US6567667B1 — Domain selecting system and method

Claim 1

Independent Claim 154 words

A method of controlling routing in a cellular communication system serving user equipment and having a radio access network operably coupled to each core domain of a plurality of core network domains, wherein each core network domain of the plurality of core network domains switches messages in a manner different from the other core network domains of the plurality of core network domains, the method comprising the steps of: receiving, by the radio access network, network services, applications, and domain information; receiving, by the radio access network, a message from the user equipment; selecting, by the radio access network, a core network domain from among the plurality of core network domains for a routing of the message based on at least one of a user equipment preference and a radio access network preference; and routing, by the radio access network, the incoming message to the core network domain selected by the radio access network.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 154 words

A method of controlling routing in a cellular communication system serving user equipment and having a radio access network operably coupled to each core domain of a plurality of core network domains, wherein each core network domain of the plurality of core network domains switches messages in a manner different from the other core network domains of the plurality of core network domains, the method comprising the steps of: receiving, by the radio access network, network services, applications, and domain information; receiving, by the radio access network, a message from the user equipment; selecting, by the radio access network, a core network domain from among the plurality of core network domains for a routing of the message based on at least one of a user equipment preference and a radio access network preference; and routing, by the radio access network, the incoming message to the core network domain selected by the radio access network.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 1 , further including the step of transmitting network services, applications and domain information to the user equipment.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 2 , wherein the message from the user equipment specifies a preferred core network domain based on the network services, applications and domain information transmitted to the user equipment.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 42 words

The method of claim 2 , wherein the message specifies a preferred core network domain for a routing of the message, which preferred core network domain is specified based on the network services, applications, and domain information transmitted to the user equipment.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the radio access network selects the core network domain based on information received by the radio access network from a core network domain.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 46 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein, in the case of a conflict between a core network domain specified by the user equipment and a core network domain specified by the radio access network, the radio access network sends a clarifying message to the user equipment.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the message specifies a preferred core network domain for a routing of the message.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 7 , wherein the radio access network selects the core network domain for the routing of the message based on the preferred core network domain specified in the message.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method of claim 7 , wherein the step of selecting, by the radio access network, a core network domain further comprises a step of overriding, by the radio access network, the core network domain specified in the message.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 9 , wherein the step of overriding comprises a step of overriding, by the radio access network, the core network specified in the message by a network equipment specified core network domain.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 7 , wherein the preferred core network domain is selected by a user of the user equipment.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 7 , wherein the preferred core network domain is selected by information previously sent to the user equipment.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 139 words

A method of controlling a user equipment for a wireless communication system comprising a plurality of core network domains, wherein each core network domain of the plurality of core network domains switches messages in a manner different from the other core network domains of the plurality of core network domains, the method comprising the steps of: storing preferences comprising a plurality of network services and applications that are each directed to a core network domain of the plurality of core network domains; determining a preferred core network domain for utilization by the selected network service or application based on the stored preferences; constructing a message in user equipment for communication to a radio access network, the message specifying the preferred core network domain for a routing of the message; and transmitting the constructed message to the radio access network.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 139 words

A method of controlling a user equipment for a wireless communication system comprising a plurality of core network domains, wherein each core network domain of the plurality of core network domains switches messages in a manner different from the other core network domains of the plurality of core network domains, the method comprising the steps of: storing preferences comprising a plurality of network services and applications that are each directed to a core network domain of the plurality of core network domains; determining a preferred core network domain for utilization by the selected network service or application based on the stored preferences; constructing a message in user equipment for communication to a radio access network, the message specifying the preferred core network domain for a routing of the message; and transmitting the constructed message to the radio access network.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 13 , wherein the user equipment inserts an application indicator in the transmitted message.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 144 words

The method of claim 13 , wherein the step of receiving a selection of a network service or application from among the plurality of network services and applications comprises steps of: presenting a user of the user equipment with a plurality of service options for the user's use in selecting a voice, data, or voice and data communication, wherein the presented plurality of service options comprises a plurality of alternative routes for the voice, data, or voice and data communication, and wherein each alternative route of the plurality of alternative routes utilizes a core network domain that is different from the core network domain utilized by the other alternative routes of the plurality of alternative routes; and in response to the presentation of the plurality of service options, receiving a selection from the user of a service option of the plurality of service options.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 15 , further comprising the step of retrieving a core network domain corresponding to each service option of the plurality of service options from a memory in the user equipment.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 15 , further comprising the step of retrieving a core network domain for each service option of the plurality of service options from a SIM.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 13 , further including step of inserting the requested domain at the initiation of each service option request.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 13 , further including the step of receiving a message identifying service domain information for the network associated with the base, and selecting the domain using the received message.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 19 , further including the step of displaying service domain information to the user responsive to receiving the message identifying service domain information, and responding to user inputs for selecting the domain.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 45 words

The method of claim 13 , wherein the step of storing preferences comprises steps of: receiving a selection, from a user of the user equipment, of a network service of application from among the plurality of network services and applications; and storing the user selection.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 67 words

The method of claim 13 , wherein the step of storing preferences comprises steps of: receiving operator configured parameters from a radio access network, wherein the operator configured parameters comprises a plurality of network services and applications that are each preferentially directed to a core network domain of the plurality of core network domains by the operator of the wireless communication system; storing the operator configured parameters.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 44 words

The method of claim 22 , wherein the step of determining a preferred core network domain comprises a step of retrieving, by the user equipment, a preferred core network domain based on the selected network service or application and the stored operator configured parameters.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 75 words

The method of claim 13 , wherein the step of storing preferences comprises steps of: presenting at least one network service or application to the user; receiving, from the user, a selection of a preferred core network domain of the plurality of core network domains for utilization by the at least one network service or application; and storing the at least one network service or application in association with the selected preferred core network domain.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 53 words

The method of claim 13 , wherein the step of transmitting the constructed message to the radio access network comprises a step of transmitting the constructed message to the radio access network over a radio interface that provides a common link to each core network domain of the plurality of core network domains.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 157 words

User equipment for a cellular system having a network comprising a plurality of core network domains, wherein each core network domain of the plurality of core network domains switches messages in a manner different from the other core network domains of the plurality of core network domains, the user equipment comprising circuitry operable to store preferences comprising a plurality of network services and applications that are each directed to a core network domain of the plurality of core network domains, receive a selection of a network service or application from among the plurality of network services and applications, determine a preferred core network domain for utilization by the selected network service or application based on the stored user preferences, construct a message in the user equipment for communication to a radio access network, the message specifying the preferred core network domain for a routing of the message, and transmit the constructed message to the radio access network.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 157 words

User equipment for a cellular system having a network comprising a plurality of core network domains, wherein each core network domain of the plurality of core network domains switches messages in a manner different from the other core network domains of the plurality of core network domains, the user equipment comprising circuitry operable to store preferences comprising a plurality of network services and applications that are each directed to a core network domain of the plurality of core network domains, receive a selection of a network service or application from among the plurality of network services and applications, determine a preferred core network domain for utilization by the selected network service or application based on the stored user preferences, construct a message in the user equipment for communication to a radio access network, the message specifying the preferred core network domain for a routing of the message, and transmit the constructed message to the radio access network.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 18 words

The user equipment of claim 26 , wherein the selection is from a user of the user equipment.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 71 words

The user equipment of claim 26 , wherein the user equipment further receives operator configured parameters from a radio access network, wherein the operator configured parameters comprises a plurality of network services and applications that are each preferentially directed to a core network domain of the plurality of core network domains by the operator of the wireless communication system, and wherein the storing of preferences comprises storing the operator configured parameters.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 37 words

The user equipment of claim 28 , wherein the determining of a preferred core network domain comprises retrieving a preferred core network domain based on the selected network service or application and the stored operator configured parameters.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 72 words

The user equipment of claim 26 , wherein the user equipment further presents a network service or application to the user and receives, from the user, a selection of a preferred core network domain of the plurality of core network domains for utilization by the network service or application, and wherein the storing of user preferences comprises storing the network service or application in association with the selected preferred core network domain.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 135 words

The method of claim 26 , wherein the user equipment further presents a user of the user equipment with a plurality of service options for the user's use in selecting one of a voice, data, and voice and data communication, wherein the presented service options comprise a plurality of alternative routes for a selected voice, data, or voice and data communication, and wherein each-alternative route of the plurality of alternative routes utilizes a core network domain that is different from the core network domain utilized by the other alternative routes of the plurality of alternative routes, and wherein the receiving of a selection of a network service or application from among the plurality of network services and applications comprises receiving a selection from the user of a service option of the plurality of service options.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 92 words

Network equipment comprising: a core network comprising a circuit switch domain and a packet switch domain, wherein the circuit switch domain provides an alternative message routing system relative to the packet switch domain; and a radio access network operably coupled to each of the circuit switch domain and the packet switch domain that inspects incoming messages from user equipment to identify service applications, selects a domain from among the circuit switch domain and the packet switch domain for a routing of the message, and routes the incoming messages using the selected domain.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 92 words

Network equipment comprising: a core network comprising a circuit switch domain and a packet switch domain, wherein the circuit switch domain provides an alternative message routing system relative to the packet switch domain; and a radio access network operably coupled to each of the circuit switch domain and the packet switch domain that inspects incoming messages from user equipment to identify service applications, selects a domain from among the circuit switch domain and the packet switch domain for a routing of the message, and routes the incoming messages using the selected domain.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 18 words

The network equipment as defined in claim 32 , wherein the packet switch domain includes an IP network.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 27 words

The network equipment as defined in claim 32 , further including a home location register storing packet switch information and circuit switch information for the user equipment.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 122 words

A cellular telephone communication system comprising: network equipment having a plurality of core network domains, wherein each core network domain of the plurality of core network domains switches messages in a manner different from the other core network domains of the plurality of core network domains, and wherein the network equipment is operable to receive an incoming message from the user equipment, select a core network domain of the plurality of core network domains for a routing of the incoming message, and route the incoming message to the selected core network domain; and user equipment operable to construct a message for communication to the network equipment, the message specifying the requested service, and to transmit the constructed message to the network equipment.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 122 words

A cellular telephone communication system comprising: network equipment having a plurality of core network domains, wherein each core network domain of the plurality of core network domains switches messages in a manner different from the other core network domains of the plurality of core network domains, and wherein the network equipment is operable to receive an incoming message from the user equipment, select a core network domain of the plurality of core network domains for a routing of the incoming message, and route the incoming message to the selected core network domain; and user equipment operable to construct a message for communication to the network equipment, the message specifying the requested service, and to transmit the constructed message to the network equipment.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system of claim 35 , wherein the network equipment further transmits network services, applications and domain information to the user equipment.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 42 words

The system of claim 36 , wherein the message specifies a preferred core network domain for a routing of the message, which preferred core network domain is specified based on the network services, applications, and domain information transmitted to the user equipment.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 32 words

The system of claim 35 , wherein the network equipment selects the core network domain for the routing of the message based on the preferred core network domain specified in the message.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 31 words

The system of claim 35 , wherein the network equipment selects the core network domain based on inspection of a message received by the network equipment from a core network domain.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 35 words

The system of claim 35 , wherein the network equipment overrides the preferred core network domain specified in the message when the network equipment selects a core network domain for a routing of the message.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2006-05-19	2006-11-18	2007-05-20	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2010-05-19	2010-11-18	2011-05-20	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2014-05-19	2014-11-18	2015-05-20	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Domain selecting system and method

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