one another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or might address only some of the problems discussed above.

[0031] The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth.

[0032] Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, circuits, systems, processes, and other components may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail.

[0033] Also, it is noted that individual embodiments may be described as a process which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations may be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed but could have additional steps not included in a figure.

[0034] The word “exemplary” and / or “demonstrative” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition, any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” and / or “demonstrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “has,” “contains,” and other similar words are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive — in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as an open transition word — without precluding any additional or other elements.

[0035] As used herein, “a user equipment”, “a user device”, “a subscriber equipment”, “a smartuser-device”, “a smart-device”, “an electronic device”, “a mobile device”, “a handheld device”, “a wireless communication device”, “a mobile communication device”, “a communication device” may be any electrical, electronic and / or computing device or equipment, capable of implementing the features of the present disclosure. The user equipment / device may include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, smart phone, laptop, a general-purpose computer, desktop, personal digital assistant, tablet computer, wearable device or any other computing device which is capable of implementing the features of the present disclosure. Also, the user device may contain at least one input means configured to receive an input from unit(s) which are required to implement the features of the present disclosure.

[0036] All modules, units, components used herein, unless explicitly excluded herein, may be software modules or hardware processors, the processors being a general-purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Array circuits (FPGA), any other type of integrated circuits, etc.

[0037] As used herein the transceiver unit includes at least one receiver and at least one transmitter configured respectively for receiving and transmitting data, signals, information or a combination thereof between units / components within the system and / or connected with the system.

[0038] As discussed in the background section, the current known solutions have several shortcomings. The present disclosure aims to overcome the above-mentioned and other existingproblems in this field of technology by providing a method and a system of connecting a plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment. The current known solutions for providing home and business level broadband using single customer premise equipment (CPE) and subscriber identity module (SIM) to multiple customers have several shortcomings such as in the currently known solutions, the CPE is normally installed outside customer’s premise, and it is connected to home gateway though an Ethernet Cable. This arrangement ensures that good signal is received outside home even in mid band and mm Wave.

[0039] In an example, an operator wants to provide home broadband services using a CPE. The operator wants to minimize cost per broadband connection by sharing the CPE connection among multiple homes (broadband subscribers). Typically, such CPE can be placed on the rooftop of a residential building or any other place where the cellular signal strength and coverage is good. Each home can have a HGW (Home Gateway) that connects with CPE over a large area network (LAN) and further provides LAN connectivity (such as Ethernet and WLAN) to devices in the home. The HGW is a specific example of SE (Subscriber Equipment). The operator needs to be able to enforce policy such as bandwidth management on each broadband subscriber connection and charge the broadband subscriber as per the subscribed plan.

[0040] This is only one example and there could be more such use-cases. A person skilled in the art would appreciate that the above example does not limit or restrict the present disclosure in any possible manner.

[0041] The present disclosure aims to overcome the above-mentioned and other existing problems in this field of technology by using the CPE with SIM as a network device that can provide services to multiple customers thereby mainly reducing the cost without any deterioration in user experience and can identify the subscriber equipment if the CPE is connected to multiple home gateways. Since the CPE comprises a 4G / 5G modem, the cost of the CPE is very high. Therefore, it is a prudent idea to share a single CPE among maximum number of subscriber equipment. This can be done by sharing single CPE across multiple homes or the home gateways. In an implementation, the disclosure comprises of multiple logical CPE instances in one physical CPE and each of these logical CPEs are mapped to distinct SE in CPE’s LAN. The logical CPE’s identity becomes the identity of the mapped SE. In another implementation, the disclosure comprises of creating ethemet PDU (packet data unit) session and working in bridged mode by the consumer premise equipment (CPE), so that all the subscriber equipment (SE) ethernet frames reaches thecellular core network (CCN) and SE’s identity is visible. This implementation may be applicable only to the technologies where Ethernet PDU session type is supported.

[0042] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a computing device

[0100] upon which the features of the present disclosure may be implemented in accordance with exemplary implementation of the present disclosure. In an implementation, the computing device

[0100] may also implement a method for connecting a plurality of subscriber equipment (SEs) with a customer premise equipment (CPE) utilising the system. In another implementation, the computing device

[0100] itself implements the method for connecting plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment using one or more units configured within the computing device

[0100] , wherein said one or more units are capable of implementing the features as disclosed in the present disclosure.

[0044] The computing device

[1100] may include a bus

[0102] or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and a hardware processor

[0104] coupled with bus

[0102] for processing information. The hardware processor

[0104] may be, for example, a general-purpose microprocessor. The computing device

[0100] may also include a main memory

[0106] , such as a random-access memory (RAM), or other dynamic storage device, coupled to the bus

[0102] for storing information and instructions to be executed by the processor

[0104] , The main memory

[0106] also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of the instructions to be executed by the processor

[0104] , Such instructions, when stored in non-transitory storage media accessible to the processor

[0104] , render the computing device

[0100] into a special-purpose machine that is customized to perform the operations specified in the instructions. The computing device

[0100] further includes a read only memory (ROM)

[0108] or other static storage device coupled to the bus

[0102] for storing static information and instructions for the processor

[0104] ,

[0045] A storage device

[0110] , such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, or solid-state drive is provided and coupled to the bus

[0102] for storing information and instructions. The computing device

[0100] may be coupled via the bus

[1102] to a display

[0112] , such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), Liquid crystal Display (LCD), Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, Organic LED (OLED) display, etc. for displaying information to a computer user. An input device

[0114] , including alphanumeric andother keys, touch screen input means, etc. may be coupled to the bus

[0102] for communicating information and command selections to the processor

[0104] , Another type of user input device may be a cursor controller

[0116] , such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys, for communicating direction information and command selections to the processor

[0104] , and for controlling cursor movement on the display

[0112] , The input device typically has two degrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g., x) and a second axis (e.g., y), that allow the device to specify positions in a plane.

[0046] The computing device

[0100] may implement the techniques described herein using customized hard-wired logic, one or more ASICs or FPGAs, firmware and / or program logic which in combination with the computing device

[0100] causes or programs the computing device

[0100] to be a special-purpose machine. According to one implementation, the techniques herein are performed by the computing device

[0100] in response to the processor

[0104] executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in the main memory

[0106] , Such instructions may be read into the main memory

[0106] from another storage medium, such as the storage device

[0110] , Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in the main memory

[0106] causes the processor

[0104] to perform the process steps described herein. In alternative implementations of the present disclosure, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions.

[0047] The computing device

[0100] also may include a communication interface

[0118] coupled to the bus

[0102] , The communication interface

[0118] provides a two-way data communication coupling to a network link

[0120] that is connected to a local network

[0122] , For example, the communication interface

[0118] may be an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card, cable modem, satellite modem, or a modem to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line. As another example, the communication interface

[0118] may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN. Wireless links may also be implemented. In any such implementation, the communication interface

[0118] sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams representing various types of information.

[0048] The computing device

[0100] can send messages and receive data, including program code, through the network(s), the network link

[0120] and the communication interface

[0118] , In the Internet example, a server

[0130] might transmit a requested code for an application program through the Internet

[0128] , the ISP

[0126] , the local network

[0122] , the host

[0124] and thecommunication interface

[0118] , The received code may be executed by the processor

[0104] as it is received, and / or stored in the storage device

[0110] , or other non-volatile storage for later execution.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 2, an exemplary block diagram of a system

[0200] for connecting a plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment is shown, in accordance with the exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. The system

[0200] comprises at least one session establishment unit

[0202] , at least one assignment unit

[0204] , at least one policy application unit

[0206] , and at least one creation unit

[0208] , Also, all of the components / units of the system

[0200] are assumed to be connected to each other unless otherwise indicated below. As shown in the figures all units shown within the system

[0200] should also be assumed to be connected to each other. Also, in FIG. 2 only a few units are shown, however, the system

[0200] may comprise multiple such units or the system

[0200] may comprise any such numbers of said units, as required to implement the features of the present disclosure. Further, in an implementation, the system

[0200] may be present in a user device / user equipment

[0102] to implement the features of the present disclosure. In another implementation, the system

[0200] may reside in a server or a network entity. In yet another implementation, the system

[0200] may reside partly in the server / network entity.

[0050] The system

[0200] is configured for connecting a plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment, with the help of the interconnection between the components / units of the system

[0200] ,

[0051] In one example, the system

[0200] may be in communication with other network entities / components known to a person skilled in the art. Such network entities / components have not been depicted in FIG. 2 and have not been explained here for the sake of brevity.

[0052] In order to connect a plurality of subscriber equipment (SEs) with a customer premise equipment (CPE), the session establishment unit

[0202] is configured to establish one of: an internet protocol (IP) packet data unit (PDU) session for each logical CPE unit among a plurality of logical CPE units in a physical CPE unit, and an ethemet PDU session for the physical CPE unit.

[0053] In an implementation of the present disclosure, during an association of a new Subscriber Equipment (SE) with the network, a mapping may be done at the network level to connect the specific Subscriber Equipment (SE) with the corresponding logical Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) unit. The mapping confirms that the SE may be assigned to a particular user within the network.

[0054] The term ‘subscriber equipment’ refers to a device used by an end user to access network services. The examples include smartphones, laptops, loT devices, etc. Further, the ‘CPE’ refers to the equipment located at the subscriber’s / customer’s location that serves as an interface between the subscriber equipment (SEs) and the network service provider.

[0055] Furthermore, an IP PDU session is used to transmit data packets over the internet between SEs and the network via the CPE. The PDU session refers to a connection that facilitates data transfer between the SEs and CPE.

[0056] Also, the logical CPE unit refers to virtual units of CPE that can be created inside the physical CPE with different identities and can act as separate CPE devices / units to manage network communication independently. The physical CPE unit is the actual hardware device located at the customer’s locations. It interacts with the network on a physical level, handling connections, data routing, and communication with SEs.

[0057] Thereafter, the ethemet PDU session refers to the transmission of data packets between devices using Ethernet protocol, which is fast and stable.

[0058] For example, let’s assume, there are multiple devices (such as smartphones, laptops, and smart TVs) in an area (such as home, office, etc.). The CPE manages network connections for the multiple devices. The CPE may include one or more logical units that handle different tasks. The one or more logical units ensures that each device may connect to the network appropriately.

[0059] In an example, each logical unit of the CPE is associated with a separate subscriber identity module (SIM) provisioned with a subscription plan. The subscription plan may refer to a service plan that may be provided by the network service provider to a customer. The subscription plan may be related to internet service, voice calls, data usage limits, speed restrictions, and any other services associated with the user’s subscription. Each Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), may be associated with a particular logical unit of the CPE that is configured with the network settings, policies, and permissions corresponding to the subscription plan.

[0060] In an implementation of the present disclosure, each logical CPE instance serves one SE. Each pair of CPE instance and SE connect with each other over the LAN. Further, each logical unit of the CPE may be associated to a unique Subscriber Identity Module (SIM). The SIM mayhave a specific network service plan, such as, but not limited to, a particular data speed, minutes of voice calls, etc. Each logical unit of the CPE may be associated with a separate SIM so that each subscriber connected to the logical unit of the CPE operates independently.

[0061] In an implementation, prior to establishment of the IP PDU session for each logical CPE unit among the plurality of logical CPE units, the creation unit

[0208] is configured to create a plurality of logical CPE units in the physical CPE unit. This means that the creation unit

[0208] engages the physical CPE’s resources in a way that each logical CPE may act like a separate, independent device for the associated SE.

[0062] For example, in a home served by a single physical CPE unit, there are multiple users who want to use network services. For each user, to use these services, for example, gaming, voice calls, etc., each logical unit of the CPE allows the multiple users to share resources of the single physical CPE according to their subscription plan.

[0063] Once the logical units of the CPE are created, the session establishment unit

[0202] initiates an IP PDU session for each logical CPE unit. This means that each logical unit of the CPE may assign a unique IP session, which allows it to handle data transmission independently.

[0064] Continuing further, an assignment unit

[0204] is configured to assign an internet protocol (IP) address to each SE among the plurality of SEs.

[0065] In an implementation of the present disclosure, each SE may request an IP address from the core network (i.e., the CCN). The core network then assigns an IP address to each SE, via the assignment unit

[0204] , to the corresponding logical CPE unit. The logical CPE unit then may provide the assigned IP address to the SE, confirming that each device has a unique identifier for communication.

[0066] In an implementation of the present disclosure, once the multiple logical CPE units are created within a physical CPE unit, the assignment unit

[0204] assigns IP addresses to each SE based on a pre-defined mapping. The pre-defined mapping refers to a mapping between IP addresses and SE that may exist in a database associated with the core network.

[0067] For example, if a home network has three logical CPE units for different purposes (like accessing web, gaming, and security), each SE (such as a computer, gaming console, or security camera) may receive an IP address based on its association with one of the logical unit of the CPE.

[0068] Alternatively, if an Ethernet PDU session is established, the assignment of IP addresses comprises sending, by each SE, an IP address assignment request to the core network (CCN) as part of the Ethernet session setup. The core network then assigns an IP address to the SE and connects the address to the SE. The CCN may have full visibility of the SE session in this case and is also able to delete the SE session in case the SE is no longer connected.

[0069] In an implementation of the present disclosure, the attachment of each SE to the Core Network (CCN) initiates with the SE sending an IP address assignment request to the CCN in an event of creation of the Ethernet PDU session. This request is initiated by the SE when it connects to the network and needs an IP address to communicate.

[0070] Thus, in an implementation, the assignment unit

[0204] is configured to assign the Internet Protocol (IP) address to each SE among the plurality of SEs, based further on one of: a pre-defined mapping of the plurality of logical CPE units and the plurality of SEs in an event of creation of the plurality of logical CPE units in the physical CPE unit, and an attachment of the each SE with the CCN

[0407] in an event of creation of the ethernet PDU session.

[0071] Continuing further, once the plurality of logical CPEs have been created and the IP address has been assigned to each of the SEs, the policy application unit

[0206] is configured to apply one or more policies to each SE among the plurality of SEs, based on a plan provisioned for each logical CPE unit.

[0072] In an implementation of the present disclosure, once the IP address is assigned, various policies related to internet usage and charging may apply to each SE. The CPE session in the network is equivalent to SE session.

[0073] Further, these policies may be applied to each SE based on its requirements and service plan. The plan provisioned refers to the setup of the SE, like a phone or a computer, with a service plan that determines the kind of services it can access on the network. The policies are applied as per the subscription plan provisioned for the SE.

[0074] In an implementation, the one or more policies comprise one or more of a set of internet policies, a set of other general policies, and a set of charging policies.

[0075] In an example, the set of internet policies define how SEs use the internet. The internet policies set limits on how much data an SE may use each month, such as 100 GB. In addition, the internet policies may be utilized to determine bandwidth required for activities such as video calls, audio calls, email service, and the like. For instance, a video call needs more bandwidth than an audio call. Therefore, the internet policies may have pre-defined bandwidths for each activity to avoid any lag or delay during calls or during accessing internet.

[0076] In another example, a set of charging policies define how SEs may bill for internet and other services. The set of charging policies may define how charges are calculated for any service. The charges may be calculated by an amount of data used beyond a set limit. For example, SEs may be charged extra if they use more data than their plan allows. There are rules for billing special services, like higher fees for faster internet or gaming services. In another example, the charges may be fixed for monthly, quarterly, or yearly usage of services.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary method flow diagram

[0300] for connecting plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure is shown.

[0078] In an implementation the method

[0300] is performed by the system

[0200] , Further, in an implementation, the system

[0200] may be present in a server device to implement the features of the present disclosure. Also, as shown in Figure 4, the method

[0300] starts at step

[0302] ,

[0079] At step

[0304] , the method comprises, establishing, by a session establishment unit

[0202] , one of: an internet protocol (IP) packet data unit (PDU) session for each logical CPE unit among a plurality of logical CPE units in a physical CPE unit, and an ethernet PDU session for the physical CPE unit.

[0080] In an implementation of the present disclosure, during an association of a new Subscriber Equipment (SE) with the network, a mapping may be done at the network level to connect the specific Subscriber Entity (SE) with the corresponding logical Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) unit. The mapping confirms that the SE may be assigned to a particular user within the network.

[0081] Furthermore, an IP PDU session is used to transmit data packets over the internet between SEs and the network via the CPE. The PDU session refers to a connection that facilitates data transfer between the SEs and CPE.

[0082] In an implementation, each logical CPE unit is associated with a separate subscriber identity module (SIM) provisioned with the plan.

[0083] In an implementation of the present disclosure, each logical CPE unit may be associated to a unique Subscriber Identity Module (SIM). The SIM may have a specific network service plan, such as but not limited to, a particular data speed, minutes of voice calls, etc. Each logical unit of the CPE may be associated with a separate SIM so that each subscriber connected to the logical unit of the CPE operates independently.

[0084] In an implementation, wherein prior to establishing, by the session establishment unit

[0202] , the IP PDU session for each logical CPE unit among the plurality of logical CPE units, the method comprises creating, by a creation unit

[0208] , a plurality of logical CPE units in the physical CPE unit. This means that the creation unit

[0208] engages the physical CPE’s resources in a way that each logical CPE may act like a separate, independent device for the associated SE.

[0085] Once the logical CPE units are created, the establishment unit

[0202] initiates an IP PDU session for each logical CPE unit. This means that each logical CPE unit may assign a unique IP session, which allows it to handle data transmission independently.

[0086] At step

[0306] , the method comprises, assigning, by an assignment unit

[0204] , an Internet Protocol (IP) address to each SE among the plurality of SEs.

[0087] In an implementation of the present disclosure, each SE may request an IP address from the core network (i.e., CCN). The network then assigns an IP address to each SE, via the assignment unit

[0204] to the corresponding logical CPE unit. The logical CPE unit then may provide the assigned IP address to the SE, confirming that each device has a unique identifier for communication.

[0088] In an implementation of the present disclosure, once the multiple logical CPE units are created within a physical CPE unit, the assignment unit

[0304] assigns IP addresses to each SEbased on a pre-defined mapping. The pre-defined mapping refers to a mapping between IP addresses and SE that may exist in a database associated with the core network.

[0089] Alternatively, if an Ethernet PDU session is established, the assignment of IP addresses comprises sending by each SE an IP address assignment request to the core network (CCN) as part of the Ethernet session setup. The core network then assigns an IP address to the SE and connects the address to the SE. The CCN may have full visibility of the SE session in this case and is also able to delete the SE session in case the SE is no longer connected.

[0090] In an implementation of the present disclosure, the attachment of each SE to the Core Network (CCN) initiates with the SE sending an IP address assignment request to the CCN in an event of creation of the Ethernet PDU session. This request is initiated by the SE when it connects to the network and needs an IP address to communicate.

[0091] Thus, in an implementation, the assignment unit

[0204] is configured to assign the Internet Protocol (IP) address to each SE among the plurality of SEs, based further on one of a pre-defined mapping of the plurality of logical CPE units and the plurality of SE in an event of creation of the plurality of logical CPE units in the physical CPE unit, and an attachment of each SE with the CCN

[0407] in an event of creation of the ethernet PDU session.

[0092] At step

[0308] , the method comprises, applying, by a policy application unit

[0206] , one or more policies to each SE among the plurality of SEs based on a plan provisioned for each logical CPE unit.

[0093] In an implementation of the present disclosure, once the IP address is assigned, various policies related to internet usage and charging may apply to each SE. The CPE session in the network is equivalent to SE session. Further, these policies may be applied to each SE based on its requirements and service plan. The policies are applied as per the subscription plan provisioned for the SE.

[0094] In an implementation, the one or more policies comprises one or more of a set of internet policies, a set of other general policies, and a set of charging policies.

[0095] In an example, the set of internet policies define how SEs use the internet. The internet policies set limits on how much data an SE may use each month, such as 100 GB. In addition, theinternet policies may be utilized to determine bandwidth required for activities such as video calls, audio calls, email service, and the like. For instance, a video call needs more bandwidth than an audio call. Therefore, the internet policies may have pre-defined bandwidths for each activity to avoid any lag or delay during calls or during accessing internet.

[0096] In another example, a set of charging policies define how SEs are billed for internet and other services. The set of charging policies may define how charges are calculated for any service. The charges may be calculated by an amount of data used beyond a set limit. For example, SEs may be charged extra if they use more data than their plan allows. Also, there are rules for billing special services, like higher fees for faster internet or gaming services. In another example, the charges may be fixed for monthly, quarterly, or yearly usage of services.

[0097] Thereafter, the method terminates at step

[0310] ,

[0098] FIG. 4 illustrates a first exemplary scenario

[0400] flow diagram for connecting a plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. This first scenario refers to the case where IP PDU session for each logical CPE unit among a plurality of logical CPE units in a physical CPE unit, is established.

[0099] This depicts a network architecture that includes a physical CPE (Customer Premise Equipment) connected to a cellular radio network, which communicates with a Cellular Core Network (CCN) and a data network.

[0100] Subscriber Equipment (SEI, SE2, SE3, SEn)

[0401] : These are end user devices, such as smartphones, laptops, or loT devices, etc., that connect to the network. All SEs are connected behind the physical CPE, sharing a common LAN (Local Area Network) through the L2 Switch / L3 Router

[0403] ,

[0101] L2 Switch / L3 Router

[0403] : This network switch and router facilitate communication between the SEs in the same LAN and / or wide area network (WAN). The L2 switch operates at the data link layer, while the L3 router operates at the network layer, routing data between SEs and the external network.

[0102] The physical CPE

[0405] serves as a gateway device that connects the LAN to the external Cellular Radio Network. The physical CPE

[0405] includes multiple logical CPEs (LCPEs) that are mapped to a particular SE in the LAN. For example, LCPE1 may correspond to SEI, LCPE2 to SE2, and so on. The LPCE is a logical unit of the CPE.

[0103] The logical CPEs manage individual sessions and policies for each SE, confirming that network activities (such as IP address assignment, policies, and session handling) may be difference for each SE. Cellular Radio Network: This represents the wireless network infrastructure that connects the physical CPE to the CCN

[0407] ,

[0104] Cellular Core Network (CCN)

[0407] : The CCN

[0407] handles the establishment and management of communication sessions for both the physical CPE

[0405] and the SEs. The SEs and CPE

[0405] communicate via established sessions with the CCN

[0407] , which handles authentication, IP address assignment, and data routing.

[0105] Data Network

[0409] : This represents the external network that the SEs and CPE

[0405] access through the CCN

[0407] , It may be the Internet or other private networks where data is stored or retrieved by the SEs.

[0106] FIG. 5 illustrates a second exemplary scenario

[0500] flow diagram for connecting a plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. This second scenario refers to the case where ethemet PDU session for the physical CPE unit is established.

[0107] An exemplary architecture involves a Customer Premise Equipment (CPE)

[0505] , a plurality of Subscriber Equipment (SEs), and a Cellular Core Network (CCN)

[0507] , while creating an Ethemet packet data unit (PDU) session.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 5, the plurality of SEs, namely SE-1, SE-2, SE-3, ..., SE-n

[0501] , are connected within the same Local Area Network (LAN) behind the CPE. These SEs are part of a network configuration where all devices behind the CPE are interconnected through an L2 Switch or L3 Router

[0503] ,

[0109] The CPE

[0505] is responsible for establishing and managing connectivity between the SEs and the CCN

[0507] , In the embodiment, the CPE

[0505] operates in bridge mode, thereby facilitatingthe Ethernet PDU session for the SEs. The bridge mode configuration of CPE

[0505] allows the SEs to maintain individual sessions with the Cellular Core Network

[0507] while using the CPE

[0505] as a pass-through device.

[0110] Further, the CPE

[0505] communicates with the CCN

[0507] over a Cellular Radio Network to manage the data sessions between the SEs and a Data Network

[0509] , The data sessions, which are initiated by each SE, are routed through the CPE

[0505] and then passed to the CCN

[0507] for communication with external networks.[OHl] The CPE

[0505] in this configuration handles the flow of data without interfering with or altering the traffic, as it operates in bridge mode.

[0112] The present disclosure further discloses a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions for connecting plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment, the instructions include executable code which, when executed by one or more units of a system, causes: a session establishment unit

[0202] of the system

[0200] to establish one of: an internet protocol (IP) packet data unit (PDU) session for each logical CPE unit among a plurality of logical CPE units in a physical CPE unit, and an ethernet PDU session for the physical CPE unit. Further, the instructions include executable code which, when executed causes an assignment unit

[0204] of the system

[0200] to assign an internet protocol (IP) address to each SE among the plurality of SEs. Further, the instructions include executable code which, when executed causes a policy application unit

[0206] of the system

[0200] to apply one or more policies to each SE among the plurality of SEs, based on a plan provisioned for each logical CPE unit.

[0113] As is evident from the above, the present disclosure provides a technically advanced solution for connecting plurality of subscriber equipment with a customer premise equipment. The present solution for sharing single customer premise equipment across multiple home gateways by supporting multiple logical CPE instances, and / or by creating an ‘ethernet’ packet data network (PDU) session and CPE working in bridged mode, in one of the implementations, as there is no change required in the core network or subscriber equipment. The only entity involving some complexity is the CPE. This also results in cost reduction in implementing the overall solution.

[0114] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the disclosed implementations, it will be appreciated that many implementations can be made and that many changes can be made to the implementations without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. These andother changes in the implementations of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, whereby it is to be understood that the foregoing descriptive matter to be implemented is illustrative and non-limiting.

[0115] Further, in accordance with the present disclosure, it is to be acknowledged that the functionality described for the various components / units can be implemented interchangeably. While specific embodiments may disclose a particular functionality of these units for clarity, it is recognized that various configurations and combinations thereof are within the scope of the disclosure. The functionality of specific units as disclosed in the disclosure should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Consequently, alternative arrangements and substitutions of units, provided they achieve the intended functionality described herein, are considered to be encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A method for connecting a plurality of subscriber equipment (SEs) with a customer premise equipment (CPE), the method comprising: establishing, by a session establishment unit [202], one of: an internet protocol (IP) packet data unit (PDU) session for each logical CPE unit among a plurality of logical CPE units in a physical CPE unit, and an ethemet PDU session for the physical CPE unit; assigning, by an assignment unit [204], an Internet Protocol (IP) address to each SE among the plurality of SEs; and applying, by a policy application unit [206], one or more policies to each SE among the plurality of SEs based on a plan provisioned for each logical CPE unit.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein each logical CPE unit is associated with a separate subscriber identity module (SIM) provisioned with the plan.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the assigning, by the assignment unit [204], the Internet Protocol (IP) address to each SE among the plurality of SEs, is based further on one of: a pre-defined mapping of the plurality of logical CPE units and the plurality of SE in an event of creation of the plurality of logical CPE units in the physical CPE unit, and an attachment of the each SE with a Cellular Core Network (CCN) in an event of creation of the ethemet PDU session.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the attachment of each SE with the CCN is based on an IP assignment request sent from each SE to the CCN.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more policies comprise one or more of a set of internet policies, a set of other general policies, and a set of charging policies.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein prior to establishing, by the session establishment unit [202], the IP PDU session for each logical CPE unit among the plurality of logical CPE units, the method comprises: creating, by a creation unit [208], a plurality of logical CPE units in the physical CPE unit.

7. A system for connecting a plurality of subscriber equipment (SEs) with a customer premise equipment (CPE), the system comprising: a session establishment unit [202] configured to: o establish one of: an internet protocol (IP) packet data unit (PDU) session for each logical CPE unit among a plurality of logical CPE units in a physical CPE unit, and an ethemet PDU session for the physical CPE unit; an assignment unit [204] connected to at least the creation unit [208], the assignment unit [204] configured to: o assign an internet protocol (IP) address to each SE among the plurality of SEs; and a policy application unit [206] connected to at least the assignment unit [204], the policy application unit [206] configured to: o apply one or more policies to each SE among the plurality of SEs, based on a plan provisioned for each logical CPE unit.

8. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein each logical CPE unit is associated with a separate subscriber identity module (SIM) provisioned with the plan.

9. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the assignment unit [204] is configured to assign the Internet Protocol (IP) address to each SE among the plurality of SEs, based further on one of: a pre-defined mapping of the plurality of logical CPE units and the plurality of SE in an event of creation of the plurality of logical CPE units in the physical CPE unit, and an attachment of the each SE with a Cellular Core Network (CCN) [407] in an event of creation of the ethemet PDU session.

10. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the attachment of each SE with the CCN is based on an IP assignment request sent from each SE to the CCN.

11. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the one or more policies comprise one or more of a set of internet policies, a set of other general policies, and a set of charging policies.

12. The system as claimed in claim 7, the system further comprising a creation unit [208], wherein prior to the establishment of the IP PDU session for each logical CPE unit among the plurality of logical CPE units, the creation unit [208] is configured to: create a plurality of logical CPE units in the physical CPE unit.

13. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions for connecting plurality of subscriber equipment (SEs) with a customer premise equipment, the instructions comprising executable code which, when executed by one or more units of a system, causes: a session establishment unit [202] of the system [200] to establish one of: an internet protocol (IP) packet data unit (PDU) session for each logical CPE unit among a plurality of logical CPE units in a physical CPE unit, and an ethemet PDU session for the physical CPE unit; an assignment unit [204] of the system [200] to assign an internet protocol (IP) address to each SE among the plurality of SEs; and a policy application unit [206] of the system [200] to apply one or more policies to each SE among the plurality of SEs, based on a plan provisioned for each logical CPE unit.

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