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US6181937B1 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method for avoiding unnecessary signalling in a cellular communications system

Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
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Filing: 1998-07-01
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Granted: 2001-01-30
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Expires: 2018-07-01
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Abstract

Abstract A method for avoiding unnecessary signalling in a cellular system is disclosed whereby a “VMSC data generation” or similar field of information can be utilized in an HLR queue. When the HLR is storing Location Erasure data in the queue, the HLR can also store the most current “VMSC data generation” field together with the Location Erasure data in the queue. Prior to sending a Location Erasure message to a VMSC from the HLR's queue, the HLR determines whether the current “VMSC data generation” field is different than the one stored in the queue. If so, the HLR can discard the Location Erasure data in the queue, and thus defer from sending the Location Erasure message to that VMSC. Alternatively, when the HLR notes a new “VMSC data generation” field, the HLR scans the complete queue and discards all Location Erasure messages associated with an older “VMSC data generation” field than the current one noted by the HLR.

Inventors

  • 👤 Erkki Joensuu

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-30 06:55
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W8/00; H04W8/30; H04W60/00; H04W8/02; H04W8/08; H04W8/12

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim 114 words
A method for avoiding unnecessary signalling between a VMSC and HLR in a cellular communications system, comprising the steps of: generating a first data field associated with a first location update for a mobile station; storing said first data field in said HLR; associating said first data field with location erasure information for said mobile station; generating a second data field associated with a second location update for said mobile station; comparing said first data field with said second data field; and if said second data field is different than said first data field, said HLR erasing said location erasure information for said VMSC because no change to a VMSC data field is necessary.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 114 words
A method for avoiding unnecessary signalling between a VMSC and HLR in a cellular communications system, comprising the steps of: generating a first data field associated with a first location update for a mobile station; storing said first data field in said HLR; associating said first data field with location erasure information for said mobile station; generating a second data field associated with a second location update for said mobile station; comparing said first data field with said second data field; and if said second data field is different than said first data field, said HLR erasing said location erasure information for said VMSC because no change to a VMSC data field is necessary.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said first data field comprises a VMSC data generation field.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 14 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said VMSC generates said first data field.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 14 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said HLR generates said first data field.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 13 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said VMSC comprises a visited MSC/VLR.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said first data field includes randomly selected information.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 14 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said first data field includes predetermined information.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 23 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said first data field is conveyed from said VMSC to said HLR in a MAP/TCAP message.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said first data field is conveyed from said VMSC to said HLR in a location updating request message.
Claim 11
Independent Claim 189 words
A system for use in avoiding unnecessary signalling in a cellular communications system, comprising: a home location register; a plurality of mobile stations; and a visited mobile services switching center coupled by a signalling network to said home location register, said visited mobile services switching center including: means for generating a first data field associated with a first location update for at least one of said plurality of mobile stations; and said home location register comprising: means for storing said first data field in said home location register; means for associating said first data field with location erasure information for said at least one of said plurality of mobile stations; means for receiving a second data field from said visited mobile services switching center, said second data field associated with a second location update for said at least one of said plurality of mobile stations; means for comparing said first data field with said second data field; and if said second data field is different than said first data field, said home location register including means for erasing said location erasure information for said visited mobile services switching center.
Claim 12
Independent Claim 189 words
A system for use in avoiding unnecessary signalling in a cellular communications system, comprising: a home location register; a plurality of mobile stations; and a visited mobile services switching center coupled by a signalling network to said home location register, said visited mobile services switching center including: means for generating a first data field associated with a first location update for at least one of said plurality of mobile stations; and said home location register comprising: means for storing said first data field in said home location register; means for associating said first data field with location erasure information for said at least one of said plurality of mobile stations; means for receiving a second data field from said visited mobile services switching center, said second data field associated with a second location update for said at least one of said plurality of mobile stations; means for comparing said first data field with said second data field; and if said second data field is different than said first data field, said home location register including means for erasing said location erasure information for said visited mobile services switching center.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 21 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein said first data field comprises a visited mobile services switching center data generation field.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 18 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein said visited mobile services switching center generates said first data field.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 16 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein said home location register generates said first data field.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 17 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein said visited mobile services switching center comprises a visited MSC/VLR.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 15 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein said first data field includes randomly selected information.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 14 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein said first data field includes predetermined information.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 29 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein said first data field is conveyed from said visited mobile services switching center to said home location register in a MAP/TCAP message.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 31 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein said first data field is conveyed from said visited mobile services switching center to said home location register in a location updating request message.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 30 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein said first data field is conveyed from said visited mobile services switching center to said home location register associated with a restoration message.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 29 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein said first data field is conveyed from said visited mobile services switching center to said home location register in a reset message.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2004-01-30 2004-07-31 2005-01-30 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2008-01-30 2008-07-31 2009-01-30 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2012-01-30 2012-07-31 2013-01-30 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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