Patent ID: 6693886
Filing Date: 2004-02-17
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
A method of permitting mobile communications between a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) and a Mobile Station (MS) and between MSs by establishing for each transaction including a call an Internet Protocol (IP) connection in an IP network which includes a Gateway (GW), coupled to said MSC, for translating between said IP network and a circuit switched network, a Gatekeeper (GK), coupled to said GW, for performing call control functions, and a plurality of Internet Mobile Clusters (IMCs), each effecting wireless communications with said MSs via a Base Transceiver Station (BTS), said method comprising:initiating a call to a MS by sending from said MSC to said MS, via said GW, GK, IMCs, and BTSs, a call initiation message causing said MS to send a response message to an IMC via a BTS, said response message includes a mobile identity which identifies said MS; storing in said IMC said mobile identity and mapping said mobile identity with respect to a wireless connection established with said MS via said BTS; sending a first IP communication including said response message from said IMC to said GK; storing in said GK said mobile identity from said first IP communication and forwarding said first IP communication to said GW; storing in said GW said mobile identity from said first IP communication, mapping said mobile identity with respect to a wireline connection established with said MSC and forwarding said response message from said first IP communication to said MSC; responsive to said response message, sending from said MSC to said GW a call set up message to establish an IP connection in said IP network upon which a transaction including said call is to be conducted, said call set up message including a transaction ID which identifies said transaction; storing in said GW said transaction ID from said call setup message, mapping said transaction ID with respect to said mobile identity, said wireline connection and said IP connection to be established, and sending a second IP communication including said call setup message from said GW to said GK; storing in said GK said transaction ID from said second IP communication including said call setup message, mapping said transaction ID with respect to said mobile identity and said IP connection to be established, and forwarding said second IP communication from said GK to said IMC; storing in said IMC said transaction ID from said second IP communication including said call setup message, mapping said transaction ID with respect to said mobile identity, said wireless connection and said IP connection to be established; and establishing said IP connection in said IP network according to data stored and mapped in each of said GW, GK and IMC, thereby permitting mobile communications between said MSC and said MS over said IP network.