Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method which may include at least one of the following steps. Receiving a call at a base station. Determining the type of the call. Routing, at the base station, the call according to the type of the call. A user of a mobile terminal may initiate browsing the Internet on the cell phone. When the base station receives this call, it will route the call to the Internet directly from the base station. Likewise, when a user is trying to place a call which is a voice conversation, the base station will route the call to a telephone network. The present invention are advantageous, as calls of different types can be routed at the base station, so that all data is handled in a most appropriate manner. This is advantageous, as there is less likelihood of a change the data will be lost, due to the discrimination of data calls and voice calls. Further, elimination of dependency of a wireless communication system on a telephone network for data services improves the reliability, efficiency, and effectiveness of a mobile communication system offering data services.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to wireless communication systems.  
           [0003]    2. Background of the Related Art  
           [0004]    Mobile radio communication systems are used in everyday life. Garage door openers, remote controllers for home entertainment equipment, cordless telephones, hand-held walkie-talkies, pagers, and cellular telephones are all examples of mobile radio communication systems. Cellular radio systems provide high quality service that is often comparable to that of a landline telephone system. Over time, cellular radio systems have continued to evolve. In fact, third generation wireless networks (often referred to as  3 G) are currently being developed. The goal of 3G wireless networks is for “cellular phones” to have both voice and data capabilities (such as internet browsing capabilities).  
           [0005]    Mobile radio communication systems, which handle both voice and data capabilities, are not always efficiently operated. For instance, a mobile radio communication system may route both voice and data in the same manner. However, voice communications and data communications can be very different. Accordingly, because voice and data are handled the same way, problems occur. In some instances data is lost in the mobile radio communication system. Further, sometimes the data services of a mobile communication system are unnecessarily slow, which is undesirable to an end user.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    Objects of the present invention are to at least overcome the disadvantages of the related art. Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method. The method may include the following steps. Receiving a call at a base station. Determining the type of the call. Routing, at the base station, the call according to the type of the call.  
           [0007]    A base station is a component of a wireless communication system that communicates with a mobile terminal using radio signals. Typically, a base station is connected by wire to a larger communication network. For example, a mobile terminal (i.e., cell phone) may wirelessly communicate with a base station. The base station may then continue the communication through a wired network connected to the base station.  
           [0008]    A type of a call may be the type of service that a user of a mobile terminal is requesting. For example, a user may be browsing the Internet on their cell phone; this type of call may be packet data service. Likewise, a user may be using a cell phone to have a voice conversation; this kind of communication may be circuit data service.  
           [0009]    Routing is the task of connecting a call to the appropriate network. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention connect, at a base station, a call made from a mobile terminal, depending on the type of call. For example, a user of a mobile terminal may initiate browsing the Internet on their cell phone. When the base station receives this call, it will route the call to the Internet directly from the base station. Likewise, when a user is trying to place a call which is a voice conversation, the base station will route the call at the base station to a telephone network.  
           [0010]    Embodiments of the present invention are advantageous, as calls of different types can be routed at the base station, so that all data is handled in an efficient manner. This is advantageous, as there is less likelihood that data will be lost, due to the discrimination of data calls and voice calls. Further, elimination of dependency of a wireless communication system on a telephone network for data services improves the reliability, efficiency, and effectiveness of a mobile communication system offering voice and data services.  
           [0011]    Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained as particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is an exemplary illustration of a network configuration of a WLL V5.2 system.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is an exemplary illustration of a configuration of packet data service within a WLL V5.2 system.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is an exemplary flow chart of call establishment between an Access Network and Local Exchange.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is an exemplary illustration of an allocation complete message structure in a WLL V5.2 system.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is an exemplary illustration of a network configuration of a WLL V5.2 system.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is an exemplary flow chart of providing packet data service in a WLL V5.2 system.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 is an exemplary illustration of an allocation complete message structure of a V5.2 interface. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]    A Wireless Local Loop (WLL) system is a phone system for connecting wirelessly, without using existing phone-lines, to subscriber lines within a predetermined area of a base station. It may be cheaper and easier to implement a WLL system than a wired telephone system. A WLL system may be implemented anywhere that radio waves can reach. This allows for flexible construction of communication networks. WLL systems may be developed with similarities to a subscriber network. An Access Network (AN) supports wireless service as well as existing wired exchange networks. A WLL system may provide wireless services which include voice, fax, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), and circuit data services that are also provided in wired networks.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is an exemplary illustration of a WLL system supporting V 5 . 2  (WLL V5.2, hereinafter). The WLL system may include an AN  130  for connecting to wireless subscribers  103 ,  104  through competent base stations  141 ,  142 . A WLL may include Local Exchanges (LEs)  111 ,  112 ,  113  for inter-working with Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)  122  in order to construct call paths for wired subscribers  101 ,  102 . A WLL may also include a V5.2 interface for interfacing AN  130  with first and third LE  111 ,  112 . A V5.2 interface can be replaced with R2/No7 or another comparable interface.  
         [0021]    First and third LEs  111 , 112  interface wired subscribers  101 , 102  with PSTNs  121 ,  122 ,  123  to provide wired phone service. Second LE  113  interfaces PSTN  122  with AN  130  via V5.2 to provide a wired phone line. AN  130  supports wireless connection service to wireless subscribers  103 ,  104  via competent base stations  141 ,  142 . A WLL system including AN  130  may accommodate existing wired networks. It may provide services between wireless subscribers or between a wireless and wired subscribers. It may provide wireless services including voice, fax, and circuit data services.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 is an exemplary illustration of a configuration of packet data service within a WLL V5.2 system. A circuit data processor, (i.e., a Circuit Data Processing Assembly (CDPA)) may be included in a Base Station Controller (BSC)  220 , which may be placed inside an AN  200 , in order to serve data calls such as a Fax or a Circuit provided in the related wired networks. BSC  220  manages wireless resources of base stations  211 ,  212 . AN  200  transfers port numbers allocated to the corresponding subscribers to the LE  230 , when voice and data calls of the subscribers  201 ,  203  are received via the base stations  211 ,  212 . In other words, the LE  230  manages the subscribers port by port, and the AN  200  identifies each number of the subscribers  201 ,  202 , and  203 . AN  200  transforms each destination number into Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) tone to enable LE  230  to process and transfer DTMF tones. BSC  220  in AN  200  may interface with LE  230  via V5.2. LE  230  may analyze a tone of a voice call, interfaces with a wired subscriber by constructing a phone call connecting the voice call to a destination subscriber, and interfaces the data call with a server on an Internet/Packet Switched Data Network (PSDN)  250  via PSTN  240 .  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 is an exemplary illustration of a channel establishment process between an AN and a LE. AN  310  may request a call establishment to LE  320  (step  301 ) and may receive a call establishment ACK signal in response to the call establishment request from the LE  320  (step S 303 ). LE  320  may generate an allocation message in order to allocate a Bearer channel and transfers it to AN  310  (step S 305 ). AN  310  may then transmit a channel allocation complete message to LE  320  (step S 307 ). AN  310  and LE  320  may construct a wired phone path between them in dial tone (step S 309 ).  
         [0024]    A call may be established via a protocol using a message according to V5.2 interface specifications. FIG. 4 is an exemplary illustration of content of a channel allocation complete message transmitted from AN  310  to LE  320 , where the content includes a protocol discriminator  401 , Bearer Channel Collection (BCC), reference number  402 , and a message type  403 .  
         [0025]    Protocol discriminator  401  discriminates whether the message is a message related to call establishment. If the message is not related to call establishment (i.e., fault or status-related message), the content of the protocol discriminator  401  is replaced. The protocol discriminator  401  allows for anticipation of other information in a channel allocation complete message. BCC reference number  402  is a connection channel information set at the time of call establishment. Depending on circumstances, a specific BCC can be used in case of exclusive use of a signal or each different BCC may be allocated. Message type  403  indicates a type of message. After a corresponding message type is discriminated as one of call establishment request and call establishment ACK, remaining information of a channel allocation complete message may be processed.  
         [0026]    In the exemplary WLL V5.2 system illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 4 , there is no function of managing status related to packet data for subscribers requesting packet data service call. Since the LE may not be configured to process a packet data service call, the system may not be able to appreciate the subscriber&#39;s packet data status. For example, circuit data (i.e., telephone call) and a fax data each include a destination number (i.e., phone number). An AN may generate DTMF tones corresponding to the destination number information and transfer the destination number to a LE. The LE analyses the DTMF tones, constructs phone lines to subscribers having the destination numbers and then provides corresponding services. However, when a LE provides data service in the WLL system, illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 4 , the system can process only circuit data owing to a circuit-based network. Accordingly, problems may occur in transmission of packet data.  
         [0027]    Packet data services, (i.e., Internet or File Transfer Protocol (FTP), etc.) may have no destination number. A LE may refuse to establish calls for packet data due to problems of processing destination numbers. Since information indicating that a subscriber requested packet data services cannot be transferred to a LE, the LE may refuse the call. For instance, if a subscriber requests packet data service, the V5.2 WLL system, illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 4 , may not transfer call information. Subsequently, the LE cannot process the call, process information on the subscriber requesting the packet data service, or appreciate if the subscriber is using packet data service. Further, service option information processed by a terminal and the AN cannot be transferred to the LE due to the V5.2 interface specification. Therefore, additional packet data service cannot be processed.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 5 illustrates a WLL V5.2 system including an AN  500 , a LE  520 , a router  540 , Internet/PSDN  550 , and an ISP host  551 . AN  500  may be for providing information on status and management of packet data service for a wireless subscriber  501  requesting the packet data service and establishing a path for the packet data service. LE  520  may be for interfacing with AN  500  to identify the packet data service and inter-work with PSTN for circuit data service. Router  540  may be for routing a packet path of AN  500 . Internet/PSDN  550  may be for transmitting data in a packet unit. ISP host  551  may be for providing web service on the Internet.  
         [0029]    AN  500  may include a base station/BSC  510  including CDPA  511  for circuit data service and a Packet Control Function (PCF)  512  for transferring packets. AN  500  may include a packet service node (High Inter-Working Function (HIWF)/Packet Data Serving Node (PDSN)/Foreign Agent (FA))  513  for connecting a path of the PCF  512  to the Internet. Base station/BSC  510  may process circuit data for a wireless subscriber  501  using CDPA  511 . Base station/BSC  510  may support packet service for a wireless subscriber  501  using PCF  512 . Base station/BSC  510  may undertake a call identification procedure by interfacing with LE  520  via a V5.2 interface. Base station/BSC  510  may interface with packet service node (HIWF/PSDN/FA)  513  via radio protocol interface (RP-Interface) and with a exchange-network inter-working device (MSC-IWF) via L-interface to re-establish a packet path between PCF  512  and packet service node  513 .  
         [0030]    In embodiments, there are procedures for call identification and packet path establishment for a subscriber requesting the packet service. When the AN  500  receives a request for wireless data call service from a wireless subscriber  501 , it may confirm service request information of the wireless subscriber  501 , may identify the subscriber with information from LE  520  in case of the packet data service, and/or may establish a dedicated packet path to provide service within the corresponding serviced area. An identifying procedure between AN  500  and LE  520  is to interface between them via V 5 . 2  interface and establish a call via a protocol of a message defined by the interface specification. AN  500  may then add service option information to the V5.2 interface message and transfers it to the LE  520 .  
         [0031]    A V5.2 allocation complete message may include a protocol discriminator  601 , BCC reference number  602 , a message type  603 , and/or a service option  604 . Protocol discriminator  601  discriminates whether a message is a message related to call establishment. If the message is not related to call establishment (i.e., fault or status-related message), the content of the protocol discriminator  401  may be replaced. Protocol discriminator  601  allows for anticipation of other information in a channel allocation complete message. BCC reference number  602  is a connection channel information set at the time of call establishment. Depending on circumstances, a specific BCC may be used in case of exclusive use of signal or each different BCC can be allocated. Message type  603  indicates a type of message. After the corresponding message type being discriminated as one of call establishment request or call establishment ACK, other information of an allocation complete message may be processed. Service option  604  indicates that the service option requested by the wireless subscriber is the packet service request information. LE  520  may inter-work only for identifying a wireless subscriber using packet data service.  
         [0032]    After AN  500  completes identification of a subscriber requesting packet data service, packet data service packets may not pass through a packet data path via LE  520 . However, a dedicated packet path via the packet service node  513  may be established and may include an internal PCF  512 , a network inter-working device, and/or a packet data serving node. AN  500  may then route to an optimal path using router  540  and may service packet data through ISP host  551  in Internet/PSDN  550 . The PCF  512  may transfer the packet data and HIWF/PDSN/FA of the packet service node  513  may provide Internet connection service. Through these paths the packet service may be provided.  
         [0033]    When processing data calls, the HIWF and/or PDSN of packet service node  513  may establish packet paths through modem emulation or packet network connection. FA may decapsulate IP packets of a mobile terminal to transmit, linking with the mobile terminal, when the mobile terminal visits a visiting network (i.e., roaming). AN  500  may include a PCF, IWF, and/or PDSN for packet service and may reestablish a dedicated packet path to provide packet service within a corresponding service area. LE  520  may charge identified subscribers who request the packet data service. The charges may be divided into time charge and/or packet frame charge. A WLL system that has an AN  500  including a PCF, IWF, and/or PDSN, may establish a dedicated packet path. The dedicated packet path may not pass through LE  520  to provide packet service to subscribers. LE  520  may perform only inter-working for identifying subscribers in packet data service.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 7 illustrates exemplary embodiments of the present invention of packet data service in a WLL V5.2. When a call request for a subscriber is received through the PSTN user port, AN  710  may generate a call establishment message in order to initialize PSTN path and may transmit the call establishment message to LE  720  (step S 701 ). LE  720  may receive a call establishment message from the AN  710  and may initialize a PSTN path and insert results of the initialization into a call establishment ACK message to transmit it to AN  710  (step S 703 ). LE  720  may generate an allocation message to allocate a Bearer channel and transmits it to AN  710  (step S 705 ). AN  710  may receive an allocation message from LE  720 , may allocate a Bearer channel (step S 707 ), may insert a result of allocation into an allocation complete message, and may then transmit the allocation complete message to LE  720 .  
         [0035]    AN  710  may confirm if a wireless subscriber requests packet data service (step S 709 ). If so, it may add a service option (step S 711 ) and provide an allocation complete message, including the service option, to LE  720  (step S 713 ). Structure of an allocation complete message may include, as illustrated in FIG. 6, protocol discriminator  601 , BCC reference number  602 , message type  603 , and/or service option  604 . Service option information requested by a subscriber may be added to a V5.2 interface message by adjusting the V5.2 specification.  
         [0036]    AN  710  may confirm if a subscriber requesting a call is requesting packet data service (step S 709 ). AN  710  may then add the confirmed information into a service option field of an allocation complete message (step S 711 ). An  710  may then insert the result of Bearer channel allocation into an allocation complete message and transmits it the LE  720  (step S 713 ). LE  720  may receive an allocation complete message from AN  710 . LE  720  may confirm and manage status of the subscriber, who uses the packet data service, through a service option included in the allocation complete message (step S 713 ). Subscribers may be charged for packet data service and provided functions of additional packet data services (i.e., process of idle state or packet paging).  
         [0037]    Embodiments of the present invention relate to a compromise between AN  500  and LE  520  (illustrated in FIG. 5). The compromise may be a specific destination number that enables the packet data service. AN  500  may transfer a specific destination number to LE  520  for a subscriber, who requests packet data service. Compromise related to a process of service establishment between AN  500  and LE  520  enables delivering the destination number transmitted to LE  520  to a specially designated service number, which indicates that the call is to request the packet data service. Special service numbers (i.e., #777, 999*, etc.) may be set as destination numbers in order to indicate that a subscriber requests packet data service by compromising between the AN  500  and LS  520 .  
         [0038]    When a call request is received from a subscriber via a PSTN user port, AN  500  may initialize PSTN paths, may allocate a Bearer channel, and may confirm that the subscriber requesting the call is the subscriber requesting the packet data service. AN  500  may generate a DTMF tone for pre-set special service numbers together with a destination number in time of tone transformation of destination numbers and transfers it the LE  520 . LE  520  may analyze a received DTMF tone to perform destination number connection, may confirm status of the subscriber, and may support charging the subscriber for the packet data service. Additional packet data services (i.e., process of idle state or packet paging, etc.) may also be supported.  
         [0039]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a WLL system for providing information on status and management of packet data service, while supporting packet data service for subscribers requesting packet data service calls. It is the other object of the present invention to provide a method for charging wireless subscribers for the packet data service in the WLL system. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for adding a fact that the packet data service is requested by wireless subscribers to a message of V5.2 interface in AN and transferring the message to a LE. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for providing additional packet data service, i.e., idle process or packet paging process in the WLL system. To achieve the above object, there is provided a WLL system comprising: an access network for identifying a wireless subscriber who requests a packet data service, establishing a packet data path for the identified subscriber; a local exchange for inter-working with a PSTN for a wired service, inter-working with the access network for identification and managing a status of the packet data service for the wireless subscriber; and an interfacing means for interfacing between the access network and the local exchange to transfer a packet data service option.  
         [0040]    Here, the interfacing means is V5.2 interface. The access network includes a base station/base station controller which comprises a circuit data processor assembly for processing circuit data and a packet control function for a packet transfer; and a service node which comprises a packet data serving node and a network inter-working device for establishing dedicated packet path between the packet control function and Internet/PSDN. The access network adds packet data service option information to a V5.2 interface message and transfers the same to the local exchange in case that the wireless subscriber is a subscriber who requests the packet data service. The packet data service option information for the subscriber who requests the packet data service is added to a Bearer channel allocation complete message and the same is transferred to the local exchange.  
         [0041]    The allocation complete message of the V5.2 interface comprises a protocol discriminator for discriminating information whether the message is related to the call establishment, a BCC reference number for indicating information on connection channel established in time of call establishment, a message type for indicating the types of a call establishment request message and a call establishment ACK message and service option information indicating a specific service option requested by the subscriber. The local exchange charges the wireless subscriber using the status information on the subscriber who requests the packet data service. In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a WLL system comprising: a WLL access network which comprises a circuit data processor for providing circuit data service, a packet control function for supporting a packet data service and a packet service node; and a local exchange for allocating channels according to the circuit data service and a specific service option via the WLL access network and V5.2 interface, and manages status of the subscribers. The V5.2 interface comprises a channel allocation complete message including a protocol discriminator, a BCC reference number, a message type and a service option for indicating a status of the packet data service.  
         [0042]    In yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of serving a packet data in a WLL system, comprising the steps of: transmitting, at an access network received call request from a wireless subscriber, a call establishment request message to a local network and receiving a response to a call establishment request message; receiving a Bearer channel allocation message from the local exchange, completing the allocation of the Bearer channel and confirming that the call request from the wireless subscriber is a request for the packet data service; and adding a service option to the allocation complete message and transmitting the same to the local exchange if the call request is the request for the packet data service. The local exchange verifies and manages status of the wireless subscriber, after receiving the allocation complete message to which the service option added.  
         [0043]    In further another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of serving a packet data in a WLL system, comprising the steps of: pre-establishing a special service number indicating that a call is the one of a subscriber who requests packet data service according to compromise between an access network and a local exchange; transmitting, at the access network, a call establishment message to the local exchange whether the call is requested and receiving a response to the message from the local exchange; receiving, at the access network, a Bearer channel allocation message according to the call establishment from the local exchange and allocating the Bearer channel; confirming, at the access network, that the service requested by the subscriber is the packet data service after the channel allocation; generating DTMF tone corresponding to the pre-established special service number and transmitting the DTMF tone to the local exchange in case that the subscriber requests the packet data service; and the local exchange analyzing the DTMF tone, confirming and managing a status of the subscriber, and connecting to a destination number.  
         [0044]    According to the present invention, the WLL system provides information on status and management of the packet data service for subscribers, while supporting the packet data service. The WLL system also adds information related to corresponding packet data service to a message of the present specified V 5.2 interface between the AN and LE or transfers information on designated destination number. Therefore, the WLL system can provide service of management to status of subscribers of packet data service, support to charge subscribers utilizing packet data service, and provide additional packet data service.  
         [0045]    The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. The description of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.