Method for providing alternative network-associated service address mobile registration
A method provides for utilizing a packet-switched network to support services provisioned to mobile station subscribers. Address information is exchanged with a mobile switching center that services the subscriber so as to be able to identify data port addresses to be utilized to support the services via transmissions over a packet-switched network.
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/330,272 filed 11 Jun. 1999, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Application Ser. No. 09/330,272 claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 60/113,928 filed 24 Dec. 1998 entitled “Method For Providing IP-Associated Mobile Registration”, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for permitting a mobile device to register for services. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for shifting communication service registration from a dedicated signaling network to a general purpose data network.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONWireless services have become more and more popular. Such wireless services provide subscribers with mobility while still maintaining the ability to communicate either by voice or by data with others. As the number of wireless subscribers has increased, there has been a strain placed both on the communication networks themselves as well as the signaling networks which have been utilized for call setup, call control, and mobility management, such as the SS7 signaling network. As more sophisticated services have developed for the mobile subscriber, these services have grown to rely heavily upon available SS7 signaling network bandwidth. The combination of this increase of services and an increase in subscriber base threatens to place undue strain on the signaling system (SS7) network.
Another element in the system is a Message Center (MC) 60. Such a Message Center, typically employed in wireless systems which provide a service known as Short Messaging Service (SMS) to subscribers, contains text messages which are to be provided to mobile stations. The messages typically are transported from MC 60 to the appropriate MSC via the SS7 network and are subsequently forwarded to the intended recipient mobile station MS.
Another element shown in the system is the Wireless Gateway Manager (WGM) 70 which can couple a plurality of wireless office systems (WOS) 71, 72 and 73 to the STP via, for example, a frame relay network 75. As is shown in the figure, at least one of the wireless office systems may include a voice mail system (VM) 76.
In the system of
The present invention provides a method by which certain functionality that supports services to be offered to wireless subscribers is off-loaded from the signaling system network and is instead provided by an alternative network. The present invention accomplishes this method, in part, by utilizing communication between a service node (e.g., MSC) and a service control point (SCP) (e.g., HLR).
For purposes of the present invention, an alternative network encompasses both connection oriented and connectionless (e.g., packet) networks. In addition a connection oriented network may include both circuit and packet (e.g., ATM) switching.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the registration process by which a S-MSC notifies the subscriber's HLR includes a transfer of information sufficient to enable subsequent data communication via a packet network (e.g., Internet Protocol (IP) network). For example, the S-MSC may notify the HLR of a packet network address at which it can be contacted to provide a given service to the mobile station in question. Alternatively, the HLR can advise the S-MSC of a packet network address which it can utilize to provide a given service to be made available to the mobile station subscriber.
In this arrangement, data communications necessary to support providing of the services provided to wireless subscribers is carried in a network separate from the signaling network normally utilized for call control and call management.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In accordance with the present invention, data transfers to be used to support services for a wireless subscriber can be shifted from the SS7 network to a alternative network, including, but not limited to, connection oriented networks and connectionless networks. For example, at registration time the S-MSC and the subscriber's HLR can exchange sufficient information so as to enable service support information to be transferred to and from the S-MSC via an alternative network such as a packet network (e.g., the Internet). In such a circumstance, the S-MSC can then provide the HLR with one or more packet network addresses that will support various services available to the mobile stations registered with that S-MSC. Alternatively, the HLR can forward packet network address information with regard to those system elements which will support services to be provided to the S-MSC and on to the mobile subscriber registered therewith.
The illustrative embodiments below speak in terms of an IP network, however it should be understood that any alternative network could be used. The illustrative embodiments below also speak in terms of a HLR, however it should be understood that any SCP could be used, including, but not limited to a HLR, an Authentication Center (AC), a VM, a Digit Translation Application (DTA), or a MC. In addition, the illustrative embodiments below speak in terms of a S-MSC, however, it should be understood that any service node could be used.
In the embodiment that has just been described, the HLR can signal the voice mail system via the SS7 network. To further reduce the load on the SS7 network, it is possible that the HLR will maintain information in its subscriber profile regarding the IP address of the VM 760. Since this information is not likely to change often, it can be utilized frequently without needing to transfer information to the VM via SS7. Therefore, the method described above could be modified such that the address update is transmitted to the VM at its IP address which has been stored in the HLR.
Also shown in
Furthermore variations on the S-MSC/HLR exchange are considered as well. For instance, the S-MSC could send a list of services (list X), the list including service identifiers and an IP address for each service which may or may not be unique to a given service. The services need not be limited to data services, but can relate to voice services as well. Alternatively the HLR could send a list of services (list Y), including service identifiers and an IP address for each service which may or may not be unique to a given service. The services identified in the lists may or may not overlap. Also the lists may be dynamic, that is, subject to change. In another variation the S-MSC and HLR can exchange list X and list Y.
After the REGNOT/ACCEPT exchange, the use of the service/address pairs can vary, as follows. Referring to the first exchange, where the S-MSC sends list X, the HLR might store the Service List for its own sole use. That is, as information intended for an MS reaches the HLR (by conventional or IP associated mechanisms), the HLR would use the alternate means afforded by the service/address pair to convey information to the S-MSC and, therefore, to the MS. Alternatively, the HLR might forward some of the service/address pairs to the node(s) associated with the indicated service. In these cases when the node receiving the new address information has new data for an MS, it would communicate with S-MSC directly and not via the HLR.
Referring to the second exchange, where the HLR sends list Y, the HLR is providing S-MSC with current service/address pairs for static or quasi static node addresses stored at the HLR. The transfer of these service/address pairs to the S-MSC would typically be based on the HLR having prior knowledge of the S-MSC's transport capabilities. Note that the information in “Service List Y” is conveyed as part of the REGNOT/ACCEPT exchange but service/address pairs exchanged in this direction need not be limited to a registration sequence. For example, events external to the S-MSC and the HLR might occur that would cause a service node to convey to the HLR a new service/address pair for a MS. The HLR would convey this to the S-MSC independent of registration sequences—so that the S-MSC has the correct current address for the associated service.
While the invention has been described with regard to a voice mail service, it is equally applicable to other services available to the mobile station subscriber. For example, the SMS information can be transferred from the message center to the serving MSC via the IP network as is suggested by the connections shown in
While the present invention is described with respect to specific embodiments, these embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A method comprising:
- responsive to a registration of a mobile station of a subscriber to wireless services, sending an IP network address to a subscriber service node that provides a subscriber service, wherein the IP network address is capable of receiving information to support providing of the subscriber service to the mobile station; and
- processing information sent by the subscriber service node and received at the IP network address, to support providing of the subscriber service to the mobile station.
2. A method comprising:
- contacting a network node pursuant to the providing of a subscriber service to a mobile station of a subscriber to wireless services;
- receiving from the network node an IP network address capable of supporting the subscriber service; and
- using the IP network address to support providing the subscriber service to the mobile station.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the network node is a home location register.
4. A method comprising:
- from a first network node, contacting a second network node pursuant to the providing of a subscriber service to a mobile station of a subscriber to wireless services; and
- sending the second network node an IP network address identifying for the second network node a location to find services supported by the first network node.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first network node is a mobile switching center.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the second network node is a home location register.
7. A network device configured to:
- responsive to a registration of a mobile station of a subscriber to wireless services, send an IP network address to a subscriber service node that provides a subscriber service, wherein the IP network address is capable of receiving information to support providing of the subscriber service to the mobile station; and
- process information sent by the subscriber service node and received at the IP network address, to support providing of the subscriber service to the mobile station.
8. A network device configured to:
- contact a network node pursuant to the providing of a subscriber service to a mobile station of a subscriber to wireless services;
- receive from the network node an IP network address capable of supporting the subscriber service; and
- use the IP network address to support providing the subscriber service to the mobile station.
9. The network device of claim 8, wherein the network node is an HLR.
10. A network device configured to:
- contact a network node pursuant to the providing of a subscriber service to a mobile station of a subscriber to wireless services; and
- send the network node an IP network address identifying for the network node a location to find services supported by the network device.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 7, 2004
Publication Date: Jan 6, 2005
Inventor: Richard Zaffino (Kirkland, WA)
Application Number: 10/884,986