JP4054554B2 - Communication network, communication method, communication system, and communication service switching method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002]
The present invention relates to a communication network, a communication method, a communication system, and a communication service switching method, and more particularly, a communication network, a communication method, a communication system, and a communication network that provide services with the same number between networks having a plurality of subscriber databases in the network. The present invention relates to a communication service switching method.
[Prior art]
[0003]
In the mobile communication system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-234748, in a service control station that provides information on a mobile station to each switching center, a telephone number storage unit, a body number storage unit, a location information storage unit, and availability of use A database for storing flags (see Fig. 2 of the same publication), storing a common telephone number for a plurality of mobile stations in a telephone number storage unit, storing a unit number of each mobile station in a unit number storage unit, The location information section stores the area where each mobile station is located. Further, in the availability flag, the mobile stations that can make and receive calls are alternatively designated. As a result, the same telephone number can be used in a plurality of mobile stations, and security and reliable incoming calls are ensured in these mobile stations.
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
[0004]
However, in the mobile communication system disclosed in the publication, for example, as in the GSM mobile communication system, the service control station has a master subscriber database such as a home location register (HLR), and the switching center has In the case of having a slave subscriber database such as a visitor location register (VLR), there is a problem that it is necessary to match the state of the master database and the slave database.
[0005]
Roaming between a mobile network having a master subscriber database in the service control station and a slave subscriber database in the switching center and a mobile network having only the master subscriber database in the service control station In the case of performing this, there is a problem that it is necessary to match the state of the database between networks and the state of the master database and the slave database in each network.
[0006]
In view of the above problems, the object of the present invention is to match the status of the master database and the slave database even when the service control station has a master subscriber database and the exchange station has a slave subscriber database. Another object is to provide a communication network, a communication method, a communication system, and a communication service switching method capable of making and receiving calls using the same number in any network.
[0007]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile network having a master subscriber database in the service control station and a slave subscriber database in the switching center, and a master in the service control station. Even when roaming with a mobile network having only a subscriber database, the state of the database between the networks and the state of the master database and slave database in each network are matched, and the same number is used for each network. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication network, a communication system, a communication method, and a communication service switching method that can perform an incoming call.
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[0008]
To achieve these goals, In one form of the invention, In a communication network comprising a plurality of subscriber databases, a recording means for recording identification numbers and activation information of communication terminals in the subscriber database, and synchronization for synchronizing activation information in the plurality of subscriber databases Means.
[0009]
In one form of the invention, the above In the communication network, the communication network is a mobile communication network, and the communication terminal is a mobile device.
[0010]
In one form of the invention, the above In the communication network described above, the identification number is any one of a telephone number, a machine number, and an IP address.
[0011]
In one form of the invention, the above In a communication network, the subscriber database is one or more home location registers and one or more visitor location registers.
[0012]
In one form of the invention, In a communication method in a communication network including a plurality of subscriber databases, a recording step of recording an identification number and activation information of a communication terminal in the subscriber database, and synchronization of activation information in the plurality of subscriber databases And a synchronizing step.
[0013]
In one form of the invention, the above In the communication method, the communication system is a mobile communication system, and the communication terminal is a mobile device.
[0014]
In one form of the invention, the above In the communication method, the identification number is any one of a telephone number, a machine number, and an IP address.
[0015]
In one form of the invention, the above In the communication method, the subscriber database is one or more home location registers and one or more visitor location registers.
[0016]
As a result, the communication network and communication method of the present invention records the identification number and activation information of the communication terminal in a subscriber database (for example, a home location register, a visitor location register, etc.). Since the activation information is synchronized, it is possible to provide services such as making and receiving calls with the same number between networks having a plurality of subscriber databases in the network. That is, each subscriber database has an identification number (telephone number, machine number, IP address, etc.) and its activation information (for example, available network information). ) Can be identified in which network. Since each subscriber database is synchronized, it is possible to manage subscriber information that is consistent in all communication systems.
[0017]
In order to achieve the above purpose, In one form of the invention, A first information management device that manages information related to the communication terminal corresponding to the first network, a second information network that manages information related to the communication terminal corresponding to the second network, and An information management device, and is realized by activating the first communication service realized by activating the first network for the communication terminal and the second network. In the communication system that selectively provides the second communication service, synchronization of activation information indicating activation states of the first and second networks managed by the first and second information management devices Synchronizing means for taking
[0018]
In such a communication system, activation information is synchronized in the first and second information management apparatuses (for example, a home location register, a visitor location register, etc.) as a subscriber database. Service such as making and receiving calls with the same number between networks having a user database.
[0019]
In one form of the invention, the above In the communication system, the first information management device provides information about a communication terminal to an exchange station in the first network, and the second information management device is an exchange in the second network. When providing information related to a communication terminal to a station, the first information management device manages first activation information indicating activation states of the first and second networks. And when the second network is activated and a request for switching to the first communication service is received from a communication terminal receiving the provision of the second communication service, The first activation information for updating the first activation information indicating the activation of the second network to the information indicating that switching from the activation of the second network to the activation of the first network is being performed. update A second activation information management means for managing second activation information indicating activation states of the first and second networks, and the first information management device, When the first activation information is updated by the activation information updating means, the second activation information indicating the activation of the second network is obtained from the activation of the second network. Second activation information updating means for updating to information indicating that switching to network activation is in progress, and the first information management device uses the second activation information updating means to When the activation information of the first network is updated, the first activation information indicating that the switching from the activation of the second network to the activation of the first network is being performed is sent to the first network. 3rd activity updated to information indicating activation Activation information updating means, wherein the second information management device starts from the activation of the second network when the first activation information is updated by the third activation information updating means. 4th activation information update means which updates the 2nd activation information which shows that it is switching to activation of 1 network to the information which shows activation of said 1st network, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. To do.
[0020]
In such a communication system, a first information management device that provides information related to a communication terminal to an exchange in the first network, and information related to the communication terminal to an exchange in the second network. The second information management device does not directly update the activation information from the information indicating the activation of the second network to the information indicating the activation of the first network, but temporarily activates the second network. By updating to information indicating that switching from activation to activation of the first network is being performed, and further updating to information indicating activation of the first network from information indicating that switching is being performed, When the activation information is being switched, a new call using both the first and second networks cannot be made. Furthermore, after the activation information managed by the first information management apparatus is updated to information indicating activation of the first network from the time of switching, the activation information managed by the second information management apparatus is being switched. Until the information indicating the activation of the first network is updated, the communication terminal can only make a new call using the first network. For this reason, it can suppress that communication using the 1st and 2nd network becomes possible simultaneously.
[0021]
In one form of the invention, the above In the communication system, when communication is performed by a communication terminal receiving the second communication service from before the second activation information is updated by the second activation information updating unit, the communication is performed. Can be continued even after the second activation information is updated by the second activation information updating means.
[0022]
In this case, it is possible to prevent the ongoing communication using the second network from being interrupted.
[0023]
In one form of the invention, the above In the communication system, the third and fourth activation information update means have been provided with the second communication service before the second activation information is updated by the second activation information update means. When communication is performed by a communication terminal, the second activation information is updated after the end of the communication.
[0024]
Again, above Similar to the invention, it is possible to prevent the ongoing communication using the second network from being interrupted.
[0025]
In one embodiment of the present invention, the above In the communication system according to any one of the above, the first and second networks are mobile communication networks, and the communication terminal is a mobile device.
[0026]
In one embodiment of the present invention, the above In the communication system according to any one of the above, the first activation information management means is one or a plurality of home location registers, and the second activation information management means is one or a plurality of visitor location registers. It is characterized by.
[0027]
In one form of the invention, First and second networks, a first information management device that manages information related to a communication terminal corresponding to the first network, and a first information management device that manages information related to a communication terminal corresponding to the second network In the communication system having two information management devices, the first communication service realized by activating the first network for the communication terminal and the second network are activated. In the communication service switching method for selectively switching between the second communication services realized by the communication, the activation states of the first and second networks managed by the first and second information management devices are changed. And a step of synchronizing the activation information to be displayed.
[0028]
In one embodiment of the present invention, the above In the communication service switching method, the first information management device provides information regarding a communication terminal to an exchange in the first network, and the second information management device is configured to provide the second network. The first information management device managing first activation information indicating activation states of the first and second networks when providing information related to a communication terminal to an internal switching center; When the first information management apparatus receives a request to switch to the first communication service from a communication terminal receiving the provision of the second communication service when the second network is activated, The first activation information indicating activation of the second network is updated to information indicating that switching from activation of the second network to activation of the first network is being performed. Managing the second activation information indicating the activation state of the first and second networks by the second information management device, and the second information management device comprising the first information management device The information management apparatus updates the first activation information indicating activation of the second network to information indicating that switching from activation of the second network to activation of the first network is being performed. The second activation information indicating the activation of the second network is changed to information indicating that switching from the activation of the second network to the activation of the first network is being performed. Updating the second activation information indicating the activation of the second network by the second information management device from the activation of the second network to the first information management device. Net First indicating that switching from activation of the second network to activation of the first network is updated to information indicating that switching to activation of the first network is being performed. Updating the activation information of the first network to information indicating the activation of the first network, and the second information management device from the activation of the second network by the first information management device to the first When the first activation information indicating that the network is being switched to the activation of the network is updated to information indicating the activation of the first network, Updating the second activation information indicating that switching to the activation of the first network is performed to information indicating the activation of the first network.
[0029]
In one embodiment of the present invention, the above In the communication service switching method, second activation information indicating activation of the second network is changed from activation of the second network to activation of the first network by the second information management device. When communication is being performed by a communication terminal that has been provided with the second communication service before being updated to information indicating that switching to is being performed, the communication is performed using the second information management The device updates the second activation information indicating activation of the second network to information indicating that switching from activation of the second network to activation of the first network is being performed. It is characterized by being able to continue even after.
[0030]
In one embodiment of the present invention, the above In the communication service switching method, the first and second information management devices are configured such that the second activation information indicating activation of the second network is changed from activation of the second network to the first network. When communication is performed by a communication terminal receiving the provision of the second communication service before being updated to information indicating that switching to activation of the second is performed, after the communication is completed, The second activation information indicating that switching from the activation of the second network to the activation of the first network is being updated to information indicating the activation of the first network. .
[0031]
In one embodiment of the present invention, the above In the communication service switching method according to any one of the above, the first and second networks are mobile communication networks, and the communication terminal is a mobile device.
[0032]
In one embodiment of the present invention, the above In the communication service switching method according to any one of the above, the first information management device indicates communication terminal information necessary for the first communication service and activation states of the first and second networks. The first activation information is managed in one or a plurality of home location registers, and the second information management device includes information on a communication terminal necessary for the second communication service, and the first and second The first activation information indicating the activation state of the network is managed in one or a plurality of visitor location registers.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0034]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a mobile communication system to which the present invention is applied, and conceptually shows only a part related to the present invention in the configuration of the system.
[0035]
In the mobile communication systems shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), it is possible to provide services with the same number in a plurality of mobile stations or a single mobile station having a plurality of identifications between networks having a plurality of DBs.
[0036]
FIG. 1A shows a mobile network (right side) having a master subscriber database 40 in the service control station 10 and a slave subscriber database 50 in the switching center 20, and a master subscription to the service control station 10. Is a mobile communication system that can interconnect and roam with a mobile network (left side) having only a user database 40.
[0037]
In FIG. 1B, roaming is performed between two mobile networks having a master subscriber database 40 in the service control station 10 and a slave subscriber database 50 in the switching center 20. This is a mobile communication system that can be used.
[0038]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 60 denotes a mobile station used by a subscriber, and an individual body number MSI and telephone number MSN are assigned to each. Similarly, an IP address may be assigned to each. The mobile station may be a handy type, an in-vehicle type, or a built-in notebook computer type. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to devices installed at any fixed position such as a vending machine by installing a SIM card. Here, a subscriber who uses a plurality of mobile stations having the same telephone number is called a “multiple mobile station subscriber”. A subscriber who uses a single mobile station having one telephone number is called a “single mobile station subscriber”.
[0039]
Here, in FIGS. 1A and 1B, it is not an essential condition that the mobile devices are different. In FIG. 1, a mobile device that is different in the left network and the right network, or a plurality of identifications by the same mobile device. The present invention is applied to any case of using a mobile device having a number (for example, when an identification number is stored in a SIM card and the SIM card is attached to the mobile device). That is, in the present invention, there are a first identification number common to a plurality (or one) of mobile devices and a plurality of second identification numbers that are individual for each mobile device. The first identification number is commonly used regardless of which second identification number is in the activated state, but the second identification number can be used only in the activated state.
[0040]
Reference numeral 30 denotes a base station, which communicates with mobile stations located in each area (not shown).
[0041]
Reference numeral 20 denotes an exchange, which communicates with the subordinate base station 30 and other exchanges 20 to make a call connection to the mobile station 60.
[0042]
Reference numeral 10 denotes a service control station, which provides various information related to the mobile station 60 to the switching center 20 based on a subscriber database 40 storing master information therein.
[0043]
Reference numeral 50 denotes a subscriber database for storing the slave information inside the switching center 20 and stores only information relating to the mobile station 60 located in the base station 30 under its control.
[0044]
Here, an example of data contents stored in the subscriber database is shown in FIG.
[0045]
In FIG. 7, reference numeral 71 denotes a telephone number storage unit, which stores a subscriber's telephone number. Reference numeral 72 denotes a machine number storage unit which stores one or a plurality of machine numbers corresponding to one telephone number storage unit 71. Reference numeral 73 denotes an IP address storage unit which stores one IP address corresponding to one machine number. Reference numeral 74 denotes a location information section, which stores the number of the area where the mobile station is located corresponding to each machine number. Reference numeral 75 denotes an availability flag, which stores whether each mobile station is in a usable state “1” or unusable state “0”. Here, the mobile station set to the usable state “1” is any one of the groups to which the same telephone number is assigned, and the other mobile stations are in the unusable state “0”. Set to
[0046]
In the illustrated example, the machine number storage unit 72 has machine numbers MSI1, MSI2, MSI3 corresponding to “3” mobile stations 1 to 3 to which the telephone number MSN1 is assigned, and the telephone number MSN. 2 Is stored in the machine number MSI4 corresponding to the mobile station 4 to which is assigned. The location information section 74 stores location information (area numbers) A11, A13, A14, A14 of each mobile station corresponding to the body numbers MSI1 to MSI4. The availability flag 75 corresponding to the aircraft numbers MSI1, MSI2, and MSI3 is set to the usable state “1” only for the aircraft number MSI1, and the other mobile stations are set to the unavailable state “0”. Has been. On the other hand, the machine number to which the telephone number MSN2 is assigned is only MSI4, and the availability flag 75 corresponding to this is always set to the usable state “1”. FIG. 7 shows only information related to four mobile stations, but similar information is stored in the subscriber database for other mobile stations. Further, it goes without saying that even if there is an MSN for which availability information is not set, the communication network can be used in the same manner as the set MSN.
[0047]
In FIG. 7, any one of the telephone number MSN, the machine number MSI, and the IP address may be omitted.
[0048]
Next, in the mobile communication system according to the present embodiment configured as described above, an example of an operation for executing a service while synchronizing a plurality of subscriber databases will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6 below. Explained.
[0049]
In the following embodiments, the state where communication is possible is “active state”, the network in the active state is “active network”, and the state where communication other than the active state is restricted is “inactive state”. A network in an inactive state is referred to as an “inactive network”.
[0050]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a communication sequence in the case where synchronization is performed by rewriting a subscriber database in a mobile communication system to which the embodiment of the present invention is applied, and a part related to the present invention in the communication sequence Only conceptually.
[0051]
In this mobile communication system, the state of the subscriber database of master information (hereinafter referred to as “master database”) and the subscriber database of slave information (hereinafter referred to as “slave database”) is rewritten by the following procedure.
[0052]
In this figure, first, B is registered as an active network in the activation information of the master database, and the slave database of the B network is managed as an active state. Here, the “activation information” may be determined by combining the location information storage unit 74 and the availability flag 75 of the subscriber database shown in FIG.
[0053]
That is, the active network is determined based on the area of the location information storage unit 74 in which the availability flag 75 is set to “1”. In addition, a new storage unit may be provided in the subscriber database, and the active network may be stored separately.
[0054]
First, when a request from the mobile station located in the A network to the switch, a location registration in the A network, an operation in another network, etc., the A network switch recognizes the status rewrite request, a “status rewrite request” is issued. Transmit (step S202). Here, as the transmission trigger of the “status rewrite request”, for example, when there is an activation request from the network side (special number, triggered by a menu), when there is a transmission from the network side, When there is a location registration, there is a remote operation from another network.
[0055]
Next, the switching office of the A network transmits a “status rewriting request” to the master database of the service control station (step S204).
[0056]
Next, the master database transmits a “status check” to the slave database of the switching office of the B network (step S206).
[0057]
Next, when the slave database is in a state where state rewriting is possible, the slave database notifies the master database that the state can be rewritten (step S208).
[0058]
Next, the master database recognizes that the mobile station status of the network B can be rewritten, and transmits a “status rewrite request” (step S210).
[0059]
Next, Slave The database rewrites the activation information to the inactive state and transmits a response signal (step S212).
[0060]
Next, the master database returns an activation response to the A network (step S214), and the switching center notifies the mobile device of a “status rewrite response” (step S216).
[0061]
Thereby, it is possible to synchronize between a plurality of databases. That is, the master database is aware of the network A as the active network, and the slave database is aware of the inactive state.
[0062]
In this embodiment, the case where the active network is changed from the B network to the A network has been described. However, the same procedure is performed when the network is changed from the A network to the B network.
[0063]
The procedure for checking the state from the master database to the slave database can be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, the above-described confirmation (step S206, step S208) and rewriting (step S210, step S212) may be performed in one procedure.
[0064]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a communication sequence at the time of transmission in a mobile communication system to which the embodiment of the present invention is applied, and conceptually shows only a part related to the present invention in the communication sequence.
[0065]
In this mobile communication system, the transmission is performed after confirming the active state with respect to the master database or the slave database by the following procedure.
[0066]
First, when the mobile station issues a transmission request to the exchange (step S302), the exchange makes a status confirmation request to the slave database if there is a master database or its own slave database (step S302). S304), it is determined whether or not transmission is possible (step S306). That is, referring to the availability flag 75, if “1”, the transmission is permitted.
[0067]
Next, a status confirmation response is transmitted from the master database (slave database) (step S308), and the switching center sends a transmission response to the mobile device (step S310).
[0068]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a communication sequence at the time of an incoming call in a mobile communication system to which the embodiment of the present invention is applied, and conceptually shows only a part related to the present invention in the communication sequence.
[0069]
In this mobile communication system, the active network is called after confirming the active state with respect to the master database or the slave database by the following procedure.
[0070]
First, when there is an incoming call request from another network to the gate exchange (step S402), a status check request is sent to the master database (step S404), and it is confirmed that the active network is the A network. .
[0071]
Next, the gate exchange receiving the status confirmation response indicating that the A network is the active network from the master database (step S406) makes an incoming call request to the A network that is the active network (step S408).
[0072]
Here, if the active network is the B network, an incoming call request is made to the B network (step S410).
[0073]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a communication sequence at the time of an incoming call in a mobile communication system to which the embodiment of the present invention is applied, and conceptually shows only a part related to the present invention in the communication sequence.
[0074]
In this mobile communication system, an incoming request is transmitted to either network according to the following procedure, and if it is not an active network, an incoming request is made to the other network.
[0075]
First, when there is an incoming call request from another network to the gate exchange (step S502), an incoming call request is made to the A network (step S504).
[0076]
If the active network is the B network, an incoming call response is received (step S506), and an incoming call request is made to the B network (step S508).
[0077]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a communication sequence at the time of location registration in a mobile communication system to which the embodiment of the present invention is applied, and conceptually shows only a part related to the present invention in the communication sequence. .
[0078]
In this mobile communication system, the activation information is rewritten from the master database to the slave database whose location is registered by the following procedure.
[0079]
First, when a location registration request is made to the slave database (step S602), a location registration request is made from the slave database to the master database (step S604), and the contents registered in the master database are stored. The data is transmitted from the master database (step S606), and the contents of the slave database are rewritten.
[0080]
Next, when rewriting of the slave database is completed, a subscriber related information write response is transmitted to the master database (step S608), and the master database transmits a location registration response (step S610).
[0081]
Next, the slave database transmits a response indicating that the location registration is completed (step S612).
[0082]
In the above-described embodiment, the mobile communication network including the mobile circuit switching network / mobile packet switching network such as the IMT2000 system and the PDC / PDC-P system has been described as an example. However, the present invention is limited to this case. Instead, in other embodiments, for example, the Internet, an intranet, a LAN (including both wired / wireless), a VAN, a public telephone network (including both analog / digital), a CATV network, etc. Or a wireless paging network, a local wireless network, a PHS network, a satellite communication network, or the like.
[0083]
Moreover, the storage content of the database shown in FIG. 7 is only an example, and another storage unit or the like may be stored in the database. Further, as described above, an example of each database is shown and each embodiment has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and any other database may be used. Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the master database and the slave database are configured independently has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this case, and each of the above-described databases includes a plurality of databases. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be implemented in any case where the databases are combined appropriately as needed. Similarly, the case where the master database, the service control station, and the slave database and the switching office are configured independently has been described as an example, but an apparatus integrated with the control station and the switching office may be used.
[0084]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where an IP address is used has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this case, and any number can be used as long as it is a unique number for identifying a mobile device. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it can be implemented.
[0085]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where each embodiment is realized independently has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this case, and in other embodiments, each embodiment is appropriately selected. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that they can be implemented in combination.
[0086]
By the way, with the start of mobile communication service by IMT (International Mobile Telecommunications), which is a third generation mobile communication system, the mobile terminal user uses one subscriber number assigned with one contract and mobile communication by IMT. A service (dual network service) that can use the service and a mobile communication service by PDC (Personal Digital Cellular) which is a second generation mobile communication system is planned. The user of the mobile terminal can use one of the mobile communication services by making either the PDC network or the IMT network available (active state) according to the service providing area.
[0087]
This dual network service is a one-contract service. From this point of view, the dual network service is not allowed to use the PDC mobile communication service and the IMT mobile communication service at the same time.
[0088]
For this reason, when rewriting (updating) activation information, an update method is required in which simultaneous use of the mobile communication service by PDC and the mobile communication service by IMT is suppressed.
[0089]
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which communication using two communication networks is prevented from being simultaneously performed will be described.
[0090]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of the system configuration of the mobile communication system to which the present invention is applied, and conceptually shows only the part related to the present invention in the configuration of the present system.
[0091]
The mobile communication system 100 shown in the figure includes a service control station 110 that controls the entire mobile communication system 100, a PDC switching station 120 and PDC base stations 140-1 and 140- configured in the PDC network 200. 2 (hereinafter, these PDC base stations 140-1 and 140-2 are collectively referred to as “PDC base station 140” as appropriate), an IMT switching center 130, an IMT base station 150-1, 150-2 (hereinafter, these IMT base stations 150-1 and 150-2 are collectively referred to as “IMT base station 150” as appropriate), and a visitor location register (VLR) 170 as a second information management device. And a home location register (HLR) 160 as a first information management device Obtain.
[0092]
The mobile communication system 100 selectively activates either the PDC network 200 or the IMT network 300 in response to a request from the mobile device 400 (hereinafter, the activated network is referred to as an “activation network”). The mobile device 400 is selectively provided with a mobile communication service using the PDC method and a mobile communication service using the IMT method.
[0093]
The HLR 160 includes information related to the mobile device 400, specifically subscriber information such as a telephone number of the mobile device 400, location information that is information indicating the location of the mobile device 400, and a PDC method for the mobile device 400. Information indicating which mobile communication service is provided by the mobile terminal or the IMT mobile communication service, in other words, information indicating which of the PDC network 200 and the IMT network 300 is activated for the mobile device 400. It manages by associating with certain activation information.
[0094]
Here, the activation information is one of three modes: information indicating the activation of the PDC network 200, information indicating the activation of the IMT network 300, and information indicating that the activation network is being switched.
[0095]
Further, when a request to switch the activation network is transmitted from the mobile device 400, the HLR 160 updates the activation information in response to this request. By updating this activation information, the activation network is switched. Specifically, a request to switch the activated network from the IMT network 300 to the PDC network 200 from the mobile device 400 that has been activated for the mobile device 400 and is receiving mobile communication service by the IMT method. In response to this request, the HLR 160 updates the activation information from information indicating that the IMT network 300 is activated to information indicating that the activation network is being switched, Further, the information is updated to indicate that the PDC network 200 is activated, and the activated network is switched from the IMT network 300 to the PDC network 200.
[0096]
The HLR 160 provides the subscriber information, the location information, and the activation information to the PDC exchange 120. When an outgoing call from the mobile device 400 or an incoming call to the mobile device 400 is connected, the PDC switching center 120 is connected to a predetermined number of times based on the subscriber information, the location information, and the activation information provided from the HLR 160. Perform the connection operation.
[0097]
For example, when there is a call from the mobile device 400 via the PDC base station 140, the PDC switching center 120 uses the outgoing telephone number included in the outgoing call as a key and the subscription managed by the HLR 160 via the service control station 110. Search information. If the subscriber information managed by the HLR 160 does not include a calling telephone number, the PDC switching center 120 determines that the mobile device 400 cannot perform communication using the PDC method, and makes a call from the mobile device 400. Reject call connection. On the other hand, when the subscriber information managed by the HLR 160 includes information including the calling telephone number, the PDC switching center 120 acquires activation information associated with the subscriber information. When the acquired activation information indicates that the PDC network 200 is activated, the PDC switching center 120 connects the outgoing call from the mobile device 400, and the IMT network 300 is activated. If the activation network is switched, the connection of the outgoing call from the mobile device 400 is rejected.
[0098]
The VLR 170 reflects and manages the subscriber information, the location information and activation information managed by the HLR 160, and the subscriber information, the location information and activation information managed by the VLR 170, and the HLR 160. The subscriber information, the location information, and the activation information are synchronized. Therefore, when the HLR 160 updates the activation information in response to the activation network switching request from the mobile device 400, the VLR 170 similarly updates the activation information. That is, various information managed by the HLR 160 becomes master information, and various information managed by the VLR 170 becomes slave information.
[0099]
The VLR 170 provides the subscriber information, the location information, and the activation information to the IMT exchange 130. Similar to the PDC switching center 120, the IMT switching center 130, when an outgoing call from the mobile device 400 and an incoming call to the mobile device 400 are connected, subscriber information, location location information and activity provided from the VLR 170. A predetermined connection operation is performed based on the activation information.
[0100]
The mobile communication system 100 has the configuration described above. Next, in this mobile communication system 100, the IMT network 300 is activated for the mobile device 400, and the activation network is transferred from the IMT network 300 to the mobile device 400 receiving the mobile communication service by the IMT method. When a request to switch to the PDC network 200 is transmitted, the activation network is switched from the IMT network 300 to the PDC network 200 in response to this request, and a mobile communication service using the PDC scheme is provided to the mobile device 400. The operation will be described.
[0101]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a communication sequence showing an operation of the mobile communication system 100 when the activation network is switched from the IMT network 300 to the PDC network 200.
[0102]
Prior to step S901, the IMT network 300 is activated and the PDC network 200 is not activated. Therefore, the activation information managed by the HLR 160 and the VLR 170 indicates that the IMT network 300 is activated, and the mobile communication service using the IMT method is provided to the mobile device 400. At this time, the PDC switching center 120 that acquires the activation information from the HLR 160 does not connect the outgoing call from the mobile device 400 and the incoming call to the mobile device 400. On the other hand, the IMT exchange 130 that acquires the activation information from the VLR 170 connects the outgoing call from the mobile device 400 and the incoming call to the mobile device 400.
[0103]
The mobile device 400 receiving the mobile communication service by the IMT method transmits a request for switching the activation network from the IMT network 300 to the PDC network 200 (activation switching request) according to a predetermined operation by the user. (Step S901). This activation switching request includes the telephone number of the source mobile device 400. The PDC switching center 120 receives the activation switching request from the mobile device 400, and transmits this activation switching request to the HLR 160 (step S902).
[0104]
Upon receiving the activation switching request from the PDC switching center 120, the HLR 160 extracts activation information associated with the telephone number included in the received activation switching request from the activation information managed by the HLR 160. Then, the activation information is updated from information indicating that the IMT network 300 is activated (IMT network activation) to information indicating that the IMT network 300 is being activated to switching to the activation of the PDC network 200 (during switching). (Step S903).
[0105]
Even after the activation information is updated by the HLR 160 during switching from the IMT network activation, the PDC network 200 remains in an inactive state (inactive state). Therefore, the PDC switching center 120 that acquires the activation information from the HLR 160 does not continue to connect outgoing calls from the mobile device 400 and incoming calls to the mobile device 400.
[0106]
Next, the HLR 160 transmits a status confirmation request to the VLR 170 (step S904). This status confirmation request includes the telephone number of the mobile device 400. When the VLR 170 receives the status confirmation request from the HLR 160, the VLR 170 extracts the activation information associated with the telephone number included in the status confirmation request received from the activation information managed by the VLR 160, and activates the activation information. It is determined whether or not can be updated. Next, when it is determined that the VLR 170 can be updated, the VLR 170 updates the telephone number included in the received status confirmation request from the IMT network active state to the switching state (step S905).
[0107]
After the activation information is updated during switching from the IMT network activation by the VLR 170, the IMT switching center 130 that acquires the activation information from the VLR 170 connects the call that has continued from before the activation information is updated. However, the outgoing call from the mobile device 400 and the incoming call to the mobile device 400 that are newly generated are not connected.
[0108]
After updating the activation information, the VLR 170 returns a status confirmation response indicating that the activation information has been updated during switching from the IMT network activation to the HLR 160 (step S906).
[0109]
When the HLR 160 receives the status confirmation response from the VLR 170, the HLR 160 next transmits a communication status confirmation request to the VLR 170 to confirm whether or not the mobile device 400 is communicating (step S907). This communication status confirmation request includes the telephone number of the mobile device 400.
[0110]
When the VLR 170 receives the communication status confirmation request from the HLR 160, the VLR 170 identifies the mobile device 400 based on the telephone number included in the communication status confirmation request, and determines whether the mobile device 400 is communicating. When the mobile device 400 is communicating, the call is a call that has been continued before the activation information is updated in step S905. When the VLR 170 determines that the mobile device 400 is not communicating, the VLR 170 returns a communication status confirmation response to that effect to the HLR 160 (step S908).
[0111]
Receiving the communication status confirmation response from the VLR 170, the HLR 160 updates the activation information updated in step S903 to information (PDC network activation) indicating activation of the PDC network 200 during switching (step S909). After the activation information is updated to PDC network activation by the HLR 160 during switching, the PDC switching center 120 that acquires the activation information from the HLR 160 transmits the outgoing call from the newly generated mobile device 400 and the mobile device 400 to the mobile device 400. Connect incoming calls.
[0112]
After updating the activation information, the HLR 160 transmits an activation switching request to the VLR 170 (step S910). Receiving the activation switching request from the HLR 160, the VLR 170 updates the activation information updated in step S905 to information (PDC network activation) indicating activation of the PDC network 200 during switching (step S911).
[0113]
Next, the VLR 170 returns an activation switching response, which is a response indicating that the update has been completed, to the HLR 160 (step S912). The HLR 160 transmits this activation switching response to the PDC switching center 120 (step S913), and the PDC switching center 120 further transmits this activation switching response to the mobile device 400 that has transmitted the activation switching request (step S913). S914). By receiving the activation switching response, the mobile device 400 updates the activation information from IMT network activation to PDC network activation, and recognizes that the activation network has switched from the IMT network 300 to the PDC network 200.
[0114]
As described above, the mobile communication system 100 manages information related to the mobile device 400, and reflects and manages the HLR 160 provided to the PDC switching center 20 in the PDC network 200 and the information related to the mobile device 400 managed by the HLR 160. The VLR 170 provided to the IMT switching center 130 in the IMT network 300 does not directly update the activation information from the IMT network activation to the PDC network activation, but is switching from the IMT network activation to the PDC network activation. By updating to the information shown, and further updating from PDC network activation to PDC network activation, when the activation information is being switched, new transmission using both the PDC network 200 and the IMT network 300 becomes impossible. Furthermore, after the activation information managed by the HLR 160 is updated to PDC network activation from the time of switching, the mobile device 400 continues until the activation information managed by the VLR 170 is updated to PDC network activation from the time of switching. Only new calls using the PDC network 200 can be made. For this reason, it can suppress that the communication using both the PDC network 200 and the IMT network 300 becomes possible simultaneously.
[0115]
Various modifications other than those described above are possible. However, as long as the modification is based on the technical idea described in the claims, the modification is within the technical scope of the present invention.
【The invention's effect】
[0116]
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in the subscriber database (for example, home location register, visitor location register, etc.), the identification number and activation information of the communication terminal are recorded, and the plurality of subscriber databases are recorded. Since the activation information is synchronized in the network, services such as making and receiving calls with the same number between networks having a plurality of subscriber databases in the network can be provided. That is, each subscriber database has an identification number (telephone number, machine number, IP address, etc.) and its activation information (for example, available network information). ) Can be identified in which network. Since each subscriber database is synchronized, it is possible to manage subscriber information that is consistent in all communication systems.
[0117]
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide services with the same number in a plurality of mobile stations or a single mobile station having a plurality of identifications between networks having a plurality of DBs.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a mobile communication system to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a communication sequence in a case where synchronization is performed by rewriting a subscriber database in a mobile communication system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a communication sequence at the time of transmission in a mobile communication system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a communication sequence at the time of an incoming call in a mobile communication system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a communication sequence at the time of an incoming call in a mobile communication system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a communication sequence at the time of location registration in a mobile communication system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of data contents stored in a subscriber database.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of a system configuration of a mobile communication system to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a communication sequence when switching an activation network from an IMT network to a PDC network in a mobile communication system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
[Explanation of symbols]
10, 110 Service control station
20 exchange
30 base station
40 Subscriber database (master information)
50 subscriber database (slave information)
60, 400 mobile
71 Telephone number storage
72 Aircraft number storage
73 IP address storage
74 Location information storage
75 Availability flag
100 Mobile communication system
120 PDC switching office
130 IMT Exchange
140-1, 140-2 PDC base station
150-1, 150-2 IMT base station
160 Home Location Register (HLR)
170 Visitor Location Register (VLR)
200 PDC network
300 IMT network

Claims (10)

First and second networks, a first information management device that manages information related to a communication terminal corresponding to the first network, and a first information management device that manages information related to a communication terminal corresponding to the second network A communication system having two information management devices,
Providing a common subscriber number for the first and second networks;
A first communication service realized by activating the first network for a communication terminal and a second communication service realized by activating the second network are selected. Provide,
Synchronization means for synchronizing activation information indicating activation states of the first and second networks managed by the first and second information management devices;
The first information management device provides information related to the communication terminal to an exchange station in the first network, and the second information management device provides information to the exchange station in the second network. When providing information on the communication terminal,
The first information management device includes:
First activation information management means for managing first activation information indicating activation states of the first and second networks;
Activation of the second network when the second network is activated and a request to switch to the first communication service is received from the communication terminal receiving provision of the second communication service First activation information updating means for updating the first activation information indicating that the second network activation is being switched from the activation of the second network to the activation of the first network;
The second information management device comprises:
Second activation information management means for managing second activation information indicating activation states of the first and second networks;
When the first activation information is updated by the first activation information updating means, the second activation information indicating the activation of the second network is obtained from the activation of the second network. Second activation information update means for updating to information indicating that switching to activation of the first network is in progress;
The first information management device comprises:
When the second activation information is updated by the second activation information update means, the second network activation is switched from the activation of the second network to the activation of the first network. A third activation information updating unit that updates the activation information of one to information indicating activation of the first network;
The second information management device includes:
The first activation information is updated by the third activation information updating means, and indicates that the switching from the activation of the second network to the activation of the first network is being performed. A fourth activation information updating unit for updating the activation information of 2 to information indicating activation of the first network;
The activation information is determined by a combination of the area where the communication terminal is located and whether communication is permitted or not using the common subscriber number of the communication terminal ,
The information relating to the communication terminal is information that can be identified by an IP address of the communication terminal . The communication system according to claim 1,
When communication is performed by a communication terminal receiving the provision of the second communication service from before the second activation information is updated by the second activation information updating means, the communication is performed in the second A communication system characterized in that it can continue after the second activation information is updated by the activation information updating means. The communication system according to claim 2,
The third and fourth activation information update means communicate with a communication terminal that has been provided with the second communication service from before the second activation information is updated by the second activation information update means. When the communication is performed, the second activation information is updated after the end of the communication. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The communication system, wherein the first and second networks are mobile communication networks, and the communication terminal is a mobile device. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The communication system characterized in that the first activation information management means is one or more home location registers, and the second activation information management means is one or more visitor location registers. First and second networks, a first information management device that manages information related to a communication terminal corresponding to the first network, and a first information management device that manages information related to a communication terminal corresponding to the second network A communication service switching method used in a communication system having a common subscriber number for the first and second networks,
A first communication service realized by activating the first network for a communication terminal and a second communication service realized by activating the second network are selected. The communication service switching method to switch automatically is
Synchronizing activation information indicating activation states of the first and second networks managed by the first and second information management devices,
The first information management device provides information related to the communication terminal to an exchange station in the first network, and the second information management device provides information to the exchange station in the second network. When providing information on the communication terminal,
The first information management device managing first activation information indicating activation states of the first and second networks;
When the first information management apparatus receives a request to switch to the first communication service from the communication terminal receiving the provision of the second communication service when the second network is activated, Updating the first activation information indicating activation of the second network to information indicating that switching from activation of the second network to activation of the first network is performed;
The second information management device managing second activation information indicating activation states of the first and second networks;
The first information indicating that the second information management device is activated by the first information management device is activated from the second network activation to the activation of the first network. The second activation information indicating the activation of the second network is changed from the activation of the second network to the activation of the first network. Updating to information indicating that switching to computerization is in progress;
The second information indicating that the first information management device is activated by the second information management device is activated from the second network activation to the activation of the first network. The first activation information indicating that switching from the activation of the second network to the activation of the first network is updated to information indicating that switching to Updating to information indicating activation of the first network;
First activation information indicating that the second information management device is switching from the activation of the second network to the activation of the first network by the first information management device is the first activation information. When updated to information indicating activation of the first network, second activation information indicating that switching from activation of the second network to activation of the first network is being performed. Updating to information indicating activation of the first network;
The activation information is determined by a combination of the area where the communication terminal is located and whether communication is permitted or not using the common subscriber number of the communication terminal,
The communication service switching method , wherein the information on the communication terminal is information that can be identified by an IP address of the communication terminal . The communication service switching method according to claim 6,
Second activation information indicating activation of the second network is being switched from activation of the second network to activation of the first network by the second information management device. In the case where communication is being performed by a communication terminal receiving the provision of the second communication service before being updated to the information indicating the communication, the communication is performed by the second information management device. It is possible to continue after the second activation information indicating the activation of the network is updated to the information indicating that the switching from the activation of the second network to the activation of the first network is being performed. And a communication service switching method. The communication service switching method according to claim 7,
In the first and second information management apparatuses, the second activation information indicating activation of the second network is being switched from activation of the second network to activation of the first network. In the case where communication is being performed by the communication terminal receiving the provision of the second communication service before being updated to the information indicating that the information is, from the activation of the second network after the end of the communication A communication service switching method, wherein second activation information indicating that switching to activation of the first network is being performed is updated to information indicating activation of the first network. The communication service switching method according to any one of claims 6 to 8,
The communication service switching method, wherein the first and second networks are mobile communication networks, and the communication terminal is a mobile device. The communication service switching method according to any one of claims 6 to 9,
The first information management device includes one or a plurality of communication terminal information necessary for the first communication service and first activation information indicating activation states of the first and second networks. Manage to home location register,
The second information management device includes one or a plurality of communication terminal information necessary for the second communication service and first activation information indicating activation states of the first and second networks. A communication service switching method, characterized in that management is performed in a visitor location register.

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