Mobile application gateway for connecting devices on a cellular network with individual enterprise and data networks

Abstract
A mobile application gateway for connecting devices on a cellular network with individual networks, such as enterprise voice and data networks and/or residential networks. The effects of the present invention are far reaching in terms of transferring effective call control from the cellular network into the control of the individual network such as the enterprise, and enabling new business models for the purchase of cellular service from a public cellular carrier by an enterprise. The invention may consist of a primarily of core network and services components based on the IMS network architecture, and is backward compatible to support legacy systems in place in current telecom and data networks.
Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS


FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an independently managed and controlled wireless carrier network, and an independently managed corporate enterprise network;



FIG. 2 is a diagram of a conventional enterprise network gateway server connected to a wireless carrier network;



FIG. 3 is a diagram of a gateway server system accordingly to one preferred embodiment of the present invention;



FIG. 4A is a diagram of an enterprise data and voice network operably connected using the gateway server system using pure enterprise call control according to one preferred embodiment;



FIG. 4B is a diagram of an enterprise data and voice network operably connected using the gateway server system using split call control according to one preferred embodiment;



FIG. 5 depicts a network architecture according to another preferred embodiment using VoIP systems;



FIG. 6 is a call flow diagram for call origination according to one embodiment of the present invention;



FIG. 7 is a call flow diagram for effecting call delivery using VoIP system according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention;



FIG. 8 is a call flow diagram for effecting mobile termination using VoIP according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention;



FIG. 9 is a diagram of a network architecture for a Legacy (TDM) network according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention;



FIG. 10 is a diagram of a next generation IMS architecture that is backwards compatible with legacy cellular networks based on existing cellular protocols;



FIG. 11 is a diagram of a conventional legacy network architecture that does not support IM;



FIG. 12 depicts a Packet Engine according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention allowing a call server to detect DTMF digit events on the call path;



FIG. 13 depicts one embodiment of the Packet Engine consisting of a user space;



FIG. 14 depicts a Linux kernel module of the Packet Engine;



FIG. 15 depicts the current IMS standard definition;



FIG. 16 depicts one exemplary embodiment of the invention for IMS service;



FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 depict a gateway server carrier (GS-C) configured as an IMS standard-compliant SIP, and associated algorithm; and



FIG. 19 depicts an algorithm for receiving incoming calls on various lines that are to be directed to a subscribers mobile phone.


Claims
  • 1. A mobile application gateway configured to interconnect mobile communication devices on a cellular network with an enterprise voice and/or data network, wherein the gateway comprises a voice and data signaling gateway configured to provide routing functionalities, service functionalities as well as admission control.
  • 2. The gateway as specified in claim 1 wherein the mobile application gateway is configured as an IMS Proxy, Interrogating or Serving Call State Control Function, an IMS SIP Application Server, and/or an H.323 gatekeeper
  • 3. The gateway as specified in claim 1 wherein the gateway provides the routing and service functionalities of a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) and/or a Gateway Mobile Switching Center (G-MSC).
  • 4. The gateway as specified in claim 1 wherein the gateway is operable without including any radio network components.
  • 5. The gateway as specified in claim 1 wherein the gateway supports call routing and service functionalities between a legacy, hybrid, or an IP PBX and a public cellular network.
  • 6. The gateway as specified in claim 2 wherein the gateway enables a non-IMS compliant legacy PBX, hybrid PBX and/or IP-PBX to interface with an IMS-compliant network.
  • 7. The gateway as specified in claim 1 wherein the gateway is configured to connect to a preferred predetermined cellular network.
  • 8. The gateway as specified in claim 1 wherein the gateway is configured to be a Home Location Register (HLR) and/or a Home Subscriber Server (HSS).
  • 9. The gateway as specified in claim 1 wherein the gateway is configured to exchange signaling over IP, using a protocol such as SIGTRAN or SIP.
  • 10. The gateway as specified in claim 1 wherein the gateway is configured to convert a protocol, selected from the group of: IETF SIP, 3GPP/2 SIP, GSM MAP, CAP, ANS1-41 and WIN protocols.
  • 11. The gateway as specified in claim 10 wherein the gateway converts the protocol and maps to individual network elements in the enterprise network using a variety of protocols such as but not limited to SIP.
  • 12. A communications system, comprising: a cellular network configured to interconnect a mobile communication device;an enterprise network; anda mobile application gateway configured to interconnect the mobile network to a network element in the enterprise network.
  • 13. The communications system as specified in claim 12 wherein the gateway comprises a voice gateway configured to provide routing functionalities, service functionalities as well as admission control.
  • 14. The communications system as specified in claim 12 wherein the mobile application gateway is configured as an IMS Proxy, Interrogating or Serving Call State Control Function, an IMS SIP Application Server, and/or an H.323 gatekeeper.
  • 15. The communications system as specified in claim 12 wherein the gateway provides the routing and service functionalities of a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) and/or a Gateway Mobile Switching Center (G-MSC).
  • 16. The communications system as specified in claim 12 wherein the gateway is operable without including any radio network components.
  • 17. The communications system as specified in claim 12 wherein the gateway supports call routing and service functionalities between a legacy, hybrid, or an IP PBX and a public cellular network.
  • 18. The gateway as specified in claim 14 wherein the gateway enables a non-IMS compliant legacy PBX, hybrid PBX and/or IP-PBX to interface with an IMS-compliant network.
  • 19. The communications system as specified in claim 12 wherein the gateway is configured to connect to a preferred predetermined cellular network.
  • 20. The gateway as specified in claim 12 wherein the gateway is configured to be a Home Location Register (HLR) and/or a Home Subscriber Server (HSS).
  • 21. The communications system as specified in claim 12 wherein the gateway is configured to exchange signaling over IP, using a protocol such as SIGTRAN or SIP.
  • 22. The communications system as specified in claim 12 wherein the gateway is configured to convert a protocol, selected from the group of: IETF SIP, 3GPP/2 SIP, GSM MAP, CAP, ANS1-41 and WIN protocols.
  • 23. The communications system as specified in claim 12 wherein the gateway converts the protocol and maps to individual network elements in the enterprise network using a variety of protocols such as but not limited to SIP.
  • 24. A computer readable medium including: instructions for receiving a request to establish a voice communication link between an enterprise gateway server (GS-E) serving a legacy, hybrid or IP PBX or a network of said PBXs, and a carrier or cellular gateway server (GS-C);instructions for completing the voice communication link; andinstructions for establishing a call between a user of the GS-E and a user of the GS-C.
  • 25. A method of establishing a call between a subscriber of an enterprise gateway server (GS-E) serving a legacy, hybrid or IP PBX or a network of said PBXs, and a mobile telephone supported by a carrier or cellular gateway server (GS-C) in a carrier network having network nodes, comprising the steps of: receiving a request to establish a communication link between an enterprise gateway server (GS-E) and a carrier or cellular gateway server (GS-C);completing the communication link; andestablishing a call between a subscriber of the GS-E and the mobile telephone of the GS-C.
  • 26. The method as specified in claim 25 further comprising the step of the GS-E handling all call control to establish the call, wherein the GS-E interfaces with the network nodes using SS7 and/or SIP messaging.
  • 27. The method as specified in claim 25 further comprising the step of the GS-E and the GS-C splitting all control to establish the call, wherein the GS-E interfaces with the network nodes using SS7 and/or SIP messaging.
  • 28. The method as specified in claim 25 wherein the GS-E restricts calls to or from the mobile telephone as a function of parameters associated to the mobile telephone.
  • 29. The method as specified in claim 28 wherein the parameters include time or a location of the mobile telephone.
  • 30. The method as specified in claim 29 wherein the parameter is a function of whether the subscriber is logged into the PBX.
Provisional Applications (4)
Number Date Country
60778252 Mar 2006 US
60778276 Mar 2006 US
60778443 Mar 2006 US
60797724 May 2006 US