Patent ID: 6181940
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
A method of interfacing a communications network and a mobile terminal, comprising the steps of:negotiating, upon an initial registration by said mobile terminal with said network, a location area registration scheme for said mobile terminal; andusing said location area registration scheme to track movement of said mobile terminal within a coverage area of said communications network,wherein said step of negotiating a location area registration scheme comprises the steps of:sending a first number from said mobile terminal to said network, said first number indicating a highest level of location area registration said mobile terminal can implement;receiving said first number at said network;comparing said received first number with a second number indicating a highest level of location area registration said network can implement;sending one of an acceptance message and said second number from said network to said terminal, wherein said acceptance message is sent when said network can implement a level of location area registration corresponding to said first number, and wherein said second number is sent when said network cannot implement a level of location area registration corresponding to said first number;receiving said one of said acceptance message and said second number at said terminal; andstoring one of said first and second numbers at said terminal and at said network, wherein said first number is stored when said network can implement a level of location area registration corresponding to said first number, and wherein said second number is stored when said network cannot implement a level of location area registration corresponding to said first number.