Dual network integration scheme

• US 6,104,928 A
• Filed: 10/07/1997
• Issued: 08/15/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nortel Networks Germany GmbH & Co. KG (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nortel Dasa Network System GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Waugh, Daniel R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hunter, Daniel S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WYCHE, MYRON
• Application Number:
  US08/946,496
• Time in Patent Office: 1,043 Days
• Field of Search: 455/445, 455/422, 455/552, 455/558, 455/551
• US Class Current: 455/445
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/206 composed of PSTN and wireless network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/069 using certificates or pre-shared keys
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

The present invention provides geographically fixed receiver functionality for subscriber information which specifies the subscriber'"'"'s identity in a mobile telecommunications system. This is achieved in accordance with the present invention by associating the Subscriber Identification Information (SII) with a fixed geographical reference point rather than with a particular device. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention the access point lies outside the radio telecommunications system. In this embodiment, the control signals of the mobile system must be transmitted right up to the subscriber'"'"'s premises. In a further preferred embodiment the access point lies in the radio telecommunications system. In the latter embodiment, the control signals of the mobile telecommunications system may be terminated in an access node which may be conveniently located in a wired base station. In this embodiment, the control signals of the mobile telecommunications system are not transmitted to the customer premises. Also, the voice coding typically used in mobile telecommunications systems may be terminated at the access node and not at the customer premises. In another embodiment of the invention, the functions of the access node of the previous embodiment is shared between an access base station and a responder on the customer'"'"'s premises. The responder is capable of responding to certain inquiries initiated in the wireless network, e.g. to provide subscriber identity information or to provide the result of an encryption algorithm carried out on a random number supplied from the wireless network.

Claims

1. A telecommunications system comprising:

a first radio telecommunications network having at least one radio coverage and a switching controller for generating control signals of a first format and for transmitting said control signals to a base station system; and

a second wireline telecommunications network including at least one subscriber terminal, said at least one subscriber terminal being connected to said base station system by said second wireline network;

said system further comprising;

means for storing identifiers of a group of a plurality of subscribers to said first radio telecommunications network, each said subscriber identifier being associated with one subscriber of said group and also being associated with a fixed geographical access point of a plurality of fixed geographical access points, said storing means is adapted to provide said first radio telecommunications network with at least verification information relating to a subscriber of said group; and

access node means located between the switchin controller and the subscriber terminal, said first radio telecommunications network being adapted so that when a call is placed to a subscriber in said group, said switching controller directs the call to said access node means and said access node means terminates control signals of said first format from said switching controller and transfers said call to the subscriber terminal in said second wireline telecommunications network associated with said called subscriber via the fixed geographical access point.

2. A telecommunications system according to claim 1, wherein said subscriber terminals terminate local wire loops of said second wireline telecommunications network.

3. A telecommunications system according to claim 1 wherein said storing means is located at at least one premises of said group of subscribers.

4. A telecommunications system according to claim 3, wherein said storing means includes verification means for computing a result using an encryption algorithm and a key from an alphanumeric indication provided by first said radio telecommunications network.

5. A telecommunications system according to claim 4, wherein said access node means is located at the premises of said group of subscribers.

6. A telecommunications system according to claim 3, wherein said access node means is adapted for two-way communication with said switching controller.

7. A telecommunications system according to claim 5, wherein said access node means also includes means for decoding and coding voice messages.

8. A telecommunications system according to claim 1, wherein said access node means includes said storing means and said access node means is remote from the premises of said group of subscribers.

9. A telecommunications system according to claim 8 wherein said storing means includes a programmable read only memory for storing said subscriber identifier.

10. A telecommunications system according to claim 9, wherein said storing means includes verification means for computing a result using an encryption algorithm and a key from an alphanumeric indication provided by said first radio telecommunications network.

11. A telecommunications system according to claim 8, wherein said access node means is adapted for two-way communication with said switching controller.

12. A telecommunications system according to claim 8, wherein said access node means also includes means for decoding and coding voice messages.

13. A telecommunications system according to claim 1, wherein said storing means is adapted to provide said first radio telecommunications network with authentication information relating to a subscriber of said group.

14. An access node for use with a radio telecommunications network, comprising:

communication means for receiving signals from, and transmitting signals to the radio telecommunications network in a first format to a wireline network connectable to the access node;

means for storing identifiers of a group of a plurality of subscribers to said radio telecommunications network, each said subscriber identifier being associated with one subscriber of said group and also being associated with one of a plurality of output ports of said access node, said storing means being adapted to provide said radio telecommunications network with at least verification information relating to a subscriber of said group of subscribers; and

said access node being adapted so that when a call is placed to a subscriber in said group via said radio telecommunications network, said access node terminates control signals of said first format from said radio telecommunications network and transfers said call to the output port associated with said called subscriber.

15. An access node according to claim 14 wherein said storing means is located at the premises of said group of subscribers.

16. An access node according to claim 15, wherein said storing means includes verification means for computing a result using an encryption algorithm and a key from an alphanumeric indication provided by said radio telecommunications system.

17. An access node according to claim 15, wherein said access node is located at the premises of said group of subscribers.

18. An access node according to claim 14, wherein said access node also includes means for decoding and coding voice messages.

19. An access according to claim 14, wherein said access node means is remote from the premises of said group of subscribers.

20. An access node according to claim 14, wherein said storing means includes a programmable read only memory for storing said subscriber identifier.

21. An access node according to claim 20, wherein said storing means includes verification means for computing a result using an encryption algorithm and a key from an alphanumeric indication provided by said radio telecommunications network.

22. An access node according to claim 19, wherein said access node means also includes means for decoding and coding voice messages.

23. An access node according to claim 14, wherein said storing means is adapted to provide said first radio telecommunications network with authentication information relating to a subscriber of said group.

24. A responder suitable for connection in a network-wise geographically fixed position in a first wireline telecommunications network between a subscriber terminal and a second radio telecommunications network, comprising:

means for storing at least one subscriber identity information of a subscriber to said second radio telecommunications network and a key;

verification means for generating a result of an encryption algorithm with the aid of said key; and

means for transmitting said result towards said second radio telecommunications network via said first wireline telecommunications network.

25. A responder according to claim 24, further comprising communication processing means for receiving an alphanumeric message and control data from said second radio telecommunications network via said first telecommunications network and for transmitting only said alphanumeric message to said verification information means.

26. A method of operating a telecommunications system including a first radio telecommunications network having at least one radio coverage area, a switching controller and a base station system in communication with said switching controller, and a second wireline telecommunications network including a subscriber terminal, said subscriber terminal being connected to said base station system by said second wireline telecommunications network, said method comprising the steps of:

storing identifiers of a group of a plurality of subscribers to said first radio telecommunications network, each said subscriber identifier being associated with one subscriber of said group and also being associated with a fixed geographical access point of a plurality of fixed geographical access points;

providing said first radio telecommunications system with at least verification information relating to a subscriber of said group based on said stored subscriber identifier information when a request therefor is sent from said first radio telecommunications system; and

when a call is placed to a subscriber in said group;

said first radio telecommunications network generates control signals of a first format and transmits said control signals and said call to an access node means located between said switching controller and said subscriber terminal; and

said access node means terminates said control signals of said first format and transfers said call towards said subscriber terminal in said second wireline telecommunications network via the fixed geographical access point associated with said called subscriber.

27. A method according to claim 26, wherein the providing step includes computing a result using an encryption algorithm and a key from an alphanumeric indication provided by said first radio telecommunications network, and transmitting said result to the first radio telecommunications network.

28. A method according to claim 27, wherein said providing step includes sending said alphanumeric indication to a responder at the premises of said subscriber, computing said result in said responder and transmitting said result to the access node means.

29. A method according to claim 26, further comprising the step of decoding and coding voice messages in said access node means.

30. A method according to claim 26, further comprising providing said first radio telecommunications network with authentication information relating to a subscriber of said group.

31. A method of operating an access node for use with a radio telecommunications network, comprising:

storing identifiers of a group of a plurality of subscribers to said radio telecommunications network, each said subscriber identifier being associated with one subscriber of said group and also being associated with one of a plurality of output ports of said access node;

providing said radio telecommunications network with at least verification information relating to a subscriber of said group of subscribers on request; and

when a call is placed to a subscriber in said group;

receiving control signals of a first format and said call from said radio telecommunications network via a wireline network connection to the access node, and

terminating said control signals of said first format and transferring said call to the output port associated with said called subscriber.

32. A method according to claim 31, wherein the providing step includes computing a result using an encryption algorithm and a key from an alphanumeric indication provided by said radio telecommunications network, and transmitting said result to the radio telecommunications network.

33. A method according to claim 31, wherein said providing step includes sending said alphanumeric indication to a responder at the premises of said subscriber, computing said result in said responder and transmitting said result to the access node.

34. A method according to claim 31, further comprising the step of decoding and coding voice messages in said access node.

35. A method according to claim 31, further comprising the step of providing said first radio telecommunications network with authentication information relating to a subscriber of said group.

36. A method of operating a responder connected in a network-wise geographically fixed position in a first wireline telecommunications network between a subscriber terminal and a second radio telecommunications network, comprising:

storing in said responder at least one subscriber identity information of a subscriber to said second radio telecommunications network and a key;

generating a result of an encryption algorithm with the aid of said key; and

transmitting said result towards said second radio telecommunication network via said first wireline telecommunications network.

37. A method of operating a responder according to claim 36, wherein said generating step includes receiving an alphanumeric message and control data from said second radio telecommunications network and for transmitting only said alphanumeric message to said verification means.

38. A telecommunications system comprising:

a first radio telecommunications network having at least one radio coverage area and a switching controller, said switching controller generating control signals and transmitting said control signals to a base station system; and

a second wireline telecommunications network including at least one subscriber terminal, said at least one subscriber terminal being connected to said base station system by said second wireline telecommunications network;

said telecommunications system further comprising;

means for storing identifiers of a group of a plurality of subscribers to said first radio telecommunications network, each said second subscriber identifier being associated with one subscriber of said group, said storing means being associated with at least a responder in a network-wise geographically fixed position for providing said first radio telecommunications network with at least verification information relating to a subscriber of said group;

said first radio telecommunications network being adapted so that when a call is placed to a subscriber in said group, said switching controller directs the call towards the location of said storing means, in response thereto said responder provides verification information of said called subscriber to said radio telecommunications network and said call is transferred to the subscriber terminal in said second wireline telecommunications network.

39. A telecommunications system according to claim 38, wherein said subscriber terminals terminate local wire loops of said second wireline telecommunications network.

40. A telecommunications system according to claim 38 wherein said storing means and said responder are located at least one premises of said group of subscribers.

41. A telecommunications system according to claim 40, wherein said responder includes verification means for computing a result using an encryption algorithm and a key from an alphanumeric indication provided by first said radio telecommunications network.

42. A telecommunications system according to claim 38, wherein said responder is located at the premises of said group of subscribers.

43. A telecommunications system according to claim 38, wherein said responder is adapted for two-way communication with said switching controller.

44. A telecommunications system according to claim 38, wherein said storing means are remote from the premises of said group of subscribers.

45. A telecommunications system according to claim 38, wherein said storing means includes a programmable read only memory for storing said subscriber identifier.

46. A telecommunications system according to claim 38, wherein said responder includes verification means for computing a result using an encryption algorithm and a key from an alphanumeric indication provided by said first radio telecommunications network.

47. A telecommunications system according to claim 46, wherein said responder is adapted for two-way communication with said switching controller.

48. A telecommunications system according to claim 38, wherein said responder is adapted to provide said first radio telecommunications network with authentication information relating to a subscriber of said group.

49. An access node for use with a radio telecommunications network, comprising:

communication means for receiving signals from, and transmitting signals to the radio telecommunications network via a wireline network connection to said access node;

means for storing identifiers of a group of a plurality of subscribers to said radio telecommunications network, each said subscriber identifier being associated with one subscriber of said group and also being associated with one of a plurality of output ports of said access node,

a responder adapted to provide said radio telecommunications network with at least verification information relating to a subscriber of said group of subscribers; and

said access node being adapted so that when a call is placed to a subscriber in said group via said radio telecommunications network, said access node transfers said call to the output port associated with said called subscriber.

50. An access node according to claim 49 wherein said storing means is located at the premises of said group of subscribers.

51. An access node according to claim 49, wherein said responder includes verification means for computing a result using an encryption algorithm and a key from an alphanumeric indication provided by said radio telecommunications system.

52. An access node according to claim 49, wherein said access node is located at the premises of said group of subscribers.

53. An access node according to claim 49, wherein said access node also includes means for decoding and coding voice messages.

54. An access according to claim 49, wherein said access node means is remote from the premises of said group of subscribers.

55. An access node according to claim 49, wherein said storing means includes a programmable read only memory for storing said subscribers identifier.

56. An access node according to claim 54, wherein said responder includes verification means for computing a result using an encryption algorithm and a key from an alphanumeric indication provided by said radio telecommunications network.

57. An access node according to claim 54, wherein said access node means also includes means for decoding and coding voice messages.

58. An access node according to claim 49, wherein said responder is adapted to provide said first radio telecommunications network with authentication information relating to a subscriber of said group.

59. A method of operating a telecommunications system including a first radio telecommunications network having at least one radio coverage area, a switching controller and a base station system communicating with said switching controller;

and a second wireline telecommunications network including a subscriber terminals, said subscriber terminal being connected to said base station system by said second wireline telecommunications network, said method comprising the steps of;

storing identifiers of a group of a plurality of subscribers to said first radio telecommunications network, each said subscriber identifier being associated with one subscriber of said group;

and when a call is placed to a subscriber in said group;

said first radio telecommunications network transmits said call towards said storing means;

in response thereto, transmitting to said first radio telecommunications system from a responder in a network-wise geographically fixed position at least verification information relating to the called subscriber based on said stored subscriber identifier information; and

transferring said call to said subscriber terminal in said second wireline telecommunications network.

60. A method according to claim 59, wherein the step of transmitting verification information includes computing a result using an encryption algorithm and a key from an alphanumeric indication provided by said first radio telecommunications network, and transmitting said result to the first radio telecommunications network.

61. A method according to claim 59, further comprising the step of decoding and coding voice messages.

62. A method according to claim 59, further comprising providing said first radio telecommunications network with authentication information relating to a subscriber of said group.

63. A method of operating an access node for use with a radio telecommunications network, comprising:

storing identifiers of a group of a plurality of subscribers to said radio telecommunications network, each said subscriber identifier being associated with one subscriber of said group and also being associated with one of a plurality of output ports of said access node; and

when a call is placed to a subscriber in said group;

receiving the call at said access node via a wireline network connection to said access node;

providing said radio telecommunications network with at least verification information relating to a subscriber of said group of subscribers from a responder in a network-wise geographically fixed position; and

transferring said call to the output port associated with said called subscriber.

64. A method according to claim 63, wherein the providing step includes computing a result using, an encryption algorithm and a key from an alphanumeric indication provided by said radio telecommunications network, and transmitting said result to the radio telecommunications network.

65. A method according to claim 63, further comprising the step of decoding and coding voice messages.

66. A method according to claim 63, further comprising the step of providing said first radio telecommunications network with authentication information of a subscriber.