JP2970603B2 - Inter-network roaming control method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a control method for a mobile communication network, and more particularly to a control method for inter-network roaming. Here, inter-network roaming refers to a service for performing mobile communication using a network (visitor network) of another provider outside the service area of a home network contracted by a subscriber of a mobile device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an example of a conventional technique, Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-2
There is an invention of a roaming registration / cancellation method for a portable radio telephone described in Japanese Patent No. 37727. FIG. 3 of the above publication
As shown in (1), an incoming call to a roaming mobile subscriber is transferred from the home private branch exchange to a destination visitor private branch exchange, which controls the incoming call. Further, as shown in FIG. 4 of the above publication, a call originating from a roaming mobile subscriber is transmitted via a visitor location register (hereinafter, referred to as VLR) by a visitor private branch exchange without passing through a home private exchange. Outgoing call control is performed directly based on the registration information.

[0003]

A first problem is that the conventional inter-network roaming control method deteriorates the serviceability to roaming mobile subscribers. The reason is that since the roaming mobile subscriber performs outgoing / incoming call control on the visitor network exchange side, the visitor network exchange does not have the ability to provide the same service as the service subscribed to by the roaming mobile subscriber on the home network. in case of,
This is because the roaming mobile subscriber may not be able to receive the same service as the home network on the roaming destination visitor network.

A second problem is that a large amount of VLR memory is required. The reason is that outgoing / incoming control of roaming mobile subscribers is performed on the visitor network side.

An object of the present invention is to provide an inter-network roaming control method in which a roaming mobile subscriber can receive the same service on a visitor network as a service contracted on a home network.

[0006]

According to a method for controlling inter-network roaming according to the present invention, a home network exchange provided in a home network contracted by a subscriber of a mobile station comprises an authentication key, subscriber information, a roaming number and a roaming destination. A home location register (hereinafter, referred to as HLR) for storing first information including information, wherein each of the visitor network exchanges provided in each of the plurality of visitor networks stores the second information including the roaming number; A mobile communication network having a visitor location register, wherein the home network switch and the plurality of visitor network switches are mutually connected by a communication line, the home network switch, the plurality of visitor network switches, A home location register and a plurality of the visitor location registers are connected to each other by a data line, and When performing inter-network roaming perform mobile communications using the visitor network at the rear outside the home network switchboard controls the transmission processing from the incoming call processing and mobile equipment to mobile equipment.

In the method for controlling inter-network roaming according to the present invention, when the location registration processing of the mobile station is performed on the roaming destination visitor network, the visitor network exchange switches mobile station information, the roaming destination information, and the roaming destination information. Third information, including a number, may be stored in the home location register via a data line.

In the method for controlling inter-network roaming according to the present invention, when a call is received by the roaming destination at the visitor network to the mobile device, the home network exchange transmits the mobile device information and the mobile device information from the home location register. Collecting fourth information including roaming destination information, setting the communication line to the visitor network exchange to which the mobile device roams based on the fourth information, and paging the fourth information simultaneously Mounted on a signal, transferred to the visitor network exchange via the data line corresponding to the communication line, and the visitor network exchange sends the received paging signal to the mobile station, and Receiving the paging response signal, the paging response signal is returned to the home network exchange via the data line, and the home network exchange performs paging response control, authentication, and subscriber response. It is possible to perform all incoming control.

In the method for controlling inter-network roaming according to the present invention, when a call originating process is performed from the mobile station on the roaming destination visitor network, the visitor network exchange transmits a call setting signal transmitted from the mobile station. Receiving, setting the communication line in the home network switch based on the subscriber number in the call setting signal, and loading fifth information including subscriber information and mobile station information in the calling signal. Transferring to the home network exchange via the data line corresponding to the communication line,
The home network exchange can perform outgoing control such as authentication, outgoing call, response, outgoing connection, etc. based on the outgoing call signal.

[0010] As described above, since the home network exchange performs both outgoing control and incoming call control of the roaming mobile subscriber, it is possible for the roaming destination visitor network to receive the same service as the service contracted in the home network. It becomes possible.

[0011]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile communication system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a sequence of a location registration operation of a roaming mobile subscriber in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a sequence of an operation of receiving a call to a roaming mobile subscriber in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
It is a figure which shows the sequence of the transmission operation | movement from the roaming mobile subscriber in one Embodiment of this invention.

[Explanation of Configuration] The mobile communication system shown in FIG. 1 has an A-carrier mobile communication network as a home network, and a B-carrier mobile communication network and a C-carrier mobile communication network as visitor networks. The roaming mobile station 400 moves between service areas of these mobile communication networks.
The A-company mobile communication network has an A-side home network switch 100 including an A-side home location register 101.
The B operator mobile communication network includes a B-side visitor network exchange 200 including a B-side VLR 201. The C operator mobile communication network includes a C-side visitor network switch 30 having a C-side VLR 301.
Has zero. The A-side home network switch, the B-side visitor network switch, and the C-side visitor network switch are interconnected by a communication line 500. A side home network exchange, A
The side HLR, the B-side visitor network exchange, the B-side HLR, the C-side visitor network exchange, and the C-side HLR are interconnected by a data line 600.

[Description of Operation] (1) Location Registration Sequence Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG.
The sequence of the location registration operation of the roaming mobile subscriber when roaming from the provider service area to the B provider service area will be described.

The roaming mobile station 400 sends a location registration request signal 11 to the B-side visitor network exchange 200. The B-side visitor network switch 200 transmits the A-side HLR via the data line 600 to authenticate the roaming mobile station 400.
The authentication information request signal 12 is transmitted to the HLR 101, and the authentication information response signal 13 is received from the A-side HLR 101 via the data line 600. The B-side visitor network exchange 200 sends an authentication request signal 14 to the roaming mobile station 400 based on the authentication information included in the authentication information response signal 13. Upon receiving the authentication response signal 15 from the roaming mobile device 400, the B-side visitor network exchange 200 checks the authentication.
If the authentication is OK, capture the roaming number and
The location registration request signal 16 is sent to the LR 101. A side H
When the LR 101 receives the location registration request signal 16, the LR 101
The update process 17 of the mobile device information, roaming destination information, roaming number, etc. of the storage area of the side HLR 101 is performed.

Next, the A-side HLR 101 returns a location registration response signal 18 to the B-side visitor network exchange 200. The B-side visitor network exchange 200 registers a roaming number, roaming destination information, and the like in the storage area of the B-side VLR 201 (2).
0 to the roaming mobile station 400 to receive the location registration 22
To notify the completion of location registration. At the same time, A side HL
R 101 sends an erasure request signal 19 to the C-side visitor network exchange 300 via the data line 600. The C-side visitor network exchange 300 performs a process 21 for deleting the old roaming number, roaming destination information, etc. of the storage area of the C-side VLR 301. After that, the C-side visitor network exchange 300 sends an erasure response signal 23 to the A-side HLR 101 via the data line 600.
Will be returned. Thus, the location registration is completed.

(2) Termination Sequence A sequence for terminating a roaming mobile subscriber when a roaming mobile station 400 receives a call from a subscriber on a fixed network (not shown) will be described with reference to FIGS. explain.

The fixed network sends a calling signal 31 to the A-side home network switch 100 of the roaming mobile station 400. A
The home network switch 100 sends the subscriber information request signal 32 to the A-side HLR 101, receives the subscriber information response signal 33 from the A-side HLR 101, and collects mobile device information, roaming destination information, and the like. The A-side home network switch 100
A routing information collection process 34 is performed based on the collected mobile device information, roaming destination information, and the like, and the roaming mobile device 4
00 captures the communication line to the B-side visitor network exchange 200 in which the area 00 is located, and sends the paging signal 3 to the B-side visitor exchange 200.
5 is sent.

When the B-side visitor network switch 200 receives the paging signal 35, it sends out a paging signal 36 to the area where the roaming mobile station 400 is located. When the B-side visitor network switch 200 receives the paging response signal 37 from the roaming mobile station 400, the paging response signal 38 is sent to the A-side home network switch 100.
Will be returned. Upon receiving the paging response signal 38, the A-side home network switch 100 sets authentication information to perform authentication and sends an authentication request signal 3 to the B-side visitor network switch 200.
9 is sent. The B-side visitor network exchange 200 sends an authentication request signal 40 to the roaming mobile station 400. Upon receiving the authentication response signal 41 from the roaming mobile station 400, the B-side visitor network switch 200
The authentication response signal 42 is returned to 0.

Upon receiving the authentication response signal 42, the A-side home network switch 100 checks the authentication. Authentication is OK
If so, a call setting signal 43 is sent to the B-side visitor network exchange 200 for call setting. B-side visitor network exchange 200
Sends a call setup signal 44 to the roaming mobile station 400.

Upon receiving the call signal 45 from the roaming mobile station 400, the B-side visitor network switch 200 sends a call signal 46 to the A-side home network switch 100. Upon receiving the call signal 46, the A-side home network switch 100 sends a call signal 47 to the fixed network. In addition, the B-side visitor network exchange 200 sends a response signal 48 from the roaming mobile station 400.
Is received, the response signal 4 is sent to the A-side home network switch 100.
9 is returned. Upon receiving the response signal 49, the A-side home network switch 100 sends a response signal 50 to the fixed network.
Thus, the incoming call to the roaming mobile subscriber is completed.

(3) Calling Sequence A calling sequence of a roaming mobile subscriber will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4.

The roaming mobile unit 400 sends a call setup signal 61 to the B-side visitor network switch 200. Upon receiving the call setting signal 61 from the roaming mobile station 400, the B-side visitor network switch 200 performs a routing information collecting process 62 according to the subscriber number in the call setting signal 61, and sends a call signal to the A-side home network switch 100. 63 is transmitted.

The A-side home network exchange 100 sends a subscriber information request signal 64 to the A-side HLR 101 in order to obtain subscriber information and mobile station information, and the A-side HLR 101
Receives the subscriber information response signal 65 from the. The A-side home network switch 100 sends an authentication request signal 66 to the B-side visitor network switch 200 in order to perform authentication. The B-side visitor network exchange 200 sends an authentication request signal 67 to the roaming mobile station 400. Upon receiving the authentication response signal 68 from the roaming mobile device 400, the B-side visitor network exchange 200 returns an authentication response signal 69 to the A-side home network exchange 100. The A-side home network switch 100 sends the authentication response signal 6
When 9 is received, the authentication is checked. If the authentication is OK, a routing information collection process 70 is performed from the called subscriber number for outgoing / outgoing call transmission, and a calling signal 71 is sent to the called exchange (not shown). The A-side home network switch 100
Upon receiving the completion acceptance signal 72 from the destination exchange, it sends a completion acceptance signal 73 to the B-side visitor network exchange 200.

Next, upon receiving the call signal 74 from the destination exchange, the A-side home network exchange 100 sends a call signal 75 to the B-side visitor network exchange 200. The B-side visitor network switch 200 sends a paging signal 76 to the roaming mobile station 400.
Is sent. When the A-side home network exchange 100 receives the response signal 77 from the destination exchange, the A-side home network exchange 100
A response signal 78 is transmitted to the B-side visitor network exchange 200.
B-side visitor network switch 200 is roaming mobile station 400
Sends a response signal 79 to Thus, the outgoing connection sequence from the roaming mobile subscriber is completed.

[0026]

As described above, according to the inter-network roaming control method of the present invention, the home network exchange controls the roaming destination information and the outgoing call processing of the roaming mobile station subscriber by managing the roaming destination information by the HLR. As a result, the roaming mobile subscriber can receive the same service as the service contracted on the home network also on the roaming destination visitor network, which has the effect of increasing the serviceability. Also,
When the home network exchange performs the call origination / reception control, there is an effect that the memory capacity of the VLR of the roaming destination visitor network exchange can be minimized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile communication system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a sequence of a location registration operation of a roaming mobile subscriber in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a sequence of an incoming call operation to a roaming mobile subscriber in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a sequence of a calling operation from a roaming mobile subscriber in one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 A side home network switch 101 A side HLR (home location register) 200 B side home network switch 201 B side VLR (visitor location register) 300 C side home network switch 301 C side VLR 400 mobile unit 500 communication line 600 data line

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A home network switch provided in a home network contracted by a subscriber of a mobile station has a home location register for storing first information including an authentication key, subscriber information, a roaming number and roaming destination information. Each of the visitor network switches included in each of the plurality of visitor networks has a visitor location register for storing second information including the roaming number, and the home network switch and the plurality of visitor network switches are mutually connected. In a mobile communication network connected by a communication line, the home network switch, the plurality of visitor network switches, the home location register, and the plurality of visitor location registers are mutually connected by a data line, and the mobile device is connected to the home network. When performing roaming between networks performing mobile communication using the visitor network outside the service area of the network,
A method for controlling inter-network roaming, wherein the home network exchange controls the incoming call processing to the mobile device and the outgoing call process from the mobile device. 2. When performing a location registration process of the mobile device in the roaming destination visitor network, the visitor network switching device transmits third information including mobile device information, the roaming destination information and the roaming number to a data center. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data is stored in the home location register via a line. 3. When performing an incoming call process to the mobile station in the roaming destination visitor network, the home network exchange sends fourth information including the mobile station information and the roaming destination information from the home location register. Collecting, setting, based on the fourth information, the communication line in the visitor network exchange to which the mobile device roams, mounting the fourth information in a paging signal, and setting the communication line in the communication line. When the paging signal is transferred to the visitor network exchange via the corresponding data line, the visitor network exchange transmits the received paging signal to the mobile station, and receives the paging response signal from the mobile station, Returning a paging response signal to the home network exchange via the data line, wherein the home network exchange performs all termination control such as paging response control, authentication, and subscriber response. The control method of inter-network roaming of claim 1 or 2. 4. When performing a call originating process from the mobile station on the roaming destination visitor network, the visitor network exchange receives a call setting signal transmitted from the mobile station, and receives a call setting signal from the mobile station. Setting the communication line in the home network switch based on a subscriber number, mounting fifth information including subscriber information and mobile device information in a calling signal, and setting the data line corresponding to the communication line; The home network exchange performs an outgoing control such as authentication, outgoing call, response, outgoing connection, etc. based on the outgoing call signal. 2. The method for controlling inter-network roaming according to item 1. 5. When performing an incoming call process to the mobile device on the roaming destination's visitor network, the home network exchange transmits fourth information including the mobile device information and the roaming destination information from the home location register. Collecting, setting the communication line in the visitor network exchange to which the mobile device roams based on the fourth information, mounting the fourth information in a paging signal, and setting the communication line in the communication line. When the paging signal is transferred to the visitor network exchange via the corresponding data line, the visitor network exchange transmits the received paging signal to the mobile station, and receives the paging response signal from the mobile station, A paging response signal is returned to the home network exchange via the data line, and the home network exchange performs all termination control such as paging response control, authentication, subscriber response, etc. When performing a calling process from the mobile device in the visitor network, the visitor network exchange receives a call setting signal transmitted from the mobile device and, based on a subscriber number in the call setting signal, Setting the communication line in the home network switch, mounting fifth information including subscriber information and mobile station information in a calling signal, and setting the home network switch through the data line corresponding to the communication line; 3. The inter-network roaming according to claim 1, wherein the home network exchange performs outgoing control such as authentication, outgoing call, response, outgoing connection, etc., based on the outgoing call signal. Control method.