Method and system for providing cellular voice, data and messaging services over IP networks
First Claim
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1. A system for enabling a voice call or a message destined to a cellular telephone to be delivered to a device attached to an Internet Protocol (IP) network;
- a voice call or a message originating from a device attached to an IP network to be identified as a call or a message from a cellular user, and be delivered to a destination cellular device, landline telephone, or IP device; and
a device attached to an IP network to originate/terminate data traffic that would normally be originated/terminated by a cellular data terminal, wherein the system comprises At least one programmable device called cellular gateway that is connected to the cellular network through standard signaling interfaces, resembles a cellular network element when communicating with legacy cellular network devices, and maintains, among other information, a database of cellular subscriber identities and corresponding IP address information;
A plurality of functional entities called Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs) each of which contains authentication, subscription and other information provisioned by the cellular service provider for a specific user;
A plurality of functional entities called cellular network adapters (CNAs), either physically distinct or contained as part of a communication device, each of which is connected to an IP network, provides interfaces for one or more SIM entities, and provides the interworking between the cellular gateway and non-cellular voice and data terminals;
A plurality of voice-over-IP media gateways connected to cellular network elements to convert circuit-switched voice to voice-over-IP, and vice versa;
A management system, which is used to provision and manage services through the cellular gateway;
An IP communication link between the cellular gateway and each CNA to transport signaling and data messages;
An IP communication link between the cellular gateway and each voice-over-IP media gateway to transport signaling messages;
An IP communication link between each CNA and each voice-over-IP media gateway to transport IP packets carrying voice;
An IP communication link between the management system, and the cellular gateway it controls; and
Voice and data communication devices (user equipment) with software that allow them to communicate with a CNA over an IP network.
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Abstract
This invention describes a method and system for providing cellular voice, data and messaging services over IP networks. The key components of the system are the Cellular Gateway (CGW), the Cellular Network Adaptor (CNA), and the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM). Whereas the CGW is operated by the cellular service provider or network operator, the CNA and the SIM can be realized in many ways. Using these components, the present invention outlines methods for providing voice and messaging services to cellular subscribers over IP networks
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A system for enabling
a voice call or a message destined to a cellular telephone to be delivered to a device attached to an Internet Protocol (IP) network; -
a voice call or a message originating from a device attached to an IP network to be identified as a call or a message from a cellular user, and be delivered to a destination cellular device, landline telephone, or IP device; and
a device attached to an IP network to originate/terminate data traffic that would normally be originated/terminated by a cellular data terminal, wherein the system comprises At least one programmable device called cellular gateway that is connected to the cellular network through standard signaling interfaces, resembles a cellular network element when communicating with legacy cellular network devices, and maintains, among other information, a database of cellular subscriber identities and corresponding IP address information;
A plurality of functional entities called Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs) each of which contains authentication, subscription and other information provisioned by the cellular service provider for a specific user;
A plurality of functional entities called cellular network adapters (CNAs), either physically distinct or contained as part of a communication device, each of which is connected to an IP network, provides interfaces for one or more SIM entities, and provides the interworking between the cellular gateway and non-cellular voice and data terminals;
A plurality of voice-over-IP media gateways connected to cellular network elements to convert circuit-switched voice to voice-over-IP, and vice versa;
A management system, which is used to provision and manage services through the cellular gateway;
An IP communication link between the cellular gateway and each CNA to transport signaling and data messages;
An IP communication link between the cellular gateway and each voice-over-IP media gateway to transport signaling messages;
An IP communication link between each CNA and each voice-over-IP media gateway to transport IP packets carrying voice;
An IP communication link between the management system, and the cellular gateway it controls; and
Voice and data communication devices (user equipment) with software that allow them to communicate with a CNA over an IP network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification