WO2020065628A1

WO2020065628A1 - Mobile node neighbor identity register apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: WO2020065628A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/058269
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter AKUON
Original assignee: Akuon Peter
Priority date: 2018-09-28
Filing date: 2019-09-29
Publication date: 2020-04-02

Abstract

A neighbor identity register apparatus in a communications network is provided that constructs and stores a database table. The database table consists of a column for listing distance information of a plurality of mobile nodes monitored by a transceiver station and grouping mobile nodes that have similar distance information or in the same cluster area. The update of the neighbor identity register is triggered when a mobile node is abruptly getting out of coverage or when a network operator sends a query command to a network switch or when a command is sent from the mobile node by its user. The neighbor identity register can be used to reveal intelligence on the location of mobile node that has been switched off or whose user has been subdued.

Description

DESCRIPTION

1. Title of the Invention

Mobile node neighbor identity register apparatus and method

2. FIELD

The present disclosure relates to applications, systems, and methods for extraction of intelligence information such as location of user from mobile nodes in a communications network. The present disclosure is based on the discovery that knowledge of location information of a mobile node in a serving network is virtually contained in other mobile nodes in its neighborhood at the point it switches off from the serving network. There is likelihood that information about the location of an off mobile node is possessed by at least one of the users of the neighbor mobile nodes. The users of the registered neighbor nodes will be known without the need for any other prior knowledge or suspicion.

BACKGROUND

Wireless sensors have become part and parcel of the present generation, and the location of a sensor in a network is usually used to provide intelligence information. Several communication protocols are standardized to aid operators and Governments to regulate the communications industry.

For example, in the Global System for Communication (GSM), the term paging refers to a point-to-point communication between a mobile node (MN) and a transceiver station (TS). Paging process is initiated by a network subsystem based on the last location update made by the mobile node. Paging strategy is set such that the paging process is initiated when there is an incoming call to the mobile node. The network sends out paging message within the paging area of a certain location area. A single location area consists of several paging areas. Whenever a mobile node crosses a location area boundary of several transceiver stations, a location update message is sent to a network switch in order to update home location register (HLR) about the new location area identity (LAI). This location update occurs when the mobile node detects a new location area code (LAC). In conventional communication systems, the mobile node equipment number is stored in equipment identity register (EIR) in the core network area. EIR and HLR store information from paging and location update that is useful in tracking location of a mobile node in a network. The mobile node consists of the equipment identity number and subscriber identity module (SIM) number.

Problems: Location update monitors a mobile device that is on-net or actively reachable by the network switch. Furthermore, paging information is periodic and incidental updates cannot be obtained from the present paging process. For example, it may become imperative to trace the location of a user of a mobile phone that has gone missing. In the prior art, it is only possible to trace the user based on information when the phone made the last location update when it was on in a given network cell boundary. A user who is forced to switch off the phone and then move away from the location will be hard to trace through network resources. Requirement: To solve these problems, a register is required that records information about location of mobile nodes at specific incidents. In addition, the register should be updated with more information that may help to determine the location of a user of a mobile node when it is not reachable through the network i.e. when off-net. Solution: The present invention provides a method of tracing a user of a mobile node based on other mobile nodes in its neighborhood at specified incidents. This is possible even the mobile node is switched off the communication network.

Methodology: In one method, the network records mobile node location information whenever the mobile node is abruptly switching off. This procedure is initiated whenever there is an alert from the mobile node. A software controller upgrade allows a mobile node to inform the network switch whenever a mobile node switches off abruptly. During such an incident, location information is collected from the mobile node and all other nodes within a specified incident cell radius (ICR).

In another method, a network operator may be authorized to command the network’s switch to update the neighbor identity register (NIR) with location information of a mobile node that may be on-net using the location information of recent neighbor nodes or off-net using the location information of the most recent neighbor nodes. Constraints: To avoid overloading the database, a software controller is installed in the hardware to update NIR only when needed or the operator to initiate NIR update from the network switch only when needed.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to one broad aspect of the present invention, a neighbor identity register apparatus is devised to store location information from a known mobile node and identity of its neighbors that are located within a specified incident cell radius.

According to one broad aspect of the present invention, neighbor identity register apparatus is updated with location information whenever a mobile node switches off abruptly as specified by a software controller installed in the mobile node.

According to one broad aspect of the present invention, neighbor identity register (NIR) apparatus is updated when a network operator commands the network’s switch to update the neighbor identity register to provide location information of a mobile node that may be on-net using the location information of recent neighbor nodes or off-net using the location information of the most recent neighbor nodes.

In some embodiments, the neighbor identity register consists of six columns of codes that list network identity codes, neighboring mobile node identities, distance information values and the time of the incident.

In some embodiments, distance information is derived from the ratio of transmitted power from a certain transceiver station and received power from a certain mobile node and recorded together with the time of incident and the neighbor identity numbers. In some embodiments, neighbor identity numbers are selected from a group of mobile nodes that are served by a transceiver station and have distance information defined within an incident cell radius.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained in more detail in the following text using one exemplary embodiment and with reference to the drawings, in which

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram illustrating neighbor identity register apparatus in a communications system DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

It is an aim of the invention to overcome the weaknesses of the prior art in providing intelligence information from on-net or off-net mobile nodes.

The present invention relies on novel concepts of information digging from a communication network.

Now with reference to the figures: Fig. 1 illustrates an apparatus of a communications system, where a subscriber who uses a mobile node station (1) equipment in a GSM/2G or 3G network connects to data network for internet (24) or calls another subscriber on another mobile station. The subscriber may utilize 2G network components like a base transceiver station (BTS) (2) which connects to Base Station Controller (BSC) (4) or the subscriber may connect through 3G network Node B-Base Station Transceiver for 3G (3) which connects to RNC - Radio Network Controller (5). A call in 2G network is routed through a MGW - Media Gateway (6) where Circuit Core Domain Processes (7) take place. In (7), switching is performed by MSS - Mobile Soft Switch (8) or MSC - Mobile Switching Center (9).

A VLR - Visitor Location Register (8,9) is used to store information of visitors to the network. In addition, (7) enables communication with other service provider networks such as IGW - International Gateway (10), PSTN - Public Switched Telephone Network (10), PLMN - Public Land Mobile Network (10).

Also, services such as short messages are stored in SMSC - Short Messaging Service Center (11) and details of subscribers are stored in HLR - Home Location Register (12).

PCRF - Policy and Charging Rules Function (13) supports service data flow detection, enforcement of policy and flow-based charging. It easens alignment of of revenue and resources in the network.

Authentication of network subscribers is achieved through RADIUS- Remote Authentication Dial-in User Service (14) server in the authentication center (AuC). A digital wallet in the network registers transactions of call connectivity activities, loyalty reward points and digital currency coins. Any management of the digital wallet requires authentication and the passwords are stored off-line by the subscriber. The RADIUS (14) server manages such transaction logs and verifications. The DNS - Domain Name Server (15) that utilizes DHCP - Dynamic Host Control Protocol (16).

Billing or charging information is stored in Billing Charging center (17) while the network maintenance is performed via NMS/OSS - Network Management System/Operation Support Subsystem (18). Moreover, details of hardware addresses that are used in the network are verified, allowed or denied through EIR - Equipment Identity Register and Neighbor Identity Register (19). The proposed neighbor identity register will be used to record identity numbers of neighbors of a specified mobile node (1). These services are managed through Service and Subscriber Management System (20).

When a user connects to data network through general packet radio service (GPRS), the MS (1) connects to a SGSN - Serving GPRS Support Node (21), which is in turn connected to GGSN - Gateway GPRS Support Node (22) in a region of Packet Core Domain Processes (23) and Internet (24).

Generally, the mobile node station MS (1) carries a SIM - Subscriber Identity Module, which is the register for IMSI - International Mobile Subscriber Identity in (1) and helps to communicate IMEI - International Mobile Equipment Identity in (1) to the network’s EIR (19). The IMEI may be used to block certain types of equipment from accessing the network if they are unsuitable and also to check for stolen equipment. In the present disclosure, an NIR apparatus is added to the EIR to form an EIR/NIR apparatus.

Table 1 shows an example of a table inside a Network Identity Register. The MSISDN number of the SIM card in a mobile node station is recorded in column 1. The serving network code is recorded in column 2 of the Table 1. The code number of the serving network switch is recorded in column 3, followed by the code for a network controller that manages several transceiver stations in column 4 and the code for the serving transceiver station in column 5. In column six, the MSISDN numbers of neighbor mobile nodes plus the location information (ratio of transmit power to mobile node to received power from the serving transceiver station) plus the time of incident is recorded. Only neighbor mobile nodes with similar distance information as the known mobile node are recorded as neighbors. The neighbor mobile nodes are defined within an incident cell radius (ICR). The ICR is determined from a small deviation from the distance information from that of the known mobile node.

Table 1 Mobile Node Neighbor Identity Register for (+X) 7XX31X7XX

From Table 1 , it is desired to list all neighbors of the Mobile Station International Subscriber Dialing Number (MSISDN) (+X) 7XX31X7XX that has been reported or switched off abruptly at 19:20:53 HRS. From column six, Nl code consists of the MSISDN of the neighbors, the distance information (Dl) or simply the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) level and the time information (Tl) that records the data and time of incident. Note that the Dl in ICR 1 have small deviations from the value of Dl for 7XX31X7XX i.e. -62.42 (dBm), whereas the Dl in ICR 2 has stronger RSSI levels of Dl which are -43.0, -43.1, -43.8 (dBm). It means that ICR n is closer to the TS that ICR 1 , and therefore the Nl in ICR n are not close neighbors to the known MSISDN(+X), 7XX31X7XX. ICR n does not have to be recorded. Note also that the register in Table 1 shows only the neighbor identities that are served by TS with code 0X7. The incident report was generated on 07/09/2018 at 19:20:53 HRS in the evening. The reporting for NIR generation may be made by a user as an emergency through a USSD, SMS, and Call (Voice or data) commands.

The SIM and HLR (12) also stores TIMSI - Temporary - International Mobile Subscriber Identity in (17) and MS ISDN - Mobile Subscriber International Subscriber Dialling Number. The IMSI identifies the subscriber within the GSM network while the MS ISDN is the actual telephone number a caller uses to reach that person through the network. Security is provided by the use of an authentication key and by the transmission of a temporary subscriber identity (TMSI) across the radio interface where possible to avoid using the permanent IMSI identity. Other networks can be tied to the network of Fig.1 for communication services. Such networks include: ISDN - Integrated Services Digital Network, PSPDN - Packet Switched Public Data Network and CSPDN - Circuit Switched Public Data Network

What has been described above includes examples of systems that may be covered by the disclosed invention. Anyone with ordinary skill in the art may perform or understand that other combinations of systems and methods may be used to produce similar disclosures. Therefore, little deviations from the teachings of the present invention do not change the inventive step of utilizing network resources in a communication network to determine location of a mobile node based on information derived from neighboring mobile nodes during a reported incident.

In order to determine the incident cell radius (ICR), a simple formula for mobile node distance from a transceiver station may be used as shown in equation 1.

Pr = Pt (j)” M (1)

Where P_r is the received signal power at the TS from the mobile node, P_t is the transmitted power from the TS that is serving the mobile node station (MS), d is the distance between the TS and the MS and n is the path loss exponent (PLE)[ i.e. 2.7 - 4.3] due to propagation challenges in the path between the TS and the MS. As a neighbor mobile node, the height differences of the mobile nodes and TS and carrier frequency will not contribute major changes in value of RSSI. In fact, for neighbors in close proximity, little variation is expected in the value of PLE, n. For example, let n = 2.8 and d = 2000 [ m ] between a known MS and TS and just 3 [m] from the known MS and the neighbor MS.

Then the ratio

or -92.428 (d B) or -62.42 (dBm) for the known MS, and the other MS from the TS with d = 2003 [m] and - = Q = which is -62.447 (dBm). Beyond 20 [m], we have 62.55 (dBm) for d=2020 [m] or 62.306

(dBm) at 1980 [m]. The ICR can be considered to be within 20 [m] from the MS.

Claims

Claims:

1. A neighbor identity register apparatus in a communications network that constructs and stores a database table wherein the database table consists of;

a first column for listing a mobile subscriber identity number of a certain mobile node;

a second column for listing a network identity number that serves the mobile node;

a third column for listing a switch identity number that manages operations of the mobile node;

a fourth column for listing a controller identity number controls the mobile node;

a fifth column for listing a transceiver station identity that monitors a plurality of mobile nodes;

and a sixth column for listing neighbor distance information of a plurality of neighboring mobile nodes monitored by the transceiver station, where neighbor distance information determines how close mobile nodes are in close proximity among one another.

2. The neighbor identity register apparatus of claim 1 computes a plurality of distance information between a transceiver station and mobile nodes and among mobile nodes that the transceiver station serves.

3. A method of identifying all mobile nodes in the neighborhood of a known mobile node from a database table in a network identity register, wherein the known mobile node is served by a transceiver station and distance information between the known mobile node and the transceiver station is used to identify other mobile nodes in the vicinity of the known mobile node;

wherein the database table consists of;

a first column for listing a mobile subscriber identity number for the known mobile node;

a fourth column for listing a controller identity number that controls the mobile node;

a fifth column for listing a transceiver station identity that monitors a plurality of mobile nodes; and a sixth column for listing distance information of a plurality of mobile nodes monitored by the transceiver station.

4. The method according to claim 3 wherein the distance information between the known mobile node and the transceiver station is computed based on known methods by using received signal strength levels or cluster identity information.

5. The method according to claim 3 wherein neighborhood distance information between the known mobile node and the other mobile nodes is determined to be a few meters or less than a meter from the known mobile node, which determines the size of the neighborhood or incident cell radius.

6. The method according to claim 3 and claim 5 wherein the neighborhood distance information between the known mobile node and the other mobile nodes is used to identify all mobile nodes in the neighborhood of a known mobile node.

7. The method according to claim 3 wherein all other mobile nodes are identified as those nodes whose mobile subscriber identity number in the first column of the database table have distance information in column six that is equal to the neighborhood distance information.

8. The method according to claim 3 wherein the distance information between the known mobile node and the transceiver station and neighborhood distance information between the known mobile node and the other mobile nodes is computed automatically when the known mobile node switches off abruptly according to a software controller in the mobile node.

9. The method according to claim 3 wherein the distance information between the known mobile node and the transceiver station and neighborhood distance information between the known mobile node and the other mobile nodes is computed automatically when the distance information is commanded by an operator of the network service by logging into the neighbor identity register.

10. The method according to claim 3 wherein the distance information between the known mobile node and the transceiver station and neighborhood distance information between the known mobile node and the other mobile nodes is computed automatically when a user sends a command from the mobile node.

11. The method according to claim 3 wherein distance information in column six is computed as a ratio of transmitted power from a certain transceiver station and received power from a certain mobile node and recorded together with the time of incident and the neighbor identity numbers.