Methods and systems for monitoring a mobile station presence in a special area.

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METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A PRESENCE OF A MOBILE STATION IN A SPECIAL AREA

DESCRIPTION

5 This invention relates to a method of controlling a mobile station presence in a special area. This invention also relates to a mobile system and a mobile station suitable for carrying out such a method.

Prior art

The development of short-range wireless communication solutions based on the use of Bluetooth, DECT and WIFI in a small area such as in homes is a strong competition for mobile operators who own large mobile networks. A mobile telephone network (also called a mobile network) includes a large number of base stations and all the data processing means required to provide the service of

fifteen telecommunication to each mobile station served by said mobile network.

These short-range wireless communication solutions can provide direct connection to fixed networks whose operators offer cheaper rates than those offered by mobile networks. Therefore, it may be of interest to mobile network operators to offer different rates depending on the instantaneous location of a mobile station connected to their mobile network, particularly in areas, called special areas, where it might face strong competition from some solutions. Short range wireless communication.

Published patent application No. US20020094801 describes a technical solution: a fixed station sends a first coded signal and the coverage of said first signal defines a special area. The fixed station and a

25 Mobile station using the special area are linked to each other using the signal code. But this document does not disclose anything about the content of said encoded signal. To perform protection against abuse of the system, in one embodiment, this document proposes to provide the fixed station with reception and comparison means for an access code that has to be applied to the fixed station by the mobile station to put the fixed station into operation. .

International application WO 00/27152 offers another solution for locating a mobile station based on the use of a guide unit that broadcasts a short-range radio signal that defines a domestic area. This document discloses that the short-range radio signal contains the identity code of said mobile station that has to identify its own identity code to notify a mobile switching center that it is

35 located in your domestic area. This mobile station then transmits a domestic message to the mobile network, possibly using this particular domestic message to define the price / service related to telephone calls. In this last technical solution, the guide unit has to know the identity of the mobile station and the latter solution is considered to be used for a special domestic area.

However, this last technical solution does not allow the mobile network to add one or more special areas to a mobile station in which the presence of a mobile station is controlled without having to modify at least one or more diffusions of guide units that they spread in such areas. It therefore lacks flexibility.

Document US6334052 B1 discloses a method for using subscription-based information in a system of

Four. Five mobile telecommunications to control idle mode operations of a mobile station. Cell-related information is disseminated from the cells. The mobile station then uses the information related to the received cell to determine if any given cell is part of a predefined service area that is reserved for use by only certain subscribers for the exclusion of other subscribers. The cell related information can be a cell identifier. The mobile terminal makes its determination by accessing a memory such as a Subscriber Information Module (SIM). The SIM can store information that identifies preferred cells so that the mobile station is put on hold during idle mode.

Disclosure of the invention

55 An object of the invention is therefore to provide a method for controlling the presence of a mobile station in at least one special area, said method providing the flexibility to the mobile telephone network of associating new special areas for this mobile station in a manner. safe without modifying any radio transmission device.

This object is achieved according to claim 1 by providing a method for controlling the presence of a mobile station in at least one special area associated with the mobile station.

Advantageously from the operator's point of view, the invention provides the flexibility necessary to activate a special way of operating a mobile station in a special area by transmitting check data that will be stored in a mobile station database without having to modify, by means of

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introduce any new data (in particular the identity code of said mobile station), at least one radio communication definition device as in the aforementioned international patent application WO 00/27152. Therefore, a radio communication definition device is not required to store all identity codes of mobile stations using the special area defined by at least coverage

5 of your signal or definition signals.

In accordance with the present invention, a special area associated with a mobile station can be defined by a

or more definition signals. Therefore, the check data may preferably contain information included in each definition signal that completely defines a special area (each partially defines it) and the mobile station attempts to find any of this information in any definition signal received with comparison means. . The mobile station can receive definition signals that do not define any special area for it. In the case where the special area is defined by two or more definition signals, this special area may be the intersection of all or part of them or of the overall coverage of the definition signals.

fifteen In addition, a method according to the invention is especially suitable for use in environments such as airports, business facilities or business centers where the number of different mobile stations to be served by the mobile telephone network would be high. With the solution of the international patent application WO 00/27152 mentioned above, it would be necessary to store and transmit in and from a single radio communication definition device all the mobile station identity codes of the potential mobile stations using an area special defined in such an environment, an operation that would be difficult or even impossible considering that the radio spectrum is a limited resource. Therefore, application WO 00/27152 has a narrower geographic range of usability. It is also not required, thanks to the invention, to send any activation code to activate a radio communication definition device and it is not required to store all the activation codes of the mobile stations in the radio communication definition device, as in

25 an embodiment of published patent application No. US20020094801. Therefore, with this present invention it is easier to perform protection against abuse of the system.

The special operating means may be included at least partially in the data processing means of the mobile telephone network. All of them or part of them may be owned or operated by an external provider of the mobile telephone network.

In a particular embodiment, the special area is deactivated for the mobile station by the mobile telephone network by sending a deactivation signal to the mobile station so that the mobile station stops recognizing a definition signal that defines that special area as a distinctive area .

35 In a particular embodiment, the special operating means recognize the reception of the update signal and transmit a recognition signal to the mobile station. In this embodiment, the mobile station advantageously knows whether the mobile telephone network received the update signal or not.

In a particular embodiment, at least one radio communication definition device is a wireless device whose distinctive radio definition signal defining the special area is a distinctive wireless signal transmitted by the wireless device in a frequency range outside the range of assigned frequency for the mobile telephone network. Preferably, said distinctive wireless signal contains identification data of the wireless device and reliable information confirming that the wireless device is effectively located

Four. Five In a default environment. The operator of the mobile telephone network advantageously avoids fraud linked to a possible movement of the wireless device. The verification data associated with this wireless device includes this identification data of the wireless device.

In another particular embodiment, at least one radio communication definition device is a base station whose distinctive radio definition signal defining the special area is a distinctive signal comprising a special mobile telephone network identification code, the data Checks associated with this base station include this special mobile phone network identification code.

In another particular embodiment, at least one radio communication definition device is a base station.

55 whose distinctive radio definition signal defining the special area is a distinctive base station identity signal comprising a base station identification code, the verification data associated with this base station includes this base station identification code. The mobile telephone network operator controls and knows the location of all base stations that disseminate identification codes contained in the mobile station database and therefore advantageously controls the location of the special area.

In one embodiment of this invention, the special operating means stores a database of parameters that link the special area to the mobile station and a set of at least the operating parameter; and the special operating means adapt the value of at least one operating parameter of this set when they receive an update signal signaling that the mobile station leaves or enters the special area. 65 Thanks to this embodiment of the invention, the processing of these operating parameters is centralized in the

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Special operating means and is not done at each base station. In the event that the mobile station is turned off, the mobile network operator will decide whether the values ​​of the operating parameters associated with the presence of the mobile station in the areas of special operation remain or not remain unchanged or deactivated in the database which contains the set of operating parameters as a result of the shutdown process.

5 In a particular embodiment, the operational parameter is a rate or service enabler that activates or deactivates a special rate or service for the mobile station. Advantageously, the operator's service offer may therefore be dependent on the location of the mobile station.

In a particular embodiment, the update signal includes a request to access a service or multimedia content and the mobile telephone network routes this request to a part of the special operating means that allows or prohibits the provision of this service or content. multimedia depending on whether or not the mobile station is in the special area. This part of the special operating means may be operated by the mobile phone network operator or by a different provider.

fifteen In a particular embodiment, the transmission of test data to the mobile station is done by the mobile telephone network or by a signal from at least one radio device or by a person entering the test data into the mobile station.

In accordance with the present invention, a mobile system for controlling the presence of a mobile station according to claim 11 is further provided.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the mobile system comprises special area location control means for controlling the correct location of at least a part of the special area. It's harder then

25 make fraud by moving the radio communication definition device. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the mobile system carries out a method according to the present invention to obtain reliable information indicating whether said wireless device is located or not in a predetermined environment.

This invention also relates to a mobile station, according to claim 13.

Brief description of the drawings

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the following detailed description of some possible embodiments, each description being made with reference to the following drawings:

35 Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a mobile system according to the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of a mobile system according to the invention; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of a mobile system according to the invention; Figure 4 is a flow chart that partially illustrates an embodiment of a method according to the invention; Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating another part of an embodiment of a method according to the

Four. Five invention; Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a part of a database of operating parameters in an embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a part of another database of operating parameters in an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description

A mobile telephone network includes a large number of base stations and all the data processing means required to provide the telecommunication service to each mobile station served by the telephone network.

55 telephony. The mobile telephone network can be cellular or not.

In this description and in the claims, it is assumed, in the case that the mobile telephone network is cellular, that each base station of the cellular mobile telephone network is associated with a single cell. Therefore, some base stations of the cellular mobile network can be located in the same location and share technical means. For example, a tower can incorporate three sets of antennas, each set being part of a different base station of the same mobile network.

Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3 are three schematic figures describing three particular embodiments of mobile systems according to the invention.

65 Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the invention in which:

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- any station 107 or 105 base of an operator's mobile telephone network is a radio communication definition device that transmits a radio definition signal on a channel used by the mobile telephone network,

5 -the distinctive radio definition signal defining the special area is a distinctive signal transmitted by some selected base stations 105, said distinctive signal comprises a special mobile telephone network identification code. The sum of the coverage of these selected base stations 105 defines a special area (the shaded area of ​​Figure 1).

- the verification data includes this special mobile telephone network identification code.

More precisely, Figure 1 shows a geographical area 102 covered by the mobile telephone network. The radio coverage of the mobile telephone network in this geographical area 102 is the addition of the radio coverage 104 and 106 of several base stations 105 and 107. The mobile telephone network includes data processing means comprising a data server. according to the invention which includes special operating means according to

fifteen the invention.

Each base station is transmitting network data, including a telephone network identification code, which allows a mobile station 100 in geographic area 102 to select the appropriate mobile telephone network.

The mobile telephone network operator defines a special mobile telephone network identification code, called IC2 (in another embodiment, the operator can create more than one special mobile telephone network identification code) different from an identification code. of a normal mobile telephone network, called IC1. The operator then configures his mobile telephone network in such a way that some base stations 107 (in general most of them) transmit a radio definition signal comprising the identification code

25 of the normal mobile telephone network and the selected base stations 105 (generally a minority of them) transmits a distinctive definition signal comprising a special mobile telephone network identification code.

The check data (ie IC2) is stored in an internal mobile station database included in the storage means of the mobile station 100, this mobile station 100 being associated with this special area. The same verification data is sent to any mobile station whose presence in this special area is monitored.

The mobile station 100 contains observation means and processing means to determine that the

35 Distinctive definition signal transmitted by any base station 105. These processing means include means for using the test data that include, in this embodiment, comparison means. Thanks to these means of comparison, the mobile telephone network identification codes received by the mobile station are compared with the IC2 stored in the internal mobile station database: if the mobile station is in a position such as position (a ) in Figure 1, that is within the special area, the received mobile telephone network identification code is equal to IC2 and therefore the mobile station 100 determines that it is in the special area. Otherwise, if the mobile station 100 is in the position as the position (b) in Figure 1, that is, outside the special area, the mobile station 100 receives a definition signal containing IC1 different from IC2 and determines that It is not receiving any distinctive definition signal and therefore it is not in the special area.

Four. Five For example, if the mobile station 100 is a GSM mobile station operating in a GSM mobile telephone network, the mobile station 100 has the ability to store the identification codes of mobile telephone networks received in a mobile station memory 100. In that case, the mobile station 100 can access such internal memory to obtain data to determine, together with the test data (ie IC2), whether or not it is receiving any distinctive definition signal.

With the exception of the processes with respect to the invention, a special mobile telephone network identification code (IC2) is equivalent, from the perspective of both the mobile station and the mobile telephone network, to a network identification code of normal mobile telephony (IC1). In this context, processes such as network selection, selection / reselection of base stations and handover will not be influenced since some

55 Base stations transmit IC1 and some others transmit IC2, meaning such a lack of influence that all mobile stations and mobile phone network processes (except processes with respect to the invention) will be handled as if IC1 and IC2 were the same code.

For example, a mobile telephone network operator may use this embodiment of the invention to offer a set of normal charging rates in an urban environment of a country, and another set of special charging rates for a rural environment. Another example of the application of this embodiment of the invention is for a mobile phone network operator to offer normal charging rates for the entire country except in industrial areas or business districts.

65 Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of another embodiment of a mobile system according

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with the invention in which the radio communication definition device is a wireless device (212 or 212b), for example a WIFI, Bluetooth or DECT device, the distinctive radio definition signal defining the special area is a wireless signal 214 or 214b distinctive (for example, WIFI, Bluetooth or DECT signal) transmitted by the wireless device (212 or 212b) in a frequency range outside the frequency range assigned to the network

5 of mobile telephony. A mobile station 200 whose presence in the special area is monitored includes observation means and processing means to determine whether or not to receive any definition signal in the frequency range used by the wireless device.

Each distinctive wireless signal contains wireless device identification data and reliable information confirming that your wireless transmission device (212 or 212b in Figure 2) is effectively located in a predetermined environment. The test data comprises a set of at least one wireless device identification data.

The default environment can be one or more specific geographic locations (for example several points

fifteen fixed in a restaurant) or a physical environment that can be mobile (for example a car, a plane or a boat). The default environment is defined by the operator of the mobile telephone network.

Distinctive wireless signals are preferably encoded and the mobile station processing means includes decoding means for decoding the received wireless signals.

The mobile system comprises special area location control means to control the correct location of any wireless device that can transmit a distinctive wireless signal in this predetermined environment and therefore to control at least a part of the special area.

25 In a particular embodiment of the special area location control means, the reliable information included in the wireless signal confirms that the wireless device is effectively located in a predetermined geographic environment defined by the operator of the mobile telephone network when:

-the wireless device can receive an RBU signal from at least one radio broadcast unit (RBU) -RBU identification data is included in the RBU signal, -the wireless device receives, through the RBU signal from the RBU, the RBU identification data

which are included in an RBU identification database of the wireless device.

The storage of the RBU identification data in the RBU identification data database of the

35 Wireless device can be done in the wireless device configuration stage. In the particular example of Figure 2 and the wireless device 212, the RBU is a base station 205 of the mobile telephone network, the RBU identification data is a base station identification code. The wireless device 212 is authenticated in the mobile telephone network comprising the base station 205 and can receive the signal 220 from the base station when it is located in the coverage range 204 of the base station 205.

In a second embodiment of the special area location control means, the reliable information contained in the wireless signal confirms that the wireless device is effectively located in a predetermined geographic environment defined by the operator of the mobile telephone network when it is physically connected to any fixed network connection point defined by the operator of the mobile telephone network for the area

Four. Five special and is also authenticated in said fixed network through any of the aforementioned fixed network connection points. In this embodiment, the wireless device also comprises means for communicating with the fixed network. In a particular example of this embodiment, some parameters are stored in the wireless device during its configuration stage and such parameters are used by the wireless device to perform said authentication process in the fixed network.

These connection points can be, for example, PSTN connectors ('Public Switched Telephone Network') for ADSL network services or electrical outlets for PLC home network services ('Power Line Communication'). In the particular example of Figure 2 and of the wireless device 212b, the wireless device 212b has to be connected to a connection point 230 of a fixed network and authenticated in this fixed network so that the

55 Reliable information in wireless signal 214b confirms that the wireless device is effectively located in a predetermined geographic environment.

In a third example of an embodiment of the special area location control means (not illustrated in Figure 2), the reliable information included in the wireless signal confirms that the wireless device is effectively located in a predetermined physical environment defined by the mobile phone network operator when:

-the wireless device is physically connected to a system registered and authorized by the mobile telephone network operator for the purposes of the invention and 65 -the wireless device is authenticated in the mentioned system.

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In a particular example of this embodiment some parameters are stored in the wireless device during its configuration stage and such parameters are used by the wireless device to perform the authentication process referred to in the system. This system may, in one example, be embedded in a mobile device such

5 Like a car or a boat.

More precisely, Figure 2 shows a geographic area 202 covered by an operator's mobile telephone network, the radio coverage of the mobile telephone network in this geographic area 202 being the addition of the radio coverage of several base stations 205 and 207. The mobile telephone network includes a server in accordance with

10 the invention comprising means of special operation. In this embodiment, a wireless device 212 is located in an agreed geographical environment between the operator and the user, such as for example near the user's home or near their workplace. The wireless device 212b is located in a geographical environment, such as for example the user's home, or in a physical environment, which can be mobile, such as the user's car, such environments being agreed between the operator and the user. .

fifteen The test data associated with a special area is stored in an internal mobile station database included in a memory (storage media) of a mobile station 200 associated with this special area.

twenty The processing means comprised in the mobile station 200 compare any wireless device identification data received with the test data stored in its internal mobile station database and determine that a received wireless signal is a distinctive wireless signal when:

- such a wireless signal is encoded in a predefined format for a distinctive wireless signal and

25 -the wireless device identification data included in the wireless signal is equal to at least one of the wireless device identification data stored in the internal mobile station database and -the reliable information included in the wireless signal confirms that the Wireless device is effectively located in a predetermined environment.

30 Otherwise the mobile station 200 determines that the received wireless signal is not a distinctive wireless signal.

In the embodiment illustrated by Figure 2, the sum of the coverage (203, 203b) of the wireless devices

35 212 and 212b transmitting distinctive wireless signals 214 and 214b define a special area for the mobile station 200 according to the invention.

The transmission means for sending an update signal in relation to the presence of the mobile station 200 in the special area (203, 203b) from the processing means to the special operating means

40 they are partially included in the mobile station 200 and in the mobile telephone network. The update signal may comprise the result of the last determination made by the mobile station about its presence in the special area. In another embodiment, reliable information related to whether or not the wireless device 212 or 212b is effectively located in its predetermined environment is also included in the update signal.

Four. Five In this embodiment, an operator of a mobile telephone network covering a geographical area 202 may offer cheaper rates, called special charging rates, to the user of a mobile station 200 if using his mobile station 200 in the scope of coverage 203 of the wireless device 212 (position (a) of the mobile station 200) or in the coverage range 203b of the wireless device 212b (position (b) of the mobile station 200).

fifty As an example, a mobile telephone network operator can use this embodiment of the invention to offer a set of special charging rates in the facilities associated with the user of the mobile station 200 such as houses, cars or boats, and another set of normal charging rates for the rest of the environments where the user can use mobile station 200. Another example of the application of this embodiment of the invention is for a mobile telephone network operator to offer normal charging rates for the entire country except in

55 industrial areas, airports or restaurants.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of another embodiment of a mobile system according to the invention in which the radio communication definition device is a base station, the radio definition signal defining the special area it is a distinctive base station identity signal that comprises

60 an identification code that identifies this base station, the verification data includes a set of at least one base station identification code.

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Figure 3 shows a geographical area 302 covered by an operator's mobile telephone network, the radio coverage of the mobile telephone network in this geographic area 302 being the addition of radio coverage 304 and 306 of several base stations 305 and 307. The mobile telephone network includes a server according to the invention comprising special operating means.

5 Any mobile station 300 whose presence in the special area is controlled includes observation means and processing means to observe and process the identity signal of the base station of the base stations 305 and 307 of the mobile telephone network.

The test data is stored in an internal mobile station database included in a memory (storage media) of a mobile station 300 associated with this special area.

The processing means of the mobile station 300 process the identity signals of received base stations and compare their base station identification codes with the verification data and determine

fifteen that at least one distinctive base station identification code signal (ie mobile station 300 is in position (a)) is received when any of the received base station identification codes is equal to at least one of the codes of base station identification stored in the internal mobile station database and otherwise determine that they are not receiving any distinctive base station identification code signal (i.e., the mobile station 300 is in position (b)).

For example, when a GSM mobile station is operating in a GSM mobile telephone network, the GSM 300 mobile station receives the identification code of the active base station and also the identification codes of some available neighboring base stations. The GSM mobile station 300 can therefore process the base station identification codes received to determine, together with the verification data, whether

25 You are receiving or not receiving any distinctive base station identification code signal.

The sum of the covers 304 of the base stations 305 that transmit distinctive base station identification code signals define a special area for the mobile station 300 according to the invention.

In this embodiment, an operator of a mobile telephone network covering a geographical area 302 may offer special services to the user of a mobile station 300 if he uses his mobile station 300 within the coverage range of the base stations 305.

As an example, a mobile telephone network operator may use this embodiment of the invention to offer a

35 set of normal charging rates in an urban environment of a country, and another set of special charging rates for a rural environment. Another example of the application of this embodiment of the invention is for a mobile phone network operator to offer normal charging rates for the entire country except in industrial areas or small cities.

Any combination of the embodiments of a mobile system according to the invention described herein is another embodiment at this point following a mobile system according to the invention. That combination may be the result of 'N' different distinctive definition signals, each comprising a different special mobile phone network identification code or a different wireless device identification data or a different base station identification code.

Four. Five For example, the mobile telephone network operator may then propose 'N' different sets of rates for 'N' different types of special areas for a given mobile station. In one example, an operator installs a wireless device in the user's home whose position is controlled whether or not it is within the coverage of a particular base station of the mobile network, another wireless device whose position is controlled by connecting to a network fixed in the user's holiday home and a third wireless device whose position is controlled by its connection to a system embedded in the user's car. The operator creates a special mobile telephone network identification code transmitted by all the base stations of the user's city. The operator then stores in the storage means of the user's mobile station the three identification data of wireless devices, the special mobile phone network identification code of the

55 User city and several sets of identification codes of base stations, each set being the identification set of base stations covering public places such as airports and train stations. The operator can then adapt the rates charged and the services provided to the user, depending in particular on whether his mobile station is in his city or outside, at his home, his vacation home or his car and / or in public places.

An embodiment of a method for controlling the presence of a mobile station in at least one special area according to the invention may include at least three parts:

- a first part, illustrated in Figure 4, which includes the steps necessary to transmit, store, delete and successfully maintain test data in a mobile station according to the invention,

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- a second part, illustrated in Figure 5, which includes the steps necessary for the mobile station to control its location in the special areas using the verification data that was transmitted to it and - a third part, illustrated in Figure 6 and 7, which includes the adaptation of the operational parameters depending on the presence of the mobile station in any special area where this mobile station is controlling its presence.

This embodiment of such a method according to the invention can be carried out for example using any of the embodiments of mobile systems according to the invention described above.

10 Figure 4 is a flow chart of the first part 400 of a method according to an embodiment of the invention for transmitting, storing, deleting and successfully maintaining test data in a mobile station according to the invention.

A mobile telephone network comprises in this embodiment data processing means including means of special operation; the special operating means are included in a server and therefore are advantageously centralized and not distributed between each base station of the mobile telephone network.

An operator of a mobile telephone network (that is, the company that operates this mobile telephone network), wishes to propose special charging rates and / or special services to users of its mobile telephone network, 20 each user carrying a mobile station , when said users are in the special areas of the invention.

Part 400 of this embodiment begins in step 402 when the operator wishes to control the presence of a mobile station in a special area.

25 In step 404, the operator defines a new special area if the operator wishes to create a new one. Special areas can be agreed between the operator and the user or simply defined by the operator.

The definition of the special area can be done by covering one or several radio definition signals or by intersecting the coverage of two or more radio definition signals.

30 In step 406, the operator updates a database of parameters included in the special operating means. The parameter database associates each defined special area with mobile stations whose presence in such a special area is controlled. For the purposes of such an association, each mobile station is identified in the parameter database by means of a mobile station identifier. In the parameter database,

35 Each mobile station identifier is associated with special rates and / or services that may or may not be available for the mobile station depending on the presence of such mobile station in a given special area (and also depending on whether such rates and / or services are activated or deactivated in the parameter database for such mobile station).

40 The operating parameter or parameters that can be adapted depending on the presence of the mobile station in one or more special areas at the same time may be related to enablers or deactivation of tariffs and / or services provided to the mobile station through the network of mobile telephony Therefore, the rates may be more or less expensive for said mobile station in predetermined special areas and / or the mobile station may be able or unable to use predetermined services offered by the operator of the mobile telephone network

Four. Five in predetermined special areas.

In step 408, the special operating means send check data to the mobile station.

The transmission of the test data can in particular be done:

fifty 1) sending the test data stored in a mobile phone network server to the mobile station through the mobile phone network transmission channels. In a particular example, the mobile telephone network is a GSM network and the server verification data will be sent to the mobile station via short encrypted messages using a 'Remote Management (OTA) ´' platform. Mobile station

55 You can decode the short messages and store the test data in an internal mobile station database, 2) through the use of a special mobile station software that can store the obtained test data in an internal mobile station database via the mobile station from at least one radio communication definition device. In a particular example, it may be necessary for a

60 operator representative enter a password to allow the special mobile station software to operate. The special mobile station software may ask the operator representative to validate the storage of the check data via the mobile phone keypad, 3) or through a person (for example an operator representative) who enters the check data into the mobile station using the mobile station's keyboard.

65

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In relation to the second option, two examples are provided. In a first example, the mobile station is operating in a GSM network, the mobile station obtains its cell identification code from the active cell and from other neighboring cells, if available, its cell identification codes. When the special software runs for example in the user's home, you can obtain such cell identification codes and store them

5 in the internal mobile station database of test data, associating them with the special area of ​​the user's home.

In a second example, the mobile station can obtain, using a WIFI device embedded in the mobile station, identification data of neighboring WIFI devices. When the special software is run, for example, in the user's home, it can obtain such WIFI device identification data and store it in the internal mobile station database of test data, associating them with the special area of ​​the user's home.

Once the verification data has been successfully stored in the internal mobile station database, a confirmation of new verification data is sent to the parameter database.

fifteen In addition, in particular in relation to the second and third options for transmitting test data to the mobile station, the stored test data can be sent via the mobile station to the parameter database through the mobile telephone network so that The mobile telephone network knows this verification data.

In step 410, the special operating means awaits confirmation of new test data from the mobile station. Once the information has been received, it is stored in the parameter database and the special operating means transmit a recognition to the mobile station. In the event that the mobile station does not receive the recognition after a certain time, the mobile station sends the confirmation of new verification data again until it receives the recognition or until it forwards the

25 information up to a maximum number of times.

It is advantageous to store the test data in the mobile station, mainly in comparison with the prior art where it was necessary to store mobile station identity codes and / or activation signals in a fixed unit.

If the confirmation of new test data was not received (possibility 412) by the special operating means, the special operating means transmit the test data back to the mobile station (step 408).

35 When the confirmation of new test data from the mobile station (possibility 414) is received by the special operating means, the special operating means in step 416 know that the mobile station updated its internal mobile station database and the Internal mobile station database is in accordance with the wishes of the operator.

After the first check data or special area check data set is stored in the internal database of the mobile station, the operator can add more in the same way.

On the other hand, in this embodiment of a method according to the invention, the operator can deactivate a special area by following steps 430 to 440.

Four. Five In step 430, the operator chooses to deactivate a special area for a mobile station, with or without the agreement of the user of the mobile station. In step 432, the operator deactivates in the parameter database all special rates and / or services associated with the presence of the mobile station in the special area. In step 434, the special operating means transmits a deactivation signal to the mobile station (using the mobile telephone network) asking the mobile station to delete, in its internal mobile station database, the associated test data with the special area that the operator wishes to deactivate.

In another embodiment, the deactivation signal only blocks the use of the special area check data on the mobile station but does not erase it. The result is the same: the deactivation signal prevents the mobile station

55 recognize the area or special areas associated with this deactivation signal.

The transmission of the deactivation signal can be done in particular as in the first and third options for transmitting the test data (as seen in the description of step 408).

Once the deactivation signal has been successfully received and processed by the mobile station, a deactivation confirmation is sent to the parameter database. In step 436, the special operating means awaits confirmation of deactivation from the mobile station. Once the deactivation confirmation is received by means of the special operating means (possibility 440), this fact is stored in the parameter database and the special operating means transmit an acknowledgment 65 to the mobile station. In case the mobile station does not receive recognition after a certain time, the

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mobile station sends the deactivation confirmation again until it receives recognition or, in another embodiment, until it resends the deactivation confirmation up to a maximum number of times.

If the deactivation confirmation (possibility 438) was not received by the special operating means, the 5 special operating means again transmit a deactivation signal to the mobile station (step 434).

When the confirmation of the mobile station is received in relation to the satisfactory reception and processing of the deactivation signal (possibility 440) by means of the operating means, the operating means knows in step 416 that the mobile station updated its database of internal check data and the internal mobile station database is in accordance with the wishes of the operator.

On the other hand, in this embodiment of a method according to the invention, the operator can modify a special area by following steps 450 to 460 to adapt the internal database of the mobile station to the wishes of the operator. In step 450, the operator chooses to modify a special area for a given mobile station, with or without the

fifteen user agreement of the mobile station, and defines such a modified special area. For example, this can be done by including in the verification data associated with a special area, some additional verification data for the special area that is not only the coverage of a distinctive definition signal but the intersection (or the sum) of the coverage of the previous one and the coverage of a new one. This can also be done by deleting in a set of test data associated with a special area, some test data to, for example, transform a special area defined as the intersection (or the sum) of the coverage of two distinctive definition signals into a special area defined as the coverage of a single distinctive definition signal.

In the event that the operator wishes to add new verification data (the steps to delete one can be easily deduced by analogy), in step 452, the operator updates the parameter database for

25 include, if known, the new test data associated with the mobile station and the modified special area.

In step 454, the special operating means send, using any of the three options to transmit check data described in step 408, the new check data to the mobile station using the mobile telephone network.

Once the new verification data has been successfully stored in the part of the internal database of the mobile station containing the verification data linked to the special area to be modified, a confirmation of modification of verification data is sent to the database of

35 parameters In addition, typically in relation to the second and third options for transmitting test data to the mobile station described in step 408, the new stored test data can be sent via the mobile station to the parameter database through the network. of mobile telephony. In step 456, the special operating means awaits confirmation of modification of test data of the mobile station. Once the modification confirmation is received, this fact is stored in the parameter database and the special operating means transmit a recognition to the mobile station. In the event that the mobile station does not receive recognition after a certain time, the mobile station sends the information again until it receives the recognition or, in another embodiment, until it forwards the information up to a maximum number of times.

Four. Five If confirmation of modification of test data (possibility 458) is not received by the special operating means, the special operating means sends the new test data back to the mobile station (step 454).

When the modification confirmation sent from the mobile station is received by the special operating means (possibility 460), the special operating means knows that in step 416, the mobile station updated its internal check data database and the Internal database of the mobile station is in accordance with the wishes of the operator.

The second part of this embodiment of a method according to the invention is illustrated in Figure 5 and includes the

55 necessary steps for the mobile station to control its location in the special areas using the verification data that was transmitted in it.

In step 500, a mobile station is turned on. In one embodiment, the mobile telephone network sets the values ​​of the operating parameters managed in the parameter database to an initial set of values ​​when the mobile station is turned off (since at that time it is not present in any special area) to start operating the mobile station at the moment it is turned on. In step 510, the mobile station observes, through the appropriate channel or channels, any received signal and processes it to determine whether or not it is receiving any definition signal from the radio communication definition devices (for example from the stations base of a mobile phone network or from wireless devices).

65 In one embodiment, the definition signal is encoded (or part of the data contained in a definition signal

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of this type). In this embodiment, the mobile station can decode the information as part of the processing of the received definition signals.

A radio definition signal from a radio communication definition device may be transmitted from

5 continuously or periodically. The observation of the mobile station as to whether or not it is receiving any definition signal can be continuous or periodic. In step 512, the mobile station decides whether it receives a definition signal (possibility 516) or not (possibility 514) after observing and processing any received signal.

When one or more definition signals are received, they are processed in step 518 by the particular mobile station to compare, in this embodiment, the appropriate part of its content with any check data stored in the station's internal database mobile.

When a definition signal received is from a wireless device (transmitted in a frequency range outside the frequency range assigned to the mobile telephone network), the mobile station preferably searches

fifteen also in step 518 if the received definition signal contains or not reliable information confirming (or not) that the wireless device is effectively located in a predetermined environment defined by the operator of the mobile telephone network.

Then, in step 520, depending on the result of the internal process carried out in step 518, the mobile station decides whether (possibility 524) or not (possibility 522) the received definition signal is a distinctive definition signal that defines a special area for this mobile station, therefore validating or not the received definition signal as a distinctive definition signal.

If the special area is defined by adding the coverage of several distinctive definition signals, the station

25 mobile must recognize at least one of the three distinctive definition signals at a time to determine that it is in this special area.

In another example, the mobile station knows that it is in a special area defined as the intersection of the coverage of several distinctive definition signals when it is observing and recognizing all those distinctive definition signals at one time.

The mobile station may be prepared to present a text or an icon (for example, 'home' or 'airport' icon) when the mobile station determines that it is included in a particular area for this mobile station.

35 In step 526, the mobile station sends an update signal to the mobile telephone network about its presence in the special area.

In a particular embodiment, the mobile station periodically sends (for example every 30 seconds) an update signal about its presence in a special area, said update signal comprising the result of the last determination made by the mobile station about its presence in the special area

In another particular embodiment, the mobile station only sends an update signal to the mobile telephone network about its presence in a special area when it enters or leaves such a special area.

Four. Five For a special area defined by the sum of the coverage of several distinctive definition signals:

If the processing of the mobile station of the definition signals received at a certain time determines that at least one distinctive definition signal associated with this special area is received:

-If the previous processing of the received definition signals determined that no distinctive definition signal associated with this special area was received at that time then the mobile station interprets that it has recently entered this special area.

-If the following processing of the received definition signals determines that at least one distinctive definition signal associated with this special area is still being received then the mobile station interprets that it remains located in this special area;

If the processing of the mobile station of the definition signals received at a certain time determines that no distinctive definition signal associated with this special area was received:

-If the previous processing of the received definition signals determined that at least one distinctive definition signal associated with this special area was received at that time then the mobile station interprets that it has recently left this special area. -If the following processing of the received definition signals determines that it is not being received

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Stay out of this special area.

For a special area defined by the intersection of the coverage of several distinctive definition signals, a procedure equivalent to the previous one can be easily deduced by analogy.

5 The update signal can be sent through a variety of channels provided by the mobile telephone network. For example, in a mobile GSM network, the update signals can be sent using the USSD channel ('Unstructured Supplementary Services Data', standard GSM standards). The data included in the update signal will typically be encoded by the mobile station and decoded by the

10 Special operating means of the server.

In this embodiment, the update signals are sent from the mobile station to the special operating means of the mobile telephone network requesting recognition from the special operating means.

fifteen In step 530, the mobile station seeks recognition from the special operating means.

If recognition was not received at the mobile station (possibility 532) because the update signal does not reach the special operating means or the mobile station detects a failure in the transmission of the update signal or there is a transmission failure of recognition, then the mobile station can send the

twenty update signal again up to a predetermined number of times in accordance with a predefined retransmission policy.

When recognition (possibility 531) is received at the mobile station, the mobile station knows in step 534 that the special operating means will make appropriate adaptations in the operating parameters of the database of the special areas.

More generally, the special operating media area awaits any update signal from any mobile station whose identification code is in the parameter database. When the special operating means receive an update signal from a mobile station, they then adapt the

30 operational parameters of the database of special areas that depend on the presence of this mobile station in a special area associated with this mobile station and send the recognition.

In one embodiment, the update signal contains a request to access services and / or download content provided directly or indirectly through the operator's mobile telephone network. Next, a right of access or download is granted or denied through the mobile telephone network depending on the presence of the mobile station in a special area.

The recognition signals of the update signal from the special operating means are preferably encoded. In that case, the mobile station processing means can decode the 40 acknowledgments of the update signals.

The operator of the mobile telephone network therefore has a guarantee that the mobile telephone network will know at least one change in the presence of the mobile station in one or more special areas even if the radio communication link between the station mobile and mobile phone network is temporarily unavailable.

Four. Five In a particular embodiment, the mobile telephone network may activate or deactivate the mobile station to use predetermined services depending on the presence of the mobile station in a special area.

As an example, the mobile station can incorporate special testing software that can generate

fifty statistics about the use of the mobile phone (phone calls, messages, etc.) in special areas. This software can be activated for operation via the mobile telephone network when the mobile station enters a special predetermined area and deactivated when the mobile station leaves such a special area.

As another example, the mobile telephone network may broadcast certain messages associated with a special area (for

55 example airport information). The mobile station can be activated by the mobile telephone network to accept and present those broadcast messages when it is located in this special area and deactivated when leaving the special area.

The third part of this embodiment of a method according to the invention is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 and 60 includes the adaptation of the operating parameters to the presence of the mobile station in any special area where this mobile station is monitoring its presence. .

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When the mobile telephone network receives an update signal, the server's special operating means adjust the value of at least one operating parameter of a parameter database that links the special area and a mobile station. The value of the operative parameter (s) depends on the information contained in the update signal about the presence of the mobile station in the special area.

5 In a particular example, operational parameters related to a special rate and some services are activated or remain activated in the referred parameter database when the information contained in the update signal indicates that the mobile station has recently entered or remains located in the special area In the same example, the special rate and services are deactivated or remain deactivated in the database of

10 Parameters referred to when the information contained in the update signal indicates that the mobile station has recently left or remains outside the special area.

More precisely, Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of an example of a part of the database 600 of operating parameter parameters included in the special operating means according to a

fifteen embodiment of the invention. The illustrated part of the special operating media database 600 links two special areas SA1 606 and SA2 608 with 3 mobile station identification codes MS (i-1), MS (i) and MS (I + 1), each of which has an entry 603, 604 and 605.

Column 602 of the database comprises the identification codes of mobile stations. A code of

twenty Mobile station identification refers to a code that is associated with the subscription of the user of the mobile station in the mobile telephone network. As an example, in a GSM network the mobile station identification code referred to may be the MSISDN.

In this example, the test data set of the mobile station MS (i) for the special area SA1 606, defined in column 610/606 of input 604 contains:

-a check data 650 comprised in the distinctive definition signal of a first base station BS1 (for example, the identification code of BS1), such a distinctive definition signal defines the special area SA1 606,

30 -a check data 652 comprised in the distinctive definition signal of a second base station BS2 (for example, the identification code of BS1), such a distinctive definition signal also defines the special area SA1 606, and

-a check data 654 comprised in the distinctive definition signal of a wireless device WD1 (for example, the identification data of WD1), such a distinctive definition signal also defines the special area 35 SA1 606,

for the special area SA1. The mobile station determines that it is located in the special area SA1 606 when it receives at least one of the three identifiers 650, 652, 654 comprised in the distinctive definition signals that come from BS1, BS2 and WD1, that is when it is located at the scope of coverage of any of the three

40 distinctive definition signals (according to one of the embodiments of the invention, in the case of the definition signal of WD1, to consider that such definition signal is a distinctive definition signal, additionally it will be necessary that the reliable information included in the definition signal confirms that WD1 is effectively located in a predetermined environment).

Four. Five In this example, the value of column 611/606 for the mobile station MS (i) and for the special area 606 is activated ('+') or deactivated ('-') at a given time depending on whether the network of mobile telephony receives or not a confirmation of new verification data (see description of figure 4) from this mobile station confirming that all the verification data corresponding to the special area have been stored in this mobile station (based on the same principle , it would also be possible to add another column in the parameter database

fifty to control the receipt of confirmations of deactivation of verification data and another to control the reception of confirmations of modification of verification data for a given special area: see description of figure 4).

In this example, the value of column 611/606 for MS (i) is activated (+) for special area SA1 606. In other

55 For example, the value of column 611/606 for the mobile station MS (i) and for the special area 606 contains a set of activated ('+') or deactivated ('-') values, one for each check data.

Column 612/606 corresponding to the operating parameter "Mobile Station Control Enabler" is activated ('+') or deactivated ('-') at a given time for the mobile station MS (i) and for the area SA1 606 special

60 depending on the information included in the update signals received about the presence of the mobile station in the special area 606. In this example, at a given time, the mobile station MS (i) is assumed to be in SA1 606 since the operating parameter "Mobile Station Control Enabler" 612/606 is activated ('+').

65

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When the "Mobile Station Control Enabler" is activated (+) at any given time for the mobile station MS (i) and for the special area 606, certain tariffs or services related to such special area may be available to the user of the mobile station depending on the value (+) or (-) of the corresponding rate or service enablers for such mobile station and special area in the database of parameters of

5 functioning. In this example, at a given time, in the column 'Rate identifier' 614/606, the parameter is then set to 'XXX' and in column 616/606, the 'Rate enabler' is active (+). In column 618/606, the parameter of 'Service identifier' is then set to 'YYY' and in column 620/606, the 'Service Enabler' of said service 'YYY' is active ('+'). In column 622/606, the 'Service Identifier' parameter is set to 'ZZZ' and in column 624/606, the 'Service Enabler' of said service 'ZZZ' is disabled ('-') due to that the ZZZ service is deactivated at that time for the mobile station MS (i) and the special area SA1 606.

Column set 610/608 through 624/608 provides the same type of information for the special SA2 608 area. The test data set of the mobile station MS (i) (column 610/608) refers to

fifteen wireless devices WD1 with the check data 656, WD2 with the check data 658 and WD3 with the check data 660 for the special area SA2 608. In this special area, at that time, the value of column 611/608 for MS (i) is disabled (-), the operating parameter "Mobile Station Control Enabler" (column 612/608) is disabled ('- '). Rate 'PPP' (column 614/608) is activated ('+' in column 616/608), service 'QQQ' (column 618/608) is activated ('+' in column 620/608) and service 'RRR' (column 622/608) is activated ('+' in column 624/608). The PPP rate and the QQQ and RRR services are associated with the mobile station MS (i) when it is in the special area SA2 608.

In another embodiment of the invention, the special operating means are distributed on different servers of the mobile telephone network or of service providers associated with the mobile telephone network and a

25 update signal to any of these servers.

In a particular example of this embodiment, there will be a server containing a part of the special operating means that stores a database of parameters (for example the database illustrated in Figure 6) of operational parameters containing the data of Checking the special areas. In this example, part of the update signals of the mobile stations can be sent to this server of the mobile telephone network and processed by the part of the special operating means that this server contains.

In this example there will be at least one other server, called a switching server, in the mobile telephone network or associated with it, a server that is including another part of the special operating means that includes another

35 database of operating parameters parameters, called switching parameters database, which does not contain verification data. The part of the special operating means included in this other server allows or prohibits the provisioning of some multimedia content and applications available for mobile stations (and may preferably provide them by itself) depending on the presence, in any special area registered in this database of switching parameters, of any mobile station associated with this special area in this database of switching parameters.

Figure 7 illustrates an example of a part of a database 700 of switching parameters where 702, 703, 704, 705, 706, 708, 712/706 and 712/708 have the same meaning as respectively 602, 603, 604 , 605, 606, 608, 612/606 and 612/608 of Figure 6. The 'AAA' application contents are available for the station

Four. Five mobile MS (i) when in the special area SA1 706. The 'BBB' content and applications are available for the mobile station MS (i) when it is in the special SA2 708 area.

In the example of Figure 7, the part of the special operating means included in the switching server receives, embedded in an update signal from MS (i), a request to download a content

or an 'AAA' application, and the right to download is granted because such an update signal from MS (i) also indicates (value '+' in column 712/706) that it is located in the special area 706 in that moment.

In the same way, in the example of Figure 7, the part of the special operating means included in the switching server receives, in an update signal from MS (i), a request to download

55 a 'BBB' content or application, but the right to download is not granted because such an update signal from MS (i) also indicates (value '-' in column 712/708) that it is not located in the area 708 special at that time.

In some cases the switching server is completely owned by the operator of the mobile telephone network while in some others there is an agreement in force with a third party.

Although the present invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration, it is understood that such detail is solely for that purpose, and that variations can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, although the preferred embodiments of the method and the mobile system have been described in reference to the environment in which they are developed, they are merely illustrative of the principles of the

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invention. Other embodiments and configurations may be conceived without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Additionally, although the embodiments of the invention described with reference to the drawings comprise

5 computer apparatus and processes performed in computer apparatus, the invention also extends to computer programs, particularly computer programs on or in a support, adapted to put the invention into practice. The program may be in the form of source code, object code, an intermediate source code and object code such as in partially compiled form or in any other form suitable for use in the implementation of the processes according to the invention. The support can be any entity or device

10 Able to carry the program. For example, the support may comprise a storage medium, such as a ROM, for example a CD ROM or a semiconductor ROM, or a magnetic recording medium, for example a flexible disk or hard disk. Additionally, the support can be a transmissible support such as an electrical or optical signal that can be transported by electrical or optical cable or by radio or other means. When the program is performed on a signal that can be transported directly by a cable or other device or

fifteen medium, the support can be constituted by such a cable or other device or means. Alternatively, the support can be an integrated circuit in which the program is embedded, the integrated circuit being adapted to perform, or to be used in the realization of the relevant processes.