Network interworking

1. A method of operating a mobile terminal for network interworking, the method comprising:

receiving, from a first network, a first parameter associated with a preference for offloading a data flow from the first network to a second network;

receiving, from the second network, a second parameter associated with a network load level of the second network through a beacon packet;

performing a first determination of whether to offload at least one data flow according to a first criterion of comparing the first parameter to a random value or a pseudorandom value and a second criterion of comparing the second parameter to a threshold; and

if a timer associated with offloading evaluation expires, performing a second determination of whether to maintain the offloading of the at least one data flow according to the first and second criterion using a third parameter associated with a preference for offloading a data flow from the first network to the second network, and a fourth parameter associated with a network load level of the second network,

wherein the third parameter corresponding to the first parameter is received from the first network after receiving the first parameter, and

wherein the fourth parameter corresponding to the second parameter is received from the second network after receiving the second parameter.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the performing of the first determination comprises evaluating the first criterion by comparing a random or pseudorandom number or a function of the random or pseudorandom number to the first parameter or a function of the first parameter.

3. The method according to claim 2 , further comprising:

receiving at least one fifth parameter comprising a scaling factor or an offset; and

applying the at least one fifth parameter to the random or pseudorandom number to calculate the function of the random or pseudorandom number, or applying the at least one fifth parameter to the first parameter to calculate the function of the first parameter.

4. The method according to claim 3 , further comprising:

receiving multiple fifth parameters at the mobile terminal; and

determining which one of the multiple fifth parameters to use to calculate the function of the random or pseudorandom number or the first parameter according to a classification of the at least one data flow to be initiated or maintained.

5. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the evaluating of the first criterion comprises determining whether:

the random or pseudorandom number or the function of the random or pseudorandom number is less than the first parameter or the function of the first parameter;

the random or pseudorandom number or the function of the random or pseudorandom number is less than or equal to the first parameter or the function of the first parameter;

the random or pseudorandom number or the function of the random or pseudorandom number is greater than the first parameter or the function of the first parameter; or

the random or pseudorandom number or the function of the random or pseudorandom number is greater than or equal to the first parameter or the function of the first parameter.

6. The method according to claim 2 , further comprising:

evaluating the second criterion by comparing the second parameter or a function of the second parameter to the threshold or a function of the threshold; and

determining whether to initiate or maintain the at least one data flow between the mobile terminal and the first network or the second network according to the evaluation of the first and second criterion.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the performing of the first determination comprises:

performing a determination of whether to initiate a new data flow when it is determined that a new data flow is required;

performing a determination of whether to initiate or maintain the at least one data flow in response to receiving a notification from the first network; or

performing the determination of whether to initiate or maintain the at least one data flow periodically.

8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the performing of the determination of whether to initiate or maintain the at least one data flow in response to the receiving of a notification from the first network or periodically comprises:

receiving an offload direction indicator from the first network indicating either the first network or another network;

identifying at least one data flow between the UE and the indicated first network or another network; and

performing the determination of whether to initiate or maintain the at least one data flow for the at least one identified data flow.

9. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the performing of the determination to initiate or maintain the at least one data flow in response to receiving a notification from the first network further comprises applying a randomly selected first delay before performing the determination.

10. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the receiving of the notification from the first network comprises receiving a new first parameter from the first network.

11. The method according to claim 1 ,

wherein the first network is a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) a compliant cellular wireless communication network, and

wherein the second network is a wireless local area network (WLAN).

12. A method of operating a network device in a first network for network interworking, the method comprising:

transmitting, to a mobile terminal, a first parameter associated with a preference of the first network for offloading a data flow from the first network to a second network; and

receiving, from the mobile terminal, a first determination of whether to offload at least one data flow according to a first criterion of comparing the first parameter to a random or pseudorandom value and a second criterion of comparing a second parameter to a threshold,

wherein the second parameter associated with a network load level of the second network is transmitted from the second network to the mobile terminal through a beacon packet,

wherein if a timer associated with offloading evaluation expires, a second determination of whether to maintain the offloading of the at least one data flow is performed by the mobile terminal according to the first and second criterion using a third parameter associated with a preference for offloading a data flow from the first network to the second network and a fourth parameter associated with a network load level of the second network,

wherein the third parameter corresponding to the first parameter is transmitted to the mobile terminal after transmitting the first parameter, and

wherein the fourth parameter corresponding to the second parameter is transmitted from the second network to the mobile terminal after transmitting the second parameter.

13. A mobile terminal for network interworking, the mobile terminal comprising:

a transceiver configured to transmit and receive a signal; and

at least one processor configured to:

receive, from a first network, a first parameter associated with a preference for offloading a data flow from the first network to a second network,

receive, from the second network, a second parameter associated with a network load level of the second network through a beacon packet,

perform a first determination of whether to offload at least one data flow according to a first criterion of comparing the first parameter to a random value or a pseudorandom value and a second criterion of comparing the second parameter to a threshold, and

if a timer associated with offloading evaluation expires, perform a second determination of whether to maintain the offloading of the at least one data flow according to the first and second criterion using a third parameter associated with a preference for offloading a data flow from the first network to the second network and a fourth parameter associated with a network load level of the second network,

wherein the third parameter corresponding to the first parameter is received from the first network after receiving the first parameter, and

wherein the fourth parameter corresponding to the second parameter is received from the second network after receiving the second parameter.

14. A network device in a first network for network interworking, the network device comprising:

a transceiver configured to transmit and receive a signal; and

at least one processor configured to:

transmit, to a mobile terminal, a first parameter associated with a preference of the first network for offloading a data flow from the first network to a second network, and

receive, from the mobile terminal, a first determination of whether to offload at least one data flow according to a first criterion of comparing the first parameter to a random or pseudorandom value and a second criterion of comparing a second parameter to a threshold,

wherein the second parameter associated with a network load level of the second network is transmitted from the second network to the mobile terminal through a beacon packet,

wherein if a timer associated with offloading evaluation expires, a second determination of whether to maintain the offloading of the at least one data flow is performed by the mobile terminal according to the first and second criterion using a third parameter associated with a preference for offloading a data flow from the first network to the second network, and a fourth parameter associated with a network load level of the second network,

wherein the third parameter corresponding to the first parameter is transmitted to the mobile terminal after transmitting the first parameter, and

wherein the fourth parameter corresponding to the second parameter is transmitted from the second network to the mobile terminal after transmitting the second parameter.