HK1173022B - Method and server for providing services to wtru, method for use in a wtru and a wtru - Google Patents

Description

Method and server for providing service to WTRU, method used in WTRU and WTRU

The application is a divisional application of Chinese patent application with the application number of 200580019713.1, the application date of 23/6/2005, entitled "System and method for Call routing and Call Cross different types".

Technical Field

The present invention relates to network connection architecture and wireless network connection architecture, and more particularly, to using a multi-path network system as a communication service.

Background

Current wireless technology enables users to be called by upcoming calls in the area of a single radio access network and by calls routed to the user's wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU). However, call support and call routing between different access technologies (e.g., 2G/3G wireless networks, CDMA (code division multiple access) 2000 networks, wireless local area networks/bluetooth networks) is not currently provided. An organization is contemplated whereby "application level" paging systems and call routing may span different visited networks, enabling wtrus to roam on these networks and seamlessly receive calls via the currently connected visited network.

Disclosure of Invention

In accordance with the present invention, an architecture for providing network services includes an application server self access (ASAA) server connected to a wtru through at least a subset of a plurality of external voice and/or data communication networks. The application server self-access server responds to messages received from multiple networks such that a call request from a particular wtru and a response received from one of the networks provides an indication of connectivity to the wtru via the network. Communications are established between the network and the wtru via a network route that includes the network in response to the received call request.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, wireless telecommunications services are provided to at least one wtru by identifying two or more radio access networks that provide wireless links to the wtru. The server may communicate with multiple wireless access networks and determine wtru status with the ability to establish one or more wireless links with the wireless access networks. The server is a server that establishes a communication link with the wtru having the capability of establishing a radio access network radio link and uses the communication link to establish communication with the wtru. The server communication link is then used to establish communication between the wtru and another destination via one of the access networks.

The present invention provides a method for providing wireless telecommunication services to a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the method comprising: issuing a paging request via a plurality of radio access networks based on the location of the WTRU; receiving a call response from the WTRU via one of the plurality of radio access networks, the call response indicating an identity of the one radio access network; and routing a service to the WTRU via the one radio access network.

The present invention also provides a server for providing wireless telecommunication services to a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the server comprising: circuitry configured to issue paging requests via a plurality of radio access networks based on the location of the WTRU; circuitry configured to receive a call response from the WTRU via one of the plurality of radio access networks, the call response indicating an identity of the one radio access network; and circuitry configured to route services to the WTRU via the one radio access network.

The present invention also provides a method for use in a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the method comprising: the WTRU receiving a paging request message from a server via a visited network; the WTRU sending a paging response message to the server via the visited network, wherein: the page response message is in response to the page request message; and the page response message indicates an identity of the visited network.

The present invention also provides a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) comprising: circuitry configured to receive a paging request message from a server via an access network; circuitry configured to send a page response message to the server via the visited network, wherein: the page response message is in response to the page request message; and the page response message indicates an identity of the visited network.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between an application server self-access server, a network service and a wtru in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the wtru, the application server self-access server and the visited network.

FIG. 3 is a functional flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a functional flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of communication initiated without first establishing an application server self-access server in connection with a wtru.

Detailed Description

As used herein, the term "wtru" includes, but is not limited to, a user equipment, a mobile station, a fixed or mobile subscriber unit, a pager, or any other type of device capable of operating in a wireless environment. The term "base station" includes, but is not limited to, a node-B, a site controller, an Access Point (AP), or any other interfacing device in a wireless environment. An "access point" (AP) provides wireless access for devices to establish a wireless connection with a local area network and to establish stations or devices that are part of a wireless local area network. If the access point is a fixed device on the wireless local area network, the access point is a station that transmits and receives data. Assuming that the wireless local area network itself has a connection to the network, the access point allows connecting the wtru to the network.

In accordance with the present invention, command, execution and user interfaces and paging systems and call routing are provided across different visited networks, allowing wtrus to roam on these networks and seamlessly receive calls via the currently connected visited network. These services are considered as "application level" functions that are not dependent on a particular air interface. The system architecture is such that the call system and call routing spans different types of wireless and wireline access networks. The system architecture is defined to be applicable to an application server self-access protocol that enables call systems and call routing across different types of networks. According to the invention, the service comes from a server called an application server self-access server. Individual networks may provide wireless access in different domains, such as residences, businesses, public spaces, and the like. The user may be subscribed to different wireless access networks for access services, but may also be subscribed to a consolidated service provided by the application server self-access operator. Alternatively, the user may have a subscription for the application server to self-visit the operator), which pays a visit fee to the visiting operator. The processing within the visited network is accomplished in a manner that the various networks currently handle the access.

When a user roams between different access networks, the application server self-access provides a service architecture to provide consistent, seamless service to the user. The architecture allows the subscriber to be exposed to incoming calls as the subscriber roams between these different networks. It also lets the user receive a consistent service set when he/she roams between visited networks.

When a wtru roams between these networks, the wtru may seamlessly receive calls via the currently connected visited network. Architecture and system concepts in which a server provides a fixed point of interconnection to external voice and/or data networks as a wtru moves between different access networks. Examples of external voice and/or data networks are the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and the Public Data Network (PDN). The application server self-access architecture allows communication services at the application level to be provided to servers unrelated to wireless connectivity services and across different connectivity networks, and further allows transfer of application services between different connectivity networks. The application server self-access architecture further allows services to be provided in a continuous manner to different wtrus in the same communication session.

The application server self-access architecture provides network architecture integration to allow different technology networks to interoperate with the wtru. The various networks include, for example:

-third generation partnership project (3GPP) wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA) communication systems, which are implementations of Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS);

-other wide area Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) systems;

private networks, as these are implemented via wireless local area network systems, IEEE "802" systems and bluetooth systems;

private small office/home office (SOHO) networks, also implemented via wireless local area network systems, IEEE "802" systems and Bluetooth systems.

-a landline telephone network infrastructure.

According to the present invention, the application server self-access server can combine the location, service and routing information of the subscriber. The application server self-access server is based on a policy profile to deliver calls and push services to the appropriate service network of the user. The policy profile contains location, technical network capabilities, behavior factors, rating criteria and other routing call related criteria. The application server self-access server allows the use of Internet Protocol (IP) based technologies that support technology convergence, such as Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). User standard protocols provide the ability to implement application server self-access architectures and services based on standard protocols such as internet protocol and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)/internet protocol.

A wtru configured with an application server self-access application in accordance with the present invention will attempt to access the application server self-access application server. This results in a login action. Location information between the wtru and the application server self-access server is routinely transmitted by providing connection data to the application server self-access server. The application server self-access protocol provides combined location, service and routing information for application server self-access users across a multi-path technology network. This facilitates seamless mobility between different technology networks using a shared internet protocol based scheme.

The application server self-access server provides the network service identification obtained by the wtru. When a call to a wtru enters the application server self-access server, the application server self-access server places the call to the wtru via all possible access networks configured for the wtru. The call mechanism is based on the internet protocol and operates at the application layer. The wtru receives the call request via the current connection to the access network, and sends a call response back to the application server self-access server via the connection to the access network. The call response informs the wtru of the identity of the current connection to the visited network to the application server self-access server. The application server self-access server then delivers the sequenced incoming call via the access network. This prompts the user to be provided with a continuous service experience as the wtru moves between visited networks. The application server self-access server provides supplementary services to the wtru regardless of which access network the wtru is connected to. The calling entity is located at the end-to-end application level, preferably based on the internet protocol.

This enables seamless mobility, seamless transition functionality, and the ability to provide services that can be transitioned to a different network, provided that a particular network can support minimal service communication. This enables a user profile to be applied across multiple networks and enables a user to select services according to a single profile. Thus, if a particular service is free or charged on time, the user may subscribe to accept the service based only on the stated terms. Likewise, the use of an application server with self-access to the server allows services such as billing to be incorporated.

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between an application server self-access server 12, a network service entity and a wtru 13 according to the present invention. In addition to the network environment 11 and the application server self-access server 12, a public switched telephone network or public data network (PSTN/PDN)14 and a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN)15 are depicted.

The public land mobile network 15 includes a plurality of local area networks 21-25 depicted as an entertainment store 21 at an airport location, an airport lounge 22, an office network 23, a coffee shop 24 providing wireless local area network services, and a home network 25. The public land mobile network 15 also includes a large area mobile service 26, which in this example includes a 3G device 27 and a talk initiation protocol device 28. The large area mobile service 26 provides communication via the wlan, BT and umts systems. The local area networks 21-25 and the large area mobile service 26 form a visited network. Typical communication over the local networks 21-25 is according to the Internet protocol, session initiation protocol, or other packet switched protocols. Typically, the communication uses a common channel and is allocated bandwidth as needed.

A plurality of application servers self-access application servers 41-43 are provided at various locations including the wireless local area network 23, the home network 25 and the large area mobile service 26. These are via their respective access networks 23, 25 and 26, but application services may also be provided via other access network accesses.

A wtru 13 is depicted and may communicate with each of the access networks 21-26. The application server self-access server 12 may establish a communication link with the wtru 13 by connecting directly or indirectly to each of the networks 21-26 with which the wtru 13 has established communication. The service is from an application server self-access server in the architecture. The access network provides access to the user so that calls and other interactions between the user and the application server self-access server are communicated via the access network to which the user is connected. This enables the application server self-access server 12 to act as a service platform to deliver services to users via the respective access networks 21-26.

The wtru 13 may communicate via various services provided by the wlan 23, but once connected, the application server self-access server 12 may provide management functions to provide services directly via the application server self-access server 12, or require services to be delivered between various ones of the access networks 21-26 to the access network connected to the wtru 13. The service is provided in this architecture by the application server self-access server 12. The access network provides access to the wtru 13 so that calls and other interactions between the wtru 13 and the application server self-access server 12 are passed through the access networks 21-26 to which the wtru 13 is connected.

The application server self-access server 12 also includes a server function module 61.62. The servo function modules 61, 62 provide management functions for operating the application server self-access server 12 and maintain a database of the location of the wtru 13 and the availability of connections to the visited networks 21-26. The servo function modules 61, 62 are also provided to be executable by the wtru 13 via the connection access networks 21-26.

The application server self-access server 12 provides a service access network that is fixedly interfaced to the public switched telephone network/public data network 14 to receive/transmit call attempts and deliver incoming calls to wtrus based on wtru location. The application server self-access server 12 is all the target possible service access networks that the call is configured for the wireless transmit/receive unit 13 when delivering the incoming call. The wtru 13 responds with a call response that has been passed through the currently connected service network. The application server self-access server 12 then delivers the incoming call via the service access network to which the wtru 13 is currently connected.

The wtru 13 may also "force delivery" of the upcoming call via its destination by appropriately configuring the service access network identity to the application server self-access server 12 via the specific service access network. By specifying the access network, the wtru 13 can control which services are used.

This architecture expands the traditional cellular call and call routing mechanisms to operate across the visited network. In one embodiment, an internet protocol based application level call mechanism that operates across various access networks to assist in locating the wtru 13 is used. One embodiment includes providing a combined interface via the application server self-access server 12 to cause the public switched telephone network/public data network 14 to receive calls. The application server self-access server 12 causes the public switched telephone network/public data network 14 to receive calls via a single fixed point. The effect is that from the user's point of view, the radio link service is provided by accessing a particular radio link of each of the networks 21-26. The service management for the user interface may be one of the local area networks 21-26 or the application server self-access server 12. The system, indicated by dashed line 69, transfers network management of user services and user "up" service management from the respective access networks 21-26 to the application server self-access server 12. From the user's perspective, the application server self-access server 12 then becomes a virtual server. The network service is a service provided to the wireless link by the respective access networks 21-26 and provided to the user by the application server self-access server 12 instead of the wireless link. If the operator of the application server self-access server 12 has access to the wireless services provided by the respective access networks 21-26, the user can arrange for service subscription by the operator of the application server self-access server 12.

This architecture supports wtru 13 mobility across multiple access networks and assists wtru 13 in locating seamlessly. The use of the application server self-access server 12 facilitates user-configured delivery of calls via a given access network. This also provides a consistent set of supplementary services and features across the multiple access network, creating continuity of user experience regardless of changes in the network. The architecture may also provide a consistent mechanism configuration to provide push services to the wtru 13 across multiple landmark access networks.

The application server self-access server 12 role of providing management functions related to delivering services to the respective access networks 21-26 allows the application server self-access server 12 to maintain a shared location of user profiles. The user can decide what services are available and under what practical circumstances. Parameters include, for example, call processing, service type selection, cost of service and cost structure selection, network ownership service selection, notification of available service connections, user determination of minimum quality of service (QOS), bandwidth required for a particular functional service. The call processing profile selection functions may include voice mail, call selectivity enable, and "challenge" response. In a similar manner, the application server self-access server 12 may also provide voice mail and other data management services.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the wtru 81, the application server self-access server 83 and the access networks 91-95. Although some of these functions are integrated circuit functions, the wtru may include circuits for establishing the rf link 87 and circuits for processing data 88. The wtru 81 establishes a communication link with the application server self-access server 83, but the service connection is typically between the wtru 81 and one of the access networks 91-95. The service may be in wireless communication with the wtru 81 via the application server self-access server 83 or via a service network. Alternatively, the service may be delivered from a service network to the service network that establishes the wireless link with the wtru 81 without traversing the application server to the self-access server 83. In the case of the application server self-access server management communication, the communication generated without passing through the application server self-access server 83 or with the application server self-access server 83 is still managed by the application server self-access server 83. Because the processing circuitry 88 processes data regardless of its resources, the actual connection to a particular services network 91-95 is readily understood by the user.

FIG. 3 is a functional flow diagram 100 illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. The application server self-access server is established with the wtru by connecting the wtru to the access network (step 111) and providing communication to the application server self-access server (step 112), thereby notifying the wtru of its availability to the server (step 113). Although the application server self-access server need not be informed of the availability (step 113), this facilitates locating the wtru with which the application server self-access server should communicate upon request to receive the request.

The wtru initiates the service request (step 121) by sending the request to the application server self-access server via the visited network (step 123). The application server self-access server then responds by determining a preferred access network to establish the communication (step 126). The preferred visited network is based on database entries for preferred services (step 127), cost of service and other variables (step 128), and responses from the visited network to the availability of connections to wtrus (step 129). The application server self-access server then provides the service in the form of a service provided via the application server self-access server (step 131) or a communication provided via the application server self-access server (step 132). Alternatively, the service connection may be implemented directly via the visited network (step 135). In response to an external request for communication, the application server self-access server issues a call request to the wtru (step 141), which communicates via one or more access networks (step 142). In the event that the application server self-access server has identified the location of the wtru (step 144), the call request may be restricted to communication via a visited network or a limited set of visited networks. Communication links are established between the wtru and the visited network (step 146), and between the visited network and the application server self-access server (step 147).

The application server self-access server can communicate with the wtru without being informed of the wtru's a priori availability (step 113). Fig. 4 is a functional flow diagram 200 illustrating an embodiment of the present invention in which communication is initiated without first establishing an application server self-access server in connection with a wtru. The wtru connects to the visited network (step 211) and provides a communication request to the application server self-access server via the visited network (step 223). The application server self-access server then uses the communication to determine an initial connection with the wtru that has been established by the wtru when the wtru requested communication.

The application server self-access server then responds by determining a preferred access network to establish the communication (step 226). The preferred visited network is based on database entries for preferred services, cost of service and other variables, and responses from the visited network and the availability of connections to the wtru. The application server self-access server then provides the service in the form of a service provided via the application server self-access server (step 231) or a communication provided via the application server self-access server (step 232). Alternatively, the service connection may be implemented directly via the visited network (step 235).

In response to an external request for communication, the application server self-access server issues a call request to the wtru (step 241), which is communicated via one or more access networks (step 242). In the event that the application server self-access server has identified the location of the wtru (step 244), the call request may be restricted to communication via an access network or a limited subset of the access network. Communication links are established between the wtru and the visited network (step 246) and between the visited network and the application server self-access server (step 247).

Although the features and elements of the present invention are described in the preferred embodiments in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone (without the other features and elements of the preferred embodiments) or in various combinations with or without other features and elements of the present invention.

Claims (15)

1. A method for providing wireless telecommunication services to a wireless transmit/receive unit, WTRU, the method comprising:

issuing a paging request to the WTRU via a plurality of radio access networks, wherein the paging request is restricted to communicating via one or a limited subset of radio access networks of the plurality of radio access networks if the location of the WTRU has been identified;

receiving a paging response from the WTRU via one of the plurality of radio access networks, wherein the paging response informs an identity of the one radio access network; and

routing services to the WTRU via the one radio access network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the issuing a paging request is performed in response to an upcoming call to the WTRU; and

wherein routing the service comprises routing the upcoming call.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing a user-configured profile, the profile including information regarding at least one of: technical network capabilities, behavior factors, rate criteria, selection of service type, selection of cost of service and cost structure, selection of network ownership service, minimum quality of service QOS, call processing, voice mail, and selective allowance of calls.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the issuing a paging request is performed in response to an external request to communicate with the WTRU.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the external request for communication is received from a public switched telephone network, PSTN, or a public data network, PDN.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said issuing a paging request is performed using internet protocol, IP.

7. A server for providing wireless telecommunication services to a wireless transmit/receive unit, WTRU, according to an application server self-access, ASAA, protocol, the server comprising:

a communication request circuit configured to issue a paging request to the WTRU via a plurality of radio access networks, wherein the paging request is restricted to communicating via one or a limited subset of radio access networks of the plurality of radio access networks if the server has identified the location of the WTRU;

circuitry configured to receive a paging response from the WTRU via one of the plurality of radio access networks, wherein the paging response informs an identity of the one radio access network; and

communication circuitry configured to route services to the WTRU via the one radio access network.

8. A method for use in a wireless transmit/receive unit, WTRU, the method comprising:

the WTRU receiving a paging request message from a server via a visited network;

the WTRU sending a paging response message to the server via the visited network, wherein:

the page response message is in response to the page request message; and

the page response message informs the server of the identity of the visited network.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

the WTRU receives a service via the visited network in response to sending the paging response message.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

the WTRU attempts to access the server, which results in registration.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said receiving a page request message and said sending a page response message are performed using internet protocol, IP.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the server is an application server self-access ASAA server.

13. A wireless transmit/receive unit, WTRU, comprising:

a circuit for establishing a radio frequency link;

circuitry to process data;

wherein the WTRU is configured to receive a paging request message from a server via an access network and to send a paging response message to the server via the access network, wherein the paging response message is responsive to the paging request message and the paging response message informs the server of an identity of the access network.

14. The WTRU of claim 13, wherein the WTRU is configured to receive a service via the visited network in response to sending the page response message.

15. The WTRU of claim 13, wherein the WTRU is configured to attempt to access the server, which results in registration behavior.