FR2777146A1 - MOBILE TELEPHONE SUBSCRIBER DETECTION SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a telecommunication system combining at least one fixed network (RTC) and a mobile radio communication network (C), comprising: means (ID1, ID2) for automatically detecting a subscriber carrying a mobile telephone (M) entering into several predetermined zones (Z1, Z2) of the fixed network; and means for routing all signals intended for said mobile subscriber to an adequate radio base (B1, B2) of said fixed network (RTC) located in that zone (Z1, Z2) enabling the mobile (M) to be reached via said fixed network radio base (B1, B2) as long as said subscriber is identified in said zone (Z1, Z2). The invention is characterised in that the means for detecting the mobile subscriber are capable of detecting a personal signature, specific to said subscriber.

Description

The present invention relates to telecommunications systems, and more

  particularly a system for optimizing the use of a mobile phone when the wearer of this

  phone moves between different environments.

  The rise of mobile phones has made communication to and from users much easier, who can make and receive calls and messages while being able to move around. In particular, cellular networks have experienced significant development. These networks allow mobile devices to communicate via radio waves passing through fixed relays, for example according to the European GSM standard using frequencies around 900 and 1800 Megahertz, or the American standard US 1595. So that mobile cellular networks can communicate with devices connected to the fixed network, which includes in particular networks of PSTN (analog switched), ISDN (digital), ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode), these cellular networks are connected

fixed network audit.

  However, current mobile networks do not offer full geographic coverage. In particular, a subscriber to a mobile network can live or work in an area where the coverage of said mobile network is of poor quality, making communications difficult or impossible via his mobile phone. The subscriber can then communicate via a second device connected to the fixed network, but this also requires the use of a second subscriber number. This situation has the disadvantage of complicating the use of the telephone (two

  different devices, and two associated numbers).

  To overcome this drawback, there are known call routing methods enabling a subscriber to a mobile network to receive calls initially intended for his mobile telephone, on a

  other device connected to the fixed network.

  A first example of such a process is the Personal Communications Service (registered trademark) offered by the Applicant, which however requires manual intervention by the subscriber, who must be located on the fixed network in order to receive calls under his mobile subscriber number. This localization requires the call of a dedicated number and a manipulation to enter an identification code. A second example of such a method is the system described in document EP 740 482, which also makes it possible to route calls intended for a mobile telephone to a fixed receiver connected to the fixed switched network. But for this routing to be carried out, the subscriber must place their mobile phone on a battery charger

of said mobile phone.

  Thus, current systems for routing a call intended for a mobile telephone to another device require manipulation

  binding on the part of the subscriber.

  Another known system is that described in document US Pat. No. 4,989,230. This is a dual-mode mobile telephone capable of transmitting and receiving calls selectively on the frequencies of a cellular network, or of a radio base connected to the fixed network. Here again, the intervention of the subscriber is necessary, the latter having to indicate by manipulation of the

  telephone his preference as to the types of frequencies used.

  Finally, document EP 433 256 discloses a system for communicating with a single mobile device, via a mobile network or the fixed network, but the latter system is attached to a device, and not to the user. Nowadays there is a significant demand from users to have services that are not linked to a particular device, but to the user himself. This makes it possible to have said services, after personal identification, from devices

  which is particularly loose.

  It therefore appears that there is a need, currently unmet, for a system making it possible to communicate with a telephone and a unique and personal subscriber number, via both mobile and fixed networks, without requiring binding manipulations. An object of the present invention is to allow a subscriber to a mobile network to communicate with his cellular device via the fixed network when the subscriber is near one of several predetermined areas, such as the home of the subscriber or his workplace, by being identified automatically and personally, without having to carry out operations such as handling a keyboard

  to enter identification codes.

  A second object of the invention is to allow the subscriber to be identified in different ways, depending on the environment in which

this one is found.

  A third object of the invention is to contribute to the optimization of the resources of telecommunications networks, by reducing the number

  of calls not reaching the subscriber.

  In order to achieve these aims, the present invention proposes, according to a first aspect, a telecommunications system combining at least a fixed network and a radiocommunication network with mobiles, comprising: * means for automatically detecting the entry of a carrier subscriber of a mobile telephone in one of several predefined areas of the fixed network, and TO means for directing all signals intended for this mobile subscriber to an adequate radio base of the fixed network located in this area to enable the mobile to be reached by through this radio base of the fixed network as long as said subscriber is identified in this area, characterized in that the means for detecting the mobile subscriber are

  able to detect a personal signature, specific to said subscriber.

  Preferred, but non-limiting aspects of the system according to the invention are as follows: - the radiocommunication network with mobiles is a cellular network such as a GSM network, - the radiocommunication network with mobiles is a satellite network, - means are provided for storing in a central memory of the system the presence of the subscriber in one of said predefined areas, - the detection means having detected the presence of the subscriber in one of the predefined areas, means are also provided to automatically detect the subscriber's exit from this area, - the detection means having detected the presence of the subscriber in one of the predefined areas, means are provided integral with the base of said area for carrying out a periodic search for the subscriber in said area, the detection means having detected the presence of the subscriber in one of the predefined areas, means are provided res of the base to receive a periodic signal emitted by the mobile telephone to confirm the presence of said mobile telephone in said zone, - means are provided for automatically signaling to the central memory of the system the absence of the subscriber in the zones predefined, - means are provided to allow the subscriber to explicitly signal to the central memory that he is not in any of the predefined areas, - the mobile telephone is capable of transmitting and receiving communications, according to a first technology radio using specific frequencies and protocols, to communicate with said radiocommunication network, and according to other radio technologies, to communicate with radio bases, - the means of identification of the subscriber are chosen from the group made up: - radio wave receivers, - magnetic card readers, - smart card readers, - card readers resonating h microwave, - hologram readers, - fingerprint readers,

- voice identifiers.

  According to a second aspect, the invention also proposes a telecommunications management method using at least a fixed network and a mobile network, comprising the automatic detection of the entry of a subscriber carrying a mobile telephone (M) , in one of several predefined areas of the fixed network, and the routing of all signals intended for this mobile subscriber to an adequate radio base of the fixed network capable of communicating with the mobile telephone as long as said subscriber is identified in this area, characterized in that the detection of the subscriber is personal, specific to said subscriber and not shareable by him. Preferred, but non-limiting aspects of the method according to the invention are as follows: - said mobile network is a cellular network, - said mobile network is a satellite network, - the geographic coverage area of said mobile network located outside of said zones predefined, constitutes another zone, known as mobile, - the method also comprises the memorization in a central memory of the fixed network of the presence of the subscriber in the mobile zone, - the method also comprises the memorization in a central memory of the fixed network the presence of the subscriber in a

said predefined areas.

  Other aspects, aims and advantages of the invention will appear better

  on reading the following detailed description of an embodiment

  preferred thereof and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of the invention, 30. Figures 2a, 2b and 2c are diagrams showing the

  operation of the system according to the invention.

  In the following description, we will explain the structure and

  operation of the system according to the invention produced in a form using two predefined areas; however, this configuration is not limitative of the number of zones and it is possible according to the invention to implement any number of zones that the system uses

similar way.

  Referring firstly to FIG. 1, a mobile telephone M of a subscriber is able to make and receive telephone calls via a radiocommunication network with mobiles such as a cellular network C, according to radio technology T known per se such as GSM technology, using specific frequencies and protocols. The cellular network C is interconnected to the fixed network, which is here a switched PSTN network but which can, according to the invention, be another

  fixed network type, for example of the ISDN or ATM type.

  Two radio bases B1 and B2 are connected to the PSTN fixed network by two wired links. The base B1 is connected to a PABX switch located at the subscriber's workplace and the base B2 is connected to a wall outlet located at the subscriber's home. The mobile telephone M also comprises means for communicating via the bases B1 and B2 and the fixed network PSTN, according to radio technologies T1 and T2 each using frequencies and protocols different from those of radio technology T. Radio technologies T1 and T2 are chosen from known technologies (DECT, GSM, etc.) and will not be detailed further. A mobile telephone capable of communicating on two frequency ranges, with the relays of a cellular network, on the one hand, and of radio bases connected to the fixed switched network, on the other hand, is also known per se (document US 4 989 230) and the means enabling this communication using two different radio technologies will therefore not be

  not described in more detail in this text.

  According to the invention, an identifier ID 1 is associated with the base B1. This identifier is suitable for detecting the entry of the subscriber into a zone Z1 associated with the base B1, by a detection means identifying the subscriber in a personal and unique manner. This detection and identification means may consist of a known means, linked to the mobile telephone M or not, and using for example: radio technology T1 (detection of the mobile M, or of a card inserted in the mobile and capable of be separable from said mobile or not), * the properties of a personal card to the subscriber (reading a chip, a hologram or a magnetic tape, this reading can be done by contact between the card and a reader or remotely via microwave waves in the case of a chip), To a personal characteristic of the subscriber (reading fingerprints, voice recognition, ...),

  o or another known means of identification.

  These detection and identification means are particularly not very restrictive insofar as they do not oblige the subscriber to carry out a complex manipulation such as the composition of a code on a

  keyboard. The ID1 identifier may or may not be integrated into the radio base B1.

  Likewise, an identifier ID 2 is associated with the base B2 and with the zone Z2. The identifier ID2 can use the same detection means as the identification ID1, or a different kind of means. By way of example, it is possible according to the invention to detect and identify the subscriber by reading a personal badge when entering the area

  Z1, and by voice recognition when entering Z2.

  When the subscriber is identified in one of the zones Z1 or Z2 by the identifiers ID1 and ID2 respectively, the information of the presence of the subscriber in this zone is sent by the identifier to a location supervisor LOC. This LOC supervisor is integrated into the PSTN fixed network, and centralizes the location of the subscriber in a memory. The transmission of the location information from the identifier to the supervisor is done by the

  subscriber's telephone line connected to the PSTN fixed network.

  In the present embodiment, the identifiers ID1 and ID2 perform a periodic search for the presence of the subscriber in the zone associated with them. As soon as a change in the subscriber's location is detected by the identifiers (subscriber present (respectively absent) in an area where he was not during the previous search for the identifier), the information is transmitted to the LOC supervisor who

  thus continuously has the location of the subscriber.

  According to a second embodiment of the invention, the tracking of the location of the subscriber can also be done by an explicit signaling of the exit of the area of said subscriber by the identifiers, the information

  then being transmitted in the same way to the LOC supervisor.

  According to a third embodiment of the invention, the subscriber's mobile telephone M sends a periodic signal to the radio base of the zone in which the subscriber's entry has been detected, as long as the subscriber is located in said area. Stopping the transmission of this periodic signal is therefore equivalent to a zone exit declaration, which is transmitted by the

radio base to LOC supervisor.

  To update the subscriber's location information in the LOC supervisor when the latter is outside zones Z1 and Z2, the system can operate in one of the following two modes: the subscriber sends a signal to the LOC supervisor via cellular network C and fixed PSTN network, for example by pressing a button on mobile M; 20. the LOC supervisor, receiving from bases B1 and B2 the information that the subscriber is absent from zones Zi and Z2, by default and automatically updates the location information of the subscriber. Whatever the operating mode used among the two described above, the LOC supervisor thus has centralized location information for the subscriber, whether he is in the

  zone Zl, in zone Z2 or outside each of these two zones.

  According to the invention, the subscriber is provided with a directory number N, personal and unique, to communicate with his mobile telephone whatever the zone in which he is located (Z1, Z2, coverage of the cellular network C outside zones Z1 and Z2). When a correspondent A connected to the PSTN fixed network calls the number N associated with the subscriber, a central routing system known per se (for example, such a system can be inspired by the Personal Communications Service (registered trademark) ) and using the LOC supervisor directs the call to: base B1 if the subscriber is identified in zone Z1 (figure 2a), At base B2 if the subscriber is identified in zone Z2 (figure 2b), 5. the mobile telephone M, via cellular network C, if the subscriber is signaled to the supervisor LOC outside zones Z1 and Z2

  according to one of the two operating modes already described (Figure 2c).

  When the subscriber is in one of the zones Z1 or Z2, in association with the location of the subscriber and the storage of this location in the memory of the LOC supervisor, the mobile telephone M is detected under the coverage of said area. The base of this zone, or a module associated with said base according to the radio technology of the base, then directs the calls intended for the number N to the mobile telephone M and makes these calls succeed via radio waves according to the technologies radio T1 or T2 respectively. In the event that said base shares access to the line connecting it to the PSTN fixed network with other devices provided with other subscriber numbers, calls intended for

  other subscriber numbers are routed to said other devices.

  Thus, the system according to the invention allows a subscriber to receive and make calls using a subscriber number and a single device. An advantage of this system is the increased comfort of use that it offers to the subscriber: the latter can, in fact, with a mobile device and a unique number, be reached in the best communication conditions whatever the environment in which he finds himself. In addition, the subscriber has no binding manipulation to perform during zone changes, the service according to the invention then appearing to be non-discontinuous ("seamless", according to the concept of fixed-mobile convergence) when 'subscriber. A second advantage of the system according to the invention is that it increases the rate of calls intended for the subscriber and reaching him under good conditions. In addition, this system also makes it possible to optimize the use of the resources of the telecommunications networks used, the

  the number of calls that do not reach the subscriber is greatly reduced.

  As stated in the introduction to the description, the invention

  is not limited to the embodiments described. In particular, it is possible according to the invention to have any number of bases, each being coupled to an identifier, and each base being connected to a telephone system, such as those conventionally connected to the fixed network.

  (simple device, PABX, 3RP, Centrex ...).

  Finally, it is obvious that the invention is not limited to voice telephone communications, but also relates to the

  transmission of all types of signals (sound, image, data, ...).

Claims (16)

  1. A telecommunications system combining at least one fixed network (PSTN) and one radiocommunication network (C) with mobiles, comprising: means (ID1, ID2) for automatically detecting the entry of a subscriber carrying a telephone mobile (M) in one of several predefined areas (Z1, Z2) of the fixed network, and To means for directing all signals intended for this mobile subscriber to an adequate radio base (B1, B2) of the fixed network (PSTN) located in this area (Z1, Z2) to allow the mobile (M) to be reached via this radio base (B1, B2) of the fixed network as long as said subscriber is identified in this area (Z1, Z2), characterized in that the means for detecting the mobile subscriber are   able to detect a personal signature, specific to said subscriber.   2. Telecommunications system according to claim 1, characterized in that the radiocommunication network (C) with   mobiles is a cellular network such as a GSM network.   3. Telecommunications system according to claim 1, characterized in that the radiocommunication network (C) with   mobiles is a satellite network.   4. Telecommunications system according to any one of   Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that means are provided for   memorize in a central memory (LOC) of the system the presence of   The subscriber in one of said predefined zones (Z1, Z2).   5. Telecommunications system according to any one of   Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that provision is also made for   means for automatically detecting the exit of the subscriber from this zone.   6. Telecommunication system according to any one of   Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that provision is also made for   means integral with the base (B1, B2) of said zone for carrying out a   periodic search of the subscriber in said zone.   7. Telecommunications system according to any one of   Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that provision is also made for   means secured to the base for receiving a periodic signal emitted by the mobile telephone (M) to confirm the presence of said mobile telephone (M) in said zone (Z1, Z2). 8. Telecommunication system according to any one of   claims 5 to 7 taken in combination with claim 4,   characterized in that means are provided for automatically signaling to the central memory (LOC) of the system the absence of   The subscriber in the predefined zones (Z1, Z2).   9. Telecommunications system according to claim 4 or 8, characterized in that means are provided to allow the subscriber to explicitly signal to the central memory (LOC) that he is not in   none of the predefined areas (Zl, Z2).   10. Telecommunications system according to any one of   Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the mobile telephone (M) is suitable   transmitting and receiving communications, according to a first radio technology (T) implementing specific frequencies and protocols, to communicate with said radiocommunication network (C), and according to other radio technologies (T11, T2), to communicate with the basics radio (B11, B2).   11. Telecommunications system according to any one of   Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the identification means   (ID1, ID2) of the subscriber are chosen from the group consisting of: - radio wave receivers, - magnetic badge readers, - smart card readers, - microwave resonant badge readers, - readers holograms, - fingerprint readers, - voice identifiers.   12. A telecommunications management method using at least one fixed network (PSTN) and one mobile network (C), comprising the automatic detection of the entry of a subscriber carrying a mobile telephone (M) in the '' one of several predefined areas (Z1, Z2) of the fixed network (PSTN), and the routing of all signals intended for this mobile subscriber to an adequate radio base (B1, B2) of the fixed network (PSTN) able to communicate with the mobile telephone (M) as long as said subscriber is identified in this zone, characterized in that the detection of the subscriber is   personal, specific to said subscriber.   13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that said   mobile network (C) is a cellular network.   14. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that said   mobile network (C) is a satellite network.   15. Method according to any one of claims 12 to 14,   characterized in that the method also comprises storing in a central memory (LOC) of the fixed network (PSTN) the absence of   The subscriber in the predefined zones (Z1, Z2).   16. Method according to any one of claims 12 to 15,   characterized in that the method also comprises storing in a central memory of the fixed network (PSTN) the presence of   the subscriber in one of said predefined areas (Z1, Z2).