Connection of mobile devices to heterogenous networks

Abstract

An improved apparatus for connecting a mobile end system to a communications network includes a mobile end system with storage that is assigned a first unique identity code. An interface with a first transmitter is assigned a second unique identity code and is linked to the mobile end system via a first communications channel. A data switch with a second transmitter is assigned a third unique identity code, and is linked to the interface via a second communications channel. The data switch is also linked to the communications network via a third communications channel. The mobile end system transmits at least the first unique identity code to the interface, which transmits a least the first and second unique identity codes to the data switch, which in turn transmits at least the first, second and third unique identity codes to the communications network. A method of communicating data packets bidirectionally between two mobile end systems or between a mobile end system and a fixed end system through a communications network includes the steps of assigning unique identity codes to each mobile end system and to an interface device and a data witch for each mobile end system, setting up communication channels between the end systems, identifying the routing scheme to be used for the packet transmission, and establishing bidirectional communications between the end systems.

I claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus for connecting a mobile end system to a communications network comprising: a mobile end system incorporating storage means and having assigned thereto a first unique identity code;   an interface device including a first transmission means and having assigned thereto a second unique identity code, said interface device being linked to said mobile end system via a first communications channel; and   data switch means including a second transmission means and having assigned thereto a third unique identity code, said data switch means being linked to said interface device via a second communications channel and being additionally linked to a communications network via a third communications channel;   wherein said mobile end system communicates with said interface device by transmitting at least said first unique identity code thereto and wherein said interface device communicates with said data switch by transmitting at least said first and second unique identity codes thereto and said data switch means communicates said third unique identity code as well as said first and second unique identity codes to said communications network.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said communications network further comprises a telephone switch connectable to said mobile end system via said interface device. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said second unique identity code of said interface device comprises a telephone number, and said first transmission means comprises the establishment of a telephone call from said interface device to a third transmission means attached to said telephone switch. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said telephone switch transmits said second unique identity code to said third transmission means, which in turn transmits said telephone number to said data switch means. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said communications network further comprises a packet data network linked to said mobile end system through said interface device, and wherein said packet data network is assigned a unique identity means which comprises an address within said packet data network. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said interface device includes an associated storage means for storing said second unique identity code. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the communications network is either a fixed end system or a mobile end system. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the location of the mobile end system is stored within a mobile routing register. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said location comprises information to identify connection means for packet data communication. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said connection means comprises means for routing the data packets. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data switch means and said mobile end system comprise a modem and wherein said switching transmission means comprise setting up a switched circuit from said data switch to said interface device, for transmission of the data packets from said data switching modem to said mobile end system modem. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said communications network comprises a cellular packet data network, a cellular telephone switch and telephone circuits. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a cellular intersystem roaming protocol is used for identification of routing to be used for packet routing wherein a cellular telephone is to transmit a predetermined unique identification code to a cellular telephone switch which is to transmit said identification code to said data switch. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a cellular telephone switch, which comprises connection means for connecting radio channels to said telephone circuits, and said mobile end system communicate by means of switched circuit radio channel, and wherein said data packet comprises commands to said mobile end system to switch to said switched circuit radio channel. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein interface means comprises a cellular packet data radio or a packet radio channel, which transmits a predetermined unique identification code to said cellular packet data system which in turn transmits said identification code to the data switch. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said communications network comprises a circuit switch connected to a switched telephone network, linking it to said data switch, via one or more telephone circuits, which comprise signalling means for establishing switched circuits. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said circuit switch sends data packets to said data switch for establishing a switched circuit between said interface device, comprising said switched circuit communication means and said circuit switch. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said circuit switch forwards incoming calls to a directory number according to the identity of said interface device. 
     
     
       19. A method of communicating data packets bidirectionally between a mobile end system and either a fixed end system or a second mobile end system, said mobile end system being coupled to one or more subnetwork communication devices to communicate with a circuit switched network or packet data network, said method comprising the steps of: assigning unique identity codes at least one mobile end system, an interface device and a data switch means;   setting up communication channels between an originating device and a terminating device, one of which is said mobile end system;   identifying a routing scheme to be used for packet transmission; and   establishing bidirectional communications between said originating device and said terminating device.   
     
     
       20. The method according to claim 19, wherein said bidirectional communications between said originating device and said terminating device is via either a packet data network or a circuit switched network. 
     
     
       21. The method according to claim 19, wherein said mobile end system is coupled to one or more subnetwork communication devices, and said mobile end system determines its location and available connection means by monitoring said subnetwork connection devices. 
     
     
       22. The method according to claim 19, wherein a mobile routing register sends a route flush request. 
     
     
       23. The method according to claim 19, wherein call setup packets are interpreted by a mobile end system control in order to establish a path through an audio path switch to a modem and packet processor.