FI111212B - Procedure by which a network subscriber can avail services in a data communications network - Google Patents

Description

111212

A method by which a network subscriber can utilize telecommunications network services

The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1, wherein the network subscriber can utilize services in a telecommunication network comprising at least one service switching unit implemented in the switching apparatus and at least one service control unit implemented in the subscriber database to support the intelligent network structure. 10 Telecommunication networks - both fixed, such as the public telephone network, and mobile networks, such as the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) standardized network in Europe, are known to comprise network subscribers capable of sending outgoing calls 15 and receiving incoming calls from via corded phones or mobile devices. To establish a connection between the calling and called subscriber within the telecommunication network or between different telecommunication networks, at least one switching apparatus for switching calls and at least one subscriber database is installed to store subscriber data of the subscribers who are currently connected to the network. An example of a telecommunication network is a system according to the GSM standard, known from the system description "D900-Mobile Communication System", system description>,, SYD 1992 (Order no. A30808-X3231-X-2-7618) and having>>> •) I »one or more mobile switching centers and home or chat registers as subscriber databases for storing information on the mobile network and services installed therein; 30 mobile subscribers.

The known digital mobile communication network thus supports the network structure of a smart network characterized by distributed, network-wide intelligence on separate network devices, as shown in System Description 35 "D900 ..." on page 2.3 of Chapter 2.3. The mobile 2 111212 network having a smart network network structure operates through Service Switching Points and Service Control Points, from which the Service Centers are implemented in the central switches of the mobile network and the service controllers in the data registers of the mobile network switching subsystem.

Such an intelligent network is accessible through service control units to provide specific services to subscribers of the intelligent network. In accordance with CCITT Recommendation Q.120010, services used in a single intelligent network are connected to a single service relay unit to effect a switch from conventional call processing and to activate access to new services. While adding new services to an existing telecommunication network, such as 15 mobile networks, is in principle possible by supporting the structure of the smart network, it is accomplished only by actively calling fixed telephone numbers for such calls on the subscriber's mobile station. This means that the service user must enter a suitable telephone number for each use.

It is an object of the invention to provide a method such as the one described above in such a way that service subscribers can flexibly and unobtrusively access the extended service offering of the telecommunications network.

This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, by installing at least one service identifier in the subscriber database as subscriber-specific subscriber information, and examining this service identifier during call processing for each incoming or outgoing call, a connection to a service control unit implemented in the intelligent network subscriber database is provided. Information is provided from this service control unit 35 for use of the additional services provided in the intelligent network to the telecommunication network transmission equipment and thus the service control unit implemented therein.

Due to the subscriber-specific service identifier, the use of the services is expanded during conventional relay and control technical operations when handling a call internally within the telecommunication network, i.e., unnoticed by the subscribers using the services. The resulting additional services for use in the intelligent network can be individually installed for each subscriber in the telecommunication network and implemented during the processing of a conventional call with the help of a subscriber service installed in at least one subscriber database without assigning its own call number to that service. The expansion of the service offering in, for example, a mobile network is achieved by supplementing, if desired, the basic and supplementary services (Supplementary Services) used by each mobile subscriber with certain services configured in a smart network and controlled by a service control unit. This means connecting the services of the telecommunications network to the services of the smart network 20.

By the method of the invention, the network-specific information of the intelligent network, which is usually located in the service control center of the intelligent network, can be interconnected internally with the information of other networks, without having to separately obtain it from the outside subscriber. Due to the integrated network architecture for integrating the smart network structure with a telecommunications network such as a mobile network or a fixed network using a service identifier, it is possible to realize the benefits of smart network flexibility and economy by adding new services to an existing telecommunication network.

Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings 35, wherein: 4111212

FIG. 1 illustrates mobile subscriber outbound call equipment in a mobile network supporting a smart network structure when using a service identifier to extend the service offering to the calling mobile subscriber; and

Figure 2 illustrates outgoing call equipment for a fixed network subscriber in a fixed network supporting a smart network structure using a service identifier to extend service provision to a calling fixed network subscriber.

FIG. 1 illustrates switching and control functions in connection with outbound call processing from a mobile subscriber PLMN from a mobile subscriber MS-A to a mobile subscriber MS-B or a fixed subscriber WS-B of a same mobile network PLMN on a digital service switching network ISDN or PSTN. The calling mobile subscriber MS-A is in a radio cell RCA of a non-displayed mobile station, e.g., a cellular digital cellular network PLMN. Through the air interface 20, a physical connection is established from the mobile subscriber unit to the base station BTS, which is wired to the base station controller BSC. Instead of an exemplary GSM network according to the exemplary GSM system, any network which just has a smart network structure can be used.

25 The mobile subscriber MS-A initiates a call reservation; 1a for transmitting signals from a voice channel base station system consisting of a plurality of radio and control devices (1). The base station system forwards the voice channel reservation for transmitting the signals to the mobile switching center MSC serving the calling subscriber MS-A, which in turn retrieves from the guest register VLR identification information containing information on the calling subscriber MS-A's rights and availability in the mobile network PLMN (2). The 35 visitor location register VLR associated with the calling subscriber MS-A retrieves the identification information from the home location register HLR or from the (not shown) authentication center (2, 3).

The respective mobile switching center MSC identifies the mobile subscriber MS-A after receiving the information, and 5 informs back to the mobile subscriber MS-A about the access rights and the location of the addressed voice channel through the base transceiver system BTS and the associated controller BSC. The mobile subscriber MS-A then transmits, through its mobile station, the desired subscriber number 10 of the desired subscriber via the radio equipment BTS serving it and the controller BSC to its mobile switching center MSC (5). The mobile services switching center MSC retrieves from the associated guest register VLR the information needed to connect the call to the selected destination subscriber (6, 7).

In addition to the usual subscriber information, at least one service identifier SCM is stored in the home location register HLR and the location dependent mobile subscriber directory VLR as subscriber-specific subscriber information for that mobile subscriber. 20 The service identifier SCM thus distinguishes a new class of services by linking the services in the mobile network with the services of the smart network, resulting in a wider range of services. The service identifier SCM installed on the calling mobile subscriber MS-A causes the PLMN to connect to the smart network> 1,) service control unit implemented in the subscriber's data base INDB during a normal call handset,> 25, in a mobile communication network supporting the smart network structure. ,, from the number and overlooked by the calling subscriber. In this way, the calling mobile subscriber 30 can access new additional services in the smart network without having to dial the telephone number assigned to that service. Therefore, in connection with the outgoing call of the mobile subscriber MS-A, the presence of such a service identifier SCM for the mobile subscriber MS-A (6) is also examined from said guest register VLR (or home 6111212 from the HLR register).

If the mobile subscriber MS-A has a service identifier SCM in the visitor location register VLR, information (7) is returned to the mobile subscriber switching center, which causes a switch from conventional call processing and access to the intelligent network subscriber database INDB to access service-specific information. The mobile services switching center MSC directs and implements the transition from conventional call handling to the extended use of extended service offerings with new services that subscribers to a standardized mobile network have not hitherto had access to.

Utilization of additional services to mobile network subscribers is based on a smart network structure including a service control unit SCP as a home location register HLR, a service control unit SCP * as a guest register VLR, a service control unit SCP as a mobile switching center MSC and another service control unit SCP '. The intelligent network components, together with the mobile network components, create an integrated architecture in which the mobile subscriber databases connect to the other subscriber databases of the smart network through the mobile network switching center through the service control units SCP, SCP 'SCP1' and the service center unit SSP.

For example, one service used for the mobile subscriber MS-A, in addition to the mobile network subscriber services (Supplementary Services), is to implement Flexible Call Barring for outbound call 30, depending on the current time or period or the location of the outbound call. from the INDB database to the mobile switching center MSC (9) of the mobile network. The mobile services switching center MSC then switches on or disconnects 7111212, depending on the above conditions.

Assuming that a call from a calling mobile subscriber MS-A to a fixed-network subscriber station WS-B on an integrated service network ISDN or a public switched telephone network PSTN is required, the data needed to establish a connection is retrieved from the MSC to the GPRS ) (10). The gateway switching center GMSC is responsible for the connection between the mobile communication network and the integrated service network ISDN or the public switched telephone network PSTN and forwards the received data to the switching center EX (11) serving the fixed network subscriber WS-B. The exchange center EX eventually provides a connection to the called fixed network subscriber WS-B in the local area access area on the integrated service network ISDN or the public switched telephone network PSTN (12).

Assuming that a connection is required to a called mobile subscriber MS-B of the same 20 mobile networks, all information, including service-specific information included in the mobile switching center MSC, is transmitted to the mobile switching center MSC '(10') serving the called mobile subscriber MS-B. -j through the BSC of the equipment and the BTS 'of the radio equipment; to MS-B (11 ^, 12 '). The called mobile subscriber MS-B is located, for example, in a cell RCB of a digital cellular radio network.

The new service provided by the intelligent network ti-30 wide database INDB may also be used by the called mobile subscriber MS-B in connection with the serving guest register VLR or the service identifier SCM contained in the home location register HLR. An example of a new service used by the called mobile subscriber MS-B is the forwarding of incoming pu-35 calls through a flexible call forwarding switch 8111212 ("Flexible Call Forwarding") to another subscriber number depending on particular time and / or periods. For example, in this way, the called mobile subscriber MS-B can be set up for call transfer only for the weekend, whereas on weekdays there is a conventional call set-up which is known to the mobile network subscriber. Other time dependencies based on certain time of day or time of the week or similar applications may likewise be realized on the basis of corresponding subscriber-10 database INDB parameters for the service being deployed.

Figure 2 illustrates call set-up for an outgoing call of subscriber WS-A of integrated service network ISDN or public switched telephone network PSTN to mobile station PLMN 'MS-B using subscriber-specific service identifier SCM when enabling additional services for use in a smart network. The calling fixed network subscriber WS-A assigns his subscriber number through his wired or cordless telephone and forwards it to the local switchboard serving him via the LEX cable. The fixed network switching center LEX corresponds to the switching apparatus of Figure 1 and has at least one memory SM for storing the switching data and subscriber data of the associated wired network subscriber.

; , In addition to the usual subscriber data, note SM

25, at least one service identifier SCM is installed as subscriber-specific subscriber information for that fixed network subscriber. For each incoming or outgoing call, during a conventional call set-up, it is examined whether the service identifier SCM is present in the memory SM for the called or calling 30 fixed network subscriber to branch into the intelligent network subscriber database INDB during call set-up. The purpose of branching is to enable additional smart network services internally without the need to use a dedicated telephone number for this service.

9 111212 The integration of the network technical information of the smart network services with the fixed network technical information makes it possible to extend the service offering to the fixed network subscriber provided that the architecture of the network supports the structure of the smart network. This is obvious for a fixed integrated service network or a public telephone network, because the central system LEX can be understood as a service relay unit SSP, as well as a memory SM as a service control unit SCP * and a subscriber database INDB as another service control unit SCP ** in a smart network. It is possible to implement the control of new services in the service control unit SCP '' and thus take advantage of the advantages of the smart network structure in terms of flexibility and introduction of new services in an integrated system for 15 fixed network subscribers,

The service identifier SCM, denoting a transition from the conventional call set-up to the calling fixed network subscriber WS-A, provides a dialogue between the fixed network service switching unit SSP and the intelligent network service 20 control unit SCP1 'by transmitting service-specific information to the service switching center S , 3). The central system LEX transmits an outgoing call from the fixed network subscriber WS-A; ; based on information provided by the subscriber database INDB; 25 invited subscribers.

Assuming that in the case of the called subscriber, J; V is a mobile subscriber MS-B, which is, for example, 1 in the cell RCC of the mobile network PLMN ', then the gateway exchange GMSC receives a call from the fixed network (4). A transit center arranged to receive a call from another network to the mobile network requests the location area of the called mobile subscriber MS-B from the home location register HLR based on the Local Mobile Subscriber Identity (5). The home location register 35 HLR, in turn, sends an inquiry to the guest location location 10 111212 VLR in the service area where the called mobile subscriber MS-B is currently (5). The visitor location register VLR detects the prevailing location area of the mobile subscriber and transmits the called mobile station roaming number (MSRN) of the called mobile subscriber MS-B to the home location register HLR from there to the GMSC (6).

The gateway switching center GMSC connects the incoming call to the mobile services switching center MSC which is responsible for the mobile subscriber station MS-B in its service area 10. The serving mobile switching center MSC requests subscriber information (8, 9) of the called mobile subscriber MS-B from the associated guest register VLR in order to establish a connection to the called mobile subscriber 15 MS-B based on this information. The actual mobile station of the called mobile subscriber MS-B is paged using a single paging channel at each base station BTS 'connected to the base station controller BSC to the mobile switching center MSC' in a location -_________ area (10). In this way, the Cell Identity (CI) identifier and thus the exact location area of the mobile station can be determined. When the paging mobile station returns to the serving base station BTS 'and to the mobile services switching center MSC' (11), the correct cell RCC has been found.

The MSC 'then monitors the identification of the called 25 subscriber MS-Bs and establishes a connection thereto with the MS-B by switching one of the speech channels assigned to the voice signal transmission from the MSC' in the BSC 'of that base station controller BSC' and the MS of the base station BTS '. 12).

For example, a service identifier SCM assigned to a subscriber of a mobile network or a fixed network having a smart network structure consisting of a plurality of bits may be BCD encoded in order to provide this subscriber 35 with multiple services in addition to those already available in the network 11111212. However, it is also possible to assign to each additional service used in the intelligent network a unique service identifier similar to the gateway subscribers who enable these services. The example shown in connection with an outgoing call from a fixed network subscriber WS-A can also be used for a call terminating in a fixed network subscriber. Thus, the new services are not limited to the above examples of mobile subscriber services.

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Claims (5)

12 111212 A method by which subscribers sending outgoing calls and receiving incoming calls (MS-A, MS-B, 5 WS-A, WS-B) can utilize services in a telecommunication network comprising at least one outgoing (MSC, EX, LEX) transmission equipment (MSC, EX, LEX). for connecting incoming calls, and for storing subscriber data related to the subscribers (MS-A, ...) of the at least one subscriber database (HLR, VLR, SM), and at least one service switching unit (SSP) implemented in each switching apparatus (MSC, ...); a service control unit (SCP1, SCP) implemented in one subscriber database (HLR, ...) to support the smart network network structure, wherein at least one service identifier (SCM) is installed as a subscriber database (HLR, ...) to distinguish additional smart network services from conventional telecommunication network services for each subscriber using the Additional Service (MS-A); and 20 for each incoming or outgoing call '. the subscriber database (HLR, ...) is examined during call setup for the presence of a called or called subscriber (MS-A, ...) service identifier (SCM), characterized in that the service control unit 25 (SCM) is branched to the service control unit. (SCP ") to an intelligent network subscriber database (INDB) implemented to provide access to additional services provided on each intelligent network switching device (MSC, ...). 2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that a mobile communication network (PLMN) is used as a communication network, in which calls of mobile subscribers (MS-A, MS-B) are transmitted and received by mobile stations and wherein the switching equipment consists of 35 MSCs and HLRs. or 13 111212 Guest Register (VLR) Subscriber Databases. 3. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a fixed network (ISDN, PSTN) is used as a telecommunications network, in which calls of fixed subscriber subscribers (WS-A, WS-B) are transmitted and received by wired subscriber units and the switching equipment consists of a local central system ( LEX) and its subscriber database (SM). A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the additional service used by one of the called subscribers (e.g. MS-A, WS-A) is to implement flexible call transfer to another target subscriber depending on fixed times or periods. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the additional service used by one of the called subscribers (e.g. MS-B, WS-B) is to implement flexible call barring depending on predetermined times or periods or depending on certain locations of incoming or outgoing calls. . ): t> T 1 I) I) ') J J • J ·') 1 3 111212 14