Message transmission to groups of receivers involves temporarily storing data transmission(s) sent to group for complete or partial call-up by receivers for transmission

The invention relates to a method for transmission of so-called. Group messages (multicast messages), and a mobile telecommunications network and a multicast device (MCC) to support or implement the method.

Many offered in modern telecommunications systems, services and applications, it is desirable not only messages to a participating telecommunication device of this network, but to two or more participants to transmit simultaneously (multicasting). Examples of such services and applications are particular news groups, video conferencing, video-on-demand, or distributed applications.

from document <patcit><text>WO 99/63773 A1</text></patcit> is eg. a distribution device (Packet Handler) known distributes the messages to multiple users of a group, for which purpose each individual links between the members of a group and the distribution device (Packet Handler) are furnished.

The Internet multicast transmissions are also known. Here, a corresponding group message will be sent to a server, without the data sender must know which devices are connected to this server (see eg. B. Document<patcit><text>WO 01/45310 A1</text></patcit>).

For example, in mobile networks, however, a high degree of flexibility to demand as mobile telecommunication devices partially switched off or out of reach or the user wants to use this only at certain times or situations. It is also possible that mobile subscribers reside example abroad and therefore a data transmission would be associated with increased costs.

The invention is based on the problem, a flexible way of using group messages to develop.

The invention solves this problem by a method having the features of claim 1 and by a mobile telecommunication network with the features of claim 21 and a computer program product with the features of claim 23. With regard to advantageous developments, reference is made to the claims 2 to 20, 22 and 24th

The inventive process, the establishment of a multicast message service also for example in a mobile network with the specific prevailing conditions is possible. Thus, for example a network subscriber who is abroad, to make the selection, download the group message only after returning to its own network. Likewise, can also be switched to any request of a mobile subscriber such a request a delayed transmission.

Especially when switching on a participating mobile telecommunications device can automatically generate a query to send a status report of all currently available group messages, to allow using this status report the user to select the desired still news.

If the deferred retransmission of unsent done as a single transmission to each requestor, the rest of the operation of multicast messages is not affected. The retransmission of unsent may be connected to a separate cost imposition on the this service inquirers. In development of the invention can be pre-notified to the inquirers, what costs it has to be expected for this service.

Particularly advantageously be selected whether the entire data contained in the group message should be nachübertragen or whether, for example, the receiving telecommunication device first turn in an ongoing transmission of a group message and will get about thereafter replenished the missed the start of this group message.

Furthermore, can be specified by an inventively formed multicast Center as a central management unit, a time frame for the storage of received group messages are within which the news yet for staggered Nachempfang available. Thus a too large load of space is prevented.

Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from a illustrated in the drawing and described below embodiment of the subject invention.

In the drawings:

<figref idrefs="S20">1</figref> a schematic illustration of participating in the data transfer within the group messaging components

<figref idrefs="S21">2</figref> a schematic diagram of the steps involved in requesting a Nachübermittlung a group message with individual list of all this data exchanged broadcasts.

In the embodiment the application of the invention to a data transmission is in a &lt;?page 3?&gt;Mobile Network NT shown. In such mobile networks NT, the z. B. to the transmission standard UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System), GSM (Global system for mobile communication), GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) or EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM enviroments) work is allows the realization shown the transmission of group messages, the implementation of new services in the mobile environment, such as news groups, video conferencing, video-on-demand, or distributed applications. Transmission of audio and video messages is possible.

When transmitting a series message to multiple subscribers, it is possible to allow each participant with a copy of the message to be transmitted in a single compound. For large groups of users, however, this process is too expensive since the same message must be transmitted (with N = number of recipients unicast Verbidungen) over N individual connections but sent several times over common connection paths then what a very high bandwidth demands.

In contrast, a multicast method is applied according to the invention: The different participating (about subscribers), combined mobile telecommunication devices (T1 ... TN), where the same message is to be transmitted to a common multicast group XY. This group XY is only a total of an address, the so-called. Multicast address assigned. The respective data sender needs then to have no information on which and how many recipients to hide behind this group address. The sender needs to know only the address to be notified multicast group XY and send data to be transmitted in a single data transmission once to this multicast address.

The mobile telecommunications network TN according to the invention comprises, among other more mobile telecommunication devices T1, T2, TN, a central management unit for the multicast service, multicast center MCC, and at least one central storage unit SE. Instead of a single central memory unit SE, the subdivision into a plurality of decentralized storage units is possible. The memory unit SE can be an integral part of the multicast center MCC or at a separate network component.

Furthermore, two different types of nodes from the network NT (GPRS Support Knodes: GSN) contain the data switching: firstly, several regional nodes SGSN (Serving GSN) which, in each case with a particular spatial subset of mobile telecommunication devices T1 ... TN the so-called SGSN Area, manage. The SGSN keeps track of the whereabouts of the mobile telecommunication devices T1 ... TN, performs security functions and access controls and provides the interface to another node, the GGSN (Gateway GSN). This made possible by routing information, so information regarding the selection of the transmission paths, and information about accessible mobile telecommunication devices T1 ... TN the connection between the mobile network NT, which operates for example according to the UMTS standard, and a packet data network, which formed as a hard-wired network can be. For example, this is the Internet into account, as in<figref idrefs="S20">1</figref> is shown. This data transfer is in progress over a designated Gi interface, which is a fixed connection, and connects the gateway GSN having about a server of the Internet.

Both node types, ie, the SGSN and the GGSN, Home Location Register HLR, via respective data transmission paths (interfaces) Gc and Gr are connected to a database, the so-called. Connected. These interfaces can also be hard wired connections and used solely for internal information transfer, not to line data of the group message. The HLR database from which multiple can be achieved - depending on the function of the capacity and organization of the network - is a total for the management of mobile telecommunications devices T1 ... TN, or about the participating mobiles, permanently installed telephones in vehicles, laptops and the like, responsible. The SGSN can check for user-specific information from the HLR, z. B. for authenticating a mobile telecommunication device T4 for a user. The SGSN is generally responsible for establishing the connection between a mobile telecommunication device T1 ... TN and a data network such as the Internet, which sends the group message as a data packet.

Several units of the radio network NT can connect to the node SGSN. These units are referred to as Radio Network Subsystem (RNS) referred to, and include respective fixed transmitting stations Node B, which are configured as antennas, transmission towers or the like in known manner.

To control the transmission units each Node B of said units RNS is assigned a controller RNC (Radio Network Controller). This is connected through the data communication path (Interface) Iu to the node SGSN.

On the other hand the radio network controller via a number of fixed connections Iub with the transmitting stations Node B of its range is connected &lt;?page 4?&gt;and, the resources of the air interface Uu, which are used by the Node B in the connection with the mobile telecommunications devices, control.

In function of the components set forth, for example, when delivering a data packet from the Internet is first sent it to the GGSN, which will prompt the competent SGSN from HLR. The GGSN then informs the SGSN that data for the corresponding mobile telecommunication device T1, T2, or any other available. The node SGSN then initiates the connection between the requested subscriber T1, T2 ... and the external network.

In <figref idrefs="S20">1</figref> is not drawn in the additional component of a multicast center MCC as well as the central storage unit SE. Their function is based on<figref idrefs="S21">2</figref> the example of the transmission of a teaching unit (Teleteaching) to an exemplary selected mobile telecommunication device T4 explained: Members of a group XY, who have registered for the transfer, as subscribers or individual notifications for specific events, are registered in node SGSN as members of each group XY, so here exemplified in addition to other mobile telecommunications device T4.

When the user of this telecommunication device from a corresponding database, the device turns on T4 T4 during an ongoing transmission of a multicast message (MC message A), for example, because he gets into a car and activates their mobile phone there, done as a message <figref>1</figref> the transfer of an application from the device T4 to the service node SGSN. In this first of a check routine is performed, whether the notified unit T4 is a member of the group XY. Possibly this query an external database is required, which is then automatically carried out by the SGSN.

with message <figref>2</figref> asks the service node SGSN to the multicast center MCC whether any multicast messages for retrieval are (MC-Msg. Available Indication). The MCC responds with message<figref>3</figref> (MC-Msg. Available Response).

with message <figref>4</figref> informed the MCC, the mobile telecommunications device T4 on the status of all available group messages about how to <figref idrefs="S21">2</figref> shown, such that a first message is being transmitted A and three other group messages (MC-Messages) B, C and F are still available. This information is still available messages is only possible because the above-mentioned memory unit SE is part of the network NT and already fully or partially transferred set messages can be stored for later interrogation there.

In the next step can be taken by the user of the device T4 selection of which he wishes to receive said messages A, B, C, F. Shown is the selection of already partially transmitted message group A, in this case the corresponding teleteaching Lesson. A selection list of all waiting messages can this indicated by a corresponding menu in the mobile telecommunications device T4 and be made thereto in the usual way a selection.

It is understood that instead of the full retransmission of unsent also a latch in the ongoing transmission of the group message A is possible. However, often, as in a teaching unit, the transmission of a data set A, whose beginning has been missed, is not satisfactory.

With the Muticast Retransmission Message <figref>5</figref> then the user of the listed here teledevices T4 send his selection made to the SGSN. In the illustrated embodiment, the selection refers to the MC message A that is already partially transferred whose beginning was so missed, because, for example, the telecommunications device T4 is turned on a few minutes after the start of transmission. The Multicast Retransmission Message<figref>5</figref> contains all the information necessary to conduct the Nachübermittlung to the correct addressee, ie, in particular the identity of the subscriber device T4 and an identification of the record A.

The SGSN then outputs the message <figref>6</figref> (Activate MC Retransmission) to request the forwarding of the identified message A to the user identified T4 to the MCC on.

From there, in the database, which includes the storage SE, with message <figref>7</figref> the full transfer of Module A, so from the beginning, requested.

With the news <figref>8th</figref> the module A is completely transferred from the memory SE to the MCC.

Subsequently, between the MCC and the SGSN a so-called. Core Network Bearer (CN Bearer) constructed as a transmission path constituting the exchange of data between said network components MCC and SGSN.

Similarly, an lu bearer is established between the SGSN and the telecommunication device T4, which is the connection between these components.

With the news <figref>9</figref> first the SGSN from the MCC informed that the MC message is ready to transmit what the SGSN with the news <figref>10</figref> is acknowledged.

The SGSN then transmits to the telecommunication device T4, the message <figref>11</figref> (Request MC Context Activation) to activate the connection. With the news<figref>12</figref> carried out the corresponding reaction of the telecommunication device T4.

By then the following message <figref>13</figref> is each specific to the to be addressed Telecommunications Equipment - here T4 - the mentioned support for the connection, the lu bearer between the SGSN and the RNC, in the region of which the telecommunication device T4 is constructed and the message <figref>14</figref> acknowledges receipt.

The then exchanged messages <figref>15</figref> and <figref>16</figref> build between the SGSN and the MCC there on the above-mentioned CN Bearer. In the news<figref>17</figref> the MC context is accepted, so that subsequently the actual retransmission of unsent of the data set A can be carried to the telecommunications device T4. This transfer is no group message, but a single transmission to a customer. According may be encumbered with additional costs such subrequirement.

For the transfer of partially missed dataset A this is the message <figref>18</figref> the MCC on the CN-bearer to the SGSN and the message <figref>19</figref> subsequently transmitted via the lu bearer to the telecommunications device T4, which is then achieved overall that this data set A from its original release receives deferred basis as group message. It does not matter if the original sending a group message is still running or has been completed. A Parallel shipping the group message and one or more individual consignments is possible.

The respective telecommunication device T1 ... TN may include a hardware-or especially in software and on the already existing keyboard-to-use switches or the like input means in order to realize the display of missed group messages and Nachanforderung under any reimbursement. The cost can be paid also, for example, with the membership of the group XY. It is also possible to determine, depending on the type of forwarding (retransmission), if costs are due, for example, only for picture or audio data, but not for text messages. So is about conceivable that a redirection of traffic data that one receives when the ride starts, is free of charge or paid with membership in a traffic club.

To avoid having to invest too much memory in the SE, it is possible that the group messages are kept until the expiry of a maximum period of time and are available.

The redirection (retransmission) of MC messages is managed more than a computer program, which is part of the invention and the necessary exchange of said messages includes control routines.

This is the first time a total of a mobile network NT formed in which is given the opportunity to be able to still receive group messages within a multicast services if the initial transmission was missed. Decisive for this is the presence of a memory possibility SE.