| Intelligent network interface -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Intelligent network interfaceRelated Patent Categories: Telecommunications, Radiotelephone SystemIntelligent network interface description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070173222, Intelligent network interface. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This is a divisional patent application of U.S. patent application No. 10/096,197 entitled "An Intelligent Network Interface" filed Mar. 12, 2002 for which priority is claimed. The parent application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to interfacing a communications network to a communications entity that includes a radio or another communications network. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The explosive growth of telecommunications has been accompanied by the deployment of communications systems in accordance with different technologies. This fact is exemplified by wireless communications. There are numerous cellular radio standards, including advanced mobile phone service (AMPS), which is a North American standard utilizing analog technology, total access communications system (TACS), which is an analog standard used in the United Kingdom, global system for mobile communications (GSM), which is a time division multiple technology used in many parts of the world, and code division multiple access (CDMA), which is a spread spectrum technology. There are additional standards for the upcoming third generation (3G) generation of cellular radio, including cdma2000, which is an evolution of CDMA and universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS). In the future, new generations of cellular radio services will occur, and thus the variety of technologies will increase. Moreover, wireless communications also incorporates non-cellular radio communications including land mobile radio service (LMRS) and satellite services. One can quickly conclude that the number of different wireless technologies is numerous and is getting larger with the passage of time. [0004] A user, nevertheless, expects to communicate with another user regardless of the technology that is serving the user. Substantial capital has been invested in existing communications systems, and consequently the usage of these systems will continue even though communications systems with new technologies are being introduced. With wireless technologies, a converter is typically deployed with a base station radio in order to reconcile technology differences between the base station radio and the user's wireless terminal. With LMRS operation, for example, dedicated cabling between radios or radio control consoles are typically required. Furthermore, the user expects connectivity between wireless communications systems and wireline communications systems such as the Internet and the public switched telephone network (PSTN). There is certainly a need to facilitate the interconnection of disparate communications systems regardless of the underlying technology that is serving the user. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] The present invention provides methods and apparatus for interconnecting disparate communications systems. For example, a voice call request that originates from a communications network is directed to a network interface. The network interface consequently redirects the call request to a communications entity, such as a radio or a cellular radio system, that serves the user associated with the call request. The network interface may support address translation functionality for identifying the communications entity, control conversion functionality for generating control and signaling with the communications entity, transmission content conversion functionality for converting transmission content during the call, and security functionality for encrypting and decrypting the transmission content. The present invention enables network management systems to manage non-networking communications entities (e.g. land mobile radios, public switching telephone networks, and personal communications systems) through a network. Also, the present invention enables non-networking communications entities to utilize networking routing functions and services (e.g. directory services). Moreover, the present invention enables non-networking communications entities to interact with applications that are being executed on another terminal through the network. [0006] An embodiment is shown for interfacing a communications network with an intelligent network interface (INI) to legacy radios (e.g. land mobile radios), cellular radio systems, and a public switched telephone network (PSTN). The INI comprises a proxy interface, entity control conversion, and entity address translation, security conversion, transmission content conversion. The INI exchanges messages with the network through the proxy interface. In order to establish a call to the user's communications terminal, the INI selects the appropriate entity (e.g. radio or cellular radio system) in accordance with user-associated data and entity address conversion. [0007] One embodiment includes a signaling scenario for supporting a wireless terminal through a land mobile radio (LMR) in which a call request originates from a 3G (third generation) end user terminal served by a 3G network to a user being served by the LMR. The INI verifies and locates the user by accessing user-associated data. The INI consequently notifies the appropriate radio interface about necessary characteristics of the user's wireless terminal and a call is established. The INI converts voice over IP (VoIP) transmission content to an analog waveform for transmission from the 3G EUT to the wireless terminal. Conversely, the INI converts an analog waveform to VoIP transmission content for transmission from the wireless terminal to the 3G EUT. [0008] A variation of the embodiment includes a signaling scenario for supporting a wireless terminal through a cellular radio system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The INI verifies the user and locates the cellular radio system that is serving the user. The INI generates dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signaling to the cellular radio system in order to complete the call connection. Subsequently, the INI converts transmission content during the call. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] A more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description in consideration of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features and wherein: [0010] FIG. 1 shows an architecture of interconnecting disparate wireless systems utilizing an intelligent network interface (INI) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; [0011] FIG. 2 shows a functional diagram of an intelligent wireless network interface in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; [0012] FIG. 3 shows apparatus for an intelligent wireless network interface in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; [0013] FIG. 4 shows a data structure for storing entity information in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; [0014] FIG. 5 shows an example of a signaling scenario for supporting a wireless terminal through a land mobile radio (LMR) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and [0015] FIG. 6 shows an example of a signaling scenario for supporting a wireless terminal through a cellular radio system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0016] In the following description of the various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration various embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. [0017] FIG. 1 shows an architecture of interconnecting disparate wireless systems utilizing intelligent network interface (INI) 103 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. End user terminal (EUT) 113, which is served by 3G (third generation) network 101 over channel 112, can communicate with wireless terminal 109, which is served by land mobile radio (LMR) 105 over wireless channel 108 or with wireless terminal 111, which is served by cellular radio system 107 over wireless channel 110. (Cellular radio system 107 is sometimes referred as a "personal communications system.") 3G network 101 can be a wireline network or a wireless network. In the embodiment, cellular radio system 107 is a first generation (1G) or a second generation (2G) wireless system (pre-3G). However, other embodiments can support a subsequent generation of wireless services. In one embodiment, EUT 113 can be one of a variety of terminals including a 3G wireless terminal or a 3G wireline terminal. EUT 113 can provide different services to the associated user, including data services that are associated with the Internet and 3G multimedia services. Variations of the invention can support other types of legacy radios. ("Legacy radio" pertains to a radio that is not deployed in a cellular radio system.) A legacy radio may be dedicated to a user or to a group of users. A major characteristic of a 3G network is the support of the Internet protocol (IP). Moreover, the present invention can support networks that evolve beyond 3G. [0018] If terminal 113 originates a call to either wireless terminal 109 or wireless terminal 111 through 3G network 101, 3G network 101 directs the call request to INI 103. The call request contains an identification of the called wireless terminal and may contain quality of service, cost, and service type requirements. Network 101 has a priori knowledge that wireless terminal 109 and wireless terminal 111 are associated with INI 103. Thus, network 101 directs any related messaging to INI 103 with a designated IP address. In the embodiment, network 101 maintains this relationship through a data structure that is updated by a service provider of network 101. A variation of the embodiment utilizes a registration procedure in which a corresponding entry for wireless terminal 109 or wireless terminal 111 is updated whenever a status of the wireless terminal changes. INI 103 maintains user-associated data about each user (which will be explained in more detail in the context of FIG. 2) in order to direct the call to wireless terminal 109 (though path 104 and legacy radio 105) or to wireless terminal 111 (through path 106 and cellular radio system 107). [0019] If wireless terminal 109 or wireless terminal 111 originates a call to wireless terminal 113, INI 103 directs the call to network 101 through path 102. In the embodiment, network 101 maintains user-associated data associated with terminal 113 in order to route the call. Continue reading about Intelligent network interface... Full patent description for Intelligent network interface Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Intelligent network interface patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Intelligent network interface or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Mobile communication terminal and method for controlling broadcast program Next Patent Application: Methods and apparatus for use in communicating short messages of the emergency type from mobile communication devices Industry Class: Telecommunications ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Intelligent network interface patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.10886 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Novartis , Pfizer , Philips , Polaroid , Procter & Gamble , 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
