Pico cell home mode operation
First Claim
1. A method of controlling communication service for a mobile station through a pico cell of a mobile wireless communication network, the mobile wireless communication network also including one or more macro cells, the method comprising steps of:
- receiving a signaling message relating to a request of the mobile station to register with the mobile wireless communication network through the pico cell,the signaling message including an identification of the mobile station and an identifier of the pico cell through which the mobile station requested to register with the network;
retrieving a profile record associated with the mobile station responsive to the identification, from among a plurality of profile records for customers;
determining whether or not the pico cell identifier included in the signaling message matches a pico cell identifier if any indicated by the profile record associated with the mobile station; and
granting or rejecting registration of the mobile station through the identified pico cell, respectively, based on a determination of whether or not the pico cell identifier included in the signaling message matches a pico cell identifier if any indicated by the profile record associated with the mobile station.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Identification of radio coverage of a mobile station (MS) via a pico cell, such as an IP-BTS in a user premises (e.g. residence or business customer location), enables a mobile/wireless service provider to differentiate between coverage under a pico cell and coverage under a macro network. In a disclosed example, when the MS requests registration/authentication through a pico cell, a related signaling message includes a pico cell identifier (pID). A home location register (HLR) is provisioned with a pID, so that the HLR can decide to accept or reject the registration/authentication requests. For example, if the particular MS is provisioned for services from a specific pico cell, the HLR will grant the registration/authentication and allow the network to process calls for the mobile station through the identified pico cell. This enables the provider to allow discounted services through pico cell, e.g. as a replacement for a landline.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of controlling communication service for a mobile station through a pico cell of a mobile wireless communication network, the mobile wireless communication network also including one or more macro cells, the method comprising steps of:
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receiving a signaling message relating to a request of the mobile station to register with the mobile wireless communication network through the pico cell, the signaling message including an identification of the mobile station and an identifier of the pico cell through which the mobile station requested to register with the network; retrieving a profile record associated with the mobile station responsive to the identification, from among a plurality of profile records for customers; determining whether or not the pico cell identifier included in the signaling message matches a pico cell identifier if any indicated by the profile record associated with the mobile station; and granting or rejecting registration of the mobile station through the identified pico cell, respectively, based on a determination of whether or not the pico cell identifier included in the signaling message matches a pico cell identifier if any indicated by the profile record associated with the mobile station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of controlling communication service for a mobile station, through a mobile wireless communication network including one or more macro cells and one or more pico cells, the method comprising steps of:
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receiving a signaling message relating to a request of the mobile station to register with a mobile wireless communication network through a base transceiver system of one the cells of the network; retrieving a profile record associated with the mobile station responsive to the signaling message, from among a plurality of profile records for customers, the retrieved profile record indicating that the mobile station is authorized for service only through an identified pico cell of the network; determining whether or not a pico cell identifier if any included in the signaling message corresponds to the pico cell identified by the profile record associated with the mobile station; and granting or rejecting registration of the mobile station through the base transceiver system, respectively, based on the determining of whether or not a pico cell identifier if any included in the signaling message corresponds to the pico cell identified by the profile record associated with the mobile station. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system offering mobile communications services for mobile stations, one of the mobile stations being designated for home pico cell operation only, the system comprising:
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a macro network providing wireless public mobile communications services, the macro network comprising macro cells for providing wireless communications with mobile stations and a mobile switching center for routing and controlling calls for mobile stations through the macro cells; a plurality of pico cells installed in customer premises, each for wireless communications with one or more of the mobile stations; a switch in communication with the pico cells for routing and controlling calls for mobile stations through the pico cells; and an authentication node in signaling communication with mobile switching center and the switch, wherein the authentication node is configured for implementing functions comprising; a) receiving a first signaling message relating to a request of the one mobile station to register with the mobile wireless communication network through a base transceiver system of one the pico cells, the first signaling message including a pico cell identifier of the one pico cell; b) granting registration of the one mobile station through the base transceiver system of the one pico cell, responsive to a determination that the pico cell identifier in the first signaling message corresponds to a pico cell identified as a home pico cell for the one mobile station by a profile record associated with the one mobile station; c) receiving a second signaling message relating to a request of the one mobile station to register with the mobile wireless communication network through a base transceiver system of one the macro cells; and d) rejecting registration of the one mobile station through the base transceiver system of the one macro cell. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification