Multiplex communications – Communication over free space – Combining or distributing information via time channels
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-29
2003-07-15
Yao, Kwang Bin (Department: 2664)
Multiplex communications
Communication over free space
Combining or distributing information via time channels
C370S352000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06594253
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to telecommunications systems and methods for connecting a call to a subscriber during an Internet session, and specifically to connecting a call from the Internet to a wireless subscriber when the subscriber's mobile terminal is in idle mode.
2. Background and Objects of the Present Invention
In modern telecommunications networks, signaling constitutes the distinct control infrastructure that enables provision of all other services. It can be defined as the system that enables stored program control exchanges, network databases, and other “intelligent” nodes of the network to exchange: (a) messages related to call setup, supervision, and tear-down; (b) information needed for distributed applications processing (inter-process query/response); and (c) network management information.
In addition, the Intelligent Network (IN) and the Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) have made possible the transfer of all types of information through the telephone network without special circuits or long installation cycles. The IN consists of a series of intelligent nodes, each capable of processing at various levels, and each capable of communicating with one another over data links. The IN relies on the Signaling System #7 (SS7) network, which provides the basic infrastructure needed for the various signaling points in the IN. SS7 relies on Common Channel Signaling, which uses a digital facility, but places the signaling information in a time slot or channel separate from the voice and data it is related to. This allows signaling information to be consolidated and sent through its own network apart from the voice network.
The various signaling points in the IN both perform message discrimination (read the address and determine if the message is for that node), and route messages to other signaling points. The basic three types of signaling points are: (1) Service Switching Points (SSPs); (2) Signal Transfer Points (STPs); and (3) Service Control Points (SCPs), each of which are described in more detail hereinafter.
With reference now to
FIG. 1
of the drawings, the many Service Switching Points (SSPs)
100
serve as the local exchanges in a telephone network
90
, a portion of which is shown in FIG.
1
. The STP
110
serves as a router, and switches messages received from a particular SSP
100
through the network
90
to their appropriate destinations (another SSP
100
). As is also understood in the art, the STP
110
receives messages in packet form from the SSPs
100
. These packets are-either related to call connections or database queries. If the packet is a request to connect a call, the message must be forwarded to a destination end office (another SSP
100
), where the call will be terminated.
If, however, the message is a database query seeking additional information, the destination will be a database. Database access is provided through the Service Control Point (SCP)
120
, which does not store the information, but acts as an interface to a computer that houses the requested information.
Cellular telecommunications is one of the fastest growing and most demanding telecommunications applications ever. Today it represents a large and continuously increasing percentage of all new telephone subscriptions around the world. Cellular networks have evolved into two different networks. The European cellular network uses the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) digital mobile cellular radio system. Although cellular networks in the United States have been traditionally primarily analog, GSM has been implemented in North America, but has been revised to operate in a newly reserved frequency band in the 1900 MHZ range. The revised GSM standard is also known as Personal Communication Services 1900 or PCS 1900.
FIG. 2
illustrates the typical components of a GSM/PCS 1900 wireless communications system
10
.
The GSM/PCS 1900 wireless communications system
8
is located within a geographical area serviced by a single provider, hereinafter referred to as the Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN)
10
. The basic components of the wireless communications system
10
are a Base Station System (BSS)
25
, a Mobile Switching Center (MSC)
14
and a Mobile Station (MS)
20
. At least one BSS
25
is deployed within the. PLMN
10
. The BSS
25
acts as an interface between the MSC
14
and a plurality of MSs
20
. The MS
20
may be a mobile wireless telephone, a pager or other equipment. The MS
20
may not access the GSM/PCS 1900 wireless communications system
10
without providing subscriber specific data for the MS
20
. This data is provided through use of a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card
13
which is plugged into the MS
20
, or other memory. The SIM card
13
allows the subscriber to access the network through any MS
20
in which the subscriber has inserted their SIM card
13
. The SIM card
13
includes such data as a subscriber authentication key, e.g., the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) number, temporary network data, service related data (e.g. language preference), charging information and other data.
The BSS
25
includes a Base Transceiver Station (BTS)
24
and a Base Station Controller (BSC)
23
. The BTS
24
operates as a transceiver for transmitting and receiving data and control messages to and from the MS
20
over the air interface. The BSS
25
is connected to the MSC
14
through dedicated telephone lines through an A-interface
15
. Also connected to the MSC
14
is a Visitor Location Register (VLR)
16
and a Home Location Register (HLR)
26
. The HLR
26
is a database maintaining all subscriber information, e.g., user profiles, current location information, International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) numbers, and other administrative information. The HLR
26
may be co-located with a given MSC
14
, integrated with the MSC
14
, or alternatively can service multiple MSCs
14
, the latter of which is illustrated in FIG.
2
.
The VLR
16
is a database containing information about all of the MSs
20
currently located within the MSC/VLR area
12
. If a MS
20
roams into a new MSC/VLR area
12
, the VLR
16
connected to that MSC
14
will request data about that Mobile Station (terminal)
20
from the HLR database
26
(simultaneously informing the HLR
26
about the current location of the MS
20
). Accordingly, if the user of the MS
20
then wants to make a call, the local VLR
16
will have the requisite identification information without having to reinterrogate the HLR
26
. In the aforedescribed manner, the VLR and HLR databases
16
and
26
, respectively, contain various subscriber information associated with a given MS
20
.
An interworking function (IWF)
17
within the MSC
14
links the wireless communications system
10
to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)
19
. The MSC
14
and IWF
17
control the switching of incoming calls to various BSSs
25
and the interfacing of outgoing calls to the PSTN
19
.
With reference now to
FIG. 3
of the drawings, a separate network that provides data, not voice, communications is known as the “Internet”. The Internet is based on the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP protocol), which was developed as a standard protocol to allow different types of computers to exchange electronic mail and other files over a network. The TCP/IP Protocol specifies the addressing of nodes on the Internet and a provides a method of sending packets of data from one node to another. The TCP or Transmission Control Protocol is an application implemented on top of the IP to provide reliable delivery of the data packets.
Typically, an Internet session begins by an Internet user
200
, e.g., a computer, dialing the access number for a specific Internet Service Provider (ISP)
260
. This call is then routed from the Internet user's end office
210
, e.g., a Service Switching Point (SSP) for a wireline Internet user, or a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) for a wireless Inter
Patel Mahesh
Sallberg Krister
Ericsson Inc.
Jenkens & Gilchrist P.C.
Yao Kwang Bin
LandOfFree
System and method for mobility management for an internet... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with System and method for mobility management for an internet..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and System and method for mobility management for an internet... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3090725