Method, device and telecommunication system for providing a consistent set of services to a roaming user

• US 6,345,184 B1
• Filed: 04/12/1999
• Issued: 02/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: van der Salm, Peter, Blomstergren, Sten Erik
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Nay
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vuong, Quochien B.
• Application Number:
  US09/180,090
• Time in Patent Office: 1,030 Days
• Field of Search: 455/432, 455/433, 455/552, 455/553, 455/509, 455/414, 455/422, 455/575, 455/465
• US Class Current: 455/432.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/14 WLL [Wireless Local Loop]; RLL [Radio Local Loop]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/16 WPBX [Wireless Private Branch Exchange]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

In a telecommunication system including a plurality of communication networks a user is provided with a consistent set of services when roaming through the networks using a telecommunication device, such as radio telephone. Data specific to services of the telecommunication system are stored in memory means of the telecommunication device and the communication networks. Service specific data are exchanged between the telecommunication device and the communication networks when accessing a communication network and/or a particular service thereof. The exchanged data are processed such to provide services to the user in accordance with a user interface known to the user.

Claims

1. In a telecommunication system including a plurality of communication networks, a method of providing a user with a consistent set of services when roaming through said networks using a mobile telecommunication device, said telecommunication device having memory means for storing data specific to said set of services of said telecommunication system, comprising the steps of:

exchanging service specific data between said telecommunication device and a communication network when accessing said communication network, and

providing services to the user based upon translated data, wherein said translated data is processed at least in part by the telecommunication device using said service specific data received from said accessed communication network.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least part of said service specific data is exchanged over a transmission path established between said telecommunication device and said network.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least part of said service specific data is retrieved by said network from said telecommunication device, and wherein retrieved data are stored in memory means of said network.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein said retrieved data are temporarily stored in said memory means of said network, at least for the duration of providing service to said telecommunication device.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least part of said service specific data is retrieved by said telecommunication device from said network, and wherein said retrieved data are stored in said memory means of said telecommunication device.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein said retrieved data are temporarily stored in said memory means of said telecommunication device, at least for the duration of providing service to said telecommunication device.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said service specific data are stored in said memory means of said telecommunication device in connection with data representative of a particular network including a particular group of networks.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein said service specific data are stored in said memory means of said telecommunication device restricted to services available to a user of said telecommunication device.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein said service specific data comprise service access rights data indicating services available to a user of a telecommunication device.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein said service specific data are stored in said memory means of said telecommunication device relative to data corresponding to service access rights representative of services available to a user of a telecommunication device.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least part of said service specific data is stored in said memory means of said telecommunication device in an encrypted form.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein said service specific data are stored in said memory means of said telecommunication device relative to a particular user interface.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein said service specific data are stored in the form of a translation table, such to translate service specific data relative to said user interface into service specific data relative to said accessed network.

14. A method according to claim 12, wherein said service specific data are stored in the form of a translation algorithm, such to translate service specific data relative to said user interface into service specific data relative to said accessed network.

15. A method according to claim 12, wherein said user interface is chosen among the user interface of any of the networks of said telecommunication system, including a dedicated user interface and a universal type of user interface.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein said telecommunication device has one of said networks of said telecommunication system as its home network, and wherein said user interface corresponds to the user interface of said home network.

17. A mobile radio telecommunication device for use in a telecommunication system including a plurality of networks, said telecommunication device comprising transceiver means, communication control means, and memory means arranged for storing data specific to services of said telecommunication system, wherein said telecommunication device being arranged for exchanging service specific data with a communication network when accessing said network, wherein the service specific data received from said accessed communication network is used for translating data to service specific data of said telecommunication device, and wherein said translation is processed at least in part by said telecommunication device.

18. A telecommunication device according to claim 17, wherein said memory means are arranged for storing said service specific data in connection with access data identifying a particular network including a particular group of networks, and comprising means for identifying an accessed network, said means being operatively connected to said memory means such to retrieve service specific data corresponding to the network and group of networks accessed.

19. A telecommunication device according to claim 17, comprising display means and user interface control means for displaying service specific user data in accordance with a particular user interface, and wherein said memory means are arranged to store said service specific data relative to said user interface.

20. A telecommunication device according to claim 19, wherein said service specific data are stored in the form of a translation table, such to translate service specific data relative to said user interface into service specific data relative to said accessed network.

21. A telecommunication device according to claim 19, wherein said service specific data are stored in the form of a translation algorithm, such to translate service specific data relative to said user interface into service specific data relative to said accessed network.

22. A telecommunication device according to claim 17, comprising means for storing service specific data into said memory means received via said transceiver means, via other data input means connectable to said telecommunication device including keypad means of said telecommunication device.

23. A telecommunication device according to claim 17, wherein said memory means are separate to the telecommunication device and wherein said telecommunication device comprises means for operatively connecting said separate memory means.

24. A telecommunication device according to claim 23, wherein said connecting means of said telecommunication device comprise a connector for releasable connection of said memory means.

25. A radio telecommunication system, including a plurality of radio communication networks each comprising radio exchange means, at least one radio base station operatively connected to said radio exchange means and comprising radio transceiver means and communication control means for exchanging information over a radio link with at least one telecommunication device arranged for exchanging service specific data with a communication network when accessing said network, wherein a radio communication network comprises means for exchanging service specific data with a telecommunication device, and memory means for storing retrieved service specific data, and wherein said retrieved service specific data is translated at least in part by said telecommunication device in order to provide services to the user.

26. A radio communication system according to claim 25, wherein said data retrieval and memory means are located at one of said radio exchange means, said base stations, and switching means to which said radio communication network connects via said radio exchange means.

27. A radio communication system according to claim 26, wherein a radio communication network comprises means for providing service specific data to be stored in memory means of a telecommunication device, said means being arranged for transmitting said service specific data via a radio link established between a base station and said telecommunication device and data input means connectable to said telecommunication device.

28. A method of providing a mobile user with consistent services in a radio communication system with at least a home location network and a visitor location network, wherein said home location network uses a first code for a service and said visitor location network uses a second code for said service, and wherein said first code is different from said second code, comprising the steps of:

storing in a mobile unit service data of said first code;

roaming, in said mobile unit, to said visitor location network;

receiving, over an air-interface, in said mobile unit service data of said second code;

storing said second code in said mobile unit;

requesting by said user, said service by inputting said first code;

translating, in said mobile unit, said first code into said second code; and

transmitting, over the air interface, second code to request said service from said visitor location network.