Method for dynamically providing a terminal connected to a public communication network, with services offered by a private telecommunication network

Translation of description of equivalent WO 03107645 A2

METHOD FOR PROVIDING DYNAMIC OF A TERMINAL CONNECTED TO A NETWORK OF PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS, SERVICES OFFERED BY A PRIVATE COMMUNICATION NETWORK

The invention relates to the field of communications between terminals within networks, especially the provision of services offered by private networks at terminals connected to a public communications network.

Many networks of private communications, for example, PABX (for "Private Automatic Branch Exchange") offer services to communication terminals attached to it. These services may be cited call forwarding, access to directories or databases, storing messages, conference or voice notes or writing block. These services are of course available to terminals when they are directly connected to their private network connection. But when these devices are removed from the private network, it can access some of their services that provided such private attached networks are connected to a public network via a communications server, as a gateway (or "gateway"), subject to special arrangements. A first development is to assign some terminal keyboard key functions corresponding to particular services. Pressing one of these buttons causes the transmission, to the gateway, a preprogrammed data sequence of DTMF (for "Dual Tone MultiFrequency") on a transmission channel of the public network, dedicated to the exchange of voice data. Therefore, when a user has established a voice connection with another terminal and wishes to access a service, you must first pause its bond and establish a connection with the server to put said Service available and finally restore the original connection with the other terminal. Furthermore, it prohibited to offer dynamically to the user for a voice connection with another user of services adapted to certain events that may occur during a call, such as an incoming call priority, a text message to display current call or application for entry into conference. In addition, only services associated with pre-programmed functions can be made available to users of the terminals. This arrangement therefore has a "static" character poorly suited to the requirements of real-time processing. A second development, described in EP patent application

1 107523, first is to establish, in a transmission channel of the public network, dedicated to signaling, a connection between a terminal wishing to access services of its private connection and gateway connected to the private network, and to transmit to the calling terminal, the gateway, a language WML page (for "Word Markup language") to offer its users a number of services. Once the user has made his choice, the terminal address to the gateway command in WML, and after specific treatment type conversion data exchange protocol formats, the terminal can access the selected service. The user to make his choice in a predefined list of services, it is not possible to offer dynamically to the user for a voice connection with another user of services adapted to certain events that may occur during communication . This arrangement therefore has, also, a "static" character poorly suited to the requirements of real-time processing.

The invention therefore aims to remedy all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks.

It proposes for this purpose a communication server located between one or more first communications networks (public (s) and or private (s)) and a second private communications network that can offer a multitude of services at terminals, said server being arranged to establish connections, according to a selected protocol (such as WAP (for "Wireless Application protocol"), with communication terminals, such as mobile phones, connected to one of the first networks and arranged for simultaneously exchanging signaling data on a first transmission channel and voice data over a second transmission channel. This server, which is for example an access gateway is characterized in that it comprises control means able to transmit to a terminal connected to the first network in a first channel and a function of a selected criterion, configuration data (eg constituting a script or "applet") designed to enable the terminal to establish a connection with the server in the first channel, even though he has established a voice connection in a second channel, so as to make available to the user during the voice connection, at least some of the services offered by the second network to which it is attached. The invention thus allows to enjoy the architecture of some communications networks, such as GPRS and UMTS, in which the signaling data and data content or data "media", including voice, follow different transmission channels .

Preferably, the control means is arranged to transmit configuration data to a terminal when it has previously established a connection with the server using a selected primary identifier, such as a dedicated telephone number. In this case, the establishment of the prior bond is the chosen criterion.

Also preferably, the control means may be arranged to perform an identification procedure prior to transmitting said configuration data. In this case, is provided in the server memory storing secondary identifiers, such as the user ID or IMSI (for "International Mobile Station Identity"), stored in the SIM card from the terminal, and means control is arranged to transmit to the terminal identification data for, when implanted in the terminal to automatically transmit to the server at least the secondary identifier stored in the terminal and then to compare this received secondary identifier to identifiers stored in the memory, so that in case of identity they convey appropriate configuration data to the terminal. Securing Data can also be sent to the terminal by means of control, after sending the configuration data.

Still preferably, the configuration data can be arranged, when activated by the user, to ask it to provide at least one tertiary identifier, such as a password or user name, to transmit to the control means, always on the first channel, a terminal registration request comprising at least the tertiary identifier provided by the user (and optionally the security data). In this case, it is advantageous to store in the memory of the primary identifiers server in correspondence with at least one tertiary identifier (and optionally the security data), so that receipt of a registration request the control means can first go to the configuration data, implanted in the terminal, a request asking them to transmit at least the primary identifier associated with the terminal, and then compare this primary identifier and the tertiary identifier received the credentials stored in the memory, so as to allow or deny registration based on the result of the comparison.

Also preferably, the configuration data may be arranged, as soon as the terminal receives a paging message from the first network and preferably when the terminal has been registered, so as to extract from this message to transmit certain information to the means of control by the first channel. In this case, upon receipt of the extracted information, the control means can apply a function processing their content and then transmitted to the terminal, still in the first channel, a message selected according to the treatment applied and the information received and optionally comprising information to be displayed on the terminal screen.

Similarly, preferably after the registration of the terminal, the configuration data may be arranged to inhibit access to the first network when the user tries to call a remote terminal, then pass to means of control in the first channel, information including at least the primary identifier (or phone number) of the remote terminal. In this case, upon receipt of the extracted information, the control means may apply a treatment based on their content, and then transmitted to the terminal, still in the first channel, a message selected according to the treatment applied and the information received and having at least one permission or prohibition to place the call and possibly information to be displayed on the terminal screen, so that at reception this message configuration data désinhibent access to the first network to establish the call, or prohibiting the call.

The invention also relates to a provision method of terminals connected to a first communications network and capable of simultaneously exchanging signaling data on a first transmission channel and voice data over a second transmission channel, services offered by a second private communications network via a communications server and according to a selected protocol.

This method comprises transmitting by the server to a terminal connected to the first network in a first channel and a function of a selected criterion, configuration data (for example constituting a script or "applet") for establishing this server with a connection in the first channel, during a voice connection on a second channel, so as to make available to the terminal during the voice connection, at least some of the services offered by the second network to which it is attached. The method of the invention may include many additional features that can be taken separately and / or in combination, in particular:

- Can transmit the configuration data to a terminal after the latter has established a connection with the server using a primary identifier selected. In this case, the establishment of this connection is the chosen criterion;

- Can perform an identification procedure prior to the transmission of configuration data. In this case, it is preferable to previously store secondary identifiers in a memory of the server, so that one can first transmit the identification data of the terminal that, once implanted in the terminal, enable the transmission Automatic server to at least one secondary identifier stored in the terminal, and then comparing this secondary identifier to identifiers stored in memory, and, in cases of identity, appropriate configuration data should be transmitted to the terminal;

- We can also go to the terminal, by the server, the security of data after the configuration data have been supplied;

- The configuration data can be arranged, when activated by the terminal user, asking the user to provide at least one tertiary identifier, and to transmit to the server in the first channel, a request for record with at least the tertiary identifier. In this case, it is best stored in server memory primary identifiers in correspondence with at least one tertiary identifier. Thus, upon receipt of a registration request, it makes contact to the configuration data, by the server, a transmission request at least the primary identifier associated with the terminal, and comparing in the server the primary identifier and the tertiary identifier received the credentials stored in its memory, so as to allow or deny registration based on the result of the comparison; - The configuration data can be arranged, upon receipt of a call message from the first network, and preferably after the terminal has been registered, to extract certain information from this message and transmit them to the server in the first channel. Thus, on receipt of information processing function can be applied to their content, and then transmitted to the terminal in the first channel, a message selected depending on the treatment applied and the information received, and possibly information for display on the terminal screen;

- The configuration data can be arranged, when the terminal tries to call a remote terminal, and preferably after the terminal has been registered, to inhibit access to the first network and transmitted to the server in the first channel information including the less secondary identifier of the remote terminal. Thus, on receipt of information, we can apply a function processing of their content, then transmitted to the terminal in the first channel, a message selected function applied treatment and information received and having at least an authorization or a ban to call and possibly information to be displayed on the screen of the terminal, so upon receipt of this message the configuration data désinhibent access to the first network for the establishment of the call or deny the appeal.

The invention also relates to a communications system comprising at least a first communications network connected to at least one second private communications network via a communications server of the type described above.

The invention can be implemented in the first public communications networks selected from PSTN, PLMN and Internet (IP), especially in public networks of mobile communications equipment chosen from GSM, GPRS and UMTS and in the second private networks selected from PABX and private communication gateways (better known by the English expression

"Residential Gateway") that can implement fixed access, and wireless such as WLAN, Bluetooth and UMTS. Moreover, the invention applies particularly to links between a first network and a server, which is done by the WAP protocol or SIP in various formats such as XML, WML, HTML, or WTAI proprietary formats. Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below and the attached drawings, in which: - Figure 1 schematically illustrates an example of installation of the invention,

- Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the links between the main functional modules of the installation of communications terminal of Figure 1. These figures are, essentially, of a certain character. Consequently, they may not only serve to complete the invention, but also contribute to its definition, if appropriate.

The installation shown in Figure 1 comprises firstly a first public communications network (PLMN), belonging to a first mobile operator and connected to a service server 1, a second public communications network (PSTN), belonging to a second telephone operator and connected to the main network PLMN and audit service server 1, a third public network of the Internet type, also connected to the main network PLMN and the service server 1, and a private network RP connected by a walkway to the service server 2 1.

In this example the first and second public networks PLMN type respectively (for "Public Land Mobile Network"), such as GSM and PSTN-type (for "Public Switched Telephony Network"). Moreover, the private network is for example PABX (for "Private Automatic Branch Exchange"), possibly wireless (if it uses the DECT standard). But of course the invention is not limited to only these types of networks, or the number of selected networks. To implement the invention, the installation must indeed have at least one private network offering specific services to these users and a public communications network with a multiplicity of base stations 3 transmission / reception, also called Node-B in the case of a UMTS network or BTS in the case of a GSM network (GPRS), with which communication terminal 4 can exchange simultaneously according to a selected protocol, signaling data a first transmission channel and voice data over a second transmission channel.

4 communications terminals are eg fixed or mobile phones, (micro-) computer, desktop or laptop, or personal digital assistants (PDA), which are associated primary identifiers such as phone numbers or addresses or other unique identifier to establish a connection with them. These terminals 4 belong to users who are connected to the private network RP. These users are, for example employees of a company. Primary identifiers of terminals 4 are therefore known to the private network RP. Specifically, the gateway 2 comprises a first memory 5 which stores the primary identifiers of the user terminals allowed to benefit from the services offered by the private network RP.

In what follows, it is considered as an example, first, that the PLMN is GPRS, and secondly, that the selected exchange protocol is WAP (for "Wireless Application Protocol "). But, of course, other types of public networks can be envisaged, such as UMTS networks, and other protocols may be envisaged, such as SI P. Moreover, it is considered as an example that terminal 4 are mobile phones (or mobile). This network protocol is well known to the skilled person, they will not be described here in detail. However, to facilitate understanding of the following is shown in Figure 2 the links between the main functional modules of a mobile phone 4 operates according to the WAP protocol. The acronym refers MMI man-machine interface (or "Man-

Machine Interface ").

The acronym WAE-UA means the user of the wireless application environment officer (or "Wireless Application Environment User-Agent").

The user agent is a circuit or software for interpreting resources, such as WML or WMLScript. It may include a text or voice browser, or a search engine.

The acronym refers to the WTA-UA user agent of the wireless telephony application (or "Wireless Telephony Application User-Agent"). The user agent is an extension of WAE-UA, capable of interfacing the phone 4 with network services that interact with components of the architecture supporting the WTA services.

The acronym refers to the WTA WTAI interface (or "Wireless Telephony Application Interface").

The acronym refers to the public interface PWTAI WTA (or "Public Wireless Telephony Application Interface").

The acronym REP means the archive memory (or "Repositoiγ"). This memory (permanent) includes the resources (data Items identifiable network or services by a URL) collected in the transmission channels.

The acronym DSF designates the module features specific to phone 4 (or "Device-Specific Features"). The acronym NL means the network layer (or "Network Layer").

The components or modules designated by the acronyms WAE-AU WTA-UA, PWTA, WTAI, REP, DSF and NL are the communications management means Terminal 4.

The WTA-UA user agent is able to extract such data EPR memory and WTAI interface ensures that WTA-UA can interact with the functions of the mobile network (such as the establishment of a call ) and the specific characteristics of the mobile phone 4 (such as the use of the address book).

Furthermore, the WTA user agent UA receives network events that may be related to its contents, allowing to implement dynamic telephony applications. These network events result from actions taken by services that work within the WTA-UA user agent. Telephony events initiated outside the cell phone 4 is also transmitted to the WTA-UA user agent. This is particularly the case of text messages from the network and which are not directed to another user agent (such as events on the SIM card).

The WEA-UA user agent withdraws his information as external WAP servers, such as server 1, and only access the features offered by public libraries WTAI (such as the investment function a call).

Details on these different elements or modules features can be found at "www.wapforum.org".

The object of the invention is to allow mobile phones to access 4 dynamically to the services offered by their private network connection RP, when connected to a public network, such as the PLMN.

To do this, there is provided in the gateway 2, the private network RP, a control module 6 connected to a second memory 7 in which are stored the configuration data arranged preferably in the form of scripts (or applets) to the WTA format. WTA these scripts are designed to take control of the mobile phones 4, once implanted therein so as to be able to exchange signaling data with the gateway 2 via a first transmission channel (or traffic channel). The control module 6 is also coupled to the first memory 5 in which is stored a table of correspondence between the primary identifiers of mobile phones authorized to access the services of the private network RP and associated secondary identifiers, which will be discussed further. This control module 6 may be constructed as electronic circuits, software modules (or computer), or a combination of circuits and software.

As indicated above, the gateway 2 is arranged to establish connections with the various networks, and particularly to exchange data in the signaling channel. Moreover, this gateway 2 is associated with a primary identifier (or address), such as a URL (for "Uniform Resource Locator") that allows another server or mobile phone 4 to establish a connection with it. According to the invention, when the user of a mobile phone 4, attached to the private network RP, would benefit, for the first time, the services offered by the network, it provides phone 4 the gateway URL 2 so that it establishes therewith a bond. Once the link is established, the 6 control module of the gateway 2 transmits to the mobile phone 4 via the signaling channel an indication of the script to run, previously stored in the terminal or sent, preferably a first script WTA (or data configuration) for automatically extracting the telephone 4 one or two secondary identifiers. This first WTA script is stored in a device memory area controlled by the WTA-UA user agent.

Preferably, a first secondary identifier is the user identification number (or IMSI) stored in the SIM card 8, while a second secondary identifier is the identification number phone (or IMEI for "International Mobility Equipment Identity") stored in the terminal.

After the extract (s) identifier (s) secondaire (s), the WTA-UA user agent transmits all or part of this information to the gateway 2 via the signaling channel. Upon receipt of these secondary identifiers, the control module 6 compares the identifiers stored in the lookup table of the first memory 5. In case of identity with the identifiers stored in correspondence of the primary identifier of the phone 4, the module control excerpt from the second memory 7 second WTA script or second identification script, previously stored in the terminal, and transmits it to the WTA-UA user agent phone 4 via the signaling channel. If this second WTA script is submitted, it is then stored in the TAD memory (repository) communications management means 9. Preferably, the control module 6 then transmits to the WTA-UA user agent Phone 4 via the signaling channel, a security information, such as calculated authentication key. This information will later be used in the control module 6 of the gateway 2 to know the connection status, including in the absence of active exchange in the GPRS transmission channels.

Armed with these scripts WTA and security information, phone 4 is then able to automatically access the services offered by his RP home network via the gateway 2. This accession may be automatic. However, for security reasons, it is possible that each time the user wishes to use, it makes registration with the 6 control module.

To do this, the user must first enable the stored WTA script. Said script, then preferentially request the user to provide a tertiary identifier, such as a password and / or user name, and then transmits this identifier to 6 tertiary control module, via the signaling channel . In this case, it also stores the tertiary identifiers in the table of the first memory 5, in correspondence of primary and secondary identifiers. The script sets then a connection to the gateway 2 via the signaling channel to transmit the secondary identifiers it (s) and tertiary, and possibly information security (which have evolved simultaneously in the phone 4 in the gateway 2 in view of exchanges between the gateway and the phone).

Upon receipt of these secondary identifiers (s) and tertiary control module 6 checks in the first memory 5 if match those stored in correspondence of the primary identifier of the phone 4. If this is the case, the procedure Registration ends and the phone 4 may at any time use the services offered by the private network RP. In other words, the script installed in the telephone 4 can now establish the gateway 2 with a connection in the signaling channel, even though the phone has established a voice connection in the transmission channel dedicated to the exchange of data voice. Each time the script will liaise with the gateway 2, it can control the menus and the display of information on the phone screen 4 before or during communication over the voice channel, and offer the user adapted services in the circumstances, for example, storing messages, access to directories, access to voice notepads or written the conference call, call screening, the transfer of call, broadcast call, etc.

This is all the more interesting that the phone has a system of "free hand" and / or an independent operating company of voice processing. When the user no longer wishes to have the services, he only has to turn off the script, which transmits the control module 6 a message asking him to cancel the registration of the telephone 4.

WTA script can act at any time, once the terminal has been registered. It may especially be consecutively to a user action, such as when he wishes to establish a connection to a remote terminal (or server) manually or by voice (without lifting). It can also act following an action PLMN which is connected to the portable terminal 4, for eg in case of incoming call or conference or request further arrival of a short message SMS (for "Short Message Service"). It can also act following an action of the gateway 2, such as for information, or when location request, or when sending mini text message, or when an event reminder. It can even act on its own, such as to request parameters, or perform tests or time delays.

The following describes, more in detail, two examples of intervention of a WTA script. In these examples, it is considered that the terminal 4 has been previously registered with the gateway 2, and that it comprises the WTA script is enabled. But, as indicated above, this registration procedure is not mandatory.

A first example concerns the outgoing calls of the portable terminal 4 with a WTA script. The user refers firstly to its terminal 4 primary identifier of the remote terminal with which it wants to establish a communication (or connection, or session). This can be done by voice command or by selecting a name in an address book or by dialing a number using the keypad (or MMI). The primary identifier reaches the WTA-UA user agent and therefore the WTA script, which inhibits access to the PLMN and then transmits the control module 6 of the gateway 2 via the signaling channel, a message information with at least the primary identifier designating the remote terminal that the user wants to call. This message may also include a request for the establishment of the call by the private network RP, for example to benefit from a special rate or communicate information specific to the business, such as the presentation of the name.

Upon receipt of the information message, the control module 6 can apply processing to the data it contains. It can include whether the call is connected to the private network RP (local call) or if this is not the case (external call). It may also decide to authorize or prohibit the requested call, for example because of the type of the called terminal. It can also perform necessary operations to support the call by the private network RP such as the recall of Terminal 4 of the caller and the call of the called terminal and the establishment of the connection between these two terminals. It can also place information in an information statement (or "call log"), such as the called number, the time of the call, the call duration, and the like. After the treatment, the control module 6 generates a message to the mobile terminal 4, function processing applied and the information received, and having at least permission or prohibition to place the call. This message, which circulates in the signaling channel may also include information to be displayed on the terminal screen 4 of the caller and / or called, such as the number of the called or the state of the called terminal (available or busy). Upon receipt of this message, and when the call is not performed by the gateway 2, the WTA-UA user agent communicates to the WTA script which, after consultation and / or used EPR memory, the inhibitions access to the PLMN for establishing the call, or forbidden this appeal and possibly initiates a procedure for displaying information on the screen of the terminal 4.

A second example relates to incoming calls in the portable terminal 4 with a WTA script via the PLMN. As soon as the WTA-UA user receives the call message agent, it sends the WTA script which retrieves information, such as the primary identifier of the caller terminal to transmit as a message the control module 6 via the first channel. Upon receipt of the extracted information, the control module 6 may apply a treatment. It can include whether the caller is connected to the private network RP (local call) or if this is not the case (external call). It can also filter, such as deciding whether to allow or prohibit the requested call. It can also place information in an information statement (or "call log"), such as the called number, the time of the call, the call duration, and the like.

After the treatment, the control module 6 generates a message to the mobile terminal 4, depending on the treatment applied and the information received, and possibly having information to be displayed on the terminal screen 4 of the call, such as the caller's number and / or name, or a statement of membership or not the private network, or the characteristics of the ringing tone. Upon receipt of this message, the WTA-UA user agent communicates to the WTA script which, after consultation and / or used EPR memory, establishes the call, or prohibited, and possibly initiates a procedure displaying information on the terminal screen 4.

Thanks to the invention it is also possible to dynamically implement other functions. Indeed, the WTA script exchanging data with the gateway 2 via the signaling channel, the user can at the same time, communicate with a remote terminal via the voice channel. The control module 6 can therefore at any time propose to the user on the screen of his terminal 4, and through the WTA script, actions or menus tailored to events that may occur during communication. As non-limiting examples, it may include proposing to Terminal 4 priority incoming call, a text message to be displayed during a call, a conference entrance application, access to private databases, the access to directories of the private network, an incoming call forwarding, storing messages, access to a voice note pad or in writing, and the like.

The invention therefore allows to adapt dynamically, depending on the situation, the functions offered to a user, in particular through control of information displayed on the screen of his terminal, before and during a call. The invention also provides a method for making available 4 terminals connected to a first communications network (PLMN) and capable of simultaneously exchanging signaling data and voice respectively on the signaling channel and voice channel to services a second private communications network (RP) via a communications server 2 and according to a protocol selected.

It can be implemented with the device described hereinabove. The functions and sub-functions main and optional of the steps of the method being substantially identical to those provided by the various means constituting the installation, will be only summarized below steps implementing the main functions of the method according to the invention.

This method comprises transmitting by the server 2 to a terminal 4 connected to the first PLMN, in a first channel and a function of a selected criterion, configuration data (constituting for example a script or "applet") for to establish with the server 2, a connection in the first channel, during a voice connection on a second channel, so as to make available to the terminal 4, while the voice connection, at least some of the services offered by the second network RP which it is attached.

It can be provided to perform the transmission of configuration data to the terminal 4 after it has established a connection with the server 2 with a primary identifier selected. We can provide an identification procedure before performing the procedure of transfer of configuration data.

There may be a terminal registration procedure 4 to the server 2 via the first signaling channel, prior to the services of the private network RP provision to said terminal. The invention is not limited to the method embodiments, server and system described above, only as examples, but encompasses all the variants that may be envisaged by the art in the context of the claims below.

Thus, in the above was referred to the exchanges between bonds between a first network and a server according to the WAP protocol, but the invention also applies to SIP and more generally the exchange between public networks and private network nodes. Similarly, in terms of transport one can use a WLAN type wireless or Bluetooth network.