Method and network element for connecting a subscriber to a cellular telecommunication network

• US 20060025174A1
• Filed: 09/14/2005
• Published: 02/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Max Hamberg
• Original Assignee: Max Hamberg
• Inventors: Hamberg, Max
• Granted Patent: US 7,149,542 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/556.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/14 WLL [Wireless Local Loop]; RLL [Radio Local Loop]

Abstract

A method and apparatus for connecting a subscriber apparatus or subscriber'"'"'s network to a mobile network, wherein a network element is placed between a mobile network and a subscriber apparatus or subscriber'"'"'s network. The network element emulates the appropriate interface towards both the mobile network and a subscriber apparatus or subscriber'"'"'s network that are attached to the network element. The network element is assigned the task to switch and, if necessary, concentrate calls between the mobile network and subscriber'"'"'s network. In addition, the network element advantageously comprises a database block that stores the subscriber data needed by the mobile network, which data correspond to subscriber apparatus in the subscriber'"'"'s network connected to the mobile network.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a subscriber apparatus of a user arranged to connect to a host mobile network,

means for storing, in a network element connected to the host mobile network, subscriber data corresponding to information concerning the subscriber apparatus of the user of the subscriber system, said network element being arranged to associate the subscriber apparatus of the user with a mobile communication means of the user on the host mobile network;

means for transporting a user'"'"'s subscriber identity to the network element;

means for realizing emulation of network functions towards said host mobile network and towards said subscriber system based on at least one of said user'"'"'s subscriber identity and said stored subscriber data;

means for emulating towards said host mobile network a first desired interface by producing first signals representing signals of the host mobile network in said network element, said host mobile network including said first desired interface;

means for emulating towards said subscriber system a second desired interface by producing second signals representing signals of the subscriber system in said network element, said subscriber system including said second desired interface; and

means for connecting, in said network element, said second signals to the host mobile network and said first signals to said subscriber system based on said stored subscriber data.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said network element is arranged to be used to emulate mobile network functions associated with mobile communication devices of the host mobile network that are not realized by the subscriber apparatus in said subscriber system.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein at least a part of said functions are functions dependent on said subscriber data.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the network element is used to receive signals from said subscriber system, which signals are coming from signal lines of which there are a certain first number, and said received signals are concentrated into signal lines of the host mobile network of which there are a certain second number such that said second number is smaller than said first number.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said first desired interface is an interface between a base station controller and a mobile switching center.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said first desired interface is an interface between a base station controller and a base station.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein said first desired interface is a radio interface between a mobile communication device and a base station.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least part of host mobile network subscriber information needed by the network element is read from a database stored in the network element.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least part of host mobile network subscriber information needed by the network element is generated automatically.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein said subscriber system comprises at least one fixed telephone network.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein said subscriber system comprises at least one radio network.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein said subscriber system comprises at least one interphone network.

13. A network element for connecting to a host mobile network with a subscriber apparatus of a subscriber system, comprising:

memory means for storing subscriber data corresponding to information concerning the subscriber apparatus of a user of the subscriber system, said network element associates the subscriber apparatus of the user with a mobile communication means of the user on the host mobile network;

means of signaling for transporting a user'"'"'s subscriber identity to the network element, emulation means for emulating a desired interface of network functions towards said host mobile network and towards said subscriber system based on at least one of said user'"'"'s subscriber identity and said stored subscriber data,

input means and output means for providing signals of the desired interface towards said host mobile network and towards said subscriber system; and

switching means for connecting signals of said subscriber system to the host mobile network and signals of the host mobile network to said subscriber system based on said stored subscriber data.

14. The network element according to claim 13, wherein said emulation means are arranged so as to emulate mobile network functions associated with mobile communication devices of the host mobile network which are not provided by said subscriber apparatus in said subscriber system.

15. The network element according to claim 13, wherein the output means realizes functionality according to a predetermined interface of said host mobile network.

16. The network element according to claim 15, wherein said predetermined interface is an interface between a base station controller and a mobile switching center.

17. The network element according to claim 15, wherein said predetermined interface is an interface between a base station and a base station controller.

18. The network element according to claim 15, wherein said predetermined interface is an interface between a mobile communication device and a base station.

19. The network element according to claim 13, wherein said memory means comprises a database block for storing host mobile network subscription data corresponding to the subscriber apparatus in said subscriber system.

20. The network element according to claim 13, wherein said subscriber data corresponds to information in a subscriber identity module (SIM) of the mobile communication means of the user on the mobile network.

21. A network element for connecting to a host mobile network with a subscriber apparatus of a subscriber system, comprising:

memory means for storing subscriber data corresponding to information concerning the subscriber apparatus of a user of the subscriber system, said network element associates the subscriber apparatus of the user with a mobile communication means of the user on the host mobile network;

means for receiving a user'"'"'s subscriber identity in the network element;

emulation means for emulating a desired interface of network functions towards said host mobile network and towards said subscriber system based on at least one of said user'"'"'s subscriber identity and said stored subscriber data,

input means and output means for providing signals of the desired interface towards said host mobile network and towards said subscriber system; and

switching means for connecting signals of said subscriber system to the host mobile network and signals of the host mobile network to said subscriber system based on said stored subscriber data.

22. A network element for connecting to a host mobile network with a subscriber apparatus of a subscriber system, comprising:

memory for storing subscriber data corresponding to information concerning the subscriber apparatus of a user of the subscriber system, said the network element associates the subscriber apparatus of the user with a mobile communication means of the user on the host mobile network;

a receiver arranged to receive a user'"'"'s subscriber identity in the network element;

an emulation block for emulating a desired interface of network functions towards said host mobile network and towards said subscriber system based on at least one of said user'"'"'s subscriber identity and said stored subscriber data;

an input unit and an output unit for providing signals of the desired interface towards said host mobile network and towards said subscriber system; and

a switching block for connecting signals of said subscriber system to the host mobile network and signals of the host mobile network to said subscriber system based on said stored subscriber data.