EP1582075A1

EP1582075A1 - Method for establishing a communication between a transmitter and a receiver via a local switching centre in a public telephone network

Info

Publication number: EP1582075A1
Application number: EP04700682A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jörg BÖHMER
Original assignee: Siemens AG
Current assignee: Siemens AG
Priority date: 2003-01-08
Filing date: 2004-01-08
Publication date: 2005-10-05
Also published as: WO2004064417A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for establishing a connection between a transmitter (2) and a receiver (6) via a local switching centre (1) in a public telephone network, whereby both short messages (identified by the abbreviation SMS = short message service) are transmitted and other communications are established. The method is characterised in that a differentiation is made in the local switching centre (1) between the establishment of a communication for transmitting short messages (SMS) and the establishment of a communication for transmitting other communications.

Description

description

Method for establishing a connection between a transmitter and a receiver via a local exchange in a public telephone network

The invention relates to a Verfa ^'lead for establishing a connection between a transmitter and a receiver via a local exchange in a public telephone network, so-well Kurnachriσhten (common abbreviation: SMS = Short Message Service) are transmitted as other compounds are also prepared.

The sending of short messages, also known as SMS (Short Message Service), via a mobile radio network is generally known. Currently, this SMS feature is increasingly being introduced in the fixed telephone network. A short message is transmitted from an SMS-capable device to the SMS service center via a local exchange. The SMS service center then sends the short message to the recipient.

There are two different options for transmission over the fixed telephone network.

The User Based Solution (UBS) uses the voice channel for communication between an SMS-capable device and an SMS service center. The voice channel is switched end to end for the exchange of all SMS relevant information.

The second type of transmission, the Network Based Solution (NBS), uses various messages to communicate between an SMS-capable device and an SMS service center. For example, digital subscribers, such as ISDN subscribers, use DSSl messages (= Digital Subscriber System No. 1; ISDN) between their terminal and the local exchange. Analog subscribers use DTMF signaling (= Dual Tone Multi Frequency) and FSK signaling (= Frequency Shift Keying) for communication between the SMS-capable terminal and the local exchange.

With the Network Based Solution (NBS), the following problem arises when transmitting with DTMF signals:

In the local exchange, these DTMF signals are received with receiving modules called signal receivers. These signal receivers also receive the dialing digits, for example, when a telephone call is being set up normally. When transmitting a short message, where the short message consists of the dialing digit for the connection establishment for short messages and the actual content of the short message, with DTMF signals a higher number of DTMF signals are required than with dialing digits of the normal telephone call setup. For this reason, the transmission of the short message takes a long time. During this entire time of signal transmission for a short message, a signal receiver is busy and is therefore not available for normal dialing digit reception. In addition, the previously existing transmission standards provide for the transmission of a short message from the SMS-capable sender to the local exchange in only one step, that is to say the dialing number for establishing the connection for short messages and the actual content of the short message is transmitted as a “packet” a separation of short message traffic and dial-up traffic is not possible.

The number of signal receivers in the local exchange is designed for the normal occurrence of telephone calls and normal modem connections, which is caused by normal dialing digit reception. If additional short messages are transmitted in the fixed network in addition to the normal call volume and modem connection volume, this can lead to a system overload and / or undesirable waiting times for telecommunications subscribers.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method for establishing a connection between a transmitter and a receiver via a local exchange in a public telephone network, which makes it possible to send short messages with the existing number of signal receivers in the local exchange without the normal Negative influence on connection establishment, for example for telephone calls or modem connections.

This object is solved by claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of subordinate claims.

The inventor has recognized that the dialing procedure for setting up telephone calls and / or modem connections is not or only very slightly influenced if short messages are not transmitted in one step to the signal receivers of the local exchange.

Accordingly, the inventor proposes to improve the method for establishing a connection between a transmitter and a receiver via a local exchange in a public telephone network, both short messages (usual abbreviation: SMS = Short Message Service) being transmitted and other connections being established, so that A distinction is made in the local exchange between establishing a connection for sending short messages (SMS) and establishing a connection for sending other connections.

By differentiating between establishing a connection for sending short messages (SMS) and establishing a connection for sending other connections, such as telephone calls or modem connections, it is possible for the first time lent to separate "short message traffic" and normal "dial-up traffic". This separation makes it possible to better control the system resources of the local exchange. In this way, telephone calls that are supposed to 5 initiate a hasty personal conversation, for example, are given priority over short messages.

For the process it is advantageous if the dialed digits which initiate a connection establishment of short messages and 10, is the digits that are used to transmit the short message contents through the local exchange varying states of ^stress] can be.

Such a different treatment can take place, for example, in that the digits for the transmission of short message contents with lower priority than the dialing digits that initiate a connection establishment of short messages are forwarded to the signal receivers by the local exchange in the event of increased utilization of the local exchange.

If the utilization of the local exchange is lower, for example if the number of occupied signal receivers is below a certain threshold, then the)

25 dialing digits, which initiate a connection of short messages with equal priority to the digits that form the short message content, are forwarded to unassigned signal receivers.

30 The inventor has also found that the transmission of the dialing digits, which initiate a connection establishment of short messages, abbreviated: short message dialing digits, to the signal receiver pool takes as long as the transmission of the dialing digits, which is used to establish the connection other

35 connections serve. Through the transmission of short message dialing digits, the normal dialing digit transmission is thus used for establishing a call or for establishing a modem connection only marginally influenced. In contrast, the transmission of the actual short message content takes longer because, for example, significantly more DTMF signals are required for this.

For this reason, it is advantageous if the short message dialing digits and the digits which are used to transmit the short message content are sent separately to the local exchange. This ensures that the differently long transmission procedures can be separated from short message dialing digits and contents of the short messages. In this way, it can be avoided that the signal receivers are overcrowded in the event of an increase in the number of broadcast messages to be transmitted. The content of a short message can only be transmitted to the local exchange when the number of signal receivers that are already occupied for the short message transmission has fallen below a certain threshold.

The dialing digits that initiate the connection of short messages can be marked with an indicator. This identification of the short message dialing digits makes it easier to distinguish between a short message connection setup and a connection setup from other connections. Such a mark can be on the transmitter at the

Entry or when the short message is sent. For example, the short message recipient number can be preceded and / or followed by the pound sign (#), the star key (*) or a combination of numbers.

Another advantage of the invention is that with increased utilization of the local exchange, it is now possible for the dialing digits that are used to establish the connection of other connections to prevail over the dialing digits that initiate a connection establishment of short messages

Signal receivers can be forwarded. A call setup that involves two telecommunications participants connects others, be treated preferentially. To establish a connection for the transmission of a short message, for example, a signal tone can be emitted to the sender of the short message if it is currently not possible to send short message content.

It is furthermore favorable if, below a certain number of occupied signal receivers, the dialing digits, which are used to establish the connection of other connections, are passed on to the unassigned signal receivers with equal priority to the dialing digits, which initiate a connection establishment of short messages. As a result, the local exchange, the connection establishment of other connections and the connection establishment of short messages can be established in parallel with a low load on the local exchange. There are therefore no waiting times for telephone callers / modem users and for senders of short messages.

If the SMS-capable sender is an analog device, the transmission of the dialing digits that initiate the connection of short messages, the content of the short messages and the dialing digits that serve to establish the connection of other connections, must be carried out by the sender to the local exchange DTMF Signals (Dual Tone Multi Frequency) are suitable.

The local exchange can signal the transmitter by means of a signal tone if all signal receivers are busy and therefore no short message can be sent. This will send the sender of a short message

Possibility given to send the short message at a later point in time, at which the utilization of the local exchange is ready for the transmission of a short message. In addition to this, it is advantageous if the local exchange signals the transmitter by means of a signal tone when the latter is ready for a transmission of the short message.

If the occurrence of incoming short message dialing digits and incoming dialing digits, which are used to set up other connections, is monitored and controlled in the local exchange, system overload or waiting times for the telecommunications subscribers can be effectively prevented.

Additional features and advantages of the invention result from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. They represent:

Figure 1: Schematic representation of components of a fixed telephone network;

Figures 2 to 4: representations of process steps

(Method step 1 to method step 19), which are carried out within these fixed telephone network components in order to send a short message.

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of some components of a fixed telephone network. On the left side of FIG. 1, an SMS-capable sending device 2 is shown, which is at least capable of sending short messages. This can be a known telephone device. The SMS-capable transmitter 2 is connected to the local exchange 1 via an AB core 3.

The local exchange 1 has: at least one

FSK signaling unit 1.1, which can be connected to the SMS-capable transmitter device 2, and a connection device device 1.2, which controls the connection of the SMS-capable transmitter 2 to the local exchange 1 and enables signaling via the AB core 3.

The connection device 1.2 in turn consists of a peripheral processor module 1.2.1 and a pool of signal receivers 1.2.2. In addition, the connection device 1.2 is connected to the network-wide character delivery system (SS7) via network-internal and / or network-wide communication channels 4. The SMS service center 5, which can enable both a connection to a fixed telephone network and to a mobile radio network, also has access to the network-wide character delivery system (SS7).

FIGS. 2 to 4 show the method steps 1 to 19, which are symbolized by arrows, and which run within the components in FIG. 1 in order to send a short message from the ^' SMS-capable sending device 2 to the SMS service center 5 and then to the SMS able to send receiver device 6.

In FIG. 2, process steps 1 to 7 are represented by arrows, the process steps being explained below:

Method step 1: After entering the short message and the recipient number on the SMS-capable subscriber terminal 2, the "off-hook" state of the local exchange 1 is signaled.

Process step 2: The peripheral processor module 1.2.1 applies to the pool of signal receivers 1.2.2 to reserve a signal receiver for a normal dial-up connection.

Method step 3: A message from the pool of signal receivers 1.2.2 is sent to the peripheral processor module 1.2.1 that a signal receiver is available. Method step 4: The peripheral processor module 1.2.1 connects the available signal receiver to the SMS-enabled subscriber terminal 2 and sends a dial tone to the SMS-enabled subscriber terminal 2.

Method step 5: The SMS-capable subscriber terminal 2 sends a specific access code, which consists of DTMF digits, to this signal receiver.

Method step 6: The access code is transmitted from the signal receiver to the peripheral processor module 1.2.1.

Method step 7: The access code is identified by the peripheral processor module 1.2.1 and the occupied signal receiver is released.

In FIG. 3, process steps 8 to 15 are represented by arrows, the process steps being explained below:

Method step 8: The peripheral processor module 1.2.1 requests the reservation of a signal receiver for the transmission of the short message from the pool of signal receivers 1.2.2.

Method step 9: The signal receiver pool 1.2.2 selects a corresponding signal receiver and communicates this to the peripheral processor module 1.2.1. A signal receiver is only assigned if the number of signal receivers already occupied with short message transmission has fallen below or falls below a threshold value.

Method step 10: The peripheral processor module 1.2.1 connects the available signal receiver via the voice channel to the SMS-capable subscriber terminal 2 and sends the SMS-enabled subscriber terminal 2 a specific tone. Method step 11: The SMS-capable subscriber terminal 2 transmits the short message with DTMF digits to the local exchange 1. This transmission can take a long time.

Method step 12: The received DTMF digits are transmitted to the peripheral processor module 1.2.1. There the numbers are turned into a No. 7 message (SS7) converted.

Process step 13: the no. 7 Message (SS7) is transmitted to the SMS service center 5.

Method step 14: The signal receiver is released again.

Method step 15: The SMS service center 5 sends a corresponding confirmation of correct receipt to the local exchange 1.

In FIG. 4, process steps 16 to 19 are represented by arrows, the process steps being explained below:

Method step 16: The peripheral processor module 1.2.1 connects the FSK signaling device 1.1 via the

Voice channel with the SMS-capable transmitter 2 and instructs the FSK signaling device 1.1 with the transmission of the corresponding FSK signals.

Method step 17: The FSK signaling unit 1.1 transmits the signals to the SMS-capable transmission device 2.

Method step 18: The SMS-capable sending device 2 recognizes the FSK signals and saves the new status of the short message. Now the transmission process is ended by signaling the "on-hook" state to the local exchange 1. Method step 19: The SMS service center 5 delivers the short message to the SMS-capable receiver device 6. Note: The delivery of the short message to the SMS-capable receiver device 6 itself consists of several steps which are not relevant to the method according to the invention and are therefore not explained in more detail here.

It goes without saying that the features of the invention mentioned above can be used not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations or on their own, without leaving the scope of the invention.

Overall, the invention therefore enables short messages (SMS) to be sent between a transmitter and a receiver within the fixed telephone network, while maintaining the existing number of signal receivers in the local exchange, without the normal call setup and the modem connection setup being negative Example by influencing time delays.

List of abbreviations used:

AE connection device DSSl Digital Subscriber System No. 1 (ISDN) DTMF Dual Tone Multi Frequency FSKE Frequency Shift Keying signaling device

ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network

LE Local Exchange local exchange

NBS Network Based Solution

Off-hook when the handset is removed

On-hook with the handset on-hook

PPM peripheral processor module

SMS Short Message Service

SMSC SMS service center

SMTE Short Message Terminal Equipment = Short Message capable subscriber terminal

SR pool signal receiver pool = pool of signal receivers

SS7 Signaling System No 7 UBS User Based Solution

Claims

claims

1. A method for establishing a connection between a transmitter (2) and a receiver (6) via a local exchange (1) in a public telephone network, with both short messages (usual abbreviation: SMS = Short Message Service) being transmitted and other connections being established , characterized in that a distinction is made in the local exchange (1) between establishing a connection for sending short messages (SMS) and establishing a connection for sending other connections.

2. The method according to the preceding claim 1, characterized in that

Dialing digits that initiate a connection of short messages and digits that form the short message content can be treated differently by the local exchange (1).

3. The method according to the preceding claim 2, characterized in that the local exchange (1) forwards the dialing digits that initiate the establishment of a connection of short messages, in preference to the digits that form the short message content, to signal receivers (1.2.2) when the load in the local exchange (1) is high.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims

1 to 3, characterized in that below a certain number of occupied signal receivers, the dialing digits, which initiate a connection of short messages, have the same priority as the

Digits that form the course message content are forwarded to unassigned signal receivers (1.2.2).

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the dialing digits that initiate a connection of short messages and the digits that form the short message content are sent separately to the local exchange (1).

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the dialing digits that initiate a connection of short messages are marked by an identifier.

7. The method according to the preceding claim 6, characterized in that the identifier on the transmitter (2) is generated when entering or sending the short message.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the local exchange (1) the dialing digits, which are used to set up connections of other connections, over the dialing digits, which initiate a connection establishment of short messages, to the signal receiver (1.2 .2) forwards if the utilization in the local exchange (1) is high.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterized in that below a certain number of occupied signal receivers, the dialing digits, which are used to set up other connections, have equal priority to the dialing digits, which initiate the establishment of a connection for short messages, are forwarded to unassigned signal receivers (1.2.2).

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the transmission of the dialing digits that initiate a connection establishment of short messages, the content of the short messages and the dialing digits that serve to establish connection of other connections, from the transmitter (2) to the local exchange (1) with DTMF signals (Dual Tone Multi Frequency).

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the local exchange (1) signals the transmitter (2) by a signal tone when all signal receivers (1.2.2) are busy and thus no short message can be sent.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the local exchange (1) signals the transmitter (2) by a signal tone when it is ready for a transmission of the short message.

13. The method according to any one of the preceding claims

1 to 12, characterized in that in the local exchange (1) the occurrence of incoming dialing digits, which initiate a connection establishment of short messages, and incoming dialing digits, which serve to establish connection of other connections, is monitored and controlled.