Signaling and packet relay method and system including general packet radio service ("GPRS")

• US 20040224680A1
• Filed: 02/13/2004
• Published: 11/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mobileum, Incorporated fka Roamware
• Original Assignee: Mobileum, Incorporated fka Roamware
• Inventors: Jiang, Yue Jun
• Granted Patent: US 7,664,494 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/433
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/12 Setup of transport tunnels
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/20 Manipulation of established connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/08 Mobility data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/14 Backbone network devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 Gateway arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/184 Messaging devices, e.g. message centre
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

A method and system for roaming mobile communications between networks is described. One embodiment includes a plurality of messages from a home network subscriber device that is device is roaming outside the home network. A communications link is established with a destination network, including modifying at least one of the messages such that the message appears to the destination network to originate from a partner network of the destination network. Both voice and data are transmitted via the communications link.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication, comprising:

receiving a plurality of messages from a home network subscriber device, wherein the device is roaming outside the home network;

establishing a communications link with a destination network, including modifying at least one of the plurality of messages such that the message appears to the destination network to originate from a partner network of the destination network; and

transmitting at least one of voice and data over the communications link.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising establishing at least one packet data protocol (PDP) tunnel between the home network and the destination network.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of messages include a GPRS session message.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising routing the plurality of messages to at least one signaling and packet relay system (SPRS) node.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of messages include messages from networks who are not roaming partners of the home network.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the partner network routing messages from the home network to a signaling and packet relay system (SPRS) node.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the home network routing messages from the home network to a signaling and packet relay system (SPRS) node.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting modified messages through a GMSC.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the home subscriber device comprises a dual IMSI SIM.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the home subscriber device comprises a modified single IMSI SIM.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the plurality of messages further comprises using a designated translation type.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising using a private connection to receive the plurality of messages.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the plurality of messages further comprises modification of a global title.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the plurality of messages further comprises prefixing a called address with a designated routing number.

15. A mobile communications system for transmitting voice and data, the system comprising:

a sponsored network;

a sponsoring network;

a plurality of partner networks, wherein the plurality of partner networks have roaming agreements with the sponsoring network, and have no roaming agreements with the sponsored network; and

at least one signaling packet relay system (SPRS) node coupled to the sponsored network and the sponsoring network, wherein messages between the partner networks and the sponsored network are routed to the SPRS node and modified to appear as if the messages are between the sponsoring network and the partner networks.

16. The mobile communications system of claim 15, wherein the at least one SPRS node comprises an SPRS node at the sponsoring network, wherein the SPRS node is coupled to the sponsored network through a first packet data relay (PDP) tunnel, and coupled to the partner networks through a second PDP tunnel.

17. The mobile communications system of claim 15, wherein SPRS node is further coupled to the sponsored network and to the partner network through at least one SS7 node.

18. The mobile communications system of claim 15, wherein the first packet data relay (PDP) tunnel, and the second PDP tunnel each comprise a general packet radio service (GPRS) roaming exchange (GRX).

19. The mobile communications system of claim 18, wherein one of the GRXs is coupled to an SGSN at the partner network, and another one of the GRXs is coupled to a GGSN at the sponsored network.

20. The mobile communications system of claim 15, wherein routing includes using a designated translation type, the system further comprising:

an SPRS coupled to a GMSC of the sponsoring network;

at least one signal transfer point (STP) coupled to the sponsoring network GMSC; and

a GMSC of the sponsored network coupled to the at least one STP.

21. The mobile communications system of claim 15, wherein routing includes using a private connection, the system further comprising:

an SPRS coupled to a GMSC of the sponsoring network and further coupled to a GMSC of the sponsored network coupled; and

at least one signal transfer point (STP) coupled between the sponsoring network GMSC and the sponsored network GMSC.

22. The mobile communications system of claim 15, wherein routing includes modifying a global title, the system further comprising:

an SPRS coupled to a GMSC of the sponsored network; and

at least one signal transfer point coupled between a sponsoring network GMSC and the sponsored network GMSC.

23. The mobile communications system of claim 15, wherein the at least one SPRS comprises:

a first SPRS coupled to a GMSC of the sponsored network; and

a second SPRS coupled to a GMSC of the sponsoring network.

24. A computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions executed in a mobile communications system for:

receiving a plurality of messages from a home network subscriber device, wherein the device is roaming outside the home network;

establishing a communications link with a destination network, including modifying at least one of the plurality of messages such that the message appears to a destination network to originate from a partner network of the destination network; and

transmitting at least one of voice and data over the communications link.

25. The computer readable medium of claim 24, wherein the instructions are further executed in the mobile communications system for establishing at least one packet data protocol (PDP) tunnel between the home network and the destination network.

26. The computer readable medium of claim 24, wherein the plurality of messages include a GPRS session message.

27. The computer readable medium of claim 24, wherein the instructions are further executed in the mobile communications system for routing the plurality of messages to at least one signaling and packet relay system (SPRS) node.

28. The computer readable medium of claim 24, wherein the plurality of messages include messages from networks who are not roaming partners of the home network.

29. The computer readable medium of claim 24, wherein the instructions are further executed in the mobile communications system for causing the partner network routing messages from the home network to a signaling and packet relay system (SPRS) node.

30. The computer readable medium of claim 24, wherein the instructions are further executed in the mobile communications system for causing the home network routing messages from the home network to a signaling and packet relay system (SPRS) node.

31. The computer readable medium of claim 24, wherein the instructions are further executed in the mobile communications system for transmitting modified messages through a GMSC.

32. The computer readable medium of claim 24, wherein the home subscriber device comprises a dual IMSI SIM.

33. The computer readable medium of claim 24, wherein the home subscriber device comprises a modified single IMSI SIM.

34. The computer readable medium of claim 24, wherein receiving the plurality of messages further comprises using a designated translation type.

35. The computer readable medium of claim 24, wherein the instructions are further executed in the mobile communications system for using a private connection to receive the plurality of messages.

36. The computer readable medium of claim 24, wherein receiving the plurality of messages further comprises modification of a global title.

37. The computer readable medium of claim 24, wherein receiving the plurality of messages further comprises prefixing a called address with a designated routing number.