[54]SYSTEM FOR LOCATION OF
`
`COMMUNICATION END USERS
`
`
`[75] Inventor:
`
`James M. Dunn, Ocean Ridge, Fla.
`
`[21]Appl. No.: 421,054
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT OOCUMENfS
`
`Ito, "System Design for Portable Telephones: Methods to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Enable Initiating and receiving Calls from a Vehicle", 39th
`
`
`
`
`IEEE vehicular Technology Conference, pp. 136-141 May
`1989.
`Kanai, Taketsugu, Kondo, "Experimental Digital Cellular
`
`
`
`
`[73] Assignee:
`
`International Business Machines
`
`
`System for Microcellular Handoff'', IEEE Jan. 1990.
`Corporation, Armonk, N.Y.
`
`Chia, Warburton, "Handover Criteria for City Microcellular
`
`Radio Systems", IEEE Jan. 1990.
`Cumming
`Primary Examiner-William
`
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Barry L. Haley; George E.
`[22]Filed:Apr. 12, 1995
`Grosser
`6 .......................................................
`[51]Int. Cl.
`H04Q 1/00
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`
`
`[52]U.S. Cl ............................ 455/432; 455/461 455/456;
`
`A system for location of communication end users including
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a plurality of wide area networks which control the trans­
`
`[58]Field of Search ........................ 379/58, 59; 455/33.1
`
`
`
`
`
`mission of voice, data. file and other types of messages in a
`
`
`
`
`
`preconfigured exchange area, each area network including a
`
`
`
`plurality of local servicing offices controlled by a central
`
`
`
`regional service point wherein the local servicing offices
`
`
`
`track, monitor and receive user specific information from
`
`
`
`users within their designated area and which respond to
`
`
`
`service points, the regional search requests from the regional
`8/1983 Hass et al ..
`
`
`
`service points providing an interface to other wide area
`4,398,063
`3/1992 Gilhousen et al. . ...................
`455/33.1
`5,101,501
`
`
`
`
`networks for complete global communication and location
`9/1992 Akerberg .................................. 270/95
`5,150,362
`
`
`
`of communication end users. The local servicing offices and
`
`Buhl et al .......... : ......................
`10/1992
`379/57
`5,153,902
`
`
`
`regional service points are computer based systems con­
`
`
`10/1992 Zicker ....................................... 379/59
`5,159,625
`
`
`
`
`trolled by microprocessors and having databases for perma­
`5/1993 Hayes et al ...............................
`379/flJ
`5,210,787
`
`
`
`
`nently and temporarily storing predetermined end user infor­
`5/1993 Fukumine et al ......................
`455/33.1
`5,212,822
`
`
`
`
`mation and messages from and intended for selected end
`
`6/1993 Camey ................................... 455/33.2
`5,222,249
`
`
`users, whereby the local servicing offices and regional
`
`
`10/1993 Mizikovsky .............................. 379/58
`5,255,307
`
`
`service points communicate with each other and with other
`et al .............................
`4/1994 Sawyer
`379/59
`5,307,400
`
`
`wide area networks via a physical communication network
`
`
`
`
`which provides communication links between the networks
`
`
`and the end users whether wireless or wired.
`
`
`United States Patent
`c191
`Dunn
`
`11■1111111111111
`
`US005659596A
`5,659,596
`
`[111 Patent Number:
`
`Aug. 19, 1997
`[45]Date of Patent:
`
`OTHER PUBLICMIONS
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`0454647 10/1991 European Pat. Off ..
`
`
`
`13 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`BO
`
`/0
`
`70
`
`Cisco v. TracBeam / CSCO-1008
`Page 1 of 28
`
`

`

`10 5,659,596
`U.S. Patent Aug. 19, 1997 Sheet 1 of
`
`PRIOR ART
`
`MTSO
`
`Fig. I
`
`PRIOR ART
`
`3
`
`MTSO
`
`Fig. 2
`
`Cisco v. TracBeam / CSCO-1008
`Page 2 of 28
`
`

`

`5,659,596
`U.S. Patent Aug. 19, 1997 Sheet 2 of 10
`
`PRIOR ART
`
`�.�
`CARRIER\
`(FIG. 1)
`
`RADIO
`
`?
`
`Fig. 3
`
`6
`
`7
`
`TARGET
`DATA
`DEVICE
`
`PRIOR ART
`
`Fig. 4
`
`5a
`
`Cisco v. TracBeam / CSCO-1008
`Page 3 of 28
`
`

`

`10 5,659,596
`U.S. Patent Aug. 19, 1997 Sheet 3 of
`
`10
`
`25
`
`62
`
`RSU
`
`BO
`
`RSU
`
`GIi
`
`70
`
`RBOC
`
`2
`
`SU
`
`64
`
`Fig. 5
`
`70
`
`Cisco v. TracBeam / CSCO-1008
`Page 4 of 28
`
`

`

`of 10 5,659,596
`U.S. Patent Aug. 19, 1997 Sheet 4
`
`,,,.?Oa
`
`RSU
`
`soc
`
`20
`
`LSO
`
`LSO
`
`2/
`
`70
`
`Fi"g. 5A
`
`Cisco v. TracBeam / CSCO-1008
`Page 5 of 28
`
`

`

`L------H L-_j,
`I
`-ir~ I \
`r----·,:::::.,-
`--H
`I
`::;,r=:
`I
`I
`I \
`' ---·--·--·--··H
`L L:::i. �,r-
`
`0'-.
`\,C
`
`°' Ot
`Ot
`
`
` Ot
`\,C�
`
` 0
`
`��
`
`Ul
`
`i:a.
`
`
`g:�
`
`[ >�
`
`� ---l
`�
`
`
`
`�\0"
`
`;=
`00 •
`Cj •
`
`L--1 DDX I
`I r··· --7
`I
`I
`I L ___ ..l
`�--l D031
`r---,
`I L ___ ..J
`t--l 002,
`I r---7
`---[QQIY
`
`I .. I
`
`67
`
`.. 41)
`
`I \ L-..1.
`
`L-.J.
`
`Fig. 6
`
`L---11
`D I
`r··--,
`
`------�PSTNit-----------1
`
`-.....
`
`""---, -�MO
`
`-•••• I
`
`D�
`!M
`
`L ___ !J :MD°'2J I . . . .
`
`'
`
`66 !MDD11 r....,. __ ,
`( .,,
`
`r---, .,,
`
`,,.
`
`MOD---
`
`5()
`
`1/B
`
`RSU---
`
`Cisco v. TracBeam / CSCO-1008
`Page 6 of 28
`
`

`

`Sheet 6 of 10
`U.S. Patent Aug. 19, 1997
`
`5,659,596
`
`SU
`REGISTERS
`WITH
`NETWORK
`
`NETWORK
`INFORMS
`LSO
`
`INVOKE
`LOG ON
`PROCESS
`
`N
`
`LSO
`UPDATE
`IT'S
`DATABASE
`WITH
`SU
`LOCATION
`
`INITIATE
`SERVICES
`REQUESTED
`
`LSO
`NOTIFY ,rs
`RSP
`
`COMPLETE
`SERVICES
`REQUESTED
`
`Fig. 7
`ORIGINATING
`RSP NOTIFY
`USER'S HOME
`RSP
`
`PERFORM
`LOG OFF
`PROCESS
`
`USER'S HOME
`RSP
`UPDATES USER
`LSO & MSG BOX
`OF
`CURRENT LOCATION
`
`Cisco v. TracBeam / CSCO-1008
`Page 7 of 28
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent Aug. 19, 1997 Sheet 7 of 10 5,659,596
`
`I
`
`i START
`
`ORIGINATOR
`MESSAGE
`TO SU
`
`SEND MSG
`, TO RSU
`\OR MSG BOX
`
`ASK LOCAL RSP
`IF TARGET ON
`RSP SEND
`OTHER LOCAL LSO'S
`ADDRESS
`TO
`ORIG. LSO
`
`LOCAL RSP
`ASK
`N
`Rsu·s HOME RSP
`FOR
`CURRENT LOCATION
`
`y
`
`HOME RSP
`ASK
`TARGET LSO
`AND
`MESSAGE BOX
`
`I HOME RSP
`I SEND
`:LAST LOCATIO
`'
`TO
`ORIGINATING
`RSP
`
`Fig. 8
`
`Cisco v. TracBeam / CSCO-1008
`Page 8 of 28
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent Aug. 19, 1997 Sheet 8 of 10
`
`
`
`5,659,596
`
`0 t
`
`, ORIGINATING
`! LSO CONTACT
`l TARGET,,____ ___ _
`i LSO
`
`REPLY NEGATIVE
`TO ORIGINATING
`RSP & LSO
`
`SEND
`ORIGINATING
`ADDRESS
`RSP BROADCAST
`TO
`SEARCH REQUEST
`ORIGINATING
`TO ALL PEER RSP'S
`SP & LSO
`NEGATIVE RESPONDER
`EXCEPT CURRENT
`
`N
`
`y
`
`N
`
`y
`
`Fig. 8a
`
`Cisco v. TracBeam / CSCO-1008
`Page 9 of 28
`
`

`

`
`
`U.S. Patent Aug. 19, 1997 Sheet 9 of 10
`
`5,659,596
`
`\ START
`
`ORIGINATING RSP
`
`SORTS ALL NEGATIVE
`
`RESPONSES BY
`
`TIMESTAMP, INFORMS
`
`THE ORIGINATlNG RSP,
`LSO & HOME MESSAGE
`OF NOT FOUND
`BOX
`
`STATUS, LATEST
`
`TIMESTAMP, AND
`
`OPTIONALLY A HISTORY
`OF RECENT PAST
`
`LOCATIONS AND TIMES.
`
`ALL INVOLVED RSP'S
`AND LSO'S PURGE
`THEIR DATABASES
`OF OUTDATED
`
`LOCATION DATA
`
`Fig. 8b
`
`Cisco v. TracBeam / CSCO-1008
`Page 10 of 28
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent Aug. 19, 1997 Sheet 10 of 10
`
`5,659,596
`
`ORIGINATING RSP SORTS
`
`ALL RESPONSES BY
`TIMESTAMP.
`
`y
`
`ORIGINATING RSP
`SORTS BY TIMESTAMP
`AND NOTIFIES
`N
`
`ORIGINATING LSO,
`SU HOME RSP
`AND SU MESSAGE
`BOX OF MOST
`CURRENT LOCATION
`
`ORIGINATING RSP ADVISES
`
`ALL OTHER RESPONDING
`RSP'S THAT
`THEIR DATA
`IS OUT OF DATE
`AND TO DELETE IT
`
`Fig. 9
`
`Cisco v. TracBeam / CSCO-1008
`Page 11 of 28
`
`

`

`5,659,596
`
`1
`
`
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`SYSTEM FOR LOCATION OF
`
`COMMUNICATION END USERS
`
`2
`MTSO thereby controls the radio linkages between different
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`MTSO base stations and their associated cells 4 covering a
`
`
`
`given geographic area Thus, each cellular exchange or
`
`
`system 2 is comprised of one or more MTSO base stations
`5 and their MSCs which serve the RSUs within a particular
`
`1.Field of the Invention
`
`geographic area.
`This invention relates to wired or wireless communication
`
`
`
`Referring to FIG. 2, in a conventional cellular commu­
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`networks, such as, cellular mobile radio system networks
`
`
`
`nication network when the RSU is the originating cellular
`
`
`
`
`and, more particularly, to locating mobile end users, or
`
`
`
`device, or RSUO 5, the cellular message is transmitted from
`
`
`
`subscribers, and routing messages to such cellular subscrib­
`
`
`
`
`
`3 in cell transmitter signal to the 10 the RSUO 5 as an analog
`
`ers as they roam between communication networks such that
`
`
`
`
`the originating cell. The message is transmitted to a target
`
`
`
`
`voice, data_ or mail messages follow them or locate them
`
`
`
`transceiver 3 and eventually sent along conventional tele­
`
`
`automatically within such networks without the originator
`
`
`phone lines to the target exchange, or MTSO. The MTSO
`
`
`
`having to know the address location of the target user, the
`
`
`
`
`
`typically converts the message to digital for switching and
`
`
`
`
`type of device, or the network involved, or without the target
`
`
`15 sending the message to the correct target destination. After
`
`
`user having to initiate the retrieval of the message.
`
`
`
`
`switching. the signal may be reconverted to analog for
`
`
`2.Description of the Background Art
`
`
`
`
`airlink transmission or remain digital and sent along tele­
`
`
`
`phone lines. It should be noted that a similar, but reversed,
`
`In order to present a complex example, a wireless network
`
`
`path is followed when the originator is a wireline device
`
`using cellular technology is described. The invention is not
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the signal is or RSlIT 6, whereby 20 calling a cellular target,
`limited to wireless or cellular networks, but could be used in
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`first sent through the direct lines and then transmitted from
`
`
`any network where the interconnecting, or intermediate,
`
`
`
`
`a transceiver to the target RSUf 6. If the target device is a
`
`office can communicate with both an end user and the
`
`
`
`conventional wireline phone or computer 6a, then the mes­
`
`
`
`overlaying logical network The logical network is the
`
`
`
`sage continues along the carrier telephone lines, such as a
`
`
`
`
`controlling entity that dictates message routing and form,
`
`
`
`
`data service 8, to carrier or private 25 regional bell operating
`
`
`
`and directs originating messages to their intended target
`
`
`
`the wireline target. On the other hand, if the target device is
`
`
`
`based on end user inputs. The logical network is typically
`
`
`also a cellular RSU, RSlIT 6, then the message is sent to the
`computer based and may be defined by a local or private
`
`
`
`MTSO radio transmitter for transmitting to the target cell
`
`
`company network which interfaces with a regional commu­
`
`transmitter 3 and target RSlIT 6.
`
`
`nication carrier, e.g. BellSouth®, or by a private network
`
`
`service. Cellular communication is just one type of wireless
`When the cellular RSU leaves its registered calling area or
`
`
`
`
`30
`
`
`network technology that utilizes and partitions available
`
`
`
`MTSO exchange, the device is said to be roaming. When
`
`
`frequency bands into cells for transmitting messages, such
`
`
`
`
`roaming, it is desirable to provide telephone or communi­
`
`
`as voice and data Accordingly, other wireless communica­
`
`
`
`cation service to the RSU to allow the RSU to originate calls
`
`tion networks are available that utilize available frequency
`
`
`
`
`
`
`to other RSUs or wireline subscribers, or to receive com-
`
`bands in schemes other than cellular for the wireless trans­
`
`
`
`
`
`Roaming is a conven­35 munications from other subscribers.
`
`mission of messages.
`
`
`
`tional technique in which an RSU may be tracked to any
`
`
`
`MTSO exchange or geographic communication area outside
`Radio telecommunication, such as cellular, is a portable or
`
`
`
`
`
`its home MTSO. Exchanges outside the home exchange are
`mobile communication system employed by telephones,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`known as visited exchanges. Roaming allows any cellular
`
`computers and facsimiles for interacting with existing tele­
`
`
`
`
`
`40 user to access the cellular radio system from any visited
`
`phone systems so that mobile users may communicate with
`
`
`
`exchange in the country via different networks. However,
`
`
`
`other radio devices and with standard wireline telephones,
`
`
`when roaming a RSU must register with the visited
`
`
`
`
`facsimiles and computers. A networking technique is
`
`
`exchange for tracking and identification purposes. An RSU
`
`
`employed in cellular communication which includes cover­
`
`
`
`may pre-register with a predetermined visited exchange
`
`
`ing entire countries or large regions with a system of radio
`
`
`
`for or may be configured 45 before entering that exchange
`
`
`
`telephones that broadcast over available frequencies on a
`
`
`automatic registration whereby RSU identification codes are
`
`
`frequency band around 900 MHz. These cellular radio
`
`
`
`automatically transmitted and recognized by the visited
`
`
`networks are a mixed system wherein they simultaneously
`
`
`MTSO. Additional fees are often incurred by an RSU end
`
`
`
`broadcast analog voice and data signals, and digital control
`
`
`
`user when roaming because MTSO exchanges often charge
`
`
`
`signals to use available frequencies more efficiently. With
`
`
`for tracking and the number of 50 a visitor for registration,
`
`
`
`reference to FIG. 1, in individual cellular radio networks a
`
`
`communication links that must be made.
`
`
`
`country or region is divided into a collection of cells 4 for
`
`
`frequency management, wherein each cell is approximately
`
`
`
`Based on the above-noted, current cellular communica­
`
`three miles thick and has its own radio transmitter or
`
`
`
`tion systems may be described as comprising physical
`
`
`
`
`cellular networks and logical networks. Although cellular
`
`
`
`transceiver 3. Each radio transmitter is controlled by a
`
`
`
`networks may be broken down into the physical and logical
`
`
`mobile telephone serving office (MTSO) 1 including a 55
`
`
`
`
`central mobile switching computer which directs calls to the
`world,
`
`
`
`both the physical cellular network and logical net­
`
`
`works overlap and work hand in hand, as noted above. For
`
`
`
`intended target device. With reference to FIG. 2, as a cellular
`
`example, the MTSO exchange maintains a home location
`
`
`
`
`communication device, or remote subscriber unit (RSU) 5,
`
`
`
`travels between cells a "handoff'' of broadcast operating
`
`
`
`
`register (HLR) typically defined by a computer for mapping
`
`
`frequencies is performed by the MTSO 1 central computer
`
`
`phone numbers with device serial numbers. Therefore it may
`60
`
`
`so that the MTSO 1 can maintain a communication link with
`
`
`
`be categorized into both the physical and logical world. At
`
`
`
`the RSU without jamming the frequencies or causing chan­
`
`
`
`the same time, however, both the physical cellular network
`
`
`nel chatter. Each cell in a cellular network exchange is
`
`
`
`
`and logical networks perform distinct functions in today's
`
`
`illuminated by radio transmissions from a particular MTSO
`
`
`
`
`technology. The physical network comprises conventional
`
`
`wireline and cellular radio telecommunication connection
`
`
`base station covering that cell for communicating with RSU s 65
`
`
`
`in that cell. An MTSO is defined by a mobile switching
`
`
`systems, such as those operated by large phone carrier
`
`
`
`service corporations. to transmit either voice or data-type
`
`
`The center for accessing subscriber unit data information.
`
`Cisco v. TracBeam / CSCO-1008
`Page 12 of 28
`
`

`

`5,659,596
`
`4
`3
`associated with the mobiles, including the type of telephone
`
`
`
`
`
`
`messages between end users over communication cables,
`
`service and options they have been programmed to receive.
`
`
`
`
`fiber optics or air-link channels. The physical cellular net­
`
`
`For example, a home network stores a mobile subscriber's
`
`
`work may route voice or data message between an originat­
`
`
`
`ing fixed or wireline connected communication device, such
`
`
`mobile identification number ("MIN") along with its elec-
`
`5 tronic serial number ("ESN'') identifying the particular
`
`
`
`as a telephone, a computer having a modem, or a facsimile,
`
`
`
`
`mobile instrument for determining the categories of service
`
`
`
`and an RSU, such as a cellular phone, portable computer
`
`
`
`which it is contracted, e.g., call forwarding, call waiting,
`
`
`
`with cellular communication capabilities or portable
`
`
`
`long distance calling in areas, originating features to selected
`
`
`facsimile, or between two mobile devices, such as those
`
`
`
`
`exchanges, and other subscriber specific information. When
`
`
`
`
`noted above. The physical cellular network establishes com­
`
`the RSU is operating within its own network, i.e., geo­
`
`
`
`munication links between end user devices through direct
`10
`
`
`
`
`graphic area, and calls are being handled through its home
`
`
`physical links, such as PSTN, and air links, such as CDPD,
`
`MfSO, all of this information is available in the HLR and
`
`based on a specific device address and current location that
`
`
`is used by the MfSO in handling telephone traffic between
`
`
`
`
`appears to be ''fixed" (immobile) to the physical network on
`
`
`base stations and with the target mobile. The MIN and
`
`
`
`each end at any given instant. Regarding air links, the
`
`
`ESN' s are transmitted over a control channel for identifying
`
`
`cellular RSUs in the mobile subscriber networks maintain
`
`
`
`15 the device and is subsequently used for handling billing.
`
`
`communication with one another and with direct line
`
`
`
`These identification numbers, however, do not identify the
`
`
`
`devices connected to the PSTN or CDPD by virtue of radio
`
`
`
`
`actual user. Therefore, the devices may be fraudently used.
`
`
`
`links. In the past, the PSTN networks were merely used by
`
`
`In addition, originators can only locate and route messages
`
`
`
`
`
`telephone companies to establish direct telephone connec­
`
`
`
`to the target device and not necessarily their intended target
`
`
`
`tions over wireline systems. More recently, CDPD networks
`
`20 user. There is essentially a gamble that a transmitted mes­
`
`
`
`have been employed, especially in computer to computer
`
`
`sage from the originating device will ever reach the user. In
`
`
`
`communications for sending voice and data messages in
`
`
`
`addition, if a target device is not enabled then the message
`
`
`
`
`digitized data packets over airway transmissions accessed
`
`
`
`has no way of automatically reaching either the target user
`
`
`
`through a wireline gateway computer.
`
`or device. Although the home HLR records the last known
`
`
`
`
`the last known of the mobile, 25 geographic exchange location
`
`
`
`
`
`The logical networks comprise public and private logical
`
`
`location of the RSU is useless when power is off since
`
`
`control systems which are manipulated by end users to select
`
`
`
`location changes and a directed call going through the
`
`
`
`
`a desired operating function and target address for transmit­
`
`
`
`
`physical cellular network and logical networks of both the
`
`
`
`
`ting or receiving desired messages or for temporarily reg­
`
`
`
`
`originator and target devices (i.e. RSU) may have changes
`
`
`
`istering with new networks when roaming. The logical
`
`
`
`imposed. In addition, storing the last known location of the
`
`
`
`networks typically in place cooperate with the physical
`
`
`30 RSU does not enable the routing of messages to the RSU
`
`
`
`networks to direct calls or messages and to establish tele­
`
`
`target user once the user is activated.
`
`
`
`
`communication links between subscriber end-users whether
`
`
`
`The location registers of each cellular network, as defined
`
`RSUs or fixed line devices. Conventional logical networks
`
`by the MfSO 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2, communicate and request
`
`
`
`include home location registers (HLR' s) and visitor location
`
`
`user specific information from other HLR's and a visiting
`
`
`registers (VLR's), i.e. the MfSO, which store or maintain a
`
`
`
`35 device seeks temporary registration in the network. The
`
`
`
`register of electronic serial numbers (ESN's) of mobile
`
`
`
`home HLR 4 device stores the devices MIN and ESN
`
`
`
`
`devices (RSU s) registered in the corresponding network and
`
`numbers and cell location information of RSUs, while the
`
`
`
`of those mobiles roaming the network exchange that auto­
`
`
`peer VLR' s store temporary device and location information
`
`
`matically register or pre-register. The ESN is the identifica­
`
`
`of RSUs currently visiting the exchange. The information
`
`
`tion number of the device only and it is transmitted over a
`40 requests
`
`
`
`
`from or between location registers includes the user
`
`
`
`control channel. The HLR and VLR is nothing more than a
`
`
`
`ID, MIN and ESN codes, and whether that device is cur­
`
`
`
`computer database. Essentially, when an originator dials a
`
`
`
`rently registered with its home HLR or the contacted HLR
`
`
`
`target's phone number the originating ELR correlates the
`
`and if it is authorized to make calls or is temporarily
`phone number with the ESN based on a logic map and then
`
`
`
`
`registered and located in that network. Each time a home or
`
`
`
`
`locates that ESN through the physical network. If the ESN
`
`
`
`
`45 peer HLR of a network responds to information requests the
`
`
`is not located in the boundaries of the current cellular
`
`
`
`responding network charges the requester. The same prob­
`
`
`network then the originating HLR must ask other VLR' s of
`lems exist when calling from an RSU to an RSU number
`
`
`other networks if they have the target ESN. If a target
`VLR
`
`
`
`outside the home network because the home carrier network,
`
`
`
`has the target device then it either authorizes or does not
`
`
`
`typically a regional bell operating carrier (RBOC) h.as to go
`
`authorize the call depending on factors such as payment
`
`
`
`
`50 through a long distance carrier service, as seen in FIGS. 3
`
`
`
`history or current registration status. Therefore, with present
`
`
`
`and 4, to make a communication link. And, before that link
`
`
`
`
`technology, cellular communications between different car­
`
`is established the HLR's must compare the phone number
`
`
`riers or network must pass through an originating device's
`
`
`
`dialed to the target device MIN and ESN numbers to find the
`
`
`own operating logical networks as well as the cellular
`
`
`
`device. Once again, it is more expensive than conventional
`
`
`
`
`
`target's operating logical network before reaching the target
`
`
`
`55 direct line calls and requires time and requests response
`RSU. This is because under current telecommunications
`
`
`
`
`sequences to find the target device; not necessarily the user.
`
`
`
`technology, a "phone number" specifies a ''route" to a
`
`
`
`RBOC's cannot carry long distance traffic. Therefore, they
`
`
`
`
`device. As a user "roams," the ''route" must be flexible. The
`
`
`must use long distance carriers which eventually link to the
`
`
`ESN and HLR/VLR databases are used to give flexibility to
`
`
`
`corresponding or responding networks for user traffic, and a
`
`
`
`the route. Each time an HLR responds to a request it charges
`
`
`
`60 separate network for signaling (HLR/VLR) traffic. The
`
`
`
`the requesting VLR which, in turn, passes the cost down to
`
`
`
`
`
`present invention, therefore, provides "middle man" devices
`
`
`the users regardless of whether an authorization is made. In
`
`which temporarily store device and device location
`
`
`
`
`addition, the originating user is limited to finding the target
`
`
`
`information, user identification information, and user traffic
`
`
`device rather than the actual user.
`
`
`
`transport and data information. This information is made
`Each mobile subscriber, or RSU, is associated with a
`
`
`
`
`65 available to any requesting control office or port when the
`
`particular home MfSO and an HLR. The home network has
`
`
`
`
`originator originates a call through an initiating service
`
`
`
`
`registers which maintain records of all relevant information
`office.
`
`Cisco v. TracBeam / CSCO-1008
`Page 13 of 28
`
`

`

`5,659,596
`
`6
`5
`Accordingly, there remains a need for a cellular mobile
`
`
`
`Polling describes tracking schemes used for maintaining
`
`
`
`
`
`
`communication between roaming RSUs and cellular com­
`
`
`
`
`radio system or network that locates cellular subscribers,
`
`
`and which can automatically route messages to remote
`
`
`
`munication system networks, or MTSO's. In polling
`
`
`
`
`schemes, each RSU periodically receives a signal referred to
`
`
`
`
`subscriber users without the originator having to know the
`
`
`being s address location of the user or the type of target device
`
`
`as a system identification number (SID) in North American
`
`
`cellular systems, from a MTSO base station which includes
`
`
`
`
`used, or the target user having to initiate the retrieval of the
`
`
`
`data information that identifies the particular polling scheme
`
`
`messages. Although there exists systems in the background
`
`
`
`
`devices, art which maintain or store the location of cellular
`
`and base station with which the RSU is in cUITent radio
`
`
`contact. The RSU in turn responds to the periodic signals
`
`
`those systems known in the background art do not address
`10 these problems
`
`
`transmitted from the base stations by transmitting its MIN
`
`
`noted by the present invention. For instance,
`
`
`Hayes et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,210,787, discloses a subscriber
`
`
`and ESN back to the base station for temporary registration
`
`
`
`with it as a user. The receiving MTSO records an indication
`
`
`
`
`interrogation point system for use in cellular networks that
`
`
`
`of the presence of the RSU in the visited exchange area
`
`
`
`
`maintains a database of home exchange locations for mobile
`
`
`
`subscribers and that communicates this information to
`
`
`inside a memory location. This informs MSC base stations
`
`
`15 mobile switching center exchanges visited by the mobile
`
`
`
`in the geographic exchange area of the presence of the RSU
`
`
`
`within its coverage area at that particular moment. Cellular
`
`
`
`subscribers to simplify database maintenance. The sub­
`
`
`
`systems can only trace an enabled device, not the user, and
`
`
`scriber interrogation points store in memory information
`
`
`
`
`associated with each mobile subscriber identifying either the
`
`
`the device must be in some way registered each time to be
`
`
`
`recognized. There are basically three ways in which an RSU
`
`
`home exchange of that particular subscriber or other sub-
`
`
`20 scriber interrogation points able to identify such home
`
`
`may register with a base station. The first is an autonomous
`
`
`
`
`exchanges. Thus, Hayes, et al provides an address resolution
`
`
`registration which is used in response to the RSU entering a
`
`
`
`scheme for managing database information relevant to
`
`
`
`new exchange area. The second way a RSU registers is by
`
`
`
`
`
`mobile subscribers thereby keeping a map of devices in its
`
`
`
`a periodic registration which is typically in response to the
`
`
`
`passage of time elapsing since the last or previous registra­
`
`
`
`area. Unlike the instant invention, Hayes et. al. updates
`
`
`
`and visited 25 geographic locations of mobile devices
`
`
`
`tion. And, the third registration scheme occurs while origi­
`
`
`nating a call or message transfer from the RSU in response
`
`
`
`exchanges, updates the mobile device's home exchange,
`
`
`
`
`authenticates the mobile device as being capable of receiv­
`
`
`to an unregistered RSU seeking to originate a call, or
`
`
`
`
`establish a communication connection. In either event, any
`
`
`
`ing service from the visited exchange and obtains informa­
`
`
`calls or messages looking for the device must be verified by
`
`
`tion as to the detail service specifications which the visiting
`
`
`
`Thus, Hayes et. al. maintains 30 mobile subscriber is to receive.
`
`the visited HLR and authorized by the home HLR. An
`
`
`authorization is not guaranteed, takes time and is costly.
`
`
`
`a database of device specific information. Hayes et. al. does
`
`
`
`Some solutions suggest registering with a number of
`
`
`
`
`
`not provide a "find me" technique applied at the logical level
`
`
`for automatically locating users and routing messages,
`
`
`
`
`MTSO's. This, however, does not eliminate the problem of
`
`
`
`
`tracking users, finding disabled devices when a message is
`
`
`
`whether voice or data, to the users of remote subscriber units
`
`
`
`the instant 35 as they roam between networks. By contrast,
`
`
`
`originated and alleviating the high cost associated with
`
`
`
`invention incorporates regional and local offices in a fully
`
`responding HLR.s.
`
`
`
`meshed communicating network which locates end users
`
`
`Thus, as a cellular user travels with their cellular phone
`
`
`
`and routes messages to the user of a device independent of
`
`
`on, the phone reports itself to every cell it passes and to
`
`
`the actual device being used without the actual target user
`
`
`
`MTSO base stations as it changes networks. So at a physical
`
`
`
`
`information device specific 40 and originating user having
`
`
`
`level the network knows the phone's cell location. However,
`
`related to each other.
`
`
`
`
`
`at the logical and physical level the cellular network system,
`
`
`does not necessarily know the location or identity of the
`Other devices and systems noted in the background art
`
`
`
`
`target user and if the target device is off at the time a message
`
`
`
`include U.S. Pat. No. 5,153,902 issued to Buhl et. al., U.S.
`
`
`
`is originated. the message may never be received. So mes­
`
`
`
`Pat. No. 5,255,307 issued to Mizikovsky, U.S. Pat. No.
`
`sages may or may not reach the user. Moreover, current
`
`
`
`
`5,150,362 issued to Akerberg, U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,400
`45
`
`
`environment logical networks require active users to directly
`
`
`
`issued to Sawyer et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,822 issued to
`
`
`interface with the logical network via the communication
`
`
`Fukumine et. al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,222,249 issued to
`
`
`
`devices, i.e. phone or modem interface, to retrieve or for­
`
`
`Carney. Buhl et. al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,153,902, discloses a
`
`
`
`ward messages. For example, in cellular communication
`
`
`
`
`
`multi-exchange paging system for locating a mobile tele­
`
`
`
`devices having auxiliary features such as call forwarding,
`
`
`
`phone in a wide area telephone network. The disclosure of
`50
`
`
`electronic mail, facsimiles or other data retrieval features,
`
`
`Buhl et. al. describes a method of optimizing a sequence of
`
`
`the target end user has to pre-program their phone or modem
`
`areas a poll is sent to find the physical communication
`
`based communication device to direct calls to a desired
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`device. Unlike the present invention, Buhl et. al. assumes a
`
`
`
`
`predetermined list of areas. By contrast, the instant invention
`target address, keep their communication device powered,
`
`
`
`and remain within the required calling area of the cellular
`
`
`
`
`addresses the way a logical network is traced to find a logical
`55
`
`target device. In phones having call forwarding features the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`subscriber and provides a system that searches a network in
`user must reprogram the phone to forward calls to a prees­
`
`
`
`
`a novel, optimal way using pre-existing physical network
`tablished
`
`phone address. Although a caller may establish a
`
`
`
`
`
`polling techniques at the physical level. Mizikovsky, U.S.
`connection with a cellular phone user with call forwarding,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Pat. No. 5,255,307, discloses a status indicator control for
`they cannot necessarily transmit messages, and once the 60
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`cellular mobile telephone systems which provides a HOME
`
`cellular phone is powered down, then the originating end
`
`
`
`
`indication when the mobile is in its home system and a
`user has no way of determining the cellular user's location.
`
`
`
`
`
`ROAM indication when the mobile station communicates
`
`
`
`
`with a base station in a visited system whereby the particular
`
`In other words, the present cellular telecommunication sys­
`
`
`
`tems do not have the ability to locate or monitor the location
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`indication is dependent upon the system identification data
`
`or transmitting of remote cellular users for routing
`
`
`
`
`
`received from the base station. Thus, Mizikovsky teaches a
`65
`
`messages, or for automatically transmitting messages once a
`
`
`
`
`method to allow the HOME/ROAM indicator to be con­
`
`location is known.
`
`
`
`
`trolled programmatically and it allows for the indicator to be
`
`Cisco v. TracBeam / CSCO-1008
`Page 14 of 28
`
`

`

`5,659,596
`
`10
`
`8
`7
`It is also an object of the instant invention to offer a
`
`
`
`changed when the phone is in an active mode and when the
`
`
`
`
`substantially fully meshed system comprising control net­
`
`
`
`protocols are changed between home and roam. Akerberg,
`
`works having a plurality of local service offices and a
`
`
`
`U.S. Pat No. 5,150,362, discloses a beacon carrier which
`
`
`corresponding control regional support office, such that
`
`
`assigns time slots or channels to a mobile unit after the
`
`
`
`
`every communication control network is connected to every
`
`
`
`mobile unit and relevant base station have established 5
`
`
`
`
`other communication control network whereby all servicing
`
`
`communication, that is, have found each other. Sawyer et.
`
`
`offices in a given network are interfaced to each other and to
`
`
`
`al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,400, teaches call routing in mobile
`
`
`
`the corresponding regional support office, and whereby each
`
`
`
`
`telephone systems whereby a mobile unit initiates a com­
`
`
`
`network regional support office is likewise interfaced.
`
`
`
`
`munication contact and registration process. In Sawyer et.
`
`
`
`
`al., a visiting mobile subscriber sends a registration access,
`
`It is another object of the instant invention to pro