WO2004039000A1

WO2004039000A1 - A location service full mesh networking system and method therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2004039000A1
Application number: PCT/CN2003/000879
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hong Sun; Qi Cheng; Yimin Li; Jie Zhang
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2002-10-22
Filing date: 2003-10-21
Publication date: 2004-05-06
Also published as: AU2003280533A1; HK1065676A1; CN1293766C; CN1492693A

Abstract

This present invention provides a location service full mesh networking system, and the system consists of several service zone subsystems, comprising application layer which is used to supply various services; middleware layer, in other words, location-based service middle ware, for accomplishing the location-based value added services; network layer for supplying user’s location information; said service zone subsystems and interconnected via the location-based service middle ware. The present invention solves the problem of the interconnection and intercommunication between locating facilities by adding the middleware layer i.e. location-based service middle ware and by the interconnecting between the location-based service middle ware belonging to different service zone subsystem.

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a location service full-network networking system and implementation method. Background technique

In communication technology, location services include two concepts: positioning technology and positioning service. Among them, the positioning technology can be divided into different types according to the different wireless networks, mainly including: CelllD + Sector (cell + sector) based method, EOTD (Enhanced Observed Time Difference: Enhanced Arrival Time Difference), A-GPS (Assisted- Global Positioning System (Assisted Global Positioning System) and other methods; while positioning services use wireless terminals and wireless networks to determine the actual geographic location of mobile users, thereby providing mobile users with the required location-related service information . Positioning service refers to the location information provided by the wireless network, combined with various value-added features that a service provider (SP: Service Provider) can provide, so as to present mobile users with a value-added service based on the current location, such as: Vehicle scheduling, trip tracking, asset monitoring, etc.

Through the positioning capabilities provided by wireless networks, service providers can provide value-added services with their own characteristics based on user location information. Obviously, in order to better carry out location-based value-added services, service providers need to be able to easily obtain user location information. In addition, an important feature of location services is mobility, especially when users roam to different places, providing location-based services is particularly important. However, because the positioning equipment developed by various communication manufacturers does not comply with a unified standard, the positioning equipment cannot be interconnected and interoperable. At the same time, there are GSM and CDMA networks in China. The positioning standards of these two networks are also different. These problems The existence of mobile phones has seriously hindered the application of mobile location services in China's communications industry.

At present, some communication vendors have proposed some full-service network technologies for location services. However, because these technologies are targeted at local small business areas, there is no interoperability between these technologies. Standard interfaces, without encapsulation of GIS (Geography Information System), without differential selection of GIS, etc. Obviously there are many deficiencies. Specifically, they mainly include:

1. It increases the difficulty of technical implementation and management of location services provided by ordinary service providers;

2. There are problems such as the interconnection of different manufacturers' positioning equipment, different network positioning equipment, and different positioning technologies;

3. There are problems such as unified processing of user data, access methods, integration of GIS, and connection of roaming and positioning networks;

4. Unable to centrally manage user data, private information, service logic, etc.

5. The utilization rate of GIS system is not high, and the value chain is difficult to form. Summary of the Invention

In view of the above situation, the present invention proposes a location service-based middleware (LBS MW) interconnection, which solves the interconnection of the location services of different manufacturers, different network positioning devices, and different positioning technologies. Networking system and implementation method.

To achieve the above objective, the present invention proposes a location service full-network networking system, which is composed of a plurality of service area subsystems, and the service area subsystems include:

An application layer for providing various services;

The middleware layer, that is, the location service middleware, is used to complete location-based value-added business services; the network layer is used to provide user location information;

The business area subsystems are connected through the location service middleware;

After the application layer receives the request from the calling user, it is input to the location service middleware of the corresponding business area subsystem, and the location service middleware processes the request and sends it to the network layer, and the network layer will respond accordingly. The geographic information of the user is uploaded to the location service middleware, and the location service middleware performs value-added processing on the user information, and then returns the location value-added information that meets the request of the calling user to the application layer.

The location service middleware further includes a method for completing user authentication and privacy protection. Modules for protecting, billing, initiating positioning requests to MPC / GMLC and processing responses, integrating GIS, user roaming, GIS localization, and various application logic functions.

The location service middleware may also include a module for storing user information in a corresponding business area subsystem, storing positioning logic, and connecting to a local GIS.

The network layer more specifically includes a mobile positioning center / gateway mobile location center (MPC / GMLC: Mobile Position Center / Gateway Mobile Location Center), a GIS, a billing gateway, and a short message respectively connected to the location service middleware. center.

The present invention also proposes a method for realizing a full-service network of location services. The method includes the following steps:

a. The service provider receives the request of the calling user, and calls the external service provided by the location service middleware of the service provider, and sends a service request to the location service middleware;

b. The service provider's location service middleware processes the service request, and sends a request to the location service middleware to which the called user belongs to obtain the location information of the called user;

c. The location service middleware to which the called user belongs belongs processes the request, and sends a request to the location network of the called user's visited place to obtain the location information of the called user;

d. The positioning network uploads the called user information to the location service middleware in the place where the called user visits;

e. The location service middleware in the place where the called user visits performs value-added processing on the called user information, and returns the processed location value-added information to the service provider through the location service middleware of the service provider.

Wherein, the step b more specifically includes the following steps:

bl. Compare the location service middleware of the service provider with the location service middleware to which the calling user belongs, if different, then the location service middleware of the service provider sends a request to the location service middleware to which the calling user belongs ;

b2, the location service middleware to which the calling user belongs processes the request;

b3. Send to the location service middleware to which the called user belongs to obtain the location information of the called user. Request.

The step b2 further includes the following steps:

b21. The location service middleware to which the calling user belongs performs authentication and authentication on the calling user, and if it passes, continues, otherwise returns;

b22. Send a request to the service control point to which the calling user belongs to determine whether the calling user is a prepaid user. If not, continue; otherwise, perform a balance judgment. If the balance is insufficient, return, otherwise continue.

In addition, the step c more specifically includes the following steps:

cl. Judge the private information of the called user. If the calling user is not allowed to access the called user, return it, otherwise continue;

c2. Reading information about the called user's visiting place;

c3. Send a request to the location service middleware in the place where the called user visits to obtain the location information of the called user.

The value-added processing in step e more specifically includes requesting geographic information processing from the GIS of the place where the called user visits.

The present invention solves the problem of locating network equipment by superimposing the middleware layer of the location service middleware without changing the configuration of the existing communication network equipment. Interconnection and interoperability issues. The location service middleware provides a variety of location-based value-added business services to the service provider. The service provider can easily call the services provided by the middleware, which reduces the threshold for other service providers. The service provider only You need to call the location value-added service provided by the location service center, fill in the necessary input parameters, and wait for the location-based graphics and text output generated by the service. For example, the location service provided by the mobile operator is a simple service call. The location service center provides great convenience for service providers to develop their own distinctive services.

In addition, since location-based content services, including GIS systems, standards and data detail levels vary from place to place, they can be resolved through the interconnection of GIS-based location service middleware. The GIS system's differentiated choices ensure that users get the best and most accurate geographic location information (including maps). At the same time, through the interconnection of location service middleware, users can use off-site services. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a location service full-network networking system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a location service full-network networking system according to the present invention; FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a location service full-network networking implementation method according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of step b of a method for implementing a location service full-network networking according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of step b2 of a method for implementing a location service full-network networking according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of step c of a method for implementing a location service full-network networking according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of Embodiment 1 of a method for implementing location service full-network networking according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart of Embodiment 2 of a method for implementing a location service full-network networking according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart of a third embodiment of a method for implementing a location service full-network networking according to the present invention. detailed description

Figures 1 and 2 show the structure and networking diagram of the embodiment of the location service full-network networking system according to the present invention. The system is composed of three service area subsystems in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. The system includes:

Application layer (Application Layer), used to provide various services. The application layer contains various Service providers (SP), in order to use location services to enhance their own business characteristics, by calling the external service provided by the location service middleware to request location value-added information for mobile users, the location service middleware will perform the corresponding service request Authenticate, process, and then return the information that meets the user's request to the service provider (SP). These service providers (SP) are generally referred to as positioning service customers (LCS Clients). ₀

Middleware Layer, which is a location service middleware, used to complete location-based value-added business services, and specifically includes location-based value-added business services, user authentication, privacy protection, and initiating a positioning request to MPC / GMLC And processing response, integrated GIS and other functions, location service middleware is the center of the entire location service.

The Network Layer is used to provide user information. This layer provides high-precision user location information to the outside through the existing positioning technology of the wireless network. It also provides interfaces such as GIS, billing center, and short message center, which is convenient. The business of location service middleware is developed, so that it can have functions such as user roaming and GIS localization together with the above-mentioned location service middleware.

The three service area subsystems of Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou are connected through the location service middleware. The location service middleware is a bridge between the positioning network layer and the external positioning business client LCS Clients. The interconnection and interworking between service middleware solves key problems in location business operations such as location roaming, off-site use of services, and GIS differential selection.

After the application layer receives the request from the calling user, the application layer invokes the service request provided by the location service middleware of the corresponding business area subsystem, and then the location service middleware processes the corresponding service request and sends it to the network. Layer, the network layer uploads the corresponding user information to the location service middleware, the location service center performs value-added processing on the user information, and then returns the location value-added information that meets the request of the calling user to the application layer .

The following assumes that the location-based full-network networking system includes four service area subsystems: people, B, C, and D, that is, operation areas. The division of this service area subsystem depends on the needs of service development, and may be several provinces. (Municipal municipality), city as a unit, each business area subsystem is composed of business operators (SPa, SPb, SPc, SPd), location service middleware (LBS MWa, LBS MWb, LBS MWc, LBS MWd), Mobile positioning center / gateway mobile location center (MPCa / GMLCa, MPCb / GMLCb, MPCc / GMLCc, MPCd / GMLCd), service control point (SCPa, SCPb, SCPc, SCPd), home location register (HLR;), geographic information system (GISa, GISb, GISc, GISd) equipment, users A, A2 in the business area subsystem A, and users C2 in the business area subsystem C. Embodiment 1 The calling user A1 searches for the called user A2 by using local symptoms (SPa)

This embodiment includes the following steps:

First, the service provider (SPa) receives the request of the calling user (A1), and calls the external service provided by the location service middleware (LBS MWa) of the service provider, and sends a service to the location service middleware (LBS MWa) The request is shown in step 1 in FIG. 7.

Second, the location service middleware (LBS MWa) of the service provider processes the service request, and sends a message to the location service middleware (LBS MWa) to which the called user belongs to obtain information including the location information of the called user (A2). The request is shown in steps 2 and 3 in FIG. 7. More specifically, it refers to:

Obviously at this time, because the location service middleware of the service provider is the same as the location service middleware to which the called user belongs, the location service middleware (LBS MWa) to which the calling user belongs processes the request; specifically: The location service middleware to which the calling user belongs first performs authentication and authentication on the calling user (A1), if it passes, then continues, otherwise returns; and then sends a judgment to the service control point (SCPa) to which the calling user belongs to judge the calling Whether the user (A1) is a prepaid user, if not, continue; otherwise, perform a balance judgment; if the balance is insufficient, return; otherwise, continue to issue to the location service middleware to which the called user belongs to obtain the location information of the called user. request.

Third, the location service middleware (LBS MWa) to which the called user belongs processes the request, and sends to the positioning network (MPCa / GMLCa) of the place where the called user visits to obtain the location information of the called user (A2). The request is shown in steps 4, 5, and 6 in FIG. 7; more specifically, it refers to:

First determine the private information of the called user (A2). If the calling user (A1) is not allowed to access the called user (A2), return, otherwise continue;

Next, go to the Home Location Register (HLR) to query the visited place of the called user (A2), and read the called user Visiting place information, it is learned that the called user (A2) is not roaming;

Finally, a request is sent to the location service middleware (LBS MWa) at the place where the called user visits to obtain the location information of the called user (A2).

Fourth, the positioning network (MPCa / GMLCa) uploads the information of the called user (A2) to the called user to visit the location service middleware (LBS MWa) of ji, as shown in step 7 in FIG.

Fifth, the location service middleware (LBS MWa) of the place where the called user visits performs value-added processing on the information of the called user (A2), and passes the processed location value-added information through the service provider's location service middleware (LBS) MWa) is returned to the service provider (SPa), as shown in step 8 in FIG.

The value-added processing of the called user (A2) information includes requesting geographic information processing from the GIS where the called user visited, so that the localized information of the called user (A2) can be returned to the service provider. (SPa). Embodiment 2 The calling user A1 uses a local application to find the called user A2, and A2 roams to the service area subsystem B

This embodiment includes the following steps:

First, the first step is the same as the first embodiment, as shown in step 1 in FIG. 8.

Second, step two of the first embodiment is shown in steps 2 and 3 in FIG. 8;

Third, the location service middleware (LBS MWa) to which the called user belongs processes the request, and sends to the positioning network (MPCb / GMLCb) where the called user visits to obtain the location information of the called user (A2). The request is shown in steps 4, 5, 6, and 7 in FIG. 8; more specifically, it means: first determine the privacy information of the called user (A2); if the calling user (A1) is not allowed to access the called user ( A2), then return, otherwise continue;

Next, the home location register (HLR) is used to query the visited place of the called user (A2), read the visited place information of the called user, and learn that the called user (A2) roams to area B;

Then, a request is sent to the location service middleware (LBS MWb) of the place where the called user visits to obtain the location information of the called user (A2). Finally, the location service middleware (LBS MWb) of the called user's visiting place sends a request to the positioning network (MPCb / GMLCb) of the called user's visiting place to obtain the location information of the called user (A1).

Fourth, the positioning network (MPCb / GMLCb) uploads the information of the called user (A2) to the location service middleware (LBSMWb) of the place where the called user visits, as shown in step 8 in FIG.

Fifth, the location service middleware (LBS MWb) of the place where the called user visits performs value-added processing on the information of the called user (A2), and passes the processed location value-added information through the service provider's location service middleware (LBSMWa) ) Is returned to the service provider (SPa), as shown in step 9 in FIG. 8. Embodiment 3 The calling user A1 uses a remote application (SPb) to find the called user C2, and C2 roams to the service area subsystem D

This embodiment includes the following steps:

First, the service provider (SPb) receives the request of the calling user (A1), and calls the external service provided by the service provider's location service middleware (LBS MWb), and issues a service to the location service middleware (LBS MWb) The request is shown in step 1 in FIG. 9.

Second, the service provider's location service middleware (LBS MWb) processes the service request, and sends a request to the location service middleware (LBSMWc) to which the called user belongs to obtain the location information of the called user (C2) As shown in steps 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 in FIG. 9; more specifically, it means: Obviously at this time, because the location service middleware of the service provider and the location service middleware to which the calling user belongs are different, Therefore, the location service middleware (LBS MWa) of the service provider sends a request to the location service middleware (LBS MWa) to which the calling user belongs; then the location service middleware (LBS MWa) to which the calling user belongs responds to the request The processing specifically refers to: The location service middleware (LBS MWa) to which the calling user belongs first performs authentication and authentication on the calling user (A1), and if it passes, continues, otherwise returns; The service control point (SCPa) sends a request to determine whether the calling user (A1) is a prepaid user. If not, continue, otherwise, perform a balance judgment, and return if the balance is insufficient. No Then continue to send a request to the called location service middleware (LBSMWc) to obtain the location information of the called user. Third, the location service middleware (LBSMWc) to which the called user belongs processes the request, and sends a request to the positioning network (MPCd / GMLCd) of the place where the called user visits to obtain the location information of the called user (C1) As shown in steps 7, 8, 9, and 10 in FIG. 9; more specifically, it means: first determine the privacy information of the called user (C1); if the calling user (A1) is not allowed to access the called user (A2) ), Return, otherwise continue;

Next, the home location register (HLR) is used to query the visited place of the called user (C1), read the visited place information of the called user, and learn that the called user (C1) roams to the D area;

Then, a request is sent to the location service middleware (LBSMWd) of the place where the called user visits to obtain the location information of the called user (C1).

Finally, the location service middleware (LBSMWd) of the called user's visited place sends a request to the location network (MPCd / GMLCd) of the called user's visited place to obtain the location information of the called user (C1).

Fourth, the positioning network (MPCd / GMLCd) uploads the information of the called user (C1) to the location service middleware (LBSMWd) of the place where the called user visits, as shown in step 11 in FIG. 9.

Fifth, the location service middleware (LBSMWd) of the called user's visiting place performs value-added processing on the information of the called user (C1), and passes the processed location value-added information through the service provider's location service middleware (LBSMWa) Return to the service provider (SPb), as shown in steps 12, 13, 14, 15 in FIG.

Wherein, the location service middleware (LBSMWd) of the called user's visiting place obtains the precise location information of the called user (C1), obtains the local geographic information through the local GIS system, and then passes the information through the called user's visiting place The location service middleware (LBS MWd), the location service middleware (LBS MWc) to which the called user belongs, and the service provider's location service middleware (LBS MWb) are returned to the service provider (SPb).

Claims

Claim

1. A full-service network system for location services, which is characterized by: The system is composed of several service area subsystems, and the service area subsystems include:

An application layer for providing various services;

2. A full-service network system for location services according to claim 1, wherein: the application layer is a designated service customer, that is, a service provider.

3. A full-service network system for location services according to claim 1, characterized in that: said location service middleware further comprises a method for completing user authentication, privacy protection, charging, and sending to MPC / GMLC. Modules that initiate positioning requests and process responses, integrate GIS, user roaming, GIS localization, and various application logic functions.

4. A full-service network system for location services according to claim 1, characterized in that: said location service middleware further comprises storage logic for storing user information in a corresponding business area subsystem Connect the module of the local GIS.

5. A full-service network system for location services according to claim 1, characterized in that: said network layer comprises MPC / GMLC, GIS, billing gateway, respectively, connected to said location service middleware, SMS Center.

6. A method for implementing location-based network-wide networking, characterized in that the method includes the following steps: a. The service provider receives the request of the calling user, and calls the external service provided by the location service middleware of the service provider, and sends a service request to the location service middleware;

c. The location service middleware to which the called user belongs belongs processes the request, and sends a request to the location network of the called user to obtain the location information of the called user;

7. A method for realizing a full-service network of a location service according to claim 6, wherein the step b more specifically includes the following steps:

b3. Send a request to the location service middleware to which the called user belongs to obtain the location information of the called user.

8. The method for realizing a full-service networking of a location service according to claim 7, wherein the step b2 further comprises the following steps:

b22. Send a request to the service control point to which the calling user belongs to determine whether the calling user is a prepaid user. If not, continue; otherwise, perform a balance judgment; if the balance is insufficient, return, otherwise continue.

9. The method for realizing a full-service network of a location service according to claim 6, wherein the step c more specifically includes the following steps:

cl. Judging the private information of the called user. If the calling user is not allowed to access the called user, Be'J returns, otherwise continue;

c2. Reading information about the called user's visiting place;

10. The method for realizing a full-service network of a location service according to claim 6, characterized in that: the value-added processing in step e more specifically includes requesting geographic information processing from a GIS in the place visited by the called user.