Method for registration of client in mobile communication system

The present invention relates to a communication system, and in particular, but not exclusively, to a communication system in which the user has the option of registration and / or authentication system.

A communication system can be seen as a facility that enables communication between two or more entities such as user equipment and / or other communication nodes which are associated with the system. The communication may comprise, for example, voice communication, data, multimedia, etc.

A communication system typically operates in accordance with a given standard or specification which states that the various elements of the system are allowed to perform and how to achieve it. For example, the standard or specification may define whether the user is provided with, or more specifically, user equipment or terminal circuit switched service and / or packet switched service. Communication protocols and / or parameters which will be used for the connection may also be defined. In other words, a specific set of "rules" on which the communication can be based, requires determination as to allow communication through the system.

Communication systems providing wireless communication for user terminals or other communication nodes are known. An example is the wireless cellular network. In cellular systems, a base transceiver station (BTS) or similar access entity serves mobile stations (MS) or similar user equipment (CP) via a wireless interface between these entities. The operation of the device required for communication can manage one or more managed objects. The various control entities may be interconnected. One or more gateway communication units may also be provided for connecting the cellular network to other networks, such as another cellular system or to a public switched telephone network, public (PSTN) and / or other communication networks such as the Internet operate according Internet Protocol (ICP) and / or other packet switched networks. Communication between the user equipment and the elements of the communication network can be based on an appropriate communication protocol such as the Session Initiation Protocol (IPR) connection.

For example, in certain multimedia network architecture of third generation (3G) it is assumed that various servers are used for performing various functions. These functions include functions such as management of the state of the call (CSCF). Object management function for call state can perform functions such as an authorized control for the call state (P-SPM), interrogating call state control of the (OP-SPM) and the maintenance management of the state of the call (On-SPM). The function of the operating management of the state of the call can also be divided into a control function of the state of the initial call (H-SPM) and the control function of the state of the final call (H-SPM) at the beginning and end of the final session, respectively. Control functions may also be provided by entities such as a home subscriber server (HSS) and various application servers.

From the above control objects home subscriber server (ACD) for storing information relating to the subscriber. Subscriber information may include data such as registration identities (IR) or subscriber terminals, etc. The home subscriber server (HSS) can be queried objects other functions, for example, during the registration procedure and establish a communication session. It should be understood that the definition of "session" refers to any type of communication that the user may have, such as a call, data (for example, retrieving information, WEB), or communication means centric multimedia, etc.

A user who has the connection with the object of access communication system may be registered in the facility management service, such as O-SPM. During registration procedures different authentication polls or messages and authentication parameters such as parameters, based on authentication quintets and / or keys may be transferred between the entities involved in the process. The user may have more than one registration at the same time. Registration is required for communication via the communication system.

During the registration process user ID, such as a public identifier (T) is provided for the controller object. Public identifier (OI) is a user ID of a communication system, and its main function matches a telephone number known telephone systems. Phone 3rd (3G) generation may have more than one identifier (eg, phone number, one or more addresses, similar to e-mail addresses, such as Session Initiation Protocol (IPR) connection, universal resource locator (URL) address or addresses for Alternative means of communications, etc.).

After the public identifier (OI) is registered, it is stored as a P-CSCF (the authoritative management function for call state), and the S-CSCF (serving control function of the state of the call). Timer expiration associated with in-memory public identifier (OI). The timer functions so that, when expires the timer, check this particular public identifier (T) becomes invalid.

In the multimedia subsystem (ICS) Internet Protocol (IP), the proposed standards are now the third generation, the user undergoes authentication at registration and may be subject to re-authenticate if held to re-register the subscriber. The present inventors have discovered, however, that over time the events occur in the network that requires a re-registration and / or reauthentication of the subscriber. For example, the length of the time period for which the subscriber can be registered to a network is limited in time. If the subscriber is not registered in a timely manner, it is unregistered. As a result, for example, the current call shall be lost, and the subscriber is unavailable. The network does not trust the caller (if, for example, when the user performs a very long call), and the system would like to expose the user re-authentication during a call. There is an error condition to the S-CSCF (eg, loss of call overload or similar phenomena, etc.), and S-CSCF would like to force the user to use another S-CSCF.

It was suggested that the user sent periodic reports on re-registration to the network. It also gives the possibility of re-authentication. It is not connected with the problems that arise when the network is unaware of the user. The network must wait for the next reports of the re-registration. Again, if you want to change in the S-CSCF, the network must wait for the next reports of the re-registration.

If reports of the re-registration will be too frequent, the network resources can be used in vain.

It was also proposed to the Session Initiation Protocol (IPR) provides the capability to authenticate or re-authentication of the subscriber when he / she sends a request for a new IPR (for example, an invitation). However, forcing the authentication, when it received the invitation, will increase to an unacceptable value of the installation session.

The subscriber may be subjected to logout. The notification is sent to the subscriber about this if there is a subscription for the notification. Upon receipt of this notification, the user may be re-registered. The disadvantage of this is that any ongoing calls will be lost.

It should be understood that although the above discussed the registration procedure and the associated problems concerning based on Internet Protocol (ICP) system of 3rd (3G) generation, and session initiation protocol (IPR) connection, similar disadvantages may also be characterized, and other systems, and therefore the present disclosure is not limited to these examples.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to solving one or more of the aforementioned problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method used in a communication system in which the user is able to register a managed object, said method comprising the steps of sending a message from the communication system to the user requesting the re-registration the user of said communication network, and forcing said user to re-register said network in response to said message.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method used in a communication system in which the user is able to register a managed object, said method comprising the steps of sending a message from the communication system to the user requesting the re-registration the user of said communication network and forces said user to re-registration of said network connection in response to said message, said re-registration procedure authenticating said user puts. According to a third aspect of the present invention, a method used in a communication system in which the user is able to register a managed object, said method comprising the steps of sending a message from the communication system to the user requesting the user to initiate the said communication network, said procedure causes re-authentication of said user, coercive said user to initiate said procedure in response to said message, and to carry out re-authentication of said user.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a communication system comprising at least one user and the control object, wherein said user is able to register a managed object when it is used, the said communication is the ability to send a message from the communication system to the user requesting the re-registration of the user said communication network, said user has the option of re-registration of said network in response to said message.

In order to better understand the nature of the present invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, given only as an example to illustrate the invention.

Figure 1 shows the architecture of a communication system which may be embodied in the present invention.

2 shows an embodiment of the invention.

3 shows information flows in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

First, reference will be made to Figure 1 which shows a possible network architecture in which can be embodied in the present invention. The exemplary network communication system 10 made in accordance with the specifications of Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), 3rd (3G) generation. The cellular system 10 is divided into a radio access network 2 (SDRs) and core network (CN).

In general, it is possible to describe the communication system as a model, in which the functions of the system are divided into forming a hierarchical structure of functional layers. 1 shows three different function layers, i.e. the service layer, an application layer and a transport layer, and the arrangement of the various network elements relative to these layers. It should be understood that the layers provided in the form of the model is given only to illustrate the relationships of various functions of the system data. Physical, i.e. real implementation object (e.g., servers or other communication nodes) are typically not intended laminate structure.

An array of user equipment 1 (OP) 2 access network serving the radio (SDR) via a wireless interface. The user equipment is able to move relative to the object access and can thus be attributed to the concept of "mobile station." Function radio access network hierarchically placed on the transport layer. It should be understood that although Figure 1 shows only one radio access network for clarity, a typical communication system includes a number of radio access networks.

2 Access Network radio (SDR), 3rd (3G) generation is shown physically connected to the object 3 Service Support Node general packet radio services (OUPOP). Object 3 (OUPOP) is part of the core network. In the functional model of the object belongs to the transport layer 3. Operation of a typical cellular network and the various objects of its transport layer is known to those skilled in the art and therefore requires no more detailed explanation here.

The application layer 20 is shown placed at the top of the transport layer. The application layer 20 can include multiple functions inherent applied layer. 1 shows two object control function for call state (CSCF), indicated respectively at 22 and 23. For a given user equipment one call state server 22 is the so called serving control function of the state of the call (S-CSCF) to which the equipment is registered 1 user. In other words, the server 22 which is currently serving said user equipment 1 is in the control mode, the status of the user equipment.

The application layer object includes, as illustrated, the home subscriber server 24. The home subscriber server 24 (HSS) for storing data such as registration identities (TS), their status (registered up to this point-CSCF 1, or not registered to that point) and similar user related information.

For clarity, also shows some of the other facilities, such as various gateway objects (for example, the control function of the media gateway (FUSHM) Media Gateway (CMM) and the signaling gateway (USA)).

The solid lines indicate actual data transfer paths between the various entities. Dotted lines show the signaling traffic between various entities. Signaling functions typically required for management and / or control, such as for registration, session setup, charging, etc. As can be seen, user equipment 1 may have communication via the access network 2 and appropriate gateways with various other networks such as networks 4, 5 and 6. The other networks may be adapted to operate in accordance with the same standard as the network 10 or according to any other suitable standard.

Figure 2 shows in more detail the object 22 serving controller. Also shown are the other objects of the controller, such as a server 30 plenipotentiary function for call state control (P-CSCF) and an interrogating control function server 31, the status of the call (CSCF). Also shown is the ACD.

The procedure for registering a user equipment 1 sends a registration request to the proxy server 30. The request for registration is sent to poll the server 31. The relevant inquiry procedure can then be performed between 31 and poll the server object 24 ACD database information about the subscriber. The interrogating server may then request registration from the serving controller 22 of the object. The public identifier associated with the request is registered at the facility 22 serving controller. On the confirmation message and then the signals can be transmitted in any suitable manner. Also, it is authenticated.

The embodiment of the invention enables the network side (which is not the user equipment multimedia subsystem (ICS)) to start the re-registration of subscribers ICS (ie the user equipment).

The method for starting the IPU re-registering subscribers (that is user equipment) by the S-CSCF will be described with reference to Figure 3.

"Event 1" takes place in the network, which requires re-registration and / or authentication of the subscriber. This event may be one or more of the following events: expires current registration, the user suspects the network (e.g., because of a very long call, a change in the nature of the use, or for any other reason), or an error condition occurs in O- CSCF (eg, loss of a call in the current S-CSCF or overload, etc.), and S-CSCF would like to force the user to use another S-CSCF. It will be appreciated that any other event may require re-registration or re-authentication in alternative embodiments of the invention.

In response to an event-CSCF sends a notification request to step 2 to the proxy server 30-CSCF. Message notification is sent to the user equipment only if the equipment is pre-subscribed to the service. In alternative embodiments, there may be no need for a user equipment subscribing to the service. A notification request is a message containing an asynchronous event notification.

The request sent by the object 22 to the S-CSCF proxy server P-CSCF, the headline event includes an event that will trigger the re-registration in the equipment by 1, consistent with the recommendations of the 3 GPP (the standards of the International Bureau of Telecommunications of the 3rd generation). The name of the event would be "org.3gpp.reginit" ("Body. Register. Standard 3 GPP"), or any other appropriate name. Reporting standardized notification contains the name of the event that caused the notification. The organization IANA (Centre for registration of parameters assigned Internet Protocol) is an organization dedicated to standardization, which may be registered in the name of the event. This name may not be registered in the alternative standards organizations, and can be, for example, specific to the service provider who provides a particular service or a similar service.

After receiving the request proxy server P-CSCF 30 sends a "100 attempt" in step 3. This message informs the controller 22 serving-CSCF, the server 30 P-CSCF has received the message and tries to send a message to the user equipment 1 (OD).

Proxy server P-CSCF forwards the request to the notification equipment 1 user in step 4.

In step 5, the user equipment 1 (OP) corresponds to the server P-CSCF 30 that the request is accepted.

In step 6, the server 30 P-CSCF forwards the response to the service controller 22 to S-CSCF.

Finally, the user equipment starts the normal procedure for re-registration in step 7. This re-registration procedure is defined in the current version of the standard of the third generation. In this procedure, re-registration will be re-authentication of the user equipment.

In this embodiment, the user equipment 1 report that the re-registration is required, or to allow the use of the services offered by the network, or to continue to use the services offered by the network. It is possible that a group of user equipment will be forced to carry out the re-registration, using the same method.

An advantage of the present invention described above, is that existing sessions are not lost, since the network can inform the UE that the re-registration is required or to enable the use of services offered by the network, or to continue using the services offered by the network. Using embodiments of the invention, the network will be able to authenticate users during a call, to authenticate users before taking a call, etc. Subscribers can undergo authentication during a call. The network will not have to lose the existing sessions, if the registration of subscribers to lapse, it can try to run the first re-registration procedure, requiring re-registration. Subscribers can re-register through the new controller-CSCF without interrupting the call. This can be achieved if the force the user equipment to send a re-register message as described above with reference to Figure 3. During the registration process polls the server 31 OP-CSCF could choose a new facility serving-CSCF. Thus, the whole network problem will be invisible for the subscribers that have no active session. Shortcomings in the user equipment may be recalled sending a message about the re-registration before the expiration of the timer.

The invention described the launch of the re-registration is performed by using the existing notification methods specified in the standard of the third generation. The new name of the event could be defined in order to determine this launch. In a preferred embodiment, the name will have the following form: "org.3gpp.reginit", but may be used with any other suitable name.

For notification, requiring re-registration, the user equipment must subscribe to this type of notification for registration by introducing the appropriate headings in the registration message. If the user equipment is not subscribed to the event, just before the expiration of a timer having failures in the user equipment, it will not be recalled sending a message about the re-registration. This leads to the fact that the user will be subjected to deregister from the network, which in turn lead to loss of the current communication sessions. Without this subscription services when the network begins to manifest distrust, the user will simply be unregistered from the network. If there is a current communication session, it will be lost if there is an error condition in S-CSCF, the user will be subjected to deregister from the network and may be notified of such action. Perhaps, the current session will be lost.

Call all losses could have been avoided if the user subscribes to this new event. In alternative embodiments, the user equipment can be controlled to re-register, as shown in Figure 3, without requiring the user equipment to the service subscription. The service will therefore always available.

In the multimedia subsystem (ICS) is subjected to the subscriber authentication in the registration and re-authentication when re-registering. It is possible that some of the events will occur in the network, which would require re-registration and / or reauthentication of the subscriber.

It should be understood that although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to user equipment such as mobile stations, the present invention can be applied to any other type of user equipment.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed with reference to the facilities management of the state of the call. The present invention can be applied to other network elements where applicable.

The present invention has been described in the context of the specification of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), 3rd (3G) generation. This invention is also applicable to any other communication systems and protocols. Examples of other systems, without excluding other examples include the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data rates for developing mobile data network GSM (EDGE), other systems of the third generation, such as the i-phone or the IMT-2000 (International Mobile telecommunications) and ground trunk radio system (NMSR).

It should be noted that the above described embodiments only, and other modifications can be used in accordance with the invention disclosed herein without departing from its scope of patent protection, which is defined by the appended claims.