Method and system for exchanging NRTRDE files between a visited network and a home network in real time

• US 20080293409A1
• Filed: 05/19/2008
• Published: 11/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mobileum, Incorporated fka Roamware
• Original Assignee: Mobileum, Incorporated fka Roamware
• Inventors: Jiang, John Yue Jun, Gillot, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,583,109 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/433
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/06 Registration at serving network Location Register, VLR or user mobility server
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/12 between location registers or mobility servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/20 Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/24 between backbone network devices

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for facilitating exchange of roaming information between a first gateway and either a Near Real Time Roaming Data Exchange (NRTRDE) agent or second gateway in real time. The method includes obtaining, by a first gateway associated with the VPMN, one or more event parameters in real time from mobile communication of the VPMN'"'"'s inbound roamer coming from the HPMN. The method further includes generating the roaming information at the first gateway in real time, using one or more obtained event parameters such that the generated roaming information is comprehendible to either an NRTRDE agent associated with the VPMN or a third party vendor, or a second gateway associated with the HPMN. The method further includes providing the roaming information by the first gateway to either the NRTRDE agent or the second gateway in real time.

Claims

1. A method for exchanging roaming information between a Home Public Mobile Network (HPMN) and a Visited Public Mobile Network (VPMN) in real time, the VPMN having an associated first gateway, the HPMN having an associated second gateway, the roaming information relating to a mobile communication by an inbound roamer of the VPMN, the method comprising:

detecting the occurrence of an event parameter relating to the mobile communication via the first gateway;

upon the detection, generating, in real time, the roaming information based on the event parameter at the first gateway, the roaming information being in a format comprehendible to one of;

a Near Real Time Roaming Data Exchange (NRTRDE) agent associated with one of the VPMN and a third party, and

the second gateway; and

transmitting, in real time, the roaming information, via the first gateway to one of the NRTRDE agent and the second gateway.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the occurrence of the event parameter further comprises:

monitoring, at the first gateway, Signalling Connection Control Part (SCCP) and ISDN User Part (ISUP) roaming signaling links between the HPMN and the VPMN, and a Gp interface between a VPMN Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) and an HPMN Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN).

3. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the occurrence of the event parameter further comprises:

polling, a the first gateway, an Equipment Identity Register (EIR) database associated with the VPMN for the event parameter.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the occurrence of the event parameter further comprises:

monitoring, at the first gateway, signaling messages exchanged between an EIR database and a VMSC for the event parameter, wherein the EIR database is associated with the VPMN.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the occurrence of the event parameter further comprises:

accessing, via the first gateway, an EIR database for the event parameter upon receiving an event parameter check message from a Visited Mobile Switching Center (VMSC) associated with the VPMN, wherein the EIR database is associated with the VPMN.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the occurrence of the event parameter further comprises:

capturing the event parameter from an event parameter check message.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the occurrence of the event parameter further comprises:

capturing the event parameter from call control signaling of the inbound roamer received at the first gateway.

8. The method of claim 1, the event parameter comprising an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), wherein detecting the occurrence of the event parameter further comprises:

sending, via the first gateway, one of an event parameter obtain message and an event parameter request message to a VMSC associated with the VPMN;

in response to the event parameter request message, receiving from the VMSC at the first gateway one of;

call information report after completion of the inbound roamer'"'"'s mobile communication in the VPMN, wherein the call information report comprises the event parameter;

an event parameter result message comprising the event parameter; and

in response to the event parameter obtain message, receiving the IMEI from the VMSC at the first gateway.

9. The method of claim 1, the event parameter comprising a call event start time, wherein detecting the occurrence of the event parameter further comprises:

deriving, at the first gateway, the call event start time from one of;

a time instant when the first gateway relays a received CAP message to a Service Control Function (SCF) associated with the HPMN;

a call information report; and

an ISDN User Part (ISUP) Initial Address Message (IAM) message.

10. The method of claim 1, the event parameter comprising call event duration, wherein detecting the occurrence of the event parameter further comprises:

calculating, at the first gateway, the call event duration from a time difference between one of;

an answer notification and a disconnect notification; and

a create Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context message and a delete PDP context message.

11. The method of claim 1, the event parameter comprising a charge amount, wherein detecting the occurrence of the event parameter further comprises:

calculating, at the first gateway, the charge amount for the inbound roamer'"'"'s mobile communication in the VPMN based on at least one of;

an Inter Operator Tariff (IOT) structure associated with the VPMN, a call destination number, call event duration, data exchanged during General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) session and an Access Point Name (APN).

12. The method of claim 1, the event parameter comprising an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), wherein detecting the occurrence of the event parameter further comprises:

determining the IMSI by identifying the IMSI that corresponds to a received Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN) of the inbound roamer, wherein the IMSI is stored in a database associated with the first gateway.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

dynamically creating, at the first gateway, a CAMEL Subscription Information (CSI) for the inbound roamer.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

configuring a Service Switching Function (SSF) associated with the VPMN with static IN trigger profile for Mobile Originated (MO) call by the inbound roamer so as to direct the MO call to the first gateway.

15. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

enabling the mobile communication of the inbound roamer in the VPMN by inserting one or more events for the inbound roamer'"'"'s mobile communication at one of;

a VMSC/Visitor Location Register (VLR) associated with the VPMN, and

a SSF associated with the VPMN,

wherein the events are inserted when the first gateway detects absence of the events.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the roaming information in real time further comprises at least one of:

storing the detected event parameter in a database associated with the first gateway;

selecting the event parameter from the database to generate the roaming information; and

upon completion of the inbound roamer'"'"'s mobile communication, aggregating the selected event parameter so as to create one of;

a flat file and an NRTRDE file.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the roaming information in real time further comprises:

creating one of an NRTRDE file and a flat file from the event parameter obtained at the first gateway during the mobile communication of the inbound roamer in the VPMN.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the roaming information in real time further comprises:

using the detected event parameter to create one of complete roaming information and partial roaming information.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the partial roaming information is created by the first gateway at a pre-defined time interval during the mobile communication of the inbound roamer and is sent to one of the NRTRDE agent and the second gateway.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the generated roaming information in real time is in one of TD.35 format and the VPMN'"'"'s pre-defined format.

21. A method for exchanging roaming information between a Home Public Mobile Network (HPMN) and a Visited Public Mobile Network (VPMN) in real time, the VPMN having an associated first gateway, the HPMN having an associated second gateway, the roaming information relating to a mobile communication by an inbound roamer of the VPMN, the method comprising:

at the HPMN, detecting an event parameter relating to the mobile communication; and

upon the detecting, receiving, in real time, the roaming information via the first gateway at one of the a Near Real Time Roaming Data Exchange (NRTRDE) agent and the second gateway;

wherein the NRTRDE agent is associated with one of the VPMN and a third party; and

wherein the roaming information is in a format comprehendible to one of the NRTRDE agent and the second gateway.

22. A method for exchanging roaming information between a Home Public Mobile Network (HPMN) and a Visited Public Mobile Network (VPMN) in real time, the VPMN having an associated first gateway, the HPMN having an associated second gateway, the roaming information relating to a mobile communication by an inbound roamer of the VPMN, the method comprising:

facilitating the detection of an event parameter relating to the mobile communication; and

upon the detection, facilitating the receipt, in real time, of the roaming information via the first gateway at one of the a Near Real Time Roaming Data Exchange (NRTRDE) agent and the second gateway;

wherein the NRTRDE agent is associated with one of the VPMN and a third party;

wherein the roaming information is in a format comprehendible to one of the NRTRDE agent and the second gateway.

23. A system for exchanging roaming information between a Home Public Mobile Network (HPMN) and a Visited Public Mobile Network (VPMN) in real time, the VPMN having an associated first gateway, the HPMN having an associated second gateway, the roaming information relating to a mobile communication by an inbound roamer of the VPMN, the system comprising:

a detection module for detecting the occurrence of an event parameter relating to the mobile communication via the first gateway;

a generation module for generating, in real time upon the detection, the roaming information based on the event parameter at the first gateway, the roaming information being in a format comprehendible to one of;

a Near Real Time Roaming Data Exchange (NRTRDE) agent associated with one of the VPMN and a third party, and

the second gateway; and

a transmission module for transmitting, in real time, the roaming information, via the first gateway to one of the NRTRDE agent and the second gateway.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the detection module further comprises:

a monitoring module for monitoring, at the first gateway, Signalling Connection Control Part (SCCP) and ISDN User Part (ISUP) roaming signaling links between the HPMN and the VPMN, and a Gp interface between a VPMN Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) and an HPMN Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN).

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the detection module further comprises:

a polling module for polling, a the first gateway, an Equipment Identity Register (EIR) database associated with the VPMN for the event parameter.

26. The system of claim 23, wherein the detection module further comprises:

a monitoring module for monitoring, at the first gateway, signaling messages exchanged between an EIR database and a VMSC for the event parameter, wherein the EIR database is associated with the VPMN.

27. The system of claim 23, wherein the detection module further comprises:

an accessing module for accessing, via the first gateway, an EIR database for the event parameter upon receiving an event parameter check message from a Visited Mobile Switching Center (VMSC) associated with the VPMN, wherein the EIR database is associated with the VPMN.

28. The system of claim 23, wherein the detection module further comprises:

a capturing module for capturing the event parameter from an event parameter check message.

29. The system of claim 23, wherein the detection module further comprises:

a capturing module for capturing the event parameter from call control signaling of the inbound roamer received at the first gateway.

30. The system of claim 23, the event parameter comprising an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), wherein the detection module further comprises:

a sending module for sending, via the first gateway, one of an event parameter obtain message and an event parameter request message to a VMSC associated with the VPMN;

a receiving module for receiving, in response to the event parameter request message, from the VMSC at the first gateway one of;

call information report after completion of the inbound roamer'"'"'s mobile communication in the VPMN, wherein the call information report comprises the event parameter;

an event parameter result message comprising the event parameter; and

in response to the event parameter obtain message, receiving the IMEI from the VMSC at the first gateway.

31. The system of claim 23, the event parameter comprising a call event start time, wherein the detection module further comprises:

a deriving module for deriving, at the first gateway, the call event start time from one of;

a time instant when the first gateway relays a received CAP message to a Service Control Function (SCF) associated with the HPMN;

a call information report; and

an ISDN User Part (ISUP) Initial Address Message (IAM) message.

32. The system of claim 23, the event parameter comprising call event duration, wherein the detection module further comprises:

a calculating module for calculating, at the first gateway, the call event duration from a time difference between one of;

an answer notification and a disconnect notification; and

a create Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context message and a delete PDP context message.

33. The system of claim 23, the event parameter comprising a charge amount, wherein the detection module further comprises:

a calculating module for calculating, at the first gateway, the charge amount for the inbound roamer'"'"'s mobile communication in the VPMN based on at least one of;

an Inter Operator Tariff (IOT) structure associated with the VPMN, a call destination number, call event duration, data exchanged during General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) session and an Access Point Name (APN).

34. The system of claim 23, the event parameter comprising an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), wherein the detection module further comprises:

a determining module for determining the IMSI by identifying the IMSI that corresponds to a received Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN) of the inbound roamer, wherein the IMSI is stored in a database associated with the first gateway.

35. The system of claim 23 further comprising:

a generation module dynamically creating, at the first gateway, a CAMEL Subscription Information (CSI) for the inbound roamer.

36. The system of claim 23 further comprising:

a configuration module for configuring a Service Switching Function (SSF) associated with the VPMN with static IN trigger profile for Mobile Originated (MO) call by the inbound roamer so as to direct the MO call to the first gateway.

37. The system of claim 23 further comprising:

an enablement module for enabling the mobile communication of the inbound roamer in the VPMN by inserting one or more events for the inbound roamer'"'"'s mobile communication at one of;

a VMSC/Visitor Location Register (VLR) associated with the VPMN, and

a SSF associated with the VPMN,

wherein the events are inserted when the first gateway detects absence of the events.

38. The system of claim 23, wherein the generation module further comprises at least one of:

a storing module for storing the detected event parameter in a database associated with the first gateway;

a selection module for selecting the event parameter from the database to generate the roaming information; and

an aggregation module for aggregating the selected event parameter, upon completion of the inbound roamer'"'"'s mobile communication, so as to create one of a flat file and an NRTRDE file.

39. The system of claim 23, wherein the generation module further comprises:

a generation module for creating one of an NRTRDE file and a flat file from the event parameter obtained at the first gateway during the mobile communication of the inbound roamer in the VPMN.

40. The system of claim 23, wherein the generation module further comprises:

a generation module for creating one of complete roaming information and partial roaming information, using the detected event parameter.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the partial roaming information is created by the first gateway at a pre-defined time interval during the mobile communication of the inbound roamer and is sent to one of the NRTRDE agent and the second gateway.

42. A system for exchanging roaming information between a Home Public Mobile Network (HPMN) and a Visited Public Mobile Network (VPMN) in real time, the VPMN having an associated first gateway, the HPMN having an associated second gateway, the roaming information relating to a mobile communication by an inbound roamer of the VPMN, the system comprising:

a detection module for detecting, at the HPMN, an event parameter relating to the mobile communication; and

a receiving module for receiving, upon the detecting in real time, the roaming information via the First gateway at one of the a Near Real Time Roaming Data Exchange (NRTRDE) agent and the second gateway;

wherein the NRTRDE agent is associated with one of the VPMN and a third party; and

wherein the roaming information is in a format comprehendible to one of the NRTRDE agent and the second gateway.

43. A system for exchanging roaming information between a Home Public Mobile Network (HPMN) and a Visited Public Mobile Network (VPMN) in real time, the VPMN having an associated first gateway, the HPMN having an associated second gateway, the roaming information relating to a mobile communication by an inbound roamer of the VPMN, the system comprising:

a first facilitating module for facilitating the detection of an event parameter relating to the mobile communication; and

a second facilitating module for facilitating the receipt, upon the detection in real time, of the roaming information via the first gateway at one of the a Near Real Time Roaming Data Exchange (NRTRDE) agent and the second gateway;

wherein the NRTRDE agent is associated with one of the VPMN and a third party;

wherein the roaming information is in a format comprehendible to one of the NRTRDE agent and the second gateway.

44. A computer program product for use with a computer, the computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having a computer-readable program code stored therein for exchanging roaming information between a Home Public Mobile Network (HPMN) and a Visited Public Mobile Network (VPMN) in real time, the VPMN having an associated first gateway, the HPMN having an associated second gateway, the roaming information relating to a mobile communication by an inbound roamer of the VPMN, the computer program product performing the steps of:

detecting the occurrence of an event parameter relating to the mobile communication via the first gateway;

upon the detection, generating, in real time, the roaming information based on the event parameter at the first gateway, the roaming information being in a format comprehendible to one of;

a Near Real Time Roaming Data Exchange (NRTRDE) agent associated with one of the VPMN and a third party, and

the second gateway; and

transmitting, in real time, the roaming information, via the first gateway to one of the NRTRDE agent and the second gateway.

45. A computer program product for use with a computer, the computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code stored therein for exchanging roaming information between a Home Public Mobile Network (HPMN) and a Visited Public Mobile Network (VPMN) in real time, the VPMN having an associated first gateway, the HPMN having an associated second gateway, the roaming information relating to a mobile communication by an inbound roamer of the VPMN, the computer program product performing the steps of:

at the HPMN, detecting an event parameter relating to the mobile communication; and

upon the detecting, receiving, in real time, the roaming information via the first gateway at one of the a Near Real Time Roaming Data Exchange (NRTRDE) agent and the second gateway;

wherein the NRTRDE agent is associated with one of the VPMN and a third party; and

wherein the roaming information is in a format comprehendible to one of the NRTRDE agent and the second gateway.

46. A computer program product for use with a computer, the computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code stored therein for exchanging roaming information between a Home Public Mobile Network (HPMN) and a Visited Public Mobile Network (VPMN) in real time, the VPMN having an associated First gateway, the HPMN having an associated second gateway, the roaming information relating to a mobile communication by an inbound roamer of the VPMN, the computer program product performing the steps of:

facilitating the detection of an event parameter relating to the mobile communication; and

upon the detection, facilitating the receipt, in real time, of the roaming information via the first gateway at one of the a Near Real Time Roaming Data Exchange (NRTRDE) agent and the second gateway;

wherein the NRTRDE agent is associated with one of the VPMN and a third party;

wherein the roaming information is in a format comprehendible to one of the NRTRDE agent and the second gateway.