Area event handling when current network does not cover target area

• US 20120178443A1
• Filed: 12/22/2011
• Published: 07/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Original Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Inventors: Zhu, Yinjun, Thompson, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 8,666,397 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/432.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0011 for data sessions of end-to-end connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/16 Performing reselection for specific purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/04 Registration at HLR or HSS [Home Subscriber Server]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/08 Mobility data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/10 between location register and external networks

Abstract

Area event triggers are handled by receiving an original area event trigger with an initial target area within a given mobile network, for a given target mobile device. When the target mobile device is outside the mobile network serving the target area, a first changed area event trigger based on entry into the given mobile network is transmitted to the given target mobile device. When the first changed area event trigger becomes satisfied, a second changed area event trigger is generated based on entry into the initial target area, and transmitted to the given target mobile device. The second changed area event trigger may be based on entry into a region larger than, but including, the initial target area. Then when the second changed area event trigger becomes satisfied, the original area event trigger may be transmitted to the target mobile device.

Claims

1. A method of handling area events, comprising:

receiving an original area event trigger with an initial target area within a given mobile network, for a given target mobile device;

determining that said given target mobile device is currently outside said mobile network serving said target area;

generating a first changed area event trigger; and

transmitting said first changed area event trigger to said given target mobile device.

2. The method of handling area events according to claim 1, wherein:

said changed area event trigger is based on entry into said given mobile network.

3. The method of handling area events according to claim 2, further comprising:

when said first changed area event trigger becomes satisfied, generating a second changed area event trigger based on entry into said initial target area; and

transmitting said second changed area event trigger to said given target mobile device.

4. The method of handling area events according to claim 2, further comprising:

when said first changed area event trigger becomes satisfied, generating a second changed area event trigger based on entry into a region larger than, but including, said initial target area; and

transmitting said second changed area event trigger to said given target mobile device.

5. The method of handling area events according to claim 4, further comprising:

when said second changed area event trigger becomes satisfied, transmitting said original area event trigger to said target mobile device.

6. Apparatus for handling area events, comprising:

means for receiving an original area event trigger with an initial target area within a given mobile network, for a given target mobile device;

means for determining that said given target mobile device is currently outside said mobile network serving said target area;

means for generating a first changed area event trigger; and

means for transmitting said first changed area event trigger to said given target mobile device.

7. The apparatus for handling area events according to claim 6, wherein:

said changed area event trigger is based on entry into said given mobile network.

8. The apparatus for handling area events according to claim 7, further comprising:

means for generating a second changed area event trigger based on entry into said initial target area, when said first changed area event trigger becomes satisfied; and

means for transmitting said second changed area event trigger to said given target mobile device.

9. The apparatus for handling area events according to claim 7, further comprising:

means for generating a second changed area event trigger based on entry into a region larger than, but including, said initial target area, when said first changed area event trigger becomes satisfied; and

means for transmitting said second changed area event trigger to said given target mobile device.

10. The apparatus for handling area events according to claim 9, further comprising:

means for transmitting said original area event trigger to said target mobile device, when said second changed area event trigger becomes satisfied.