Communications network and method for directly routing calls to mobile subscribers using an internet protocol network

• US 6,693,894 B1
• Filed: 01/12/1999
• Issued: 02/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Optis Cellular Technology LLC (Brevet Capital)
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Karlsson, Torgny, Andersson, Dick Sven
• Primary Examiner(s): VANDERPUYE, KENNETH N
• Application Number:
  US09/228,878
• Time in Patent Office: 1,862 Days
• Field of Search: 370/352, 370/356, 370/338, 370/328, 370/351, 709/245, 709/202, 709/239, 455/432
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/20 hybrid systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/125 Details of gateway equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/12 Setup of transport tunnels
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/02 Processing of mobility data, e.g. registration information at HLR [Home Location Register] or VLR [Visitor Location Register]; Transfer of mobility data, e.g. between HLR, VLR or external networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]

Abstract

A method and communications network is provided that directly routes a call from a calling party to a called mobile party using an IP network. More specifically, the method includes the step of determining at the IP network as to whether the called mobile party is currently roaming outside a home mobile network. In response to an affirmative determination, an address of a destination mobile network currently occupied by the called mobile party is obtained at the IP network, and the call between the calling party and the called mobile party is connected using the IP network and the destination mobile network while bypassing the home mobile network. In response to a negative determination, an address of the home mobile network is obtained at the IP network, and the call between the calling party and the called mobile party is connected using the IP network and the home mobile network.

Claims

1. A method for directly routing a call from a calling party to a called mobile party, said method comprising:

determining whether the called mobile party is currently roaming and determining whether a mobile subscriber number of the called mobile party has an updated corresponding roaming number stored within an Internet Protocol network; and

if so,

obtaining an address of a destination mobile network; and

connecting the call between the calling party and the called mobile party using an Internet Protocol network and the destination mobile network while bypassing a home mobile network of the called mobile party; and

if said called mobile party is not currently roaming,

obtaining an address of the home mobile network; and

connecting the call between the calling party and the called mobile party using the Internet Protocol network and the home mobile network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of obtaining an address of a destination mobile network further includes mapping the roaming number to the address associated with the destination mobile network.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of obtaining an address of the home mobile network further includes mapping the mobile subscriber number to the address associated with the home mobile network.

4. A method for directly routing a call from a calling party to a mobile subscriber, said method comprising the steps of:

updating an Internet Protocol network with current location information about the mobile subscriber whenever the mobile subscriber roams into a mobile network other than a home mobile network, said current location information including a roaming lumber;

mapping a mobile subscriber number of the mobile subscriber to the roaming number;

assigning the roaming number at the home mobile network during a location registration procedure;

transmitting the roaming number to the Internet Protocol network prior to the calling party initiating the call to the called mobile party;

determining, using the current location information, a destination mobile network currently occupied by the mobile subscriber; and

connecting the call between the calling party and the mobile subscriber using the Internet Protocol network and the destination mobile network while bypassing a home mobile network of the mobile subscriber.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said step of determining a destination mobile network further includes obtaining, within the Internet Protocol network, an address of the destination mobile network by mapping the roaming number to the address associated with the destination mobile network.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said step of connecting further includes mapping, within the destination mobile network, the roaming number to the mobile subscriber number of the mobile subscriber, and forwarding the call to the mobile subscriber.

7. A communications network for directly routing a call from a calling party to a called mobile party, said communications network comprising:

an Internet Protocol network including a gatekeeper;

a home mobile network for updating the gatekeeper with current location information about the called mobile party prior to the calling party initiating the call to the called mobile party, said current location information includes a roaming number or a new B-number; and

a destination mobile network, wherein said gatekeeper, by maintaining the current location information, enables an address of the destination mobile network to be determined such that a direct route for the call can be established between the calling party and the called mobile party currently roaming within the destination mobile network by using the Internet Protocol network and the destination mobile network while bypassing the home mobile network, said gatekeeper further includes a list configured to associate the roaming number with a mobile subscriber number of the mobile subscriber so as to enable the determination of the address associated with the destination mobile network.

8. The communications network of claim 7, wherein said mobile subscriber number further includes a B-number.

9. The communications network of claim 7, wherein said home mobile network, further includes a home location register for assigning the roaming number during a location registration procedure and transmitting the roaming member to the Internet Protocol network prior to the calling party initiating the call to the called mobile party.

10. The communications network of claim 7, wherein said calling party further includes a fixed calling party or a mobile calling party.

11. A gatekeeper used within an Internet Protocol network for enabling a call to be directly routed from a calling party to a called mobile party, said gatekeeper comprising:

a list for maintaining an address of a home mobile network, an address of a destination mobile network, a mobile subscriber number and a roaming number;

means for mapping the mobile subscriber number to the roaming number when said called mobile party is roaming outside of the home mobile network; and

means for mapping the roaming number to the address of the destination mobile network such that the call can be established between the calling party and the called mobile party located within the destination mobile network by using the Internet Protocol network and the destination mobile network while bypassing the home mobile network.

12. The gatekeeper of claim 11, wherein said mobile subscriber number further includes a B-number.

13. The gatekeeper of claim 11, wherein said roaming number further includes a new B-number received from the home mobile network during a location registration procedure conducted prior to the calling party initiating the call to the called mobile party.

14. The gatekeeper of claim 11, wherein said calling party further includes a fixed calling party orb mobile calling party.