ISMU Enables Voice SMS Over WLAN Without 3GPP
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods fail to enable voice and text data services for mobile subscribers in environments without a 3GPP access network, particularly in private WLAN settings where GSM services are limited or unavailable, such as in-flight scenarios, and do not allow for full-featured voice and SMS functionality using one's own telephone number.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that authenticate mobile subscriber devices using a home location register and/or authentication center, storing the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) in a visitor location register, and converting voice and text data services between public communication and data network formats, providing a communication path through an Intelligent Subscriber Management Unit (ISMU) even when the 3GPP radio access network is switched off, utilizing IEEE 802.1x and EAP-SIM/AKA protocols for authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If mobile phone module is switched off and only WLAN connection is available, then power consumption is reduced and device can operate in flight mode, but voice and text data services cannot be accessed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an Intelligent Subscriber Management Unit (ISMU) as an intermediary between the mobile subscriber device and the public communication network. The ISMU includes a Visitor Location Register (VLR) that stores subscriber identity (IMSI) and acts as a mediator to enable voice and SMS services over WLAN by converting between different network protocols and formats, allowing services to be accessed without the mobile phone module being active
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the mobile subscriber device to access multiple services (voice calls, SMS messages, data services) through a single WLAN connection without requiring the 3GPP radio access network. The ISMU provides universal service delivery by handling authentication, message routing, and protocol conversion for various communication types through one unified interface
2Reliability
If GSM services are limited or unavailable in private WLAN settings, then network security and control are improved, but full-featured voice and SMS functionality cannot be accessed
Solution Approach 1:
The ISMU acts as a trusted intermediary that implements IEEE 802.1x and EAP-SIM/AKA authentication protocols to provide secure access control. It mediates between the WLAN network and the public communication network, ensuring that only authenticated subscribers can access voice and SMS services while maintaining network security and control policies
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the network access parameters by allowing service access through WLAN instead of requiring 3GPP radio access. The ISMU transforms the authentication and service delivery parameters to work over IP-based WLAN infrastructure while maintaining the security and functionality of traditional mobile services
3Reliability
If authentication is performed using home location register and visitor location register, then service reliability and security are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ISMU with VLR serves as a centralized intermediary that manages authentication and service delivery. It simplifies the overall system architecture by consolidating authentication management and protocol conversion functions in one unit, reducing the complexity burden on individual mobile devices while maintaining high service reliability and security through proper authentication protocols
Data Source
AI summary
Method and intelligent subscriber management unit for enabling voice and text data service from a public communication network (7) to a mobile subscriber device (1). Authenticating the mobile subscriber device (1) is achieved using a home location register (8) and/or authentication center (9), while the mobile subscriber device (1) is in reach of an access point (2) of a data network (3). A challenge response is received from a subscriber identity module (SIM) of the mobile subscriber device (1), and includes the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI (16)). The IMSI (16) is stored in a visitor location register (17) which is attached to the home location register (8). Then conversion of voice and text data service is executed between a first data format suitable for the public communication network (7) and a second data format suitable for the data network (3).