JP2003507977A - Mobile phone - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract Mobile switching systems provide cells or small networks of cells. The mobile switching system travels with the aircraft or other vehicle on which it is installed, but its operation appears to the user as a normal fixed base station on a connected "host" network. The onboard aircraft cellular mobile switching center (116) detects call or registration attempts from the mobile device (110) and generates a temporary onboard identity associated with the mobile identity code. The cellular identity is passed to a network registrar (145) that allows location updates to allow calls to the mobile phone (110) that must be routed to the mobile station (141). Any incoming calls directed to the mobile user will be detected by the network (104) as the mobile user is currently registered there.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention relates to mobile phones, and more particularly to systems for use in vehicles.

In proposals for enabling conventional mobile phone base stations to enable the use of mobile phones, especially in environments where coverage cannot be provided for ships and aircraft,
In recent years, it has become extremely active. These vehicles frequently move beyond the range of the cellular base station to which they belong. The cellular base station generally has a range of about 1 to 10 km.

There are also situations where temporary installation of mobile telephone equipment is required at remote locations. The remote location is a location where equipment is normally unavailable, or temporarily unavailable, for example, if a fixed infrastructure is damaged by a natural disaster.

When standard cell phones are used in aircraft, there are many specific problems that need to be addressed. First, many cellular base stations have antennas located for maximum gain in the horizontal plane. Thus, a cell phone in the air cannot get a signal from any base station, even when flying over land that is serviced by the network of cellular base stations. Even if the range of base stations actually expands to the standard flight altitude of the aircraft, the frequency repetitive usage pattern that allows several base stations to use the same radio frequency without interference is one base The mobile device provided by the station is designed based on the assumption that it cannot exchange radio signals with other base stations using the same frequency. This assumption is no longer valid if the mobile unit is thousands of meters above the ground. This is because there can be so many lines of sight of a base station at the same time. Furthermore, from a vehicle moving at a speed of reaching 200 km / hour,
Even if a reliable handover of a mobile device can be realized, a typical passenger plane is almost 1
It is moving at a speed of 000 km / hour. Airlines also impose restrictions on the use of high power radio signals on aircraft as a precaution against possible interference to the aircraft's electronic systems.

Satellite telephones are effective for exactly global service areas. However, they are expensive and much heavier than cell phones. Both mobile phones and satellite phones also suffer shielding effects in metal-body vehicles. Like mobile phones, the unrestricted use of mobile satellite phones onboard aircraft may be prohibited.

A user who does not own a satellite phone is provided to some airlines by the applicant's company known as special equipment provided on the aircraft (eg, registered trademark "Skyphone"). Service). It uses onboard terminals connected to the telephone network through satellite links between the aircraft and satellite ground stations. Another system, TFTS (a ground-flight telephone system marketed as "Jetphone"), operates in a similar manner, but utilizes a direct link between the aircraft and the ground station without a satellite link. A similar system is provided by ship. However, payments for these services are generally at the point of use (or prepayment) and may be made in foreign currency. If the call cannot be transferred to the on-board user's terminal phone number (usually unknown to the caller), the call made to the user's cell phone will not work. And any special equipment provided by the user's cellular network is typically unavailable. Through "roaming" agreements between network operators, users who have mobile phone accounts that can be used in many different countries are therefore able to travel within or between their countries on an aircraft or other vehicle. When it does, it prefers to continue to use the subscription rights of the user's mobile phone.

Proposals have been made to allow users to use their own cellular radio identities without special identities under satellite systems when using satellite equipment. This allows billing to be done by the user's regular cellular wireless account. This general type of system is described in European Patent Application 0915557 (Rohde & Schw).
Artz). The on-board base station has a separate on-board system (allowing local control of the base station transmitter) to maintain power within defined limits, and mobile units operating simultaneously. It can be integrated with the system of equipment. However, mobile phones are not directly connected to the cellular network. As such, the conventional process of updating the location of a cellular radio cannot be used to inform the home network of the user's current location, and external calls cannot be routed.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for providing a telephone connection between one or more cellular radiotelephones and a fixed cellular radio switching system. The device comprises a mobile cellular system, a fixed cellular radio switching system, and a tracking radio link that provides a radio connection between the mobile cellular switching system and the fixed cellular switching system. The mobile cellular system comprises a mobile telephone switching system connected to one or more base transceiver stations for providing a wireless connection to the cellular radio telephone, and the cellular radio telephone within the service area of the mobile cellular switching system. Means for initiating a control call over a tracking radio link to the fixed cellular radio switching system in response to detecting the presence of This fixed cellular radio switching system provides such control to indicate to other switching systems that a call to a current cellular radiotelephone provided by a mobile switching system must first be directed to the fixed cellular radio switching system. A registration means for answering the call is provided. The fixed cellular radio switching system also responds to such control calls to enable incoming calls directed to the cellular radiotelephone to be transferred to the mobile cellular switching system by a tracking radio link. Call forwarding means are also provided.

Efficiently, a mobile switching system provides a cell, or a small network of cells, that travels on a vehicle or another platform on which its operation is connected to a tracking network. Appear to the user as a normal fixed base station in a fixed "host" cellular network. The fixed network also interfaces with the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and other networks connected in a conventional manner.
The host network works with cells that are moving through the tracking network, but other cellular networks do not require modification. In particular, the user's home network does not require any special features, so the equipment can be used by any telephone subscriber for mobile phones that have a "roaming" agreement with the host network.

A second aspect of the invention forming the fixed (ground-based) part of the system is
A cellular radio system having a fixed switching system for providing a telephone connection to one or more cellular radiotelephones and a tracking radio link for connecting a mobile cellular switching system to the fixed cellular radio switching system, which comprises: , To a fixed cellular radio switching system to indicate to other switching systems that a call to a current cellular radio telephone in the coverage area of the mobile switching system should be directed first to the fixed cellular radio switching system. Registration means for responding to control calls made by the cellular radiotelephone via the tracking radio link, and transfer means for transferring the incoming call to the mobile cellular switching system via the tracking radio link.

A third aspect of the invention forming the moveable (on-board) part of the system is:
An apparatus for providing a telephone connection between one or more cellular radiotelephones and a fixed cellular radio switching system is provided. The apparatus comprises a mobile cellular radio switching system that provides a radio connection with a cellular radiotelephone, and a tracking radio link to provide a radio connection between the mobile cellular system and a fixed cellular radio switching system. Here, the mobile cellular switching system is a means for initiating a call via a tracking radio link to a fixed cellular radio switching system in response to detecting the presence of a cellular radiotelephone in the coverage area of the mobile cellular switching system, fixed. Means are provided for transferring data relating to the cellular radiotelephone to the cellular radiotelephony switching system and means for receiving a call directed to the cellular radiotelephone by a tracking radio link and routing the call to the mobile cellular switching system.

According to a fourth aspect, when a cellular radiotelephone is in communication with a mobile cellular radioswitching connection that is connected by a tracking radiolink to a fixed cellular switching system, a fixed call for one or more of the cellular radiotelephones. Methods have been proposed for providing network location functions in a cellular radio switching system. Here, the mobile cellular radio switching system initiates a call via a tracking radio link to a fixed cellular radio switching system in response to detecting the presence of a cellular radio telephone in the coverage area of the mobile switching system, The enabled switching system and the fixed cellular radio switching system cooperate to transfer a call directed to a cellular radiotelephone to a mobile cellular switching system by a tracking radio link.

The present invention further provides a method for routing a call made to a cellular radiotelephone currently connected to a mobile cellular radio switching system. Here, fixed cellular radio switching system indicates that a cellular radiotelephone is currently connected to this system and the call is first directed to the fixed cellular switching system. Such a call is then forwarded by the fixed cellular radio system to a node in the tracking radio system when received by the fixed cellular radio system. The node in the tracking radio system is associated with a mobile cellular radiotelephone switching system, which then routes the call to the cellular radiotelephone using the mobile cellular radiotelephony switching system.

A node typically has an address similar to the address provided for a seat telephone handset on an aircraft, but is not assigned to such a handset. instead of,
If such a handset registers its presence with a mobile cellular switching system, it can be assigned to the identity of an individual cellular handset.

Preferably, the mobile system is associated with a means for generating an association between the identity code of the destination node of the tracked radio link and the identity code of the cellular radiotelephone, and a fixed and mobile cellular switching system. It has means for storing the above-mentioned associated identities in stores, thus enabling both cellular radio switching systems for conversion between cellular radio identities and node identities.

[0016] Preferably, the apparatus is arranged such that a call destined for a mobile phone currently associated with the mobile switching cellular system is forwarded to a node of the tracking wireless system having an identity associated with the cellular network identity. , The node has means for connecting a call to a mobile cellular switching system, the mobile switching system retrieves a cellular network identity associated with the node and routes the call to a mobile phone having that identity. Have means for determining.

[0017] Preferably, the call destined for the mobile phone currently associated with the mobile switching cellular system is forwarded to a node of the tracking system having an identity associated with the cellular network identity, which node is the mobile cellular switching system. The mobile switching system retrieves the cellular network identity associated with the node and routes the call to the mobile phone having that identity.

Preferably, the tracking radio link is a satellite link, the satellite link providing a wireless connection between a moving vehicle and a fixed satellite ground station. The connection is then routed by a relay station in orbit around the earth. "International Maritime Satellite Organization (I
The "footprint" of individual geostationary satellites, such as geostationary satellites in a "marsat" system, is very large, and therefore an aircraft or ship will usually pass through one satellite over the same satellite ground station over the entire flight or voyage period. And may remain in communication. However, even if the transfer from one satellite to another was nevertheless necessary, these "footprints" would overlap sufficiently extensively that such a transfer would have already been halted in the system. It can be arranged as it happens. Such a stop is, for example, a flight safety criticality (safe-c).
It may be needed from time to time, or when interference from external base stations is likely. Alternatively, such an outage is at an early morning time when there may be few people wanting to use the service, and in any case it may be desirable to discourage the use of the phone to keep other passengers out of the way. Can be placed. However, if continuous coverage is required, a means may be provided to keep the call in progress when such changes are made.

In the described embodiment, the embodiment provides an onboard MSC connected via a tracking system to a ground-based fixed MSC according to the “GSM” standard system architecture. This arrangement allows integration with other on-board communication systems, such as on-board private replacement. Among other benefits, this arrangement allows for emergency calls to be intercepted and processed onboard. On the other hand, if all the switching was land-based, the emergency call from the mobile device onboard would have those emergency services localized to the fixed MSC, which could be thousands of kilometers from the mobile MSC. Must be removed to route calls.

When an aircraft or other vehicle enters the range of a radio base station of a conventional cellular radio network, there is a risk of interference between the onboard radio base station and the terrestrial radio base station. To avoid this, the power level of the onboard base station may be arranged to be maintained within strict limits and may be arranged to impose power level control on the mobile device. However, terrestrial-based base stations do not have these constraints, which can result in on-board mobile devices receiving interference from terrestrial-based base stations. This is most likely when the aircraft is near the ground. In addition, aircraft pilots are
They typically do not have a license to operate a cellular radio system within the visited area. Therefore, it is desirable that the onboard system be disconnected in any of the following situations: manually or if such interference is detected, or some other such as aircraft landing gear deployment. Depending on function, or depending on the "wheel weight" detector that indicates to the crew that the aircraft is not flying. The disconnection can be accomplished by interrupting the satellite link or by disabling a portion of the onboard system.

The action of disconnection can be used to modify the forwarding instructions of the "host" network and prevent unwanted information transfer over the satellite link.

Once the user has left the aircraft, “roaming” to the resident network allows the user to use their phone again.

The following embodiments illustrate the invention using standard switched cellular networks and the term “GSM” standard. However, the invention can be applied to other cellular networks. Other cellular networks comprise packet networks used to carry data across distributed computer networks such as the "Internet" which carry messages using formats such as the "Internet Protocol" (IP). Therefore, any reference herein to switching includes equivalent routing functionality in this type of packet network, unless this specification clearly requires otherwise.

The system can be divided into two main components, an onboard part 101 (FIG. 1) and a fixed part 102 (FIG. 2). These two main components communicate with each other through a satellite connection 6. The onboard portion (FIG. 1) comprises the mobile cellular systems 111, 112, 114, 116 and the onboard portion 113 of the tracking radio system. The fixed part 102 (FIG. 2) itself has two parts:
Satellite ground station 4 and fixed "host" cellular network 104.
Here, this fixed "host" cellular network 104 is a public land mobile network (PLMN) 104, which is subsequently interconnected to another PLMN 70 and a conventional wired network (PSTN) 8 and is different. Allows calls to be made between users of the network.

As shown in FIG. 1, the system allows a cellular radiotelephone subscriber to use his or her handset 110 onboard an aircraft at any location located within an agreed satellite coverage area. Provides the performance to do so. On-board aircraft coverage may be provided by any suitable means, i.e. using the known wireless repeater distribution system 111 to provide wireless coverage in any required case.

Distribution system 111 is provided by base transceiver site 112 and is provided by base site controller 114 and mobile switching center 116.
Here, the mobile switching center 116 may have its own visitor location registration 117 for forward transfers to the satellite ground station 4 via the satellite tracking system 113. The satellite tracking system may be a conventional satellite telephone system as commonly used for communication between ships and land, and for the aircraft systems described above,
A satellite satellite tracking system 113 is provided from the aircraft to the satellite link 6 or satellite ground station 4. The satellite ground station 4 is in turn connected to a mobile switching center (MSC) 141 of the conventional cell phone system, shown hereinafter as the "host" system 104 and shown in FIG.

Accordingly, the satellite link 4-6-113 exists between the onboard MSC 116 and the MSC 141 (“host” MSC) of the “host” network 104 fixed to the ground. The user's record in home location registration (HLR) 73 identifies the mobile device 110 as currently provided by the base affiliation network 104 and routes the call to the host MSC 141. This mobile device is then assigned to its VLR currently served by the onboard MSC 116.
At 144, the entry is recognized. The method thus arranged will be described later.

This arrangement provides a conventional satellite telephone system and a communication system 115 inside the aircraft.
It enables the incorporation of an onboard MSC 116 with onboard switching performance for. In particular, if users of on-board aircraft can communicate with each other through the BSC 114 without using satellite links 4-6-113, it may
It provides a simple means of supplying passengers and crew with "BX" equipment. When a call is made by the cell phone 110, the onboard MSC 116 first checks its VLR 117 to establish if the called party is currently being served by the same MSC 116. In that case, it connects the call without using any mutual MSC links. Thus, calls made between two users of both onboard aircraft 101 can be made without using satellite link 4-6-113. The satellite connection provides several voice and transmission channels (supervisory control-management channel) and can be made by any connection of suitable capacity.

The host network 104 may support one or more additional base location controllers 142 that control the location of conventional base transceivers. Host mobile switching center 14
1 also has an associated "visitor location registration" 144. Here, this "visiter position registration" 144 records the details of the mobile phone which is being simultaneously operated together with the moving body switching center 141 in the conventional method. Therefore, the details may be exchanged with the home location registration 73 of the user's home network for billing purposes and to enable an accurately routed incoming call. These details include the identity of the link 4, 142 to which the user is connected, which allows different call variations to be applied for use in different cells, in particular onboard. A distinction can be made between calls made through the base transceiver location 112 and calls made through the conventional base location controller 142.

In the cellular mobile network 104, standard GSM functionality is used. The user on the aircraft is a telephone subscriber to the host network 104, or any other network 70 that has a "roaming" agreement with the host network 104, and the telephone subscriber has roaming capacity authorized by the service provider. , The user will be able to use this service.

In this embodiment of the invention, the “host” network 104 operates like a conventional cellular network, but interface device 148 is provided for interacting with satellite ground stations 4. This interface 148 makes it possible to obtain the user details (specifically the identity of the mobile handset) from the satellite system 4 so that the switching center 141 can appear on the network 104 and then on the HLR 73 in the user's home network. Thus, the mobile handset is in wireless communication with the base station under the control of the mobile switching center 141 when it is actually in communication with the onboard MSC 116. The mobile switching center may then be arranged for call destination indication which must be stored in the VLR 144 so that incoming calls destined for that handset are forwarded. It is done to the onboard MSC 116 through the switching system 40 of the satellite network 4 (described below).

The satellite ground station 4 shown in FIG. 3 has a wireless antenna system 44 for communicating with the onboard system 101 via a satellite link 6 or another link. The signal is processed by the access control and transmission equipment (ACSE) 40. The access control transmission equipment (ACSE) 40 is a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 8
To a call to or from a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 8 to perform a switching function.

The aircraft may have a seat information system 200 with facilities for connection of the handset 110, similar to the hands-free arrangement commonly provided for vehicles. This allows the audio signal to be transferred to the handset 202 of the at-seat system, thereby preventing interference with other passengers. The seating system also collects ringing tones from the handset 110 and displays the display screen 20.
1 to generate a visual alert or an audible alert on the handset 202, and also have means to prevent interference with other passengers. For vehicle-based systems, the connection may also provide a facility for charging the handset battery. This prompts the passenger to connect to the handset.

The operation of the system will now be described with reference to FIG. When the mobile device 10 first contacts the onboard cellular system 101, the onboard M
Transfer the identity code (IMSI) to SC116. Onboard MS
The C 116 can obtain verification data from the user's HLR 73 (identified by the IMSI code) to verify the authenticity of the user and authorize outgoing calls. However, since the onboard MSC 116 can only be connected through the satellite system 4, incoming calls to the mobile device 110 cannot be reliably routed to the onboard MSC 116 via conventional links. In order to avoid the requirement for special equipment in each network 70, it is convenient to have the mobile device 110 work for a conventional mobile switching center 141.

If onboard MSC 116 detects a call attempt or registration attempt from mobile device 110 (step 1601), it collects from the mobile device's identity code (IMSI) and sends it to processor 118. hand over. If the processor 118 had not previously done so, it generates a temporary onboard identity for association with a mobile identity code (IMSI) and stores it in memory 119 (step 1602). For aircraft equipped with seat satellite telephones, each handset has an identity code that is generally related to the number of seats in which the handset is installed, which means that outgoing calls are billed to legitimate users. Enable and allow the system to be used for communication between passengers. A spare number in this system (referred to herein as a "temporary seat number" -PSN) may be used as a temporary onboard identity assigned to the mobile handset that serves the onboard MSC 116. . Mobile handset 110 is onboard MSC1
If pre-connected to 16, then unregistered, then processor 118 retrieves from memory 119 the PSN corresponding to the IMSI (step 1603).

In the existing on-board system, the caller uses the unique “
Without knowing the "AES" number, the user cannot receive the call.
This is a seat code and an aircraft identity code (both unique "A
ES) code). Even for a regular satellite handset, the caller is unlikely to know the AES code as a number depending on the identity of the aircraft, seat, and satellite or base station offering. (It should be noted that, for security reasons, the passenger list of an aircraft is not generally available to the general public until the end of the flight.) In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the host network allows the host network to have a temporary seat number (PSN). It becomes possible to convert the called party's IMSI into an AES code (including seat number) containing It is randomly assigned from the number of spares left after the code is assigned to the seat terminal. The conversion takes place in the host network without the caller needing to know the AES code.

The temporary onboard identity code PSN associated with the called party's IMSI is returned to the onboard MSC 116. On-board MSC11
6 sets up a call over the satellite system to host MSC 141 of host network 104 (step 1604). For a normal satellite call, the satellite system requires certain authentication data at call setup. That is, the AES code and the telephone subscriber's identity code that successfully identifies the individual telephone subscriber to the satellite system. Or credit card or otherwise allows payments to be made if the user does not have an account with the satellite system. In this case, the onboard MSC 116 provides a mobile phone code (IMSI), such as a telephone subscriber's identity code. For security reasons, this code may be encrypted. If an outgoing call attempt is made, the call attempt is made to the dialed number, otherwise a specific code (referred to herein as the non-call code (“NCC”)) is used. It

The telephone subscriber management system 42 at the satellite ground station comprises a data acquisition device 47 that reads the identification data transferred from the aircraft (step 1605), thereby identifying the telephone subscriber and registering the subscriber's account. Review the details and set aside billing for any calls made by the billing system 45. The billing system 45 issues bills and interacts with the systems of credit card operators, banks, or other telephone operators. In this case, the card management system recognizes the IMSI that is transferred as the identity of the telephone subscriber. IM
If the SI has previously been registered by the telephone subscriber management system 42 (as briefly described: step 1616), the call is for the satellite system's authentication check method and any call from the onboard satellite terminal. Is authenticated using the billing system and connected to PSTN 8 (step 1606).
The billing details are sent to the home network via the host MSC 141.

If the caller has not previously been registered, but a particular non-call registration code is used, ACSE 40 recognizes that it is an authenticated free call to host MSC 141 and retrieves and retrieves data accordingly. The code is processed by sending the data to the interface device 52 of the host network 5 (step 1607). Calls using this code are enabled by the telephone subscriber management system 42 even if the IMSI has not previously been registered to it.

In general, the host network 104 differs from the user's home network 70. The interface device 148 in the host network provides certain additional functions and operates concurrently with the satellite ground station 4.

If the call is received by satellite ground station 4 using a non-call code (NCC), ACSE 40 retrieves the data and sends the data to interface device 148 (step 1608). Then the interface device 148
Is the identity of the mobile phone (IMSI) and the A of the onboard terminal 201.
Retrieve ES identity (step 1608, FIG. 4). The IMSI (decrypted as needed) is sent to the network registration device 145. The network registration device 145 sends the signal to the host mobile switching center 14 in the same manner as an actual cell phone would do if it were registered by one of the base stations 74.
Replace with 1. Therefore, the mobile switching center informs the user's home location registration 73 that the mobile phone is currently registered in the network 104 (
Step 1611). Home location registration 73 is a mobile handset currently hosted by the MSC.
The fact that it is registered in 141 is recorded (step 1612).

The user's mobile handset is registered with host MSC 141, but host MSC 1
Note that it is not operably connected to 41. The user and the handset can be in appropriately equipped vehicles anywhere in the world within the coverage area of the satellite network 6.

Next, the details of the user including an arbitrary transfer command are transmitted to the host network VLR 144 by the home location registration 73 (step 1613). Storage device 1
47 records a copy of the details of these transfer instructions (step 1614) and is subsequently retrieved if the mobile device deregisters.

Conventionally, any incoming call for a mobile user is first sent to the user's home network 70, where the HLR 73 provides information to identify the MSC, where the mobile handset Is expected to be the host MSC 141. Thus, in this arrangement, any incoming call intended for a mobile user will be sent to the network 1 since the mobile user is currently registered here.
Currently being assigned to 04.

The interface device 148 sends an AES code to the call transfer command device 46, which issues a "busy transfer" command to the VLR 144 (step 1615). This is a standard transfer arrangement,
When a new call attempt is made and the mobile device appears to be already making a call, the new call attempt is forwarded to a specific directory number, in which case the AES code is used by the mobile device. Operates as assigned to a device. This transfer instruction replaces any previous instruction held in the VLR 144.

Finally, the registration process takes place from the host MSC 141 to the telephone subscriber management system 4
It returns the authorization code to 2 (step 1616) and ends with the fact that the IMSI can be recognized as a valid user identification for subsequent outgoing calls.

Of course, the mobile telephone 10 is recorded in the home location registration 73 and connected to the host MSC 141 at the host's visitor location registration 144, which is not true and thus the host MSC 141 is in the conventional manner. It is not possible to connect an incoming call to the mobile phone, or it may identify the current actual operating conditions of the mobile handset 110 (switched off, busy, ready for call, etc.). It is impossible. Nevertheless, the system responds to the call attempt, as described with reference to FIG.

If a call attempt is made (step 1701), home network 7
The MSC to which the call is initially routed at 0 obtains from the current location of the mobile phone of the HLR 73 (step 1702) and upon receiving the identity of the host MSC 141, directs the call there (step 1703). The host MSC 141 then attempts to transfer the call attempt to the currently functioning base station (actually the interface device 148) (step 1704). If the disconnect procedure previously described with reference to FIG. 8 is performed, the call is not connected (
Step 1705), the signal is sent back to the home MSC 70. Otherwise, the interface device 148 automatically returns a "busy" signal to any such request (step 1706). The interface device 148 has no information about the actual operational status of the mobile device 110. When the target mobile device is in a "busy" state, it is simply arranged to emulate the response of the target mobile device to a call attempt.

Upon receiving the “busy” signal, the host MSC 141 checks whether the mobile handset has been transferred to any incoming call that is already in progress (step 1707). (This is a standard procedure and is done to ensure that the call transfer will not be attempted unless it actually succeeds). If there is no such forwarded call in progress, the host MSC 141 retrieves the forwarding information (AES) from the VLR 144 (step 1708) and PS it.
Allows calling through TN8 and routing satellite system 3 to onboard system 101 (step 1710).

The onboard system 101 routes incoming calls to the nodes of the onboard system according to the AES code. If the node is connected to the actual seating terminal, the call is simply routed to that terminal. However, in this case, the code corresponds to a temporary seat number and the onboard satellite system switch 113 recognizes that the call means to be routed to the node connected to the onboard MSC 116. The onboard MSC 116 uses the processor 118 to retrieve the cellular identity (IMSI) corresponding to the PSN from the memory 119 (step 1711) and then connects the call to the mobile handset 110 having that identity in a conventional manner (step 1711). 1712). Therefore,
All interactions between the on-board MSC 116 and the handset 110 are conventional, a standard handset can be used and a standard used to ensure that international "roaming" is possible. No initial authentication is required, other than simple procedures.

If a second call attempt is made to the handset already in use, ACS
The E50 recognizes that the transfer instruction does not work while handling a call that has already been transferred to that number. The default state in such a case is in place for a second call to be forwarded to the user's voicemail address (not shown) in home network 70. A message may also be sent to the user to inform the user about a new voicemail message. This message is normally sent to the mobile device and the host MSC 141 appears to be operating at the same time as the interface device 148 and thus the host MSC 141.
Sends a data message to the interface device 148 (step 171).
1). To inform the user of the new voicemail message, the interface device 148 regenerates the data message (step 1712) for transmission to the onboard MSC 116 via the satellite system 3 and during or after the call. To the user terminal 110.

Since the onboard system 101 is a moving body and is on an aircraft,
Routed calls to that terminal may sometimes need to be amended. For example, the "International Maritime Satellite Organization" satellite system comprises a number of geostationary satellites, each of which covers a portion of the earth's surface. These service areas overlap approximately, but nevertheless, on long flights, the aircraft can pass from the area covered by one satellite to the area served by the other satellite. This causes a small but significant change in the network address AES of any terminal on board the aircraft. Aircraft location registration 41 monitors the identities of all current aircraft handled by each satellite ground station 4. As the aircraft moves within range of different satellites 6, the call transfer device 146 responds by transferring a new call transfer instruction to the VLR 144, thus any further incoming call attempt is made to the terminal 1.
10 is transferred to the new network address (AES) of the node.
Note that the transfer store 147 is not updated.

Also note that this does not affect calls already in progress. There is usually sufficient overlap in satellite coverage to pass from one satellite or base station to another satellite which may be arranged to occur if a call is not in progress.

In use, both parties to the call and most of the cellular network operate normally. Cellular phone 110 works with base station 112 on the aircraft in the same manner as any other base station 74. Home location registration 73 identifies mobile phone 110 as being currently operated by host MSC 141 and routes incoming calls accordingly. Therefore, the present invention enables connection with the conventional handset 110 using a standard mobile phone device. Host MSC141
And the operation of the onboard MSC 116 are both interface unit 11
It is largely conventional, except for the many conversion functions performed by 8, 148.
With roaming capability, only one host MSC 141 can provide connectivity with multiple airborne MSCs 116 at any point within the range of satellite systems 4, 6.

In its original form not suitable for transfer via PSTN and satellite systems, but to allow use of the seat display system 201 for data messages,
The interface unit 148 receives data messages via the MSC 141 via the packet data system 9 and is intended to receive data messages intended for the user currently associated with the interface unit 148.
49 is provided. These messages are SMS sent by other callers
Alerts the user of messages sent to the voicemail system, including messages and SMS messages generated by the MSC 141 itself. The format of such a message is shown in FIG. 7 and its sending and receiving process is shown in FIG.

The original message 900 basically consists of a data payload 901 and an address 902, the address 902 being the IMSI of the destination mobile phone (FIG. 7a).

The interface unit 148 receives such a data message (step 990) and, from the data acquisition unit 149, responds to the cellular identity of the user originally provided in the data acquisition unit 149 when the user performs the registration procedure. The data network address of the seat entertainment terminal 201 to be searched is searched (step 991). The interface unit 148 then generates a data call for that address (step 992).
This has an address header corresponding to the data network address of the user's seat terminal 201, and is in a form suitable for transfer to the aircraft via the packet data network 9 by the MSC 141 (step 993). This data call can be a short message indicating that the message is awaiting transmission, and prompts the user on screen 201 to dial the special code of the user's handset 110 to accept the message ( Display step 994) and any charges associated with it. This acceptance is forwarded back to the interface unit 148 via the MSC 141 (step 995). (These steps 992-995 may be omitted if the user does not need to authenticate acceptance before receiving the data message.) The interface unit 148 then causes the interface unit 148 to address the address header (IMSI) in the original data message. 902 replaces the code 912 identifying the terminal 201 and encapsulates the message in a form suitable for forwarding to the aircraft via the packet data network 9 (step 996), which includes the address header 910.
To the data network interface 204 that operates the onboard entertainment system 200. Therefore, it may be sent to the interface 204 via the packet data network 9 (step 997),
This is valid as a packet with an address header 910 and a payload consisting of the number of seat terminals 912 and a true payload 901 (Fig. 7b).

Upon receipt of the data message, the onboard interface 204 extracts the data message payload 901, 912 (FIG. 7c) (step 998),
The individual seat terminal 201 specified by the address 912 is specified. Then
The data message payload 901 on the screen 201 of the appropriate terminal may be displayed (step 999).

The payloads 901, 912 may also include a password code 913, for example, if password protection is required to ensure that the user is present when the message is displayed. This causes the interface 204 to remind the payload until a predetermined keystroke sequence is entered by the user of the terminal 201.

In this embodiment, the guidance (step 992) is sent as a voice message to the user terminal 110 and either the key press (using the DTMF code) or the voice identifies the user's seat terminal to the user (actually). Prompts the user to ask for the user's seat number) (step 995). Therefore, the accepting step is done via the voice network rather than the data network. The host MC 141 uses this information to generate an AES code that identifies the user terminal and attaches it to the data message 910 (FIG. 7). The host MSC may store this code for use in later data messages, and the host MSC 14
One handles further data messages without requesting this information from the user again. Instead, the user first calls the onboard MSC 116 for the user's telephone 11
If 0 is registered, a request for user seat number may be made.

FIG. 9 illustrates that on-board system 101 is sometimes turned off to block calls when on-board operation may interfere with conventional base-based cellular systems or vehicle electronic control systems, thereby Figure 3 illustrates a process that allows the board to perform a "quiet" period, or to allow the transmission of satellite links from one satellite to another. The control to switch off the system may be controlled manually, under the control of a sensor that detects interference from a nearby radio base station 74, or the operating conditions of the vehicle communicated with the onboard system by the control data bus 22 ( For example, under aircraft landing gear deployment, altitude below, or "weight on wheels"). If such a disconnection occurs (step 1501), a signal is generated in the onboard system 101 (step 1502) and transferred to the ground station 4 via the satellite link 6 (step 1503). This signal causes the satellite ground station to activate call failure mode for any call directed to the particular vehicle's onboard system 101 (step 1504).

Now, any call forwarded by the MSC 141 to the number corresponding to the onboard node of the vehicle (step 1505) then without emitting any required signals via the satellite link 6. , Receives a "call failure" indicator from the base station (step 1506). Such a failed call is rerouted according to the user's own transfer instructions and stored by the host MSC 141 for use when the user handset is busy (step 1507). Generally, such instructions are translated into a voice mail system at the user's home network for the call. In addition, the host MSC 141 has its presence and, if possible, the origin of any such call attempt (call line specific-
CLI) is recorded (step 1508).

When the onboard system 101 is restarted (step 1511), further signals are transferred to the onboard system (step 1512) and transferred to the base station 4 via the satellite link 6 (step 1513). This signal causes the satellite base station to cancel call failure mode for calls destined for the particular vehicle's onboard system 101 (step 1514). When the user 110 reconnects to the onboard system 101 (step 1515), the onboard system forwards a signal 141 to the host MSC (step 1516), which causes the host MSC to call the previously stored call for that user. The trial record is retrieved (step 1518). If more than one such call attempt is made, the MSC returns a message to the user 110 (step 1519), prompting the user to retrieve the message from the voicemail system as the user desires.

The user may decide that he does not want his call transferred to the terminal 110 during the flight and may switch it off. Therefore, the onboard MSC1
16 cannot locate the mobile handset 110 at the next registration update. Also, as mentioned above, when the aircraft approaches landing, to avoid interference with the aircraft system (or swaying passengers in an emergency) at this important point in flight, and in addition, interference with ground-based base stations. To avoid this, it is desirable to disable the onboard system 101. Therefore, the disconnect code is for all handsets 11
At the onboard MSC 116 for the 0, it may be generated either by a flight attendant or by automatically responding to signals detected on the aircraft databus 22. This signal indicates the imminent end of the journey, such as time to stay at the destination (determined by the aircraft's flight management system), low altitude, landing gear deployment, and weight on wheels.

In general, detection of the same IMSI from two sources causes the HLR to disconnect both callers as a fraud prevention measure. Thus, if a user left on the aircraft switches on to the user's phone 110 before the network 141 reports that the mobile device is gone from its own network, the mobile device will immediately see the two networks. Can be sensed by the HLR 73 as registered at.
To avoid this possibility, the disconnection procedure proceeds as described with reference to FIG.

Upon receiving the registration cancellation signal (steps 801 and 802 in FIG. 6), the host network 104 retrieves the originally transferred information from the storage device 147 (step 803) and stores it in the VLR 144 ( Step 804), thereby automatically restoring the user's own selected transfer instructions. This ensures that there are no further calls to the onboard terminal 21 where the track is set up.

When the user remains on the aircraft, the user may switch on the user's mobile phone 110 registered on the local network (eg, network 70) and inform the home location registration 73 of the location update (generally the HLR 73 is local. Note that it is not the same network as network 70). The HLR 73 retrieves the user's VLR settings from the previous host network 102. Since the original VLR data is restored (step 804), the temporary transfer data used when the user is connected to the onboard system is not fed back to the HLR. All data regarding the user may then be deleted from the VLR 44 at the "host" network 102.

[0068]   Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the figures.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 illustrates a general arrangement of various components working together in an embodiment of the invention. Movable vehicle-shows the bone part.

FIG. 2 illustrates a general arrangement of various components working together in an embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 shows a fixed, ground-based part.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a functional relationship between components of a fixed part of a fixed telephone communication system working together in the present invention.

[Figure 4]   The operation method of this embodiment is shown.

[Figure 5]   The operation method of this embodiment is shown.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a process in which a mobile network restores the original settings for a telephone when disconnected from the first network.

[Figure 7]   Indicates the forwarding process performed on the data message.

[Figure 8]   3 illustrates a conditional forwarding process for data messages.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a call transfer process for use when the mobile system is temporarily stopped.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (31) Priority claim number 0009359.1 (32) Priority date April 14, 2000 (April 14, 2000) (33) Priority claim country United Kingdom (GB) (31) Priority claim number 00303155.6 (32) Priority date April 14, 2000 (April 14, 2000) (33) Priority claiming countries European Patent Office (EP) (31) Priority claim number 00303164.8 (32) Priority date April 14, 2000 (April 14, 2000) (33) Priority claiming countries European Patent Office (EP) (81) Designated countries EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, I T, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE), OA (BF, BJ , CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, GM, K E, LS, MW, MZ, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG , ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AE, AG, AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, BZ, C A, CH, CN, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM , DZ, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, K E, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS , LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MZ, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, R U, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM , TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW (72) Inventor Meade, Andrew Robert             United Kingdom GU 15 3 US,             Sally, Kyan Burley, Mall Toe             Y North, Pear Tree Court             9 F-term (reference) 5K067 BB03 BB43 DD57 EE02 EE07                       EE10 EE12 HH17 HH23

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for providing a telephone connection between one or more cellular radiotelephones and a fixed cellular radio switching system, the apparatus comprising a mobile cellular system, a fixed cellular radio switching system, and the mobile. Mobile cellular system comprising a tracking wireless link providing a wireless connection between a mobile cellular switching system and the fixed cellular switching system, the mobile cellular system being one or more bases for providing a wireless connection to the cellular wireless telephone. A control call over the tracking radio link to the fixed cellular radio switching system in response to detecting the presence of a cellular radio telephone in the coverage area of the mobile cellular switching system, the mobile telephone switching system being connected to a transceiver station The fixed cellular radio switching system having means for initiating Responding to such a control call to indicate to another switching system that a call to a cellular radiotelephone currently provided by the mobile switching system should be first directed to the fixed cellular radio switching system. A fixed cellular radio switching system, the fixed cellular radio switching system also for allowing an incoming call directed to the cellular radio telephone to be transferred to the mobile cellular switching system by the tracking radio link. A device having call transfer means for responding to such control calls. 2. An apparatus for providing a telephone connection between one or more cellular radiotelephones and a fixed cellular radiotelephone switching system, the apparatus for providing a wireless connection to the cellular radiotelephones. A mobile cellular wireless switching system, and a tracking wireless link for providing a wireless connection between the mobile cellular system and the fixed cellular wireless switching system, wherein the mobile cellular switching system comprises: Means for initiating a call over the tracking radio link to the fixed cellular radio switching system in response to detecting the presence of a cellular radio telephone within the coverage area of the mobile cellular switching system, data relating to the cellular radio telephone to the fixed cellular radio telephone. By means of communicating to a switching system, and the tracking wireless link An apparatus comprising means for receiving a call directed to the cellular radiotelephone and routing the call to the mobile cellular switching system. 3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mobile system comprises a terminal having equipment for connection of a cellular handset, and a voice output from the cellular handset to a voice output of the terminal. An apparatus comprising means for transmitting a signal. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the terminal collects ringing tones from the handset and produces a visible or audible alert in response to such ringing. An apparatus having means. 5. A fixed switching system for providing a telephone connection for one or more cellular radiotelephones, and a tracking radio link for connecting a mobile cellular switching system to the fixed cellular radioswitching system. A cellular radio system, wherein a call to a current cellular radiotelephone in a coverage area of the mobile switching system to another switching system should first be directed to the fixed cellular radio switching system. To indicate that the registration means is responsive to a control call made by the cellular radiotelephone via the tracking radio link to the fixed cellular radio switching system, and such an incoming call is made by the tracking radio link. Transferred to a mobile cellular switching system A system comprising a transfer means. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the mobile system comprises an identity code of a destination node of the tracking radio link and an identity code of a cellular radio telephone. Means for creating an association between, and means for storing the associated identities in a storage device associated with the fixed and mobile cellular switching systems, so that both cellular radios An apparatus that enables a switching system to convert between the cellular radio identity and the node identity. 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the device has an identity associated with a call directed to a mobile phone that is currently operating simultaneously with the mobile switching cellular system. Arranged for transfer by said fixed wireless switching system to a node of a tracking wireless system, said node having means for connecting said call to said mobile cellular switching system, said mobile switching system comprising said node An apparatus having means for retrieving the cellular network identity associated with and routing a call to the mobile phone having that identity. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the tracking radio link is a satellite link having means for changing satellites through being routed. An apparatus comprising means for maintaining a call in progress when made. 9. One or more cellular radiotelephones having network location capabilities in a fixed cellular radioswitching system when the telephone is in communication with a mobile cellular radioswitching system connected to the fixed cellular radioswitching system by a tracking radiolink. Providing a mobile cellular radio switching system to the fixed cellular switching system via the tracking radio link in response to detecting the presence of a cellular radiotelephone in the coverage area of the mobile switching system. A method of initiating a call and causing the mobile switching system and the fixed cellular radio switching system to operate simultaneously to convey a call directed to the cellular radiotelephone to the mobile cellular switching system by the tracking radio link. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the mobile system generates and associates an association between an identity associated with a node of the tracked radio link and a cellular network identity. A method in which an identity is stored by the fixed cellular switching system and the mobile cellular switching system, which allows conversion between a cellular radio link identity and a tracking radio link identity by both cellular radio switching systems. 11. A method for routing a call made to a cellular radiotelephone currently connected to a mobile cellular radio switching system, the method comprising:
The fixed cellular radio switching system here indicates that the cellular radiotelephone is currently connected to the fixed cellular radio switching system such that a call is initially directed to the fixed cellular radio switching system, where Such a call, when received by the fixed cellular radio system, is forwarded by the fixed cellular radio system to a node in the tracking radio system, the node in the tracking radio system being associated with the mobile cellular radiotelephone switching system. And then the node routes a call to the cellular radiotelephone by the mobile cellular radio switching system. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein a call directed to a mobile phone currently associated with the mobile switching cellular system is to a node of the tracking system having an identity associated with a cellular network identity. Forwarded, the node connects the call to the mobile cellular switching system, the mobile switching system retrieves the cellular network identity associated with the node and to the mobile phone having that identity. A way to route calls. 13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the tracking radio link is a satellite link having means for changing satellites through being routed, wherein the track link is in progress. Call may be maintained if the satellite is changed through the tracking link being routed.