WO2007069974A2

WO2007069974A2 - Telematics system using adapted subscription

Info

Publication number: WO2007069974A2
Application number: PCT/SE2006/001343
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lars Liljestam; Lars Dovner; Elisabeth Lyman; Gunnar HÄGGLUND
Original assignee: Teliasonera Ab
Priority date: 2005-12-16
Filing date: 2006-11-28
Publication date: 2007-06-21
Also published as: WO2007069974A3; SE0502776L

Abstract

The invention relates to a telematic system and more exactly a system which utilizes specially adapted mobile telephone subscriptions with mobile terminals (2) to poll electrical meters (3) or similar equipment which can be controlled by telematics. The mobile terminal (2) is locked to a telematic application. In the invention is, among other things, a modified server (6) included which is specially adapted to telematic subscriptions and can replace an ordinary Home Location Register server (HLR) in a mobile telephone system (1 ). By the invention the administration of the telematic subscriptions is simplified to a minimal level for the operator. Solutions to debit individual subscriptions can be excluded, and by that costs will be lowered. The security solution in the GSM/UMTS-network can be simplified by a large part of the authorization being handed over to the customer.

Description

TITLE Telematic system

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a telematic system and more exactly to a system which utilizes specially adapted mobile telephone subscriptions to poll electricity meters or similar equipment which can be controlled by telematics. In the invention a modified server, among other things, is included which is specially adapted for telematic subscriptions and can replace an ordinary Home Location Register (HLR) in a mobile telephone system.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

It is known to use mobile telephone subscriptions which can be used for control of machines, so called telematic subscriptions. These subscriptions can be used for control of devices such as electricity meters. The subscriptions are needed in large numbers and consequently the cost per subscription will be of great importance for the total cost and by that also for the total profitability.

For instance have ordinary mobile telephone subscriptions according to GSM/UMTS- standard been used for telematics. The only difference compared with ordinary mobile telephone subscriptions is that one by setting of parameters limits the function of the subscriptions in order to make it possible to price in an attractive way towards a customer. The cost of the telematic subscriptions by that will, in principle, be the same as for ordinary GSM-subscriptions regarding implementation in the mobile telephone network and in the operator's support system.

A known way to give the mobile telephone subscriptions access to the mobile telephone systems according to GSM/UMTS-standard is to use APN, Access Point Name, which gives access to a unique IP-network. According to GSM/UMTS-standard, information about subscriptions is stored in a database called HLR (Home Location Register). In today's network there are demands for possibility for GSM-subscriptions to change number (number porting) both within the own operator's number series and between the number series of operators. This solution is implemented in a specific unit in the network which in some networks are called FNR, Flexible Numbering Register. Today's HLR is very complex in order to cope with all types of services and other demands.

US Patent No 6 134 441 describes a system with telematic subscriptions for mobile telephone systems. In order to save subscriber numbers, for instance MS ISDN, only the radio interface number IMSI is used instead. The described solution, however, leads to restrictions in form of which services that can be utilized and, in addition, also some modifications may be required regarding the GSM/3G-network to handle subscriptions without MSISDN.

WO/84864 describes a method to reduce the number of independent registrations which are made by a mobile station connected to a telematic device in order to reduce the need for processing and storing for the VLR, Visitor Location Register, in an area where the mobile station is. To make this solution function as intended, a change, however, is needed in the GSM/3G-network (MSC/VLR).

WO 02/45401 describes a method to produce debiting data for user groups, for instance telematic subscriptions, in a mobile telephone system. In the method, signaling of call information CDR, Call Detail Record, is avoided by introducing a counter in an exchange unit.

Because telematic solutions can consist of millions of subscriptions where each subscription has identical characteristics, a cost reduction at production of these subscriptions can be made. Ordinary subscriptions are unnecessary advanced, for instance regarding debiting, possibility to change number, roaming, authentication, handling of SIM-cards and co-operation with HLR. The present invention solves this complex of problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One aim with the present invention is to provide a telematic system with simplified subscription, which results in simplified handling, data collection and debiting. The invention also provides a specially adapted telematic register server, a telematic server, with interface towards customer for handling of the customer's telematic terminals.

The invention provides a telematic system including: A mobile telephone system; at least one mobile terminal with telematic function which can be connected in the mobile telephone system by a mobile telephone subscription; a collection system arranged to communicate with the mobile terminal. According to the invention, the mobile terminal is locked to a telematic application.

Preferably is a telematic server connected to, or integrated with, the mobile telephone system, which telematic server is arranged to hold information about subscriber profiles of telematic subscriptions and where a subscriber profile can be defined in form of a reserved APN which only can be utilized by the subscriber in question.

Suitably an authentication center is connected to, or integrated with, the telematic server.

The invention is defined in patent claim 1 , whereas advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

As a consequence of the invention, the administration and necessary network support for the telematic subscriptions are simplified to a minimum level for the operator. Solutions to debit individual subscriptions can be abolished, and by that costs can be considerably reduced. Further, the security solution in the GSM/UMTS-network can be simplified by a large part of the process about the authorization being handed over to the customer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be described in greater details in the following with reference to enclosed drawings, in which

Figure 1 is an overall view over a telematic system according to the invention, and Figure 2 is a schematic view over a telematic terminal according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In this description the following customary abbreviations are used:

APN Access Point Name

AUC Authentication Center

CDR Call Detail Record FNR Flexible Numbering Register

GPRS General Packet Radio Service GSM Global System for Mobile Communication

HLR Home Location Register

IMSI International Mobile Subscriber Identity

IP Internet Protocol MSISDN Mobile Station ISDN

ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network

MSC Mobile Switching Center

PIN Personal Identification Number

PDP Policy Decision Point SIM Subscriber Identity Module

SMS-C Short Message Service Center

VLR Visitor Location Register

The invention is described by an example where a customer in a mobile telephone system is an electric power company which has a number of electricity meters set out at electricity users. The invention is not limited to this application but can just as well be used in other systems such as alarm systems.

Figure 1 describes an overview of the system. A customer 11 has a number of electricity meters 3 set out at electricity users. The electricity meters can communicate by means of a telematic terminal 2 which is a kind of mobile telephone terminal which can communicate with a mobile telephone system 1 , for instance according to GSM- standard. Each telematic terminal 2 communicates via its nearest or most suitable mobile telephone exchange, MSC 9.

A telematic service supplier 14 is also connected to the mobile telephone system 1 via a web server 8. At the telematic service supplier 14 there is a collection system 5 and a computer 15 which an administrator uses as interface towards the different systems. The telematic service supplier can be separate as is shown in the figure, or be a part of the mobile network operator or a part of the customer.

At the customer 11 there is a database 12 which stores information emanating from the electricity meters 3. The customer also suitably has a computer 13 which is used by the customer's administrator as interface towards the different systems. In Figure 2 an example is shown of equipment existing at an electricity user. The equipment includes the actual electricity meter 3 which connects to a telematic terminal 2. The telematic terminal 2 includes radio interface and other suitable functions to communicate towards a mobile telephone network. To be activated, the telematic terminal needs a SIM-card 4, as well as a mobile terminal or ME, Mobile Equipment. As will be apparent from the following, the subscription which is associated to the SIM-card is especially designed for a telematic subscription and shall normally not be used in a conventional mobile telephone. The customary PIN-code is advisably deactivated at delivery. Misuse is instead prevented by the customer himself/herself having a possibility to detect undesirable utilizing and that the customer has a possibility to put the individual subscription out of service. If the customer so wishes, surveillance and countermeasures can be handled automatically in the customer's own systems.

Misuse of the SIM-cards is limited also by the fact that it can not be used for anything else than the telematic application for which it is intended. It consequently will be of no interest to steal this type of SIM-card.

In one embodiment of the invention, the telematic subscription is limited to use only one type of access to the mobile telephone network. The customer in general is not interested in which type of traffic that is used at the communication. The kind of traffic which need not be used can be blocked. Examples of types of access which are utilized are:

- packet switched access to one or more APN, that is access points in the mobile telephone system; - circuit switched data access to one or more telephone numbers, that is, called circuit connection to a telephone number associated with the collection system 5;

- SMS-connection to one or more MSISDN, abbreviated number and/or SMS-C₁ that is, SMS is transmitted to mobile telephone number or abbreviated number via a specific message center.

One embodiment of the telematic system includes a specific telematic server 6. The telematic server 6 is modified in relation to an ordinary HLR and replaces this for the telematic subscriptions. The telematic server 6 has, among other things, following functions. It keeps track of where in the world the telematic subscriptions are (as a conventional HLR). As to an ordinary HLR the telematic server can allow a limitation of roaming, for instance so that a telematic subscription is not allowed to change VLR- area from the area where the subscription originally was started, for instance the area where a electricity meter first was put into operation. Further, this function can be used to prevent telematic subscriptions from using networks of other operators, or in areas where the subscriptions is not intended to be used.

In one embodiment the telematic subscriptions are arranged in groups in the server. The subscriptions in the groups are identical and hold the same sets of services. Different sets of services can be selected for subscriptions by instead select different groups. In that way individual subscriptions can be given only the data which unavoidably must be allocated individually, such as IMSI, MSISDN and IP-address. Further also geographical location, that is, VLR-area, is stored individually per subscription.

In one embodiment also an authentication center AUC 7 is provided which has a limited security level adapted to the telematic subscriptions. The authentication center AUC 7 can be integrated with the telematic server 6.

By the telematic system according to the invention the debiting chain is reduced by no debiting being made on the individual telematic subscription. Debiting is instead made per number of activated telematic subscriptions and any traffic volume on the data link to the customer's 11 database 12. Follow-up of the telematic subscriptions can be limited to statistical information about activity and number of subscriptions which then is utilized for business follow-up. The statistics suitably can be collected in a specific statistic server 6.

The administration of the telematic subscriptions is simplified for the customer by no connection needed to be made between the identity of the electrical meter and the telematic subscription. The mobile subscription is only used as an anonymous carrier. Information about the identity of the electrical meter and read data are of course transmitted so that they can be interpreted by the collection system 5 and be registered in the customer's database 12. The unique identity of the mobile subscription is only used to provide possibility to put out of service or block subscriptions where misuse exists, or where error occurs. The administrator at the telematic service supplier 14 handles the subscriptions on a web page via the computer 15 connected to the web server 8. That web page operates directly into the modified telematic server 6. The administration is simplified to, in principle, only apply to ordering of a set of active telematic subscriptions (with number provided and active SIM-cards) with predetermined profile towards SIM-card production and putting out of service or blocking subscriptions (SIM-cards) which no longer are needed, or which are misused. Production of SIM-cards can be made in a SIM-card production station 10.

The customer's 11 administrator handles the telematic subscriptions on a web page via the computer 13 connected to the web server 8, or by talking with the telematic administrator. That web page is operating directly into the telematic server 6. The administration is simplified to, in principle, only apply to ordering of a set of active subscriptions (with number-provided SIM-cards) with predetermined profile towards SIM-card production and putting out of service or blocking subscriptions which no longer are needed or which are misused.

Initiation of the telematic system is made in one embodiment as follows:

1 . The mobile connects to the mobile telephone network 1 , for instance the GPRS-network, triggered by the electrical meter when the SIM-card 4 is installed in the electrical meter 3 via the telematic terminal 2.

2 . The telematic terminal 2 makes a pdp, context activation, that is, gets an IP- address from the network.

3 . The telematic terminal 2 connects to the collection system 5. 4 . The collection system 5 makes an identity check of the meter 3, but not of the subscription (the SIM-card 4).

5 . The identity of the subscription and used IP-address are transmitted to the collection system 5 for future collection of measuring data initiated from the collection system 5. There the subscription is connected with the identity of the meter 3 and with the IP-address.

6 . The telematic terminal disconnects the connection to the collection system 5, but retains the connection to the GSM/GPRS-network 1 , that is, no pdp context deactivation is made. At the same time the GPRS-network 1 must allow that the telematic terminal 2 may retain the IP-address. Collection of measured values initiated by the collection system 5 is made in one embodiment as follows:

1 . The collection system 5 connects to the telematic terminal 2.

2 . The network 1 communicates with the telematic server 6 to find out the position of the telematic terminal 2. This process is simplified by FNR (number porting) being possible to exclude.

3 . The telematic terminal 2 is called.

4 . The collection system 5 collects data from the electrical meter 3 by the link (IP- address) which is set up. The identity of the subscription is derived to the collection system 5 for any follow-up of errors.

5 . The collection system 5 makes an identity check of the meter 3 but not of the subscription (the SIM-card 4).

6 . CDR is used for statistics and to any handling of fraud.

7 . Measured and validated electricity meter values are transmitted to the customer's system 12.

Collection of measured values initiated by the telematic terminal 2 is made in one embodiment as follows:

1. The telematic terminal 2 connects to the collection system 5. 2. The collection system 5 makes an identity check of the electrical meter 3.

3. The electrical meter 3 transmits measured data by the link the telematic terminal 2 has set up. The identity of the subscription is derived to the collection system 5 for any follow-up of errors.

4. The identity of the subscription and used IP-address in this case can be transmitted to the collection system 5 for future collection of measured data initiated from the collection system 5. (This can be made if there is risk that the GPRS-network 1 resumes the IP-address because of inactivity).

5. The telematic terminal 2 disconnects the connection to the collection system 5.

6. CDR is used for statistics. 7. Measured and validated measuring values are transmitted to the customer's system 12.

Billing is made in one embodiment as follows:

1. CDR is normally used only for statistics and for any handling of fraud. By the telematic subscriptions using explicit distinguishing number series for IMSI and MSISDN the debiting can be suppressed by means of simple algorithms in the collection systems which are used for CDR.

2. The customer is billed based on the individual number of active (ordered and not put out of service) subscriptions and not based on the accomplished traffic of the subscriptions.

3. Certain billing, however, can be made based on total data traffic in the collection system 5.

Authentication is made in one embodiment as follows: 1. An authentication center AUC 7 (with lower demands for security) is integrated in the telematic server 6. Towards the network 1 the authentication is made in standardized way, but the security level is lower and the implementation of AUC can be simplified. Algorithms for encryption need not be implemented, whereas some algorithm for authentication must exist. 2. By the subscription profile in the telematic server 6 and existing mechanisms in

GSM (that is, the APN-concept) it is only the customer's own subscriptions which will have access to the data link to the collection system 5. The collection system 5 consequently need not implement any access check of the subscription. 3. The collection system 5 receives information about which mobile subscription that connects, by the telephone number of the subscription being transmitted within the session. The collection system 5 implements a mechanism to recognize if any subscription has any abnormal behavior, for instance an exceptional amount of call set-ups or faulty attempts to transmit data. The collection system 5 can handle these faulty subscriptions in two different ways: a) By itself temporary block access from this subscription. This solution is used for less serious cases. b) By putting the subscription out of service in the telematic server 6 (by accessible web interface). This method is used in more serious cases, for instance where the subscription erroneously provides unacceptable high load on the data link, or where there is a suspicion that the subscription has been subject to illegal possession.

The telematic system according to the invention can be given a lot of advantageous qualities. The telephone numbers of the telematic subscriptions can, for instance, be selected from a specific number series and by that will not have authority demands on number porting. Check of access, authentication and authorization of the telematic terminals towards the server application is made by means of a central telematic application, the collection system 5, which is located outside the mobile network. It is the same database that collects the measured values from the electrical meters 3.

The security solutions which are used in the mobile telephone network 1 can be limited to recognizing the different telematic subscriptions on individual level so that such a subscription can be put out of service at technical errors or any misuse. Any encryption can be introduced at application level between the electrical meter, or corresponding unit, and the collection system.

The subscription handling system which is utilized for today's mobile telephone subscriptions need not be used. Instead, the subscriptions can be activated by groups directly in the telemetry server 6. This activation is made by the operator after order from the customer 11. The activation is associated with the specific SIM-cards 4. The groups which are activated can be of the size thousands of subscriptions.

The customer 11 can be offered a simple and for the purpose adapted interface towards the telematic server 6. The interface is handled by the computer 13 at the customer towards the web server 8 and is, in principle, only used to put out of service or block individual subscriptions where the customer has detected error or misuse.

The number porting function (FNR) can be excluded in the mobile telephone network which results in a simplification and reduces costs. For the telematic subscriptions it is sufficient that the telephone number is firmly connected to the identity of the subscription in the radio network, for instance IMSI.

The debiting system can be reduced by no debiting being made at the individual subscription. Debiting is instead made per number of activated subscriptions and potential traffic volume on the data link to the customer's database 12. The follow-up of the subscriptions can be limited to statistical information about activity and number of subscriptions.

The telematic server according to the invention can be integrated in a more simple way both towards network and support systems. Several systems with volume depending costs by that can be avoided. The invention can be implemented by suitable combinations of software and hardware. The scope of protection of the invention is only limited by the following patent claims.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Telematic system including:

- a mobile telephone system (1); - at least one mobile terminal (2) with telematic function which can be connected in the mobile telephone system (1) by a mobile telephone subscription;

- a collection system (5) arranged to communicate with the mobile terminal (2); characterized in that: the mobile terminal (2) is locked to a telematic application.

2. Telematic system as claimed in patent claim 1, characterized in that the mobile terminal (2) is arranged to co-operate with a SIM-card (4) which can be connected to the mobile terminal.

3. Telematic system as claimed in patent claim 1 , characterized in that the PIN-code of the SIM-card (4) is not activated.

4. Telematic system as claimed in patent claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mobile terminal (2) is put out of service to only allow communication via a limited number of types of traffic, for instance packed switched access, circuit switched data access or SMS.

5. Telematic system as claimed in patent claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the telephone number of the mobile telephone subscription is strictly connected to the identity of the mobile telephone subscription in the mobile telephone system (1).

6. Telematic system as claimed in patent claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mobile terminal (2) is arranged to establish a connection towards the mobile telephone system (1) via an IP-address and to, after communication with the collection system (5), retain the IP-address.

7. Telematic system as claimed in patent claim 6, characterized in that the connection is established by means of an APN according to GSM/UMTS-standard.

8. Telematic system as claimed in any of the previous patent claims, characteriz e d i n that a telematic server (6) is connected to, or integrated with, the mobile telephone system (1), which telematic server (6) is arranged to hold information about subscriber profiles of telematic subscriptions.

9. Telematic system as claimed in patent claim 6, characterized in that the telematic server (6) is arranged to replace a conventional HLR-server in the mobile telephone system for telematic subscriptions.

10. Telematic system as claimed in patent claim 6 or 7, characterized in that a subscriber profile is defined with limited roaming.

11. Telematic system as claimed in patent claim 6, 7 or 8, characterized in that a subscriber profile is defined without number portability (FNR).

12. Telematic system as claimed in patent claim 7, characterized in that a subscriber profile is defined with a reserved APN which only can be utilized by this customer.

13. Telematic system as claimed in patent claim 6 or 7, characterized in that a group of telematic subscriptions is defined in the telematic server (6), at which all telematic subscriptions in the group have the same subscriber profile.

14. Telematic system as claimed in any of patent claims 6 to 10, characterized i n that an authentication center (6) is connected to, or integrated with, the telematic server.

15. Telematic system as claimed in any of patent claims 6 to 10, characterized i n that the collection system (5) has an interface towards the telematic server (6) via a web server (8).

16. Telematic system as claimed in patent claim 15, characterized in that the interface via the web server (8) allows order for a set of active telematic subscriptions with predetermined subscriber profile.

17. Telematic system as claimed in patent claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the interface via the web server (8) allows temporary blocking and/or putting out of service of telematic subscriptions.

18. Telematic system as claimed in any of the previous patent claims, characteriz e d i n that the telematic function includes co-operation with electrical meter (3).