JP2019198022A - Communication system and communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a communication system and a communication method that can achieve appropriate incoming control even if a called terminal is roaming out.SOLUTION: A communication system 1 performs incoming control to two or more communication networks. The communication system includes: an information management unit 15 that manages in-zone information indicating a communication network where a terminal is of a plurality of communication networks 11 and 12 on the basis of a position registration signal transmitted from a terminal 19 that is roaming out; and an incoming processing unit 16 that obtains in-zone information corresponding to a called terminal from the information management unit in response to an incoming request from a caller terminal and determines a communication network which is an incoming control target from the plurality of communication networks on the basis of the in-zone information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system and a communication method for controlling incoming calls to a communication terminal.

  In recent years, communication networks conforming to various standards such as 3G (3rd Generation) and LTE (Long Term Evolution) can be connected to communication terminals. For this reason, studies have been made to enable communication even when connected to a communication network of a different standard. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes incoming service control for terminals located in two communication networks, a 3G network and an IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) network.

JP 2009-55455 A

  In order to make a call in a wide area, incoming call control corresponding to a plurality of different communication networks such as 3G and LTE is required. In this case, as in the communication system described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to check which type of communication network the destination terminal is in when performing incoming control.

  However, for example, depending on the telecommunications carrier providing the communication network, the protocol for incoming call control may be different even for the same type of communication network. For example, even in the same 3G network, there are communication networks using different protocols such as MAP (Mobile Application Part) and Dia (Diameter). In such a case, there is a possibility that it is not possible to make an inquiry about the location status to the communication network in which the destination terminal is roaming out. As a result, there is a possibility that the incoming call to the destination terminal that is roaming out cannot be realized.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a communication system and a communication method capable of realizing appropriate incoming call control even when the destination terminal is roaming out. Objective.

  In order to achieve the above object, a communication system according to an aspect of the present invention is a communication system that performs incoming call control to two or more communication networks, and is transmitted from a roaming-out terminal. Based on the location registration signal, the information management unit that manages the location information indicating the communication network in which the terminal is located among the plurality of communication networks, and the information management unit in response to an incoming request from the calling terminal An inbound processing unit that acquires in-zone information corresponding to the terminal of the destination and determines a communication network subject to incoming control from a plurality of communication networks based on the in-zone information.

  A communication method according to another aspect of the present invention is a communication method for performing incoming call control to two or more communication networks, and receiving a location registration signal transmitted from a roaming-out terminal A storage step for storing location information indicating a communication network in which the terminal is located among a plurality of communication networks based on the location registration signal received in the reception step, and a response to an incoming call request from the calling terminal The acquisition step of acquiring the location information corresponding to the destination terminal from the location information stored in the storage step, and the communication network subject to incoming control based on the location information acquired in the acquisition step Determining from among a plurality of communication networks.

  According to the one aspect or the other aspect, the location information indicating a communication network in which the terminal is located among a plurality of communication networks based on a location registration signal transmitted from the roaming-out terminal Is managed. Based on the location information, the communication network subject to incoming call control is determined from among a plurality of communication networks, so regardless of the protocol used for the communication network in which the destination terminal is located, The communication network subject to incoming call control can be appropriately determined. Therefore, even when the destination terminal is roaming out, appropriate incoming control can be realized.

  According to the aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide a communication system and a communication method capable of realizing appropriate incoming call control even when the destination terminal is roaming out.

It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the communication system which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the incoming call control in the same communication network. It is a figure for demonstrating the incoming call control in a different communication network. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the function of HSS. It is a figure for demonstrating the information memorize | stored in HSS. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the function of IMS. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the location registration in case the terminal is located in the LTE network. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the location registration in case the terminal is located in the LTE network. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the location registration in case the terminal is located in the 3G network. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the location registration in case the terminal is located in the 3G network. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the incoming call control in case the terminal is located in the LTE network. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the incoming call control in case the terminal is located in the LTE network. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the incoming call control in case the terminal is located in the 3G network. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the incoming call control in case the terminal is located in the 3G network. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the communication system which concerns on one Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a communication system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  First, the communication system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of the communication system 1. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining incoming call control in the same communication network. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram for explaining incoming call control in different communication networks.

  The communication system 1 performs incoming control to a plurality of two or more communication networks. In the present embodiment, the communication system 1 performs incoming control to a plurality of communication networks included in the RAT 10 (Radio Access Technology) shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the RAT 10 includes two communication networks, a 3G network 11 and an LTE network 12, as shown in FIG. The 3G network 11 includes an SGSN 13 (Serving GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) Support Node), and the LTE network 12 includes an MME 14 (Mobility Management Entity). SGSN 13 and MME 14 each have a subscriber profile. The subscriber profile includes the location status of a communication terminal (UE (User Equipment); hereinafter simply referred to as “terminal”) 19 possessed by the subscriber. In the communication system 1, by collectively managing the location status, it is possible to determine a communication network in which a terminal is located among a plurality of communication networks.

  The communication system 1 includes an HSS 15 (Home Subscriber Service; information management unit) and an IMS 16 (IP Multimedia Subsystem; incoming call processing unit). The HSS 15 is a user information database, and manages the location information (profile) of the terminals 19 located in a plurality of communication networks included in the RAT 10 described above. Specifically, the HSS 15 manages area information indicating a communication network in which the terminal 19 is located among a plurality of communication networks, based on the location registration signal transmitted from the terminal 19.

  In the present embodiment, the terminal 19 transmits a location registration signal to the SGSN 13 or the MME 14, and the HSS 15 receives the location registration signal from the SGSN 13 or the MME 14. The location registration signal includes the location status of the terminal 19. The HSS 15 manages the location information (3G information) of the terminal 19 acquired from the SGSN 13 and the location information (LTE information) of the terminal 19 acquired from the MME 14 based on the received location registration signal. This 3G information is registered based on the location registration signal transmitted via the SGSN 13 when the terminal 19 is in the 3G network 11, and this LTE information is stored in the LTE network 12 by the terminal 19. It is registered on the basis of the position registration signal transmitted via the MME 14 when the service is made.

  The IMS 16 is a communication system standardized by 3GPP as a communication service provided to the terminal 19 by integrating it with SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) to realize a multimedia service. SIP is a protocol used in IP (Internet Protocol) technology and Internet telephone. The IMS 16 responds to an incoming call request from the terminal 19 on the transmission side (hereinafter, the terminal on the transmission side is referred to as a “calling terminal”), and the terminal 19 (hereinafter referred to as the “calling terminal”) from the HSS 15. The location information corresponding to “.” Is acquired. The IMS 16 performs incoming call control on the communication network in the RAT 10 based on the location information acquired from the HSS 15. As a result, incoming control is performed on the incoming terminal 19.

  The communication system 1 includes a communication network (hereinafter referred to as “home communication network”) 21 configured by the communication system 1 and a communication network (hereinafter referred to as “local area”) in which the terminal 19 is located. When the terminal 19 is roaming out, that is, when the terminal 19 is roaming out, the incoming call control corresponding to roaming is executed. FIG. 2 shows a situation where the home communication network 21 belongs to the same operator as the visited communication network 22. FIG. 3 shows a situation where the home communication network 21 and the visited communication network 22 belong to different operators. That is, in the situation shown in FIG. 3, the receiving terminal 19 is roaming out.

  In the present embodiment, “roaming” refers to enabling communication when the communication network in which the receiving terminal 19 is located belongs to an operator different from the home communication network 21. “Roaming out” means that the terminal 19 is in a communication network belonging to an operator different from the home communication network 21. In the present embodiment, “roaming” and “roaming out” are not limited to the case where the terminal 19 is located in the communication network of a foreign operator. For example, the communication system 1 performs incoming call control corresponding to roaming when the operator to which the communication network in which the incoming terminal 19 is located belongs is different from the operator to which the communication network configured by the communication system 1 belongs.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the HSS 15 obtains a profile from the SGSN 13 by Gr or S6d, which is an interface standardized in 3GPP. The protocol of Gr is MAP, and the protocol of S6d is Diameter. The HSS 15 acquires a profile from the MME 14 through S6a, which is an interface standardized in 3GPP. The protocol of S6a is Diameter.

  In the situation shown in FIG. 2, the receiving terminal 19 is located in a communication network belonging to the same operator as the home communication network 21 to which the communication system 1 is connected. For this reason, protocol unmatching hardly occurs in communication between the HSS 15 and the RAT 10. For example, the HSS 15 can always obtain a profile from the SGSN 13 by using an interface designed in advance according to the same protocol (MAP or Diameter) as the SGSN 13.

  On the other hand, in the situation shown in FIG. 3, the receiving terminal 19 is located in a communication network belonging to an operator different from the home communication network 21 to which the communication system 1 is connected. For this reason, protocol mismatch may occur in communication between the HSS 15 and the RAT 10. For example, the HSS 15 and the SGSN 13 may have interfaces that conform to different protocols (MAP or Diameter). The communication system 1 can realize appropriate incoming call control even in such a case.

  Next, functional configurations of the HSS 15 and the IMS 16 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. The HSS 15 includes a signal communication unit 31, a located area determination unit 32, an information control unit 33, and a database 34. The signal communication unit 31 performs reception processing of signals from the RAT 10 and the IMS 16. In the present embodiment, the signal communication unit 31 receives a location registration signal from the SGSN 13 and the MME 14 included in the RAT 10 and receives an incoming call request (location information request described later) from the IMS 16. The location registration signal includes the location status of the terminal 19 (terminal that can be a receiving terminal). In other words, the signal communication unit 31 receives from the RAT 10 area information indicating a communication network in which the terminal 19 is located among a plurality of communication networks. Based on the incoming call request, the signal communication unit 31 reads the latest location information of the receiving terminal 19 from the database 34 and transmits the read location information to the IMS 16.

  The located area determination unit 32 determines whether the terminal 19 is roaming out in response to the signal communication unit 31 receiving the location registration signal or the incoming call request. The information control unit 33 controls information stored in the database 34. The database 34 stores location information indicating a communication network in which the terminal 19 is located among a plurality of communication networks.

  In this embodiment, the information control unit 33 stores the location information of the terminal 19 in the database 34 based on the location registration signal when the location determination unit 32 determines that the terminal 19 is roaming out. . In other words, the information control unit 33 is based on the location registration signal transmitted from the roaming-out terminal 19, and is located area information indicating a communication network in which the terminal 19 is located among a plurality of communication networks. Manage. Specifically, the information control unit 33 stores, in the database 34, the location status of the communication network in which the location of the terminal 19 was last confirmed among the location statuses of the terminal 19 for each of the plurality of communication networks. And the location status for other communication networks is deleted from the database 34.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of information stored in the database 34 of the HSS 15. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the database 34 exclusively stores either MMEname or SGSNnumber as the location status for each Subscriber ID. The Subscriber ID is a character string or a number that identifies each terminal 19. The MMEname is a character string or a number that identifies each of the plurality of MMEs 14 that can communicate with the HSS 15. SGSNnumber is a character string or a number that identifies each of the plurality of SGSNs 13 that can communicate with the HSS 15. The operator to which the communication network belongs can be identified from the MMEname or SGSNnumber.

  The database 34 stores the MMEname for identifying the MME 14 in which the location of each terminal 19 is confirmed in the MMEname column. The database 34 stores an SGSN number identifying the SGSN 13 in which the location of each terminal 19 is confirmed in the field of SGSN number. That is, the MMEname or SGSNnumber stored in the database 34 is area information that exclusively indicates the communication network in which the terminal 19 is located. In the present embodiment, the information control unit 33 holds the location information (MMEname or SGSNnumber) corresponding to the communication network (3G network 11 or LTE network 12) in which the location of the terminal 19 was last confirmed in the database 34. The location information (MMEname or SGSNnumber) corresponding to another communication network (3G network 11 or LTE network 12) is deleted from the database 34. Accordingly, since the database 34 holds only the location status of the communication network in which the location of the terminal 19 was last confirmed, the communication network in which the terminal 19 is located among the plurality of communication networks is stored. Can be identified.

  The IMS 16 includes an incoming call request receiving unit 41, an area information requesting unit 42, an area information receiving unit 43, and an incoming call control unit 44. The incoming request receiving unit 41 receives an incoming request from the calling terminal.

  Upon receiving the incoming call request from the calling terminal, the located area information requesting unit 42 makes a visiting area information request to the signal communication unit 31 of the HSS 15 for the receiving terminal 19 (transmits the incoming call request). In the present embodiment, the location information request unit 42 makes a T-ADS (Terminating-Access Domain Selection) request to the signal communication unit 31 of the HSS 15. “T-ADS” means that the SGSN number and MME name are managed in the HSS 15 and the latest location registration time of the incoming terminal 19 is inquired to the RAT 10 by referring to these when receiving an incoming call (inquiry about the location status). This is a function for specifying the RAT10. “T-ADS request” refers to requesting the HSS 15 for an inquiry regarding the location status of the receiving terminal 19.

  The HSS 15 determines whether or not the receiving terminal 19 is roaming out in the area determination unit 32 in response to receiving the area information request (incoming request) from the area information request unit 42 in the signal communication unit 31. To do. In this embodiment, the located area determination unit 32 determines the operator to which the located communication network 22 where the receiving terminal 19 is located belongs from the MMEname or SGSNnumber stored in the database 34, and the home communication network 21. When the in-zone communication network 22 belongs to a different operator, it is determined that the user is roaming out. When the HSS 15 determines that the receiving terminal 19 is roaming out, the HSS 15 does not make an inquiry about the location status of the receiving terminal 19 to a plurality of communication networks (for example, the 3G network 11 and the LTE network 12). When the HSS 15 determines that the receiving terminal 19 has not roamed out, the HSS 15 makes the above inquiry to a plurality of communication networks (for example, the 3G network 11 and the LTE network 12).

  The located area information receiving unit 43 receives (acquires) the located area information corresponding to the receiving terminal 19 from the signal communication unit 31 of the HSS 15. In the present embodiment, the location information receiving unit 43 receives a T-ADS response from the HSS 15. “T-ADS response” refers to returning the location information of the receiving terminal 19.

  The incoming call control unit 44 determines a communication network to be subjected to incoming call control from a plurality of communication networks based on the visited area information received by the located area information receiving unit 43. For example, when receiving the SGSN number as the location information, the incoming call control unit 44 determines the 3G network 11 corresponding to the SGSN number as the communication network subject to incoming call control, and receives the incoming terminal 19 via the 3G network 11. Incoming call control is executed for. On the other hand, when receiving the MMEname as the location information, the incoming call control unit 44 determines the LTE network 12 corresponding to the MMEname as a communication network subject to incoming call control, and receives the incoming call via the LTE network 12. Incoming call control is executed for the terminal 19.

  Next, the incoming call control performed by the communication system 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. First, with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, location registration when the terminal 19 is in the LTE network 12 will be described in detail. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram for explaining location registration when the terminal 19 is located in the LTE network 12. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram for explaining location registration when the terminal 19 is located in the LTE network 12.

  First, in the located communication network 22, the terminal 19 located in the LTE network 12 transmits a location registration signal to the MME 14 and requests attachment (location registration) to the MME 14 (step S1). When the MME 14 is requested to attach from the terminal 19, the MME 14 transmits a location registration signal to the HSS 15 of the home communication network 21, and requests the HSS 15 to attach (location registration) (step S2). At this time, the location registration signal transmitted by the MME 14 includes a profile corresponding to the terminal 19. When the HSS 15 receives the location registration signal from the MME 14 and is requested to attach, the HSS 15 determines whether or not the terminal 19 is roaming out by the location determination unit 32 (step S3). That is, the HSS 15 determines whether or not the home communication network 21 and the visited communication network 22 are communication networks belonging to different operators by the located area determination unit 32.

  When it is determined that the terminal 19 is roaming out by the location determination unit 32 (step S3; YES), the HSS 15 is detected by the information control unit 33 based on the location registration signal. The location information (LTE information) indicating the LTE network 12 is stored in the database 34 (step S4). Further, the information control unit 33 deletes (clears) the location information (3G information) of the 3G network 11 stored in the database 34 for the terminal 19 (step S4). Subsequently, the HSS 15 requests the SGSN 13 of the visited communication network 22 to delete the profile related to the terminal 19 (step S5). SGSN13 will delete the profile regarding the terminal 19 currently hold | maintained in SGSN13, if the profile deletion is requested | required from HSS15 (step S6).

  When it is determined that the terminal 19 has not roamed out by the located area determination unit 32 (step S3; NO), the HSS 15 is detected by the information control unit 33 based on the location registration signal. The location information (LTE information) indicating the existing LTE network 12 is stored in the database 34 (step S7). At this time, in this embodiment, the information control unit 33 holds the location information (3G information) of the 3G network 11 stored in the database 34 for the terminal 19 as it is (step S7).

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, location registration when the terminal 19 is in the 3G network 11 will be described in detail. FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram for explaining location registration when the terminal 19 is in the 3G network 11. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining location registration when the terminal 19 is in the 3G network 11.

  First, in the visited communication network 22, the terminal 19 located in the 3G network 11 transmits a location registration signal to the SGSN 13 and requests attachment (location registration) to the SGSN 13 (step S11). When the SGSN 13 is requested to attach from the terminal 19, the SGSN 13 transmits a location registration signal to the HSS 15 of the home communication network 21 and requests attachment (location registration) to the HSS 15 (step S12). At this time, the location registration signal transmitted by the SGSN 13 includes a profile corresponding to the terminal 19. When the HSS 15 receives the location registration signal from the SGSN 13 and is requested to attach, the HSS 15 determines whether or not the terminal 19 is roaming out by the location determination unit 32 (step S13). That is, the HSS 15 determines whether or not the home communication network 21 and the visited communication network 22 are communication networks belonging to different operators by the located area determination unit 32.

  When it is determined that the terminal 19 is roaming out by the presence determination unit 32 (step S13; YES), the HSS 15 is detected by the information control unit 33 based on the location registration signal. The location information (3G information) indicating the 3G network 11 is stored in the database 34 (step S14). Further, the information control unit 33 deletes (clears) the location information (LTE information) of the LTE network 12 stored in the database 34 for the terminal 19 (step S14). Subsequently, the HSS 15 requests the MME 14 of the visited communication network 22 to delete the profile related to the terminal 19 (step S15). When the MME 14 is requested to delete the profile from the HSS 15, the MME 14 deletes the profile relating to the terminal 19 held in the MME 14 (step S16).

  When it is determined that the terminal 19 has not roamed out by the located area determination unit 32 (step S13; NO), the HSS 15 is detected by the information control unit 33 based on the location registration signal. The location information (3G information) indicating the 3G network 11 is stored in the database 34 (step S17). At this time, in the present embodiment, the information control unit 33 holds the location information (LTE information) of the LTE network 12 stored in the database 34 for the terminal 19 as it is (step S17).

  Next, with reference to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the incoming call control when the incoming terminal 19 roaming out is in the LTE network 12 will be described in detail. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram for explaining incoming call control when the incoming terminal 19 is located in the LTE network 12. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram for explaining incoming call control when the incoming terminal 19 is located in the LTE network 12.

  First, in the home communication network 21, the transmission terminal 19 makes an incoming call request to the IMS 16 (step S21). When the IMS 16 receives an incoming call request from the calling terminal 19, the located area information request unit 42 makes an area information request (incoming call request) to the HSS 15. In the present embodiment, the located area information request unit 42 makes a T-ADS request as a located area information request to the HSS 15 (step S22).

  When the HSS 15 receives the location information request (incoming request) from the location information request unit 42 of the IMS 16, the location determination unit 32 determines whether the incoming terminal 19 is roaming out (step S 23). That is, the HSS 15 determines whether or not the home communication network 21 and the visited communication network 22 are communication networks belonging to different operators by the located area determination unit 32.

  When the location determining unit 32 determines that the receiving terminal 19 is roaming out, the HSS 15 detects the presence of the receiving terminal 19 with respect to the RAT 10 including a plurality of communication networks (for example, the 3G network 11 and the LTE network 12). Inquiries regarding the status of the area are suppressed (step S24). At this time, the HSS 15 obtains the latest location information corresponding to the receiving terminal 19 from the location information stored in the database 34 without making the above inquiry, and based on the location information to the IMS 16. Instruct the connection.

  In the situation shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the database 34 stores only the location information (LTE information) of the LTE network 12 as the location information of the receiving terminal 19. The location information (for example, 3G information) is not stored. Therefore, the HSS 15 transmits LTE information to the IMS 16 as a T-ADS response, and instructs the IMS 16 to connect to the receiving terminal 19 via the LTE network 12 (LTE connection) (step S25).

  In the present embodiment, when the location determination unit 32 determines that the incoming terminal 19 has not roamed out, the HSS 15 includes a plurality of communication networks (for example, the 3G network 11 and the LTE network 12). An inquiry about the location status of the receiving terminal 19 is made to the RAT 10. For example, the HSS 15 inquires of the SGSN 13 and the MME 14 about the time when the receiving terminal 19 was last located. In this case, the HSS 15 issues a connection instruction based on the result of the inquiry response from each communication network (for example, the 3G network 11 and the LTE network 12) to the IMS 16 as a T-ADS response.

  The IMS 16 receives (acquires) the location information as a T-ADS response from the HSS 15 in the location information receiving unit 43, and based on the location information, determines the communication network subject to incoming call control among the plurality of communication networks. Determine from. In the situation shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the IMS 16 receives LTE information as the location information. As a result, the IMS 16 determines the communication network subject to incoming control from the RAT 10 as the LTE network 12, and makes a VoLTE incoming call to the MME 14 of the visited communication network 22 in which the receiving terminal 19 is located (step S26).

  Next, with reference to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the incoming call control when the incoming terminal 19 roaming out is in the 3G network 11 will be described in detail. FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram for explaining incoming call control when the incoming terminal 19 is located in the 3G network 11. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram for explaining incoming call control when the incoming terminal 19 is located in the 3G network 11.

  First, in the home communication network 21, the transmission terminal 19 makes an incoming call request to the IMS 16 (step S31). When the IMS 16 receives an incoming call request from the calling terminal 19, the located area information request unit 42 makes an area information request (incoming call request) to the HSS 15. In the present embodiment, the located area information request unit 42 makes a T-ADS request to the HSS 15 (step S32).

  When the HSS 15 receives a location information request (incoming request) from the location information request unit 42 of the IMS 16, the location determination unit 32 determines whether the incoming terminal 19 is roaming out (step S33). That is, the HSS 15 determines whether or not the home communication network 21 and the visited communication network 22 are communication networks belonging to different operators by the located area determination unit 32.

  When the location determining unit 32 determines that the receiving terminal 19 is roaming out, the HSS 15 detects the presence of the receiving terminal 19 with respect to the RAT 10 including a plurality of communication networks (for example, the 3G network 11 and the LTE network 12). Inquiries regarding the service area status are suppressed (step S34). At this time, the HSS 15 obtains the latest location information corresponding to the receiving terminal 19 from the location information stored in the database 34 with respect to the receiving terminal 19 without performing the above inquiry, and A connection instruction is made based on the location information. In the situation shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the database 34 stores only the location information (3G information) of the 3G network 11 as the location information of the receiving terminal 19. The location information (for example, LTE information) is not stored. Accordingly, the HSS 15 transmits 3G information to the IMS 16 as a T-ADS response, and instructs the IMS 16 to connect to the receiving terminal 19 via the 3G network 11 (3G connection) (step S35).

  In the present embodiment, when the location determination unit 32 determines that the incoming terminal 19 has not roamed out, the HSS 15 includes a plurality of communication networks (for example, the 3G network 11 and the LTE network 12). An inquiry about the location status of the receiving terminal 19 is made to the RAT 10. For example, the HSS 15 inquires of the SGSN 13 and the MME 14 about the time when the receiving terminal 19 was last located. In this case, the HSS 15 issues a connection instruction based on the result of the inquiry response from each communication network (for example, the 3G network 11 and the LTE network 12) to the IMS 16 as a T-ADS response.

  The IMS 16 receives (acquires) the location information as a T-ADS response from the HSS 15 in the location information receiving unit 43, and based on the location information, determines the communication network subject to incoming call control among the plurality of communication networks. Determine from. In the situations shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the IMS 16 receives 3G information as the location information. As a result, the IMS 16 determines the communication network subject to incoming control from the RAT 10 as the 3G network 11 and performs 3G incoming to the SGSN 13 of the visited communication network 22 in which the receiving terminal 19 is located (step S36).

  Next, main operations and effects of the communication system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  In the communication system 1, based on the location registration signal transmitted from the roaming-out terminal 19, the communication in which the terminal 19 is located in a plurality of communication networks (for example, the 3G network 11 and the LTE network 12). The location information indicating the network is managed. Since the communication network subject to incoming control is determined from a plurality of communication networks based on the location information, the incoming call is received regardless of the protocol used for the communication network in which the incoming terminal 19 is located. The communication network to be controlled can be appropriately determined. Therefore, even when the receiving terminal 19 is roaming out, appropriate incoming control can be realized.

  The IMS 16 transmits an incoming call request from the calling terminal 19 to the HSS 15. The HSS 15 determines whether or not the receiving terminal 19 is roaming out in response to receiving the incoming request from the IMS 16. When the HSS 15 determines that the receiving terminal 19 is roaming out, the HSS 15 does not make an inquiry about the location status of the receiving terminal 19 to a plurality of communication networks. Therefore, when the communication network in which the receiving terminal 19 is located and the HSS 15 have different protocols for incoming control, unnecessary inquiry processing can be omitted.

  When the HSS 15 determines that the receiving terminal 19 has not roamed out, the HSS 15 makes the above inquiry to a plurality of communication networks. For this reason, when not roaming out, appropriate incoming call control can be performed based on more reliable location information.

  The HSS 15 maintains the location status of the communication network in which the location of the terminal 19 was last confirmed among the location status of the terminal 19 for each of the plurality of communication networks, and displays the status of coverage for other communication networks. delete. For this reason, it is possible to appropriately determine the communication network subject to incoming control by simpler processing.

  In addition, the block diagram used for description of the said embodiment has shown the block of the functional unit. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of hardware and / or software. Further, the means for realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized by one device physically and / or logically coupled, and two or more devices physically and / or logically separated may be directly and / or indirectly. (For example, wired and / or wireless) and may be realized by these plural devices.

  For example, the communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention may function as a computer that performs the processing according to the present embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The HSS 15 and the IMS 16 of the communication system 1 described above may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, and the like. .

  In the following description, the term “apparatus” can be read as a circuit, a device, a unit, or the like. The hardware configuration of the communication system 1 may be configured to include one or a plurality of devices illustrated in the figure, or may be configured not to include some devices.

  Each function in the communication system 1 is obtained by reading predetermined software (program) on hardware such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002, so that the processor 1001 performs an operation and performs communication by the communication device 1004, memory 1002 and storage 1003. This is realized by controlling the reading and / or writing of data.

  For example, the processor 1001 controls the entire computer by operating an operating system. The processor 1001 may be configured by a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic device, a register, and the like. For example, the located area determination unit 32 and the information control unit 33 in the HSS 15 and the located area information request unit 42 and the incoming call control unit 44 in the IMS 16 may be realized by the processor 1001.

  Further, the processor 1001 reads a program (program code), software module, and data from the storage 1003 and / or the communication device 1004 to the memory 1002, and executes various processes according to these. As the program, a program that causes a computer to execute at least a part of the operations described in the above embodiments is used. For example, the located area determination unit 32 and the information control unit 33 in the HSS 15 and the located area information request unit 42 and the incoming call control unit 44 in the IMS 16 may be realized by a control program stored in the memory 1002 and operating on the processor 1001. Of course, other functional blocks may be similarly realized. Although the above-described various processes have been described as being executed by one processor 1001, they may be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. Note that the program may be transmitted from a network via a telecommunication line.

  The memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and includes, for example, at least one of ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. May be. The memory 1002 may be called a register, a cache, a main memory (main storage device), or the like. The memory 1002 can store a program (program code), a software module, and the like that can be executed to perform the method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium, such as an optical disc such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disc drive, a flexible disc, a magneto-optical disc (eg, a compact disc, a digital versatile disc, a Blu-ray). (Registered trademark) disk, smart card, flash memory (for example, card, stick, key drive), floppy (registered trademark) disk, magnetic strip, and the like. The storage 1003 may be referred to as an auxiliary storage device. The storage medium described above may be, for example, a database, server, or other suitable medium including the memory 1002 and / or the storage 1003.

  The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for performing communication between computers via a wired and / or wireless network, and is also referred to as a network device, a network controller, a network card, a communication module, or the like. The communication system 1 may rewrite data in the storage 1003 by communication with the outside by the communication device 1004.

  The input device 1005 is an input device (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, or the like) that accepts an external input. The output device 1006 is an output device (for example, a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, etc.) that performs output to the outside. The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may have an integrated configuration (for example, a touch panel).

  Each device such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002 is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured with a single bus or may be configured with different buses between apparatuses.

  The communication system 1 includes hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA). A part or all of each functional block may be realized by the hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented by at least one of these hardware.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present invention can be implemented as modified and changed modes without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention defined by the description of the scope of claims. Therefore, the description of the present specification is for illustrative purposes and does not have any limiting meaning to the present invention.

  For example, in the present embodiment, an example in which the HSS 15 exclusively manages 3G information and LTE information has been described. However, the HSS 15 may manage information of other communication networks, and three or more communications may be performed. Network information may be managed.

  The notification of information is not limited to the aspect / embodiment described in the present specification, and may be performed by other methods. For example, information notification includes physical layer signaling (for example, DCI (Downlink Control Information), UCI (Uplink Control Information)), upper layer signaling (for example, RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling, MAC (Medium Access Control) signaling), It may be implemented by broadcast information (MIB (Master Information Block), SIB (System Information Block))), other signals, or a combination thereof. The RRC signaling may be referred to as an RRC message, and may be, for example, an RRC connection setup message, an RRC connection reconfiguration message, or the like.

  Each aspect / embodiment described herein includes LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (LTE-Advanced), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G, 5G, FRA (Future Radio Access), W-CDMA. (Registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, UWB (Ultra-WideBand), The present invention may be applied to a Bluetooth (registered trademark), a system using another appropriate system, and / or a next generation system extended based on the system.

  As long as there is no contradiction, the order of the processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, and the like of each aspect / embodiment described in this specification may be changed. For example, the methods described herein present the elements of the various steps in an exemplary order and are not limited to the specific order presented.

  The specific operation that is assumed to be performed by a specific device in this specification may be performed by the upper node in some cases. For example, when a specific device is a base station, various operations performed for communication with a terminal in a network including one or a plurality of network nodes having the base station are: It is clear that this can be done by the base station and / or other network nodes other than the base station (for example, but not limited to MME or S-GW). Although the case where there is one network node other than the base station in the above is illustrated, a combination of a plurality of other network nodes (for example, MME and S-GW) may be used.

  Information or the like can be output from the upper layer (or lower layer) to the lower layer (or upper layer). Input / output may be performed via a plurality of network nodes.

  Input / output information and the like may be stored in a specific location (for example, a memory) or may be managed by a management table. Input / output information and the like can be overwritten, updated, or additionally written. The output information or the like may be deleted. The input information or the like may be transmitted to another device.

  The determination may be performed by a value (0 or 1) represented by 1 bit, may be performed by a true / false value (Boolean: true or false), or may be performed by comparing numerical values (for example, a predetermined value) Comparison with the value).

  The notification of the predetermined information (for example, notification of “being X”) is not limited to explicitly performed, and may be performed implicitly (for example, notification of the predetermined information is not performed). .

  Software, whether it is called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or other names, instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program codes, programs, subprograms, software modules , Applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, functions, etc. should be interpreted broadly.

  Also, software, instructions, etc. may be transmitted / received via a transmission medium. For example, software may use websites, servers, or other devices using wired technology such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair and digital subscriber line (DSL) and / or wireless technology such as infrared, wireless and microwave. When transmitted from a remote source, these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of transmission media.

  The data described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different techniques. For example, data that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, light fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

  Note that the terms described in this specification and / or terms necessary for understanding this specification may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meaning.

  As used herein, the terms “system” and “network” are used interchangeably.

  The terminal 19 is a subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless by those skilled in the art. It may also be called terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other appropriate terminology.

  As used herein, the terms “determining” and “determining” may encompass a wide variety of actions. “Judgment” and “decision” are, for example, judgment, calculation, calculation, processing, derivation, investigating, looking up (eg, table , Searching in a database or another data structure), considering ascertaining as “determining”, “deciding”, and the like. In addition, “determination” and “determination” include receiving (for example, receiving information), transmitting (for example, transmitting information), input (input), output (output), and access. (accessing) (e.g., accessing data in a memory) may be considered as "determined" or "determined". In addition, “determination” and “decision” means that “resolving”, “selecting”, “choosing”, “establishing”, and “comparing” are regarded as “determining” and “deciding”. May be included. In other words, “determination” and “determination” may include considering some operation as “determination” and “determination”.

  As used herein, the phrase “based on” does not mean “based only on,” unless expressly specified otherwise. In other words, the phrase “based on” means both “based only on” and “based at least on.”

  As long as the terms “include”, “including”, and variations thereof, are used in the specification or claims, these terms are inclusive of the term “comprising”. Intended to be Furthermore, the term “or” as used herein or in the claims is not intended to be an exclusive OR.

  Throughout this disclosure, the plural is included unless the context clearly indicates one.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Communication system, 11 ... 3G network, 12 ... LTE network, 15 ... HSS, 16 ... IMS, 19 ... Terminal.

Claims (6)

A communication system for performing incoming call control to two or more communication networks,
Based on a location registration signal transmitted from a terminal that is roaming out, an information management unit that manages area information indicating a communication network in which the terminal is located among the plurality of communication networks;
In response to an incoming call request from the calling terminal, the area information corresponding to the called terminal is acquired from the information management unit, and based on the area information, the communication network subject to incoming call control is set to the plurality of communication A communication system comprising: an incoming call processing unit determined from the network.   The information management unit determines whether or not the terminal that transmitted the location registration signal is roaming out, and stores the location information of the terminal determined to be roaming out. The communication system described. The incoming call processing unit transmits an incoming call request from the calling terminal to the information management unit,
The information management unit determines whether the destination terminal is roaming out in response to receiving the incoming request from the incoming processing unit, and the destination terminal is roaming out 3. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein, when it is determined, an inquiry about a location status of the destination terminal is not made to the plurality of communication networks.   The communication system according to claim 3, wherein the information management unit makes the inquiry to the plurality of communication networks when it is determined that the destination terminal is not roaming out.   The information management unit maintains a location status for a communication network in which the location of the terminal has been confirmed last out of a location status of the terminal for each of the plurality of communication networks, and is present for other communication networks. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the service area status is deleted. A communication method for performing incoming call control to two or more communication networks,
A receiving step of receiving a location registration signal transmitted from a roaming-out terminal;
Based on the location registration signal received in the reception step, a storage step of storing area information indicating a communication network in which the terminal is located among the plurality of communication networks;
In response to an incoming call request from a calling terminal, an acquisition step of acquiring the visiting area information corresponding to the receiving terminal from the visiting area information stored in the storing step;
A determination step of determining a communication network to be subjected to incoming call control from among the plurality of communication networks based on the location information acquired in the acquisition step.

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