Group Call Short Message Delivery via FACCH Intermediary

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Solution Overview

Problem

In existing trunking communication systems, subscribers in a group call cannot receive short messages in a timely manner due to their inability to listen on Paging Channels (PCH) while engaged in group calls, leading to delivery failures and the need for subscribers to leave the call or initiate location updates.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where a short message indication is sent over a Fast Associated Control Channel (FACCH) during a group call, allowing subscribers to identify and receive short messages by leaving the group call or utilizing an uplink-free opportunity to initiate a channel request for dedicated control channels, ensuring timely delivery of short messages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If subscribers listen on Paging Channel (PCH) to receive short messages, then short message delivery is enabled, but subscribers cannot receive messages while engaged in group calls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshort message delivery reliabilityVSAvoidservice continuity during group call
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a Fast Associated Control Channel (FACCH) as an intermediary communication path to deliver short messages to subscribers during group calls. The FACCH acts as a mediator between the paging system and group call participants, enabling message delivery without requiring subscribers to switch from the group call downlink channel to the PCH, thus resolving the contradiction between message delivery reliability and service continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If subscribers leave group call or initiate location update to receive short messages, then message reception is achieved, but communication efficiency deteriorates and service interruption occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshort message receptionVSAvoidcommunication efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the FACCH as an available communication path during group calls. The network system prepares the FACCH resource in advance, so when a short message needs to be delivered to a subscriber in a group call, the message can be immediately transmitted through the pre-established FACCH without requiring the subscriber to leave the call or initiate location update procedures, thereby maintaining communication efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If subscribers remain in group call to maintain service continuity, then service interruption is avoided, but short message reception capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidshort message reception capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the FACCH multi-functional by using it for both group call control signaling and short message delivery. This universal channel serves dual purposes: maintaining group call operations and delivering short messages simultaneously. As a result, subscribers can remain in the group call to maintain service continuity while still receiving short messages through the same FACCH, resolving the contradiction between service continuity and message reception capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP1860892B1Methods and system for receiving and sending a short message by a group calling user
Publication Date: 2010.10.13 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP1860892B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1860892B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1860892B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The embodiments of the present invention provide a method for receiving a short message, including: receiving, by a group call service subscriber, a paging message including a short message indication indicating that a short message is to be received, wherein the paging message is sent by a Mobile Switching Centre, MSC; and receiving the short message according to the short message indication in the paging message. A system transmitting a short message is also provided, including: a Mobile Switching Center, MSC, for sending a paging message including a short message indication in response to receiving a short message; and a Mobile Station, MS, for receiving the paging message, and receiving the short message according to the short message indication in the paging message.