SE513309C2 - Method of limiting data flow to a mobile terminal, a mobile terminal and a switching system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mobile station (MS), a method and a node (MS, HLR, MSC, VLR) in a mobile communications system (PLMN). The invention addresses the problem of the interference caused to a circuit-switched transaction by a non-circuit-switched transaction that is ongoing in parallel with the same mobile station (MS). It is normally a USSD transaction (USSD) that impairs the quality of a speech connection (TCH). The present invention provides a method which enables a user (A) of the mobile station to give in advance an upper data flow limit in the non-circuit-switched transaction. Control mechanisms in the mobile communications system then limit the data flow in accordance with said upper limit. The control is managed by an inventive mobile station or by the mobile switching centre (MSC). The advantage gained is that a smaller data flow results in less interference on the speech connection. Impairment of the speech connection can be rectified to a limited extend with the aid of coding.

Description

10 20 25 30 513 309 2 circuit-switched connection disturbs the quality of the circuit-switched connection. SE 9803922-5 provides a solution to this problem by giving a user of a mobile station the opportunity to prevent in advance that transactions are set up in parallel with an ongoing circuit-switched connection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention addresses a problem that a desired transaction to a mobile station running in parallel with a connection degrades the circuit-switched quality of the circuit-switched connection. It happens that, for example, transmission resources are taken from a circuit-switched connection to be given to another transaction, this means that speech over a circuit-switched connection is impaired by the parallel ongoing transaction.

A purpose with. The present invention is to enable a user of a mobile station to pre-restrict the data flow in parallel with a circuit-switched connection over one or more transactions in progress, thereby limiting the interference of the circuit-switched connection.

The above problems are solved by a method in a mobile communication system in which a user of a mobile terminal predetermines an upper limit of the data flow over one or more transactions taking place in parallel with a circuit-switched connection. The data flow to the mobile terminal is measured and compared against the limit, and if the limit is exceeded, a message is sent to the sender of the data flow that no more data is received. According to one aspect of the invention, the transaction is also terminated. According to another aspect, the sender is notified of how long it will take before further data may be sent to the mobile terminal.

The above problems are also solved by a mobile terminal with means for registering an upper limit value for the amount of data that may be taken per unit time. The limit value against per is specified by the users of the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal also includes means for measuring the data flow to the mobile terminal and comparing it with the limit value, as well as means for notifying the sender if the data flow exceeds the limit value.

The above problems are also solved by an exchange system with connection to at least one base station system and thereby connected to a mobile terminal, and with connection to a service node. The exchange system also has means for maintaining a circuit-switched connection with the mobile terminal and means for maintaining in parallel a non-circuit-switched transaction between an external node and mobile. Furthermore, the exchange system has means for registering a data flow to the mobile terminal over the non-circuit-switched transaction. the data flow to Next is the terminal. the upper limit specified by the user for the Switching System also has means for measuring the mobile terminal and comparing this with the limit. the exchange system is provided with means to stop the data flow to the mobile terminal if it otherwise exceeds the limit.

Within these solutions, there are a number of different embodiments.

According to one, the limit specified by the user refers to the data flow per unit of time. According to another, the total data flow during the transaction. According to a further embodiment, the data flow for each application to which the data flow relates is stated.

According to yet another, a limit is specified for a certain receiving unit included in the mobile terminal. For each of these embodiments, the data flow is measured and the comparison is performed in a manner corresponding to the limit value.

An advantage of the present invention is that a user does not have to prevent a desired transaction because this interferes with, for example, an ongoing voice connection. The user instead limits the data flow and thus the interference that occurs on the voice connection. The user can thus take part in obtaining the information flow information, although it takes a little longer for this information. Numbers over a circuit-connected 10 15 20 25 30 513 309 connection are encoded. If the interference of the number is below a threshold value, the errors are corrected with the help of the coding. If, on the other hand, the disturbance exceeds the threshold value, the coding is unable to correct the errors in the speech and the quality becomes very poor. With the present invention, a user can limit the data flow so that the disturbance on the speech connection is within what can be corrected with the coding.

The invention will now be described in more detail by means of preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES Figure 1 shows a view of a cellular mobile communication system with incoming nodes.

Figure 2 shows a block diagram of nodes included in the exchange system (not complete).

Figure 3 Block diagram of nodes involved for transmitting a USSD request.

Figure 4 shows a flow chart of a method according to the invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A number of embodiments of the present invention are shown in Figure 1 showing a view of the GSM network shown here in a GSM network as an example. the known PLMN radio base stations BTS1-BTS2 mobile communication system PLMN GSM. comprises a mobile station MS, a number (Base Tranceiver Station), two Station Controller), a base station switch BSCl-BSC2 (Base switch MSC (Mobile services Switching Center), a gate switch GMSC (Gateway Mobile services Switching Center), a visitor register VLR (Visitor Location Register) and a home location register CPR (Home Location Register) Each radio base station BTS1-BTS2 is connected to a base station switch BSCl-BSC2 which in turn is connected to the switch MSC The switch MSC is connected to the visitor register VLR and the GMSC gate switch The GMSC gate switch is connected to the home register HLR.

The mobile station MS connects via radio to the radio base station BTS1 soul serving a cell C1 within which the mobile station MS is currently located.

The GMSC gate switch is connected to other telephone networks, and to a USSD service node USSDgw. not shown 1 figure 1, Via the gate exchange GMSC a voice connection is set Up, ie a connection between the nwbil station MS and Also a USSD transaction USSD circuit-connected connection TCH, a terminal in a telephone network. and the USSD service node is set up between the mobile station MS USSDgw, via the gate exchange GMSC.

The GSM system defines three types of transactions.

The first type of transaction is a traditional circuit-switched connection TCH which is commonly used for voice connection. For such, a leash is set up through the GSM network for duplex connection TCH.

An SMS transaction is, however, The transaction takes place via an SMS service node outside GSM- The second type is an SMS transaction. one-way, the direction to or from mobile is Selectable. the PLMN network (not shown). No "ordinary" liaison is set up without user data transmitted transparently by protocols in the GSM network PLMN, which usually handles signaling.

As a third type, there is a group of services defined under Within the group, there is similarly the collective name "Supplementary Services". a USSD "Unstructured Supplementary Data" service. transmission of user data within the GSM network PLMN.

The USSD with the SMS transaction takes place transparently with a signaling protocol. Unlike the SMS transaction, a transaction takes place in the form of a dialogue where, for example, a response to a request occurs in the transaction.

The three types of transaction are possible to perform in parallel, ie simultaneously, with the mobile station MS. In addition, there are solutions for setting up multiple USSD transactions in parallel. In the standardization commission ETSI, work is underway to standardize the implementation of how several USSD transactions are set up simultaneously between the mobile station MS and one or more USSD service nodes USSDgw.

Figure 1 shows a circuit-switched transaction TCH and a USSD transaction USSD which takes place in parallel with the mobile station MS.

Figure 1 does not show the external telephone network to which the circuit-switched transaction continues. A number of AP applications are connected to the USSD service node USSDgw.

The AP applications can either be implemented in the USSD service node or in own service nodes connected to the user USSD-USSD service node. The applications AP service node for information transmission with the mobile station MS.

The USSD transaction USSD uses for the radio connection a radio channel called the FACCH connection TCH (TCH Traffic CHannel).

(Fast Associated Control CHannnel). radio- FACCH- The circuit-switched uses for the connection a traffic channel the channel is set up only when there is data to be transmitted via it, and when it is set up it steals transmission capacity from the traffic channel. As a result, the quality of user data transmitted by the traffic channel deteriorates significantly. If speech is transmitted by the traffic channel, a certain deterioration can be corrected by means of coding. If the error becomes larger than a certain threshold value, however, the coding cannot correct the error and the speech becomes so bad that the receiver does not understand what is being said. \ | ' Figure 2 shows the nodes of the switching system SS which are important for the present invention. The switching system SS in Figure 2 thus comprises the switch with the home register MSC / VLR, the gate switch GMSC and the home register CPR. These nodes are connected to each other and with external nodes in the manner described above in connection with Figure 1.

To simplify the further presentation, it is assumed that the USSD service node USSDgw connects directly to the home register CPR as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3 shows how data is transferred from the USSD service node USSDgw USSD transaction. Figure 3 shows a second service node AS with to the mobile station MS in an already established application AP. An arrow A1 shows that data is transmitted from the second service node AS to the USSD service node USSDgw to be forwarded but by means of USSD to the mobile station MS.

The USSD service node divides the data from the other service node into USSD strings, all of which are the same length.

Each USSD string is packaged in a "USSD request" message which in turn is transmitted in a lower protocol layer by a "TCAP-BEGIN" message, which is sent in accordance with the MAP (Mobile Application Part) protocol. 3 indicates that the USSD string is transmitted from the USSD service node USSDgw to the home register HLR and with an arrow A3 on to the exchange with the visitor register MSC / VLR.

The USSD string is forwarded to the MS “station” via the BSS base station system. When the USSD string has reached the mobile station MS, the mobile station MS sends a response back to the USSD service node. The response indicates whether the USSD string was received correctly or alternatively not accepted. The latter case means that the transaction is interrupted and that additional USSD strings can thus not be transferred. Should the USSD string not be transmitted to the mobile station for any reason, the node that did not forward the USSD string, for example, returns to the exchange MSC, a response USSD service node 105 Thus, for each sent USSD string, the USSD service node expects to receive a response.

The above description of how a USSD string is transmitted is previously known, GSM 09.02 and GSM 03.90. and is described in more detail by the specification. The present invention enables the user A of the mobile station MS to restrict the data flow over a USSD transaction. The USSD is in parallel with a circuit-switched connection TCH.

Figure 4 shows a flow chart of the steps in a method of limiting the data flow in. A USSD transaction scmx is established between the USSD service node USSDgw and the mobile station MS.

In a first step S1, the upper limit of the data flow specified by the user A is registered. The limit can be specified in a number of different ways, which is why a number of different parameters are available for registering this limit. Bl. a. user A has the possibility to register a block for USSD strings intended for a specific device in the mobile station.

In a subsequent step S2, a message USSD request is received, which contains a USSD string.

In the next step S3, it is checked whether the data flow is to be checked in accordance with a specified limit. If user A has registered that the data flow is to be limited, ie yes to the query in step S3, a step S4 is performed. If not, ie no to the query, the message USSD request is accepted according to a step S8.

In step S4, it is checked whether there is an ongoing circuit-switched transaction with the mobile station MS. If there is one, ie yes to the question, a step S5 is performed. transaction is processed If, on the other hand, there is not a circuit-switched connection, ie no to the question in step S4, the message USSD request in a previously known manner. This means Alternatively to the way that USSD request is likely to be accepted. process controls described in SE 9803922-5.

USSD request on previously known they are made In step S5 is read if the registered limit indicates that there is a device within the mobile station to which USSD strings may not be sent, and in that case the identity of the device.

In a following step S6, in the message USSD request, the mobile station MS and Ifall are read, ie if yes to the question in S6, the identity of the receiving unit is compared with a possible identity read in step S6. correspondence between the identities, the allowable receiving USSD-USSD string is intended for a non-device within the mobile station, subsequent strings are stopped according to a step S12.

If, on the other hand, the USSD string is approved, ie no to the query in step S6, a step S7 is performed.

In step S7, it is checked whether the number of USSD request messages received since a certain time backwards is less than an upper limit of the number of allowed USSD requests during a corresponding time period. If yes, the data flow is below the maximum allowed message USSD request and a return to the limit value, response with this meaning is accepted, the USSD service node is sent according to a step S8. Then a step S11 is performed.

If, on the other hand, the answer to the question in S7 is no, USSD request causes the data flow to be too large, a step S9 is performed.

In step S9, a parameter “Backpress” registered in ia on shall be reduced and step S1. If "Backpress" is activated, ie the question in step S9 means that the data flow is therefore performed in step S10.

In step S10, a response to the USSD request is sent back to the USSD service node USSDgw. The response contains a message that additional data cannot be received within a specified time.

Then, step S11 is performed, saving the time of the received message USSD request in a buffer. The buffer is used in step S7 of a later received USSD request message to count the number of received USSD requests received in a recent time period.

Should the answer to the question in step S9, on the other hand, be no, the flow but instead be stopped. A step S12 is performed "USSD reject" back should not be slowed down, thereafter, one being sent to the USSD service node. response The “USSD reject” response also means that the transaction between the USSD service node USSDgw and the MS mobile station is terminated.

After step S12 or step S11, the method of handling is terminated. onx a message USSD request, but received a new USSD request started the method again with step S2.

The mobile station MS sends a response to a USSD request with a message "Facility". A response to a USSD request with the meaning used in steps S8 and S12 is previously known, but the content contained in the response in step S10 is not previously known, and must be specified in order to be used.

In addition to the controls described in connection with Figure 4, there are additional requirements with corresponding controls that user A can set up to limit the data flow to the mobile station. For example, user A may allow only a limited number of USSD requests to a certain of the mobile station's devices. Another example is that user A forbids or only allows a certain limited number of USSD requests associated with a certain application.

USSD request through NEI (Network Application specified in an Element Identifier) in combination with Port which together indicates the application's AS address. Another option 10 15 20 25 30 513 309 ll is to allow a total of only a certain number of USSD requests per transaction, or alternatively per application.

The response sent to the USSD service node in step S10 may alternatively omit this time to specify a later time for data transmission. In this case, the USSD service node may test itself at a later time if a new USSD request is received.

The response "USSD reject" sent according to step S12 is optionally followed by a later message to the USSD service node that the Inobil station is again ready to receive USSD request.

This latter message is transmitted, for example, with a USSD message called "Process-USSD request". In the GSM network PLMN, the mobile station MS or alternatively the exchange MSC is combined with the visitor register VLR to register the upper limit of the data flow and check that the data flow is in accordance with the limit. as described using the flow chart in Figure 4.

A mobile station MS according to the invention which registers and controls the data flow is, like already known mobile stations, provided with a screen and keys with which the user A controls the mobile station MS. Like already known mobile stations, it is equipped with the function of controlling more than one ongoing transaction USSD, TCH.

In addition, the nmbil station MS is provided with a register for storing the parameters included in the upper limit of the data flow. The mobile station MS has means for sending a response to a received message USSD request. The mobile station MS is further provided with a function to check the condition of the user A when a USSD request is received, according to the method described in connection with Figure 4.

The user A of the mobile station MS initiates the parameters of the data flow, i.e. registers the conditions of the data flow to the mobile station, m TÜ a the mobile station's keypad and instructions on the mobile station's MS screen. The mobile station's MS already known control functions handle instructions from cases registered. In the user A and in this control so that the state parameters of the mobile station there can be an application which makes it easier for the user A to initiate the parameters. According to the GSM standard, a mobile station MS consists of the mobile equipment called "Mobile Equipment" and a SIM card. The register with permission parameters can either be entered in “Mobile Equipment” or in the SIM card. The SIM card is provided by the GSM network operator who has previously set the state parameters in a first state, if these are stored in the SIM card.

Alternatively, to allow the mobile station MS to register and control the user's condition, by the switching system SS. GSM standard defines this managed switching system SS (Switching System) and input nodes.

The switch / visitor register MSC / VLR according to the invention is provided with a register for storing the user's condition A. Furthermore, the exchange / visitor register MSC / VLR is provided with a function for checking this condition when a request for connection of a USSD transaction has been received, in accordance with the method according to the invention.

If the transmission of the USSD request does not comply with the condition MSC USSD- Instead, the user A set up prevents the exchange request from being forwarded to the mobile station MS. a response is sent back to the USSD service node USSDgw. The response states either that additional data may not be transmitted within a certain time in accordance with step S10 or that USSD Request is not received, according to step S9. The response is transported in a component "TCAP Error".

In a previous patent application SE 9803922-5, it is described how a user A can limit the number of USSD transactions that are set up to the mobile station. Even in that case, registration of the user's A condition and the control in accordance with this condition can be handled by either the mobile station or the exchange MSC in combination with the visitor register VLR.

The controls described in SE 9803922-5 are suitable to be performed in combination with the present invention.

The mobile station MS can be equipped with a connected equipment. Together, the mobile station MS and the Usually it is to the data flow connecting equipment is a mobile terminal. connecting the equipment to a computer. Alternatively, the mobile station MS controls the size of the controlling computer. The computer is provided as the mobile station MS for the data flow. with corresponding functions control and register the boundary for shall manage In addition, the interface for connection between so that the relevant decision mobile station MS and the computer be designed information in the USSD request is transferred to the computer. whether the transaction may be carried out or not is returned from the computer to the mobile station MS which then sends a response to the request.

In the embodiments above, the check has been performed upon receipt of a USSD request. The invention can also be applied to other types of transactions than USSD transactions.

The described embodiments show how the invention is a GSM network PLMN. of course all are applied in The invention can also be applied in other mobile communication systems. In mobile communication systems, there is a transaction type circuit-switched connection that is commonly used for speech. In addition, most mobile communication systems have transaction types that involve user data being transmitted by a transaction that is not circuit-switched. In other systems, similar transaction types have different names. Unfortunately, there is no common name. 10 15 20 513 309 14 Other mobile communication systems usually include a location for a radio base station BTS and a BSC. base station in base station switch The base station has essentially the same functions as in GSM are distributed between the base station switch BSC and the radio base station BTS. Functions that in the GSM system are distributed on nodes in Växelsystem SS are in other mobile communication systems distributed on nodes with partly different names but which together have largely the same functions as GSM-system's Växelsystem SS.

In the examples above, the USSD service node USSDgw has been external, which is the most likely scenario. However, it is possible to let the USSD service node be integrated in the PLMN mobile communication system. The invention can also be practiced in a node included in the mobile communication system PLMN as sender of USSD requst. It can be, for example, the switch MSC or the gate switch GMSC that generates USSD request to the mobile station MS.

The invention is valid for all mobile communication systems in parallel with an ongoing one, it can thus be practiced even if neither of two where several transactions can mobile station, parallel transactions are circuit-switched. With mobile communication system. refers to cellular radio networks in which the mobility service is offered to mobile stations.

Claims (15)

10 15 20 25 30 513 309 15 PATENT REQUIREMENTS Method of restricting the data flow in at least one ongoing non (MS) i comprising a (USSDgw) and circuit-switched transaction to a certain mobile terminal a mobile communication system (PLMN) connected to a service node (BTS, BSC) f is used by a certain user exchange system ( SS) wherein said mobile terminal (Å), at least one base station (MS) characterized by the steps: a) registration (S1) of an upper limit specified by the user for data flow to the mobile terminal; b) connection (S2) of a circuit-connected connection to the mobile terminal; c) connecting at least one non-circuit-switched transaction to the mobile terminal; (S11) d) measuring said data flow to the mobile terminal (MS) over said transaction; e) comparing (S7) of said data flow against said limit value; depending on the result of the S12) f) prevention, comparison, (S10, of further data transfer. Method according to claim 1, wherein said preventing (S10) takes place in the form of a message to said service node (USSDgw) that further data may not be sent to the mobile terminal within a certain time. Method according to claim 1, wherein said preventing (S12) takes place in the form of a message to the service node (USSDgw) that no further data is received and then said transaction is interrupted. A method according to claim 3, wherein said message is followed by a later message that additional data is being received. 10 15 20 25 30 513 509 16 A method according to claim 1 wherein said upper limit relates to data flow per unit time and wherein said measurement and said comparison relates to data flow per unit time. The method of claim 1 wherein said upper limit relates to data flow per transaction and wherein said measurement and said comparison relates to data flow per transaction. A method according to claim 1, 4 or 6, wherein said upper limit also relates to a certain application. A method according to claim 1, 4 or 6, wherein said upper limit also relates to a certain receiving unit in the mobile terminal. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said non-circuit-switched transaction is a USSD transaction. Method according to claim 9, wherein measurement of the data flow according to step d) takes place by counting the number of USSD ~ req received by the mobile terminal. 11. ll. Method according to claim 1, 9 or 10, wherein said mobile communication system PLMN is the GSM system. Mobile terminal (MS) used by a user (A) and comprising, - means for handling via a radio connection in a mobile communication system (PLMN) at least one non-circuit-switched transaction in parallel with a circuit-switched connection, and means for receiving data over the non-circuit the circuit-switched transaction transmits a response to the sender of said data, characterized by, means for registering an upper limit of the data flow to the mobile terminal specified by the user (A), means for measuring the flow of data to the mobile terminal and comparing with said upper limit, and Means to notify the sender, depending on the result of said comparison, that further data may not be sent to the mobile terminal. 13. l3. Mobile state (MS) specified states are registered in the form of a list (L) (AP) for which it is permitted or not permitted to set up a transaction (TCH, USSD1, USSD2). according to claim 12 in which said above applications Mobile terminal (MS) according to claim 12 or 13 with means to operate according to the specification of the GSM system. Exchange system (SS) with connection to at least one service node (USSDgw), to at least one base station (BTS, BSC), and to at least one mobile terminal (MS) via said base station (BTS, BSC), and comprising, means for maintaining a circuit-switched connection with said mobile terminal, means for maintaining in parallel with the circuit-switched connection a non-circuit-switched transaction over which (USSDgw) data is transmitted from the service node to said mobile terminal (MS), characterized by means for registering an upper limit specified by the user (A) for the data flow over said non-circuit-switched transaction, means for measuring the data flow to the mobile terminal, means for comparing the measured data flow with said limit and means for preventing the data flow, if it exceeds said limit.