WO2012037100A1

WO2012037100A1 - System and method for network optimization of location-based intelligent network applications

Info

Publication number: WO2012037100A1
Application number: PCT/US2011/051362
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Christopher Dawson
Original assignee: Andrew Llc
Priority date: 2010-09-13
Filing date: 2011-09-13
Publication date: 2012-03-22

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for reducing the amount of additional network signaling required to obtain a location of a target caller attempting to communicate, or communicating with, a wireless communication network. Generally, the disclosed embodiments address the steps involved in a location procedure where a target caller contacts/communicates with a serving Mobile Switching Center ("MSC"), the MSC sends a message to a Service Control Function ("SCF") which in turn invokes a Gateway Mobile Location Center ("GMLC") to obtain a location of the target caller.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NETWORK OPTIMIZATION OF LOCATION-BASED INTELLIGENT NETWORK APPLICATIONS

Related Applications

[0001 ] The instant application is co-pending with and claims priority benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/382, 132 filed 13 September 2010, entitled "Network Optimization of Location-Based Intelligent Network Applications", the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Background

[0002] An Intelligent Network ("IN") is a network architecture that allows, among other things, for the addition of value-added services to conventional telecommunication services over a wireless network. Typical IN configurations include network nodes on the service layer of a telecommunications network rather than on the switching layer. Prior to implementation of IN, new features and/or services had to be added in the switching layer hardware itself, a time-consuming and expensive process. With the implementation of IN, value-added serv ices can be added to the nodes without interfering with the operation of, or having to redesign, the switching layer hardware. As is known in the art, some of the services available through IN architecture include, but are not limited to, prepaid calling, telephone number portability, call screening, call transfer, call queuing, location-based routing, calling card calling, etc.

[0003] A number of wireless networks currently operating must meet certain requirements regarding locating a wireless caller/communicator/mobile device, etc., where the mobile device can be any type of wireless telephonic instrument, portable

communication device, portable computer (e.g., laptop, personal digital assistant, electronic notepad, etc.), tagging or tracking device, location determining device, or any other similar device or instrument whose operation includes sending wireless signals (individually and collectively referred to herein as "caller" or "mobile device^"). In certain jurisdictions, it is required that all call /'co m m u n i cat i o n attempt records generated on wireless and/or cellular networks must include the location of the caller. These requirements may be driven by any number of factors, such as, but not limited to. law- en orcement, safety, and national security concerns.

[0004] An approach to this location requirement which is expected to work with existing wireless and/or cellular network infrastructure may be based on the IN facilities of the applicable communication networks. IN facilities may allow the network operator to set trigger points on a sw itch (e.g., a Mobile Switching Center ("MSC")) such that when a certain point in a ca 11/c m m u n i cat i on setup procedure is reached, a "detection point" ("DP") message may be sent to an offboard application platform, e.g., a Service Control Function ("SCF"). This may also be applicable to a Short Message Service ("SMS") message. Typical applications that run on SCF include prepaid control where the SCF assesses the caller's credit level before confirming to the switch that the call or call setup procedure can proceed.

[0005] Conventional IN facilities may be used for the cited location requirement by having an MSC send a DP message to the SCF for each initiated call and/or

call/communication attempt. The SCF, i turn, may use other messaging to connect to a Gateway Mobile Location Center ("GMLC") in the network in order to obtain a location of the caller. The GMLC may initiate location-determination procedures within the network and may return the result (e.g., the location of the caller ) to the SCF. The SCF may then be able to proceed to generate a call record that includes this location

information; thus meeting the need of the location requirement.

[0006] Standard prior art protocol specifications define the message that an SCF may use to query a GMLC. Typically, such a message may be defined in the Mobile Application Part ("MAP") protocol and the message may be. for instance, an Any Time Interrogation ("ATI") message (which may be a request and a response). An ATI message may include the identity of the target caller, i.e., the caller to be located, and may generally include the mobile subscription identity ("MSISDN") of the caller. The GMLC may then initiate conventional network procedures to obtain the location of the caller with the proffered MS ISDN.

[0007] The first step that the GMLC typically needs to perform in response to an ATI request is to identify to which pari of the network the request to perform location procedures needs to be directed. With respect to the location requirement, this location request will generally need to be directed toward the MSC that originated the IN request to the SCF. The standard manner in which the GMLC identifies the serving MSC is to query the Home Location Register ("HLR") using the MS T SDN of the target caller. In response to receipt of this query, the HLR returns the identity of the MSC to which the target caller with the MSISDN in question is currently attached and through which the target caller is endeavoring to initiate the call/communication attempt.

[0008] Upon review of the above-described prior art procedure, it is evident that the step wherein the GMLC queries the HLR to obtain the MSTSDN of the target caller is in principle superfluous in the overall process. The reason is that at the beginning of the process the identity of MSC is known since it (the MSC) initiates the process by sending a DP message to the SCF. The SCF is thus aware of the identity of the MSC but this information is lost in the invocation of the location service to the GMLC. The reason is because the ATI message sent from the SCF to the GMLC typically does not include the necessary parameter by which the serving MSC identity could be conveyed from the SCF to the GMLC. This, in turn, results in the need for the GMLC to utilize network signaling and HLR resources to (rc)identify the serving MSC.

[0009] As is evident from the above explanation, an issue that often arises in conventional communication networks is that the end-to-end process of triggering, requesting, obtaining, and recording location information generates a corresponding large amount of additional network signaling. This additional signaling, in turn, represents real consumption of network resources which operate to limit the capacity of the network and/or require the network operator to expand the network's capacity thus incurring concomitant additional expense. It is desirable to minimize the amount of additional signaling, the inefficiencies introduced by the additional signaling, and the corresponding procedures necessarily invoked on network nodes as well as minimize additional cost to the operators and therefore to the communication network users.

[0010] The present subject matter addresses solutions to the issues presented above and offers systems and methods to reduce the amount of additional network signaling required to obtain the location of a target caller. Generally, embodiments of the present subject matter address the steps involved in the location procedure wherein the SCF invokes the GMLC to obtain a location of the caller.

10011 ] An embodiment of the present subject matter includes a method, and a system therefor, for obtaining a location of a mobile device that is attempting to communicate on a wireless network via a Mobile Switching Center ("MSG"), where the method includes sending a message from the MSC to a Service Control Function ("SCF") when a predetermined point in the communication attempt is reached; sending a message from the SCF to a Gateway Mobile Location Center ("GMLC") where the message includes an identification of the MSC; and determining a location for the mobile device using the MSC identification. A further embodiment includes sending a message including the determined location from the GMLC to the SCF; and generating a record of the communication attempt where the record includes the determined location of the mobile device.

[0012] Another embodiment of the present subject matter includes a method, and a system therefor, for obtaining a location of a mobile device that is attempting to communicate on a wireless network via a Mobile Switching Center ("MSC"), where the method includes sending a message from the MSC to a Service Control Function co- located with a Gateway Mobile Location Center ("SCF/GMLC"), where the message is sent when a predetermined point in the communication attempt is reached; and

determining a location for the mobile device using the MSC identification. A further embodiment includes generating a record of the communication attempt where the record includes the determined location of the mobile device. Another embodiment includes determining at the SCF/GMLC whether the message from the MSG should be forwarded to a stand-alone SCF; and forwarding the message from the MSG to said stand-alone SCF and/or forwarding a message received at the SCF/GMLC from the stand-alone SCF to the MSG.

[0013] These embodiments and many other objects and advantages thereof will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains from a perusal of the claims, the appended drawings, and the following detailed description of the embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] Figure 1 is a simplified schematic drawing of certain components in a prior art wireless communications network and includes certain prior art signaling between the components.

[0015] Figure 2 is a simplified schematic drawing of certain components in a wireless communication network according to an embodiment of the present subject matter and includes certain signaling between the components according to this embodiment of the present subject matter.

[00161 Figure 3 is a simplified schematic drawing of certain components in a wireless communication network according to another embodiment of the present subject matter and includes certain signaling between the components according to this embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0017 J Figure 4 is a simplified schematic drawing of certain components in a wireless communication network according to yet another embodiment of the present subject matter and includes certain signaling between the components according to this embodiment of the present subject matter. [0018] Figure 5 is a simplified flow chart for a method for determining a location of a mobile device according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[001 1 Figure 6 is a simplified flow chart for a method for determining a location of a mobile device according to another embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0020] Figure 7 is a simplified flow chart for a method for determining a location of a mobile device according to yet another embodiment of the present subject matter.

Detailed Description

[0021] With reference to the figures where like elements have been given like numerical designations to facilitate an understanding of the present subject matter, the various embodiments of a system and method for location and network timing recovery in communications networks are described.

[0022] Embodiments of the present subject matter ov ercome the challenges and inefficiencies associated with prior art Intelligent Network ("IN") wireless communication networks in determining the location of a target caller. With reference directed toward Figure 1, a simplified schematic drawing 100 of relevant components in a prior art wireless communications network is shown which includes certain prior art signaling between the components. These components include Mobile Switching Center ("MSC") 1 10. Service Control Function ("SCF") 120. Gateway Mobile Location Center ("GMLC") 130, and Home Location Register ("HLR") 140.

[0023] Using conventional IN signaling, these components may be used to determine a location of a target caller. For example, the process to locate the target caller typically is initiated by a transition within a call state model, as is known in the art.

Typical transitions may include, but are not limited to, an attempt by the target caller to initiate communication with the wireless communication network (e.g.. call set up), at the termination of a communicat ion attempt, at a call termination, or at other predetermined designated points, as are known in the art. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the present subject matter, as described below, is in no way limited by the particular initiation of a location process for the target caller. Thus, upon initiation of a location request/process, the MSG, which is the MSG serving the target mobile

(sometimes referred to as the "serving MSG"), sends a detection point ("DP") message 1 1 1 to the SCF. The SCF, in turn, may use other messaging to connect to a Gateway Mobile Location Center ("GMLC") in the network, such as an Any Time Interrogation ("ATI") message 121 , in order to obtain a location of the caller. As discussed above, the ATI message may include the identity of the target caller which may generally include the mobile subscription identity ("MSISDN") of the target caller. Upon receipt of the ATI message, the GMLC may then initiate conventional network procedures to obtain the location of the target caller with the proffered MSISDN. The GMLC typically needs to identify the MSG that originated the IN location request to the SCF. The standard manner in which the GMLC identifies the serving MSG is to query the Home Location Register ("HLR") using the MSISDN of the target caller, as shown in Figure 1 by the query with MSISDN signal 131. In response to receipt of this query, the HLR performs a process 141 to determine, by conventional means, the identity of the MSG to which the device having the received MSISDN is attached. The HLR then sends a signal 142 to the GMLC informing the GMLC of the identity of the MSG. The GMLC may then initiate

conventional location-determination procedures 132 within the network to determine the location of the MSISDN device, i.e., the target caller. The GMLC 130 then sends a signal 133 to the SCF 120 with the location of the caller. The SCF 120 may then be able to proceed to generate a call record 122 that includes this location information; thus meeting the need of the location requirement.

[0024] Now considering Figure 2, a simplified schematic drawing 200 is presented which includes relevant components in a wireless communication network according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. Also included in drawing 200 are relevant signaling between the components. The embodiment shown in Figure 2 includes MSG 1 10, GMLC 130, and HLR 140, as described above. Upon initiation of a location event, serving MSG 1 10 sends a DP message 1 1 1 to SGF 220. SGF 220 differs from SGF 120 in that SCF 220 is modified such that it has the capability to process and send an extended ATI message 22 1 to GMLC 130. The extended ATI message 221 differs from the ATI message 121 in that the extended ATI message 221 includes the identity of the serving MSC 1 10. Thus, the GMLC 130, upon receipt of the extended ATI message 221, is aware of the identity of the serving MSC 110 and does not need to exchange signals with the HLR 140 in order to determine the serving MSG identity. The GMLC may then initiate conventional location-determination procedures 132 within the network to determine the location of the MSISDN device, i.e., the target caller. The GMLC 130 then sends a signal 133 to the SCF 220 with the location of the caller. The SCF 220 may then be able to proceed to generate a call record 122 that includes this location information; thus meeting the need of the location requirement. As is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, the amount of signaling required between network components for this embodiment is less than the amount of signaling required between network components for the prior art system described in Figure 1.

[0025] Regarding the embodiment shown in Figure 3, a simplified schematic drawing 300 is presented of relevant components in a wireless communication network according to another embodiment of the present subject matter. Also included in drawing 300 are relevant signaling between the components. Figure 3 includes MSG 1 10 and MLR 140. as described above. Upon initiation of a location event, serving MSC 1 10 sends a DP message 1 1 1 to co-located SCF/GMLC 330. In this embodiment. SCF 120 and GMLC 130 are co-located as SCF/GMLC 330 which provides SCF and GMLC joint functionality. The DP message 1 1 1 received from the serving MSC 1 10 by SCF/GMLC 330 allows the SCF/GMLC 330 to be aware of the identity of the serving MSG 1 1 0. Thus, SCF/GMLC 330 can directly invoke conventional positioning/location procedures 332 for the target caller being served by serving MSG 1 10 without having to exchange signals with HLR 140. The SCF/GMLC 330 may then proceed to generate a call record 122 that includes this location information; thus meeting the need of the location requirement. As is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, the amount of signaling required between network components for this embodiment is less than the amount of signaling required between network components for the prior art system described in Figure 1.

[0026] With reference now directed towards Figure 4, a simplified schematic drawing 400 is presented of relevant components in a wireless communication network according to yet another embodiment of the present subject matter. Also included in drawing 4 0 are relevant signaling between the components. Figure 4 includes MSC 100, HLR 140, and SCF/GMLC 330 as described above. Additionally, Figure 4 includes SCF2 420 which is a stand-alone SCF similar to SCF 120 described in Figure 1. In this embodiment, upon initiation of a location event, serving MSC 110 sends a DP message 11 1 to co-located SCF/GMLC 330. The DP message 11 1 received from the serving MSC 1 10 by SCF/GMLC 330 allows the SCF/GMLC 330 to be aware of the identity of the serving MSC 1 10. Thus. SCF/GMLC 330 can directly invoke conventional

positioning/location procedures 332 for the target caller being served by serving MSC 1 10 without having to exchange signals with HLR 140. The SCF/GMLC 330 may then proceed to generate a call record 122 that includes this location information; thus meeting the need of the location requirement. In certain wireless network arrangements, the MSC 1 10 may already be utilizing the services of an SCF and may not be able to continue to do so if the IN requests sent by the MSC 1 10 now have to be directed toward the SCF/GMLC 330 node. In order to meet other requirements of the wireless network, an embodiment includes functionality where the SCF/GMLC 330 examines FN requests from MSC 1 10 and may optionally tandem non-location-oriented IN requests to stand-alone SCF2 420 via tandem DP message 434. This embodiment allows SCF/GMLC 330 to act on the IN messages that are relevant to it (e.g., location requests/events) while still enabling an existing SCF, i.e.. SCF2 420, to continue to receive IN application messages originating from MSC 1 10. In another embodiment, SCF/GMLC 330 may make a determination as to certain messages are to be tandemed to SCF2 420 and send a signal to SCF2 420 that future communications regarding those certain messages should occur directly between SCF2 420 and MSC 110, thus relieving SCF/GMLC 330 of the burden of sending future tandem DP messages 434. In a further embodiment, the message sent by SCF/GMLC 330 to SCF2 420 regarding direct communications between SCF2 420 and MSC 110 may make use of the Global Title Translation ("GTT") mechanisms in the Signaling

Connection Control Part ("SCCP") layer of Signaling System 7 ("SS7") signaling to inform SCF2 420 that future communication of a certain message should occur directly between SCF2 420 and MSC 110. As is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, the amount of signaling required between network components for this embodiment is less than the amount of signaling required between network components for the prior art system described in Figure 1.

10027] With attention now drawn to Figure 5, a simplified flow chart 500 is presented for a method for detemiining a location of a mobile device according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. At block 501 , when a predetermined point or event in a communication attempt between a target caller and a wireless communication network is reached, a message is sent from the MSC serving the target caller to a SCF. A predetermined point or event may include, but is not limited to, initiatin communication with the wireless communication network, at the termination of a communication attempt, at a call termination, or at other predetermined points or events when the target mobile is in contact with, or attempting to contact, the wireless communication network. At block 502, a message containing the identity of the MSC is sent from the SCF to a GMLC. At block 503, the GMLC determines a location for the target caller using the identity of the MSC in the message sent from the SCF to the GMLC.

[0028] Considering Figure 6, a simplified flow chart 600 is presented for a method for determining a location of a mobile device according to another embodiment of the present subject matter. At block 601, when a predetermined point or event in a

communication attempt (as defined above) between a target caller and a wireless communication network is reached, a message is sent from the MSC serving the target caller to a co-located and/or combined SCF/GMLC. At block 602, the SCF/GMLC determines a location for the target caller using the identity of the MSG in the message sent to the SCF/GMLC from the MSG.

[0029] Now looking at Figure 7, a simplified flow chart 700 is presented for a method for determining a location of a mobile device according to yet another

embodiment of the present subject matter. At block 701, when a predetermined point or event in a communication attempt (as defined above) between a target caller and a wireless communication network is reached, a message is sent from the MSG serving the target caller to a co-located and/or combined SCF/GMLC. At block 702. the SCF/GMLC determines a location for the target caller using the identity of the MSC in the message sent to the SCF/GMLC from the MSC. At block 703, the SCF/GMLC determines whether a message received from the MSC, e.g., an IN message that does not require determining a location for the target mobile, should be forwarded to a stand-alone SCF. At block 704, the SCF/GMLC forwards the non-location determining message received from the MSC to the stand-alone SCF.

[0030] As shown by the various configurations and embodiments illustrated in Figures 1-7, a system and method for network optimization of location-based intelligent network applications have been described.

[0031 ] While preferred embodiments of the present subject matter have been described, it is to be understood that the embodiments described are illustrative only and that the scope of the invention is to be defined solely by the appended claims when accorded a full range of equivalence, many variations and modifications naturally occurring to those of skill in the art from a perusal hereof.

Claims

1. A method for obtaining a location of a mobile device that is attempting to communicate on a wireless network via a Mobile Switching Center ("MSG"), the method comprising the steps of:

(a) sending a message from the MSG to a Service Control Function ("SCF") when a predetermined point in said communication attempt is reached;

(b) sending a message from the SCF to a Gateway Mobile Location Center ("GMLC") wherein said message includes an identification of the MSG and

(c) determining a location for the mobile device using said MSG identification.

2. The method of Claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

(d) sending a message including said determined location from the GMLC to the

SCF; and

(e) generating a record of said communication attempt wherein said record includes the determined location of the mobile device.

3. The method of Claim 1 wherein said attempt to communicate includes a call setup procedure.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said attempt to communicate includes the sending of a Short Message Service ("SMS") message.

5. The method of Claim 1 wherein said predetermined point occurs prior to completion o said communication attempt or at call termination.

6. A method for obtaining a location of a mobile device that is attempting to communicate on a wireless network via a Mobile Switching Center ("MSC"), the method comprising the steps of:

(a) sending a message from the MSC to a Service Control Function co-located with a Gateway Mobile Location Center ("SCF/GMLC"), said message sent when a predetermined point in said communication attempt is reached;

(b) determining a location for the mobile device using said MSC identification.

7. The method of Claim 6 further comprising the step of:

(c) generating a record of said communication attempt wherein said record includes the determined location of the mobile device.

8. The method of Claim 6 wherein said attempt to communicate includes a call setup procedure.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein said attempt to communicate includes the sending of a Short Message Service ("SMS") message.

10. The method o Claim 6 wherein said predetermined point occurs prior to completion of said communication attempt or at call termination.

1 1. The method of Claim 6 further comprising the steps of:

(c) determining at the SCF/GMLC whether said message from the MSG should be forwarded to a stand-alone SCF; and

(d) forwarding said message from the MSG to said stand-alone SCF.

12. The method of Claim 1 1 further comprising the step of:

(e) forwarding a message received at the SCF/GMLC from the stand-alone SCF to the MSG.

13. The method of Claim 1 1 further comprising the step of:

(e) forwarding a message received at the SCF/GMLC subsequent to said message from the MSG to the stand-alone SCF.

14. The method of Claim 1 1 further comprising the step of:

(e) sending a message from the SCF/GMLC to the stand-alone SCF to instruct the stand-alone SCF to respond directly to the MSG

15. The method of Claim 6 further comprising the step of:

16. The method of Claim 1 1 wherein said attempt to communicate includes a call setup procedure.

17. The method of claim 1 1 wherein said attempt to communicate includes the sending of a Short Message Service ("SMS") message.

18. The method of Claim 1 1 wherein said predetermined point occurs prior to completion of said communication attempt or at call termination.

19. A system for obtaining a location of a mobile device that is attempting to communicate on a wireless network via a Mobile Switching Center ("MSC"), the system comprising: means for sending a message from the MSC to a Service Control Function ("SCF") when a predetermined point in said communication attempt is reached; means for sending a message from the SCF to a Gateway Mobile Location Center ("GMLC") wherein said message includes an identification of the MSC; and means for determining a location for the mobile device using said MSC

identification.

20. The system of Claim 19 further comprising: means for sending a message including said determined location from the GMLC to the SCF; and means for generating a record of said communication attempt wherein said record includes the determined location of the mobile dev ice.

21. A system for obtaining a location of a mobile device that is attempting to communicate on a wireless network via a Mobile Switching Center ("MSC"), the system comprising: means for sending a message from the MSC to a Service Control Function co- located with a Gateway Mobile Location Center ("SCF/GMLC"), said message sent when a predetermined point in said communication attempt is reached; means for determining a location for the mobile device using said MSC

identification.

22. The system of Claim 21 further comprising: means for generating a record of said communication attempt wherein said record includes the determined location of the mobile device.

23. The system of Claim 21 further comprising: means for determining at the SCF/GMLC whether said message from the MSC should be forwarded to a stand-alone SCF; and means for forwarding said message from the MSC to said stand-alone SCF.

24. The system of Claim 23 further comprising: means for forwarding a message received at the SCF/GMLC from the stand-alone SCF to the MSC.

25. The system of Claim 23 further comprising: means for forwarding a message received at the SCF/GMLC subsequent to said message from the MSC to the stand-alone SCF.

26. The system of Claim 23 further comprising: means for sending a message from the SCF/GMLC to the stand-alone SCF to instruct the stand-alone SCF to respond directly to the MSG.

27. The system of Claim 21 further comprising: means for generating a record of said communication attempt wherein said record includes the determined location of the mobile device.