FR2842971A1 - Mobile telephone telecommunications network having server centre with address assembly authorising service access and permanent connection posts set providing confidential network server centre managed between assembly posts. - Google Patents

Abstract

The telecommunications network has a server centre (12) with an address assembly from a telecommunications post authorised to access a service. The posts are set to a permanent connection allowing the creation of a confidential network. The server centre manages the connections between the assembly posts.

Description

Telecommunications network and method of connecting stations

telecommunications

through such a network.

  The present invention relates to the field of telecommunications and, in particular, the field of telephony.

mobile or wired.

  More particularly, the invention relates to a public network with permanent connection capable of offering subscribers a service having functionalities identical to those of a private radio network. As will be appreciated, the invention thus finds application in numerous fields. Particularly interesting applications are in areas in which mobile workers can be reached continuously while on the move. Fleets of vehicles used in public transport, taxis, ambulances, ... can therefore be affected by

such a service.

  As we know, the use of a private radio network presents

two major drawbacks.

  First of all, a private radio network requires the installation by the user of a relatively heavy hardware infrastructure and

coteuse to maintain.

  In addition, the use of such a network requires booking

  with an authorized body a portion of radio spectrum.

  Finally, the sets used with such private radio networks are specific to these networks and require a period of adaptation of the

share of users.

  Also, the object of the invention is to provide a telecommunications network and a telecommunications method via such a public network having functionalities similar to those of a private radio service but without presenting any.

the inconvenients.

  Thus, according to the invention, a telecommunications network is proposed, of the type comprising connection links.

  permanent with telecommunications stations of said network.

  According to a general characteristic of this network, it comprises a server center in which are loaded a set of addresses of a portion of said telecommunications stations which are authorized to access a service for permanent contact between said stations so as to create a restricted and confidential network between these stations, the server center further comprising means for managing

  links established between the stations of said set.

  This creates a virtual network with a closed structure in which stations can communicate with each other. When a telecommunications network of the mobile type is used and when a functionality identical to that of a telephone switchboard is assigned to one of the telecommunications stations, operation is obtained

  identical to that of a virtual private radio network.

  According to one embodiment, the management means comprise means for authorizing access to predetermined functionalities, from information which is stored in the server and which is associated with the addresses of the stations. This creates specific levels of network access within the network. Thus, for example, at least one of the sets can have extended functionalities and constitute a switchboard, said switchboard making

  part of the link management means.

  In order to increase network security and prevent access to unauthorized third parties, the server may include means

  identification of the bearer of each station in the restricted network.

  According to a particular embodiment, the server center is provided with means for interfacing the network with other telecommunications networks. It is thus possible to make and receive calls from other networks, for example by means of a station having identical or similar functionalities to those of the switchboard. According to another advantageous embodiment, the server includes means for decoding position positioning information to manage the links between the stations according to their location. In this case, for example, when one of the stations has the functionality of a telecommunications standard and when this station is used to manage the allocation of vehicles in a fleet, this positioning information can be used to carry out

  vehicle allocation management.

  According to yet another embodiment, the network includes encryption means for the transfer of data in a secure manner. The network can be a mobile network or a wired network with permanent connection or a mixed network with fixed access, or

  wired, and mobile type access.

  According to the invention, there is also proposed a method of putting telecommunications stations into communication via a telecommunications network as defined above, comprising the steps of: - putting the stations into communication with the center server checks the address of each telecommunication station so as to verify that the station belongs to all of the stations authorized to be put in communication via the restricted network; and establishing a link between said stations under the control of the management means and according to specific functionalities

each post.

  Advantageously, provision is made for a step of identifying the bearer of each station, after the step of placing

  station communication with the host center.

  Other objects, characteristics and advantages of the invention

  will appear on reading the description which follows given

  solely by way of nonlimiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 schematically illustrates a first embodiment of a telecommunications network, of mobile type, according to the invention, - Figures 2a to 2d illustrate a first mode of operation of the telecommunications network of FIG. 1; - Figures 3a to 3d illustrate the operation of the network of Figure 1 during an attempt to connect an unconnected subscriber; - Figures 4a to 4f illustrate the operation of the network when establishing a general call intended to be broadcast to all stations in the restricted network; - Figures 5a to 5e illustrate the operation of a network according to the invention, in conference mode; and - Figures 6a to 6c illustrate the operation of the network when establishing a call from outside the restricted network; Figures 7a to 7c illustrate the operation of the network when establishing a call to an extension outside the restricted network; and - Figures 8a to 8c illustrate the operation of the network during

  secure data transfer.

  In Figure 1, there is shown the general structure of a telecommunications network according to the invention, designated by the

  general reference 10.

  In the embodiment shown, the invention applies to a telecommunications network of the mobile type, such as a network using a GPRS data transmission service ("General Packet Radio Service", or a network using a universal telecommunications system with mobiles or UMTS ("Universal Mobile Telecommunication system", in English). It should nevertheless be noted that the invention also applies to fixed telecommunications networks, such as networks using asymmetric digital subscriber line or ADSL ("Asymetric Digital Subscriber Line"), that is that is, generally speaking, networks capable of establishing a connection

permanent with a server.

  In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, which uses a mobile type telecommunications network, this network comprises a set of cells, such as C1, C2. As can be seen in this figure, each cell C1, C2 is linked to a base station BST ("Base Transceiver Station") which has an antenna making it possible to enter into communication with the mobiles of the cell, by radio waves. Each cell has a number of base stations

  BST determined in particular according to the density of traffic.

  Each base station is connected to a base station controller (BSC) which manages the resources

  radio stations that depend on it.

  Mobile Service Switching Center (MSC) mobile communication centers ensure the interconnection of base stations with each other, as well as the interconnection of the mobile network with other communication networks.

  telecommunications, such as the PSTN switched telephone network.

  It will be noted that the network 10 is constituted by a network of the permanent connection type, that is to say a network in which, as soon as each of the mobile stations is put into service, and as long as this station is located in a geographical area covered by a base station, a

  connection is established with the latter.

  Furthermore, as can be seen in FIG. 1, the network 10 is provided with a server center 12 intended to create, within the network 10, a restricted and confidential network accessible only to a certain

  number of predetermined mobile stations.

  To this end, the server center 12 incorporates, stored in memory, a list of addresses corresponding to the mobile stations authorized to belong to this restricted network, as well as software means for

  connection management between these stations on the restricted network.

  It includes means of authentication / identification of the carriers of the mobile stations so as to verify that the carriers of the stations are each authorized to access this restricted telecommunications network. In addition, the server center 12 incorporates, in memory, for each station, a list of functionalities to which the station is authorized to access. Thus, and as will be described in detail below, the management means authorize the establishment of communications with the group of stations of the restricted network in

  according to the functionalities which each station has.

  For example, each extension can have one or more of the following functionalities: - general call: this functionality consists in offering one of the members of the restricted network the possibility of calling all the other members and receiving responses from them. The member making this general call can leave or withdraw the possibility for each member to hear the responses of

  other members and communicate with them.

  - voicemail: this functionality allows the transcription of voice messages into written messages if the user wishes or if the terminal does not have a listening system. This functionality also allows the translation of written messages into voice messages at the request of the user or if the terminal does not have a screen. This functionality can be activated by the user or triggered by the detection of the terminal type by the

waiter 12.

  - call of a user subgroup: this feature allows members of a user subgroup to communicate with each other, in conference mode. This functionality can be launched after a prior registration phase of all members

  of the subgroup, each member can activate this functionality.

  At the end of this preliminary phase, the server 12 sends a warning signal to each member connected to the server. After acknowledging this signal, each user is in conference with the others. This conference can be vocal or take the form of written exchanges. In this case, when the members of the subgroup are equipped with different terminals that can operate in voice mode or in read / write mode, a written / voice translation system is provided to establish a mixed dialogue between the terminals. - secure data exchange: this functionality allows data to be exchanged between group members or between group members and the server according to security levels adapted to the current use (payment by electronic means, medical file ,. ..). - incoming call from outside: members of the restricted network can receive calls from a public network outside the restricted network. The reception of an incoming call is then made through one or more members who act as a switchboard operator. A filtering of these incoming communications is thus carried out before their transfer to the extensions of the

restricted network.

  - outgoing call to the outside: members of the restricted network can also call a subscriber of a public network

  outside through one or more switchboard members.

  Thus, as can be understood, in order to be able to provide such functionality, in addition to the functionality information which is associated with each mobile station address, the server includes, stored in memory, information relating to the nature of each telecommunications station in the network. restricted. This information can either be automatically detected by the server, or stored in memory in the server when the restricted network is created. In order to allow an easy assignment of these functionalities, the stations are classified into groups of stations, each group of stations

  having a predetermined restricted network access level.

  A basic level is thus distinguished, specifically provided for telephone terminals operating essentially in

  voice mode, a switchboard level, as well as a level of supervision.

  At the basic level are associated basic functionalities such as general calling, voice messaging, calling a subgroup, incoming calls from outside and outgoing calls to the public network. The switchboard level offers the functionality of the basic level and an additional function for monitoring the state of the terminals, i.e. free, busy, ... If necessary, an additional feature according to which the switchboard level positions have the position geographical location of members, is proposed if the terminals have a location function or if the network is likely to provide this information. In addition, switchboard telephones at the switchboard level have the classic functionality of a switchboard, as well as interfacing functionality with other networks. Finally, the supervision level offers the functionalities of the basic level and additional functions for managing the profile of each member of the network.

  restricted and traffic management.

  During the development of the restricted network, the telecommunications operator providing this service records the contact details, such as Internet addresses, telephone numbers, etc., of each member. He communicates to each member a username and password. Furthermore, the list of mobile stations authorized to be part of the restricted network thus developed is stored in memory in the server 12 in the form of a list of identifiers each corresponding to a mobile station of the restricted network. Each identifier is associated, as indicated above, with a list of information necessary for the operation of the restricted network, such as the

  identifiers, functionalities, type of corresponding position, ...

  We will now describe different operating modes

  of the network which has just been described.

  By first referring to FIGS. 2a to 2d, we will first describe a first mode of operation of the network according to which a subscriber A requests the establishment of a communication with a subscriber B. To do this, the subscriber A transmits to the server 12 a request tending to establish a communication with the subscriber B, this request containing the address of this recipient subscriber (FIG. 2a). The server 12 then transmits to subscriber B a specific signal intended to indicate to the latter that a communication request has been made, this signal preferably containing information allowing subscriber B to know the origin of the call. (Figure 2b). After acceptance of this communication request (Figure 2c)

  a communication is then established by the server 12 (FIG. 2d).

  Referring now to FIGS. 3a to 3d, in the case where subscriber B is unavailable, after establishment of the request by subscriber A (FIG. 3a), the server 12 transmits to the latter a message offering to access it to a messaging service (Figure 3b). If this proposal is accepted, subscriber A deposits a message in the mailbox of subscriber B (Figure 3c). As soon as subscriber B is available, the server 12 transmits a signal to the latter intended to indicate to him that a message has been left in his voice mailbox (FIG. 3 d). Referring now to Figures 4a to 4g, the restricted network can also be used to generate a general call to

  all the mobile stations A, B, C, ..., X connected to the server 12.

  To do this, one of the subscribers, for example the subscriber carrying the mobile station A transmits to the server 12 a general call request, in the form of a specific signal. In response, the server 12 transmits an acceptance signal to it and transmits to the subscriber A transmitting the general call the list of connected members available to receive the message (FIG. 4b). During the next step, subscriber A records the message to be broadcast (FIG. 4c). During the next step, represented in FIG. 4d, the server 12 proceeds to broadcast the message on all the mobile stations. Later, some of the subscribers can respond to this message (Figure 4e), these responses then being

  sequentially broadcast to station A (step 4f).

  Referring to Figures Sa to 5e, for the establishment of a conference between several stations of the restricted network, it is necessary to transmit to the server 12 a request tending to the establishment of such a conference (Figure 5a). With this request, the subscriber A sending this request defines a subgroup of subscribers with whom he wishes to enter into a conference, by providing the server 12 with the list of stations B, ..., X of these subscribers. During the next step, represented in FIG. 5b, the members of the subgroup thus formed receive a warning message. When one of the subscribers, such as subscriber B transmits to the server 12 an acceptance message, by which he agrees to enter into conference with subscriber A, the communication is established and the latter is informed of the arrival of subscriber B in conference

(Figure 5c).

  Likewise, as can be seen in FIG. 5d, when another subscriber X agrees to enter into a conference, subscribers A and B are then notified of his arrival in a conference. At the end of the conference, subscriber A transmits to the server 12 a signal intended to cause the conference to break. Subscribers B and X are then notified of the

  end of the conference and it ends.

  Referring now to FIGS. 6a to 6c, a subscriber Y to a public network outside the restricted network can call one of the members of the restricted network to establish a call.

over the phone.

  To do this, external subscriber Y calls the switchboard of the restricted network (Figure 6a), which checks the state of the extension of subscriber called A and the call so as to indicate the arrival of the call in from the external unit Y (Figure 6b). In case subscriber A is available and accepts this communication, the switchboard causes

  the transfer of the call to subscriber A (Figure 6c).

  To call an external station Y, subscriber A calls the switchboard and sends him a request to establish communication with an external station (Figure 7a). In response, the switchboard establishes a communication with the external subscriber Y, by calling the latter. As soon as he gets this communication, he calls

  A and transmits the communication to it (Figure 7c).

  Finally, with reference to FIGS. 8a to 8c, the telecommunications network according to the invention can be used to transfer data to a recipient and this in a secure manner. To do this, subscriber A transmits to server 12 a request for the execution of a secure data transfer (FIG. 8a). The server 12 then implements a security module capable of encrypting the data to be transferred, calls the recipient Y of the data and then causes the secure transfer of the data to the latter (FIG. 8b). At the end of the transfer, subscriber A transmits to the server

  12 a secure transfer stop command (FIG. 8c).

Claims (12)

  1. Telecommunications network, of the type comprising permanent connection links with telecommunications stations of said network, characterized in that it comprises a server center (12) in which are loaded a set of addresses of part of said stations telecommunications (A, B, C, ..., X) which are authorized to access a service for permanent connection of said stations so as to create a restricted and confidential network between these stations, the server center (12) comprising furthermore   means for managing connections established between the stations of said set.   2. Telecommunications network according to claim 1, characterized in that the management means comprise means for authorizing access to predetermined functionalities, from information which is stored in the server and which is associated to postal addresses.   3. telecommunications network according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one of the stations (A, B, C, ..., X) authorized to access said service is a switchboard, said   standard as part of the link management means.   4. Telecommunications network according to any one of   Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the server (12) comprises   means of identifying the bearer of each station in the restricted network. 5. Telecommunications network according to any one of   Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the server center is provided   means of interfacing the network with other telecommunications networks. 6. Telecommunication network according to any one of   Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the server (12) comprises   means for decoding position positioning information   to manage the connections between the stations according to their location.   7. Telecommunication network according to any one of   Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it includes means for   encryption for securely transferring data.   8. Telecommunication network according to any one of   Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it consists of a network of mobiles.   9. Telecommunications network according to any one of   Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it consists of a network of wired with permanent connection.   10. Telecommunications network according to any one of   Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it includes fixed accesses and mobile access.   11. Method for bringing telecommunications stations into communication via a network of   telecommunications according to any one of claims 1 to 10,   characterized in that it comprises the steps of: - putting the stations (A, B, C, ..., X) into communication with the server center (12); - control of the address of each telecommunications station so as to verify that the station belongs to all the stations authorized to be put in communication via the restricted network; and - establishment of connections between said stations (A, B, C, 25 ..., X) under the control of the management means and according to   specific features for each position.   12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises a step of identifying the bearer of each station, after the step of putting the stations into communication with the host.