Data group paging service

p0001DATA Group Call

p0002The invention relates to a Data Group CaII Service (data group call service) and more particularly to methods and apparatus for implementing such a data-group call service.

p0003The well-known voice group CaII Service (VGCS) or voice group call service, for example, described in the 3GPP specification TS 43 068, allows the definition of groups with common downlink and uplink channels. A member (user) of the group can speak while all others listen. Will speak another user, he must request the vacant speech channel. Furthermore, the role of a dispatcher (dispatcher) is defined, which may at any time. If at the same time speak a user, so the language is mixed, is mixed from all other users.

p0004The extension of the known VGCS on a transmission of data, ie the distribution of data within the predefined group that is not currently provided or defined, either in parallel to an existing group call even regardless.

p0005It is therefore an object of the invention to provide methods and devices demonstrate that enable a data transmission, for example, image data in a group call service.

p0006This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims.

p0007Preferred embodiments and advantageous developments of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims. According to the invention methods and apparatus for carrying out a data group call in GSM or UMTS networks with

p0008Data transfer option associated with language-group discussions (VGCS: Voice Group CaII Service) described.

p0009According to a first aspect of the invention a method for establishing a data connection for a group call service between several group members is provided as a user of a mobile communication network are used in the functions of an IP Multimedia Subsystem, IMS, wherein a Session Initiation Protocol, SIP, controlled data connection between a station, terminal, and one or several receivers is produced, with each user in addition to a Gruppengesprächsdienst- identity, VGCS-ID, an IMS group identity, IMS group ID, is allocated, with the aid of the user to an Application server in the IMS is routed, which conducts a data-group call service between users.

p0010According to a second aspect, a method for establishing a data connection with a group call service between several group members is provided as a user of a mobile communication network in which routed each user using a group call service identity, VGCS ID, and an IP address of a service node via GPRS to the service node will, which acts as a relay and conducts a data group call service between users.

p0011Two embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. Here, further features, advantages and applications of the invention.

p0012Figure 1 shows a simplified architecture of a first embodiment of a data group call service based on an IP Multimedia Core Network Subsystem (IMS) and a multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS). Figure 2 shows a simplified architecture of a second embodiment of the data group call service based on a Service Node (SK) and an MBMS.

p0013According to the invention, a data-group discussion in connection with a Voice Group CaII (VGC) - regardless of whether this is just or not - can be realized.

p0014The transfer of data from the terminal 1 of a user to a broadcast / multicast service center 5 and continues to take place at terminals one or more recipients via a packet-oriented components of a GPRS network. A Serving GPRS Support Node SGSN 3 controls the data traffic from the terminal via the base stations BTS / BSC and vice versa, and handles the routing of data packets, the management of logical connections and Authentifzierungsfunktionen.

p0015A Gateway GPRS Support Node 4 is the connection unit to the connected networks. The GGSN 4 assumes the conversion of the packet formats and the conversion of addresses between data networks and mobile networks. The mobile switching center 2 is used exclusively for the processing of VGCS. In the drawings, thick lines of communication interfaces shown, are transmitted via the user data, with thin lines of communication interfaces via which the signaling traffic is transmitted and with double thin connecting lines interfaces or devices that need to be inventively reinstalled

p0016The multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) is an extension of the UMTS network for multimedia and broadcast services, aimed at optimizing the data transport with simultaneous transmission by many users. MBMS operates with the microcell structure of the UMTS network and is driven by 3GPP for standardization. First variant - IMS, Figure 1:

p0017For the realization is on functions of an IP Multimedia core network subsystem (IMS) resorted (3GPP TS 22 228). IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) are central integration platforms for controlling mobile services, customer management and accounting for mobile services that are based on the IP protocol.

p0018It is manufactured according to the invention, a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) controlled data connection between the sender, terminal 1, and the receivers. The Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is standard for a signaling protocol, build up the sessions with two or more participants, modify and can finish. This text-based protocol based on HTTP, the transmission of real-time data over packet-based networks serves. The SIP protocol is functionally comparable to the H.323 protocol and can interactive communication services including voice over IP networks transmit. The SIP information can be transported over the TCP protocol or the UDP protocol. SIP has an open internet-based structure and allows CLASS features (Custom Local Area Signaling Service) such as the transmission of the identity of the caller or call forwarding in IP-based networks.

p0019The user is also a newly introduced IMS group identity (IMS Group ID) allocated, which is stored on the SIM card or UICC of the user and the terminal client is available in addition to a group call service identity (VGCS ID). Once the user ID of a VGCS VGCS active sets (this is the time at which he receives notification of the corresponding group, or can even build the Group CaII) the client checks on the terminal whether this VGCS ID also an IMS group ID available is. If an IMS Group ID is present, the IMS client registers on the terminal using the IMS group ID. Based on this IMS group ID of the user is routed to a special Application Server 8 in the IMS, which is responsible for handling the Data group calls. The Application Server 8 provides means foreseen in the IMS mechanisms connects to all party members and provides optional that always settle only one group member data (upload) can and get this information all others. The ability for a user to send is signaled according to the client and displayed on the terminal of the user. The request is sent to send messages to the application server from the client via a SIP.

p0020In addition, ship parallel to a user data to all group members analogous to a VGCS a predefined dispatcher.

p0021The data downlink either via dedicated channels (point to point connections) or with the involvement of the MBMS (Multimedia Broadcast Multicast System, 3GPP TS 22.146). In the latter case, the Application Server must be 5 to connect to a broadcast / multicast service center (BM-SC), be redistributed from which the data in multicast mode to the individual user.

p0022The correct receipt of the data can be confirmed through acknowledgments by the individual clients.

p0023The Application Server 8 accesses the data of the Group CaII register 6 (GCR) to obtain the necessary information for the development of data-group discussion. Both functions can also be implemented jointly.

p0024Furthermore, an interface between the BM-SC 5 and GCR 6 or the the Application Server 8 is necessary in order to transmit the necessary data for a multicast operation. Second variant - Service Node (SK), Figure 2

p0025Instead of a SIP controlled data-direct connection according to the first variant, the data of the sender, terminal 1 is sent to a Service Node 9 (SK), which acts as a relay and forwards the data to all recipients.

p0026The user must in addition to the Group ID administer an IP address for the service node for the VGC. It is stored in the SIM or UICC and is available to the terminal client. Once the user a Group ID of VGCS active sets (this is the time at which he receives notification of the respective group or even can build the Group CaII) the client checks on the terminal whether a Service Node IP address is available to this Group ID , If so GPRS is activated in the terminal - it goes online.

p0027Sends the user now data, they are routed together with the Group ID for a SGSN 3 and GGSN 4 to the predefined IP address, behind the service node 9 is hidden. This can include an optional private APN (Access Point Name) are used. The Service Node 9 checks now based on the sender's IP address or the sender IMSI, as well as the Group ID authorization and sends the data to the receiver (ie, the rest of the group members) on. The necessary data (permissions, group members) the service node from the Group CaII register 6 (GCR). This requires an interface between GCR 6 and Service Node 9 is necessary. The common implementation of GCR 6 and Service Node 9 is also possible.

p0028In addition, ship parallel to a user data to all group members analogous to a VGCS a predefined dispatcher.

p0029It is not necessary that the service node 9 waits until it has received all transmission data before forwarding it to the recipient. A typical router behavior is sufficient. Since there are no signaling messages here to control the session, special mechanisms must be utilized in order, if desired, to perform a sequence control. For example, the control of so-called tokens is conceivable. A client terminal 1, wishes to obtain the right to send, sends a specific record to the Service Node 9, whereupon the latter with a particular record, the token, responds. To know the sender, terminal 1 that it can send now. Finally, the client sends, terminal 1, again the token to the Service Node 9 and this can now pass on to someone else him. This can be done based on cached requirements, or even based on the first incoming request (Request) to Back receipt of the token.

p0030The distribution of data from Service Node 9 to the receivers via point to point connections or optionally via a MBMS system. This requires that the Service Node 9 forward the data to the BM-SC. 5 A compound of GCR 6 with the BM-SC 5 allows data synchronization, thus sending to the appropriate group. This connection can also be made via the service node. 9

p0031Generally valid options

p0032The sequential control for the data connection is optional and can be effected independently of the sequential control of the VGCS.

p0033It is possible to limit to limit the amount of data to be transmitted (amount of data) or the transmission time. That is when the maximum volume or the maximum time the transmitter loses the right to send and it may be given to another user. List of reference numerals and abbreviations

p00341 terminal (UE)

p00352 switching center (MSC)

p00363 Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN)

p00374 Gateway GPRS Support Node

p00385 Broadcast / Multicast - Service Center

p00396 Group CaII Register

p00407 CaII State Control Function

p00418 Application Server

p00429 Service Node

p0043UE User Equipment (terminal)

p0044SGSN Serving GPRS Support Node

p0045GGSN Gateway GPRS Support Node

p0046MSC Mobile services Switching Center

p0047CSCF CaII State Control Function

p0048GCR Group CaII Register

p0049AS Application Server

p0050SK Service Node

p0051BM-SC Broadcast / Multicast - Service Center