Nortel Networks Corporation

David J Lauson

Jerry Louis Mizell

Peter W Wenzel

Curtis M Provost

Serge M Manning

Larry DeWayne Lewis

Steven Currin

Cecil L Taylor

Kent E Fisher

A serving GPRS node (SGSN) is made content aware by passing content based rate information in the GPRS tunnel protocol (GTP) header. The SGSN uses the PDP context request to inform a GPRS support node (GGSN) that it is content aware and can process the content based rate information. In one embodiment, the rate information is passed in a GTP extension header. A new GTP header type tells the SGSN that rate information is present in the GTP header content field. In an alternate embodiment, the rate information is passed in a fourth octet of a four octet tunnel endpoint identifier (TEID).

Method for extending content aware accounting to a serving GPRS node

The present invention supports account monitoring for a mobile node by a home agent communicating with an AAA server computer. The home agent maintains accounting attribute information on system usage by a mobile node on a network. Attribute information is maintained and metered on the home agent in a data table. The home agent generates and transmits accounting messages containing the accounting attributes to the AAA server computer. The AAA server computer stores the attribute information in a memory for later billing.

Method for generation of a single accounting stream during heterogeneous access network mobility

The present invention supports a secure transmissions protocol for information packet transmission between a Mobile Node and a Foreign Agent. The information packets are encrypted and decrypted using an integrated software client that combines mobile IP communication support and encrypting and decrypting protocols.

Security transmission protocol for a mobility IP network

A method and apparatus are provided for dynamically redirecting mobile terminal home agent selection in a mobile IP network. A provisioning server assigns a preferred home agent to a group of mobile terminals based on one of a subscriber special services, subscriber connectivity, and home agent capacity. The provisioning server transmits the preferred home agent address to a home authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) server which updates a AAA database. The mobile terminal seeking access to the mobile IP network first registers with a configured home agent address stored in the mobile terminal. The configured home agent communicates with the home AAA server to authenticate the mobile terminal. The home AAA server fails the mobile terminal authentication request and provides the address of the preferred home agent. The mobile terminal reregisters with the preferred home agent to access the mobile IP network.

Home agent redirection for mobile IP

A method and apparatus provide for the reservation of dynamic IP addresses to enable a push server to initiate a PDP context as a part of providing push service without timing out. More specifically, in one embodiment of the invention, a push server generates a query to a domain name server to get the subscriber's IP address based upon the provided domain name. In this case, the subscriber is the person that is to receive the push data. The domain name server then generates a message to a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server to prompt it to reserve a dynamic IP address for the mobile subscriber. The DHCP server then returns the reserved 'leased address' to the DNS server to enable it to perform a dynamic DNS update. The DNS server then returns the subscriber address to the push server. The push server then initiates a context activation. A gateway GPRS support node then requests ID information from the DHCP server for the leased address and initiates context activation with the received ID information resulting therefrom.

Method and apparatus for network-initiated context activation using dynamic DNS updates

A foreign agent routes data packets according to policy based routing information maintained by the home network. The policy may be network based or may be subscriber profile based as defined in an authentication, authorization, and accounting server. The policy routes data packets according to one of an address specified in the mobile IP header and an application type. The address specified in the mobile IP header is typically within a range of addresses within the home network. The foreign agent routes data packets of the specified policy type directly to the home agent server. Data packets that are not of the specified policy type are routed directly to an Internet access point.

Policy based mobile IP

A system for delivering SMS messages to a mobile terminal includes an apparatus and method that deliver the SMS messages either using legacy SMS message formats or data packet formats. Additionally, a connection is created between a message center and a gateway GPRS support node wherein SMS messages may be transmitted to the gateway GPRS support node in a data packet format. To provide this capability, the gateway GPRS support node includes a unique port address for receiving SMS messages and circuitry for processing SMS messages received in a data packet format. A serving GPRS support node is formed to include circuitry for determining whether to transmit the SMS message to the mobile terminal in a data packet format or in a legacy SMS message format.

GPRS network and method therefor

Gateway GPRS support node and method therefor

A system for delivering SMS messages to a mobile terminal includes an apparatus and method that deliver the SMS messages either using legacy SMS message formats or data packet formats. Additionally, a connection is created between a message center and a gateway GPRS support node wherein SMS messages may be transmitted to the gateway GPRS support node in a data packet format. To provide this capability, the gateway GPRS support node includes a unique port address for receiving SMS messages and circuitry for processing SMS messages received in a data packet format. A serving GPRS support node is formed to include circuitry for determining whether to transmit the SMS message to the mobile terminal in a data packet format or in a legacy SMS message format and to receive the message regardless of the path utilized by the message center to transmit the message.

Dual protocol GPRS message center and method therefor

A wireless telecommunications network includes a base station controller which includes a call control resource manager and a multi-function coding element embodied within a DSP and comprised of first, second and third coding resources, each embodied as a software module, for respectively performing D/A and A/D on voice, facsimile and data messages. When transferring messages from a mobile terminal to an MSC via the base station controller, the mobile terminal first informs the base station controller whether the message is a voice, facsimile or data message. The mobile terminal then transfers the message to the call control resource manager residing within the base station controller. Based upon the indicated message type, the call control resource manager selects, from the first, second and third coding resources, a resource for performing a D/A conversion of the message received from the mobile terminal. After the selected resource performs the D/A conversion of the received message, the call control resource manager transfers the converted message to the MSC. Conversely, when transferring messages from the MSC to a selected mobile terminal via the base station controller, the MSC informs the base station controller whether the message is a voice, facsimile or data message. The MSC then transfers the message to the call control resource manager. Based upon the indicated message type, the call control resource manager selects one of the first, second and third coding resources to perform an A/D conversion of the received message. The call control resource manager will then transfer the converted message to the selected mobile terminal.

Multi-function coding element and an associated telecommunications network

A system and method for facilitating a telecommunication subscriber connection using a domain name system is disclosed. The system, which is part of a DNS server, supports connection to a mobile terminal through a data network and includes multiple connections to external devices or systems, although one or more of the connections may be serviced by a single link. The connections link the system to the data network, to a home location register (&ldquo;HLR&rdquo;) associated with the terminal and to a mobile switch associated with the terminal. Upon initiation of a query to the DNS server through the PDN, the DNS server signals the HLR for the identification of the switch that is associated with the mobile terminal. The HLR returns an identifier for the switch and the DNS server then requests the switch to provide an address for the mobile terminal. The switch establishes a connection with the mobile terminal and provides a temporary address through a network interface system such as an interworking function. The switch then returns this new address to the DNS server.

Telecommunication subscriber connection using a domain name system

An interface device for faxing documents over a wireless network includes circuitry for emulating the public switched telephone network (PSTN) for communicating with an analog fax machine. The circuitry receives and stores a document image from the fax machine. It then prompts a wireless transceiver to establish a call connection. Once a call connection is created to a destination fax through the wireless network the interface device transmits the stored document image. The inventive method includes the steps of communicating with a fax over by means of one protocol to receive a document image, storing the document image, and transmitting the document image by means of a second protocol.

Growing community of inventors

McKinney, TX, United States of America

David J Lauson