JP2017077032A - Network sharing and reverse single radio voice call continuation - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method, a device, and the like, capable of benefiting from network sharing in reverse single radio voice call continuation.SOLUTION: For example, a method may include a step of requesting handover of user equipment from a source network to a target network. This method may also includes a step of providing network identification corresponding to the source network, while requesting handover. Aside from this or in addition thereto, this method may include a step of requesting handover of the user equipment from the source network to the target network. This method may also includes a step of determining the target network based on the network identification received before.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  Some networks can operate using circuit-switched infrastructure, while others can operate using infrastructure for 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE). Devices can operate across the boundaries of these networks. Accordingly, such devices and networks can benefit from network sharing in reverse single radio voice call continuity.

  Some networks can also operate with multiple operators themselves using circuit switched infrastructure. Devices can operate across the boundaries of the coverage areas of multiple operators within these networks. Thus, such devices and networks can benefit from network sharing while maintaining voice call continuity between operator coverage areas.

  3GPP specified in Release 8 (Rel 8) about single radio voice call continuation (SRVCC) from LTE to second or third generation (2 / 3G) circuit switched (CS). SRVCC can mean a procedure for continuation and can also be used to represent an operation using such a procedure. 3GPP defined in SRel 11 the SRVCC in the direction from 2 / 3G CS to LTE packet switched (PS), ie reverse SRVCC (rSRVCC). Network sharing using the operation of selecting a handover target from LTE to 2 / 3G CS is described in 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 23.251, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. It is done. However, 3GPP does not define a network sharing operation for performing handover from the CS domain to LTE.

  A network sharing operation for performing a handover from a CS domain to another CS domain is described in 3GPP TS 23.251.

3GPP TS 23.251

  According to the first embodiment, the method may comprise requesting a handover of the user equipment from the source network to the target network. The method can also include providing a network identity corresponding to the source network while requesting a handover.

  In the first embodiment, the source network can be a packet switched network and the target network can be a circuit switched network.

  In the first embodiment, the network identification is used to identify the public land mobile network currently in use (e.g., used when a call or session is first established or after a handover from packet switched to packet switched). Or a source public land mobile network identifier.

  According to the first embodiment, a handover request can be a handover request from packet switching to circuit switching including network identification.

  According to the first embodiment, the handover request can be a single wireless voice call continuation request from the packet switching network to the circuit switching network.

  In the first embodiment, the step of requesting a handover can be performed by the mobility management entity or the serving general packet radio service support node, and the identification can be provided to the mobile switching center.

  In a modification of the first embodiment, the source network can be a circuit switched network and the target network can also be a circuit switched network.

  According to a variant of the first embodiment, the network identification is used to identify the circuit switched public land mobile network being used (eg used when the call is first established or from packet switched to packet switched). Of the public land mobile network used after the handover), or a source circuit switched public land mobile network identifier.

  In the modification of the first embodiment, the handover request can be a circuit switched handover request including network identification.

  According to a variant of the first embodiment, the handover request is sent from one circuit switched radio access technology to another circuit switched radio access technology or from one circuit switched network to another circuit switched network. It can be a handover request.

  According to a variation of the first embodiment, the source network can request a handover and provide identification to the target network.

  In a second embodiment, the method may include requesting a handover of the user equipment from the source network to the target network. The method may also include determining a target network based on a previously received network identification.

  In the second embodiment, the source network can be a circuit switched network and the target network can be a packet switched network.

  According to the second embodiment, the network identification may include a source public land mobile network identification from a packet switched network (eg, received from a packet switched network) or a target public land mobile network identifier.

  In the second embodiment, the handover request can be a handover request from circuit switching to packet switching including network identification.

  In the second embodiment, the handover can be a reverse single radio voice call continuous handover.

  According to the second embodiment, the handover request can be transmitted from the base station controller or the radio network controller to the mobile communication switching center.

  In the second embodiment, the network identification may be the network identification of a previously used source packet switched public land mobile network that may have been received with a previous packet switched to circuit switched handover request. .

  According to the third embodiment, the method may comprise requesting a handover of the user equipment from the source network to the target network. The method may also include the step of transferring a network identity previously received at the source network to the target network.

  In the third embodiment, the source network can be a circuit switched network and the target network can also be a circuit switched network.

  According to the third embodiment, the handover request can be an inter-radio access technology handover request or an intra-radio access technology handover request.

  In the third embodiment, the handover request can include a network identifier.

  According to the third embodiment, the handover request can be transmitted from the source base station controller or the source radio network controller to the target base station controller or the target radio network controller.

  In a third embodiment, the network identification may be a source public land mobile network identification from a packet switched network, which may have been received with a previous packet switched to circuit switched handover request. Or the network identifier of the previous source packet switched network or the network identifier of the previous source packet switched network.

  According to the third embodiment, the network identification can be a source public land mobile network identification from a circuit switched network, which was received with a previous circuit switched to circuit switched handover request. Possible network identification of the previous source circuit switched network or network identifier of the previous source circuit switched network.

  In a fourth embodiment, a method may include receiving a user equipment handover request from a source network to a target network. The method may also include the step of transferring a network identity corresponding to the source network to the target network.

  In the fourth embodiment, the source network can be a packet switched network and the target network can be a circuit switched network.

  According to the fourth embodiment, the network identification may include information on a packet switched public land mobile network currently in use, or a source packet switched public land mobile network identifier.

  In the fourth embodiment, the handover request can be a handover request from packet switching to circuit switching including network identification.

  According to the fourth embodiment, the handover request can be a reverse single radio voice call continuous handover request.

  In the fourth embodiment, a handover request can be received from a mobility management entity or a serving general packet radio service support node and forwarded to a base station controller or a radio network controller.

  In the fifth embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable medium is encoded with an instruction that performs processing when executed on hardware. This process may include requesting a handover of the user equipment from the source network to the target network. This process may also include providing a network identity corresponding to the source network while requesting a handover. This process can also include all modifications of the method of the first embodiment described above.

  According to the sixth embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable medium is encoded with an instruction that performs processing when executed by hardware. This process may include requesting a handover of the user equipment from the source network to the target network. This process may also include determining a target network based on the previously received network identification. This process can also include all variations of the method of the second embodiment described above.

  In the seventh embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is encoded with an instruction that performs processing when executed by hardware. This process may include requesting a handover of the user equipment from the source network to the target network. This process may also include the step of transferring the network identification previously received at the source network to the target network. This process can also include all modifications of the method of the third embodiment described above.

  According to the eighth embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable medium is encoded with an instruction for processing when executed on hardware. This process may include receiving a user equipment handover request from the source network to the target network. This process may also include transferring a network identity corresponding to the source network to the target network. This process can also include all variations of the method of the fourth embodiment described above.

  In a ninth embodiment, an apparatus may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory that includes computer program code. The at least one memory and computer program code may be configured to cause the device to at least request a handover of the user device from the source network to the target network using the at least one processor. At least one memory and computer program code configured to cause at least one processor to cause the device to provide a network identification corresponding to the source network at least while requesting a handover You can also. This apparatus can be configured to perform all the variations of the method of the first embodiment described above.

  In the ninth embodiment, the device may be a mobility management entity or a mobile switching center.

  According to a tenth embodiment, an apparatus can comprise at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code. The at least one memory and computer program code may be configured to cause the device to at least request a handover of the user device from the source network to the target network using the at least one processor. The at least one memory and computer program code may also be configured to use the at least one processor to cause the device to determine a target network based at least on the previously received network identification. This apparatus can be configured to perform all variations of the method of the second embodiment described above.

  In the tenth embodiment, the device may be a base station controller or a radio network controller.

  In an eleventh embodiment, an apparatus may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code. The at least one memory and computer program code may be configured to cause the device to at least request a handover of the user device from the source network to the target network using the at least one processor. The at least one memory and computer program code may also be configured to use the at least one processor to cause the device to transfer at least the network identification previously received at the source network to the target network. This apparatus can be configured to perform all the variations of the method of the third embodiment described above.

  According to the eleventh embodiment, the apparatus can be a base station controller, a radio network controller or a mobile switching center.

  According to a twelfth embodiment, an apparatus can comprise at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code. The at least one memory and computer program code may be configured to cause the device to at least receive a user device handover request from the source network to the target network using the at least one processor. The at least one memory and computer program code may also be configured to cause the device to transfer at least the network identification corresponding to the source network to the target network using at least one processor. This apparatus can be configured to perform all the variations of the method of the fourth embodiment described above.

  According to some embodiments, the device may include a mobile switching center.

  In the thirteenth embodiment, the apparatus may include request means for requesting a handover of the user equipment from the source network to the target network. The apparatus may also include providing means for providing a network identity corresponding to the source network while requesting a handover. The apparatus can also include means for performing all the variations of the method of the first embodiment described above.

  According to the fourteenth embodiment, the device may comprise request means for requesting a handover of the user equipment from the source network to the target network. The apparatus can also include a determining means for determining a target network based on a previously received network identification. The apparatus can also include means for performing all the variations of the method of the second embodiment described above.

  In the fifteenth embodiment, the apparatus may include request means for requesting a handover of the user equipment from the source network to the target network. The apparatus may also include transfer means for transferring a network identification previously received at the source network to the target network. The apparatus can also include means for performing all the variations of the method of the third embodiment described above.

  According to the sixteenth embodiment, the apparatus may comprise receiving means for receiving a user equipment handover request from the source network to the target network. The apparatus can also include transfer means for transferring a network identification corresponding to the source network to the target network. The apparatus can also include means for performing all the variations of the method of the fourth embodiment described above.

  In a seventeenth embodiment, a system includes a first apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory that includes computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are at least one processor. Using the first device to request at least a first handover of the user equipment from the first source network to the first target network and while requesting the handover, the first source Providing a network identification corresponding to the network. The system also includes a second device comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code using the at least one processor, the second Requesting at least a user equipment handover from a second source network corresponding to the first target network to the second target network and a network identification previously received from the first apparatus in the source network To the target network. The system further includes a third device comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code using the at least one processor, Receiving at least a user equipment handover request from the second source network to the second target network from the second apparatus, and transferring a network identification corresponding to the source network to the target network. Configured to do. The system further includes a fourth apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code using the at least one processor, 4 requesting at least a user equipment handover from a third source network corresponding to a second target network to a third target network and a third target based on a previously received network identification And determining the network.

  The first, second, third and fourth devices in the system of the thirteenth embodiment execute all the modifications of the method of the first, second, third and fourth embodiments described above. Can be configured.

  For a proper understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following accompanying drawings.

It is a figure which shows the network sharing scenario which can be considered. FIG. 2 illustrates circuit-switched public land mobile network sharing by two long term evolution mobile networks, according to some embodiments. FIG. 4 illustrates a signal flow according to some embodiments. FIG. 4 illustrates a signal flow according to some embodiments. FIG. 6 illustrates a method according to some embodiments. FIG. 1 illustrates a system according to some embodiments. FIG. 1 illustrates a system according to some embodiments.

  FIG. 1 shows a possible network sharing scenario. In this sharing scenario, the circuit switched (CS) domain 110 is configured with a mobile operator core network (MOCN) sharing model (lower left side in FIG. 1) and a gateway core network (GWCN) sharing model (lower right side in FIG. 1). can do. A network can be similarly configured on the long term evolution (LTE) side 120, MOCN is shown in the upper left of FIG. 1, and GWCN model is shown in the upper right of FIG. The connection between LTE and CS domain can be an Sv interface defined in 3GPP.

  More specifically, FIG. 1 shows a plurality of CN operators, which are CN operator A 111a, CN operator B 111b, and CN operator C 111c, respectively. The figure also shows shared MSC / SGSN 112a, 112b and 112c. This figure further shows a radio access network (RAN) belonging to the operator X 113. Within the RAN, one or more radio network controllers (RNCs) 114 can be found. All of these can be found on the CS domain side 110.

  The packet switched domain side 120 shows an evolved packet core element 121 connected to an eNode B (eNB) 122 that is serving the cell 123 and the user equipment 124. Operator network 125 may include elements such as S-GW 126 and MME 127, among others.

  As described above, 3GPP does not define the network sharing operation from the CS domain to LTE. In particular, the scenario shown in FIG.

  FIG. 2 illustrates the sharing of a circuit switched public land mobile network by two long term evolution mobile networks according to some embodiments. More specifically, in FIG. 2, the serving area may include two LTE PLMNs, LTE-PLMN A 210 and LTE-PLMN B 220, both of which are single radio voice call continuation (SRVCC). ) Can use the same CS, PLMN-CS 230. This figure can be viewed as two Greenfield LTE operators relaying on a third party CS domain for SRVCC. In the upper part of FIG. 2, the Venn diagram shows sharing, and in the lower part, a network connection diagram is shown.

  The two LTE networks 210 and 220 may include respective MMEs 211 and 221, respective E-UTRANs 212 and 222, respective S-GWs 213 and 223, respective PGWs 214 and 224, and respective IMSs 215 and 225. A CS RAN / BSS 235 connected to the PLMN-CS (MSS) 230 is also shown.

  In one example, a user equipment (UE) can initiate an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) voice session with PLMN-A and SRVCC to PLMN-CS. The source evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) selects the “target CS PLMN”, includes this selected “target CS PLMN” in the message, and sends it to the MSS of the PLMN-CS via Sv. Target resource processing. When this call is returned and returned from CS to LTE using rSRVCC, a CS radio node such as BTS or NodeB, for example, can select a target LTE PLMN based on the currently used PLMN. This LTE PLMN may remain the selected “CS PLMN”. This “CS PLMN” can perform rSRVCC for either LTE-PLMN-A or LTE-PLMN-B.

  For example, if the wireless node decides to use LTE-PLMN-B but LTE-PLMN-B and LTE-PLMN-A do not have a roaming agreement, an inappropriate LTE-PLMN is selected. The rSRVCC may be unsuccessful. This is because the serving gateway (S-GW) in PLMN-B cannot establish an S5 connection with the proxy gateway (P-GW) in PLMN-A, or the MME in PLMN-B This is probably because the S10 connection cannot be established with the MME in the PLMN-A. In FIG. 2, the S5 and S10 connections are indicated by broken lines. In other words, for rSRVCC to function in this example, the P-GW established before rSRVCC must be an anchor point after rSRVCC, and the new MME (B) is replaced with the old MME (A ) From the user equipment (UE) packet switched user information.

  Further, even if rSRVCC is successful because LTE-PLMN-A and LTE-PLMN-B have roaming agreements, roaming S5 if the call can be handled directly in LTE-PLMN-A. Will be established in vain. This also creates unnecessary roaming charges as additional PLMNs are involved.

  In some embodiments, a method is provided that allows a wireless node, eg, BTS or NodeB, to determine which PLMN (A or B) to use in selecting a target LTE. FIG. 3A illustrates the signal flow according to some embodiments.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, in B1, if the call is the first SRVCC from LTE to CS, in B2, the source LTE PLMN-ID is included in the handover request message from PS to CS, and the MSS via the Sv interface. Can be sent to.

  In B3, if the CS PLMN supports rSRVCC, the MSS can also indicate this “source LTE PLMN-ID” to the target BSS / RAN. Furthermore, at B4 and B5, the rest of the SRVCC procedure can be performed, at which point the UE can be served by the CS RAT. This voice call can be continued in the CS domain.

  If there is an inter-CS RAT / intra-handover, the source BSS / RAN can forward the “source LTE PLMN-ID” to the target BSS / RAN. This is not shown in FIG. 3A.

  In B6, if the current serving CS RAT needs to select the rSRVCC target, the selected PLMN will use the “source LTE PLMN-ID” as one of the inputs to select the target LTE. It can be ensured that there is no interruption. Therefore, the current serving CS RAT can select the LTE cell belonging to the source LTE PLMN-ID. Alternatively, the current serving CS RAT may select the roaming partner of the source LTE PLMN as the next option. The neighbor cell list for UE measurement can also be based on this “source LTE PLMN-ID”.

  At B7, the source BSS / RAN can return the selected target LTE PLMN to the MSS and continue normal rSRVCC procedure.

  Thus, in some embodiments, during a RAT inter-CS / intra handover, the CS PLMN can be given a source LTE PLMN ID and can be forwarded from the source to the target within the CS PLMN.

  In another aspect of some embodiments, the MSS may store the source LTE PLMN ID for further new CS calls. If this stored source LTE PLMN ID is received, it can be updated from the Sv interface in the next SRVCC procedure.

  In the explanatory diagram of FIG. 2, one CS PLMN is used by two LTE PLMNs, but the same method can be applied to a circuit-switched public land mobile network shared by a plurality of operators.

  In one example, a user equipment (UE) may initiate a CS call with PLMN-A and be handed over to the target PLMN-CS. The source BTS / NodeB selects the “target CS PLMN”, and selects the selected “target CS PLMN” from the PLMN-CS via normal signaling from the BSS / RAN to the MSS, eg, Iu-cs / A. The target resource can be processed in the message to the MSS. When this call is returned and the normal CS handover is used to return from PLMN-CS to PLMN-A, the CS radio node, eg BTS or NodeB, selects the target CS PLMN based on the currently used PLMN Can do. This CS PLMN may remain the selected PLMN-A or may be another PLMN-x.

  If an inappropriate PLMN-x is selected, an additional roaming interval is established between PLMN-A and PLMN-x, thereby incurring unnecessary roaming charges as additional PLMNs are involved.

  FIG. 3B illustrates the signal flow according to some embodiments.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, at C1, the source CS PLMN A can be sent to the MSS via normal BSS / RAN-MSS signaling when the call is initially performing a CS handover.

  In C2 and C3, the anchor MSS can indicate this “source CS PLMN A” to the target BSS / RAN via the target MSC. Furthermore, at C4 and C5, the rest of the CS handover procedure can be performed, at which point the UE can be served by the target CS RAT. This voice call can be continued in the CS domain.

  If there is an inter-CS RAT / intra-handover, the source BSS / RAN can forward the “source CS PLMN A” to the target BSS / RAN. This is not shown in FIG. 3B.

  In C6, if the current serving CS RAT is able to make a CS handover target selection, the selected PLMN is the optimal method using “source PLMN A” as one of the inputs to select the target CS. For example, to ensure that any extra roaming intervals are not established. Thus, the current serving CS RAT can select the target CS cell belonging to the source CS PLMN A. Alternatively, the current serving CS RAT may select the roaming partner of the source CS PLMN as the next option. The neighbor cell list for UE measurement can also be based on this “source CS PLMN A”.

  At C7, the source BSS / RAN can return the selected target CS PLMN to the anchor MSS and continue the normal CS HO procedure.

  Thus, in some embodiments, during intra-RAT CS / inter-handover, the target CS PLMN can be given a source CS PLMN ID, which can be forwarded from source to target within the target CS PLMN.

  FIG. 4 illustrates a method according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4, the method may include, at 410, requesting a user equipment handover from a source network to a target network. The method may also include, at 415, providing a network identity corresponding to the source network while requesting a handover.

  The source network can be a packet switched or circuit switched network and the target network can be a circuit switched network. The network identification may include an identification of a public land mobile network currently in use (eg, a public land mobile network used when a call or session is first established), or a source public land mobile network identifier. it can. The handover request can be a packet switched to circuit switched or circuit switched to circuit switched handover request including network identification. Furthermore, this handover request can be a single wireless voice call continuation request from the packet switched network to the circuit switched network. The step of requesting a handover can be performed, for example, by a mobility management entity or a serving general packet radio service support node or a mobile switching center, and identification can be provided to the mobile switching center, for example.

  Alternatively, the source network can be a circuit switched network and the target network can also be a circuit switched network. In addition, the network identification is used to identify the circuit-switched public land mobile network being used (for example, the circuit-switched public used when the call is first established or used after a packet-switched to packet-switched handover). Land mobile network identification), or source circuit switched public land mobile network identifier. The handover request can be a circuit switched handover request including network identification. Further, the handover request may be a circuit switched handover request from one circuit switched radio access technology to another circuit switched radio access technology or from one circuit switched network to another circuit switched network. The source network may also request a handover and provide identification to the target network.

  The method may also include receiving a request to hand over the user equipment from the source network to the target network at 420 and forwarding the request with a network identification at 425. Forwarding the request can include requesting a handover of the user equipment from the source network to the target network and forwarding a network identity previously received at the source network to the target network.

  The source network can be a circuit switched network and the target network can also be a circuit switched network. The network identification may be, for example, a source public land mobile network identification from a packet switched network, which may be a previous source that may have been received in a previous packet switched to circuit switched handover request. It can be the network identifier of the packet switched network or the network identifier of the previous source packet switched network. The handover request may be an inter-radio access technology handover request or an intra-radio access technology handover request. In addition, the handover request can include a network identifier.

  Alternatively, the handover request can be transmitted from the source base station controller or the source radio network controller to the target base station controller or the target radio network controller. The source network can be a circuit switched network and the target network can also be a circuit switched network. The network identification may be a source public land mobile network identification from a circuit switched network, which network identification is a previous source circuit that may have been received with a previous circuit switched to circuit switched handover request. It can also be the network identification of the switched network or the network identifier of the previous source circuit switched network.

  The method may also include, at 430, receiving a user equipment handover request from the source network to the target network. This receiving step may include recording a network identifier included with the request. The method may further include requesting a handover of the user equipment from the source network to the target network at 431, eg, in the opposite direction to the handover described above. The method may also include, at 433, determining a target network based on a previously received network identification.

  The source network can be a circuit switched network and the target network can be a packet switched network. The network identification may be a source public land mobile network identification from a packet switched network (eg, received from a packet switched network) or a target public land mobile network identifier. The handover request can be a handover request from circuit switching to packet switching, including network identification. For example, this handover can be a reverse single radio voice call continuous handover. Further, this handover request can be transmitted from the base station controller or the radio network controller to the mobile communication switching center. Further, the network identification can be the identification received with the previous packet-switched to circuit-switched handover request or the network identification of the previously used source packet-switched public land mobile network.

  Further, the method can include, at 435, receiving a user equipment handover request from the source network to the target network. The method may also include, at 437, transferring a network identification corresponding to the source network to the target network.

  The source network can be a packet switched network and the target network can be a circuit switched network. More specifically, the network identification may be information on a currently used packet switched public land mobile network or a source packet switched public land mobile network identifier. The handover request may be a handover request from packet switching to circuit switching, including network identification. This handover request can be a reverse single radio voice call continuous handover request. Further, this handover request can be received from a mobility management entity or a serving general packet radio service support node and forwarded to a base station controller or a radio network controller.

  FIG. 5A illustrates a system according to some embodiments. In an example embodiment, the system may include multiple devices such as MME 510, MSC 520 and BSC / RNC 530. These devices are just one example of many other devices that can be used, such as the devices shown in FIGS. Each of the devices 510, 520 and 530 includes at least one processor (514, 524 and 534, respectively), at least one memory (with computer program instructions or code) (515, 525 and 535, respectively) and a transceiver (respectively 516, 526 and 536) and antennas (517, 527 and 537, respectively). It is not essential to equip each of these devices in this manner. For example, none of these devices need be equipped with a wireless communication facility, and can instead be connected by a wired connection.

  The transceivers (516, 526 and 536, respectively) can be transmitters, receivers, both transmitters and receivers, or units configured to both transmit and receive and include network interface cards be able to. The transceivers (516, 526, and 536, respectively) can be coupled to corresponding one or more antennas (517, 527, and 537, respectively), or other communication hardware if no antennas are used.

  The at least one processor (514, 524 and 534, respectively) can be variously embodied by any computing or data processing device such as a central processing unit (CPU) or application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). At least one processor (514, 524, and 534, respectively) can be implemented as one or more controllers.

  The at least one memory (respectively 515, 525, and 535) may be any suitable storage device, such as a non-transitory computer readable medium. For example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or random access memory (RAM) can be used in the at least one memory (515, 525, and 535, respectively). The at least one memory (respectively 515, 525 and 535) may reside on the same chip as the corresponding at least one processor (respectively 514, 524 and 534) or the corresponding at least one processor (respectively 514, 524, respectively). And 534).

  The computer program instructions can be any suitable form of computer program code. For example, the computer program instructions may be a compiler type or an interpreter type computer program.

  At least one memory (respectively 515, 525 and 535) and computer program instructions are transferred to a hardware device (eg MME510, MSC520 or BSC / RNC 530) using at least one processor (respectively 514, 524 and 534). Processing such as any of the processing described in the specification (for example, see FIGS. 3 and 4) can be executed.

  Thus, in some embodiments, non-transitory computer readable media can be encoded with computer instructions that perform processing, such as one of the processes described herein, when executed on hardware. Alternatively, some embodiments of the invention can be implemented entirely in hardware.

  FIG. 5B illustrates a system according to some embodiments. In certain example embodiments, the system may include multiple devices such as, for example, MME 510, MSC 520, and BSC / RNC 530. These devices are just one example of many other devices that can be used, such as the devices shown in FIGS.

  For example, each of the MME 510 and the MSC 520 includes request means (511 and 521, respectively) for requesting a handover of the user equipment from the source network to the target network, and a network corresponding to the source network while requesting the handover. Providing means (513 and 523, respectively) for providing the identification. Similarly, the BSC / RNC includes request means 531 for requesting handover of the user equipment from the source network to the target network, and decision means 533 for determining the target network based on the previously received network identification. Can be included.

  MSC 520 and BSC / RNC 530 may also include forwarding means (528 and 538, respectively) for forwarding the network identity previously received at the source network to the target network. The MSC 520 may also include receiving means 529 for receiving a user equipment handover request from the source network to the target network.

  The means shown in FIG. 5B can be implemented in various ways such as hardware alone and software executed on the hardware. The above-described one shown in FIG. 5A is one of these implementation examples.

  One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention as described above may be implemented using a different order of steps and / or differently configured hardware elements than those disclosed. Thus, although the invention has been described based on these preferred embodiments, certain modifications, variations and alternatives will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. . Accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims in determining the scope of the invention.

Claims (68)

Requesting handover of the user equipment from the source network to the target network;
Providing a network identity corresponding to the source network while requesting the handover;
A method comprising the steps of: The source network includes a packet switched network and the target network includes a circuit switched network;
The method according to claim 1. The network identification includes an identification of a public land mobile network currently in use or a source public land mobile network identifier;
The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The handover request includes a handover request from packet switching to circuit switching including the network identification.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The handover request includes a single wireless voice call continuation request from the packet switched network to the circuit switched network.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The step of requesting handover is performed by a mobility management entity or a serving general packet radio service support node, and the identification is provided to a mobile switching center.
6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The source network includes a circuit switched network and the target network includes a circuit switched network;
The method according to claim 1. The network identification includes an identification of a circuit switched public land mobile network being used or a source circuit switched public land mobile network identifier;
The method according to claim 1 or 7, characterized in that The handover request is a circuit switched handover request including the network identification;
The method according to claim 1, 7 or 8. The handover request is a circuit switched handover request from one circuit switched radio access technology to another circuit switched radio access technology or from one circuit switched network to another circuit switched network.
10. The method according to claim 1, or any one of claims 7-9. The handover is requested by the source network and the identification is provided to the target network;
The method according to claim 1, or any one of claims 7 to 10. Requesting handover of the user equipment from the source network to the target network;
Determining the target network based on a previously received network identification;
A method comprising the steps of: The source network includes a circuit switched network and the target network includes a packet switched network;
The method according to claim 12. The network identification includes a source public land mobile network identification from the packet switched network or a target public land mobile network identifier.
14. A method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The handover request is a handover request from circuit switching to packet switching, including the network identification.
15. A method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that The handover includes a reverse single radio voice call continuous handover,
16. A method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that The handover request is transmitted from the base station controller or the radio network controller to the mobile communication switching center.
17. A method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that The network identification is a network identification of a previously used source packet switched public land mobile network received with a previous packet switched to circuit switched handover request.
18. A method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that Requesting handover of the user equipment from the source network to the target network;
Forwarding a network identification previously received at the source network to the target network;
A method comprising the steps of: The source network includes a circuit switched network and the target network includes a circuit switched network;
20. A method according to claim 19, wherein: The handover request is an inter-radio access technology handover request or an intra-radio access technology handover request.
21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein: The handover request includes the network identifier;
The method according to any one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that: The handover request is transmitted from the source base station controller or the source radio network controller to the target base station controller or the target radio network controller.
23. A method according to any one of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that The network identification includes a source public land mobile network identification from a packet switched network, the source public land mobile network identification received with the previous packet switched to circuit switched handover request. A network identification of a switched network or a network identifier of the previous source packet switched network;
24. A method according to any one of claims 19 to 23. The network identification includes a source public land mobile network identification from a circuit switched network, the source public land mobile network identification received with the previous circuit switched to circuit switched handover request. A network identification of a switched network or a network identifier of the previous source circuit switched network;
24. A method according to any one of claims 19 to 23. Receiving a handover request of the user equipment from the source network to the target network;
Transferring a network identification corresponding to the source network to the target network;
A method comprising the steps of: The source network includes a packet switched network and the target network includes a circuit switched network;
27. A method according to claim 26. The network identification includes information on a packet switched public land mobile network currently in use, or a source packet switched public land mobile network identifier.
28. A method according to claim 26 or 27, wherein: The handover request includes a handover request from packet switching to circuit switching including the network identification.
29. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein: The handover request includes a single radio voice call continuous handover request,
30. A method according to any one of claims 26 to 29. The handover request is received from a mobility management entity or a serving general packet radio service support node and forwarded to a base station controller or a radio network controller.
31. A method according to any one of claims 26 to 30, characterized in that 32. Encoded instructions that perform processing including the method of any one of claims 1 to 31 when executed in hardware;
A non-transitory computer readable medium characterized by the above. At least one processor;
At least one memory containing computer program code;
The at least one memory and the computer program code are at least stored in the device using the at least one processor.
Requesting handover of the user equipment from the source network to the target network;
Providing a network identity corresponding to the source network while requesting the handover;
Configured to do
A device characterized by that. The source network includes a packet switched network and the target network includes a circuit switched network;
34. The apparatus of claim 33. The network identification includes an identification of a public land mobile network currently in use or a source public land mobile network identifier;
35. Apparatus according to claim 33 or 34, characterized in that The handover request includes a handover request from packet switching to circuit switching including the network identification.
37. Apparatus according to any one of claims 33 to 36, characterized in that The handover request includes a single wireless voice call continuation request from the packet switched network to the circuit switched network.
37. Apparatus according to any one of claims 33 to 36, characterized in that The request for the handover is made by a mobility management entity or a serving general packet radio service support node, and the identification is provided to a mobile switching center;
38. Apparatus according to any one of claims 33 to 37, characterized in that The source network includes a circuit switched network and the target network includes a circuit switched network;
34. The apparatus of claim 33. The network identification includes an identification of a circuit switched public land mobile network being used or a source circuit switched public land mobile network identifier;
40. Apparatus according to claim 33 or 39, characterized in that The handover request is a circuit switched handover request including the network identification;
41. A device according to claim 33, 39 or 40. The handover request is a circuit switched handover request from one circuit switched radio access technology to another circuit switched radio access technology or from one circuit switched network to another circuit switched network.
42. Apparatus according to claim 33 or any one of claims 39 to 41. The handover is requested by the source network and the identification is provided to the target network;
43. Apparatus according to claim 33 or any one of claims 39 to 42. The apparatus includes a mobility management entity or a mobile switching center.
44. Apparatus according to any one of claims 33 to 43, characterized in that At least one processor;
At least one memory containing computer program code;
The at least one memory and the computer program code are at least stored in the device using the at least one processor.
Requesting handover of the user equipment from the source network to the target network;
Determining the target network based on a previously received network identification;
Configured to do
A device characterized by that. The source network includes a circuit switched network and the target network includes a packet switched network;
46. The apparatus of claim 45. The network identification includes a source public land mobile network identification from the packet switched network or a target public land mobile network identifier.
47. Apparatus according to claim 45 or 46, characterized in that The handover request is a handover request from circuit switching to packet switching, including the network identification.
48. Apparatus according to any one of claims 45 to 47, characterized in that The handover includes a reverse single radio voice call continuous handover,
49. Apparatus according to any one of claims 45 to 48, characterized in that The handover request is transmitted from the base station controller or the radio network controller to the mobile communication switching center.
50. Apparatus according to any one of claims 45 to 49, characterized in that The network identification is a network identification of a previously used source packet switched public land mobile network received with a previous packet switched to circuit switched handover request.
51. Apparatus according to any one of claims 45 to 50, characterized in that The apparatus includes a base station controller or a radio network controller,
52. The apparatus according to any one of claims 45 to 51, wherein: At least one processor;
At least one memory containing computer program code;
The at least one memory and the computer program code are at least stored in the device using the at least one processor.
Requesting handover of the user equipment from the source network to the target network;
Forwarding a network identification previously received at the source network to the target network;
Configured to do
A device characterized by that. The source network includes a circuit switched network and the target network includes a circuit switched network;
54. The apparatus of claim 53. The handover request is an inter-radio access technology handover request or an intra-radio access technology handover request.
55. Apparatus according to claim 53 or 54, characterized in that The handover request includes the network identifier;
56. Apparatus according to any one of claims 53 to 55. The handover request is transmitted from the source base station controller or the source radio network controller to the target base station controller or the target radio network controller.
57. Apparatus according to any one of claims 53 to 56, characterized in that The network identification includes a source public land mobile network identification from a packet switched network, the source public land mobile network identification received with the previous packet switched to circuit switched handover request. A network identification of a switched network or a network identifier of the previous source packet switched network;
58. Apparatus according to any one of claims 53 to 57, characterized in that The network identification includes a source public land mobile network identification from a circuit switched network, the source public land mobile network identification received with the previous circuit switched to circuit switched handover request. A network identification of a switched network or a network identifier of the previous source circuit switched network;
58. Apparatus according to any one of claims 53 to 57, characterized in that The apparatus includes a base station controller, a radio network controller or a mobile switching center,
60. Apparatus according to any one of claims 53 to 59, characterized in that At least one processor;
At least one memory containing computer program code;
The at least one memory and the computer program code are at least stored in the device using the at least one processor.
Receiving a user equipment handover request from a source network to a target network;
Transferring a network identification corresponding to the source network to the target network;
Configured to do
A device characterized by that. The source network includes a packet switched network and the target network includes a circuit switched network;
62. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein: The network identification includes information on a packet switched public land mobile network currently in use, or a source packet switched public land mobile network identifier.
63. Apparatus according to claim 61 or 62, characterized in that The handover request includes a handover request from packet switching to circuit switching including the network identification.
64. Apparatus according to any one of claims 61 to 63. The handover request includes a single radio voice call continuous handover request,
65. Apparatus according to any one of claims 61 to 64, characterized in that The handover request is received from a mobility management entity or a serving general packet radio service support node and forwarded to a base station controller or a radio network controller.
66. Apparatus according to any one of claims 61 to 65. The device includes a mobile switching center,
67. Apparatus according to any one of claims 61 to 66, characterized in that A first apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code use the at least one processor to Requesting at least a first handover of a user equipment from a first source network to a first target network and responding to the first source network while requesting the handover A first device configured to cause network identification to be performed;
A second apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code use the at least one processor to Requesting at least two devices to hand over the user equipment from a second source network corresponding to the first target network to a second target network; and from the first device in the source network Transferring the received network identification to the target network, a second device configured to cause
A third apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code use the at least one processor to Receiving the handover request of the user equipment from the second source network to the second target network from the second device at least, and the network identification corresponding to the source network A third device configured to cause transfer to the target network;
A fourth apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code use the at least one processor to 4 requesting at least a handover of the user equipment from a third source network corresponding to the second target network to a third target network, and based on the previously received network identification A fourth device configured to cause a third target network to be determined;
A system comprising: