Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W8/00—Network data management
  • H04W8/18—Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
  • H04W8/186—Processing of subscriber group data

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the registration of functional numbers in a mobile communication system. It is applicable in particular to GSM-Railways networks.
• Wireless mobile telecommunication services are now quite commonplace.
• Several worldwide wireless mobile telephony standards are provided for general public use by way of subscription or similar.
• Wireless mobile telephony offer many advantages over standard fixed line Plain Old Telephone Services (POTS) telephony systems, the most significant being that the mobile telephone is mobile as such, provided that the use of a particular mobile telephone is made within a region covered by the operator to which a mobile subscriber is connected to.
• POTS Plain Old Telephone Services
• GSM-R Global System for Mobile Communications
• ETSI European Telecommunications Standards Institute
• a GSM-Railways network communication is required between different user types such as person to person, person to system, system to system in different environments such as on the same train, from train to train, from/to ground to/from train, from ground to ground.
• the different types of user need to be able to communicate with each other using special railway numbers, i.e. Functional Numbers (FN) which reflect functional information such as the train number the user is on, the function of the train such as goods or passenger, the function of the person who is assigned a particular GSM-R telephone etc.
• a central register known as the Functional Home Location Register (HLRf) or Follow Me Function Node (FFN) stores the functional numbers and their related data.
• HLRf Functional Home Location Register
• FPN Follow Me Function Node
• a service called “Follow Me” which allows a Mobile Station (MS) user to register a temporarily assigned functional number against a temporarily assigned mobile station, and de-register the association once he no longer requires the functional number or the mobile station.
• MS Mobile Station
• a train operator starts working on a train or in a station, he needs to be able to enter the functional number he has been assigned for the travel or for the day on the particular mobile station he is going to use, and have that association stored in a central register associated with the system. Any calls to the functional number need access to the central register to determine which mobile station the train operator is using and therefore where to route the call.
• the train operator needs to be able to check the status of the functional number by performing an interrogation sequence, and when the train operator has finished working with his assigned mobile station, he needs to be able to de-register the functional number.
• the follow-me feature also allows for so-called "static" functional numbers, i.e. functional numbers one cannot register or de-register, for the purpose of being able to look-up an association stored in a central register between the functional number and a mobile station id.
• the 3 rd Generation Partnership Project has specified a Follow Me service in the technical specification 3GPP TS 23.094 v 6.0.0 entitled "Follow-Me (FM) - Stage 2 (Release 6)", published in December 2003.
• Such GSM-R system includes Mobile Stations (MS) which can not only perform different types of calls, such as voice calls, data calls, but also offer the possibility to do text messaging, i.e. transmit Short Messages (SMs) between respective mobile stations.
• MS Mobile Stations
• SMs Short Messages
• An object of the invention is to provide an improved registration scheme for associating a mobile station identifier with a functional number.
• a more particular object of the invention is to provide an efficient registration scheme for associating a mobile station identifier with a plurality of functional numbers.
• this object is achieved through a method for registering in a railway operator mobile network node a plurality of associations between a mobile station identifier and a plurality of functional numbers.
• the method comprises the step of sending, at the mobile station, a registration request message which includes a group registration operation code, and information identifying at least two functional numbers, and the step of registering, at the railway operator mobile network node, a plurality of associations each between a mobile station identifier and a functional number identified in the registration request message. This allows registration of a plurality of functional numbers with a mobile station identifier with a single registration request message.
• the railway operator mobile network node is a Service Control Point functional node in an Intelligent Network.
• the registration request message is an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) request message which includes information identifying a first functional number in a first format, and information identifying a second functional number in a second format.
• the USSD registration request message may include an Operation code, a Service code, a First functional number to register, a Tag indicating a registration request for a plurality of functional numbers, a Number of functional numbers to be registered in addition to the first one, and a List of function codes.
• the railway operator mobile network node stores the registration request format, and verifies that the information included in a received registration request is compliant to said format.
• the railway operator mobile network node may also send a registration outcome code to the mobile station.
• registration outcome code will indicate successful registration of each association between the identifier of the mobile station and a functional number identified in the registration request message.
• the registration outcome code - A - will indicate successful registration of a single association between the identifier of the mobile station and one of the functional numbers identified in the registration request message.
• the object outlined above is achieved through a mobile station in a railway operator mobile network which comprises, in order to register a plurality of associations between its identifier and a plurality of functional numbers, means for sending to a railway operator mobile network node a registration request message which includes a group registration operation code, and information identifying at least two functional numbers.
• the mobile station means for sending a registration request message are adapted to send a registration request message in the form of an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) request message. They also may be further adapted to send a registration request message which includes information identifying a first functional number in a first format, and information identifying a second functional number in a second format.
• USSD Unstructured Supplementary Service Data
• the USSD registration request message which is sent by the mobile station may include an Operation code, a Service code, a First functional number to register, a Tag indicating a registration request for a plurality of functional numbers, a Number of functional numbers to be registered in addition to the first one, and a List of function codes.
• a service control means in a railway operator mobile network for registering a plurality of associations between a mobile station identifier and a plurality of functional numbers which comprises receiving means for receiving, from a mobile station, a registration request message which includes a group registration operation code, and information identifying at least two functional numbers, and means for registering a plurality of associations, each between an identifier of the mobile station and a functional number identified in the registration request message.
• the receiving means of the service control means are further adapted to receive a registration request message in the form of an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) request message.
• USSD Unstructured Supplementary Service Data
• They also may be further adapted to receive a registration request message which includes information identifying a first functional number in a first format, and information identifying a second functional number in a second format. Furthermore, they also may be adapted to receive an USSD registration request message which includes an Operation code, a Service code, a First functional number to register, a Tag indicating a registration request for a plurality of functional numbers, a Number of functional numbers to be registered in addition to the first one, and a List of function codes.
• the service control means also comprise means for storing the registration request format, and means for verifying that the information included in a received registration request is compliant to said format. They also may comprise means for sending to the mobile station a registration outcome code.
• this registration outcome code will indicate successful registration of each association between the identifier of the mobile station and a functional number identified in the registration request message. In case of a partially successful registration, this registration outcome code will indicate successful registration of a single association between the identifier of the mobile station and one of the functional numbers identified in the registration request message.
• the service control means according to the invention are included in a Service Control Point functional node in an Intelligent Network.
• the present invention also proposes a method for de-registering a plurality of associations registered in a railway operator mobile network node between a mobile station identifier and a plurality of functional numbers, which comprises the steps of sending, at the mobile station, a de-registration request message which includes a group de-registration operation code, and information identifying at least two functional numbers, and de-registering, at the railway operator mobile network node, each of the plurality of associations between the mobile station identifier and a functional number identified in the de-registration request message.
• the present invention also proposes a mobile station in a railway operator mobile network which comprises, in order to de-register a plurality of associations registered in a railway operator mobile network node between its identifier and a plurality of functional numbers, means for sending to the railway operator mobile network node a de-registration request message which includes a group de- registration operation code, and information identifying at least two functional numbers.
• the present invention also proposes a service control means in a railway operator mobile network for registering a plurality of associations registered between a mobile station identifier and a plurality of functional numbers which comprises receiving means for receiving, from a mobile station, a de-registration request message which includes a group de-registration operation code, and information identifying at least two functional numbers, and means for de-registering each of the plurality of associations between the mobile station identifier and a functional number identified in the de-registration request message.
• the invention is illustrated hereinafter in its non-limiting application to a GSM-R system, and could also apply to other radio-communication systems.
• a GSM-R mobile may send a USSD request for a registration or de-registration of more than one functional number to its MSISDN.
• the format of USSD messages are specified in the 3GPP technical specifications TS 22.090 v ⁇ .0.0 entitled "Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) - Stage 1 (Release 6)", published in January 2005, and the technical specification TS 23.090 .
• Some changes to the current USSD messages for registration and deregistration of functional numbers are proposed in order to support a « bulk operation » that is to perform a registration or deregistration of a plurality of functional number within one USSD request. This bulk operation can for instance enable a lead driver to register multiple function codes within one USSD request.
• FNs Functional Numbers
• Lead-Drivers can initiate a Bulk Operation, in which case the Lead-FN will have the Function Code of a lead driver (for example, the Function Code 01 ).
• a maximum of N FNs (Lead Driver FN + N-1 FCs) can be registered or deregistered per request.
• the registration and deregistration method according to the invention is embodied by using the Al ("Additional Information" field) portion of the USSD string specified for the Follow-Me service. This ensures that the used USSD string for this specific GSM-R operation is still 3GPP compliant.
• FC must be 01 ;
• registrations or de-registrations are performed in an all-or-nothing manner, i.e. either all FN-Operations or none are performed.
• no rollback of the already executed operations is done. This can cause data inconsistencies between the network and the terminal.
• To resolve these inconsistencies it is the responsibility of the terminal sending the Bulk Operation request to interrogate the state of each FN for synchronization purposes. This interrogation is typically done at any time in case an error is received.
• ⁇ Bulk Operation is successful, i.e. all FNs have been processed according to the request.
• a new dedicated outcome code is sent to the terminal. This ensures that the terminal is aware that all FNs have been successfully registered.
• the proposed outcome code is 04 for a successful bulk registration and 05 for a successful bulk deregistration.
• ⁇ Bulk Operation was invalid (i.e. the Additional Information field content was not formatted for a bulk request) and only the Lead Driver FN has been processed successfully.
• the outcome code for a single operation is sent to the terminal.
• the complete functional number for the leading driver (e.g.: **214*08721234501) can be provided in the first part of the bulk registration requests. After the "***", in the operator specific info portion of the USSD string, the remaining On Train Function Codes can be provided (e.g.: 020599).
• the complete functional number for the leading driver (e.g.: **214*08721234501) may be provided in the first part of the Bulk registration requests. This is necessary should the Home Location Register (HLR) perform certain permission checks on the FN registration attempt. To ensure that those permission validations are done properly the lead driver can be checked as he usually has the most privileges.
• HLR Home Location Register
• the above-mentioned Bulk Operation Tag ( ⁇ BULK_TAG>) is a text tag that identifies the info portion uniquely as a bulk registration attempt. This tag is not predefined and can be data filled on the Service Control Point. If the tag within the USSD message matches the data filled on the Service Control Point the bulk registration attempt will be handled as such.
• the Service Control Point Upon reception of a registration message with an additional info portion, the Service Control Point verifies that the info portion is compliant with the pre-defined format for bulk registrations. This means the Service Control Point checks: ⁇ If the Bulk Operation Tag ⁇ BULK_TAG> within the USSD message matches the data filled tag for bulk registrations on the Service Control Point;
• the Service Control Point will have a variable parameter that defines the maximum number of function codes that will be handled in a bulk registration attempt. The maximum number overall will be 10 function codes (i.e. 10 FNs). If any of the checks fails, the operation is not a bulk registration and service continues with standard single FN registration.
• the Service Control Point Once the Service Control Point has identified the USSD message as a bulk registration attempt, all requested FNs will be checked for eligibility for a registration. The bulk registration will be performed at the Service Control Point if all requested FNs are found and not registered in the SCP database. If one FN cannot be found in the SCP database or is already registered, the bulk registration attempt is rejected with the appropriate error message. This restriction to reject partial bulk registrations ensures that the mobile stations and the Service Control Point database are synchronized. For instance, in the case where one of the requested
• a Bulk Registration is performed as any normal registration, i.e. the normal association between MSISDN and the functional number is done at the Service Control Point. In the described example this would be:
• the expected USSD response messages are:
• a successful bulk registration will occur in case that the Service Control Point was able to set up an association between all functional numbers sent in the bulk registration message, and the MSISDN of the originating MS.
• a USSD response with a new customer specific outcome code 'Successful Bulk Registration' is sent from the Service Control Point to confirm to the terminal that all FNs have been successfully registered. Besides the outcome code, this response is the same message as for a standard registration message.
• the MS may assume that in case of a positive response all Functional Numbers were registered successfully in the Follow Me node.
• a successful single FN registration will occur in cases where the Service Control Point in a foreign (that is, visited) network does not support the bulk registration method according to the invention. In such a case the Service Control Point performs a standard operation on the FN to register, and the USSD info string is ignored. A USSD response with the standard outcome code 01 'Successful
• Registration' is sent from the Service Control Point to confirm to the terminal that the FN has been successfully registered.
• This response is the same message as for a standard registration message.
• the MS may distinguish between the standard and bulk operation success outcome code in a way that the registering person recognizes that the bulk operation feature is not supported in the foreign network.
• the Service Control Point will skip registering and deregister all previously registered FNs immediately. That means the state of all affected FN will stay "unlocked and inactive" afterwards, however the MSISDN and the Timestamp are modified.
• a USSD response with outcome code 34 'System Failure' is sent to the MS in the case a service execution exception occurred on the Service Control Point.
• a USSD response with outcome code 36 'Unexpected Data Value' is sent to the MS in the case the received USSD message doesn't comply with the pre-defined format for a bulk registration request.
• a USSD response with outcome code 61 'FN already registered' is sent to the MS in the case one or more of the FNs are already registered to another MSISDN.
• a USSD response with outcome code 41 'FN unknown' is sent to the MS in the case one or more of the FNs are unknown on the Service Control Point database. In the case where the dynamic FN feature is used this outcome code is sent if all checks for dynamic FN creation have been failing.
• the terminal may try to re - register all FNs in single registration attempts.
• An unsuccessful bulk registration may also occur in a roaming scenario in case the foreign Intelligent Network system does not accept the optional USSD info string at all. In this case the Intelligent Network system will send an USSD response with outcome code 36 'Unexpected Data Value'. In such a case, the intended (but not obligatory) behavior on the terminal in a roaming scenario is to prevent bulk operations.
• the complete functional number for the leading driver (e.g.: ##214*08721234501) may be provided in the first part of the Bulk de-registration requests. After the "***" the remaining On Train Function Codes may be provided in the same format as for the registration, i.e. with the tag and the delimiter. At the time the Service Control Point is receiving a deregistration message with an additional info portion it will first of all check if the info portion is compliant to the described format for bulk de-registrations.
• the expected USSD response messages if the bulk deregistration is performed at the Service Control Point are:
• a successful bulk de-registration will occur in case that the Service Control Point was able to remove associations between all functional numbers sent in the BuIk deregistration message, and the MSISDN of the originating MS.
• the bulk de-registration will remove associations between the originating MSISDN and the FNs listed in the de-registration USSD request. Previously registered associations between other Branches and the originating MSISDN will remain unaffected.
• a successful single bulk de-registration will occur in cases where the Service Control Point in a foreign (that is, visited) network does not support the bulk de-registration method according to the invention.
• the Service Control Point performs a standard operation on the FN to de-register, and the USSD info string is ignored.
• a successful USSD response with outcome code 02 'Follow Me deactivated' according to the normal de-registration will be sent.
• the MS may distinguish between the standard and bulk operation success outcome code in a way that the de-registering person recognizes that the bulk operation feature is not supported in the foreign network. Unsuccessful de-registration
• the Service Control Point will send a USSD response with the outcome code of the first problem found.
• a USSD response with outcome code 63 'FN registered to another MSISDN' is sent to the MS in case one or more of the FNs are already registered to another MSISDN. " A USSD response with outcome code 41 'FN unknown' is sent to the
• MS in case one or more of the FNs are unknown on the Service Control Point database.
• the terminal may try to re- deregister all FNs in single de-registration attempts.
• An unsuccessful bulk de-registration may also occur in a roaming scenario in case the foreign Intelligent Network system does not accept the optional USSD info string at all. In this case the Intelligent Network system will send an USSD response with outcome code 36 'Unexpected Data Value'. In such a case, the intended (but not obligatory) behavior on the terminal in roaming scenario is to prevent bulk operations.

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  • 2006-03-20 EP EP06723547A patent/EP1862028A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2006-03-20 WO PCT/EP2006/002528 patent/WO2006100015A1/en not_active Ceased
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