WO2005041485A1 - Method for serving a subscriber in a cellular telecommunication network using the internet - Google Patents

Method for serving a subscriber in a cellular telecommunication network using the internet Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2005041485A1
WO2005041485A1 PCT/FR2004/002689 FR2004002689W WO2005041485A1 WO 2005041485 A1 WO2005041485 A1 WO 2005041485A1 FR 2004002689 W FR2004002689 W FR 2004002689W WO 2005041485 A1 WO2005041485 A1 WO 2005041485A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
transmission
mobile terminal
reception
network
subscriber
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FR2004/002689
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Nicolas Korber
Original Assignee
Bouygues Telecom
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bouygues Telecom filed Critical Bouygues Telecom
Priority to EP04805253A priority Critical patent/EP1692820A1/en
Publication of WO2005041485A1 publication Critical patent/WO2005041485A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W48/00—Access restriction; Network selection; Access point selection
    • H04W48/18—Selecting a network or a communication service
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
    • H04W88/02—Terminal devices
    • H04W88/06—Terminal devices adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
    • H04W88/16—Gateway arrangements

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the field of cellular telephony.
  • areas that are not (or are poorly) served by the mobile network. In these areas, the quality of reception of signals from the mobile network is poor. These areas, called “gray areas”, generally correspond to isolated places or places that are difficult to access. Operators are trying to cover these gray areas by installing new radio sites.
  • An object of the invention is to provide a method allowing subscribers to establish communications from their mobile terminal, in particular in these gray areas.
  • the invention proposes a method for serving a subscriber of a cellular telecommunications network, the subscriber using a mobile terminal able to operate according to two transmission / reception modes, comprising the steps consisting in: - switching the mobile terminal of a first transmission / reception mode according to which the mobile terminal is able to establish a link with the cellular telecommunication network, to a second transmission / reception mode in which the mobile terminal is able to establish a link with an access point of a wireless local area network, - convert the signals transmitted by the mobile terminal when the latter operates according to the second transmission / reception mode, into data packets adapted to be transmitted via a network communication type Internet and transmit these data packets to a recipient via this communication network.
  • the subscriber of the cellular network can establish communications from his mobile terminal, these communications passing through a network of the Internet type.
  • the subscriber can use this communication mode as soon as he is near an access point of the local network.
  • This local network can, for example, cover their home or workplace.
  • Access points can also be installed in public places (cafes, hotels, stations, airports, libraries, etc.). Access points can be in shaded areas of the cellular telecommunications network.
  • a subscriber located in such a zone can establish communications despite the poor quality of the link with the mobile network in this zone. In this case, communications pass through the Internet.
  • the method of the invention can be implemented in any zone in which an access point is installed, even if the connection with the mobile network is of good quality in this zone. It may indeed be advantageous for the subscriber to establish communications via the Internet rather than the mobile network.
  • the mobile terminal operating according to two distinct transmission / reception modes, there is no interference between the link established with the telecommunications network and the link established with the access point (frequencies and / or different modulation).
  • the invention also relates to a device for serving a subscriber of a cellular telecommunications network, the subscriber using a mobile terminal able to operate according to two transmission / reception modes and to switch from a first transmission / reception mode.
  • 'It comprises an access point capable of receiving the signals transmitted by the mobile terminal when the latter operates in the second transmission / reception mode and in transmitting the signals to a recipient via a communication network of the Internet type.
  • the invention also relates to a server for managing a cellular telecommunications network, characterized in that it is connected to a communication network of the Internet type and that it comprises means to receive data packets from the communication network, these data packets corresponding to a compressed and digitized voice signal, means for converting the data packets into a voice signal and means for routing this voice signal to a recipient.
  • the invention relates to a mobile terminal, characterized in that it is able to operate according to two transmission / reception modes and to switch from a first transmission / reception mode according to which the mobile terminal is capable of establishing a link with the cellular telecommunications network, to a second transmission / reception mode in which the mobile terminal is able to establish a connection with an access point (310) of a wireless local area network.
  • the mobile terminal comprises means for converting the signals it transmits into data packets adapted to be transmitted via an Internet-type communication network in order to transmit these data packets to a recipient via this communication network when the terminal is operating according to the second transmission / reception mode.
  • FIG. 10 schematically represents an example of telecommunication architecture suitable for implementing the method of the invention.
  • the user of a mobile terminal 10 wishes to establish a communication with a recipient 20.
  • the user of the mobile terminal 10 is a subscriber to a cellular telecommunications network 100.
  • the mobile terminal 10 is a terminal capable of operate in two transmit / receive modes. According to a first transmission / reception mode (1), the mobile terminal 10 is able to establish a link with the cellular telecommunication network 100 of GSM type.
  • the mobile terminal 10 is able to establish a connection with a wireless local area network WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) comprising an access point (AP) 310.
  • the local area network wireless is for example an IEEE 802.11 Ethernet network.
  • the mobile terminal 10 capable of operating in at least two transmission / reception modes is for example a dual-mode telephone (“dual-mode” telephone according to the English terminology generally used). This phone is equipped with a GSM antenna and a Wi-Fi antenna; it is able to switch from one transmission / reception mode to another automatically and / or manually depending on the case.
  • the mobile terminal 10 switches from one transmission / reception mode to the other automatically depending on the quality of the link with the cellular network 100 or with the local network.
  • the terminal 10 detects the power levels of the signals it receives from the stations base (BST) 110, 120 of the cellular network 100 and switches to a transmit / receive mode or the other depending on the detected power levels. More specifically, the terminal 10 detects the reception level of the cellular network 100 by means, for example, of a reception gauge. If the reception power level is below a certain threshold, the terminal determines whether it is within the coverage of the local WLAN network (access point 310).
  • the terminal 10 automatically switches from the first transmission / reception mode (1) to the second transmission / reception mode (2).
  • This switching can be proposed or imposed on the user of the terminal 10.
  • the mobile terminal 10 includes means for digitizing and converting the communication data (voice signals and signaling signals) into data packets. These means notably include an audio (coded) compressor / decompressor whose function is to digitize and compress the voice signal according to the ITU (International Telecommunication Union) standard referenced G.711 (Puise code modulation (PCM) of voice frequencies), as well as 'a modem.
  • ITU International Telecommunication Union
  • G.711 Personal Communications Union
  • Terminal 10 includes also means for transmitting the data packets over a Wi-Fi channel.
  • the access point 310 is a unit provided with IEEE 802.11 transmission / reception means.
  • the access point 310 is connected to the Internet 200 via cable or ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line). It transmits via the Internet 200 the data packets which it receives from the terminal 10 by Wi-Fi to a management server 130 of the cellular network 100.
  • the management server 130 is both connected to the Internet 200 and to the network cellular 100. This server 130 notably has access to databases of the operator of the cellular network 100, such as the HLR (Home Location Register) containing information relating to the subscribers of the network.
  • HLR Home Location Register
  • the management server 130 is capable of identifying the subscriber using the terminal 10 and of recording information concerning the communications established by this subscriber and passing through the Internet network 200. This information will subsequently be used by the operator during billing for communications.
  • the management server 130 also comprises means for authenticating the subscriber using the terminal 10, which is at the origin of the transmission of the data packets.
  • the management server 130 includes means for recording the address of the subscriber and means for routing communications to this subscriber via the Internet 200.
  • the management server 130 records the IP address of the 'subscriber to each connection. After authentication of the subscriber, the management server 130 converts the data packets coming from the Internet network 200 into a voice signal and routes this voice signal to the destination terminal 20.
  • the management server 130 converts the voice signals from from the destination terminal 20 in data packets to transmit them via the Internet network 200 to the terminal 10.
  • the management server 130 provides routing in both directions of communication between the terminals 10 and 20 (up and down directions).
  • the recipient 20 is a subscriber to the cellular network 100. This is why, the voice signal is transmitted to the recipient 20 by the cellular network 100.
  • the method described above also applies when the recipient 20 is a subscriber of another cellular network or of a wired network or of any other type of network. It is understood of course that the subscriber using the mobile terminal 10 can also receive signals from the destination terminal 20, these signals passing through the Internet network 200.
  • the architecture shown in FIG. 1 operates in a reversible manner.
  • the management server 130 is capable of converting the voice signals transmitted by the terminal 20 into IP data packets to transmit them via the Internet network 200 to the access point 310.
  • the access point 310 converts the packets IP data into Wi-Fi signals and transmits them to the mobile terminal 10.
  • the mobile terminal 10 converts the signals which it transmits (voice signals and signaling signals) into data packets.
  • the conversion step could be carried out by the access point 310.

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for serving a subscriber in a cellular telecommunication network (100), whereby the subscriber uses a mobile terminal (10) which is capable of operating in two transmission/reception modes, said method comprising the steps of switching the mobile terminal (10) from a first transmission/reception mode (1), in which the mobile terminal can establish a connection to the cellular telecommunication network (100), to a second transmission/reception mode (2), in which said mobile terminal (10) can set up a connection to an access point (310) in a wireless local area network, converting the signals transmitted by the mobile terminal (10), when operating in the second transmission/reception mode (2), into data packets suitable for transmission via an Internet-type communication network (200) and of transmitting said data packets to a recipient (20) via said communication network (200).

Description

PROCEDE POUR DESSERVIR UN ABONNE D'UN RESEAU DE TELECOMMUNICATION CELLULAIRE UTILISANT L'INTERNET METHOD FOR SERVING A SUBSCRIBER OF A CELLULAR TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORK USING THE INTERNET
L'invention concerne le domaine de la téléphonie cellulaire. Malgré les efforts réalisés par les opérateurs de téléphonie mobile pour améliorer l'étendue de couverture de leur réseau, il existe toujours des zones qui ne sont pas (ou qui sont mal) desservies par le réseau mobile. Dans ces zones, la qualité de la réception des signaux en provenance du réseau mobile est médiocre. Ces zones appelées « zones d'ombre », correspondent généralement à des lieux isolés ou difficiles d'accès. Les opérateurs tentent de couvrir ces zones d'ombre en implantant de nouveaux sites radioélectriques. Un but de l'invention est de fournir un procédé permettant à des abonnés d'établir des communications à partir de leur terminal mobile, notamment dans ces zones d'ombre. A cet effet, l'invention propose un procédé pour desservir un abonné d'un réseau de télécommunication cellulaire, l'abonné utilisant un terminal mobile apte à fonctionner selon deux modes d'émission/réception, comprenant les étapes consistant à : - faire basculer le terminal mobile d'un premier mode d'émission/réception selon lequel le terminal mobile est apte à établir une liaison avec le réseau de télécommunication cellulaire, à un deuxième mode d'émission/réception dans lequel le terminal mobile est apte à établir une liaison avec un point d'accès d'un réseau local sans fil, - convertir les signaux émis par le terminal mobile lorsque celui-ci fonctionne selon le deuxième mode d'émission/réception, en paquets de données adaptés pour être transmis via un réseau de communication de type Internet et transmettre ces paquets de données vers un destinataire via ce réseau de communication. Grâce au procédé de l'invention, l'abonné du réseau cellulaire peut établir des communications à partir de son terminal mobile, ces communications transitant via un réseau de type Internet. L'abonné peut utiliser ce mode de communication dès qu'il se trouve à proximité d'un point d'accès du réseau local. Ce réseau local peut par exemple couvrir son domicile ou son lieu de travail. Les points d'accès peuvent également être installés dans des lieux publics (cafés, hôtels, gares, aéroports, bibliothèques, etc.) Les points d'accès peuvent se trouver dans des zones d'ombre du réseau de télécommunication cellulaire. Ainsi, un abonné se trouvant dans une telle zone peut établir des communications malgré la qualité médiocre de la liaison avec le réseau mobile dans cette zone. Dans ce cas, les communications transitent par l'Internet. On comprendra toutefois que le procédé de l'invention peut être mis en œuvre dans toute zone dans laquelle est installé un point d'accès, même si la liaison avec le réseau mobile est de bonne qualité dans cette zone. Il peut en effet être avantageux pour l'abonné d'établir des communications en passant par l'Internet plutôt que par le réseau mobile. De manière avantageuse, le terminal mobile fonctionnant selon deux modes d'émission/réception distincts, il n'y a pas d'interférence entre la liaison établie avec le réseau de télécommunication et la liaison établie avec le point d'accès (fréquences et/ou modulation différentes). L'invention porte également sur un dispositif pour desservir un abonné d'un réseau de télécommunication cellulaire, l'abonné utilisant un terminal mobile apte à fonctionner selon deux modes d'émission/réception et à basculer d'un premier mode d'émission/réception selon lequel le terminal mobile est apte à établir une liaison avec le réseau de télécommunication cellulaire, à un deuxième mode d'émission/réception dans lequel le terminal mobile est apte à établir une liaison avec un réseau local sans fil, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un point d'accès apte à recevoir les signaux émis par le terminal mobile lorsque celui-ci fonctionne selon le deuxième mode d'émission/réception et à transmettre les signaux vers un destinataire via un réseau de communication de type Internet. L'invention concerne également un serveur de gestion d'un réseau de télécommunication cellulaire, caractérisé en ce qu'il est connecté à un réseau de communication de type Internet et qu'il comprend des moyens pour recevoir des paquets de données en provenance du réseau de communication, ces paquets de données correspondant à un signal voix compressé et numérisé, des moyens pour convertir les paquets de données en signal vocal et des moyens pour router ce signal vocal vers un destinataire. Enfin, l'invention concerne un terminal mobile, caractérisé en ce qu'il est apte à fonctionner selon deux modes d'émission/réception et à basculer d'un premier mode d'émission/réception selon lequel le terminal mobile est apte à établir une liaison avec le réseau de télécommunication cellulaire, à un deuxième mode d'émission/réception dans lequel le terminal mobile est apte à établir une liaison avec un point d'accès (310) d'un réseau local sans fil. Le terminal mobile comprend des moyens pour convertir les signaux qu'il émet en paquets de données adaptés pour être transmis via un réseau de communication de type Internet en vue de transmettre ces paquets de données vers un destinataire via ce réseau de communication lorsque le terminal fonctionne selon le deuxième mode d'émission/réception. D'autres caractéristiques et avantages ressortiront encore de la description qui suit, laquelle est purement illustrative et non limitative et doit être lue en regard de la figure annexée. Cette figure représente schématiquement un exemple d'architecture de télécommunication adaptée à la mise en œuvre du procédé de l'invention. Sur la figure, l'utilisateur d'un terminal mobile 10 souhaite établir une communication avec un destinataire 20. L'utilisateur du terminal mobile 10 est un abonné d'un réseau de télécommunication cellulaire 100. Le terminal mobile 10 est un terminal apte à fonctionner selon deux modes d'émission/réception. Selon un premier mode d'émission/réception (1 ), le terminal mobile 10 est apte à établir une liaison avec le réseau de télécommunication cellulaire 100 de type GSM. Selon un deuxième mode d'émission/réception (2), le terminal mobile 10 est apte à établir une liaison avec un réseau local sans fil WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) comprenant un point d'accès (AP) 310. Le réseau local sans fil est par exemple un réseau Ethernet IEEE 802.11. Le terminal mobile 10 capable de fonctionner selon au moins deux modes d'émission/réception est par exemple un téléphone bi-mode (téléphone « dual-mode » selon la terminologie anglosaxonne généralement employée). Ce téléphone est équipé d'une antenne GSM et d'une antenne Wi-Fi ; il est apte à basculer d'un mode d'émission/réception à l'autre de manière automatique et/ou manuelle selon les cas. Selon une mise en œuvre de l'invention, le terminal mobile 10 bascule d'un mode d'émission/réception à l'autre de manière automatique en fonction de la qualité de la liaison avec le réseau cellulaire 100 ou avec le réseau local. Ainsi, si le terminal mobile se trouve dans une zone d'ombre 300, il passera automatiquement en mode d'émission/réception Wi-Fi. A cet effet, le terminal 10 détecte les niveaux de puissance des signaux qu'il reçoit des stations de base (BST) 110, 120 du réseau cellulaire 100 et bascule sur un mode d'émission/réception ou l'autre en fonction des niveaux de puissance détectés. Plus précisément, le terminal 10 détecte le niveau de réception du réseau cellulaire 100 au moyen par exemple d'une jauge de réception. Si le niveau de puissance de réception est inférieur à un certain seuil, le terminal détermine s'il se trouve dans la couverture du réseau local WLAN (point d'accès 310). Lorsque c'est le cas, le terminal 10 bascule de manière automatique du premier mode d'émission/réception (1) au deuxième mode d'émission/réception (2). Ce basculement peut être proposé ou imposé à l'utilisateur du terminal 10. Lorsque le terminal mobile 10 fonctionne suivant le deuxième mode d'émission réception (2), il établit une liaison avec le point d'accès (AP) 310 du réseau local. Le terminal mobile 10 comprend des moyens pour numériser et convertir les données de communication (signaux voix et signaux de signalisation) en paquets de données. Ces moyens incluent notamment un compresseur/décompresseur audio (codée) ayant pour fonction de numériser et de compresser le signal voix selon la norme ITU (International Télécommunication Union) référencée G.711 (Puise code modulation (PCM) of voice frequencies), ainsi qu'un modem. Le terminal 10 comprend également des moyens pour transmettre les paquets de données sur un canal Wi-Fi. Le point d'accès 310 est une unité munie de moyens d'émission/réception IEEE 802.11. Le point d'accès 310 est relié au réseau Internet 200 via le câble ou l'ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line). Il transmet via le réseau Internet 200 les paquets de données qu'il reçoit du terminal 10 par Wi-Fi à un serveur de gestion 130 du réseau cellulaire 100. Le serveur de gestion 130 est à la fois connecté au réseau Internet 200 et au réseau cellulaire 100. Ce serveur 130 a notamment accès à des bases de données de l'opérateur du réseau cellulaire 100, telles que le HLR (Home Location Register) contenant des informations relatives aux abonnés du réseau. Le serveur de gestion 130 est capable d'identifier l'abonné utilisant le terminal 10 et d'enregistrer des informations concernant les communications établies par cet abonné et transitant par le réseau Internet 200. Ces informations seront par la suite utilisées par l'opérateur lors de la facturation des communications. Le serveur de gestion 130 comprend également des moyens pour authentifier l'abonné utilisant le terminal 10, qui est à l'origine de l'émission des paquets de données. En particulier, le serveur de gestion 130 comprend des moyens pour enregistrer l'adresse de l'abonné et des moyens pour router dès communications à destination de cet abonné via le réseau Internet 200. Le serveur de gestion 130 enregistre l'adresse IP de l'abonné à chaque connexion. Après authentification de l'abonné, le serveur de gestion 130 convertit les paquets de données en provenance du réseau Internet 200 en signal voix et route ce signal voix vers le terminal destinataire 20. Inversement, le serveur de gestion 130 convertit les signaux voix en provenance du terminal destinataire 20 en paquets de données pour les transmettre via le réseau Internet 200 au terminal 10. Ainsi, le serveur de gestion 130 assure un routage dans les deux sens de communication entre les terminaux 10 et 20 (sens montant et descendant). Sur la figure, le destinataire 20 est un abonné du réseau cellulaire 100. C'est pourquoi, le signal voix est transmis au destinataire 20 par le réseau cellulaire 100. Bien entendu, le procédé décrit précédemment s'applique également lorsque le destinataire 20 est un abonné d'un autre réseau cellulaire ou d'un réseau filaire ou de tout autre type de réseau. On comprend bien entendu que l'abonné utilisant le terminal mobile 10 peut également recevoir des signaux en provenance du terminal destinataire 20, ces signaux transitant par le réseau Internet 200. L'architecture représentée à la figure 1 fonctionne de manière réversible. A cet effet, le serveur de gestion 130 est capable de convertir les signaux voix émis par le terminal 20 en paquets de données IP pour les transmettre via le réseau Internet 200 au point d'accès 310. Le point d'accès 310 convertit les paquets de données IP en signaux Wi-Fi et les transmet au terminal mobile 10. On vient de décrire un mode de mise en œuvre du procédé dans lequel le terminal mobile 10 convertit les signaux qu'il émet (signaux voix et signaux de signalisation) en paquets de données. Bien entendu, l'étape de conversion pourrait être réalisée par le point d'accès 310. The invention relates to the field of cellular telephony. Despite the efforts made by mobile operators to improve the coverage of their network, there are still areas that are not (or are poorly) served by the mobile network. In these areas, the quality of reception of signals from the mobile network is poor. These areas, called “gray areas”, generally correspond to isolated places or places that are difficult to access. Operators are trying to cover these gray areas by installing new radio sites. An object of the invention is to provide a method allowing subscribers to establish communications from their mobile terminal, in particular in these gray areas. To this end, the invention proposes a method for serving a subscriber of a cellular telecommunications network, the subscriber using a mobile terminal able to operate according to two transmission / reception modes, comprising the steps consisting in: - switching the mobile terminal of a first transmission / reception mode according to which the mobile terminal is able to establish a link with the cellular telecommunication network, to a second transmission / reception mode in which the mobile terminal is able to establish a link with an access point of a wireless local area network, - convert the signals transmitted by the mobile terminal when the latter operates according to the second transmission / reception mode, into data packets adapted to be transmitted via a network communication type Internet and transmit these data packets to a recipient via this communication network. Thanks to the method of the invention, the subscriber of the cellular network can establish communications from his mobile terminal, these communications passing through a network of the Internet type. The subscriber can use this communication mode as soon as he is near an access point of the local network. This local network can, for example, cover their home or workplace. Access points can also be installed in public places (cafes, hotels, stations, airports, libraries, etc.). Access points can be in shaded areas of the cellular telecommunications network. Thus, a subscriber located in such a zone can establish communications despite the poor quality of the link with the mobile network in this zone. In this case, communications pass through the Internet. It will however be understood that the method of the invention can be implemented in any zone in which an access point is installed, even if the connection with the mobile network is of good quality in this zone. It may indeed be advantageous for the subscriber to establish communications via the Internet rather than the mobile network. Advantageously, the mobile terminal operating according to two distinct transmission / reception modes, there is no interference between the link established with the telecommunications network and the link established with the access point (frequencies and / or different modulation). The invention also relates to a device for serving a subscriber of a cellular telecommunications network, the subscriber using a mobile terminal able to operate according to two transmission / reception modes and to switch from a first transmission / reception mode. reception according to which the mobile terminal is able to establish a link with the cellular telecommunications network, to a second transmission / reception mode in which the mobile terminal is able to establish a link with a wireless local area network, characterized in that 'It comprises an access point capable of receiving the signals transmitted by the mobile terminal when the latter operates in the second transmission / reception mode and in transmitting the signals to a recipient via a communication network of the Internet type. The invention also relates to a server for managing a cellular telecommunications network, characterized in that it is connected to a communication network of the Internet type and that it comprises means to receive data packets from the communication network, these data packets corresponding to a compressed and digitized voice signal, means for converting the data packets into a voice signal and means for routing this voice signal to a recipient. Finally, the invention relates to a mobile terminal, characterized in that it is able to operate according to two transmission / reception modes and to switch from a first transmission / reception mode according to which the mobile terminal is capable of establishing a link with the cellular telecommunications network, to a second transmission / reception mode in which the mobile terminal is able to establish a connection with an access point (310) of a wireless local area network. The mobile terminal comprises means for converting the signals it transmits into data packets adapted to be transmitted via an Internet-type communication network in order to transmit these data packets to a recipient via this communication network when the terminal is operating according to the second transmission / reception mode. Other characteristics and advantages will also emerge from the description which follows, which is purely illustrative and not limiting and should be read with reference to the appended figure. This figure schematically represents an example of telecommunication architecture suitable for implementing the method of the invention. In the figure, the user of a mobile terminal 10 wishes to establish a communication with a recipient 20. The user of the mobile terminal 10 is a subscriber to a cellular telecommunications network 100. The mobile terminal 10 is a terminal capable of operate in two transmit / receive modes. According to a first transmission / reception mode (1), the mobile terminal 10 is able to establish a link with the cellular telecommunication network 100 of GSM type. According to a second transmission / reception mode (2), the mobile terminal 10 is able to establish a connection with a wireless local area network WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) comprising an access point (AP) 310. The local area network wireless is for example an IEEE 802.11 Ethernet network. The mobile terminal 10 capable of operating in at least two transmission / reception modes is for example a dual-mode telephone (“dual-mode” telephone according to the English terminology generally used). This phone is equipped with a GSM antenna and a Wi-Fi antenna; it is able to switch from one transmission / reception mode to another automatically and / or manually depending on the case. According to an implementation of the invention, the mobile terminal 10 switches from one transmission / reception mode to the other automatically depending on the quality of the link with the cellular network 100 or with the local network. Thus, if the mobile terminal is in a shadow zone 300, it will automatically switch to Wi-Fi transmission / reception mode. For this purpose, the terminal 10 detects the power levels of the signals it receives from the stations base (BST) 110, 120 of the cellular network 100 and switches to a transmit / receive mode or the other depending on the detected power levels. More specifically, the terminal 10 detects the reception level of the cellular network 100 by means, for example, of a reception gauge. If the reception power level is below a certain threshold, the terminal determines whether it is within the coverage of the local WLAN network (access point 310). When this is the case, the terminal 10 automatically switches from the first transmission / reception mode (1) to the second transmission / reception mode (2). This switching can be proposed or imposed on the user of the terminal 10. When the mobile terminal 10 operates according to the second mode of transmission reception (2), it establishes a connection with the access point (AP) 310 of the local network. . The mobile terminal 10 includes means for digitizing and converting the communication data (voice signals and signaling signals) into data packets. These means notably include an audio (coded) compressor / decompressor whose function is to digitize and compress the voice signal according to the ITU (International Telecommunication Union) standard referenced G.711 (Puise code modulation (PCM) of voice frequencies), as well as 'a modem. Terminal 10 includes also means for transmitting the data packets over a Wi-Fi channel. The access point 310 is a unit provided with IEEE 802.11 transmission / reception means. The access point 310 is connected to the Internet 200 via cable or ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line). It transmits via the Internet 200 the data packets which it receives from the terminal 10 by Wi-Fi to a management server 130 of the cellular network 100. The management server 130 is both connected to the Internet 200 and to the network cellular 100. This server 130 notably has access to databases of the operator of the cellular network 100, such as the HLR (Home Location Register) containing information relating to the subscribers of the network. The management server 130 is capable of identifying the subscriber using the terminal 10 and of recording information concerning the communications established by this subscriber and passing through the Internet network 200. This information will subsequently be used by the operator during billing for communications. The management server 130 also comprises means for authenticating the subscriber using the terminal 10, which is at the origin of the transmission of the data packets. In particular, the management server 130 includes means for recording the address of the subscriber and means for routing communications to this subscriber via the Internet 200. The management server 130 records the IP address of the 'subscriber to each connection. After authentication of the subscriber, the management server 130 converts the data packets coming from the Internet network 200 into a voice signal and routes this voice signal to the destination terminal 20. Conversely, the management server 130 converts the voice signals from from the destination terminal 20 in data packets to transmit them via the Internet network 200 to the terminal 10. Thus, the management server 130 provides routing in both directions of communication between the terminals 10 and 20 (up and down directions). In the figure, the recipient 20 is a subscriber to the cellular network 100. This is why, the voice signal is transmitted to the recipient 20 by the cellular network 100. Of course, the method described above also applies when the recipient 20 is a subscriber of another cellular network or of a wired network or of any other type of network. It is understood of course that the subscriber using the mobile terminal 10 can also receive signals from the destination terminal 20, these signals passing through the Internet network 200. The architecture shown in FIG. 1 operates in a reversible manner. To this end, the management server 130 is capable of converting the voice signals transmitted by the terminal 20 into IP data packets to transmit them via the Internet network 200 to the access point 310. The access point 310 converts the packets IP data into Wi-Fi signals and transmits them to the mobile terminal 10. We have just described an implementation mode of the method in which the mobile terminal 10 converts the signals which it transmits (voice signals and signaling signals) into data packets. Of course, the conversion step could be carried out by the access point 310.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Procédé pour desservir un abonné d'un réseau de télécommunication cellulaire (100), l'abonné utilisant un terminal mobile (10) apte à fonctionner selon deux modes d'émission/réception, comprenant les étapes consistant à : - faire basculer le terminal mobile (10) d'un premier mode (1) d'émission/réception selon lequel le terminal mobile est apte à établir une liaison avec le réseau de télécommunication cellulaire (100), à un deuxième mode (2) d'émission/réception dans lequel le terminal mobile (10) est apte à établir une liaison avec un point d'accès (310) d'un réseau local sans fil, - convertir les signaux émis par le terminal mobile (10) lorsque celui- ci fonctionne selon le deuxième mode (2) d'émission/réception, en paquets de données adaptés pour être transmis via un réseau de communication de type Internet (200) et transmettre ces paquets de données vers un destinataire (20) via ce réseau de communication (200). 1. Method for serving a subscriber to a cellular telecommunications network (100), the subscriber using a mobile terminal (10) capable of operating according to two transmission / reception modes, comprising the steps consisting in: - switching the mobile terminal (10) of a first transmission / reception mode (1) according to which the mobile terminal is able to establish a connection with the cellular telecommunications network (100), to a second transmission / reception mode (2) reception in which the mobile terminal (10) is capable of establishing a connection with an access point (310) of a wireless local area network, - converting the signals transmitted by the mobile terminal (10) when the latter is operating according to the second mode (2) of transmission / reception, in data packets adapted to be transmitted via an Internet type communication network (200) and transmit these data packets to a recipient (20) via this communication network (200 ).
2. Procédé selon la revendication 1 , caractérisé en ce que les paquets de données sont transmis via le réseau de communication filaire (200) à un serveur de gestion (130), apte à convertir les paquets de données en signaux vocaux et à les router vers le destinataire (20). 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the data packets are transmitted via the wired communication network (200) to a management server (130), able to convert the data packets into voice signals and to route them to the recipient (20).
3. Procédé selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que le serveur de gestion (130) est apte à authentifier l'abonné. 3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the management server (130) is able to authenticate the subscriber.
4. Procédé selon l'une des revendications qui précèdent, caractérisé en ce que le terminal mobile (10) bascule automatiquement d'un mode d'émission/réception à l'autre en fonction de la qualité de la liaison avec le réseau de télécommunication cellulaire (100). 4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mobile terminal (10) automatically switches from one transmission / reception mode to another depending on the quality of the link with the telecommunications network cell (100).
5. Procédé selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que le terminal (10) détecte le niveau de réception du réseau cellulaire (100) et si le niveau de puissance de réception est inférieur à un certain seuil, le terminal détermine s'il se trouve dans la couverture du point d'accès (310). 5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the terminal (10) detects the reception level of the cellular network (100) and if the reception power level is below a certain threshold, the terminal determines whether it is found in the cover of the access point (310).
6. Procédé selon l'une des revendications qui précèdent, caractérisé en ce que le terminal (10) bascule de manière manuelle d'un mode à l'autre. 6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the terminal (10) switches manually from one mode to another.
7. Dispositif pour desservir un abonné d'un réseau de télécommunication cellulaire (100), l'abonné utilisant un terminal mobile (10) apte à fonctionner selon deux modes d'émission/réception et à basculer d'un premier mode (1) d'émission/réception selon lequel le terminal mobile (10) est apte à établir une liaison avec le réseau de télécommunication cellulaire (100), à un deuxième mode (2) d'émission/réception dans lequel le terminal mobile (10) est apte à établir une liaison avec un réseau local sans fil, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un point d'accès (310) apte à recevoir les signaux émis par le terminal mobile (10) lorsque celui-ci fonctionne selon le deuxième mode (2) d'émission/réception, et à transmettre les signaux vers un destinataire (20) via un réseau de communication (200) de type Internet. 7. Device for serving a subscriber to a cellular telecommunications network (100), the subscriber using a mobile terminal (10) able to operate according to two transmission / reception modes and to switch from a first mode (1) transmission / reception according to which the mobile terminal (10) is able to establish a link with the cellular telecommunication network (100), to a second transmission / reception mode (2) in which the mobile terminal (10) is capable of establishing a link with a wireless local area network, characterized in that it comprises an access point (310) capable of receiving the signals transmitted by the mobile terminal (10) when the latter operates in the second mode ( 2) transmission / reception, and transmitting the signals to a recipient (20) via a communication network (200) of the Internet type.
8. Serveur de gestion (130) d'un réseau de télécommunication cellulaire (100), caractérisé en ce qu'il est connecté à un réseau de communication de type Internet (200) et qu'il comprend des moyens pour recevoir des paquets de données en provenance du réseau de communication (200), ces paquets de données correspondant à un signal voix compressé et numérisé, des moyens pour convertir les paquets de données en signal vocal et des moyens pour router ce signal vocal vers un destinataire (20). 8. Management server (130) of a cellular telecommunications network (100), characterized in that it is connected to a communication network of the Internet type (200) and that it comprises means for receiving packets from data coming from the communication network (200), these data packets corresponding to a compressed and digitized voice signal, means for converting the data packets into a voice signal and means for routing this voice signal to a recipient (20).
9. Serveur selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des moyens pour authentifier un abonné du réseau de télécommunication cellulaire qui est à l'origine de l'émission de paquets de données reçus par le serveur (130). 9. Server according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises means for authenticating a subscriber of the cellular telecommunications network which is at the origin of the transmission of data packets received by the server (130).
10. Serveur selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des moyens pour enregistrer une adresse IP de l'abonné du réseau et des moyens pour router des communications à destination de cet abonné via le réseau de communication (200). 10. Server according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises means for recording an IP address of the network subscriber and means for routing communications to this subscriber via the communication network (200).
11. Terminal mobile (10), caractérisé en ce qu'il est apte à fonctionner selon deux modes d'émission/réception et à basculer d'un premier mode (1) d'émission/réception selon lequel le terminal mobile est apte à établir une liaison avec le réseau de télécommunication cellulaire (100), à un deuxième mode (2) d'émission/réception dans lequel le terminal mobile (10) est apte à établir une liaison avec un point d'accès (310) d'un réseau local sans fil, le terminal mobile (10) comprenant des moyens pour convertir les signaux qu'il émet en paquets de données adaptés pour être transmis via un réseau de communication de type Internet (200) en vue de transmettre ces paquets de données vers un destinataire (20) via ce réseau de communication (200) lorsque le terminal (10) fonctionne selon le deuxième mode (2) d'émission/réception. 11. Mobile terminal (10), characterized in that it is able to operate according to two transmission / reception modes and to switch from a first transmission / reception mode (1) according to which the mobile terminal is capable of establishing a link with the cellular telecommunications network (100), to a second mode (2) of transmission / reception in which the terminal mobile (10) is capable of establishing a link with an access point (310) of a wireless local area network, the mobile terminal (10) comprising means for converting the signals which it transmits into data packets suitable for be transmitted via an Internet type communication network (200) in order to transmit these data packets to a recipient (20) via this communication network (200) when the terminal (10) operates in the second mode (2) d transmission / reception.
PCT/FR2004/002689 2003-10-21 2004-10-21 Method for serving a subscriber in a cellular telecommunication network using the internet WO2005041485A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

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Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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FR0312275A FR2861241B1 (en) 2003-10-21 2003-10-21 METHOD FOR SERVING A SUBSCRIBER OF A CELLULAR TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORK USING THE INTERNET
FR0312275 2003-10-21

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FR2861241A1 (en) 2005-04-22
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