JP4237650B2 - Push-type transmission system, push-type transmission device, mobile device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the reliability of received messages in a mobile unit at a roaming destination as high as that in a mobile unit at a roaming source, if the transfer protocol of messages to be transferred, using a push type transfer protocol, differs between the roaming source and the roaming destination. <P>SOLUTION: Upon receipt of a termination report request from a mail server MALS, a gateway exchange GMMS decides whether a mobile unit MS at the address of the termination report is roaming out of a mobile communication network IMT to a mobile communication network GSM, and, when deciding it is roaming out, sends a termination report message with added information peculiar to the gateway exchange GMMS in an SMS message format to a mobile unit MS at the address. Upon receipt of the SMS message, the mobile unit MS determines the send source of the message, based on this message and predetermined key information, and discards this message, if the send source is not the gateway exchange GMMS. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&amp;NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for handling a message transmitted by push-type communication, typified by an incoming e-mail notification message, in an environment where a mobile device can roam.

  A roaming service for a mobile device (hereinafter simply referred to as “roaming service”) has been started. A roaming service provides users with various communication services of a mobile operator with whom the user has a contract using the mobile communication network of another mobile operator that has a business alliance with the mobile operator. It is a service. For example, when using a roaming service across countries, even if the user of the mobile device is located in a foreign country, the mobile communication business of the home country is established via the mobile communication network of the mobile communication operator at the location. Various communication services provided by the user. In this case, the mobile communication network of the mobile communication operator in the home country becomes the “roaming source”, and the mobile communication network of the local mobile communication operator becomes the “roaming destination”.

  In addition, an electronic mail service (hereinafter simply referred to as “electronic mail service”) for mobile devices has already been provided. In this e-mail service, an e-mail addressed to a user's mobile device is transferred to the mobile device through a mobile communication network (finally, a wireless section of the mobile communication network) of a mobile communication operator contracted with the user of the mobile device. Delivered to the machine. The electronic mail service includes a push type service and a pseudo push (smart pull) type service. In the push-type e-mail service, when a mail server device of a mobile communication network receives an e-mail addressed to a corresponding mobile device, the e-mail is transmitted to the mobile device. In the pseudo-push type e-mail service, when a mail server device of a mobile communication network receives an e-mail addressed to the corresponding mobile device, it transmits an incoming notification message for notifying the arrival (arrival) of the e-mail to the mobile device. The received electronic mail is transmitted to the mobile device after receiving a request from the mobile device.

  Here, it is assumed that there is a mobile communication provider in Japan that has adopted a unique messaging service for sending and receiving incoming notification messages in a mobile communication network. Further, it is assumed that a user who has contracted with this mobile communication carrier goes to Europe with the mobile device related to the contract. Further, it is assumed that the mobile communication provider provides a pseudo push electronic mail service to the user. In this case, when a mail server device of a Japanese mobile communication network receives an e-mail addressed to the mobile device, it sends an incoming notification message to the mobile device using a messaging service of the local mobile communication network. Become.

  SMS (Short Message Service) is widely used as a messaging service used for sending and receiving messages such as incoming notification messages in European mobile communication networks. Therefore, here, it is assumed that a mail server device of a Japanese mobile communication network transmits an incoming notification message as an SMS message. As a technique for transmitting an incoming call notification message as an SMS message, for example, a technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 can be cited. However, even if this technique is used to modify a mail server device of a Japanese mobile communication network so that an incoming notification message can be transmitted as an SMS message, the following inconvenience occurs.

  The SMS center transmits an SMS message in a network employing SMS. There is a mobile communication network that opens this SMS center to the outside. In such a mobile communication network, the SMS center is connected to an external network that can be used even by non-contractors such as the Internet, and therefore, there is a high possibility that an unauthorized SMS message will reach a mobile device under the mobile communication network. . When such a mobile communication network is a roaming destination mobile communication network, when an SMS message imitating an incoming notification message from a Japanese mail server device is transmitted to a user's mobile device across Europe, This mobile device receives this SMS message and misidentifies it as an incoming notification message from a Japanese mail server device. When such a misidentification occurs, the mobile device performs a process of requesting the transmission of an e-mail when no e-mail has arrived. As a result, the reliability of the incoming notification message in the roaming-out mobile device is increased. It will decline.

By the way, in the pseudo-push type e-mail service, when the telephone network has a caller ID notification function, a technique for specifying the notification source of the incoming notification using this function in the e-mail receiving terminal is proposed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2 or 3). If this technique is applied, it seems that the above-mentioned inconvenience can be solved. However, in order to be able to use the caller ID notification function even in a roaming destination mobile communication network, the roaming destination equipment must be significantly modified, which is unrealistic. If such a modification is practically possible, it is much better to make the incoming call notification communication protocol adopted at the roaming source usable at the roaming destination. The above inconvenience arises because it is difficult to do this, so the approach itself trying to resolve the above inconvenience using a technology that identifies the notification source of the incoming call notification using the caller ID notification function is erroneous It is.
JP 2002 1970703 A JP 2002-335322 A JP 2002-190834 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances. Transfer of a message transferred using a push-type transfer protocol represented by an incoming e-mail notification message between a roaming source and a roaming destination. An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of increasing the reliability of a received message in a roaming destination mobile device to the same level as the reliability of a received message in a roaming source mobile device even if the protocols are different.

The present invention provides a mobile device having a first communication means for communicating with a first mobile communication network and a second communication means for communicating with a second mobile communication network, a push-type transmission device, An electronic mail server device that requests the push-type transmission device to notify the destination mobile device of an incoming e-mail when the destination receives an electronic mail of the mobile device, and the push-type transmission device , the e-mail incoming in the request from the server apparatus notifies the destination of the mobile station, and determines the roaming determining means for determining whether roaming to the first mobile communication network or et second mobile communication network, When the determination result by the roaming determination unit is affirmative, information unique to itself is added to the incoming notification message for notifying the incoming call, and a generation unit for generating a transmission message is generated by the generation unit. And a transmitting means for transmitted the transmission message to the second mobile communication network, the mobile station is roaming means for switching the communication means to be used from the first communication unit to the second communication means Key information storage means for storing predetermined key information, and means for receiving a message from the second mobile communication network using the second communication means, wherein the second mobile communication network Added to the message received by the message receiving means, the message receiving means for receiving the transmission message transmitted from the transmitting means to the second mobile communication network, and the message received by the message receiving means. A source of the message is determined based on the information and the key information stored in the key information storage means, and the device of the second mobile communication network is the source That the when determining does not respond to the message, when the push-type transmission apparatus is determined to be the transmission source and the returning means for returning an acknowledgment message notifying of the reception of the message A push-type transmission system is provided.
In this push-type transmission system, when the push-type transmission device is requested to notify the arrival of an e-mail from the e-mail server device, the notification destination mobile device changes from the first mobile communication network to the second mobile communication network. When roaming, a transmission message generated by adding information unique to the push-type transmission device to the incoming notification message for notifying the incoming call is transmitted to the second mobile communication network . This transmission message reaches the mobile device via the second mobile communication network. In the mobile device, the transmission source of the message can be determined based on the unique information in the transmission message.

Further, the present invention relates to a mobile device of the destination of the message to be transmitted, and determines the roaming determining means for determining whether roaming to the first mobile communication network or et second mobile communication network, said roaming determining means Generating means for generating a transmission message by adding information unique to itself to the message to be transmitted when the determination result by the method is affirmative, and transmitting the transmission message generated by the generation means to the second movement providing a push-type transmission apparatus having transmitting means for transmitting to the mobile station before Symbol destination sends to the communication network.
This push-type transmitting device transmits information specific to the push-type transmitting device when the destination mobile device of the message to be transmitted roams from the first mobile communication network to the second mobile communication network. A transmission message generated in addition to the incoming notification message is sent to the second mobile communication network . This transmission message reaches the mobile device via the second mobile communication network. In the mobile device, the transmission source of the message can be determined based on the unique information in the transmission message.

In the present invention, the first communication means for communicating with the first mobile communication network, the second communication means for communicating with the second mobile communication network, and the communication means to be used are the first communication means. A roaming means for switching from the communication means to the second communication means, a key information storage means for storing predetermined key information, and a message from the second mobile communication network using the second communication means. Means for receiving , wherein a message originating from the device of the second mobile communication network and information specific to the device constituting the first mobile communication network are added to the first mobile communication network wherein the message receiving means for the second to receive a message sent to the mobile communication network, wherein the key information stored in the information and the key information storage unit that is added to the received message by said message receiving means from the Determine the source of the message based on, when said second mobile communication network device is determined to be the sender does not respond to the message, apparatus of the first mobile communication network When it is determined that is a transmission source, there is provided a mobile device having reply means for returning an acknowledgment message notifying that the message has been received .
When the mobile device receives from the second mobile communication network a message to which information unique to the transmission source is received, the mobile device can determine the transmission source of the message based on this message and predetermined key information. it can.

  According to the present invention, the reliability of the received message at the roaming destination mobile device is the same as the reliability of the received message at the roaming source mobile device without modifying the second mobile communication network that is the roaming destination of the mobile device. Can be as high as possible.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Constitution]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the communication system includes a mobile communication network IMT, a mobile communication network GSM, and an inter-network connection network N. The mobile communication network IMT is a network facility that conforms to the IMT2000 (international Mobile Telecommunication-2000) system. The mobile communication network IMT is managed by a Japanese mobile communication operator A. This mobile communication network IMT is used for a mobile device used by a user who has signed a communication service contract with the mobile communication carrier A (hereinafter referred to as a “contracted user of the mobile communication carrier A”), for example, for calling or data communication. Providing communication services. In FIG. 1, the mobile devices MS1 and MS2 are mobile devices of the contract user of the mobile communication carrier A. In this mobile communication network IMT, a unique messaging service (communication protocol) is adopted for transmission / reception of an incoming notification message for notifying the mobile device of the arrival of an electronic mail addressed to the mobile device.

  The mobile communication network GSM is a well-known network facility according to the GSM (global System for Mobile Communication) system. The mobile communication network GSM is managed by a European mobile communication carrier B, which provides communication services such as telephone calls and data communication to mobile devices used by users who have signed a communication service contract with the mobile communication carrier B. provide. This communication service includes SMS. This SMS conforms to the provisions of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP). In the mobile communication network GSM, the above-described messaging service unique to the mobile communication network IMT is not adopted.

The network connection network N is a common line signal network installed across countries, and the mobile communication network IMT and the mobile communication network GSM are interconnected via the network connection network N. Mobile telecommunications carrier A and mobile telecommunications carrier B have a business alliance on international roaming and can provide an international roaming service to mobile devices used by contract users of each mobile telecommunications carrier. ing. For example, even if the mobile station MS1 moves from the service area of the mobile communication network IMT to the service area of the mobile communication network GSM, as indicated by the dotted arrow in FIG. 1, the mobile communication network GSM, the network connection network N, and A communication service provided by the mobile communication network IMT can be received via the mobile communication network IMT. Further, when the SMS message having the destination address as the country number and node identification information in the corresponding in-zone response and the telephone number in the incoming call notification request is transferred, the inter-network connection network N corresponds to this. Forward to the appropriate relay node in the country.
In the present specification, the fact that the mobile device is in the service area covered by the network equipment (or node equipment) is expressed as “the mobile equipment is in the network equipment (or node equipment)”. Further, the fact that the mobile device is in the roaming destination is expressed as “the mobile device roams out”.

  The mobile communication network IMT includes a plurality of base stations represented by base stations BTS1 to BTS4, a plurality of subscriber exchanges represented by subscriber exchanges LMMS1 and LMMS2, a gateway exchange GMMS, a location register LR, and a mail server MALS. I have. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the base stations BTS1 to BTS4, the generic term “base station BTS” is used. Similarly, the generic term “subscriber exchange LMMS” or the generic term “mobile station MS” is used as necessary. The gateway exchange GMMS is connected to lower-level subscriber exchanges LMMS (eg, subscriber exchanges LMMS1 and LMMS2), and the subscriber exchange LMMS (eg, subscriber exchange LMMS1) A base station BTS (for example, base station BTS1 and base station BTS2) located at a lower level is connected. Further, a mail server MALS and an internet connection network N are connected to the gateway exchange GMMS. The mail server MALS is connected to the Internet INET. Although not shown, the subscriber exchange LMMS is connected to the network connection network N.

  The mobile communication network GSM includes a relay node GMSC corresponding to the gateway switching center GMMS, a relay node MSC corresponding to the subscriber switching center LMMS, a base station (not shown) corresponding to the base station BTS, and a location register LR (not shown). A location register and an SMS center C are provided. The SMS center C has a center function in SMS. The SMS center C is connected to the Internet INET, generates an SMS message in response to a request from the Internet INET, and transmits it to the relay node GMSC. The relay node GMSC is connected to the SMS center C and the network connection network N. When receiving the SMS message, the relay node GMSC attempts to transfer the SMS message to the destination using facilities such as a location register and the relay node MSC. Further, the relay node MSC is connected to the inter-network connection network N. When receiving the SMS message, the relay node MSC tries to transfer the SMS message to the destination using facilities such as a location register. If the mobile communication network GSM is a communication network that provides GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), the relay node GMSC is replaced with GGSN, and the relay node MSC is replaced with SGSN.

  In the mobile communication network IMT, the location information indicating the location status of the mobile device MS is registered in the location register LR by so-called location registration. In the location register LR, the location information of the mobile device MS is stored in association with the telephone number of the mobile device MS. For example, if the mobile station MS1 performs location registration via the base station BTS2 in the location register LR, node identification information representing the subscriber exchange LMMS1 is registered in association with the telephone number of the mobile station MS1 and relayed. If location registration is performed via the node MSC, node identification information representing the relay node MSC is registered in association with the telephone number of the mobile station MS1.

  Further, when the location register LR receives a location confirmation request including a telephone number, the location register LR acquires node identification information stored in association with the telephone number, and returns a location response including the node identification information. However, if this mobile station MS is roaming out, the location response includes not only the node identification information, but also the country code of the roaming destination of this mobile station MS and that the mobile station MS is roaming out. Roaming out information is included. The location register LR is actually composed of a home location register in which all the location information is registered and a plurality of visited location registers in which some location information is registered. Since the configuration is well known, in this specification, description is made using a location register LR in which these registers are virtually integrated.

  When the mail server MALS receives an e-mail addressed to the mobile station MS of the contract user of the mobile communication network IMT via the Internet INET or the gateway exchange GMMS, the mail server MALS transmits an incoming call notification request to the gateway exchange GMMS. This incoming call notification request is a signal requesting that an incoming call notification message be transmitted to the destination mobile station MS, in order to acquire the telephone number of this mobile station MS and an unacquired e-mail. URL (Uniform Resource Locator) necessary for

  Further, the mail server MALS receives the incoming notification response transmitted from the gateway exchange GMMS, and based on the content (positive content / negative content) of this incoming notification response, the incoming notification corresponding to this incoming notification message It is determined whether the message is received by the corresponding mobile station MS. In addition, when the mobile device MSS requests acquisition of an electronic mail using the URL in the incoming notification request transmitted from the mail server MALS, the mobile device MS sends an unacquired electronic mail to the mobile device MS. Send to.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the gateway exchange GMMS. As is clear from this figure, the gateway exchange GMMS can be regarded as a computer that executes a program and realizes functions. As shown in this figure, the gateway switching center GMMS controls a communication interface 11 for communicating with a subscriber switching center LMMS, a mail server MALS, an inter-network connection network N, and a location register LR, which are located at a lower level. CPU 12, RAM 13 that provides a work area for CPU 12, and nonvolatile memory 14 that is read from and written to CPU 12. A control program 141 to be executed by the CPU 12 is written in the non-volatile memory 14, and when a power supply (not shown) is turned on, the CPU 12 executes the control program 141 to perform line or packet switching processing. Various processes such as an incoming notification process described later are performed. When the power is turned on, an IP (Internet Protocol) address is given to the gateway exchange GMMS.

  Further, the SMS center number 142, the application ID 143, the country number 144, and the node identification information 145 are written in the nonvolatile memory 14. By executing the control program 141, the CPU 12 causes the gateway exchange GMMS to operate as an SMS center having a center function compliant with ETSI regulations and WAP. The number assigned to the SMS center is the SMS center number 142. The SMS center number is unique to the SMS center and is set as a transmission source address in the header of the SMS message transmitted from the SMS center. The gateway exchange GMMS does not have a function of relaying the SMS message to another SMS center. This is because the reliability of the SMS message from the gateway exchange GMMS is ensured.

  The application ID is identification information for identifying a program for performing processing according to the content of the SMS message in the device that has received the SMS message, and is a network that can use the SMS message in this way (in this embodiment, Mobile communication network IMT and mobile communication network GSM). An application ID assigned to a later-described control program 251 executed by the mobile device MS is an application ID 143. The country number 144 is an identification number for identifying the country (Japan) in which the gateway exchange GMMS exists. The node identification information 145 is node identification information of the gateway exchange GMMS.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flow of incoming notification processing performed when the CPU 12 of the gateway exchange GMMS receives an incoming notification request from the mail server MALS. As shown in this figure, when receiving an incoming notification request from the mail server MALS, the CPU 12 determines whether or not an IP address is assigned to the mobile station MS specified by the telephone number in the request, that is, the mobile station It is determined whether or not a bearer used by the MS to send and receive IP packets is secured (step SA1). If this determination result is affirmative, the CPU 12 transmits an incoming call notification message to the mobile station MS2 using this bearer (step SA6). This incoming notification message is an IP packet including the URL in the incoming notification request and information indicating that it is an incoming notification message. The IP address of the mobile station MS is used as a destination address, and gateway exchange is performed as a source address. It contains the IP address of the station GMMS.

  On the other hand, when the above determination result is negative, the CPU 12 transmits a location check request including the telephone number in the incoming notification request to the location register LR, and the presence register returned from the location register LR. A service area response is received (step SA2). The CPU 12 determines whether or not the mobile station MS of the telephone number is roaming out based on the received presence response (step SA3). If the determination result is negative, the mobile station MS Starts a bearer securing process for securing a bearer to be used for sending and receiving IP packets, and after successfully securing the bearer, an incoming notification message based on the incoming notification request is sent to the mobile device using the bearer. Transmit to the MS (step SA3: NO, SA4, SA5: YES, and SA6). This incoming notification message is the same as the above IP packet. Note that the bearer securing process includes a process of waiting for a bearer securing request from the mobile station MS and a process of actually securing a bearer in response to the request from the mobile station MS.

  Further, when the incoming call notification response message for the incoming call notification message arrives, the CPU 12 receives it. Further, for each of the transmitted incoming notification messages, the CPU 12 receives an incoming notification response message for the incoming notification message before the elapsed time from the transmission of the incoming notification message reaches a predetermined unique waiting time. An affirmative response process is performed (steps SA7: YES and SA8), and a negative response process is performed when the elapsed time reaches the unique waiting time without receiving the incoming call notification response message (steps SA7: NO, and SA9). The CPU 12 transmits an incoming notification response with a positive content in the positive response processing and an incoming notification response with a negative content in the negative response processing to the mail server MALS as a response to the corresponding incoming notification request. Further, the CPU 12 performs the above-described negative response process even when the bearer securing fails (step SA5: NO, SA9). If the CPU 12 determines that the mobile station MS having the telephone number in the received incoming call notification request is roaming out, the CPU 12 generates an incoming call notification message in the SMS message format and transmits it to the mobile station MS ( Step SA3: YES and SA10).

  FIG. 4 is a view showing the data structure of an incoming notification message in the SMS message format. As is clear from this figure, the CPU 12 adds an WSP header, a WDP header, and an SM header to the data to generate an incoming call notification message in the SMS message format. The data includes the URL in the corresponding incoming notification request, the WSP header includes the application ID 143 written in advance in the nonvolatile memory 14, and the SM header includes the country code and node identification information in the corresponding in-zone response. And the telephone number in the incoming notification request as the destination address, and the SMS center number 142 written in advance in the nonvolatile memory 14 as the source SMS center number. Further, the incoming notification message in the SMS message format also includes a country code 144 and node identification information 145 written in advance in the nonvolatile memory 14 at a predetermined data position.

  Further, when an incoming call notification response message for this incoming call notification message arrives, the CPU 12 receives it. The CPU 12 receives an incoming call notification response message for each incoming call notification message before the elapsed time from the transmission of the incoming call notification message reaches a predetermined SMS waiting time. If yes, an affirmative response process is performed (step SA11: YES, SA12 and SA13), and if the elapsed time reaches the SMS waiting time without receiving the incoming call notification response message, a negative response process is performed (step SA11: NO and SA14). The contents of the positive response process and the negative response process are the same as those described above. In addition, when the CPU 12 performs an acknowledgment process for the incoming notification message in the SMS message format, the CPU 12 starts the bearer securing process described above for the mobile station MS that is the destination of the incoming notification message (step SA13).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the mobile device MS. As is clear from this figure, the mobile station MS can be regarded as a computer that executes a program to realize a function. As shown in this figure, the mobile station MS includes an IMT radio unit 21 for radio communication with a base station BTS of a mobile communication network IMT, a GSM radio unit 22 for radio communication with a base station of a mobile communication network GSM, The CPU 23 switches the wireless unit used between them, the RAM 24 that provides the work area to the CPU 23, and the nonvolatile memory 25 that is read from and written to the CPU 23. In the nonvolatile memory 25, a control program 251 to be executed by the CPU 23 is written in advance. When a power supply (not shown) is turned on, the CPU 23 executes the control program 251 to execute the mobile communication networks IMT and GSM. Various processes such as a communication process, roaming process, and incoming call notification process described later are performed.

In the nonvolatile memory 25 , the telephone number of the mobile station MS, the first key information 252, the second key information 253, and the third key information 254 are written in advance. The first key information 252 is the SMS center number of the gateway exchange GMMS, the second key information 253 is the application ID given to the control program 251, and the third key information 254 is for specifying the mail server MALS. It is a character string. In addition, when the mobile station MS is located in the mobile communication network GSM, when an SMS message including its own telephone number is transmitted to the destination address via the radio section of the mobile communication network GSM, Receive.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flow of processing performed when the CPU 23 of the mobile device MS receives the SMS message. As shown in this figure, when receiving an SMS message, the CPU 23 overwrites the buffer 241 secured in the RAM 24 with this message. The buffer 241 is a storage area in which the received SMS message is temporarily written, and is secured by the CPU 23 when the power is turned on. Further, the CPU 23 extracts key information from the SMS message written in the buffer 241 (step SB1). Specifically, the CPU 23 extracts three data existing at a predetermined data position in the SMS message.

  Next, the CPU 23 collates the extracted set of key information with the set of key information 252 to 254 written in the nonvolatile memory 25 (step SB2). This collation is performed by comparing pieces of information that should be matched. Then, the CPU 23 determines whether or not all pieces of information that should be matched in this collation match, that is, the set of extracted key information matches the set of key information 252 to 254 written in the nonvolatile memory 25. Is determined (step SB3). If the determination result is affirmative, the CPU 23 regards the SMS message as a valid incoming notification message, and returns an MT confirmation response message for notifying that the incoming notification message has been received, A process of securing a bearer used for transmitting and receiving a packet is started (steps SB3: YES and SB4). At this time, the CPU 23 requests the gateway exchange GMMS to secure a bearer.

  Further, when the bearer is secured after the received SMS message is regarded as a valid incoming notification message, the CPU 23 uses the bearer and the URL in the incoming notification message to send an unacquired e-mail. Obtained from the mail server MALS (step SB5). Further, when the CPU 23 acquires an electronic mail from the mail server MALS, the CPU 23 writes the acquired electronic mail in the nonvolatile memory 25. On the other hand, if the determination result as to whether or not they match is negative, the CPU 23 considers that the SMS message is not a valid incoming call notification message, and does nothing with the SMS message (step SB3: NO). The CPU 23 of the mobile device MS performs a process of receiving an incoming notification message in IP packet format and acquiring an unacquired e-mail when the mobile device MS is in the mobile communication network IMT. Since this processing is well known, it will be briefly described when describing the operation of the present embodiment.

[Operation]
Next, the operation of the communication system configured as described above will be described. 7 to 13 referred to in the following description are diagrams showing a communication sequence in the communication system.
First, an operation when an electronic mail addressed to the mobile device MS2 arrives at the mail server MALS from the Internet INET will be described. However, it is assumed that the mobile station MS2 is located in the subscriber switching center LMMS2 of the mobile communication network IMT. When receiving the electronic mail, the mail server MALS transmits an incoming call notification request s71 to the gateway exchange GMMS as shown in FIG. This incoming call notification request s71 is a signal for requesting transmission of an incoming call notification message to the mobile station MS2, and the URL necessary for the mobile station MS2 to acquire an unacquired e-mail. Including.

  When the CPU 12 of the gateway exchange GMMS receives the incoming call notification request s71, it determines whether or not the bearer used for the mobile device MS2 to send and receive IP packets is secured (step SA1). Here, it is assumed that this bearer is not secured. Therefore, the CPU 12 transmits a location check request s72 including the telephone number in the incoming call notification request s71 to the location register LR (step SA1: NO). When the location register LR receives this location confirmation request s72, the location register LR acquires the identification information of the relay node (switching office) where the mobile station MS2 is located, and returns a location response s73 including this. Since the mobile station MS2 is located in the subscriber switching center LMMS2 constituting the mobile communication network IMT, the location response s73 includes the identification information of the subscriber switching center LMMS2, while the country code or roaming out is being performed. The roaming-out information indicating that is not included.

  The CPU 12 receives the located area response s73 returned from the location register LR (step SA2), and determines whether or not the destination mobile device MS2 is roaming out (step SA3). Since the received location response s73 does not include roaming-out information, the CPU 12 determines that roaming-out is not being performed (step SA3: NO), and secures a bearer used by the mobile station MS2 for sending and receiving IP packets. The bearer securing process for this is started (step SA4). However, if the mobile station MS2 is in a state where wireless communication with the base station BTS is not possible, this bearer cannot be secured. Therefore, the CPU 12 determines whether or not the bearer has been successfully secured (step SA5), and selects subsequent processing according to the determination result.

  If it is determined that the bearer has been successfully secured (step SA5: YES), the CPU 12 transmits an incoming call notification message s74 to the mobile station MS2 using this bearer (step SA6). This incoming notification message s74 is an IP packet including the URL and information indicating that it is an incoming notification message. This IP packet uses the IP address assigned to the mobile station MS2 as the destination address and the IP address of the gateway exchange GMMS as the source address, and is routed by the exchange (for example, the subscriber exchange LMMS2) in the mobile communication network IMT. Finally, it is received by the mobile station MS2.

  When receiving the incoming call notification message s74, the CPU 23 of the mobile device MS2 returns an incoming call notification response message s75 for notifying that the incoming call notification message has been received. When the CPU 12 of the gateway exchange GMMS receives this incoming call notification response message s75 (step SA7: YES), it sends an incoming call notification response s76 having a positive content to the mail server MALS (step SA8). The mail server MALS receives this incoming notification notification response s76, thereby grasping that the incoming of the corresponding electronic mail is notified to the mobile station MS2. Then, the CPU 23 of the mobile device MS2 acquires an unacquired e-mail from the mail server MALS using the URL in the incoming call notification message s74 and the secured bearer, and writes it in the nonvolatile memory 25.

  On the other hand, if the mobile station MS2 becomes unable to wirelessly communicate with the base station BTS after securing the bearer, the incoming call notification message s74 transmitted from the CPU 12 of the gateway switching center GMMS is delivered to the mobile station MS2 as shown in FIG. Absent. In this case, the CPU 12 does not receive the incoming notification response message even if the elapsed time from the transmission of the incoming notification message s74 reaches a predetermined unique waiting time, and the incoming notification message s74 has not arrived at the mobile station MS2. Regardless (step SA7: NO), an incoming notification response s77 having a negative content is transmitted to the mail server MALS (step SA9). The mail server MALS receives the incoming notification response s77, thereby grasping that the corresponding incoming e-mail has not been notified to the mobile station MS2.

  If the CPU 12 of the gateway exchange GMMS determines that the bearer allocation has failed (step SA5: NO), the CPU 12 sends a negative content without sending an incoming call notification message as shown in FIG. Is sent to the mail server MALS (step SA9).

  The above operation is an operation when it is assumed that no bearer is secured with the mobile station MS2 when the gateway exchange GMMS receives the incoming call notification request s71. Here, the operation when this bearer is secured will be described. In this case, the CPU 12 determines that a bearer is secured (step SA1: YES). As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the CPU 12 transmits the incoming call notification message s74 to the mobile station MS2 using this bearer (step SA6). Subsequent operations are as described above. FIG. 10 shows a communication sequence in the case where the mobile station MS2 continues to be able to perform wireless communication with the base station BTS even after the above determination.

  Next, an operation when an electronic mail addressed to the mobile device MS1 arrives at the mail server MALS from the Internet INET will be described. However, it is assumed that the mobile device MS1 is roaming out and is located in the relay node MSC of the mobile communication network GSM. Upon receiving this electronic mail, the mail server MALS transmits an incoming call notification request s81 to the gateway exchange GMMS as shown in FIG. This incoming call notification request s81 is a signal for requesting transmission of an incoming call notification message to the mobile device MS1, and a telephone number of the mobile device MS1 and a URL necessary for the mobile device MS1 to acquire an unacquired e-mail. Including.

  When the CPU 12 of the gateway exchange GMMS receives the incoming call notification request s81, it determines whether or not the bearer used for the mobile device MS1 to transmit and receive IP packets is secured (step SA1). The operation when this bearer is secured is the same as the operation described above (steps SA1: YES and SA6 to SA9). Therefore, only the operation when this bearer is not secured will be described below. If the CPU 12 determines that this bearer is not secured (step SA1: NO), the CPU 12 transmits a location check request s82 including the telephone number in the incoming notification request s81 to the location register LR. When the location register LR receives this location confirmation request s82, the node identification information for identifying the relay node (relay node MSC) where the mobile device (mobile device MS1) of this telephone number is located, this relay A location response s83 including a country code indicating the country in which the node exists and roaming out information indicating that the node is roaming out is returned.

  The CPU 12 receives the in-service response s83 returned from the location register LR (step SA2), and determines whether or not the destination mobile device MS1 is roaming out (step SA3). Since the received presence response s83 includes roaming out information, the CPU 12 determines that roaming out is in progress (step SA3: YES), generates an incoming call notification message s84 addressed to the mobile station MS1, and Is transmitted to the mobile station MS1 (step SA10). The data structure of this incoming notification message s84 is as shown in FIG. However, in this incoming notification message s84, the URL in the incoming notification request s81 is used as data, and the country code and node identification information in the location response s83 and the telephone number in the incoming notification request s81 (the telephone number of the mobile station MS1) As the destination address in the SM header.

  The incoming call notification message s84 is sent to the inter-network connection network N by the CPU 12. The sent incoming notification message s84 is delivered by the network connection network N to the relay node MSC of the mobile communication network GSM. When the relay node MSC receives the incoming notification message s84 delivered from the network connection network N, the mobile station (mobile station MS1) having the telephone number of the destination address can receive radio waves used in the radio section of the mobile communication network GSM. If it is in this state, this message is transmitted to the radio section.

  Since the telephone number of the mobile device MS1 is set in the destination address of the SM header of the incoming notification message s84, the CPU 23 of the mobile device MS1 uses the GSM wireless unit 22 to change the wireless section of the mobile communication network GSM. The propagated incoming notification message s 84 is received and overwritten in the buffer 241 secured in the RAM 24. Next, the CPU 23 extracts key information used for later verification from the incoming notification message s84 in the buffer 241 (step SB1). Specifically, the CPU 23 extracts three data existing at predetermined data positions in the incoming notification message s84. Since the incoming notification message s84 is a legitimate incoming notification message transmitted from the gateway exchange GMMS, the above extraction extracts the SMS center number 142 and application ID 143 written in the nonvolatile memory 14 of the gateway exchange GMMS. Then, a character string for specifying the mail server MALS is extracted from the URL in the incoming notification request s81.

  Next, the CPU 23 collates the extracted set of key information with the set of key information 252 to 254 written in the non-volatile memory 25 (step SB2), and determines whether or not both match in this collation. Determination is made (step SB3). Since the incoming notification message s84 is a valid incoming notification transmitted from the gateway exchange GMMS, the determination result of the CPU 23 is “matched”. Therefore, the CPU 23 returns an MT confirmation response message s85 for notifying that the incoming call notification message s84 has been received (step SB4).

  Since the destination address of the MT acknowledgment message s85 includes the country code 144 and the node identification information 145, the mobile communication network GSM and the network connection network N send the MT acknowledgment message s85 to the gateway exchange GMMS. deliver. The CPU 12 of the gateway exchange GMMS receives this MT confirmation response message s85 (step SA11: YES), and sends an incoming notification response s86 with a positive content to the mail server MALS (step SA12), while the mobile station MS1 A bearer securing process for securing a bearer used for sending and receiving IP packets is started (step SA13). The mail server MALS receives the incoming call notification response s86 from the gateway exchange GMMS, thereby grasping that the incoming call of the corresponding electronic mail is notified to the mobile device MS1. Then, the CPU 23 of the mobile device MS1 acquires an unacquired e-mail from the mail server MALS using the URL in the incoming notification message s84 and the secured bearer (step SB5), and writes it in the nonvolatile memory 25.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, if the mobile station MS1 is in a state where wireless communication with the base station of the mobile communication network GSM is not possible, the incoming call notification message s84 does not reach the mobile station MS1. In this case, the CPU 12 of the gateway exchange GMMS determines that the incoming notification message s84 has not arrived at the mobile device MS1 (step SA11: NO), and sends an incoming notification response s87 having a negative content to the mail server MALS (step S11). SA14). This determination may be made based on a response from the mobile communication network GSM, or based on whether or not an MT acknowledgment message for the incoming notification message s84 has arrived within a predetermined SMS waiting time. Also good. In the latter case, the SMS waiting time should be set longer than the aforementioned unique waiting time. The incoming call notification response s87 transmitted from the gateway exchange GMMS is received by the mail server MALS. Thereby, the mail server MALS grasps that the incoming of the corresponding electronic mail is not notified to the mobile device MS1.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 13, an operation when an SMS message addressed to mobile station MS1 roaming out and residing in relay node MSC is transmitted from SMS center C of mobile communication network GSM will be described. In this case, this SMS message reaches the mobile station MS1 via the network equipment (for example, the relay node GMSC and the relay node MSC) constituting the mobile communication network GSM. The CPU 23 of the mobile device MS1 receives this SMS message using the GSM radio unit 22, overwrites the buffer 241 secured in the RAM 24, and performs the same processing as described above (steps SB1, SB2, and SB3). However, since the set of key information extracted from the SMS message does not match the set of key information 252 to 254 written in the non-volatile memory 25 (step SB3: NO), the CPU 23 will thereafter process the SMS message. Do nothing. The contents stored in the buffer 241 are overwritten every time the CPU 23 receives the SMS message, and cleared when the power supply (not shown) is turned off. The fact that nothing is performed on the received SMS message means that the SMS message is discarded. Is equivalent to

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the mobile station MS of the contract user of the mobile communication carrier A is roamed out and located in the mobile communication network GSM of the mobile communication carrier B, When an SMS message addressed to the mobile station MS is received, it can be determined whether or not this SMS message is an incoming notification message from the roaming source. As a result, the reliability of the incoming notification message in the SMS message format in the mobile station MS is comparable to the reliability of the incoming notification message in the IP packet format without modifying the existing mobile communication network GSM and the network connection network N. It can be.

  In this embodiment, since a plurality of pieces of key information are used in the collation, the accuracy of the above determination is improved and the incoming notification message may be forged as compared with the case of using one key information. Lower. Furthermore, since the key information is arranged in a plurality of layers in the incoming notification message, the possibility that the incoming notification message is forged becomes lower. In addition, since it complies with the prevailing SMS rules, the roaming destination of the mobile device MS is not limited to the mobile communication network GSM.

  In the above-described embodiment, the SMS center number 142 is used as it is in the collation. However, only a part of the SMS center number 142 is used as the first key information 252, and a part of the SMS center number 142 and the first key information 252 are used. You may make it compare.

  In the embodiment described above, the MT confirmation response message is transmitted in response to the SMS message format incoming notification message. However, the roaming out from the mobile communication network that does not use the incoming notification response message for the mobile device that has not roamed out. If so, the MT confirmation response message may not be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the gateway exchange GMMS has a number of functions. However, various functions are distributed to a plurality of devices, and these devices cooperate to realize a function equivalent to the gateway exchange GMMS. You may comprise. For example, the gateway exchange GMMS may perform other processing only in the incoming notification processing when the mobile device that is the destination of the incoming notification message to be transmitted is roaming.

  In the above-described embodiment, the two mobile communication networks are connected to each other by the inter-network connection network installed across the countries. However, the two mobile communication networks performing the roaming service exist in the same country. When doing so, the internetwork connection network does not need to straddle countries. In practice, the number of mobile communication networks interconnected by an inter-network connection network is large, and a roaming service is provided for each group. The number of mobile communication networks constituting this group may be 3 or more. Therefore, the present embodiment may be modified so as to be compatible with three or more mobile communication networks.

  In the above-described embodiment, the incoming notification message is transferred. However, a message other than the incoming notification message may be transferred. As a matter of course, the device that gives a message transmission request to the gateway exchange is not limited to the electronic mail server device, and may be a device outside the mobile communication network. However, the message to be transferred is limited to the message to be transferred by the push type transfer protocol. When the device that gives a message transmission request to the gateway exchange is an electronic mail server device outside the mobile communication network, the electronic mail is acquired by the mobile device or a computer connected to the mobile device.

  In the gateway exchange, the application ID to be used may be dynamically changed according to the transmission source apparatus or program of the transmission request. Of course, the application ID to be specified needs to be registered in advance. In the mobile device, only a plurality of key information sets may be prepared, and the extracted key information sets and the plurality of sets may be collated to determine whether the message is a valid message. Of course, the user may select a group to be used for collation from a plurality of groups, and the above determination may be performed using only the selected group.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the process related to the SMS message in the mobile device is performed using the control program, but may be performed using another program used together with the control program. For example, it may be performed using a program that provides a higher-level function than the function provided using the control program, such as a Java (registered trademark) execution environment, or provided by this Java execution environment. You may make it carry out using the Java program which provides a function higher than a function.

  In the above-described embodiment, the mobile station MS uses the first key information 252, the second key information 253, and the third key information 254 written in the nonvolatile memory 25. It may be written in a separate recording medium represented by UIM (User Identity Module), and the mobile device may read out and use necessary key information from this recording medium. Of course, the second key information 253 may be read from a nonvolatile memory in the mobile device, and the first key information 252 and the third key information 254 may be read from a separate recording medium. In short, the storage means for storing the key information used for the mobile device may be inside or outside the housing of the mobile device. Note that this storage means is indispensable for the mobile device to provide the same function as the mobile device MS, so that even if the mobile device is separate from the mobile device, it can be regarded as a component constituting the mobile device.

  In the above-described embodiment, SMS is used as the incoming notification transfer protocol at the roaming destination. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the present embodiment may be modified according to the incoming notification transfer protocol at the roaming destination. Of course, the transfer protocol of the incoming notification at the roaming source is also arbitrary.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the communication system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the gateway exchange GMMS which comprises the communication system. It is a figure which shows the flow of the incoming call notification process performed when CPU12 of the same gateway exchange GMMS receives the incoming call notification request from the mail server MALS. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the incoming call notification message of the SMS message format used in the communication system. It is a figure which shows the structure of the mobile station MS which comprises the communication system. It is a figure which shows the flow of a process performed when CPU23 of the mobile device MS receives an SMS message. It is a figure which shows the communication sequence in the communication system. It is a figure which shows the communication sequence in the communication system. It is a figure which shows the communication sequence in the communication system. It is a figure which shows the communication sequence in the communication system. It is a figure which shows the communication sequence in the communication system. It is a figure which shows the communication sequence in the communication system. It is a figure which shows the communication sequence in the communication system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Communication interface, 12, 23 ... CPU, 13, 24 ... RAM, 14, 25 ... Nonvolatile memory, 21 ... IMT radio | wireless part, C ... SMS center, GMSC, MSC ... Relay node, 22 ... GSM radio | wireless part, GMMS ... gateway exchange, GSM, IMT ... mobile communication network, MALS ... mail server, MS1, MS2 ... mobile devices.

Claims (5)

A mobile device having a first communication means for communicating with the first mobile communication network and a second communication means for communicating with the second mobile communication network;
A push-type transmission device;
An email server device that requests the push-type transmission device to notify the destination mobile device of an incoming email when the destination receives the email of the mobile device;
The push-type transmitter is
The e-mail incoming in the request from the server apparatus notifies the destination of the mobile station, and determines the roaming determining means for determining whether roaming to the first mobile communication network or et second mobile communication network,
If the determination result by the roaming determination means is affirmative, generating means for generating a transmission message by adding information unique to itself to the incoming notification message for notifying the incoming call;
Transmission means for transmitting the transmission message generated by the generation means to the second mobile communication network ,
The mobile device is
Roaming means for switching the communication means to be used from the first communication means to the second communication means;
Key information storage means for storing predetermined key information;
Means for receiving a message from the second mobile communication network using the second communication means, the message originating from the device of the second mobile communication network; and the second from the transmission means. Message receiving means for receiving the transmission message transmitted to the mobile communication network of
Determining a source of the message based on information added to the message received by the message receiving means and the key information stored in the key information storage means; If it is determined that the device is a transmission source, it does not respond to the message, and if it is determined that the push-type transmission device is the transmission source, an acknowledgment message for notifying that the message has been received. A push-type transmission system comprising: a reply means for replying . Mobile destination of the message to be transmitted, and determines the roaming determining means for determining whether roaming to the first mobile communication network or et second mobile communication network,
Generating means for adding a unique information to the message to be transmitted and generating a transmission message when the determination result by the roaming determination means is positive;
Push type transmitting apparatus and a transmitting means for transmitting the transmission message generated by the generation unit to the mobile station before Symbol destination sends to the second mobile communication network. Request receiving means for receiving the transmission request transmitted from a processing device that transmits a transmission request for requesting transmission of a message;
The message to be transmitted is a message requested to be transmitted by the transmission request received by the request receiving means;
The generation unit generates a transmission message by adding information unique to itself and information specific to the processing device to the message to be transmitted when a determination result by the roaming determination unit is positive. The push-type transmission device according to claim 2. First communication means for communicating with a first mobile communication network;
A second communication means for communicating with a second mobile communication network;
Roaming means for switching the communication means to be used from the first communication means to the second communication means;
Key information storage means for storing predetermined key information;
Means for receiving a message from the second mobile communication network using the second communication means, the message originating from a device of the second mobile communication network; and the first mobile communication network Message receiving means for receiving a message sent from the first mobile communication network to the second mobile communication network with information unique to the device constituting
Based on the information added to the message received by the message receiving means and the key information stored in the key information storage means, the sender of the message is determined , and the second mobile communication network When it is determined that the device is the transmission source, it does not respond to the message, and when it is determined that the device of the first mobile communication network is the transmission source, it notifies that the message has been received. A mobile device comprising reply means for returning an acknowledgment message .   The mobile device according to claim 4, wherein the key information is information unique to devices constituting the first mobile communication network.

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