Internet communications between wireless base stations and service nodes

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-1 INTERNET COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN WIRELESS BASE STATIONS AND SERVICE NODES

DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is related to the field of communications, and specifically, to the use of the Internet network for communications between wireless base stations and service nodes, such as mobile switching centers.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE

For wireless communications, end users use wireless communication devices that exchange user communications with a base station, in a wireless communication format. The base station then exchanges user communications in a non-wireless format, with a serving node, such as a mobile switching center. The service node processes user communications to provide a communication service, such as telephony or Internet access.

Unfortunately, Time Division Multiplex (TDM) connections, such as DS1 or DS3 connections, are commonly used to exchange user communications between the base station and the serving node. DS1 and DS3 are relatively expensive. These TDMs are not only expensive connections, they can take too long to establish. In a given area, there may not be a robust set of competing service providers providing DS3 or DS1 connections, which usually results in poor service. Also, in some areas these TDM connections may not even be available.

The demand for wireless communications is increasing with respect to coverage and capacity. New data applications, such as web browsing and music downloads, have become popular features for wireless communication devices. New data applications typically have an asymmetric traffic pattern, in which more bandwidth is used from the serving node to the base station, than

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-2from the base station to the service node. For example, an end-user request to download a song typically uses much less bandwidth than the bandwidth used to actually download the song to the end user.

Internet access has become relatively low-cost and ubiquitous. Many service providers compete to provide low-cost Internet access to numerous, wide-ranging service areas. Examples of Internet access technologies include an asymmetric digital subscriber line, DOCSIS, IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.16, and broadband over power line.

Unfortunately, this ubiquitous and low-cost Internet access has not been effectively implemented to exchange user communications between base stations and service nodes.

Document EP 0 917 320 B describes a communication system to allow a wireless end roaming system to communicate with a remote service provider over the Internet network.

Document US 2001/0 044 305 describes methods and apparatus for managing mobility in wireless Internet protocol networks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a communication system is disclosed comprising: a service node configured to communicate over the Internet network; a base station configured to exchange user communications with wireless communication devices in a wireless format, and exchange user communications with the serving node; the serving node, being configured to exchange user communications with the base station, and process user communications to provide a communication service to the wireless communication devices; the communication system characterized by: the base station, configured to establish Internet connectivity over a communication connection to the Internet network; register the base station with the service node over the communication connection and the Internet, establish a tunnel with the service node over the communication connection and the Internet, exchange user communications with the service node over the tunnel ; and wherein the serving node is configured to validate the base station during registration,

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-3 establish the tunnel with the base station on the communication connection of the Internet network, and exchange user communications with a base station on the tunnel.

In some examples of the invention, the communication connection is asymmetric to provide more bandwidth from the serving node to the base station than from the base station to the serving node.

In some examples of the invention, the communication connection comprises an Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) connection, a DOCSIS connection, an 802.11 connection, an 802.16 connection, or a broadband connection over a telephone line. power supply (BPL, Broadband over Power Line).

In some examples of the invention, the base station is omni-directional and has no sectors.

In some examples of the invention, the base station has a maximum capacity of 20 simultaneous wireless communication devices.

In some examples of the invention, the base station has a maximum of three RF receive channels and three RF transmit channels.

In some examples of the invention, the base station is configured to establish Internet connectivity by registering with an Internet service provider.

In some examples of the invention, the base station is configured to establish Internet connectivity, register with the serving node, and establish the tunnel based on a predetermined schedule, and to break Internet connectivity, unregister with the service node. service node, and break the tunnel based on the predetermined schedule.

In some examples of the invention, the base station is configured to establish Internet connectivity, register with the serving node, and establish the tunnel in response to end-user activity, and to break Internet connectivity, unregister with the service node, and breaking the tunnel based on an absence of end-user activity.

In some examples of the invention, the base station is portable.

In some examples of the invention, the service node comprises a

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-4 mobile switching center.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of operating a communication system is disclosed, the method comprising: exchanging user communications between a base station and wireless communication devices, in a wireless format; exchanging user communications between the base station and a serving node, wherein the serving node is configured to communicate over the Internet; and processing user communications at the serving node, to provide a communication service to the wireless communication devices; the method characterized by: establishing Internet connectivity between a base station and the Internet network, over a communication connection; registering the base station with the service node over the communication connection and the Internet network, to validate the base station; establishing a tunnel between the base station and the service node over the communication connection and the Internet network; and exchanging user communications between the base station and the serving node over the tunnel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The same reference number represents the same item in all the drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates the communication system

100 in an example of the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates the communication system

200 in an example of the invention.

Figure 3 illustrates the communication system

300 in an example of the invention.

Figure 4 illustrates the communication system

300 in an example of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following description and associated figures describe specific examples, to show those skilled in the art how to make and use the best mode of the invention. In order to show the inventive principles, some conventional aspects have been simplified or omitted. Those skilled in the art will appreciate variations on these examples, which fall within the scope of the

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-5invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the features described below can be combined in various ways to form multiple variations of the invention. As a result, the invention is not limited to the specific examples described below, but only by the claims and their equivalents.

Example 1

Figure 1 illustrates communication system 100 in an example of the invention. Communication system 100 includes base stations 101-103, Internet interfaces 104-106, and service node 107. Base station 101 establishes Internet connectivity over communication connection 114 to Internet interface 104. In some variations, the Internet interface 104 represents an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and the base station 101 establishes connectivity to the Internet by registering with the ISP over the communication connection 114. The Internet interface 104 and the service node 107 is configured to communicate over the Internet. Therefore, the base station 101 and the serving node 107 can communicate with each other over the communication connection 114 and the Internet network.

In some variations, the communication connection 114 is asymmetric to provide more bandwidth from the serving node 107 to the base station than from the base station 101 to the serving node 107. An asymmetric communication connection is especially suitable for applications. data, such as Internet browsing or music downloads, where there is more traffic from service node 107 to base station 101, than from base station 101 to service node 107. The communication connection 114 could be an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) connection, a DOCSIS connection, an 802.11 connection (Wi-Fi), an 802.16 connection (Wi-Max), a broadband connection over power line (BPL), or some other form of Internet access connection.

Base station 101 registers with service node 107 over communication connection 114 and the Internet. During registration, service node 107 validates base station 101. Validation includes determining that the entity seeking to register is who it claims to be, and that the entity has the right to register. In some variations, base station 101 and service node 107 are

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-6 programmed, each with a secret username and access code for base station 101. The service node 107 validates the base station 101 by obtaining the username and the secret access code from the base station 101 during registration, and then verifying the user name and the secret access code in a validation database. to ensure that the username and secret access code are associated with the base station 101, and that the base station 101 has the right to register. Service node 107 will deny service to base station 101 if validation fails.

The base station 101 and the service node 107 establish a communication tunnel with each other, over the communication connection 114 and the Internet network. Typically, the tunnel would be a secure Internet Protocol (IP) tunnel. Security would be provided by encryption or some other means. Base station 101 and service node 107 could include conventional Internet utilities, such as Internet ports, firewalls, and Internet access software.

The base station 101 comprises an antenna, and exchanges user communications in a wireless format with wireless communication devices over wireless connections 111. The wireless format could be Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), IEEE 802.11 ( Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (Wi-Max). , free space laser, E-Band, or some other wireless communication format. Base station 101 exchanges user communications with service node 107, over the tunnel. The service node 107 processes user communications to provide a communication service to the wireless communication devices. Examples of communication services include telephony, instant messaging, push-to-talk, Internet access, video downloads, and audio downloads, although there may be alternative communication services. In some variations, the service node 107 comprises a mobile switching center.

In some variations, base station 101 and serving node 107 may not maintain permanent Internet connectivity, registration, and / or tunneling. The base station 101 and / or the service node 107 could establish and break the

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-7 Internet connectivity based on a predetermined schedule. For example, the base station could establish Internet connectivity on Monday morning at 7:00 AM and break Internet connectivity on Friday afternoon at 6:00 AM. Many and more complex schedules could be used. Similarly, base station 101 and / or service node 107 could register and unregister base station 101 based on a predetermined schedule. Base station 101 and / or service node 107 could establish and break the tunnel based on a predetermined schedule. These default times for Internet connectivity, registration, and tunneling could be the same or different. In some variations, the base station 101 and / or the serving node 107 could establish Internet connectivity, register with the serving node, and establish the tunnel based on a predetermined schedule, and then break Internet connectivity, cancel registering with the service node, and breaking the tunnel based on a predetermined schedule. Therefore, based on a predetermined schedule, the base station 101 and the service node 107 can transition between a disconnected state in which they have no interaction with each other, and a connected state in which they interact to distribute communication services to wireless communication devices.

In some variations, base station 101 could establish and break Internet connectivity based on end-user activity. For example, the base station could establish Internet connectivity in response to a service request from one of the wireless communication devices, and break Internet connectivity after a period of time elapses with no other service requests from the devices. wireless communication devices. Many more complex end-user activity-based control schemes could be used. Similarly, the base station 101 could register and unregister with a service node 107 based on end-user activity, or the base station 101 could establish and break the tunnel based on end-user activity. These end-user activity-based control systems for Internet connectivity, registration, and tunneling could be the same or different. In some variations, the base station 101 could establish Internet connectivity, register with the serving node 107, and establish the tunnel.

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-8 based on an end-user activity control scheme, and then break Internet connectivity, unregister with service node 107, and break the tunnel based on the same end-user activity control scheme. Therefore, depending on the activity of the end user, the base station 101 and the service node 107 can transition between a disconnected state in which they do not have interaction with each other, and a connected state in which they interact to distribute services of communication to wireless communication devices. Other techniques could be used to detect end-user activity, such as motion detectors, human proximity detectors, or even a simple on / off switch that end users can manually control.

A remote control system could transfer control messages to base station 101 and service node 107, to direct these systems to establish and break Internet connectivity, registration, and tunneling. Remote control could be based on a predetermined schedule, expected end-user activity, or some other factor.

In some variations, base station 101 is relatively small, allowing for relatively low bandwidth loading on communication connection 114. Base station 101 can be omnidirectional, meaning that the base station has no sectors. Base station 101 can have a maximum capacity of 20 simultaneous wireless communication devices. Base station 101 can have a maximum of three radio frequency (RF) receiver channels and three RF transmission channels.

Base stations 102 and 103 could be configured and function as described for base station 101. Base station 102 could exchange user communications with wireless communication devices over wireless communication connections 112, and exchange user communications with the service node 107 through a tunnel over communication connection 115 and the Internet. Similarly, base station 103 could exchange user communications with wireless communication devices over wireless communication connections 113, and exchange user communications with service node 107 through a tunnel over wireless communication.

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-9 communication connection 116 and the Internet network.

Note that the serving node 107 can interact with multiple base stations, as described above. The serving node can register, validate and establish tunnels to multiple base stations. Service node 107 can do this based on different schedules, end-user activity, or remote control. Therefore, the serving node 107 can support a dynamically changing mix of base stations.

Example # 2

Figure 2 illustrates communication system 200 in an example of the invention. Communication system 200 includes a base station 201, an ADSL modem 202, a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) 203, a central office 204, Internet routers 205-206, and a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 207. Base station 201 is coupled to ADSL modem 202 via communication connection 212. The ADSL modem 202 is coupled to the DSLAM 203 via the ADSL connection 213. The DSLAM 203 is coupled to the Internet router 205 via an IP connection 214, and to the central office 204 via a Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) connection. Multiplex) 217. Internet router 205 is coupled to internet router 206 over IP connection 215. Internet router 206 is coupled to MSC 207 via IP connection 216. Communication connections 211 to 217 could be conventional.

Base station 201 establishes Internet connectivity to MSC 207 over a communication connection (comprised of connections 212 through 213, modem 202, and DSLAM 216) and the Internet network (comprised of Internet routers 205 through 206, and connections 214 to 216). In some variations, the Internet router 205 represents an ISP, and the base station 201 establishes connectivity to the Internet by registering with the ISP. The MSC 207 and the DSLAM 203 are configured to communicate over the Internet network. Therefore, the base station 201 and the MSC 207 can communicate with each other over the communication connection described above and the Internet network.

Base station 201 registers with MSC 207 about the connection of

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-10communication and the Internet network. During registration, MSC 207 validates base station 201 by determining that base station 201 is in fact the entity intending to register, and that base station 201 has the right to register. MSC 207 will deny service to base station 201 if validation fails.

The base station 201 and the MSC 207 establish a communication tunnel with each other, over the communication connection and the Internet network. Typically, the tunnel would be a secure IP tunnel. Security would be provided by encryption or some other means. Base station 201 and MSC 207 could include conventional Internet utilities, such as Internet ports, firewalls, and Internet access software.

Base station 201 exchanges user communications in a wireless format, with cordless phones over wireless connections 211. The wireless format could be CDMA, GSM, Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, free space laser, or some other wireless communication format. . Base station 201 exchanges user communications with MSC 207 over the tunnel. The MSC 207 processes user communications to provide a communication service to wireless phones. Examples of communication services include telephony, instant messaging, push-to-talk, Internet access, video downloads, and audio downloads, although there may be alternative communication services.

In some variations, base station 201 may not maintain permanent Internet connectivity, registration, and / or tunneling with MSC 207. Base station 201 and / or MSC 207 could establish and break Internet connectivity based on a schedule. predetermined. Similarly, base station 201 and / or MSC 207 could register and unregister base station 201 based on a predetermined schedule. Base station 201 and / or MSC 207 could establish and break the tunnel based on a predetermined schedule. These default times for Internet connectivity, registration, and tunneling could be the same or different. In some variations, base station 201 and / or MSC 207 could establish Internet connectivity, registration, and establish tunnel based on a predetermined schedule, and then break Internet connectivity, unregister, and break tunnel. based on the predetermined schedule. Therefore, based on a predetermined schedule, the base station 201 and the MSC

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-11207 can transition between a disconnected state in which they have no interaction with each other, and a connected state in which they interact to distribute communication services to wireless telephones.

In some variations, base station 201 could establish and break Internet connectivity based on end-user activity. Similarly, base station 201 could register and unregister with MSC 207 based on end-user activity, or base station 201 could establish and break the tunnel based on end-user activity. These end-user activity-based monitoring systems for Internet connectivity, registration, and tunneling could be the same or different. In some variations, base station 101 could establish Internet connectivity, register with MSC 207, and establish tunnel based on an end-user activity control scheme, and then break Internet connectivity, unregister with the service node, and break the tunnel based on the same end-user activity control scheme. Depending on the activity of the end user, the base station 201 and MSC 207 can transition between a disconnected state in which they have no interaction with each other, and a connected state in which they interact to distribute communication services to the wireless telephones. Other techniques could be used to detect end-user activity, such as motion detectors, human proximity detectors, or even a simple on / off switch that can be manually controlled by the end user.

A remote control system could transfer control messages to base station 201 and MSC 207, to direct these systems to establish and break Internet connectivity, registration and tunneling. Remote control could be based on a predetermined schedule, expected end-user activity, or some other factor.

The MSC 207 can interact with multiple additional base stations (not shown), similarly. Therefore, the MSC 207 can register, validate, and establish tunnels to multiple base stations. The MSC 207 can do this based on different schedules, end-user activity, or remote control. Therefore, the MSC 207 can support a dynamically changing mix of base stations.

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-12 In some variations, base station 201 is relatively small, allowing for relatively low bandwidth loading on ADSL connection 213. Base station 201 can be omnidirectional, meaning that the base station has no sectors. Base station 201 can have a maximum capacity of 20 simultaneous wireless communication devices. Base station 201 can have a maximum of three radio frequency (RF) receiver channels and three RF transmission channels.

Example # 3

Figures 3-4 illustrate communication system 300 in an example of the invention. Communication system 300 includes base station 301, Internet interfaces 302-303, and service node 304. Internet interfaces 302-303 and service node 304 communicate over the Internet network. In position A, base station 301 establishes Internet connectivity with Internet interface 302 over a communication connection 312. Base station 301 registers with service node 304 over communication connection 312 and the Internet. During registration, the service node 304 validates the base station 301. The base station 301 and the service node 304 establish a communication tunnel with each other, over the communication connection 312 and the Internet network. Base station 301 exchanges user communications over a wireless format, with wireless communication devices over wireless connections 311. Base station 301 and service node 304 exchange user communications over the tunnel. The service node 304 processes user communications to provide a communication service to the wireless communication devices. In some variations, the service node 304 comprises an MSC.

Referring to Figure 4, the base station has moved from position A to position B, as indicated by the broken lines. In position B, base station 301 establishes Internet connectivity with Internet interface 303 over communication connection 314. Base station 301 registers with service node 304 over communication connection 314 and the Internet network . During registration, service node 304 re-validates base station 301. Base station 301 and service node 304 establish a new communication tunnel with each other, over communication connection 314 and the Internet network. The

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Base station 301 exchanges user communications over a wireless format, with wireless communication devices over wireless connections 313. Base station 301 and service node 304 exchange user communications over the tunnel. The service node 304 processes user communications to provide a communication service to the wireless communication devices. Note that the variations and characteristics described above for examples # 1 and # 2 may also apply to example # 3.

Base station 301 could be scrolled multiple times if necessary. At each new location, base station 301 would establish new Internet connectivity, re-register with service node 304, and establish a new tunnel to service node 304. Therefore, the base station 301 could move to an area where wireless communication services are temporarily required, and when such demand disappears, the base station 301 could move to a new area with a new demand for wireless communication services.

For example, base station 301 could travel to an NFL football stadium on a Sunday morning, to provide added coverage or wireless communications capability during the football game that day. On Monday, base station 301 could move to a convention center to provide coverage or added wireless communications capacity during a conference that week.

To facilitate such movement, base station 301 could be relatively small, and could be configured in a portable package. In the context of the invention, portable means that a person can physically transport the base station from one location to another, and immediately turn on and off the power, communication, and control connections.

Advantage

Communication systems 100 to 700 provide the following advantages (although not all examples of the invention may provide these advantages). The cost and troublesome delay of using DS1 or DS3 connections to communicate between base stations and serving nodes are avoided by using Internet access technology and the Internet network. Connectivity and access to

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-14Internet is lower cost and more ubiquitous than DS1 or DS3 connections.

The lower cost and ubiquity of Internet access allows base stations to be located in more areas to serve a growing demand. Additionally, portable base stations can be rapidly deployed and moved around 5 to service areas that require additional capacity or coverage for a temporary amount of time.