DE10130537A1 - Data transmission involves establishing communications connection from user terminal to service provision component whose access information is stored on memory medium - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves storing access information for at least one service provision component on a memory medium associated with the user, selecting a service provision component whose service is to be called up and establishing a communications connection from the user terminal to a service provision component whose access information is stored on the memory medium by interrogating the access information. AN Independent claim is also included for the following: a memory medium, especially for implementing the inventive method.

Description

The invention relates to a method for handling a Message with multimedia messaging service (MMS) reference in Network elements of a packet-switched network or in devices communicating with such network elements. Here, the term "handling" includes in particular Labeling, providing, recognizing, processing and / or Understand editing a message related to MMS.

Furthermore, the invention relates to corresponding Devices, software programs and a software program product.

In mobile radio technology, it is provided that so-called multimedia messaging service (MMS) services open up new possibilities for the provision and transmission of data. MMS content consists of one or more elements, such as text, voice, images and video. More details on this can be found in the publications of 3GPP ^(3rd Generation Partnership Project) and ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute), the contents - are hereby explicitly incorporated into the disclosure - as well as the other documents referred to below. With regard to the implementation of multimedia messaging service, reference is made, for example, to 3GPP TS 22.140 V4.0.1 and 3GPP TS 23.140 V4.1.0.

The transfer of data in the technology of the second Mobile radio generation (especially GSM, Global System for Mobile Communications) and the third generation of mobile communications (esp. UMTS, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System) either circuit or packet switched. In the latter case the data is stored in individual data packets using a so-called Packet Data Protocol (PDP), such as IP, transmitted. For the definition of the PDP type see also GSM03.60 or 3G TS 23.060 and in particular Chapter 9 and Annex A of 3G TS 23.060.

The present invention is in the field of packet-switched data transmission. Packet-switched services are logically implemented in the GSM and UMTS structure by interconnecting two types of network nodes, at least one serving GPRS support node (SGSN) and at least one gateway GPRS support node (GGSN), which are part of the core network, the so-called Core Network, are. The MMS relay and the MMS server are network elements in the area of responsibility of an MMS service provider that provide the various users with the MMS functionality. An overview of the logical architecture of the so-called Packet Domain (PD) including a description can be found in ETSI GSM 12.15 V6.2.0 and 3G TS 32015 V3.4.0, see. esp. The local Fig. 1st

It is an object of the present invention, the signaling when using MMS services in packet-switched networks according to the second (2G +) and third (3G) mobile radio generation to simplify. At the same time, it should be more and more Significant functionality of roaming between Mobile networks from different providers are supported.

This task is in the process of the aforementioned Kind of solved a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context activated with an MMS-specific PDP type ("MMS") or deactivated, requested, sent, received, modified or such an action is initiated.

Furthermore, this task is performed by the device Features of claim 9 solved. In terms of software Programs or the software program product becomes this Object by the features of claims 13, 14 and 15 solved.

The advantages of the invention can be seen in particular in that through the introduction of the new PDP type, which is exemplary can carry the name "MMS" in the Core Network of the packet-switched mobile radio enables MMS-specific treatment becomes. This includes, for example, MMS-specific Fee models, a special treatment of MMS messages in overload situations, specific MMS routing within of the core network or establishing a PPP / IP connection for MMS messages via the Gi interface from a GGSN too an MMS relay that uses the MMS "End User Address" is determined.

By means of the invention can in without great effort the mobile network elements SGSN and GGSN or on the Gi Interface to the participating network elements be made available, which makes it possible to use the new PDP type to recognize whether a PDP context Multimedia messaging service is activated. Based on this new information, d. H. the PDP type "MMS", the Mobile network elements given the opportunity to To perform MMS specific treatment.

The invention thus realizes a simple and effective Distinguishing feature between a conventional one packet-switched connection (e.g. to an Internet service Provider) and a packet-switched connection for MMS services.

The present invention further provides one full roaming support.

The treatment of the PDP type is preferably carried out in accordance with the prior art treatment of the previously usual PDP types. Purpose, structure and z. Currently available PDP types are in the specification 3G TS 23.060 as well as in the 3G TS 24.008. For data exchange with an external packet Data Networks (PDNs) require a mobile terminal or a mobile station or generally user equipment the manufacture z. B. a successful packet-switched Connection according to GPRS (in the GSM architecture, GSM = Global System for Mobile Communication) or UMTS one or more requests addresses used in the PDN, for example one Internet Protocol (IP) address in the event that the PDN is a IP network is. This address is called the PDP address. she is either static or dynamic. In the static case it is PDP address set once while in dynamic Case is redistributed for each session. For every session or session, a so-called PDP context is generated which Describes characteristics of this session. It contains the PDP Type, the PDP address assigned to the mobile station requested Quality of Service (QoS) and the address of the GGSN, that serves as an access point to the PDN. This PDP context will stored in the User Equipment (UE), the SGSN and the GGSN. With an activated PDP context, the mobile station is for the external PDN "visible" and can send data packets and receive. The GGSN can process data packets by comparing addresses transmitted between the PDN and the UE. A participant can have multiple active PDP contexts at the same time.

According to the invention, in particular the activation, Deactivation, modification and / or request of a PDP context proposed with the new PDP type. Is also a Initiation of one or more of these actions with one such PDP context is part of this invention. Based on the new PDP Type can e.g. B. in the SGSN and / or in the GGSN that the subscriber has selected an MMS service. This Information can then be used in these network nodes MMS-related signal and / or data transfers from or to other network elements.

A PDP context with the PDP type according to the invention is preferably activated by a user via his user equipment. In an alternative, the activation by the responsible GGSN initiated (Network-Requested PDP Context Activation Procedure), see the correspondence according to the state of the Technology as described in 3G TS 23.060, chap. 9.2.2.1 and Chap. 9.2.2.2 are described.

Deactivation can be done by the UE, the responsible SGSN or be initiated by the responsible GGSN, s. the corresponding designs according to the prior art, such as it in 3G TS 23.060, chap. 9.2.4 are described.

The invention includes in addition to the devices that the Implementation of the method according to the invention are involved - in particular UE, SGSN, GGSN, HLR (Home Location Register) or HSS (Home Subscriber Server), MMS relay - and appropriate means such as sending and receiving means as well in particular include processors, the necessary software programs, which are carried out on the devices mentioned. In particular, the invention includes mobile telecommunication devices with a processor (or connected to a processor) that is designed such that the MMS-specific PDP type at Activation of a PDP context by a user is activated.

Advantageous further developments are due to the features of Subclaims marked.

The following are some embodiments of the invention explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. Show it:

FIG. 1 shows a network structure of packet-switched data services and connection of an MMS relay;

Figure 2 shows a preferred structure of the new PDP type.

FIG. 3 shows the transmission of an MMS relay IP address of a UE, or MT (Mobile Termination) to GGSN;

Fig. 4 shows the transmission of an MMS relay IP address from a HLR to the GGSN, and

Fig. 5 shows the transmission of an MMS relay IP address from a radius to the GGSN.

Fig. 1 shows a network structure of packet-switched data services and the connection of an MMS relay, as it is essentially prior art. The network structure shown corresponds essentially to the packet domain logical architecture, as is known, for example, from FIG. 2 of the 3G TS 23.060. To explain the present invention, only a section of this architecture is important. For further details, reference is made to the sources above.

A terminal referred to as a mobile station (MS) or also as user equipment (UE) contains in a device identified as a mobile termination MT all the functions required for radio transmission and also a subscriber interface at the terminal TE (not shown) via the end-to-end Connections between applications can be realized. The MS or MT is connected to an access network to enable access to the UMTS network via a reference point Uu. The access network, also called Access Network Domain (AND), can either be a UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) or a Base Station (Sub) System) for the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM-BBS) according to FIG. 1 ) will be realized. A UE or MT can be connected to the core network domain via the UTRAN using a so-called Iu interface or via the BSS using an interface Gb.

The core network domain is essentially implemented using two network nodes. On the one hand this is the Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) and on the other hand the Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN). The SGSN can therefore support GPRS for both GSM and UMTS. The SGSN and the GGSN are connected to each other via an Gn interface. As indicated in the lower part of FIG. 1, the SGSN can communicate with other SGSNs or GGSNs of its own network, but also other networks ("different PLMN").

The GGSN can be connected via an interface Gi with an MMS relay Establish a connection via an interface with an MMS server (Multimedia Messaging Service - Server) connected is. The MMS relay and the MMS server are part of it a Public Data Network (PDN). The specific PDP address (Packet Data Protocol) is evaluated by the PDN.

In a so-called Home Location Register (HLR) are usually Packet Domain (PD) data according to the individual data of individual participants and routing information contain. Here, the HLR u. a. via a so-called Gr interface from the SGSN, via a so-called Gc interface from the GGSN and via a so-called MM5 interface accessible from an MMS relay. It is envisaged that the HLR functionality of today's PLMN Networks taken over from an HSS (Home Subscriber Server) or is added. The corresponding protocols and Interfaces are then to be adapted to this. Although the invention is in following explained using an HLR; there are fundamental differences from the use of an HSS but not.

In FIG. 2, a preferred structure of the PDP type according to the invention is illustrated with the exemplary name "MMS". The PDP type MMS preferably has the same structure as the already standardized PDP type PPP. "PPP" stands for "Point-to-Point Protocol". This protocol was defined by the "Internet Engineering Task Force" (IETF) in RFC # 1661. The PDP type is defined in the specifications 3G TS 23.060 and 3G TS 24.008. In FIG. 2, the "2" in octet 5 is the coding for "MMS" (in PDP type PPP there is a "1" in octet 5, which is the coding for "PPP"). The new PDP type MMS is therefore based on the PDP type PPP with the difference of a new "PDP type number". As with PPP, no address is preferably transmitted in the "End User Address IE" (information element). Rather, the "end user address" is preferably - as in the case of the PDP type PPP - later negotiated via the PPP protocol. Since the structure of this version of the proposed PDP type MMS does not directly contain an MMS “End User Address”, this must be specified or determined using other methods.

Three relevant exemplary embodiments are described below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. All examples are based on FIG. 1 and assume that a PDP context with the PDP type "MMS" is activated in a mobile radio or mobile termination MT (see "A" in the star in FIG. 1) , The PDP type "MMS" is transmitted during the PDP context activation via UTRAN (see "1" in Fig. 1) to the SGSN and from there to the GGSN (see "2" in Fig. 1). An MMS-specific treatment can be carried out in the packet-switched mobile radio network elements using the PDP type "MMS". For this purpose, e.g. B. include special charging mechanisms such as "Charge free".

The three exemplary embodiments explain how to determining MMS relay IP address provided in the GGSN can be.

The first embodiment according to FIG. 3 provides the MMS “End User Address” from the mobile phone MT (or generally a UE) during a PDP context activation via UTRAN (see “1” in the star) to the packet-switched mobile radio network elements ( see "2") and finally to the GGSN (see "3"). The GGSN can now establish a connection to the selected MMS relay using this MMS "End User Address" (see "4" in the star).

The MMS "End User Address" can in the mobile phone MT (or generally a UE) can either be freely configured by users or from the mobile network provider on the (U) SIM ((UMTS) Subscriber Identity Module) can be saved. A Specifying the MMS "End User Address" on the (U) SIM limits the Users on the one hand when choosing alternatives MMS providers, but also saves him at the same time cumbersome configuration of MMS "End User Addresses".

The second embodiment according to FIG. 4 relates to the possibility of transmitting the MMS "End User Address" from the HLR or HSS to the SGSN during a query for the "Subscription Information", see 3G TS 29.002 (see "1" in Star). During a PDP context activation, the MMS "End User Address" can be transmitted from the SGSN to the GGSN (see "2"). The GGSN can now establish a connection to the selected MMS relay using this MMS "End User Address" (see "3"). An advantage of this variant is that the mobile radio provider can change or update the MMS "End User Address" at any time.

The third variant according to FIG. 5 assumes that the GGSN has not received a valid MMS “End User Address” or that the mobile radio network provider or the GGSN does not support it (see “1” in the star). In this case, the GGSN can start a query to a RADIUS (Remote Access Dial In User Service) server that delivers an MMS "End User Address" for this MMS message (see "2"). The GGSN can now establish a connection to the selected MMS relay using this MMS "End User Address" (see "3"). An advantage of this variant is that the mobile radio provider or an MMS provider can change or update the MMS "End User Address" at any time.

The invention can be used in particular to carry out the respective procedural steps for network nodes or elements of the type SGSN, GGSN, HLR, HSS and MMS relay. The Implementation is carried out by appropriate, from the Invention encompassed software programs based on the above Devices can be loaded and / or loaded accordingly are executable. The invention also relates to mobile Telecommunication devices such as cell phones, the one have their own processor or with a processor connected (e.g. that of a connected laptop, a notebook, an organizer u. Ä.), by means of this Arrangement of the method steps according to the invention can be carried out or initiated. The realization takes place also by implementing appropriate software Programs.

Claims (15)

1. Procedure for handling a message with a multimedia messaging service (MMS) reference in network elements (Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN), Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN), Home Location Register (HLR), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), MMS Relay) of a packet-switched network or in devices (user equipment, UE) communicating with such network elements, characterized in that a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context with an MMS-specific PDP type ("MMS") is activated or deactivated , requested, sent, received, modified or such an action is initiated. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized, that when calling an MMS service via a UE, in particular a mobile termination (MT) or a mobile station (MS) PDP context with the MMS-specific PDP type ("MMS") in the field PDP type is also activated. 3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized, that the activation of the PDP context by a UE is requested or initiated by the responsible GGSN. 4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized, that the deactivation of the PDP context by a UE, the competent SSGN or the responsible GGSN is initiated. 5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized, that in the network elements (SGSN, GGSN, HLR, HSS, MMS- Relay) on the basis of the MMS-specific PDP type ("MMS") is that the subscriber has selected an MMS service. 6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized, that MMS-relevant data when calling an MMS service between the network elements or between with the Network elements communicating devices and network elements are transmitted, in particular from the UE to the SGSN and / or from HLR or HSS to SGSN and / or from SGSN to GGSN. 7. The method according to claim 6, characterized, that the MMS-relevant data the MMS relay address ("End User Address ") to establish a connection from the GGSN to an MMS Relay, MMS-specific billing data, MMS-specific Routing within the core network (Core Network) and / or MMS specific handling of MMS messages in Overload situations include. 8. The method according to claim 7, characterized, that the GGSN the MMS relay address from a remote access Queries Dial In User Service (RADIUS). 9. Device with a processor or with a processor connected, which is set up in such a way that the Method steps according to one of claims 1 to 8 are feasible. 10. The device according to claim 9, characterized, that they are designed as SGSN, GGSN, HLR, HSS or MMS relay is. 11. The device according to claim 9, characterized, that they as UE, especially as mobile Telecommunications device (Mobile Station, MS), is formed, in which Activation of a PDP context of the MMS-specific PDP type ("MMS") can also be activated. 12. The device according to claim 11, characterized, that the UE is designed such that MMS-relevant data, in particular MMS "End User Addresses", free of the subscriber configurable and / or from one in the device recorded (U) SIM card ((UMTS) Subscriber Identity Module) can be called up, the MMS-relevant data in particular from a mobile network operator on the (U) SIM card have been saved. 13. Software program, which on a device with connected to a processor or to a processor, in particular a device according to one of claims 9 to 12, can run such that the software program together with the Device including the processor the process steps on the side of the participant's UE, HLR or HSS and / or the network node (SGSN, GGSN; MMS relay) of the Core network and / or the external network according to one of the claims 1 to 8 executes. 14. Software program, which in a device with a Processor or connected to a processor, in particular a device according to one of claims 9 to 12, loadable so that the device programmed in this way including the processor is capable or customized, Procedural steps on the side of the UE, the HLR or the HSS of the Subscriber and / or the network node (SGSN, GGSN; MMS relay) of the core network or the external network according to one of the Execute claims 1 to 8. 15. Software program product that is a processor readable Includes storage medium on which a program is stored, which it is a device with a processor or with connected to a processor, in particular a device any one of claims 9 to 12 after it has been loaded, enables the procedural steps on the side of the UE, the HLR or the HSS of the subscriber and / or the network node (SGSN, GGSN; MMS relay) of the core network or the external one Perform network according to one of claims 1 to 8.