US 5,901,352 AGranted

System for controlling multiple networks and associated services

OwnerSylvain St-Pierre, Francis Lupieninventors

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A system for enabling network convergence and interworking between multiple communications networks is disclosed. A subscriber is associated with a plurality of communications networks each utilizing its own schemes, protocols, and standards for effectuating communication therein. A main centralized database storing subscription, network, service, and location data associated with each of the communications networks is provided. A main administrative node for defining and providing new subscription, subscriber preference, and parameters is further provided. The main centralized database and the administrative node then communicate with corresponding functions within each of the communications networks to provide centralized information sharing, data control, and network resource management across the plurality of associated communications networks.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A system for providing mobility management and control over subscription and service data for a plurality of communications networks, each communications network including a function for providing management of service and subscription data, a function for maintaining subscriber data, location, and activity, and a function for providing traffic control and routing of service, wherein all three functions within each network are network dependent and specific and are not compatible with corresponding functions within another network, said system comprising:

a main database maintaining data representative of subscriber data, location, and activity within each of said plurality of communications networks, said main database communicating said data with said function for maintaining subscriber data, location, and activity within each of said plurality of communications network;
and
a main service management and control function (SMCF) module managing and controlling service and subscription data, said main SMCF module communicating with said function for providing management of service and subscription data within each of said plurality of communications networks, said function being a SMCF function local to each of said networks, and with said main database.

A communications system, comprising:

a first communications network including a first register for storing and maintaining a current location of a particular subscriber within said first communications network, said subscriber identified by a first network address within said first communications network;
a second communications network including a second register for storing and maintaining a current location of said subscriber within said second communications network, said subscriber identified by a second network address within said second communications network;
a main database for storing said first network address and said second network address associated with said subscriber, said main database further keeping track of said current location of said subscriber within said first and second communications networks;
and
a main administration node for defining new subscription data for a second subscriber and communicating said new subscription data with local service management and control functions (SMCF) of said first and second communications networks and said main database.

2 more elements

A communications system, comprising:

a first communications network comprising:
a first service management and control (SMC) module for maintaining subscription data associated with a particular subscriber and service data associated with a first service provided within said first communications network;
and
a first subscriber location and registration (SLR) module for maintaining location and registration data associated with said subscriber;
a second communications network comprising:
a second SMC module for maintaining subscription data associated with said subscriber and service data associated with a second service provided within said second communications network;
and
a second SLR module for maintaining location and registration data associated with said subscriber;
a main centralized database for storing data representing said location of said subscriber within each of said first and second communications networks;
a main administrative module for defining and providing new subscription data representing a second subscriber;
a first communications interface for connecting said main centralized database with said first SLR and said second SLR;
and
a second communications interface for connecting said main administrative module with said first SMC and said second SMC.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.