Enhanced cellular network architecture

• US 6,269,244 B1
• Filed: 09/22/1999
• Issued: 07/31/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Original Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Alperovich, Vladimir, Havinis, Theodore
• Primary Examiner(s): Urban, Edward F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Milord, Marceau
• Application Number:
  US09/401,601
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 455/432, 455/433, 455/419, 455/435, 455/560, 455/507, 370/328
• US Class Current: 455/433
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/04 Registration at HLR or HSS [Home Subscriber Server]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/20 Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 Gateway arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/24 between backbone network devices

Abstract

A telecommunications system and method is disclosed for an enhanced cellular network architecture to distributively store subscriber data and provide application platforms for custom applications. In addition to or in place of the current subscriber data, a new element can be stored in the HLR. This new element references one of a plurality of databases distributed throughout a data network, such as the Internet Protocol (IP) network. These databases may contain additional subscriber data or custom applications for mobile subscribers. The elements inform the serving MSC/VLR which database to access in order to obtain the additional subscriber data. In addition, the MSC/VLR may also be connected to a dedicated local database through an intranet. This local database preferably stores a local copy of the subscriber data or custom applications retrieved from the distributed data network.

Claims

1. A telecommunications system for storing and retrieving subscriber data associated with a mobile subscriber within a third generation cellular network, comprising:

at least one base station and at least one mobile switching center connected to each other via only a signaling connection;

a gateway connected directly to said base station via a speech connection;

at least one external database external to said cellular network and for storing at least a portion of said subscriber data associated with said mobile subscriber; and

a home location register within said cellular network and for storing an element associated with said external database, said home location register sending said element to said at least one mobile switching center in response to receiving an update location message from said at least one mobile switching center, said at least one mobile switching center using said element to directly access said external database to retrieve said portion of said subscriber data stored in said external database.

2. The telecommunications system of claim 1, wherein said external database is within a data network.

3. The telecommunications system of claim 2, wherein said data network is an Internet Protocol network.

4. The telecommunications system of claim 3, further comprising:

an Internet Gateway for connecting said cellular network to said Internet Protocol network.

5. The telecommunications system of claim 1, further comprising:

an interface to said external database for editing said subscriber data stored in said external database by said mobile subscriber.

6. The telecommunications system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one internal database within said cellular network for receiving said subscriber data from said at least one external database and storing said subscriber data therein.

7. The telecommunications system of claim 6, wherein said internal database is connected to said mobile switching center via an intranet.

8. A home location register for storing subscriber data associated with a mobile subscriber, said home location register being within a third generation cellular network, comprising:

at least one database within a data network for storing said subscriber data associated with said mobile subscriber;

at least one gateway for connecting said data network to a cellular network and for storing an element associated with said database; and

a distribution function within said cellular network for identifying a select one of said at least one gateway that stores said element;

wherein said distribution function is connected to at least one mobile switching center within said third generation cellular network, said at least one mobile switching center being connected to at least one base station via only a signaling connection.

9. The telecommunications system of claim 8, wherein said data network further includes routers for interconnecting all of said at least one database.

10. A method for storing and retrieving subscriber data associated with a mobile subscriber within a cellular network having at least one base station and at least one mobile switching center connected to each other via only a signaling connection and a gateway connected directly to said base station via a speech connection, said method comprising the steps of:

storing an element associated with at least a portion of said subscriber data associated with said mobile subscriber in a home location register, said element identifying at least one external database external to said cellular network that stores said portion of said subscriber data;

sending said element from said home location register to said at least one mobile switching center in response to receipt of an update location message at said home location register from said at least one mobile switching center; and

accessing said at least one external database, directly by said at least one mobile switching center, to retrieve said portion of said subscriber data associated with said mobile subscriber, using said element.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of accessing further comprises the step of:

accessing said external database using an Internet Protocol address for said external database included within said element.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said step of accessing further comprises the step of:

retrieving said subscriber data from said external database using a pointer to a memory element within said external database that stores said subscriber data, said pointer being included within said element.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of:

storing at least a part of said subscriber data retrieved from said external database within an internal database within said cellular network.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said internal database is connected to said mobile switching center via an intranet.

15. A method for storing subscriber data associated with a mobile subscriber within a home location register within a third generation cellular network, comprising the steps of:

storing said subscriber data within at least one database within a data network, said at least one database being included within said home location register;

providing at least one gateway within said home location register for connecting said data network to a cellular network;

storing an element identifying said at least one database that stores said subscriber data within a select one of said at least one gateway; and

identifying said select gateway that stores said element using a distribution function within said home location register and within said cellular network, said distribution function being connected to at least one mobile switching center within said third generation cellular network, said at least one mobile switching center being connected to at least one base station via only a signaling connection.