Managing a group call
Abstract
Coordination of group calls related to mobile terminals in communication networks. In one embodiment, a method of managing group calls involving a plurality of mobile communication devices, wherein the plurality of mobile communication devices are registered in a communication network via a serving node and of the wireless access node. At least the first of them has established a data communication channel with a mobile communication device among the plurality of mobile communication devices for making a group call, and the method is: said first radio. A step of identifying a radio access node adjacent to an access node; a step of defining a group call area based on the first radio access node and the adjacent radio access node; and a step of defining the adjacent radio. A method is provided that comprises establishing a signaling channel with an identifier corresponding to the group call area within the cell corresponding to the access node. In another embodiment, the group call area is defined using the group identifier received by the serving node.

Term
2.3 yearsto projected expiry
Projected expiry 29 December 2028, counted from filing; an application has no term until it is granted.
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25 claims: 5 independent, 20 dependent
- 1移動体通信デバイスとの間でデータを送受信するよう動作可能なサービング・ノードを有する移動体通信ネットワークにおいて複数の移動体デバイスがグループ・コールに参加するためにグループ・コールをセットアップする方法であって:サービング・ノードにおいて、移動体通信ネットワークに登録されている移動体端末からグループ識別子を示すデータを受信する段階と;受信されたグループ識別子を使ってグループ・コール・エリアを定義する段階とを有し、定義されたグループ・コール・エリアは前記サービング・ノードによってアクセス可能であり、それにより前記サービング・ノードが前記通信ネットワークに登録されたコール・グループを前記通信ネットワークに登録された別のコール・グループから弁別することができる、方法。
- 2前記通信ネットワークはグループ・コール番号を同定するデータを保持し、グループ・コール番号の少なくとも一つは動的グループ・コールのためにリザーブされ、当該方法はさらに、前記サービング・ノードにおいて、グループ・コール番号を示すデータを受信し、そのグループ・コール番号に基づいて前記グループ・コールを静的な型のグループ・コールまたは動的な型のグループ・コールとして同定する段階を含む、請求項1記載の方法。
- 3請求項1または2記載の方法であって、前記通信ネットワークはさらに複数の無線アクセス・ノードを有し、前記サービング・ノードは前記複数の無線アクセス・ノードとの間でデータを送受信するよう動作可能であり、ある第一の無線アクセス・ノードは、グループ・コールを実施するために移動体通信デバイスとデータ通信チャネルを確立しており、当該方法はさらに、前記第一の無線アクセス・ノードに隣接する無線アクセス・ノードを同定する段階と、前記第一の無線アクセス・ノードおよび前記隣接する無線アクセス・ノードに基づいて前記グループ・コール・エリアをさらに定義する段階とを有する、方法。
- 4請求項3記載の方法であって、前記隣接する無線アクセス・ノード内に、前記グループ・コール・エリアに対応する識別子をもつ信号伝達チャネルを確立する段階をさらに有する、方法。
- 5請求項4記載の方法であって、前記隣接する無線アクセス・ノードを同定する移動体通信デバイスからの信号伝達要求メッセージに応答してデータ通信チャネルを生成し、その際、前記隣接する無線アクセス・ノードを前記第一の無線アクセス・ノードとして定義する段階をさらに有する、方法。
- 6請求項3ないし5のうちいずれか一項記載の方法であって、前記第一の無線アクセス・ノードに隣接する複数の無線アクセス・ノードを同定する段階を含み、前記グループ・コール・エリアは前記第一の無線アクセス・ノードおよび前記複数の隣接する無線アクセス・ノードに基づいて定義される、方法。
- 7請求項5を引用する場合の請求項6記載の方法であって、前記第一の無線アクセス・ノードに隣接していない前記グループ・コール・エリア内の無線アクセス・ノードを同定する段階と、そうして同定された無線アクセス・ノードを前記グループ・コール・エリアから除去する段階とを含む、方法。
- 8請求項3ないし7のうちいずれか一項記載の方法であって、前記複数の無線アクセス・ノードにおける移動体通信デバイスから受信される応答に基づいて、前記第一の無線アクセス・ノードが定義され、前記データ通信チャネルが維持される、方法。
- 9複数の移動体通信デバイスに関わるグループ・コールを管理する方法であって、前記複数の移動体通信デバイスはサービング・ノードを介して通信ネットワークに登録され、前記サービング・ノードは複数の無線アクセス・ノードとの間でデータを送受信しそれにより前記の登録された移動体通信デバイスと通信するよう動作可能であり、前記無線アクセス・ノードのうち少なくとも第一のものは、グループ・コールを実施するために前記複数の移動体通信デバイスのうちのある移動体通信デバイスとデータ通信チャネルを確立しており、当該方法は:前記第一の無線アクセス・ノードに隣接する無線アクセス・ノードを同定する段階と;前記第一の無線アクセス・ノードおよび前記隣接する無線アクセス・ノードに基づいてグループ・コール・エリアを定義する段階と;前記隣接する無線アクセス・ノードに対応するセル内に、前記グループ・コール・エリアに対応する識別子をもつ信号伝達チャネルを確立する段階とを有する、方法。
- 10請求項9記載の方法であって、前記隣接する無線アクセス・ノードを同定する移動体通信デバイスからの信号伝達要求メッセージに応答してデータ通信チャネルを生成し、その際、前記隣接する無線アクセス・ノードを前記第一の無線アクセス・ノードとしてまたはさらなる第一の無線アクセス・ノードとして定義する段階をさらに有する、方法。
- 11請求項9または10記載の方法であって、前記第一の無線アクセス・ノードに隣接する複数の無線アクセス・ノードを同定する段階を含み、前記グループ・コール・エリアは前記第一の無線アクセス・ノードおよび前記複数の隣接する無線アクセス・ノードに基づいて定義される、方法。
- 12請求項10を引用する場合の請求項11記載の方法であって、前記第一の無線アクセス・ノードに隣接していない前記グループ・コール・エリア内の無線アクセス・ノードを同定する段階と、そうして同定された無線アクセス・ノードを前記グループ・コール・エリアから除去する段階とを含む、方法。
- 13移動体通信ネットワークにおいて複数のグループ・コールを調整する方法であって、前記複数のグループ・コールのそれぞれは複数の移動体デバイスに関わり、前記移動体通信ネットワークは、第一の組の移動体通信デバイスのうちの少なくともいくつかとの間でデータを送受信し第二の組の移動体通信デバイスのうちの少なくともいくつかとの間でデータを送受信するよう動作可能なサービング・ノードを有しており、各組はそれぞれ第一および第二のグループ・コールに関わっており、前記第一および第二のグループ・コールのそれぞれはそれぞれに関連付けられた同じグループ番号および異なるグループ・コール・エリアをもち、当該方法は:前記第一または第二の組の移動体通信デバイスの一方の組のメンバーである移動体通信デバイスに関するハンドオーバーの要求を示すトリガーを受信する段階と;それぞれのグループ・コール・エリアのメンバーシップを示す前記移動体通信デバイスからの信号伝達データを受信する段階と;どのグループ・コールであれ指示されたグループ・コール・エリアに対応するグループ・コールに前記移動体通信デバイスを参加させる段階とを有する、方法。
- 14前記信号伝達データが、前記サービング・ノードに関連付けられた異なるグループ・コール・エリアを示す前記通信ネットワークからの信号伝達データの受信に応答して送信される、請求項13記載の方法。
- 15移動体通信デバイスとの間でデータを送受信するよう動作可能なサービング・ノードを有する移動体通信ネットワークにおいて複数の移動体デバイスがグループ・コールに参加するためにグループ・コールをセットアップするネットワーク・ノードであって:移動体通信ネットワークに登録されている移動体端末からグループ識別子を示すデータを受信するよう構成されたインターフェースと;受信されたグループ識別子を使ってグループ・コール・エリアを定義するよう構成された処理システムとを有し、 当該ネットワーク・ノードは、定義されたグループ・コール・エリアへのアクセスを前記サービング・ノードに提供し、それにより前記サービング・ノードが前記通信ネットワークに登録されたコール・グループを前記通信ネットワークに登録された別のコール・グループから弁別することができるようにするよう構成されている、ネットワーク・ノード。
- 16前記通信ネットワークはグループ・コール番号を同定するデータを保持し、グループ・コール番号の少なくとも一つは動的グループ・コールのためにリザーブされ、前記サービング・ノードは、グループ・コール番号に基づいて前記グループ・コールを静的な型のグループ・コールまたは動的な型のグループ・コールとして同定するよう構成されている、請求項15記載のネットワーク・ノード。
- 17請求項15または16記載のネットワーク・ノードであって、前記通信ネットワークはさらに複数の無線アクセス・ノードを有し、前記サービング・ノードは前記複数の無線アクセス・ノードとの間でデータを送受信するよう動作可能であり、第一の無線アクセス・ノードは、グループ・コールを実施するために移動体通信デバイスとデータ通信チャネルを確立しており、当該ネットワーク・ノードは、前記第一の無線アクセス・ノードに隣接する無線アクセス・ノードを同定し、前記第一の無線アクセス・ノードおよび前記隣接する無線アクセス・ノードに基づいて前記グループ・コール・エリアをさらに定義するよう構成されている、ネットワーク・ノード。
- 18請求項17記載のネットワーク・ノードであって、当該ネットワーク・ノードは前記第一の無線アクセス・ノードに隣接する複数の無線アクセス・ノードを同定するよう構成されており、前記グループ・コール・エリアは前記第一の無線アクセス・ノードおよび複数の隣接する無線アクセス・ノードに基づいて定義される、ネットワーク・ノード。
- 19請求項18記載のネットワーク・ノードであって、当該ネットワーク・ノードは前記第一の無線アクセス・ノードに隣接していない前記グループ・コール・エリア内の無線アクセス・ノードを同定し、そうして同定された無線アクセス・ノードを前記グループ・コール・エリアから除去するよう構成されている、ネットワーク・ノード。
- 20複数の移動体通信デバイスに関わるグループ・コールを管理するグループ・コール管理システムであって、前記複数の移動体通信デバイスはサービング・ノードを介して通信ネットワークに登録され、前記サービング・ノードは複数の無線アクセス・ノードとの間でデータを送受信しそれにより前記の登録された移動体通信デバイスと通信するよう動作可能であり、前記無線アクセス・ノードのうち少なくとも第一のものは、グループ・コールを実施するために前記複数の移動体通信デバイスのうちのある移動体通信デバイスとデータ通信チャネルを確立しており、当該グループ・コール管理システムは:前記第一の無線アクセス・ノードを同定するサービス要求メッセージに応答して前記第一の無線アクセス・ノードに隣接する無線アクセス・ノードを同定するよう構成されたネットワーク・ノードと;前記第一の無線アクセス・ノードおよび前記隣接する無線アクセス・ノードに基づいてグループ・コール・エリアを構成設定する手段とを有しており、 前記隣接する無線アクセス・ノードの少なくともいくつかは、前記グループ・コール・エリアに対応する識別子をもつ信号伝達チャネルを確立するよう構成されている、グループ・コール管理システム。
- 21請求項20記載のグループ・コール管理システムであって、前記隣接する無線アクセス・ノードのそれぞれは、該隣接する無線アクセス・ノードを同定する移動体通信デバイスからの信号伝達要求メッセージに応答してデータ通信チャネルを生成し、その際、前記隣接する無線アクセス・ノードを前記第一の無線アクセス・ノードとしてまたはさらなる第一の無線アクセス・ノードとして定義するよう構成されている、グループ・コール管理システム。
- 22請求項21記載のグループ・コール管理システムであって、前記ネットワーク・ノードは前記第一の無線アクセス・ノードに隣接する複数の無線アクセス・ノードを同定するよう構成されており、前記グループ・コール・エリアは前記第一の無線アクセス・ノードおよび前記複数の隣接する無線アクセス・ノードに基づいて定義される、グループ・コール管理システム。
- 23請求項20ないし22のうちいずれか一項記載のグループ・コール管理システムであって、前記ネットワーク・ノードは、前記第一の無線アクセス・ノードに隣接していない前記グループ・コール・エリア内の無線アクセス・ノードを同定し、そうして同定された無線アクセス・ノードを前記グループ・コール・エリアから除去するよう構成されている、グループ・コール管理システム。
- 24前記グループ・コール・エリアを構成設定する前記手段を前記サービング・ノードが有する、請求項20ないし23のうちいずれか一項記載のグループ・コール管理システム。
- 25請求項24記載のグループ・コール管理システムであって、前記サービング・ノードが、前記ネットワーク・ノードから前記グループ・コール・エリアを同定するサービス応答メッセージを受信するよう構成されており、前記サービング・ノードが、前記グループ・コール・エリアによって定義される前記無線アクセス・ノードに、前記信号伝達チャネルまたは各信号伝達チャネルを確立する命令を含む信号伝達命令メッセージを送信するよう構成されている、グループ・コール管理システム。
Independent claims25
32 paragraphs, as filed
<u style="single">Group call management</u> The present invention relates to mobile communication networks and the coordination of group calls relating to mobile terminals operating in such networks. Embodiments of the present invention are particularly suitable for coordinating group calls, but not exclusively, when members of the group move between cells in the mobile network.
Traditional mobile communication networks, such as digital cellular long-distance communication networks based on the GSM standard (Global System for Mobile Communication), are groups in which subscribers are directed to a group of other subscribers. Provides a voice broadcast service that allows a broadcast call to be initiated. Such voice broadcast services for GSM systems are specified in GSM Standard 03.68 and related GSM standards, namely GSM 03.69.
Typically, a particular group is identified by group ID. A regular control channel (for example, a notification channel NCH in GSM) broadcasts a notification message containing a group ID and a description of the channel used for that group call in the network. In this way, a user with the correct group ID stored in the mobile terminal, for example on the SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card of the GSM mobile unit, can recognize the notification message and then in the notification message. You can connect to that group call by tuning to the channel described. In addition, the traditional voice group call service (VGCS: In a Voice Group Call Service) system, a given user can request and retrieve uplink channels, which allows that user to speak to that group. A given mobile user must be subscribed to a group call service provider in order to be allowed to initiate or join a group call.
For example, a group call attribute that contains a list of cells (group call area) to which a group call is broadcast has traditionally been a Group Call Register (GCR) on a separate network node, such as a GSM network. It is accumulated in. Group call registers are typically associated with a mobile switching center (MSC) in a GSM system.
<p> For group calls, a unique problem arises when multiple group calls, each with the same group ID, are made in overlapping cells. In one traditional configuration, the mobile station that wants to participate in a group call selects a notification broadcast message that is being broadcast on the notification channel in the cell, whatever is first received by the mobile device. .. Therefore, the selection of groups to participate in can be seen as random. For mobile devices that are already engaged in group calls when moving to overlapping cells, an international patent application with publication number WO0131964 has these groups merged (with more participants). It describes the mechanism for forming a single group call. Other known mechanisms, on the other hand, constrain the mobile device to remain with the group associated with it before moving to that cell. In all of these configurations, there is no intelligent way to make a choice between group calls: the choice is either random, fixed based on the initial group designation, or impossible. In addition, there is no way to constrain the members of a group call: as long as the mobile user subscribes to the group call service provider, the terminal can participate in the group call.</p><p> There is another problem when mobile devices move between cells: Subscribers to traditional group call services can typically move from cell to cell while staying in a group call. Permissible. This assumes that the group call is being broadcast to each of the new cells to which the subscriber roams. However, if the group call is not being broadcast in the new cell, the group call will no longer be available to its subscribers. In addition, changing cells often results in a brief interruption in subscriber group call reception until the subscriber's mobile terminal listens to the notification channel in the new cell and tunes to the proper group call channel in the new cell. It takes.</p>
<p> According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of mobile devices make a group call in a mobile communication network having a serving node capable of operating to send and receive data to and from the mobile communication device. How to set up a group call to join: At the serving node, the stage of receiving data indicating the group identifier from the mobile terminal registered in the mobile communication network; It has a step of defining a group call area using the received group identifier, and the defined group call area is accessible by the serving node, thereby causing the serving node to communicate. Allows a call group registered in the network to be discriminated from another call group registered in the communication network. The method is provided.</p><p> Thus, in embodiments of the invention, group call areas are defined based on group-specific identifiers; this means that two or more group calls with the same group call identifier will not interfere with each other. Allow them to be in the same cell. Conveniently, the communication network holds data that identifies the group call number, and at least one of the group call numbers is reserved for dynamic group calls. As a result, the group call number identifies the group call as a static type group call or a dynamic type group call, and to identify the process performed by the appropriately selected network. Can be used.</p><p> According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is a method of managing group calls involving a plurality of mobile communication devices, wherein the plurality of mobile communication devices are registered in a communication network via a serving node. The serving node can operate to send and receive data to and from multiple radio access nodes, thereby communicating with the registered mobile communication device, at least of the radio access node. The first establishes a data communication channel with a mobile communication device among the plurality of mobile communication devices for carrying out a group call, and the method: The stage of identifying a radio access node adjacent to the first radio access node; With the step of defining a group call area based on the first radio access node and the adjacent radio access node; In the cell corresponding to the adjacent radio access node, there is a step of establishing a signaling channel having an identifier corresponding to the group call area. The method is provided.</p><p> The communication network has a plurality of wireless access nodes in the form of base stations. The serving node-or switch-can operate to send and receive data to and from the base station, as in a conventional network configuration. A base station that establishes a mobile communication device and a data communication channel in any base station has a traffic and signal transmission channel established therein and is marked as an active cell in the group call area.</p><p> In addition, base stations adjacent to the active base station are added to the group call area, signaling channels are established in these adjacent cells, and each signaling channel has an identifier corresponding to the group call area. .. This method of channel allocation and deallocation provides a solution to the problems in the prior art where channels must be generated when a mobile station moves to a new cell. Since the signaling channels in any potential "next" cell have already been established, allocating traffic channels within them is relatively straightforward.</p><p> Conveniently, a traffic channel can be generated in response to a signaling request message from a mobile communication device that identifies an adjacent radio access node: this is one of the adjacent cells that the mobile device previously specified. Indicates that you have moved to one, effectively changing the "active" cell to the cell that received the signaling request message from the mobile device. When the active cell changes, so does the base station that is considered adjacent to the "active" cell, and thus the actual group call area. The group call area is updated by the network in response to a traffic deallocation message sent by a base station when it is no longer sending or receiving data to or from the mobile device associated with the group call. be able to. These deallocation messages can also be used to remove cells from the group call area that were adjacent to cells that were previously designated as active cells. As a result, in a preferred configuration, the group call area contains cells that directly surround the currently active cell.</p><p> According to a further aspect of the present invention, a group call management system for managing group calls related to a plurality of mobile communication devices, wherein the plurality of mobile communication devices communicate via a serving node. Registered in the network, the serving node can operate to send and receive data to and from a plurality of radio access nodes, thereby communicating with the registered mobile communication device. At least the first of the wireless access nodes establishes a data communication channel with a mobile communication device among the plurality of mobile communication devices for making a group call. This group call management system is: With a network node configured to identify a radio access node adjacent to the first radio access node in response to a service request message identifying the first radio access node; It has a means of configuring a group call area based on the first radio access node and the adjacent radio access node; At least some of the adjacent radio access nodes are configured to establish a signaling channel with an identifier corresponding to the group call area.</p><p> In some configurations, the serving node has the means of configuring and configuring the group call area, and the group call management system is configured to provide the above functionality as a whole.</p><p> Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention provide a means of intelligently controlling the parties participating in a group call and selectively coordinating signal transmission between cells to avoid interruption of reception of the group call.</p><p> Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, provided solely by way of reference with reference to the accompanying drawings.</p>
<figref num="1">FIG. 6 is a block schematic showing various components of a standard configuration of a mobile network.</figref><figref num="2">FIG. 5 is a timing diagram showing communication between various of the components shown in FIG. 1 when registering a mobile station for a group call according to an embodiment of the present invention.</figref><figref num="3">It is a block schematic diagram which shows a plurality of cells shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="4">FIG. 5 is a timing diagram showing communication between various components shown in FIG. 1 when a group call is set up according to an embodiment of the present invention.</figref><figref num="5">FIG. 5 is a timing diagram showing communication between various of the components shown in FIG. 1 in connection with a member of a group call moving to a new cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.</figref><figref num="6">FIG. 5 is a timing diagram showing communication between various of the components shown in FIG. 1 in which a member of a group call moves from an old cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.</figref><figref num="7">FIG. 5 is a timing diagram showing communication between various components shown in FIG. 1 when adjusting the end of a group call.</figref>
As described above, the embodiments of the present invention control the movement of the group call through the cellular network, in particular intelligently controlling the parties participating in the group call, and the movement of the group call as described above. It is involved in selectively adjusting the signal transmission between cells so as to avoid interruption of reception. In order to understand the level at which embodiments of the present invention operate, an overview of Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) 1, which is a framework under which such embodiments can operate, is first referred to in FIG. Describe.
The PLMN network shown in Figure 1 is a cellular network such as a GSM or UMTS network (Figure 1 shows only one cell 100). Cell 100 has limited coverage and is serviced by PLMN1 via Base Transceiver Station (BTS) 102 and Base Station Controller (BSC) 103. BTS and BSC form the Base Station System (BSS) 105. The BSC 103 is connected to a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 107. The MSC 107 is a switch and is configured to perform all switching functions for mobile stations such as the MS 101 located within the geographic area designated as the MSC area. As shown in Figure 1, the MSC 107 is a service control point (SCP: Service Control Point) It is connected to 117. SCP 117 is configured to provide MS 101 with access to various intelligent network services, in this case group call services, based on the network subscription associated with MS 101.
In operation, the MSC 107 takes into account the effects of radio resource allocation and subscriber mobility and performs the steps required for location registration, handover and call setup of the mobile station being serviced. .. The MSC 107 is connected to the Home Location Register (HLR) 115. HLR 115 is a database configured to manage subscription data related to mobile subscribers such as MS 101. Depending on the number of mobile subscribers, the capacity of the device and the organization of the PLMN network 1, PLMN 1 may contain one or several HLR 115s. The HLR 115 is data that identifies the location of the mobile subscribers managed by each HLR 115 (for example, because calls can be routed there); the identification number that accompanies each mobile subscriber (eg, the international mobile subscriber identification (eg, international mobile subscriber identification). IMSI: International Mobile Subscriber identity); Mobile Subscriber ISDN Number (MSISDN:) Mobile Subscriber ISDN Number)); communication service subscription information, service constraints (eg roaming restrictions); general subscriber attributes and preferences; as well as supplementary service information including parameters associated with these services. ing. In terms of communication between the various components of PLMN 1, MSC 107, HLR 115 and SCP 177 are, but are not limited to, the Signaling System No. (SS # 7) mobile application part ( Data can be transmitted and received via a variety of signal transduction protocols, including MAP: Mobile Application Part).
In addition, the MSC 107 is a visitor position register (VLR: Visitor Location Register) Connected to 113. The VLR 113 is configured to receive data from the mobile subscriber MS 101 within this MSC domain and pass this information to the HLR 115, similar to known configurations. In addition, the VLR 113 is configured to receive data from the HLR 115 indicating the set and triggers of services available to the MS 101. In one embodiment of the invention, one set of services available for MS 101 is a group call to group ID 888. It is now assumed that the subscriber corresponding to MS 101 is subscribed to a group call service coordinated by SCP 117. As a result, call setup requests from MS 101, including group ID 888, have the effect of triggering MSC 107 to send a signaling message to SCP 117. In addition, SCP 117 and MSC The 107 is configured with features tailored to configure the group call area according to certain embodiments of the present invention. This is described here with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6 for an individual example of a group call coordinated in relation to train employees traveling by train from London to Edinburgh.
Starting with FIG. 2, the steps involved in registering mobile station 101 with group call service 117 are described. In step S201, mobile station 101 sends a registration request message containing the unique identifier TFN for the group. In this example, the unique identifier conveniently includes train identification information. This was previously given to mobile station 101 (and actually to other mobile stations corresponding to personnel on the train). This registration request is forwarded to MSC 107 via BSS 105, which triggers the registration request message to be forwarded to SCP 117 in step 203. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the registration request message received by SCP 117 includes the group identifier TFN and the MSISDN of the individual mobile station 101 for which the registration request was made in step 201. In this example, the unique identifier TFN identifies the functional number of this particular train and can consist of the following parts: call type (train number), train. Train running number and function code (for example, driver). Thus, for example, if a train has train number 2, train operation number 00175, and function code 01, the identifier TFN received by SCP 117 can be 200017-01. It will be appreciated that the identifier can also consist of data that identifies other characteristics of the train.
In response to receiving MSISDN and TFN information, SCP 117 will first inspect whether this requesting mobile station 101 is authorized to participate in group services, and if so, with the mobile station and group identification information. Update the mapping between (step S205). These data can then be used in handling subsequent group call requests. Assuming successful registration, SCP 117 will send a confirmation message to MSC 107 in step S207, which will be sent to mobile station 101 by BSS. Send back via 105. Figure 3 shows the registration for only one mobile station, but for configurations where registration is required to join a group call, all such mobile stations are required to register for the service. It will be understood. However, note that the particular registration process described herein is merely exemplary and is completely independent of the process involved in setting up and managing group calls based on embodiments of the present invention. Should be left. In fact, registration with the Group Call Service can be done via Over The Air (OTA) SIM updates in some alternative configurations. On the other hand, the embodiments of the present invention do not necessarily have to be.<u style="single">All</u>It does not require the participating mobile device to be pre-registered with the group service (for example, if the group call is of type open VGCS).
Looking now at Figure 3, in this example, the train is in the process of moving through cells 100a, 100b, 100c, and a group call request is made when the mobile station is located in cell 100a. It is assumed that it is received from the mobile station 101. Also referring to FIG. 4, the group call request is received by the mobile station 101 sending a standard group call setup message (step S401). The message includes a unique identifier (TFN) for this call, along with a group ID for that call (888 in this example). It is received by SCP 117 along with its Cell ID (in this case 100a, which corresponds to base station BS 105a). In step S407, SCP 117 will perform a search of the database holding data indicating an ongoing group call, and will perform a unique group identification that matches this group ID (888) and that received in step S401. Look for something with information. In this example, SCP 117 is the train function number (TFN:). It is configured to match the train operating number part of the Train Functional Number), but it will be appreciated that the entire string of TFN or, in fact, a different part or conversion thereof can be used instead. In this case, no such group call exists, so in step S407, an entry for a new call with group identification information TFN and group ID 888 is generated in the group call table managed by SCP 117. ..
In embodiments of the invention, SCP 117 also remembers or has access to a table listing static and dynamic group call numbers. For illustrative purposes, group IDs within the range 880-888 are reserved for dynamic group calls, and will be called by SCP 117 if the group call is determined to correspond to a dynamic group call. The functionality differs from that invoked by traditional methods for handling dynamic group calls. Note that static group calls are treated according to conventional methods and are outside the scope of the present invention.
In this example, the group ID is 888, which indicates a dynamic group call. In response to identifying the group call as a dynamic type, SCP 117 will identify all cells adjacent to current cell 100a, for example, with a pre-stored cell configuration map. A message containing a list of neighboring cells is then sent to MSC 107 in step S409, along with the unique group identifier TFN. This message contains an instruction for MSC 107 to generate a group call area based on these neighboring cells and the originating cell (step S411). Returning to FIG. 3, in this example, the cells adjacent to the origin cell 100a are cells 100x and 100b, so step S411 enters this newly generated dynamic group call area. , 100a, 100b, MSC 107 is involved in updating the group call register database held locally by the MSC 107.
In step S413, a call connection message is sent to mobile station 101 to initiate a dynamic group call. In addition, a notification message containing dynamic group ID 888 is broadcast to all mobile stations in the group call area, including cells 100x, 100a and 100b in this example (step S417). BSS 105a, 105b have previously been instructed to set up signaling and traffic channels in response to the notification received in step S415. The message is broadcast on the notification channel NCH and all other mobile stations with its unique group identifier TFN and subscribed to group call 888 join the call in call group areas 100x, 100a, 100b. And thereby make it possible to take advantage of the traffic channels established there.
Steps related to the process performed in terms of cells 100x and 100bthat is, cells adjacent to cell 100a where the group call occurredare described here in relation to cell 100b. Base station BSS 105b, which has established a traffic channel within cell 100b, sends a standard TCH allocation message to SCP 117 via MSC 107 (step S418), and SCP 117 is in this adjacency within its database. Remember the entry for cell 100b (step S419). Meanwhile, according to standard methods, BSS 105b monitors for responses on uplink traffic channels from mobile stations within cell 100b over a predetermined time period (step S421). If there is no response within this period, BSS 105b will send an deallocation traffic channel notification message to SCP 117 via MSC 107 (step S423), SCP Cause 117 to update the entry for the traffic channel in cell 100b as deallocated. Note that the traffic channel is eliminated, but the signaling channel is not pulled down. In addition, deallocating traffic channels has no effect on the group call area-the group call area remains 100x, 100a, 100b.
Therefore, a group call area created according to embodiments of the present invention is characterized as having active and passive cells. The active cell is a signal transduction channel<u style="single">and</u>There are as many active cells in a group call as there are cells with participants in the cell where the traffic channel resides. A passive cell is a cell adjacent to an active cell, and for a passive cell there is only a signal transduction channel. Thus, in this example, there is one active cell (100a) and two passive cells (100x, 100b) when the train and all personnel on the train are located within cell 100a. This channel allocation and deallocation method provides a solution to the problem in the prior art that channels must be generated when a mobile station moves to a new cell. This is because signaling channels in any potential "next" cell have already been established, and allocating traffic channels within them would be relatively straightforward. This will be described below with reference to FIG.
Temporarily returning to Figure 3, as the train moves along trajectory T1, the train enters cell 100b after a period of time. As a result of the notification message sent in step S415, cell 100b already has a notification channel associated with this group call (group call area with ID 888 and identifier 00175). Thus, mobile station 101 will detect the presence of a group call with ID 888 via the notification channel as soon as it enters cell 100b; in response, mobile station 101 will detect group ID (888). And the group call area identifier (00175) is checked against the unique identifier registered in the mobile station 101. In this case, the mobile station 101 has registered for the group call area with the identifier 00175, so the group call can be made in this cell 100b; as a result, the mobile station 101 then sends a notification response message to BSS 105b. Send (step S501). Notification response messages are in the Group Call area (Group Call) Includes Area) (00175) and Group ID (888). When received by BSS 105b, BSS 105b allocates a traffic channel into it (step S502) and sends a notification of traffic channel allocation to SCP for cell 100b (step S503).
Upon receiving the traffic channel allocation message, SCP 117 will identify all cells adjacent to current cell 100b, again by referring to the pre-stored cell configuration map described above in relation to step S407. Update the status for cell ID 100b as having an active traffic channel within it (step S505). The identifier of the cell adjacent to the current cell 100b-in this case cell 100c-is then sent to MSC 107, along with updating the group call area to include this cell 100c. The instruction is sent (step S507). Upon receiving this instruction message, the MSC 107 updates its table (step S508) and sends a notification message to the newly added cell 100c in the group call area (step S509); this is to the BSS 105c, A notification message is sent to all mobile stations in cell 100c (step S511), and the process then proceeds as described from step S415 in FIG.
In addition to adding cells to the group call area as the group call moves, cells that were previously part of the group call area are removed from the group call area. With reference to Figure 6, the removal of a cell from the group call area is conveniently performed based on a standard signaling message, the traffic deallocation message. This message is sent by BSS 105a when the train (and thus mobile station 101) leaves cell 100a. This is because once the train has moved into cell 100b, cell 100a does not have a mobile station capable of responding to notification messages with group call area (00175) and group ID (888). Once a traffic deallocation message is received by SCP 117, the entry corresponding to cell ID 100a will be updated with the status of the traffic channel. In addition, SCP 177 is a cell listed in the group call area that has an unassigned status and is adjacent to the currently active cell (that is, the cell in which the traffic channel is active) (s). Search for something that isn't there. Looking back at Figure 3, in this example, the currently active cell is 100b, and there are three inactive or passive cells 100x, 100a, 100c. Since cell 100x is not a neighboring cell of currently active cell 100b, it will be removed from the call group area by SCP 117 (step 603). The MSC 107 is then sent a message instructing the MSC 107 to remove cell 100x from the group call area stored in step 411.
As mentioned above, there are as many active cells as there are group call participants occupying different cells; therefore, in the example shown in Figure 3, all group call participants are single at any given point in time. If the train is long and / or the participants are distributed along the length of the train, then there are some active cells, correspondingly in Figure 3. It can be expected that there will be more passive cells than shown.
To ensure that the activation of traffic channels in any given active cell is synchronized with the activation and deactivation of signaling channels in the prospective, current and previous passive cells. It will be appreciated that the steps shown in Figures 5 and 6 are repeated for each cell containing the group call. In summary, as a generalization of the ongoing group call management process, voice channel allocation and deallocation are reported to MSC 107 by BSS 105a ... 105c. Voice channel allocation is used by the MSC 107 to require service node 117 to find a cell adjacent to the active cell (ie, the cell in which the voice channel is active). These cells are then added to the group call area. The deallocation information is used to remove all such cells from the group call area when the cell is no longer an adjoining cell to the cell to which the voice channel is currently assigned.
When the group call ends, different messages are exchanged between different mobile and network entities. This will be described below with reference to Fig. 7. Typically, the group call is terminated by mobile station 101 with a standard termination request message (step S701). For illustrative purposes, assume that the termination request is received when the mobile station is in cell 100b. Therefore, this message is received by BSS 105b from mobile station 101. BSS 105b relays an termination request message to MSC 107, which generates a group call termination instruction identifying the group call area (00175) and group ID (888) and sends this message to SCP 117. .. In response, SCP 117 will remove all cells corresponding to this group call area and group ID from the mapping (step S705); in addition, SCP 117 will be MSC. Send an instruction to MSC 107 instructing 107 to remove those cells from the group call area associated with this group call (step S707). When received, the MSC 107 identifies the group call generated in step 411 and sends an termination message to all BSS 105a, 105b, 105c currently listed for that group call area ( Step S709). This terminates any traffic and signaling channels.
Based on the above, in addition to the normal functions specified in GSM Standard 03.68, SCP 117 has sent a command to MSC 107 to define a group call area containing multiple neighboring cells (eg,). Step S409), configured by means of sending instructions (eg, S507, S605) to add cells to or remove cells from the group call area. SCP 117 is also configured to receive traffic allocation and deallocation messages relating to neighboring cells, and these traffic channel messages will trigger updates to registers holding group call details (S407, S505). , S603), causing SCP 117 to send the aforementioned message to MSC 107.
The MSC 107 also retains the details of the group call and its associated cells if the group call is determined to be of dynamic type (ie, numbered 880-888 in this example). It has special tailoring capabilities in the form of a means of renewing the reservoir; MSC 107 is added to cells belonging to the group call area upon command from SCP 117, for example as shown in steps S411, 508, 607. Can be deleted or deleted. In addition, the MSC 107 is configured to send traffic allocation and deallocation instruction messages to SCP 107 (these are received from the BSS using standard uplink reply / notification features). This additional functionality can be implemented as software running on Switch 107 and SCP 117 and as an accessible storage device for them.
In addition, the mobile station has a dynamic group call (ie, 880 to 888) based on the group call area (ie, the group identifier that is unique for the group-this is the train identification information in the previous example). A means for discriminating between group calls) having an ID between them. This feature can be implemented on a mobile phone or on a removable module (SIM) associated with a user's subscription. Such a function is similar to filtering of Shunting Groups in a GSM-R (GSM-Railway) environment. Therefore, this allows any given mobile station to participate in two dynamic group calls with the same group ID (eg 888). However, if the mobile station has previously registered for each group (for each unique identifier).
From the above, by using an identifier to define a group call area, the embodiment of the present invention allows groups having the same group number to coexist in the same cell group while being distinguished from each other. Will be understood to be. This is an improvement over prior art. In the prior art, there is no way to distinguish a group call area from another group call area when the physical locations of the group call areas overlap (as a result, those groups are combined into a single group). The combination of groups is controlled by which notification channel the mobile station first communicates with (as a result, the selection of groups by the mobile station is essentially a random process).
<u style="single">Additional details and corrections</u> In the above embodiments, the use of unique group identifiers is described in the context of dynamic group calls, but this aspect of the invention is the discrimination between different group calls present in a given area. It can also be used for static group calls, as it provides a way to do this. Thus, while the above embodiments relate to the coordination of group calls in the context of train travel, the embodiments of the present invention can optionally be used in environments involving moving static group calls. Examples include groups of factory workers, emergency services (especially police or fire brigade departments), teams participating in sporting events such as sailing, groups or construction of archaeologists scattered across a given area. Includes groups of construction workers scattered across the site.
The above embodiments are understood as exemplary examples of the present invention. Other embodiments may be considered, for example in connection with a group call involving two or more MSCs. In such a scenario, one MSC is designated as the group call controller, anchor MSC. If the group call area contains cells that are not under the control of the anchor MSCs, the MSCs for those cells also participate in the group call as relay MSCs. This allows group call movements as and when different MSCs become available.
Any feature described in relation to any one embodiment may be used alone or in combination with other features described, in any other embodiment or any other. It should be understood that it may be used in combination with one or more features of any combination of embodiments. In addition, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be used without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
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| US10009737B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Applicant |
| WO0131964A1 | Cites | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | Search report |
| WO0131964A1 | Cites | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | Examiner |
| WO0176300A1 | Cites | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | Examiner |
17 members in 6 offices
Priority claims9
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11966690 | United States of America | – | |
| 96669007 | United States of America | A | |
| 96669007 | United States of America | A | |
| 2008068333 | European Patent Office (EPO) | W | |
| 2008068333 | European Patent Office (EPO) | W | |
| 2007966690 | – | – | – |
| 2008068333 | – | – | – |
| US20070966690 | – | – | – |
| WO2008EP68333 | – | – | – |
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| US2009170488A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| WO2009083587A2 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A2 | |
| WO2009083587A3 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A3 | |
| KR20100103648A | Republic of Korea | A | |
| EP2241121A2 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A2 | |
| CN101940009A | China | A | |
| JP2011508554AThis record | Japan | A | |
| US8364191B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| US2013130668A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| US2013184027A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| JP5386505B2 | Japan | B2 | |
| CN101940009B | China | B | |
| US8649814B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| KR101429799B1 | Republic of Korea | B1 | |
| US9282438B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| US2016174050A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
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Numbers
- Publication
- 2011508554
- Publication, DOCDB
- 2011508554
- Publication, EPODOC
- JP2011508554
- Application
- 2010540146
- Application, DOCDB
- 2010540146
- Application, EPODOC
- JP20100540146
Titles2
- Japanese
- コール・グループのセットアップ、グループ・コールの管理およびグループ・コールの調整
- English
- Call group setup, group call management and group call coordination
Classification
- CPC, 6
- H04W4/08
- H04M3/56
- H04M2203/2044
- H04M2207/18
- H04W76/40
- H04W72/20
- IPC, 3
- H04W4 08
- H04M3 56
- H04W4 44
Designated states4
- Regional, 4
- Zimbabwe
- Turkmenistan
- Türkiye
- Togo