METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SHARING LOCATION INFORMATION DURING VOICE CALL OVER NON-CELLULAR TECHNOLOGY

Embodiments herein provide a method for sharing information of location of a communication device during a voice call over the non-cellular technology. The method includes acquiring cellular location information directly or indirectly from a cellular network during the voice call. Further, the method includes sending the cellular network parameters in a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) header field to a core network. The SIP P-header can be P-Alternate-Access-Network-Info. The cellular network parameters correspond to location related information of the communication device. The proposed method provides the location information of the communication device without relying on GPS information.

The present application is related to and claims priority from Indian Application Number 6511/CHE/2015 filed on Dec. 4, 2015 and Indian Application No. 6511/CHE/2015 filed on Oct. 12, 2016, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a communication system, and more particularly to a method for sharing location information of a communication device during a Voice call over a non-cellular technology.

BACKGROUND

It is understood that in certain situations such as roaming or poor radio conditions, a communication device may not be able to obtain full service on a cellular domain. The communication device could be in a limited service and as such the home operator would not be able to determine an exact location of a user of the communication device. But, the user can still be connected to an internet through a wireless local area network (WLAN)/wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) and can make a VoWi-Fi call through the Wi-Fi. In such cases, the WLAN media access control identification (MAC-ID) or Wi-Fi service set identifier (SSIDs) is shared to a network which may be unreliable for determining the user's location. Additionally, sharing global positioning system (GPS) information could be time and battery consuming as GPS signals can have large time to fix first (TTFF). Also, the GPS signals may be weak/not available especially in indoor locations and the Wi-Fi is common in an indoor environment.

Additionally, in home network long term evolution (LTE) coverage, for the VoWi-Fi registration scenario (LTE to Wi-Fi Handover), the location information is associated with a LTE home subscriber server (HSS)/location retrieval function (LRF). But this reliable location information may not be available with an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) server because IMS sever is reliant on WLAN MAC ID contained in a SIP P-Access-Network-Info header for location information.

The above information is presented as background information only to help the reader to understand the present disclosure. Applicants have made no determination and make no assertion as to whether any of the above might be applicable as Prior Art with regard to the present application.

SUMMARY

To address the above-discussed deficiencies, it is a primary object to provide a method for sharing information of location of a communication device during a voice call over a non-cellular technology.

Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a method for sharing the location information of the communication device during a VoWi-Fi call.

Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a method for sharing the location information of the communication device during the VoWi-Fi call over an IMS.

Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a method for sharing information of location of the communication device during the VoWi-Fi call, when the communication device is in an airplane mode.

Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a method for sharing information of location of the communication device during the VoWi-Fi call, when the communication device is in a cellular limited service.

Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a method for sharing information of location of the communication device during the VoWi-Fi call, when the communication device is in a roaming network.

Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a method for sharing information of location of the communication device during the VoWi-Fi call, when the communication device is in a no service area.

Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a method for sharing information of location of the communication device during an emergency VoWi-Fi call.

Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a method for sharing information of location of the communication device during the VoWi-Fi call for non-emergency VoWi-Fi calls.

Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a method for acquiring cellular network parameters from signaling messages received from a cellular network during the VoWi-Fi call.

Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a method for sending the cellular network parameters in a session initiation protocol (SIP) header field to a core network. The header can be sent in any SIP request or response messages.

Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a method for mapping the cellular network parameters with the location related information to identify the location information of the communication device.

Accordingly the embodiments herein provide a method for sharing location information of a communication device during a voice call over a non-cellular technology. The method includes acquiring cellular network information from at least one signaling message received from a network entity during the voice call. Further, the method includes transmitting the cellular network information in a SIP header field to another network entity. The cellular network parameters correspond to location related information of the communication device.

In an embodiment, the SIP header field is a P-Access-Network-Info header field. The header can be included in any SIP request or response message. In an embodiment, the signaling messages are master informationbBlock (MIB). In an embodiment, the signaling messages are system information block (SIB). In an embodiment, the signaling messages can be a device to device (D2D) message.

In an embodiment, the cellular network parameters include a mobile country code (MCC), mobile network code (MNC), public land mobile network identifier (PLMN ID), code division multiple access (CDMA) system identifier/network identifier (SID/NID), location area code (LAC), routing area code (RAC), tracking area code (TAC), cell group identifier (CGI), cell ID (e.g., system information block3 (SIB3)-UMTS, SI3/4-GSM, SIB1-LTE)), frequency related information such as absolute radio frequency channel number (ARFCN), UTRA ARFCN (UARFCN), E-UTRA ARFCN (EARFCN), other cellular information pertaining to device location, such as, received signal strength indicator (RSSI), timing advance of a serving cell or neighbor cells associated with the cellular network, or the combination of all.

Accordingly the embodiments herein provide a system for sharing location information during a voice call over a non-cellular technology. The system includes a communication device, a core network entity and a cellular network entity. The communication device is configured to acquire cellular network parameters from signaling messages received from the cellular network entity. The communication device is configured to send the cellular network parameters in a SIP header field to the core network entity. The cellular network parameters correspond to location related information of the communication device. The core network is configured to map the cellular network parameters with the location related information to identify the location information of the communication device.

Accordingly the embodiments herein provide a method, by a network entity, for sharing location information of a communication device during a voice call over a non-cellular technology. The method includes receiving cellular network information in a session initiation protocol (SIP) header field from a communication device and identifying the cellular network information. Wherein the cellular network information is acquired from at least one signaling message received from another network entity during a voice call over a non-cellular technology.

Accordingly the embodiments herein provide a communication device. The communication device is configured to acquire cellular network information from at least one signaling message received from a network entity during a voice call over a non-cellular technology. The communication device is further configured to control to transmit the cellular network parameters in a SIP header field to another network entity. The cellular network parameters correspond to location related information of the communication device.

Accordingly the embodiments herein provide a network entity. The network entity is configured to control to receive cellular network information in a session initiation protocol (SIP) header field from a communication device. The network entity is further configured to identify the cellular network information.

Embodiment herein provides a computer program product including a computer executable program code recorded on a computer readable non-transitory storage medium. The computer executable program code when executed causing the actions including acquiring cellular network parameters from signaling messages received from a cellular network during a voice call over a non-cellular technology. The computer executable program code when executed causing the actions including sending the cellular network parameters in a SIP header field to a core network. The cellular network parameters correspond to location related information of the communication device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Accordingly the embodiments herein achieve a method implemented in a communication device. The method includes acquiring cellular network parameters from signaling messages received from a cellular network during a voice call over a non-cellular technology. Further, the method includes sending the cellular network parameters in a SIP header field to a core network. The cellular network parameters correspond to location related information of the communication device.

The voice call over the non-cellular technology can be, for example but not limited to a VoWi-Fi call, a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) call or the like.

Unlike the conventional methods and systems, the proposed method shares the location information of the communication device without relying on global positioning system (GPS) information. The method provides the location information of the communication device when the user of the communication device is not able to obtain full service in a roaming region while the communication device is in the core network e.g., Wi-Fi network. The proposed method provides an improved efficiency and accuracy of end-user location identification without being in the full service or limited service. The proposed method allows an introduction of new SIP header field (for example: P-Alternate-Access-Network-Info header field or P-Access-Network-Info header field) within the SIP header that carries additional information corresponding to the location from the cellular domain.

It is to be understood to a person of ordinary skilled in the art to name the new SIP P-header extension in another way according to RFC 7315 and is not limited to only P-Alternate-Access Network Info.

The proposed method facilitates sharing the location information of the communication device to a regulatory body (e.g., police department, military department, firefighting department or the like) in an efficient manner. This results in improving the security. By providing the location information of the communication device, the service to the user is enhanced.

The proposed method facilitates sharing the location information of the communication device to the regulatory body, when the user of the communication device does not have access to all the services in the cellular domain. The proposed method shares the location information of the communication device to the regulatory body, when the cellular registration/location is unknown to the home operator.

The proposed method facilitates sharing the location information of the communication device to the regulatory body, when the communication device is in full service area.

The proposed method facilitates sharing the location information of the communication device to the regulatory body, when the communication device is in No service area.

The proposed method can be used to share the information of location of the communication device during the VoWi-Fi call, when the user of the communication device is in emergency condition.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly toFIGS. 1 through 10, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.

FIG. 1is a schematic of a system100for sharing location information during the VoWi-Fi call, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The system100includes a communication device102and a core network entity104. The communication device102can be, for example but not limited to, a cellular phone, a tablet, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or any communication device. And the core network entity104can be, for example but not limited to, an entity supporting/managing an emergency call service, a content provider providing the emergency call service, a server managing a disaster in a core network or any network entity.

The communication device102is configured to acquire cellular network parameters from signaling messages received from the cellular network (not shown). In an embodiment, the cellular network parameters include MCC, MNC, PLMN ID (From MIB, SIB1), CDMA SID/NID, LAC, RAC, TAC, CGI, Cell ID (e.g., (SIB3-UMTS, SI3/4-GSM, SIB1-LTE)), frequency (ARFCN, UARFCN, EARFCN), other cellular information pertaining to device location, such as, RSSI, timing advance of a serving cell or neighbor cells associated with the cellular network, or combination thereof. And the cellular network parameters are included in cellular network information

In an embodiment, the signaling messages are master information block (MIB). In an embodiment, the signaling messages are system information block (SIB). In an embodiment, the signaling message is a device to device (D2D) message. It is to be understood to a person of ordinary skilled in the art that any other signaling message are used in the cellular communication is applicable. In an embodiment, the signaling messages are directly or indirectly read from the cellular network.

In an embodiment, the signaling messages are directly or indirectly read from the nearby devices using a short range communication.

After acquiring the cellular network parameters from the signaling messages, the communication device102is configured to send the cellular network parameters in a SIP header field to the core network entity104. In an embodiment, the SIP header field is a P-Alternate-Access-Network-Info header field or a P-Access-Network-Info header field. The SIP header can be included in any SIP request or response message.

The SIP-P Header extension is as per RFC 7315, and may follow the same syntax as per section 5.4 which is applicable for existing SIP P-Access-Network-Info header and contain cellular information pertaining to the location.

In an embodiment, as per the 3GPP TS 24.229 V13.6.0 standard, a functional entity includes a Cellular-Network-Info header field in a request forwarded to another entity within the trust domain (i.e., cellular domain). Further, the Cellular-Network-Info field is applicable within the trust domain. The Cellular-Network-Info header field can be included in any SIP requests and responses in which the P-Access-Network-Info header field is present.

Usage of the Cellular-Network-Info header field. The Cellular-Network-Info header field is populated with the following contents:

1) the access-type field is set to one of “3GPP-GERAN”,“3GPP-UTRAN-FDD”, “3GPP-UTRAN-TDD”, “3GPP-E-UTRAN-FDD”, “3GPP-E-UTRAN-TDD”, “3GPP-E-UTRAN-ProSe-UNR”, “3GPP2-1X”, “3GPP2-1X-HRPD”, “3GPP2-UMB”, “3GPP2-1X-F emto” as appropriate to the additional access technology the information is provided about;

2) if the access-type field is set to “3GPP-GERAN”, a cgi-3gpp parameter set to the Cell Global Identity obtained from lower layers of the UE. The Cell Global Identity is a concatenation of MCC (3 decimal digits), MNC (2 or 3 decimal digits depending on MCC value), LAC (4 hexadecimal digits) and CI (as described in 3GPP TS 23.003 [3].The “cgi-3gpp” parameter is encoded in ASCII as defined in RFC 20 [212];

3) if the access-type field is equal to “3GPP-UTRAN-FDD”, or “3GPP-UTRAN-TDD”, a “utran-cell-id-3gpp” parameter set to a concatenation of the MCC (3 decimal digits), MNC (2 or 3 decimal digits depending on MCC value), LAC (4 hexadecimal digits) as described in 3GPP TS 23.003 [3]) and the UMTS Cell Identity (7 hexadecimal digits) as described in 3GPP TS 25.331 [9A]), obtained from lower layers of the UE. The “utran-cell-id-3gpp” parameter is encoded in ASCII as defined in RFC 20 [212];

4) if the access-type field is equal to “3GPP-E-UTRAN-FDD” or “3GPP-E-UTRAN-TDD”, a “utran-cell-id-3gpp” parameter set to a concatenation of the MCC (3 decimal digits), MNC (2 or 3 decimal digits depending on MCC value), Tracking Area Code (4 hexadecimal digits) as described in 3GPP TS 23.003 [3]) and the E-UTRAN Cell Identity (ECI) (7 hexadecimal digits) as described in 3GPP TS 23.003 [3]). The “utran-cell-id-3gpp” parameter is encoded in ASCII as defined in RFC 20 [212];

In an example, if the MCC is 111, the MNC is 22, the TAC is 33C4 and the ECI is 76B4321, then the Cellular-Network-Info header field looks like follows: Cellular-Network-Info: 3GPP-E-UTRAN-FDD;utran-cell-id-3gpp=1112233C476B4321

The cellular network parameters correspond to location related information of the communication device102. The core network entity104is configured to map the cellular network parameters with the location related information to identify the location information of the communication device102.

In an embodiment, the system100includes a home operator (not shown) to maintain a database to map the cellular information to identify the actual geographical location details/position of the communication device102.

In an embodiment, the system100is configured to interact with a roaming operator (not shown) to map the cellular information to detect the actual geographical location details/position of the communication device102.

In an embodiment, the system100is configured to interact with a third party server (not shown) to map the cellular information to detect the actual geographical location details/position of the communication device102.

In an embodiment, the communication device102is configured to maintain a database or a storage unit (not shown) to map the cellular information to detect the actual geographical location details/position.

In an embodiment, the proposed method can be used to passively switch on a cellular radio for a short time to listen to the system information to collect relevant location information and embed in the SIP header.

TheFIG. 1shows the limited overview of the system100but, it is to be understood that other embodiments are not limited thereto. Further, the system100can include any number of hardware or software components communicating with each other. For example, the component can be, but not limited to, a process running in the controller or processor, an object, an executable process, a thread of execution, a program, or a computer.

FIG. 2is a flow chart illustrating a method for sending the cellular network parameter in the SIP header field to the core network entity104, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The steps (202and204) are performed by a processor (e.g. microprocessor, microcontroller or the like) comprised in the communication device102. At step202, the method includes acquiring the cellular network parameters from the signaling messages received from the cellular network during the VoWi-Fi call. In an embodiment, the method allows the communication device102to acquire the cellular network parameters from the signaling messages received from the cellular network during the VoWi-Fi call. At step204, the method includes sending the cellular network parameters in the SIP header field to the core network entity104. In an embodiment, the method allows the communication device102to send the cellular network parameters in the SIP header field to the core network entity104.

The various actions, acts, blocks, steps, and the like in the method may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions, acts, blocks, steps, and the like may be omitted, added, modified, skipped, and the like without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3is a flow chart illustrating a method for sharing location information during the VoWi-Fi call, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The steps (302to306) are performed by a processor (e.g. microprocessor, microcontroller or the like) comprised in the core network entity104. At step302, the method includes receiving the cellular network parameters in the SIP header field from the communication device102. At step304, the method includes mapping the cellular network parameters with the location related information. At step306, the method includes identifying the location information of the communication device102.

The various actions, acts, blocks, steps, and the like in the method may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions, acts, blocks, steps, and the like may be omitted, added, modified, skipped, and the like without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4is a sequence diagram illustrating various steps in sharing location information during the VoWi-Fi call, when the communication device102is in the airplane mode (400), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The communication device102itself passively activates (402) a receiver (not shown). The proposed method can be used to passively switch ON the receiver for a short time to listen to the system information to collect relevant location information and embed in the SIP header.

The communication device102acquires (404) the cellular network parameters from the signaling messages. The communication device102sends (406) the cellular network parameters in the SIP header field to the core network entity104. The core network entity104identifies (408) the location information by mapping the cellular network parameters with the location related information.

The proposed method allows enablement the receiver to decode/measure broadcast information for location detail even when the airplane mode is ON. As a result there are no interference/violations with the transmitter being OFF in the airplane ON mode.

FIG. 5is a sequence diagram illustrating various steps in sharing location information during the VoWi-Fi call, when the communication device102is in the cellular limited service, according to the communication device102is in the cellular limited service, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The communication device102acquires (502) the cellular network parameters from the signaling messages. The communication device102sends (504) the cellular network parameters in the SIP header field to the core network entity104. The core network entity104identifies (506) the location information by mapping the cellular network parameters with the location related information.

FIG. 6is a sequence diagram illustrating various steps in sharing location information during the VoWi-Fi call, when the communication device102is in the roaming network (600), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The communication device102acquires (602) the cellular network parameters from the signaling messages. The communication device102sends (604) the cellular network parameters in the SIP header field to the core network entity104. The core network entity104identifies (606) the location information by mapping the cellular network parameters with the location related information.

The proposed method allows the home operator to maintain the database to map the cellular information of roaming operator to identify the actual geographical location details/position of the communication device102.

The proposed method allows the home operator to interact with the roaming operator for mapping the cellular information of the roaming operator to detect the actual geographical location details/position of the communication device102.

The proposed method allows the home operator to interact with the third party server to map the cellular information of the roaming operator to find the actual geographical location details/position of the communication device102.

FIG. 7is a sequence diagram illustrating various steps in sharing location information during the VoWi-Fi call, when the communication device102is in the no service area (700), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The communication device102can discover other nearby devices using other technologies such as ProSe (e.g., Device-to-Device (D2D)), the WiFi, or the like. The nearby devices are in full or limited cellular coverage area. The communication device102acquires (702) the cellular network parameters from the signaling messages. In an embodiment, the cellular network parameters include MCC, MNC, PLMN ID (From MIB, SIB1), CDMA SID/NID, LAC, RAC, TAC, CGI, Cell ID (e.g., (SIB3-UMTS, SI3/4-GSM, SIB1-LTE)), frequency (ARFCN, UARFCN, EARFCN), other cellular information pertaining to device location, such as, RSSI, timing advance of a serving cell or neighbor cells associated with the cellular network, or any combination thereof.

The communication device102sends (704) the cellular network parameters in the SIP header field to the core network entity104. The core network entity104identifies (706) the location information by mapping the cellular network parameters with the location related information.

FIG. 8shows various units of the communication device102, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

Referring toFIG. 8, the communication device102includes a controller801, a transmitter803, a receiver805and a storage unit807.

The controller801controls the overall operation of the communication device102, particularly, operations related to a location information sharing operation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The operations related to the channel sensing operation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are the same as those described above in connection withFIGS. 1 to 7, and no detailed description thereof is repeated.

The transmitter803transmits various signals and messages to other entities included in the communication system under the control of the controller801. Here, the signals and messages transmitted by the transmitter803are the same as those described above in connection withFIGS. 1 to 7, and no detailed description thereof is repeated.

The receiver805receives various signals and messages from other entities included in the communication system under the control of the controller801. Here, the signals and messages received by the receiver805are the same as those described above in connection withFIGS. 1 to 7, and no detailed description thereof is repeated.

The storage unit807stores programs and various data related to operations for performing the location information sharing operation by the communication device102under the control of the controller801according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The storage unit807stores various signals and messages received by the receiver805from other entities.

AlthoughFIG. 8illustrates that the communication device102includes separate units, such as the controller801, the transmitter803, the receiver805, and the storage unit807, the communication device102may be implemented in such a manner that at least two of the controller801, the transmitter803, the receiver805, and the storage unit807are integrated together. Further, the communication device102may be implemented in a single processor.

FIG. 9shows various units of the core network entity104, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

Referring toFIG. 9, the core network entity104includes a controller901, a transmitter903, a receiver905and a storage unit907.

The controller901controls the overall operation of the core network entity104, particularly, operations related to a location information sharing operation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The operations related to the channel sensing operation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are the same as those described above in connection withFIGS. 1 to 7, and no detailed description thereof is repeated.

The transmitter903transmits various signals and messages to other entities included in the communication system under the control of the controller901. Here, the signals and messages transmitted by the transmitter903are the same as those described above in connection withFIGS. 1 to 7, and no detailed description thereof is repeated.

The receiver905receives various signals and messages from other entities included in the communication system under the control of the controller901. Here, the signals and messages received by the receiver905are the same as those described above in connection withFIGS. 1 to 7, and no detailed description thereof is repeated.

The storage unit907stores programs and various data related to operations for performing the location information sharing operation by the core network entity104under the control of the controller901according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The storage unit907stores various signals and messages received by the receiver905from other entities.

AlthoughFIG. 9illustrates that the core network entity104includes separate units, such as the controller901, the transmitter903, the receiver905, and the storage unit907, the core network entity104may be implemented in such a manner that at least two of the controller901, the transmitter903, the receiver905, and the storage unit907are integrated together. Further, the core network entity104may be implemented in a single processor.

FIG. 10illustrates the computing environment1002implementing a mechanism for sharing location information during the VoWi-Fi call, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The computing environment1002comprises at least one processing unit1008that is equipped with a control unit1004, an Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)1006, a memory1010, a storage unit1012, a plurality of networking devices1016and a plurality Input/Output (I/O) devices1014. The processing unit1008is responsible for processing the instructions of the technique. The processing unit1008receives commands from the control unit1004in order to perform processing. Further, any logical and arithmetic operations involved in the execution of the instructions are computed with the help of the ALU1006.

The overall computing environment1002can be composed of multiple homogeneous or heterogeneous cores, multiple CPUs of different kinds, special media and other accelerators. The processing unit908is responsible for processing the instructions of the technique. Further, the plurality of processing units1004may be located on a single chip or over multiple chips.

The technique comprising of instructions and codes required for the implementation are stored in either the memory unit1010or the storage1012or both. At the time of execution, the instructions may be fetched from the corresponding memory1010or storage1012, and executed by the processing unit1008.

In case of any hardware implementations various networking devices1016or external I/O devices1014may be connected to the computing environment1002to support the implementation through the networking unit and the I/O device unit.

The proposed method can also be applied to a Push-To-Talk (PTT), a Short Message Service (SMS) over IMS, a SIP based application and other Rich Communication Services (RCS) services signaling.