Limiting access to private networks in cellular communications systems

• US 6,058,302 A
• Filed: 09/17/1997
• Issued: 05/02/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Westerberg, Erik
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Lee
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jama, Isaak R.
• Application Number:
  US08/932,118
• Time in Patent Office: 958 Days
• Field of Search: 455/426, 455/439, 455/443, 455/444, 455/435, 455/436, 455/434, 455/515, 455/516, 455/525, 455/465, 455/462, 455/445, 455/437, 455/517, 455/524, 455/448, 455/410, 455/411 , 455/454, 370/331, 370/338
• US Class Current: 455/411
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/02 Access restriction performed under specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/12 using downlink control channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/10 Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/105 PBS [Private Base Station] network H04W84/12 - H04W84/16 take precedence

Abstract

A mobile cellular communications system and method are disclosed, which limit access of private network cells only to mobile subscribers of those private networks. In cells belonging to the public network, only information about the public cells is broadcast on the public system information control channels. This public cell information is thus the only cell information that the non-subscribers'"'"' terminals are able to receive. When a mobile terminal belonging to a subscriber of one or more private networks surfaces in a public cell, the public network transmits a radio link control message to that mobile terminal, which contains information about the candidate cells for selection associated with the private network(s). The private network transmits system information via the private cell to a subscribing mobile terminal about the private and public cells'"'"' neighboring cells. Consequently, the subscribing mobile terminal will regard the public network cells and private network cells as integral parts of the overall cellular system.

Claims

1. A method for limiting access to a private network coupled to a public cellular network, comprising the steps of:

transmitting public cell information about said public cellular network on a public system information channel, said public cell information excluding private network cell information,

in response to a signal received from a subscribing mobile terminal, said public cellular network transmitting a message for said subscribing mobile terminal, said message including cell selection candidate information for at least one cell associated with said private network; and

said private network transmitting neighboring cell information for said subscribing mobile terminal via said at least one cell associated with said private network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said public system information channel comprises a broadcast control channel.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said public system information channel comprises a packet broadcast control channel.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said public system information channel comprises a dedicated control channel.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said public system information channel comprises an associated control channel.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said signal received from a subscribing mobile terminal comprises a cell update message.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said signal received from a subscribing mobile terminal comprises a cell transfer initiation message.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one cell associated with said private network comprises a micro-cell.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one cell associated with said private network comprises a pico-cell.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

said subscribing mobile terminal receiving said message including said cell selection candidate information and said neighboring cell information, and selecting at least one cell for communications from said cell selection candidate information or said neighboring cell information.

11. A system for limiting access to a private network coupled to a public cellular communications network, comprising:

first transmitting means for transmitting public cell information about said public cellular communications network on a public system information channel, said public cell information excluding private network cell information;

receiving means for receiving a signal from a subscribing mobile terminal;

second transmitting means responsive to said signal from said subscribing mobile terminal, for transmitting a message for said subscribing mobile terminal, said message including cell selection candidate information for at least one cell associated with said private network; and

third transmitting means coupled to said private network for transmitting neighboring cell information for said subscribing mobile terminal via said at least one cell associated with said private network.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said public system information channel comprises a broadcast control channel.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein said public system information channel comprises a packet broadcast control channel.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein said public system information channel comprises a dedicated control channel.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein said public system information channel comprises an associated control channel.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein said signal from a subscribing mobile terminal comprises a cell update message.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein said signal from a subscribing mobile terminal comprises a cell transfer initiation message.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein said at least one cell associated with said private network comprises a micro-cell.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein said at least one cell associated with said private network comprises a pico-cell.

20. The system of claim 11, wherein said public cellular communications network comprises a GPRS network.

21. The system of claim 11, wherein said public cellular communications network comprises a GSM network.

22. The system of claim 11, wherein said The system of claim 11, wherein said public cellular communications network comprises an AMPS network.

23. The system of claim 11, wherein said public cellular communications network comprises a D-AMPS network.

24. The system of claim 11, wherein said public cellular communications network comprises an IS-95 network.

25. The system of claim 11, wherein said public cellular communications network comprises a satellite-based cellular network.

26. A method for integrating a private network with a public cellular network and limiting access to the private network to only a subscribing mobile terminal of the private network, said method comprising the steps of:

transmitting public cell information about said public cellular network to the subscribing mobile terminal and a non-subscribing mobile terminal, said public cell information excluding private network cell information;

receiving a signal from the subscribing mobile terminal;

in response to receiving the signal from the subscribing mobile terminal, transmitting private network cell information to the subscribing mobile terminal so that the subscribing mobile terminal can consider both a private network cell and a public network cell for cell re-selection whereas from a viewpoint of the non-subscribing mobile terminal the private network cell does not exist for cell re-selection.

27. A system capable of integrating a private network with a public cellular network and limiting access to the private network to only a subscribing mobile terminal of the private network, said system comprising:

a transceiver for transmitting public cell information about said public cellular network to the subscribing mobile terminal and a non-subscribing mobile terminal, said public cell information excluding private network cell information;

a receiver for receiving a signal from the subscribing mobile terminal;

in response to receiving the signal from the subscribing mobile terminal, said transceiver for transmitting private network cell information to the subscribing mobile terminal so that the subscribing mobile terminal can consider both a private network cell and a public network cell for cell re-selection whereas from a viewpoint of the non-subscribing mobile terminal the private network cell does not exist for cell re-selection.