JP2002507869A - Method and system for routing calls between cellular subsystems - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: A communication system having a network switching system (MSC), in addition to a conventional subsystem (BSS), has a second sub-system accessible by a first group of mobile communication subscribers of the communication system. It has a system (WIO, BTS). SOLUTION: The second subsystem is used in a communication system when a mobile terminal of a mobile communication subscriber can communicate with a base station (BTS) of the second subsystem (WIO, BTS). Means (ILR, GK) for mapping the telephone number identifying the communication subscriber to the network address of the second subsystem (WIO, BTS).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods and systems for conducting communications, and more particularly, to the integrated use of public and private communication networks.

[0002]

[Prior art]

Since the first digital cellular telephones launched on the market, communications have undergone a radical change. Digital mobile communications technologies such as GSM can provide comparable, if not better, sound quality than regular landline telephones. This sound quality
In addition to the obvious benefits of mobility, this is one reason for the increased use of cellular phones. In many cases, cellular telephones have become more popular than fixed lines, even within offices. In any case, mobile communication connections are generally more expensive than fixed connections. Thus, the opportunity to use a wireless connection outside of the office tends to increase the cost of the entire company as subscribers generally use the communication method that provides the best availability.

[0003] Another prominent trend is the introduction of many new products for IP telephony systems. I
P-Phone is an emerging set of technologies that enables voice, data and video collaboration over current IP-based local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs) and the Internet. become. IP telephony has many advantages, one of which is its use as a cost-effective way to implement traditional telephony services (such as long distance calls).

In the past, organizations have developed separate networks to handle traditional voice, data and video traffic. Because each network has different transport requirements, these networks are expensive to install, maintain, and reconfigure. Generally, separate terminals are required for each network, which increases costs and complicates matters from the user's perspective. Furthermore, because these networks are physically separate, their integration is very difficult. This limits the potential usefulness of these networks.

[0005] In a private branch exchange (PBX), there is a conventional method for reducing the cost of an extension call, whether it is a fixed-line call or a mobile communication connection, by route assignment using an extension short number.
In any case, such methods generally require telephone number information that is not available when needed. Users who rely on the personal telephone directory stored in the memory of the mobile terminal device often dislike holding and using several telephone numbers for one person, and use the telephone number for the mobile communication subscriber. Often do. As a result, call routing is often performed outside the office infrastructure. In this text and all text below, the term “office”
The term "" refers to an environment with several users, where a user connects to a business entity, such as a company, and permanently or temporarily authenticates access to the communication services provided by that business entity. It represents the environment that was set.

[0006] Dual mode phones have been proposed that access a local private network (eg, DECT) in the office, while accessing a public network (eg, GSM) outside the office. In such systems, telephone number mapping can be performed to allow a single telephone number to communicate with the subscriber.
In any case, such a solution requires the construction and maintenance of overlapping telecommunications networks in the office, yet services such as internet access away from the desk are limited to a relatively small area of use. I will.
WO 95/33348 discloses an apparatus for connecting a mobile communication system and a cordless access communication system using a dual mode terminal device for accessing both a GSM network and a DECT network. .

[0007] A recent means of connecting a switch with a computer system uses an integrated computer and telephone (CTI) gateway. CTI is most often used in environments where a repository of information, such as a database, must be accessed for each incoming call. This allows the person answering the incoming call to receive additional information about the client, such as previous purchase history, preferences, and geographic location. However, the use of such CTI applications requires access to the switch through a public application programming interface provided by the gateway. Further, in current CTI systems, voice and data are not actually integrated, but run in parallel with each other.

[0008]

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

Now, a communication system has been invented that solves these problems and constraints or significantly reduces the effects of these problems. In the solution according to the invention, a new network element is introduced, the office network is linked to the public mobile communication network, and when the user is at the office premises, the telephone is routed to the user via the office communication network When the user is outside the office, the telephone is routed to the user via the public mobile communication network. In order to be able to use the conventional mobile terminal inside and outside the office, the interface with the mobile terminal remains the same, ignoring the route assignment. When the user is in the office, the mobile subscriber telephone number of the mobile communication network is mapped to the relevant network address,
One subscriber can be addressed using a unique subscriber telephone number. Intra-office calls, i.e., the routing of calls to and from the other party by accessing the office network, are performed through the office network, thereby maintaining traffic. Therefore, costs are incurred only within the office infrastructure.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a communication system having a mobile switching system, a first subsystem having at least one base station for communicating with a mobile terminal via an air interface, A second subsystem having at least one base station for communicating with the mobile terminal via the interface is provided. The second subsystem is accessible by a first group of mobile subscribers of the communication system and converts signals from the mobile switching system into data packets of the second subsystem and a second subsystem. At least one network element for converting a data packet from a sub-system into a mobile switching system signal, and further converting a mobile switching system signal from a base station into a second sub-system data packet. At least one connection with at least one base station of the second subsystem for converting data packets from the second subsystem into signals of a mobile switching system for the base station. Has a network element. The second subsystem comprises a second subsystem
Means for distributing data packets in a second subsystem according to a network address assigned to a network element of the second subsystem, and enabling a mobile terminal of the mobile subscriber to communicate with a base station of the second subsystem And means for mapping a telephone number identifying a mobile communication subscriber of the communication system to a network address of the second subsystem.

Further aspects of the invention are illustrated by the network elements claimed in independent claims 9 and 14 and the method as claimed in independent claim 16. Preferred embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

From the user's point of view, the benefits of the present invention derive from the fact that the functions required to optimize the route assignment are transparent to the user. While mobility within and outside the office is widely supported, the task of accounting for the costs arising from the use of various networks is no longer an employee involvement issue. It is possible to use one telephone number for one subscriber without having to consider whether the call is in or out of the office. In addition, the integration of computers and telephones allows for a wide range of service enhancements.

From a company perspective, a further benefit of the present invention derives from the fact that the quality and quantity of service can be increased without increasing costs. In many cases even cost reductions are possible. The integration of computers and telephones will provide increased service manageability and adaptability, leading to better service for customers. This generally increases productivity.

The office network is preferably an IP (Internet Protocol) based network. This office network may be a simple LAN or a complex interconnected corporate WAN. The public mobile telecommunications network is preferably a digital public land mobile network (PLMN) provided and maintained by an operator, which provides a cellular service area for mobile terminals in a much larger area than the office premises. Preferably, it is a land mobile network (PLMN). Although it is possible to use a system that supports any standard or any multiple access scheme (time division multiple access, code division multiple access), GSM is recommended as a preferred embodiment due to its wide-area service area.
The system is used.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention and for illustrating a method of practicing the same, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings by way of example.

The block diagram of FIG. 1 illustrates the basic concept of the system of the present invention utilizing GSM as a public mobile communication network. In a conventional GSM system, a mobile station MS is connected to a base station BTS that uses wireless communication. Base station BTS
Is further connected via a so-called Abis interface to a base station controller BSC which controls and manages several base stations. Some base stations BT
The entity formed by S and the single base station controller BSC that controls them is called the base station subsystem BSS. In particular, base station controller B
The SC manages the wireless communication channel and handover. On the other hand, the base station controller BSC is connected via a so-called A interface to a mobile services switching center (MSC) which coordinates the establishment of a connection between mobile stations. Via the mobile services switching center MSC, a connection can be established with a subscriber who is not communicating under the mobile communication network.

In the system of the present invention, a base station BTS in an office WIO (wireless internet office) premises is connected to an office connected to an MSC via an IP network.
It is functionally connected to a network LAN. When the MS is within the base station BTS service area, mobile terminated calls and mobile initiated calls and other services (such as GSM data, fax and short messages) are handled via the office network LAN. . When the MS is not within the coverage area of the base station BTS, the service is processed in a conventional manner via the BSS.

Note that FIG. 1 is a simplified example of this solution. Two or more MSCs
May also be present, and it is also possible to connect with some other communication networks (PLMN, PSTN, ISDN, etc.). The LAN can be connected to other LANs of the same enterprise at different locations and can be connected by IP / Intranet.

In the past, various types of media (ie, voice, data, video) were distributed separately. Recent developments in IP telephony have focused on handling various types of services over a single network, as illustrated in FIG. IP phones mix voice, video and data by specifying a common transport medium (IP) for each of voice, video and data. Specifically, IP phones are open IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) and I
Using the TU (International Telecommunication Union) standard to run multimedia traffic over any network that uses IP, thereby providing a physical medium (eg, a traditional telephone service line that provides only voice calling capabilities). , ADSL, ISDN,
Both flexibility in leased lines, coaxial cable satellites and twisted pair lines) and flexibility in physical location are provided to the user. The result is connectivity to individuals, businesses, schools and governments around the world using the same ubiquitous network that carries web, email and data traffic.

ITU standard H.323 is used as the preferred embodiment for office network protocols. H.323 is often regarded as the "Internet" video conferencing standard, but in fact supports any combination of voice, video and data, and supports any LAN protocol (IPX, TCP / IP). An open standard for multimedia communications (voice, video and data) on connectionless networks designed to be implemented. The block chart of FIG. 3 illustrates the range (dotted line) of the H.323 specification. H.323 specifies call control, multimedia management, and bandwidth management for point-to-point and multipoint conferencing. H.323 supports standard voice and video codecs and supports data sharing via the T.120 standard. Also, H.323 is network, platform and application independent, and H.323 allows any H.323 compliant terminal to work with any other terminal.

H.323 enables multimedia streams over current packet-switched networks. To negate the effects of LAN latency, H
.323 uses the Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP), which is an IETF standard designed to handle the constantly flowing real-time voice and video requests over the Internet. H
The overhead per packet in .323 is 12 bytes for RTP header, 8 bytes for UDP, 20 bytes for IP, and about 1-3 bytes for link level header and framing. All H.323 clients are guaranteed to support the standards H.261 and G.711. H.261 is an ITU standard designed for video codecs, which transmits compressed video at a rate of 64 kbps and at a resolution of 176 × 44 pixels (QCIF). G.711 is an ITU standard for audio code designed to transmit A-law and μ-law PCM audio bit rates of 48, 56 and 64 kbps. Optionally, H.323 clients can support additional codecs such as H.263 and G.723. H.263 is an ITU standard video codec, and G.723 is an ITU standard audio codec designed to operate at very low bit rates.

For system control, the H.323 standard specifies three commands and control protocols, and H.245 governs the operation of H.323 terminals, including exchange of received data capabilities, commands and instructions. Responsible for the control messages you make. H.225
.0 (Q.931) is used for setting up the connection between the two terminals, and the RAS controls the registration, admission and bandwidth functions between the endpoint and the gatekeeper.

For an H.323-based communication system, the standard defines four main components. A terminal is a client endpoint that connects to a network. All terminals must support voice communication,
Video and data support is optional.

The gateway bridges H.323 meetings with other networks and communication protocols. A gateway is not required if no connection to other networks or H.323 non-compliant terminals is not required.

The gatekeeper performs two important functions: address translation and bandwidth management. These features help the gatekeeper maintain the health of the network. Also, the gatekeeper performs the call control function to determine the number of H.323 connections and the number of H.32 connections.
3 Limit the total bandwidth used by these connections in "zones". One H.323 zone is a collection of all terminals, gateways and multipoint controllers (MCUs) managed by a single gatekeeper.
No gatekeeper is required in the H.323 system. However, if a gatekeeper is present, the terminal must use that service.

The multipoint controller supports conferencing between three or more endpoints. The MCU consists of the required multipoint controller (MC) and zero or more multipoint processors (MPS). The MC performs H.245 negotiations between all terminals to determine common audio and video processing capabilities. The MP, on the other hand, routes audio, video and data streams between terminal endpoints. The MCU is also optional.

The system of the present invention is based on the use of recent developments in integrated communication systems for coupling a public mobile communication network with a private network in a manner suitable for various communication partners. In addition, new elements have been invented to implement the inventive system.

FIG. 4 shows a description of the various core functions of the solution according to the invention and how to provide the core functions in correlation with the access functions. From a corporate perspective, the system of the present invention enables the provision of a wide range of corporate-wide communication services that utilize data communication resources in-house. Public access requires cooperation with a local communication operator. From an operator's point of view, users of the system of the present invention share the resources of the public TCP / IP interconnection service, the communication network and the end-user service access points, and use the private LAN to connect to the company WAN. It is possible to access the public network side and other users within the range. CTI
Recognizing the fact that the development of end-user services and applications is being directed towards the computing environment by the PBX industry, which has an impact on the potential synergies in the development of value-added services and multimedia services, It is obvious. The core functions of the system of the present invention include directory services, call control services, mobility management, operations and maintenance, billing, quality of service assurance and security services. Metaphorically speaking, the system of the present invention can be considered as an extension to a new class of GSM-SS / NSS with dedicated location registers or a packet-based multimedia communication system specified in the H.323 Recommendation. Can be.

FIG. 5 illustrates the architecture of the system of the present invention. As can be seen, all new network elements have A-interfaces and A-interfaces.
It is located between the BIS interface. In the following, the term WIO (Wireless Internet Office) will be used to denote an entity with new functions and new elements of the system of the present invention. The scope of protection is not limited to any of the product names associated with the system of the present invention. The WIO has at least three different gateways (AGW, IGW, IMC), each of which is a GSM or H.323 network. It has a different interface to the individual parts. Note that the H.323 compliant gateway function is only one of the functions that these components handle.

On the operator side, the WIO block has network elements (AGW, IGW, ILR). The purpose and function of this network element will be described in more detail.

The purpose of the A-interface gateway AGW is to handle communications between the office network and the public mobile communication network via the MSC. The AGW provides both signaling and traffic routing between the office network and the MSC and forms a BSS interface with the MSC. Thus, from the MSC's point of view, the WIO looks like at least one BSS with a certain location area code (LAC).
The MSC and the AGW may be directly connected using the A interface. In any case, the AGW does not necessarily need to provide a transcoding function. Therefore, apart from the above, a transcoder (such as a Nokia code converter TCSM2) generally disposed between the MSC and the BSC and the A
The GW may be connected using the Ater interface. As a result, the function of the code converter is not performed in the AGW unit itself, but the function of the AGW is
Converting CM-based traffic to IP, and vice versa.

FIG. 7 illustrates the functional architecture of the AGW. There are no restrictions on the use of the MSC since the signaling between the AGW and the MSC follows the standard signaling and interface. The AGW is desirably implemented with a computer (such as an NT server). AGW performance depends on server configuration and used LA
N (IP stack throughput, Ethernet, etc.). However, one logical AGW can be realized as a cluster of servers. Depending on the configuration, the number of voice traffic channels supported will vary. For example,
Supporting one multiplexed E1 connection requires the configuration of two servers, thereby creating approximately 120 traffic channels.

The functions of the AGW have at least most of the following functions. -Signal transmission conversion and termination: A interface-WIO-Traffic route assignment: Ater interface-WIO-Ater / A interface channel management-TRAU (code conversion device and rate conversion unit) frame processing-IP DTX (IP discontinuity Voice)-Transcoder (TCSM2E) control-WIO operation and management (O & M) support-Creation of traffic and load statistics-Pool options (possibility of incorporating servers together in a cluster)

Signal transmission between all WIO components is preferentially encrypted, and communication between O & M and AGW implemented in the unit is also encrypted. The AGW generally collects its central processing statistics, in particular, detected fault and disturbance information. The WIO gatekeeper element (to be presented later) constantly controls the state of the other WIO network elements, so that the AGW responds to the query as well.
An ongoing WIO call is disconnected by the MSC. If the WIO network connection fails, the AGW also temporarily closes the MSC signaling link.

The second element on the operator side is an ISDN / IP gateway (IGW) that manages communication between the WIO and the public telephone network, and is a gateway generally defined by the CTI concept. Preferably, the digital signal transmission system No. 1 (D
It is desirable to use SS.1). FIG. 8 illustrates the functional architecture of the IGW. The IGW has interfaces to both the MSC and the PSTN.
From an MSC perspective, the IGW looks like a PBX. The IGW supports transcoders between the ITU-T standards G.711 and G.723 and between G.711 and GSM06.10. The IGW provides statistical information on its central processing,
Collects information on detected faults and disturbances and transfers the information to the O & M application via a WIO gatekeeper (described below). The architecture of the IGW is based on the same hardware as the AGW.

The third element shown on the operator side is the intranet location register ILR that handles directory services in WIO. GSM is
A home location register (HLR), which is a register in which all subscriber parameters of the mobile subscriber are permanently stored, and a location for calling setup as long as the subscriber is in a location area controlled by the register. Provide at least one visitor location register (VLR) in which all subscriber parameters are temporarily stored. These registers are generally well known to those skilled in the art as they are part of the state of the art.

The Intranet Location Register (ILR) is, on the one hand, a database that processes permanent subscriber data storage in the WIO, and, on the other hand, the ILR provides access to subscriber data in HLR and billing systems. Be a manager. I
The purpose of the LR is to provide an information storage base for retrieving information specific to a mobile station (MS) configured for a WIO system. All MSs configured for the WIO have permanent entries in the database. These MS-specific settings take effect when the MS is logged into the WIO system.

Further, by the WIO gatekeeper on the office side (described in more detail later),
The current address mapping of each MS is updated in the WIO area of the directory. The ILR is connected to the HLR and the VLR via a MAP interface. The main task of the ILR for the HLR is to retrieve the subscriber's service profile information, such as auxiliary service settings, from the HLR. The ILR is performed, for example, on a Windows NT server based on industry standard Pentium technology. The server uses a high level of availability, fault
Provides tolerance and fast recovery.

FIG. 6 shows a more detailed example of implementation of a storage function and a search function related to mobile communication subscriber information managed by the ILR. It should be noted that the interfaces shown apply to this embodiment and do not exclude equivalent devices with some interfaces. The storage function and the search function related to the mobile communication subscriber information managed by the ILR are performed by the ILR interface. This save and retrieve function makes the details associated with the database transparent to the WIO gatekeeper, so that no changes to the WIO gatekeeper due to changes in the underlying storage method are required. The ILR encodes and decodes the request requested by the WIO gatekeeper and returns the information requested by the WIO gatekeeper.

The HLR interface is used to retrieve basic information of the mobile communication subscriber and auxiliary service settings from the HLR. The MS gatekeeper location address is stored in the ILR. Searches are also performed in connection with location updates. A request for updating the mobile communication location from the WIO gatekeeper functions as a trigger event for HLR information retrieval.

If the mobile station identifies itself as a TMSI (temporary mobile subscriber identity) during the first location update for the WIO area, the VLR interface will determine the subscriber's IMSI (international mobile subscriber identity). Used to request. In both cases, the MAP protocol is used.

The LDAP interface provides a means for searching and maintaining MS-specific information stored in a directory service database connected to the ILR. This information is gathered from various sources, such as the HLR interface and the IN interface. The protocol used when communicating with the directory service is the lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP).

The IN interface is an optional interface that provides a means for retrieving additional service information of the subscriber (eg, a private telephone number that allows for abbreviated codes within WIO) from the intelligent network. . This interface is based on the service management interface (SMI) provided by IN.

The billing interface provides a means for transferring raw data relating to post-processed billing into a billing system. In this embodiment, the local database ILR serves as an intermediate store for billing information collected by the WIO gatekeeper.

On the office side of the WIO in FIG. 5, network elements (intranet mobile communication cluster IMC and WIO gatekeeper GK) are shown. As mentioned earlier, the Intranet Mobile Communication Cluster (IMC) is a virtual gateway in H.323 terminology, simulating the actions of a BSC in a WIO environment. The IMC uses LAPD-based Q.931 and GSM-specific signaling to generate TRAU frames for voice and data for the Abis interface. The IMC also manages radio resources and channel configuration, and handles BTS configuration. The IMC outputs GSM signaling and stream conversion to other WIO components. The IMC also detects potential handover needs and power control actions during a call.

The core functions of the IMC illustrated by the functional layer of FIG. 9 relating to WIO cover the execution of CVOPS using the GSM signaling protocol,
There is control of WIO system control and IP encryption, control of the socket interface for the WIO gatekeeper, and control of the socket interface for GSM / IP traffic options on the LAPD server. BTS
The main functions of the IMC are as follows:-BTS control and management-Radio resource control and management-Radio network control and management-Radio channel configuration and management-IP DTX-RF frequency hop-Handover- Algorithm and target cell list report-Handover management-Voice conversion from IP traffic to G.703 and generation of TRAU frame to Abis side-IMC status management-Radio object status management-IMC and radio access accident Management and creation of status reports

The IMC is typically implemented as a wireless control unit based on a Pentium® PC with an E1 interface card.

The IMC has approximately three functional elements as illustrated in FIG. The wireless access unit 111 has a wireless receiving device 112, a transmitting unit 113, and an E1 interface 114. Data processing unit 116 is typically implemented with a computer (such as a Pentium (R) -based NT computer). The DPU 116 further has three functional elements: a radio resource processing unit 117, an operation and maintenance management unit 118, and a communication unit 119. WIO interface unit 120 is preferably a LAN interface card that preferably supports several physical connections.

The second element on the office side shown in FIG. 5 is a WIO gatekeeper.
A gatekeeper is an element that generally provides services such as automatic forwarding, automatic rerouting and departmental billing in an IP network. WIO
The tasks of the WIO gatekeeper in the system include providing call control services to WIO endpoints.

The gatekeeper's tasks include at least most of the following: Address translation functions Bandwidth management Call management Mobility management Paging requests to IMC (discussed later) Checking service profile and authentication of WIO services -Collection of call data records (CDR)-Transfer of call data records to ILR-Provision of interface for O & M application-Functionality check of other WIO components-Terminal registration and status processing

While some of these tasks are well known to those skilled in the art, some will be described in more detail. The gatekeeper has several functional units and interfaces illustrated in FIG.

The device management 101 is responsible for processing status of other WIO entities as well as terminal registrations. The device manager is the device database 10
2 stores the WIO-specific information.

The operation and maintenance management 103 has an optional WIO gatekeeper charging function. This function gathers information from the call, creates charging records (CDRs) from within the call, and sends those records to the ILR.

Call management 104 can be defined as a set of functions that allow and control communication between two or more communication partners. In the solution according to the invention, call management provides a scalable basic infrastructure and creates an elastic platform for new advanced services. Call management is needed to support information such as IP address to telephone number cross-mapping. A WIO gatekeeper is provided to manage various types of calls such as voice, data, facsimile, SMS and conference calls. These calls can be established between the mobile station, the network terminal and the landline telephone. PBX
As long as there is no gateway between the and the WIO infrastructure, calls between fixed and mobile phones are established via the MSC.

The gatekeeper manages both internal and external calls. An internal call is
A call made either under the same WIO gatekeeper or between subscribers under the control of two different WIO gatekeepers within one office. External calls are calls where none of the subscribers have access to the office network.

The WIO gatekeeper manages the location area. When an office subscriber places a call from an external network, the IGW or AGW routes the call to the WIO gatekeeper where the called mobile station is currently located. The IGW or AGW queries the location data from the ILR. Thereafter, the WIO gatekeeper sends a broadcast paging message in the zone being managed to each IMC and routes the call to the correct IMC.

In another case, both subscribers are in the same gatekeeper area. The WIO gatekeeper then detects that subscriber B is under the same WIO gatekeeper and sends a paging broadcast message to each IMC under that WIO gatekeeper. The IMC with which the subscriber is registered sends the response to the WIO gatekeeper, which routes the call to this IMC.

In the situation where an office subscriber is calling a subscriber outside the office, the WIO gatekeeper checks the location of subscriber B. If the WIO gatekeeper cannot find subscriber B, it routes the call to the MSC via the AGW.

The mobility management 105 includes tasks related to the mobility of the user, such as updating the location and handover. Location updates are performed each time a new subscriber accessing the office network arrives in the office environment.

It is also desirable that other subscribers (eg, visitors) be allowed to suitably update their location in the WIO, but other subscribers' call routing is performed through the MSC. . It is desirable that this function be suitably configured so that the operator can obtain permission from the operator to use the base station connected to the WIO in the same manner. W
Inside the IO, subscriber information is received from the ILR.

A handover request message is sent by the IMC to the WIO gatekeeper. This message contains a list of the best target cells. Handovers that work in normal GSM networks also work in WIO. However, one exception is handover from WIO to external non-WIO cells.
If the telephone call is an internal, non-MSC controlled call, this handover is not possible. If the telephone call is an MSC controlled call, it means that subscriber A is inside the office and subscriber B is outside the office, in which case handover is possible. There are exceptions to the billing system. Toll billing schemes may be different for intra-office calls (ie, low toll or even toll free). Advantageously, means are provided for controlling the execution of this special toll charge whenever the calling or called mobile station is moving outside the office service area.

The gatekeeper preferably collects statistics from all processing performed within the WIO (ie, voice and data calls, facsimile, SMS, unsuccessful calls, etc.). This information is stored in a file and then delivered to the ILR as needed for billing purposes. The ILR billing interface collects information related to the 'call data record' (CDR) and sends that information to the billing system.

It should be noted that the division of functionality between the IMC and the WIO gatekeeper is used here in the embodiment shown. Equivalent use can be realized by changing the function of one or both of these elements or by different division.

As shown in the previous figure, the interface associated with the WIO has a nearly standard interface. FIG. 12 illustrates the interface of the embodiment presented above. WIO has two interfaces to the MSC. One interface is implemented using an IGW and the other is implemented using an AGW. The IGW meets the requirements of the DSS.1 standard by providing Layer 2 (LAPD) and Layer 3 (Q.931) protocol services. The MSC interface is E1, 2048 Mbit / s (based on G.703 and G.704) and LAPD (Q
.921) and several other standards, such as Layer 3 where standards Q.931 and Q.932 are used. The IGW also uses the D "". 1 standard for PBX and PSTN. Cellular standards (such as GSM) are used for mobile stations. ILR is HL
Implement a MAP interface for R and VLR. The WIO Gatekeeper uses the H.323 protocol to communicate with other WIO entities in the following manner. -Register the PC terminal device and the WIO entity with the WIO gate keeper via the RAS channel. Use the Q.931 channel during call establishment. Use H.245 during calls for capacity, codec and multipoint call control. WIO uses a routed signal transmission model based on the H.323 standard.
-All signaling between the WIO gatekeeper and other WIO elements should be suitably encrypted.

The following interfaces are supported in the WIO element of this embodiment. -LAN interface-WINSOCK2-RTP / RTC P for controlling voice packet transmission by UDP datagram

FIG. 13 illustrates a method for assigning a call route in the system of the present invention. As an example, the steps involved in making a call from a WIO subscriber in an office environment are shown. At step 131, the IMC receives a call setup request from subscriber A including subscriber B's telephone number. This request is forwarded from the ILR (step 132) to the WIO gatekeeper which checks whether subscriber B is a WIO subscriber (step 133). If subscriber B is a WIO subscriber, the WIO gatekeeper will page all IMCs it controls (step 134) and check if a response is received (step 135). If no response is received for any reason, the call is canceled (step 136). When the IMC of the connection destination where the BTS communicates with the MS of the subscriber A responds, a connection is established by the IMC elements of the subscribers A and B (step 137). Subscriber B is WIO
If not, the WIO gatekeeper routes the call to the MSC via the AGW (step 139), even if the data transfer involves both GSM and H.323, and proceeds in the conventional manner. Call setting is performed (step 140).

While the invention has been illustrated and described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications may be made to the preferred embodiments without departing from the following claims of the invention. Will.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 illustrates the basic concept of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the processing of various types of services over one network.

FIG. 3 illustrates the range of the H.323 specification.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method provided for various core functions and access functions of the solution according to the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates the architecture of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a storage execution and retrieval function for mobile subscriber information managed by an intranet location register.

FIG. 7 illustrates the functional architecture of the gateway element.

FIG. 8 illustrates the architecture of an ISDN / IP gateway.

FIG. 9 illustrates a functional architecture of an intranet mobile communication cluster.

FIG. 10 illustrates functional units and interfaces of a WIO gatekeeper.

FIG. 11 illustrates functional elements of an intranet mobile communication cluster.

FIG. 12 illustrates the interface of the presented embodiment.

FIG. 13 illustrates a call route assignment method in the system of the present invention.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (81) Designated country EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE ), OA (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, GM, KE, LS, MW, SD, SL, SZ, UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AE, AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR , BY, CA, CH, CN, CU, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS , JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, UA, UG, US, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW (72) Inventor Heninen Timo Finland FFIEN-33540 Nperet Aitniy Tyuncate 38 (72) Inventor Lantara Terrorism Finland EFIEN-33680 Tampere Kanta PARTLANTIER 136 (72) Inventor Lautiora Maluk Finland EFIEN-38820 Tampere Kaon Pänkate 47 (72) Inventor Seek Tapio Finland EFIEN- 37500 Lempere Poillarantier 12 (72) Inventor Vinio Martila Hanne Finn Command Efuien -33,800 data Npere Muo tier Rantie 20 F-term (reference) 5K051 BB01 BB02 CC01 CC07 CC08 DD13 DD15 FF16 GG02 HH26 JJ04 5K067 BB21 DD57 EE02 EE10 EE16 HH11 HH21 HH23 JJ64

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. A communication system, comprising: a mobile switching system (MSC) and at least one base station (BTS) communicating over an air interface using a mobile terminal (MS). A system (BSS) and at least one base station (BTS) communicating with the mobile terminal (MS) via an air interface, accessible by a first group of mobile subscribers of the communication system. A second switching system (WIO, BTS) for converting a signal from the mobile switching system (MSC) into a data packet of the second switching system (WIO, BTS). And data packets from the second subsystem (WIO, BTS) to the mobile switching system (MSC).
At least one first network element (AGW; IGW) for converting the signal from the base station (BTS) of the second subsystem (WIO, BTS) into the second The base station of the second subsystem (WIO, BTS) for converting the data packets from the second subsystem (WIO, BTS) into data packets of the subsystem (WIO, BTS); At least one second network element (IMC) connected to at least one base station (BTS) of said second subsystem (WIO, BTS) for converting to a signal to a station (BTS); According to a network address assigned to said first and said second network element of said second subsystem (WIO, BTS). Means (IP, LAN) for transferring data packets in the subsystems (WIO, BTS) of the mobile communication subscriber, and the mobile terminal of the mobile communication subscriber is a base station of the second subsystem (WIO, BTS). Means for mapping a telephone number identifying a mobile communication subscriber in the communication system to a network address of the second subsystem (WIO, BTS) when it can communicate with the BTS. (ILR,
GK). 2. The mobile communication subscriber in the communication system, wherein the second subsystem (WIO, BTS) has a mapping to a network address of the second subsystem (WIO, BTS). Means (GK, ILR) for routing calls between said first group of subscribers within said second subsystem (WIO, BTS) in response to each of said telephone numbers.
The communication system according to claim 1, comprising: 3. The base station, wherein the second subsystem (WIO, BTS) is location information of a subscriber of the first group, and the mobile terminal of the subscriber can currently communicate with the base station. The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising a subscriber register (ILR) for storing the location information having data on the network address of the network element connected to a station. 4. The data subsystem in the second subsystem (WIO, BTS).
Communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (IP, LAN) for transferring packets comprises an IP protocol network. 5. The communication system according to claim 4, wherein said first group of mobile communication subscribers includes office employees who have been granted access to said IP protocol network. 6. The data subsystem in the second subsystem (WIO, BTS).
The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the means (IP, LAN) for transferring a packet supports the H.323 standard. 7. The means (GK, IL R) for allocating calls between the first group of subscribers within the second subsystem (WIO, BTS) comprises: The paging of calls originating from a first group of subscriber terminals or terminating to said first group of subscriber terminals is performed locally. 3. The communication system according to 2. 8. The means for route assignment (GK, ILR) comprises:
That is, each of the subscribers belongs to the first group, or a telephone number identifying each of the subscribers in the communication system is mapped to a network address of the second subsystem (WIO, BTS). 3. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the mobile switching system (MSC) is configured to select the route of the call as a response when any one of the conditions is not satisfied. 9. A network element (ILR) in a communication system comprising: a mobile switching system (MSC) and at least one base station (BTS) communicating via an air interface using a mobile terminal (MS). A first subsystem (BSS) having at least one base station (BTS) communicating with the mobile terminal (MS) via an air interface, and In a network element (ILR) in a communication system having a second base station subsystem (WIO, BTS) accessible by a first group, the second subsystem (WIO, BTS) comprises: A signal from the system (MSC) is converted into a data packet of the second subsystem (WIO, BTS). And data packets from the second subsystem (WIO, BTS) to the mobile switching system (MSC).
At least one first network element (AGW; IGW) for converting the signal from the base station (BTS) of the second subsystem (WIO, BTS) into the second The base station of the second subsystem (WIO, BTS) for converting the data packets from the second subsystem (WIO, BTS) into data packets of the subsystem (WIO, BTS); At least one second network element (IMC) connected to at least one base station (BTS) of said second subsystem (WIO, BTS) for converting to a signal to a station (BTS); According to a network address assigned to said first and said second network element of said second subsystem (WIO, BTS). Means (IP, LAN) for transferring data packets in subsystems (WIO, BTS) of the mobile communication subscriber, wherein the network element (ILR) comprises: Subsystem (WIO, BTS)
The communication system can communicate with the base station (BTS) of the second sub-system (WIO, BTS) in the communication system.
Network element (ILR) having means for mapping to a network address. 10. The mobile switching system, wherein the means for mapping comprises:
(MSC) and having several interfaces for collecting and storing permanent and variable subscriber information about the first group of subscribers from the second subsystem (WIO, BTS). Characteristic said network element
(ILR). 11. The second subsystem connected to the base station (BTS) with which the mobile terminal (MS) of the subscriber can currently communicate with the variable information.
11. The network element (ILR) according to claim 10, comprising the network address of the network element (IMC) of a (WIO, BTS). 12. At least the second subsystem (WIO, BTS) for updating the location of the subscriber between the base station (BTS) and the mobile terminal (MS). The network element (ILR) according to claim 11, wherein the element (ILR) is arranged to collect and store the subscriber information during signal transmission. 13. The network element (ILR) according to claim 10, wherein said subscriber information is sent in response to a query from another network element (GK). 14. The GSM network, wherein the interface comprises: a GSM network location register (HLR);
11. The network element (ILR) according to claim 10, wherein the network element (ILR) has a MAP interface to at least one of a network visitor location register (VLR). 15. The means for mapping comprises the second terminal connected to the base station (BTS) with which the subscriber's mobile terminal (MS) can currently communicate.
10. The network element (10) of claim 9, further comprising means for querying the network address of the network element (IMC) of the sub-system (WIO) from another network element (ILR). I LR). 16. The network element (ILR) according to claim 15, wherein the network element is provided to implement the function of an H.323 gatekeeper. 17. The communication system having a mapping to a network address of the second subsystem (WIO, BTS), wherein in response to each of the telephone numbers identifying the mobile communication subscriber, the second 16. The network element according to claim 15, comprising means (116) for routing calls between the first group of subscribers in a subsystem (WIO, BTS). 18. A communication method in a communication system, comprising: a mobile switching system (MSC); and at least one base station (BTS) for communicating with a mobile terminal (MS) via an air interface. A sub-system (BSS) and at least one base station (BTS) for communicating with the mobile terminal (MS) via an air interface, the first of a mobile subscriber of the communication system. A communication method in a communication system having a second subsystem (WIO, BTS) accessible by a group of: a mobile switching system (MSC) of said second subsystem and said base station (BTS). A signal is converted into a data packet of the second subsystem (WIO, BTS), and a data packet of the second subsystem (WIO, BTS) is converted. Converting the data into signals of the mobile switching system (MSC) and the base station (BTS) with the second subsystem; and assigning the signals to network elements of the second subsystem (WIO, BTS). Transferring a data packet in said second subsystem (WIO, BTS) according to the assigned network address; and said mobile terminal of said mobile subscriber substituting for said second subsystem (WIO, BTS). Mapping a telephone number identifying a mobile subscriber in the communication system to a network address of the second subsystem (WIO) when the base station can contact the base station. Communication method. 19. In the communication system having a mapping to a network address of the second subsystem (WIO, BTS), the second sub-system responds to each of the telephone numbers identifying the mobile subscriber. 19. The communication method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of allocating a call between said first group of subscribers in a system (WIO, BTS).