Integrity protection in a telecommunications system
25 claims: 11 independent, 14 dependent
- 1PATENTKRAV 1. Metod i ett telekommunikationsystem för att tillhandahålla positionsintegritet för en mobilstation (MS), hanterad av en första part (Al), varvid för att utföra metoden behövs, ett publikt mobilkommunikationsystem (GSM) vari mobilstationen ingår, en positioneringsnod (MPC) som, på begäran initierar positionsmätning av mobilstationen, mottager positionsdata, samt meddelar mobilstationens (MS) position, varvid följande steg utföres:a) mottagande av positioneringsnoden (MPC) från en andra part (A2) av ett första meddelande (Ml) som är en begäran om att få kännedom om positionen för mobilstationen (MS);kännetecknad av följande ytterligare steg: b) avläsning av en behörighetsparameter som visar huruvida den första parten (Al) medger positionsbestämning;c) sändande, från positioneringsnoden (MPC) av ett andra meddelande (M2) som är en besvaran av begäran i beroende av behörighetsparametern.
- 2Metod enligt patentkravet av att behörighetsparametern visas av en indikator mobilkommunikationsystemet (GSM).
- 3Metod enligt patentkravet den nämnda indikatorn anslutes av att till mobilstationen (MS). 509 435
- 4Metod enligt patentkravet 2 kännetecknad av att den nämnda indikatorn anslutes till den landbaserade delen av mobilkommunikationsystemets nät (P, MSC, HLR, VLR, BSC, BTS).
- 5Metod enligt patentkravet 2 kännetecknad av att den nämnda indikatorn anslutes till ett abonnentlokaliseringsregister (HLR, VLR).
- 6Metod enligt patentkravet 1 kännetecknad av att begäran enligt steget a föregås av att den första parten (Al) kontaktar den andra parten (A2).
- 7Metod enligt patentkravet 1 eller 6 kännetecknad av att behörighetsparameter uppges av den första parten (Al) via mobilstationen (MS).
- 8Metod enligt något av patentkraven 1-7 kännetecknad av att en förutsättning för att ange mobilstationens position med besvaran av begäran enligt steget c är att behörighetsparametern anger att tillstånd för positionsbestämning finns.
- 9Metod enligt patentkravet 6 varvid den andra parten (Ά2) är försedd med en teleterminal kännetecknad av att behörighetsparametern sätts att visa medgivande till att uppge positionen för den andra parten (A2) under det att en förbindelse är uppkopplad mellan mobilstationen (MS) och den andra partens (A2) teleterminal.
- 10Metod enligt patentkravet 9 kännetecknad av att behörighetsnivån hos en indikator i mobilkommunikationsystemet avläses och under förutsättning att indikatorn visar tillstånd för positionsbestämning uppges mobilstationens (MS) position. 509 435
- 11Metod enligt något av föregående patentkrav kännetecknad av avläsning av ett register varvid en förutsättning för att uppge mobilstationens position i besvarande av begäran enligt steget d) är att en behörighet för den andra parten (A2) att ta del av mobilstationens position finns registrerad i registret.
- 12Metod enligt patentkrav 5 varvid abonnentlokaliseringsregistret (HLR, VLR) är försett med ett för mobilkommunikationsoperatören tillgängligt användargränssnitt kännetecknad av att den nämnda indikatorn kan sättas att indikera önskad behörighetsparameter via det nämnda användargränssnittet.
- 13Metod enligt något av patentkraven 2, 3, 4, 5 eller (10) kännetecknad av att den nämnda indikatorn kan sättas av den första parten (Al) till att indikera önskad integritetsnivå från mobilstationen (MS).
- 14Metod enligt något av patentkraven 2, 3, 4, 5 eller 7 kännetecknad av att avläsning enligt steget b sker genom att positioneringsnoden (MPC) sänder ett tredje meddelande, förfrågan om behörighetsparameter, till en första nod (MS, HLR, VLR) till vilken den nämnda indikatorn är ansluten varpå ett fjärde meddelande information om behörighetsparameter sänds till positioneringsnoden (MPC).
- 15Metod enligt patentkravet 1, 8, 10 eller 11 varvid i anslutning till en andra nod (P, MSC, BSC, BTS, MS) i mobilkommunikationsystemet (GSM) finns medel att insamla positionsdata kännetec k n a d av att positioneringsnoden (MPC) sänder ett kommando, insamla positionsdata för 509 435 mobilstationen (MS) till den andra noden, under förutsättning att det finnas tillstånd att uppge mobilstationens position.
- 16Metod enligt patentkravet 3, 4, eller 5 varvid i anslutning till en andra nod (MSC, MS) i mobilkommunikationsystemet finns 5 medel att insamla positionsdata kännetecknad av att positioneringsnoden (MPC) sänder ett kommando, insamla positionsdata för mobilstationen (MS) till den andra noden, varvid den nämnda indikatorn avläses och i beroende av den nämnda visade behörighetsparametern insamlas positionsdata. 10 17. Metod enligt patentkravet 14 kännetecknad av att för sändning av det nämnda tredje meddelandet förfrågan om behörighetsparameter och mottagande av det nämnda fjärde meddelandet information om behörighetsparameter, används en kortmeddelandetjänst. 15 18. Metod enligt patentkravet 14 kännetecknad av att för sändning av det nämnda tredje meddelandet, förfrågan om behörighetsparameter och mottagande av det nämnda fjärde meddelandet, information om behörighetsparameter, används en dataöverföringstjänst.
- 1720 19. Metod enligt något av de föregående patentkraven kännetecknad av att det mobilkommunikationsystem som metoden utförs i är ett GSM-system. 20. Anordning i ett telekommunikationsystem för att tillhandahålla integritet för en mobilstation (MS), hanterad av 25 en första part, varvid anordningen omfattar; ett publikt mobilkommunikationsystem (GSM) vari mobilstationen ingår; W:· 509 435 en positioneringsnod (MPC) i anslutning till mobilkommunikationsystemet, med medel att ta emot en begäran om positionsbestämning av mobilstationen, medel att initiera positionsmätning av mobilstationen, medel att motta positionsdata, samt medel att meddela mobilstationens (MS) position;kännetecknad av en indikator (I) i mobilkommunikationsystemet som indikerar integritetsnivå;medel att avläsa integritetsnivån;medel att besvara begäran i enlighet med den avlästa integritetsnivån.
- 1821. Anordning enligt patentkravet 20 kännetecknat av medel att från positioneringsnoden (MPC) överföra ett meddelande förfrågan om integritetsnivå till en första nod till vilken indikatorn (I) är ansluten (P, MSC, BSC, MS), medel i den första noden att avläsa integritetsnivån, samt medel att sända ett meddelande integritetsnivå från den första noden till positioneringsnoden. mobilstationen (MS). 509 435
- 1924. Anordning enligt patentkravet 20 kännetecknat av att indikatorn (I) omfattas av ett abonnentlokaliseringsregister (HLR, VLR) och att en begäran till abonnentlokaliseringsregistret (HLR, VLR) om uppkoppiingsväg är modifierad genom att nämnda begäran tillfogats information om att nämnda begäran sker för positionering.
- 2025. Anordning enligt patentkravet 20 kännetecknat av medel att från mobilstationen sätta indikatorn (I) till önskad integritetsnivå.
- 2126. Anordning enligt patentkravet 22 kännetecknat av medel att från mobilstationen (MS) överföra ett meddelande (CD) om den önskade integritetsnivån till abonnentlokaliseringsregistret (HLR, VLR).
- 2227. Mobilstation MS kännetecknad av att omfatta en indikator som indikerar integritetsnivå.
- 2328. Mobilstation MS enligt patentkravet 27 kännetecknad av den nämnda indikatorn indikerar endera tillstånd eller avsaknad av tillstånd för positionering.
- 2429. Mobilstation MS enligt patentkravet 27 eller 28 kännetecknad av medel att från användargränssnittet sätta indikatorn att indikera önskad integritetsnivå.
- 2530. Anordning enligt något av patentkraven 20-29 kännetecknad av att mobilkommunikationsystemet (GSM) utgörs av ett GSM-system. 509 435 1/8 Du 509 435 2/8 GSM CL
Independent claims25
138 paragraphs in 6 sections, as filed
(54) (56) (57)
OMBUD Ericsson Radio Systems NAME Privacy protection in ANY PUBLICATIONS: - - AB telecommunications system
SUMMARY:
The present invention relates to geographical positioning of a mobile station in a mobile communication system. The object of the invention is to give a user of the mobile station privacy protection so that the position of the mobile station can not be determined by any outside party against the user's will. Therefore, an authorization check is performed in connection with determining the geographical position of a mobile station. The positioning is only carried out if there is authorization for positioning. The access control means that it is checked that there is permission from the user of the mobile station to perform the position determination and pass it on to an outsider. The access control may also include only a certain third party may take part in the position of the mobile station.
A second party "requests" the pole letting anode MPC position Mr MollalaUonan MS
The positioning node MPC winder command / Wool mobile communlcation server: Execute, poiUlon decision of the mobitolaUon MS
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onlrollerar. Displays the indicator all ilionsin Sr UllAten ^
Compilation of information (about the mobile slalion * position etc. in the transfer * of the information to the positioning node MPC
The positioning anode armchair Makes the mobile phone's potion and presents the position of the other party A2
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TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a telecommunication system comprising a mobile communication system and positioning means whereby the geographical position of a terminal in the mobile communication system can be determined.
BACKGROUND OF THE ART
There are a large number of patents describing how geographical positioning of a mobile station in a mobile communication system should be carried out.
Some writings, for example SE 9500569-0, Europolitan, describe that the position of the mobile station is determined by the American GPS system. The mobile station must then also be equipped with a GPS terminal. A GPS terminal can determine its position by receiving signals from at least three satellites. The request for the position of the mobile station from a third party can be transmitted over the mobile communication system and handled by the mobile station without the involvement of its users. The position of the mobile station is then sent back over the network to the person requesting the task.
In most solutions, it is instead the mobile communication system that performs the necessary measurements to determine the position of the mobile station. For example, the patent SE 9603561-3, Bodin1, describes how the wave propagation time of a signal from the mobile station is measured in a base station. The wave propagation time corresponds to a distance. The measurement is repeated at two more base stations. The position of the mobile station can then be determined with knowledge of the measurement results and the geographical positions of the base stations. The patent specification mentions that this calculation is performed in
509 435 is a positioning node connected to the mobile communication system.
Instead, the wave propagation time can be measured in the mobile station for a signal transmitted from a base station. This is disclosed in, inter alia, U.S. Patent No. 5,293,645, Sood. When the mobile station measured the wave propagation from at least three base stations, the result is reported to the land-based part of the mobile communication network.
Europolitan also describes that the geographical position of a mobile station can be determined by the identity of the cell within which the mobile station is located. It is the mobile communication system that can generate the information about the cell identity. This determination only gives a rough indication of the position of the mobile station since the specified cell can have a radius of up to ten kilometers.
The patent specification SE 9700522-7, Bodin2, describes how a positioning command can be transferred from a positioning node outside the mobile communication system to the switch handling the mobile station. The switch is assumed to control the base station system to perform measurement on the mobile station, using some prior known measurement method. The positioning node provides the positioning service, which means that it receives orders for positioning a 'certain mobile station from' a customer, orders the switch to perform measurement, obtains measurement results and calculates the position to finally present the result to the customer. To transfer the command to the switch and measurement results from the switch to the positioning node, a modified short message service (SMS) was used.
None of the scriptures described above pay attention to the violation of the integrity it may imply to a user
509 435 a mobile station that outsiders can determine the user's geographical position.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention addresses a problem that consists in allowing an outsider to access the geographical position of a mobile station using the positioning service. The geographical positioning is a problem when it is done against the will of the person using the mobile station.
Another problem that is attacked is that the user of the mobile station may on some occasions want an outsider to receive information about the user's position, but still want to be able to prevent outsiders from accessing the position on other occasions.
Another problem is that the user may want to give the opportunity for someone selected to take part of the position, while others should not have this opportunity.
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide privacy protection to a user of a mobile station so that outsiders cannot access the mobile station's position by means of the positioning service. A further object is that the privacy protection should be flexible so that positioning can be done when the user so desires or is interested in determining the position of the mobile station.
The above problem has, with the present invention, provided a solution in which the mobile communication system is provided with an indicator. The indicator is set to indicate either state or absence of state for position determination of the mobile station. Before performing a position determination, check that the indicator
509 435 indicates that a state exists. Otherwise, position determination is canceled. The user of the mobile station can set the indicator to the desired position.
According to an alternative embodiment, the user of the mobile station receives a request for permission for a subsequent position determination. This embodiment is suitable for use after the user himself requests a service from a service provider, a service that is dependent on the geographical location of the user. The service provider contacts a positioning node and requests to know the position of the mobile station. The positioning node asks the user for permission for the positioning. The user gives a state directly to the positioning node. Alternatively, grant the user permission to the positioning node via the service provider. This is done by submitting a code that the user obtained with the request for permission to the service manufacturer, who in turn leaves it to the positioning node. If the received code matches the sent code, then the position determination is completed.
In addition to checking the indicator, before positioning can be performed, it can also be checked that the person requesting positioning is registered and that authority for him to take part in the position of the requested mobile station is also registered. In that case, the fact that this information is registered is a prerequisite for the position determination. The data is in a register adjacent to, or integrated in, the positioning node.
The invention has the advantage that it allows a user of a mobile station to prevent the position of the mobile station from being determined. The invention provides a number of different embodiments suitable for different situations. It gives
509 435, for example, a haulage facility that can easily and regularly determine the position of their own mobile stations and at the same time prevent others from being able to determine the position. It also provides an opportunity for a private user to generally be able to prevent his mobile station from being determined and at the same time make it possible, in certain cases, when the user needs it, to determine his position. Thus, the various embodiments allow for flexibility of the privacy protection.
The invention has the additional advantage of being adapted to the administrative structure of the mobile communication system. It is essential to adapt to the existing structure so as not to increase the complexity of the mobile communication system. The indicator is placed in the mobile communication system and allows the user to directly put the indicator in the desired indication with only minor modification of the mobile communication system.
The invention will now be described in more detail with the aid of preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawing.
DESCRIPTION
Fig. 1 shows a view of a mobile communication system with a connected positioning node.
Fig. 4 shows a flow chart of a method for checking conditions in connection with position determination.
Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a mobile communication system in which a short message is transmitted.
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Fig. 9 shows the format for a request for routing info information sent by the gateway to the home location register.
Fig. 3 shows a modified home location register.
Fig. 5 shows a flow chart of an alternative method in which, in addition to checking an indicator, additional authorization checks are performed in connection with position determination.
Fig. 6 shows a flow chart of an inventive method for checking positioning conditions suitable for use in connection with the user requesting a position dependent service by a service manufacturer.
Figure 7 shows a flow chart of an alternative method for checking the position determination state in the same situation as intended for the method of Figure 6.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of yet another alternative method for checking position determination states in the same situation as intended for the method of FIG. 6.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention allows a user of a mobile station to prevent any outsider from finding out his geographical position with the help of a positioning service.
Fig. 1 shows such a mobile communication system GSM. The mobile communication system GSM comprises a number of mobile stations MS, MS1-MS3. A user A1 of the mobile station MS moves freely and can communicate via the mobile communication system GSM as long as he is in the mobile communication system's GSM service area. The service area is divided into a number of cells,
509 435
CL1-CL3. In each cell CL1-CL3 there is a radio base station BTS1BTS3 which can maintain communication with the mobile stations MS.
MS1-MS3 within the cell. A number of radio base stations BTS1-BTS3 connect to a base station switch
BSC, the base station switch BSC connects the system
MSC. In mobile communication GSM there is at least one port switch P which connects the mobile communication system GSM with other communication networks. For this purpose, the port switch P has communication with the other switches MSC of the mobile communication system. The gate switch P is also connected to a home location register HLR with information on where in the own mobile communication system GSM or in which other operator's mobile communication system a registered mobile station is located. Each mobile station MS, MS1-MS3, is registered in a home location register CPR. Another subscriber location register in the mobile communication system GSM in addition to home location register HLR, is the visitor register VLR with information on the mobile station MS. The visitor register VLR is connected to the switch MSC.
The mobile communication system GSM in addition to the mobile station MS and the radio connection to it is called the land-based part of the mobile communication network.
Fig. 1 shows a positioning node MPC connecting to the port switch P. The positioning node MPC provides the positioning service, which means that the node MPC at a request from a second party A2 determines and informs the position of a requested mobile station MS, MS1-MS3. For this purpose, there is a connection between the second party A2 and the positioning node MPC, via this connection the positioning node receives request M1 for positioning and notifies the other party of the position of the mobile station in a reply M2.
509 435
Fig. 2 is a block diagram of an apparatus according to the invention. In addition to the nodes also shown in Fig. 1, there is also an indicator I located in the home location register HLR. The user A1 can set the indicator I to indicate either of two positions, state or absence of position for positioning. To put the indicator in the desired position, the user A1 enters a code CD via the mobile station. The code CD is sent from the mobile station as if it were a B number, ie as the number of a B subscriber for connection. When the code CD is transmitted to the gate switch P, the gate switch P identifies that the code CD does not constitute an ordinary B number but is a message to the home location register HLR. The door switch therefore sends the code CD to the home location register CPR. The home location register CPR sets the indicator to indicate the desired level of integrity.
The code CD consists of either of two character combinations indicating state and absence of state respectively. For example, the two character combinations can be * 99 # and * 98 #. The transmission and registration in CPR is done analogously to how the call forwarding service is utilized from the mobile station MS.
In Fig. 2, an arrow shows how a positioning command K1 is transmitted from the positioning node MPC via the gate switch P to the switch MSC. The command Kl is described in greater detail later in the text.
Fig. 3 shows the home location register HLR modified by the insertion of the indicator I. In the home location register HLR, a number of data concerning the mobile station MS is stored in a number of different information fields. The information fields can be found, for example, using the identity of the mobile station DA. To store the indicator I, a further information field shown in Fig. 3 is introduced.
509 435
Fig. 4 shows a flow chart of one embodiment of the method according to the invention where a second party A2 requests information about the mobile station MS position. In a first step B1, the second party A2 sends a request M1 to the positioning node MPC to gain knowledge of the mobile station MS position.
The positioning node MPC then sends a command K1 to it
<td>switch MSC as</td><td colspan="2">currently serving</td><td colspan="3">the mobile station MS.</td>
<td>Commands Kl</td><td>meaning</td><td>is that the switch</td><td>MSC</td><td>shall</td><td>collect</td>
<td>position data</td><td>concerning</td><td>mobile station</td><td>MS</td><td>and</td><td>inform</td>
<td colspan="3">position data of the mobile station MS, according to</td><td>one</td><td>step B2</td><td>in Fig. 4.</td>
The command K1 is sent as a modified SMS message addressed to the mobile station MS as described in Bodin2.
The command K1 reaches the mobile communication system via the port switch P, which identifies that the K1 command concerns positioning. The gateway P requests from the home location register HLR to receive routing info information in order to be able to forward the command Kl. The gate switch P indicates in the request that it is intended for a positioning command K1. When the HLR home location register receives the request, the HLR register reads the indicator I and provides the requested connection path information, provided that the indicator indicates that positioning is allowed. This corresponds to a step B3 in Fig. 4, ie checking that positioning is available. If positioning is allowed, ie yes to the question in step B3, figure 4, the command K1 is transmitted from the gate switch P to the switch MSC.
When command K1 reaches the MSC switch, the switch starts collecting position data regarding the mobile station MS. It collected
509 The 435 position data is then sent back to the positioning node MPC, according to a step B4.
The positioning node MPC then determines the position of the mobile station MS using the position data obtained and presents the result for the second party A2, in a message M2, according to a step B5.
Instead, in step B3, the answer to the question would be no, there is no state for positioning, as is the case if the indicator I in the home location register HLR indicates that a state is missing, the positioning is not performed. Instead, a message is sent to the positioning node MPC that state of positioning is missing according to step B6. This is done by sending the home location register HLR, instead of connection path information, a message to the gate switch P that the requested information cannot be stated because the positioning permission is missing. Gate switch P sends a message that positioning has not been performed due to the missing state of the positioning node MPC.
The positioning node MPC then notifies the other party A2 that the position of the mobile station MS cannot be determined for lack of state, according to step B7.
Fig. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the position determination control method. The procedure has similarities to the method of Fig. 4, but a difference is that additional authorization checks by the other party A2 are made.
The process of Fig. 5 is initiated in the same manner as the method of Fig. 4 with a step B1, wherein the second part A2, with a message
509 435
Ml, request to know the geographical position of the mobile station MS.
In a subsequent step C2, it is checked whether the other part A2 is known for the positioning node MPC. One reason for this is to be able to charge the other party for the positioning service. If the other party A2 is known, ie yes to the question in step C2, a step C3 is performed.
According to step C3, it is verified that the other party A2 has the right to know about the particular mobile station MS position. In order to have the right to control the mobile station MS, this right must previously have been registered in the positioning node MPC. If the check shows that the other party has the right to access the position of the mobile station MS, ie yes to the question in step C3, then step C4 is performed.
In step C4, it is checked if the position is requested in an emergency. That it is an emergency can, for example, be stated by the other party in connection with the position request and that the other party is an alarm center. If it is an emergency, ie yes to the question in step C4, a step C6 is performed.
If, on the other hand, the answer to the question in step C4 is no, no emergency situation exists, it is checked whether the indicator I shows that the user A1 has given permission for positioning according to a step C5. The check is done by the positioning node MPC sends a request if there is a permit for the positioning. The permit request is received by the gate switch P and forwarded to the home location register CPR. The home location register HLR answers the request, the answer is sent by port switch P
509 435 on to the MPC positioning node. If the answer is yes, there is permission, a step C6 is performed.
According to step C6, a command K1 is sent to position the mobile station MS from the positioning node MPC to the switch MSC. In this embodiment, no check is made on indicator I when the command K1 is transmitted.
The switch MSC collects position data. The obtained position data is then sent to the positioning node MPC, see C7.
The position data may be further processed in the positioning node MPC, after which the position of the mobile station MS is determined and presented to the other part A2 in a message M2, according to a step C8 in Fig. 5.
If, however, what was assumed above, the other party A2 was not registered in the positioning node MCP, or would he not have the right to access the position of the requested mobile station MS, or would the indicator I show that permission is missing, ie no on any of the questions in steps C2, C3, or C5, the position determination is not performed and the positioning node notifies the other party and indicates the cause according to a step C9.
In the method shown in Fig. 5, in addition to checking that the other party A2 is known, C2, two additional authorization checks are made.
The first of these authorization checks is done according to step C3 to check that the second party A2 has the right to access the position of the requested mobile station. For example, a haulage company may have the right to access the position of their own mobile stations but not be entitled to access the geographical location
509 435 the position of a mobile station belonging to a competing haulage company. If the other party is an alarm center, ie he has the telephone number 112, he can be given the right to position all mobile stations.
It is also possible to divide the right to access the position of the mobile station to different degrees of competence. For example, a low power to access the position may mean that the other party A2 only knows within which part of the country the mobile station MS is located.
The second of the authorization checks is done according to step C5 to check that the user has given his permission for the position determination. For example, an employee A1 at the haulage company when a work pass begins to approve that the mobile station MS which he uses can be positioned. When the working time is over, he does not want the haulage company to be able to determine his position and therefore withdraws his permit, by setting the indicator I to indicate that the permit is missing.
A further embodiment of the invention is suitable for use in connection with the user A1 of the mobile station MS contacting a service producer A2 (Service Provider) and requesting a service from him. To perform the service, service provider A2 needs knowledge of the user's Al geographical position. One such service might be to get directions or information about where the nearest hamburger restaurant is located.
Fig. 6 shows a flow chart of the method. Initially, the user Al contacts the service producer A2 and requests a service for which the user Al position is necessary information. This introduction is shown by a step E1 in Fig. 6.
509 435
The service manufacturer A2 then sends the positioning node MPC a request M1 to become aware of the position of the mobile station, according to a subsequent step E2.
The positioning node MPC verifies that it has previously registered the service manufacturer A2. This step is denoted by E3 in Figure 6 but is the same procedure as in step C2 in Figure 5. If the service producer A2 is registered, ie yes to the question in step E3, a step E4 is performed.
According to step E4, the service node MPC contacts the mobile station MS user A1, with a request if the user A1 wants to give its permission for this position determination. With the request, the service manufacturer's A2 identity can be stated for the user A1. The user A1 approves this position determination, ie yes to the question in step E4, by sending its approval to the positioning node MPC via its mobile station MS, according to a step E5.
When the positioning node MPC has received the approval, the positioning procedure is started, whereby the position of the mobile station MS is determined, according to a step E6. This is done by sending a command K1 to the switch MSC which collects position data and sends this data back to the positioning node MPC. Thereafter, the positioning node MPC sends a message M2, indicating the position, to the service manufacturer A2.
If the positioning node MPC would not receive a permit from the user A1, ie the question in E4 would be answered with no, or if the service producer A2 was not registered by the positioning node MPC, ie no on the question in step E3, the positioning node MPC sends a message M2 to service producer A2, according to step E7.
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The message M2 indicates that the position determination has not been performed and indicates the cause.
In step E3, in addition to checking that the service provider A2 is registered, an identity check can also be done by the service provider A2. For example, the check may consist of the service manufacturer A2 having to enter a code word specific to him in order to be authorized to access the position of the mobile station.
Yet another embodiment of the invention which is suitable for use in the case of user A1 requesting a position dependent service by service manufacturer A2 is shown in FIG.
7th The initial three steps of the process, E1, E2, and E3, are the same as in the process of Fig. 6. According to these steps, user A1 requests the service of service provider A2, who contacts positioning node MPC to become aware of user's A1 position and positioning node MPC checks that service provider A2 is registered.
If the service manufacturer A2 is registered, ie yes to the question in step E3, the positioning node MPC sends a request to the mobile station MS user A1 for permission for the position determination, according to a step F4. A password is also transmitted together with the request. The user authorizes the positioning, ie yes to the question in F4, by giving the password to the service provider A2, according to a step F5.
The service manufacturer A2 gives the password to the positioning node MPC, according to a step F6. Subsequently, the positioning node MPC checks that the password obtained from the service manufacturer A2 matches the password sent to the mobile station MS. This is shown in a step F7 in Figure 7. Is
509 435 the answer yes, the passwords match, the position determination is performed and the position of the mobile station MS is notified to the service manufacturer A2, according to a step F8.
However, should service provider A2 not be registered, or no password from the mobile station via service provider be transferred to the positioning node MPC, or would the transmitted password not match that sent by the positioning node MPC, ie no on any of the questions in steps E3, F4 or F7, the position determination and service provider A2 are not informed of the cause, according to a step F9.
The same procedure is performed in steps F8 and F9 in Fig. 7, respectively, in the corresponding steps E6 and E7 in Fig. 6.
Fig. 8 illustrates yet another alternative method suitable for use in conjunction with user A1 requesting a position dependent service by a service manufacturer A2. The method differs from the methods shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 in that the user A1 does not have to actively allow the individual position determination requested by the service producer A2.
The process of Fig. 8 begins with the same three steps, E1, E2 and E3, which also initiate the procedures shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 8. Accordingly, the user A1 contacts the service producer A2, who then contacts the positioning node MPC and requests to know the user's A1 position. After the positioning node MPC verifies that the service manufacturer A2 is known, ie yes after E3, a first step G4 follows which separates the procedure according to Fig. 8 from the previous two.
According to step G4, it is checked that there is a connection established between the mobile station MS and the service manufacturer A2.
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If there is a connection, ie yes to the question according to step G4, a step G5 is performed.
In step G5, it is checked that the indicator I in the mobile communication system indicates that the user A1 has given his position for determination of position. The step G5 in figure 8 corresponds to the step C5 in figure 5. If the indicator I shows that the user has given his permission, ie yes to the question in step G5, a step G6 is performed.
According to step G6, the positioning node MPC sends a command K1 that the mobile station MS is to be positioned to the switch MSC.
In a subsequent step G7, position data is transmitted to the positioning node MPC which determines the mobile station MS position and sends a message M2 indicating the mobile station MS position to the service manufacturer A2.
However, should service provider A2 not be registered with the positioning node MPC or no connection be established between service provider A2 and mobile station MS or indicator I show that the user has not given his position for positioning, ie no on any of the questions in steps E3, G4 or G5, no one would positioning is performed which the positioning node MPC notifies service producer A2 in a message M2, according to step G8. .
According to step C3 in Figure 5 and in step E3 in Figure 6, Figure 7 and Figure 8, it is checked that the second part A2 is registered in the positioning node MPC. It is possible, if desired, to exclude this step from the described embodiments. One reason for deleting steps C3 and E3 is that it is possible to charge another party A2 without prior registration in the positioning node MPC.
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The procedure steps G5, G6, G7 and G8 are corresponded to steps C2, C5, C6, C7, C8 and C9 in Figure 5.
In Fig. 2 and the embodiments described, the indicator I is located in the home location register HLR. The indicator I may be located in any other of the system nodes, for example in the gate switch P, the visitor register VLR, the switch MSC or the mobile station MS.
In case the indicator I is in the mobile station, the indicator is stored
In a dedicated memory. The user sets the indicator to indicate the state or absence of permissions for positioning via the usual user interface. The positioning node MPC checks the indication of the indicator I by sending a request for positioning to the mobile station MS. There are several possibilities to send the request and notification of permission to and from the mobile station MS. It is possible to use both a modified radio interface between the mobile station and the base station switch BSC together with a MAP protocol, USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) and short message. The request and the mobile station MS are modified so that the request for the indicator indication is answered by the mobile station without the user having to participate.
In case the indicator I is in the home location register HLR, the indicator can also be set to indicate a desired location via the interface that the operator has for normal operation of the home location register HLR.
How the data collection is done is not part of the present invention. In the embodiments described above, the MSC switch is responsible for the data collection. This data collection may include that the switch is responsible for measuring it
509 435 the position of the mobile station, for example by measuring the wave propagation delay between the mobile station MS and one or some base stations BTS1-BTS3. The data collection may alternatively consist of the switch indicating within which traffic area the mobile station MS is located. A traffic area consists of a number of cells CL1-CL3.
Alternatively, the data collection can take place at a node other than the MSC switch. It can be done, for example, by the base station switch BSC, alternatively by the mobile station MS, or alternatively by the mobile station MS. The last case applies if the mobile station MS is provided with location data acquisition equipment, such equipment is, for example, a GPS terminal.
In the examples described above, the command K1 was transferred to position the mobile station by means of a modified short message. There are a number of options for sending a command K1 on positions ing to the node responsible for the position data collection. The possibilities, which, in the case where the indicator I is located in the mobile station MS, are given as an example for transmitting a request for positioning status, can also be used to transmit a command K1 for positioning.
In Fig. 1, the positive ionation node MPC is connected to the mobile communication system GSM by connection to the port switch P. There are other possibilities to connect the positioning node MPC, it can be alternatively connected to the home location register HLR. An alternative solution is that the positioning node MPC forms an integral part of one of the nodes of the mobile communication system, for example an integral part of the port switch P.
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Fig. 1 shows the positioning node MPC separate from the mobile communication system GSM. However, it is possible to extend the specification of the mobile communication system GSM to include the same functions as the positioning node described above. The MPC functions of the positioning node are to receive request M1 for position determination, in most embodiments carry out checks that the position of the mobile station MS may be stated, send command K1 for positioning, receive position data, further process the position data, and pass the position to the other part A2.
In some cases and in some mobile communication networks GSM, the port switch P takes care of the data that the switch MSC has. In Figure 1, the two are shown as separate units as this is the most common design.
In the first method shown in Fig. 4, the command K1 is sent with a modified short message. However, how the short message is to be modified is described by the previous patent application Bodin 2. Bodin2 does not, however, describe how the gate switch P in connection with the request for a connection path must indicate to the home location register HLR that the request is to be used for positioning.
The request for connection path information that the port switch P sends to the home localization register HLR is called in GSM terminology Send Routing Info For Short Message. This request is described by the specification GSM 09.02.
Fig. 9 shows in principle the format for requesting information about the connection path SRI that the port switch P sends the home location register HLR. The request SRI has a number of different information fields, of which Fig. 9 shows only a few. One of these information fields MSISDN contains the identity of the mobile station MS. Another of
509 435 of these, SCA, indicates the sender. The request SRI in Fig. 9 has been modified by adding an additional information field P_req to the request SRI. The added information field P_req specifies for the home location register HLR that the request for connection path information should be used for positioning.
When the home location register HLR receives a modified request for connection path information SRI, the register HLR checks whether the indicator shows a state of positioning. If such a condition exists, the home location register sends information about the connection path. The information is sent in a message called Short Message Routing Information Message, see specification GSM 09.02.
The invention is not limited to embodiments of a cellular mobile communication system such as Fig. 1 gives examples. The invention can be applied to any telecommunication system that provides mobility to its users. Mobility means that a subscription is not linked to a specific wall outlet but that a terminal with associated subscription can be used for both incoming and outgoing traffic in a larger geographical area.
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Contents6
10 sheets
Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Sheet 3 Sheet 4 Sheet 5 Sheet 6 Sheet 7 Sheet 8 Sheet 9 Sheet 10
Every citation, both ways
| Document | Relation | Office | Cited during |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO0051391A1 | Cited by | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | International search |
19 members in 10 offices
Priority claims2
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9701845 | Sweden | A | |
| SE19970001845 | – | – | – |
Members19
| Document | Office | Kind | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE9701845D0 | Sweden | D0 | |
| SE9701845L | Sweden | L | |
| CA2290356A1 | Canada | A1 | |
| WO9852379A1 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A1 | |
| AU7558298A | Australia | A | |
| SE509435C2This record | Sweden | C2 | |
| EP0963675A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| CN1256848A | China | A | |
| BR9809817A | Brazil | A | |
| CZ404599A3 | Czechia | A3 | |
| US6442391B1 | United States of America | B1 | |
| AU753854B2 | Australia | B2 | |
| CZ293513B6 | Czechia | B6 | |
| EP0963675B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| DE69830709D1 | Germany | D1 | |
| DE69830709T2 | Germany | T2 | |
| CN1309277C | China | C | |
| CA2290356C | Canada | C | |
| BRPI9809817B1 | Brazil | B1 |
1 legal event, as the office reported them to INPADOC
Events
| Event | Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Patent has lapsedLapsedNUG | NUG |
Numbers
- Publication, DOCDB
- 509435
- Publication, EPODOC
- SE509435
- Application
- 9701845
- Application, DOCDB
- 9701845
- Application, EPODOC
- SE19970001845
Titles2
- Swedish
- Integritetsskydd i ett telekommunikationssystem
- English
- Privacy protection in a telecommunications system
Classification
- CPC, 2
- H04W12/068
- H04W8/18
- IPC, 2
- H04W8 18
- H04W12 06
