Telecommunications – Radiotelephone system – Zoned or cellular telephone system
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-27
2004-05-11
Nguyen, Lee (Department: 2682)
Telecommunications
Radiotelephone system
Zoned or cellular telephone system
C455S445000, C455S560000, C379S221100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06735441
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to call signaling services performed in a mobile telecommunications network, and more particularly to methods and systems for providing such services in a network routing element.
BACKGROUND ART
A typical wireless or cellular telecommunications network, generally indicated by the numeral
100
, is illustrated in FIG.
1
. Such networks typically employ a number of functional elements or entities including but not limited to: a telecommunication terminal or telephone handset
102
, a base station (BS)
104
and associated base station controller (BSC)
106
, a mobile switching center (MSC)
108
, a gateway MSC (GMSC)
110
, a home location register (HLR)
112
, a visitor location register (VLR)
114
, an equipment identity register (EIR)
116
, and an authentication center (AuC)
118
. These network elements are communicatively coupled via a variety of communication link types, which in turn may employ a variety of communication protocols. are communicatively coupled via a variety of communication link types, which in turn may employ a variety of communication protocols.
Of particular relevance to the integrated routing node of the present invention are the switching and database type network nodes, mentioned above, that facilitate much of the intelligent network services that are characteristic of modern wireless telecommunication networks. A brief discussion of each of their functions follows.
Mobile switching center (MSC)
108
is the functional entity that represents an automatic packet switching system within a wireless communication network. When such a packet switching system is implemented so as to serve as the interface for user traffic between the cellular network and other public switched networks, the corresponding node is often referred to as a Gateway MSC or GMSC. In general, MSC
108
provides basic switching functionality and coordinates the establishment of calls between wireless end users. The MSC is directly responsible for transmission facilities management, mobility management, and call processing functions. The MSC is typically in direct contact with both base stations (BSs) and with voice and signaling related network nodes. The MSC incorporates switching functions, mobile application functions, and other service logic functions.
Home location register (HLR)
112
is the functional entity that represents the primary database repository of subscriber information used to provide control and intelligence in wireless networks. The term register denotes control and processing center functions as well as the database functions. The HLR is managed by the wireless service provider and represents the “home” database for subscribers who have subscribed to service in a particular geographic area. The HLR contains a record for each “home” subscriber that includes location information, subscriber status, subscribed features, and directory numbers. Supplementary services or features that are provided to a subscriber are ultimately controlled by an HLR. An HLR incorporates database functions, mobile application functions, as well as other service logic functions, and may serve one or more MSCs.
Visitor location register (VLR)
114
is the functional entity that represents the local database, control, and processing functions that maintain temporary records associated with individual network subscribers. A VLR is managed by a wireless service provider and represents a temporary database of “visiting” subscribers that have roamed outside of their home service area. A “roaming” visitor can be a mobile subscriber being served by one of many systems serviced by their wireless service provider or network operator. A roaming visitor can also be a mobile subscriber who is roaming in a non-home, or visited, service area (i.e., a network operated by different service provider). A VLR contains subscriber location, status, and service information that is derived from a roaming subscriber's HLR. A local network MSC accesses a VLR to retrieve information for the handling of calls to and from visiting subscribers. A VLR incorporates database functions, mobile application functions, as well as other service logic functions and may serve one or more MSCs.
Equipment identity register (EIR)
116
is the functional entity that represents the database repository for mobile equipment related information. EIRs are typically used to store information related to electronic serial numbers (ESNs) associated with mobile terminals (e.g., handsets). Such an EIR database implementation could be used to prevent stolen or unauthorized mobile terminals from being activated and used within a wireless network fraudulently.
Authentication center (AuC)
118
is the functional entity that represents the authentication functions used to verify and validate a mobile subscriber's identity. The AuC manages and processes authentication information related to a particular mobile subscriber. Typically, this information consists of encryption and authentication keys as well as complex mathematical algorithms used to prevent fraudulent or unauthorized use of the wireless network. An AuC incorporates database functions used for the authentication keys and authentication algorithm functions.
As indicated in
FIG. 1
, the above described wireless network elements function together to provide the intelligent network services typically associated with modern wireless telecommunication networks. As such, inter communication between these network elements is a very important issue, and is facilitated at least in part by signaling communication links. In Europe, the signaling protocols for mobile communications are defined in the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) standards. Both IS-41 and GSM standards include a mobile application part (MAP) protocol component for performing mobile call signaling functions. Accordingly, as used herein, the term “MAP message” is intended to refer to both IS-41 and GSM MAP messages.
Signaling in a wireless or cellular network is employed to implement a number of call processing operations. The term “call processing” encompasses a wide variety of functions that establish, maintain, and tear down calls to and from mobile subscribers (where a call is defined as a temporary communication between end users for the purpose of exchanging information). Mobile calls include a sequence of events that allocate and assign the resources and signaling channels required to establish a communication connection, with the first event in the sequence typically being call establishment. In general terms, the act of call establishment or call setup in a wireless communications network includes a set of functions that arrange for the connection of cellular calls.
With particular regard to wireless calls, the nature of use dictates that there are essentially two types of calls, mobile-originated and mobile-terminated calls. Mobile-originated calls are those that are placed or originate from a mobile station, while mobile-terminated calls are defined as those calls that are made to a mobile station. Mobile-originated calls are established from a mobile subscriber (MS) (i.e., the calling party) to a telecommunications termination point (i.e., the called party) that can be located in either a wired or wireless telecommunications network. Mobile-terminated calls are established from either a wired or wireless “calling party” telecommunications terminal to a “called party” mobile subscriber.
In addition to providing the infrastructure for basic call setup and teardown operations as mentioned above, wireless signaling is also responsible for providing general mobility management services. Such services enable the communications network to maintain location and mobile subscriber status information so that end users can make and receive such mobile-originated and mobile-terminated calls while moving or roaming from place to place. It should be noted that a mobile-to-mobile call is usually treated as the combination of a mobile-originated call scenario and
Bagaasen Byron C.
Fennell, Jr. Chester C.
Marsico Peter Joseph
Slate Larry Gene
Turgeon Joseph Leonard
Jenkins & Wilson & Taylor, P.A.
Nguyen Lee
Tekelec
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