WO2000027077A1

WO2000027077A1 - Combined mobile and information network communication system

Info

Publication number: WO2000027077A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/025821
Authority: WO
Inventors: Charles P. Schultz
Original assignee: Motorola Inc.
Priority date: 1998-11-03
Filing date: 1999-11-03
Publication date: 2000-05-11

Abstract

A communication system combines an information network (114) and a mobile network so that users of each network can speak to each other. A central controller (122) facilitates the communication between users of the two networks. The system supports one-to-one and one-to-many type calls.

Description

COMBINED MOBILE AND INFORMATION NETWORK COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Technical Field This invention relates in general to communication systems, and more particularly to communication systems for linking mobile users with users of an information network.

Background of the invention

Communication systems have become an important part of society, allowing individuals to interact at great distances. The way in which people conduct business has been greatly influenced by the types of communication services available to them. At the same time, manufacturers and designers of communication equipment strive to anticipate how society is changing, and build communication equipment that will serve emerging needs. There is an ongoing cycle of development by manufacturers and newly recognized communication needs and desires.

Mobile communication systems, for example, have had a profound impact on how people conduct their activities, both business and leisure. Cellular phones, two way radios, and pagers are common in metropolitan areas. These types of communications allow people to be mobile, and to be reached at anytime within the serving area of the communication system. Thus, mobile communication systems offer a great deal of convenience.

Another type of communicating that is gaining popularity is the so called web phone. The web phone uses an information network, and primarily the internet, as a medium for voice communication. A user must have a computer capable of running the web phone client software, a connection to the information network, and at least another user having a computer connected to the same information network, also with a web phone software client running. Although conventional web phone voice quality is not presently considered to be as good as conventional telephony, it is considerably less expensive to conduct long distance communications. Given optimum network traffic conditions, the web phone can be used to communicate with nearly any other web phone user in the world for a fraction of the cost of conventional telephony. Each mode of communicating also has drawbacks. Mobile systems tend to be confined to users of the same system, or users connected to a public telephone network. Users of information network based voice communication services do not have access to public telephone networks, and hence do not have access to mobile users. In addition, were there a means by which users could contact multiple users of both systems, a very inexpensive dispatch or fleet communication means would result. Therefore, there is a need for a communication system which allows users of mobile communication systems to contact and communicate with users of information networks, and vice-versa. Furthermore, there is a need for communication system that facilitates simultaneous communication among multiple users of both systems.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

FIG. 1 shows a system diagram of a combined mobile and information network communication system, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 2 shows a signal diagram for setting up calls between users of a mobile communication system and users of an information network communication system, in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description Of A Preferred Embodiment While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , there is shown a system diagram 100 of a combined mobile and information network communication system, in accordance with the invention. The components of the mobile communication system include at least one base station 102, and preferably additional base stations, such as base stations 104 and 106. As is conventional in the art, each base station comprises transceiver and antenna equipment for establishing a serving cell in the vicinity of the particular base station. Each serving cell provides an air interface for at least one mobile station 108, and preferably additional mobile stations, such as mobile stations 110 and 112. The mobile stations may be, for example, cellular telephones or two way dispatch radios. In general, the mobile stations and base stations communicate over a radio frequency channel established in accordance with some protocol. The base stations and associated equipment make up a mobile network. The mobile network may be, for example, a cellular network, a dispatch network, or a combined cellular and dispatch network. The mobile network may also comprise a space system. In such a case, the mobile network would include satellites in orbit, with ground based antenna stations for communicating with . the satellites. Mobile stations for a space system will communicate over links with the satellites.

The information network 114 comprises conventional network equipment, such as, for example, TCP/IP network equipment, and may include the public internet. There is at least one terminal 116 coupled to the information network, and preferably a plurality of terminals, such as terminals 118 and 120. Each terminal may be, for example, a personal computer including a monitor, central processing unit, memory, and so on, and appropriate software. The terminals also comprise audio processing circuitry and software for processing audio signals received at the terminal from a terminal user, as when the user speaks, and for processing and playing audio signals received from the information network. The audio processing may be provided by conventional, presently available hardware, combined with routinely developed software. The terminals are provided with a client software that provides the necessary networking function and a user interface, and can be connected to the information network via a point to point protocol (PPP) connection over a regular phone line, as is conventional in the art.

When the user of the terminal desires to make a call over the information network, the terminal connects with a central controller 122. This can be done in a conventional manner using a web browser and hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP). The central control, preferably, has a web server interface that presents options to the users of the communication system. For example, the user may select from calling either an individual, or a plurality of other users, such users being either users of the mobile communication system or of the information network. To call other users, the user of the terminal desiring to initiate the call will enter an identifier corresponding to the parties the user desires to speak with. For example, this may be a standard 10 digit phone number for a mobile user, or a web alias for a user of the information network. To facilitate connections, the central controller routes audio signals between users of each network, between multiple users, and between users of the two networks. The central controller maintains a database 123 of primary identifiers. Each of the primary identifiers corresponds to a unique user equipment, either a mobile station or a terminal, of the communication system. The database or primary identifiers would be analogous to a home location register found in many mobile communication systems, and particularly that provided .. for in the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) specification. The database of primary identifiers contains a record of each account, and may include billing information, alias and other identification information, and so on. It would also indicate the permission settings for different types of communication service. A database of secondary identifiers 125 is also used, and tracks the dynamic aspects of the various users, such as which base station a mobile user is presently located near, or the present IP address of an information network user. In other words, the database of secondary identifiers is for locating the user equipment within the communication system. Tracking information network users by, for example, IP addresses is important since many such users may connect to the information network using dynamic addressing schemes, such as with PPP. Each user of the system, however, has a permanent and unique identifier associated with their account which is indicated in the database of primary identifiers, and is referenced in the database of secondary identifiers. In this regard the database of secondary identifiers is analogous to a visit location register (VLR) as provided in GSM. In connecting with the base stations, a cross connect function may be provided by a base site controller 124, so that the necessary routing of signals can be facilitated.

It is contemplated that prospective customers of the system may initiate service over the information network. Specifically, a user may access a public information network , such as the world wide web, and log onto a system operator's server. An electronic form would be provided, and the user would provide the requested information, as is conventional.

FIG. 2 shows a signal diagram 200 for setting up calls between users of a mobile communication system and users of an information network communication system, in accordance with the present invention. The vertical lines represent different equipment within the communication system, while the horizontal arrowed lines represent signals between the system components. The portion above the dashed line 202 represents an exemplary signal flow for a mobile user setting up a call with an information network user, and the portion below the dashed line 202 represents the converse scenario.

In establishing a call with an information network user, a mobile station must first be registered, as should the network client the user wishes to call. Upon powering up the mobile station, the mobile station connects (204) to the mobile network via a base station in the vicinity of the mobile station. The mobile network forwards (206) the registration request to the central controller. If the mobile station is permitted to use the system, the central controller will respond (208) affirmatively to both the mobile network and the mobile station. Subsequent to successfully registering the mobile station, the user may call an information network user. To initiate the call, the mobile station sends (210) a call set-up request to the central controller. The central controller processes the request, and initiates a connection with the particular information network client by sending (212) the request to the information network. The information network locates the client and attempts (214) to set up the call. In contacting the client, the client must preferably verify information so that the call is not set up with the wrong user. This could happen in systems where network addresses are assigned dynamically, for example, and if the only means of locating the right network client is to contact the machine at the last known network address of the client, then it is possible that the client may have logged off the network and the network address has since been assigned to another machine that logged on to the network subsequently. If, however, the client machine is logged on, than it will receive the request from the central controller. The client machine will alert the user to the incoming call request. If the user wishes to accept the call, then an affirmative message is sent back (216) to the central controller. The central controller in turn relays the answer to the mobile station (218), and the call commences (220).

For the network client to establish a call with a mobile station, the network client first logs onto the information network (222), and requests registration with the central controller. The information network forwards the registration request (224) to the central controller, which processes the request, records alias information and present network address information of the client machine. The central controller then sends an acknowledgement (226) back to the client machine. When the user of the client machine desires to call a user of the mobile network, a call request is transmitted (227) to the central controller, identifying the desired mobile station or mobile stations. The central controller then (228) directs the mobile network to locate the mobile station, and the request is routed to the appropriate base station. The base station then connects (230) with the mobile station by, for example, broadcasting a page over a control channel, as is known in the art. If the mobile station is in the serving cell of the base station, and is presently registered, it will respond to the page by communicating (232) acceptance of the call with the central controller. The central controller, once the mobile station accepts the call, sends an acceptance message to the network client (234), and reserves the necessary communication resources to maintain the call between the parties so long as necessary. Once the call is set up, the mobile station and network client communicate (236) as in 220 above. Of course, the central controller could also be used to process calls between information network clients and between mobile stations, but that type of communication is already in use. However, the instant invention also provides for one-to-many type calls, providing a fleet or dispatch capability in addition to being able to connect two users. When a user desires to send a message to a plurality of other users at the same time, the first step to be performed is selecting a group of other users to call. Then, the group list is sent to the central controller for processing. The central controller then quickly sends a message to each of the group members informing them of the group call, and a group identifier to be used with all transmission in the group call. In FIG. 2, step 212 could involve sending multiple network client identifiers if multiple network clients are to be involved in the group call. At the same time as performing step 212, the central controller will page any other mobile stations that the user desires to include in the group call.

Shortly after sending the notice to the group, the central controller responds to the initiating user, and begins the group call. The initiating user begins speaking, and the speech is digitized and sent to the central controller as described hereinabove. As the digitized speech is received at the central controller, the individual packets of digitized speech are duplicated to the group members so that the group members all receive the same speech data. This approach to group calls is conventional in mobile systems, but is expanded by the present invention to include users of information networks.

Identification of the various call members can be performed by having the central controller route identifier information to each member of the call regarding the other members of the call. Both mobile stations and network clients can be capable of displaying and storing the identifiers, as well as associating an alias with the identifiers.

A chief advantage that is gained by the present invention is that a small business owner that has a fleet of mobile employees can communicate with the fleet at a fraction of the equipment cost over a conventional private dispatch communication system. All that is required of the business operator is a computer with a means of connecting to the internet, the • client software for the computer, mobile stations, and a communication service provider in the area operating a central controller as described herein. The user of an information network can easily include other users of the information network in the group call as well. Another advantage afforded by the invention is that if a mobile user leaves an area where the system operator has mobile coverage, the user can use a computer to access the communication system, and still be able to communicate with other system users.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is not so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

Claims

1. A combined mobile and information network communication system for linking an information network with a mobile network to facilitate real time communication among users of both networks, the communication system comprising: at least one terminal coupled to the information network, the at least one terminal for . sending audio signals received at the at least one terminal from a terminal user over the information network, and for playing audio signals received over the information network; at least one base station coupled to the mobile network for providing an air interface to a mobile station, and for receiving audio signals from a mobile station over the air interface, and for sending audio signals to the mobile station over the air interface; and a central controller coupled to the information network and the mobile network for routing audio signals received from the mobile network and the information network.

2. A communication system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the at least one terminal is a personal computer programmed to operate as a network client.

3. A communication system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the at least one terminal is connected to the information network via a PPP connection over a phone line.

4. A communication system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the information network is a TCP/IP network.

5. A communication system as defined in claim 4, wherein the TCP/IP network is a public internet.

6. A communication system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the mobile network is a cellular network, the mobile station is a cellular telephone.

7. A communication system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the mobile network is a dispatch network.

8. A communication system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the mobile network is a combined cellular and dispatch network.

9. A communication system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the central controller can set up a one-to-many call.

10. A communication system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the central controller forwards identifier information to the terminal, where it is displayed by the terminal.