Pico cell home mode operation
US8494522B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 30, 2007 |
| Grant date | Jul 23, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 6, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W84/045
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Identification of radio coverage of a mobile station (MS) via a pico cell, such as an IP-BTS in a user premises (e.g. residence or business customer location), enables a mobile/wireless service provider to differentiate between coverage under a pico cell and coverage under a macro network. In a disclosed example, when the MS requests registration/authentication through a pico cell, a related signaling message includes a pico cell identifier (pID). A home location register (HLR) is provisioned with a pID, so that the HLR can decide to accept or reject the registration/authentication requests. For example, if the particular MS is provisioned for services from a specific pico cell, the HLR will grant the registration/authentication and allow the network to process calls for the mobile station through the identified pico cell. This enables the provider to allow discounted services through pico cell, e.g. as a replacement for a landline.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.