Eee European Patent Offce pase ‘90288 MUNICH 9 See GERMANY ‘Questions about this communication ? Contact Customer Services at www. po orgloontact Tonscheidt, Andreas Eriesson GmbH Ericsson Allee 1 52134 Herzogenrath ALLEMAGNE Dae 12.02.16 [racer Toplston No Patani P15312-ATO 01976315.0 - 1884 / 1360858 SRT ORES Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) which notice of opposition may be You are hereby informed that on expiry of the nine-month time limit from the publication of the mention of the grant of European patent No. 1360858 no notice of opposition had reached the files. The entry in the Register of European Patents will be automatically generated by the electronic data processing system For the Examining Division Pate e088 PteD%6 9, s EPPU 02; 08.04.15 1854 Page: ott01976315.0 - 1864 / 1360858 12.01.16 Client Database System (CDS) - clean up. Application Nr.: 01976315.0 Following clean up action in CDS the entries concerning the Applicant (01) have been amended and are now as follows: AT-BE-CH-CY-DE-DK-ES-FI-FR-GB-GR-IE-IT-LI-LU-MC-NL-PT-SE-TR Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) 164 83 Stockholm/SE Where appropriate, the European Patent Register at wwnw.epo.org/register will be updated to show the amended details. Questions about this communication? Contact Customer Services at www.epo.org/contact,Eee European Patent Offce pase ‘90288 MUNICH 9 See GERMANY ‘Questions about this communication ? Contact Customer Services at www. po orgloontact Tonscheidt, Andreas Eriesson GmbH Ericsson Allee 1 52134 Herzogenrath ALLEMAGNE 08.04.15 [racer P15312-ATO SRT ORES Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (pub!) Toplston No Patani 01976315.0 - 1884 / 1360858 Transmission of the certificate for a European patent pursuant to Rule 74 EPC ‘The certificate for a European patent is herewith transmitted ‘The European patent specification can be downloaded from the EPO publication server https://data.epo.org/publication-server/ (see OJ EPO 2006, 126) Note: A corrected title page of the European patent specification will be published, ifthe bibliographic data have been changed after completion of the technical preparations, For the Examining Division ine Patong oo tomy PO Fom2047 1207 @sra/16)Teme European Patent Offce pase ‘90288 MUNICH eet GERMANY ‘Questions about this communication ? Contact Customer Services at www. po orgloontact Tonscheidt, Andreas Eriesson GmbH Ericsson Allee 1 52134 Herzogenrath ALLEMAGNE 12.08.15 [racer Toplston No Patani P15312-ATO 01976315.0 - 1884 / 1360858 SRT ORES Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (pub!) Decision to grant a European patent pursuant to Article 97(1) EPC Following examination of European patent application No, 01976316.0 a European patent with the title and the supporting documents indicated in the communication pursuant to Rule 71(3) EPC dated 31.10.14 is hereby granted in respect of the designated Contracting States. Patent No. 1360868 Date of filing 19.10.01 Priority claimed 13.02.01/USP 268065 Designated Contracting States and Proprietor(s) AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LILU MC NL PT SE TR Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) 164 83 Stockholm/SE This decision will take effect on the date on which the European Patent Bulletin mentions the grant (An. 97(3) EPC), The mention of the grant will be published in European Patent Bulletin 16/15 of 08.04.15, Examining Division Schweitzer J Pasini E Bosch M 05 Paton, a tomy $ Registered letter to EPO postal service: 06.03.15 EPO Form 20068 12.07 (0605)ANMERKUNG ZUR ENTSCHEIOUNG OBER DIE ERTEILUNG EINES EUAOPAISCHEN PATENTS (EPA Form 2008) EPA Informationsbroschiire “Nationales Recht zum EPO" Diese Brosohtre enthalt ndziche Informationen 2u den formalen Erlordemissen und den Handlungen, de vor den Patentbeharden der Vertvagestaaten vorzunehmen sind, um Fleehte in diesen Staaten zu eangen. 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EPAEPOIOES Form 2006R 12.07 019769150 (06.03.15)Acknowledgement of receipt We hereby acknowledge receipt ofthe following subsequently filed document(s) ‘Submission number ‘Application number Date of receipt Receiving Office Your reference Applicant Documents submitted ‘Submitted by Method of submission Date and time receipt generated Message Digest 3337812 EP01976315.0 26 February 2015 European Patent Office, The Hague P15312EP1 All applicants as on file package-data xml epf1038.pat (2 p.) CLMSTRAN-2 pdAP15312_EP1_2015 -01-13_approved_claimsFR.paf (4 p.) ep-sfd-request.xm! CLMSTRAN-1.pdP'15312_EP1_2015 -01-13_approved_claimsDE. paf (4 p.) IGRA-1 pdfP15312EP 1 2015-02-26 R713_response.pdf (1 p.) CN=Thalia Deli 2737 Online 26 February 2015, 16:12 (CET) 5D:76:56:18:16:28:39:C0:DE:D0:AA:26:AB:C7:C7:5B:5B:6F 'BB:29 Correction by the EPO of errors in debit instructions filed by eOLF Errors in debit instructions fled by eOLF that are caused by the editing of Form 1038E entries or the continued use of outdated ‘software (all forms) may be corrected automatically by the EPO, leaving the payment date unchanged (see decision T 152/82, (OJ EPO 1984, 301 and point 6.3 ff ADA, Supplement to OJ EPO 10/2007). Acknowledgement of receipt - application number EP01976315.0 European Patent Orfice/ Page 1 of 1European Patent Office Munich Application number: Applicant: Our ret.: Unser Zeichan - Our Rafarance: Datum = Dale26.02 2015 Ihe Zeichon» Your Reference: Ie Datum Your Date 01976315.0 Teletonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) P15312EP1 In response to the communication under Rule 71 (3) EPC dated 31.10.2014, the Applicant files translations of the claims into German and French. ‘The Applicant reserves irrespective of any agreement to the version under Rule 71(3) EPC the right to pursue any oniginally-disclosed subject-matter in one or more divisional applications pursuant to Article 76 EPC. Joemn Medau (European Patent Attorney) Enesson GmbH Eure Unerahrmenabereeh Forschung und Etwickng ise Hovzogeraih {Th Royal Bankot Stand NV. Kia-Ni as 968000 LZ 602.204 00 Stet Kool (ore) Bena Schmit ste se sete: td ei Nat bal ori ers-tso Amaperant Ouseador I ts 27/5780 Regt HRB SB O2 tc: gmoney tnt egemearnrem Vier Bava Were) Regeastar WaT De srra7ere1 WEEE: Deseto242510 1s 20 25 30 35 EP 01 976 315.0 REVENDICATIONS Procédé pour déterminer @’accorder J’accés d’un équipement d/utilisateur (UE) a un réseau d’acces radio dans une position actuelle de 1’équipement dutilisateur (UE) & J/intérieur d’un systéme de communication, le systéme de communication comprenant un neud de commande (Ni, N2) gérant des services pour L’équipement d’utilisateur (UE) et un neud d'accés (AN1, AN2) commandant le réseau d’accés, le procédé comprenant les étapes consistant a : - recevoir une demande de traitement de service pour 1’équipement d’utilisateur (UE) dans le neud de commande (Nl, N2) avec une identification de 1’équipement a’ utilisateur (UE), - déterminer une information de groupe 4’ abonné pour l’équipement d’utilisateur (UE) selon Videntification de 1’équipement 4’ utilisateur (UE), = envoyer 1’ information de groupe d’abonné au neud @accés (ANL, AN2), - déterminer une information @’accés de zone selon la position actuelle de —-1"équipement. @utilisateur (UE) dans le neud d’accés (Al, AN2), et - effectuer l'accord d’accés de 1’ équipement @utilisateur (UE) au réseau d’accés radio selon une combinaison logique de l'information de groupe d’abonné et de l'information d'accés de zone10 1s 20 25 30 35 ae Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel une identification d’opérateur est déterminée dans le neud de commande (N1, N2) d’aprés 1/identification de Lréquipement d/utilisateur (UE) et 1’information de groupe d’abonné est déterminée selon 1’ identification a! opérateur. Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel l'information relative aux accords itinérants pour les opérateurs est mémorisée et 1/information de groupe d'abonné est déterminée selon 1’information relative aux accords itinérants. Procédé selon une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'information de groupe @’abonné est incluse dans une réponse a la demande de traitement de service. Procédé selon la revendication 4, dans lequel la réponse est un quelconque message dans un groupe comprenant un message d’ identification commun (C), une demande de repositionnement (RR’), une demande de transfert intercellulaire ou une demande d’ assignation de support. Procédé selon une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel 1/information de groupe d’abonné déterminée est mémorisée et extraite en vue d'une future détermination d’un accés accordé a L'équipement d/utilisateur (UE). Procédé selon une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel au moins une de 1’ information de groupe d’abonné et 1/information d'accés de zone est un bitmap.10 1s 20 25 30 35 10 a Ze 13. a4, oe Procédé selon la revendication 7, dans lequel une opération logique est effectuée sur les bitmaps et l'accord d’accés est déterminé selon le résultat de L'opération logique. Procédé selon une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'accord d’accés est, déterminé dans le neud d’accés (ANI, AN2). Procédé selon une quelconque des revendications 1 a 9, dans lequel ‘information de groupe d’abonné et l'information d’accés de zone sont transmises a L’équipement d’utilisateur (UE) et dans lequel lfaccord d’accés est déterminé dans 1’ équipement dutilisateur (UE). Procédé selon une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le neud d’accés (ANI, AN2) commande un réseau d’accés radio UMTS ou un réseau aaccés radio GSM. Procédé selon une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le n@ud d’accés (AN1, AN2) est un contréleur de radioréseau et dans lequel le naud de commande (Ni, N2) est un centre de commutation pour les services mobiles ou un neud de support GPRS. Réseau de communication comprenant un moyen pour exécuter toutes les étapes du procédé selon une quelconque des revendications précédentes. Neud de commande (Nl, 2) pour un systeme de communication avec un systéme de traitement adapté pour gérer des services pour un équipement drutilisateur (UE) et pourvu d’une interface pour échanger des messages avec un nud d’accés (ANI, AN2) et/ou avec 1/équipement d’utilisateur (UE), dans10 1s 20 25 30 35 1s. 16. lequel le neud de commande (N1, N2) est adapté pour recevoir une demande de traitement de service pour Lréquipement —d/ utilisateur (ue) avec une identification de 1’équipement d’utilisateur (UE), caractérisé en ce que le neud de commande (Wi, N2) est adapté pour déterminer une information de groupe d’abonné pour 1/équipement d’utilisateur (UE) selon Lridentification et envoyer 1’information de groupe d!abonné au neud d’accés (AN1, AN2). Neud d’accés (AN1, AN2) pour un réseau d’accés radio d'un systéme de communication avec un systéme de traitement adapté pour déterminer d’accorder 1’ accés d'un équipement d’utilisateur (UE) au réseau d’accés radio dans une position actuelle de 1'équipement @utilisateur (UE) et commander 1’accés et pourvu d'une interface pour échanger des messages avec un nud de commande (Nl, N2) gérant des services pour L’équipement d’utilisateur (UE) et avec 1’équipement @utilisateur, caractérisé en ce que le neud d’accés (AN1, AN2) est adapté pour recevoir une information de groupe a abonné, le neud d’accés (ANI, AN2) est adapté pour déterminer une information d’accés de zone selon la position actuelle de l/équipement d’utilisateur (UE) et effectuer l'accord = dtaccés. de quipement d'utilisateur (UE) au réseau d’accés radio selon une combinaison logique de l’information de groupe d'abonné et 1/information a’ accés de zone. Unité de programme comprenant du code pour exécuter l’une ou l’autre des étapes d’un procédé selon une quelconque des revendications 1 & 12 qui sont exécutées dans le neud d’accés (ANI, AN2) ou qui sont exécutées dans le neud de commande (N1, N2).EP 01 976 315.0 PATENTANSPRUCHE 1. Verfahren zur Bestimmung, ob ugang— einer Benutzereinrichtung (UE) zu einem Funkzugangsnetz in einer gegenwrtigen Position der Benutzereinrichtung (UE) innerhalb eines Kommunikationssystems gewahrt werden soll, wobei das Kommunikationssystem einen Steuerknoten (M1, N2), der Dienste fir die Benutzereinrichtung (UE) abwickelt, und _— einen Zugangsknoten (AN1, AN2) umfasst, der das Zugangsnetz steuert, wobei das Verfahren die folgenden Schritte umfasst: - Empfangen einer Anfrage fiir Dienstverarbeitung fiir die Benutzereinrichtung (UE) im Steuerknoten (Nl, 2) mit’ © einer = Identifikation der Benutzereinrichtung (UE), - Bestimmen einer Teilnehmergruppeninformation fiir die Benutzereinrichtung (UE)_—sgem&B_— der. Identifikation der Benutzereinrichtung (UE), - Senden der Teilnehmergruppeninformation an den Zugangsknoten (ANL, AN2), - Bestimmen einer Bereichszugangsinformation gems dem gegenwartigen Aufenthaltsort der Benutzereinrichtung (UB) im Zugangsknoten (ANI, AN2), und = Durchftihren der 2ugangsgewahrung der Benutzereinrichtung (UE) zum Funkzugangsnetz gem’ einer logischen = Kombination _ der Teilnehmergruppeninformation und der Bereichszugangsinformationae Verfahren nach = Anspruch = 1,__—s wobei._— eine Betreiberidentifikation im Steuerknoten (N1, N2) aus der Tdentifikation der Benutzereinrichtung (UE) bestimmt wird, und die Teilnehmergruppeninformation gem&B der Betreiberidentifikation bestimmt wird. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei eine Information ber Roaming-Vereinbarungen fir die Betreiber gespeichert wird, und die Teilnehmergruppeninformation gem§ der Information ber die Roaming-Vereinbarungen bestimmt wird. Verfahren nach einem vorhergehenden Anspruch, wobei die Teilnehmergruppeninformation in einer Antwort auf die Anfrage fir Dienstverarbeitung eingeschlossen wird. Verfahren nach Anspruch 4, wobei die Antwort eine beliebige Nachricht aus einer Gruppe ist, die eine gemeinsame Identifikationsnachricht (C), eine Verlegungsanfrage (RR'), eine Handover-Anfrage oder eine Trdgerzuweisungsanfrage umfasst. Verfahren nach einem vorhergehenden Anspruch, wobei die bestimmte Teilnehmergruppeninformation gespeichert und ftir eine weitere Bestimmung einer Zugangsgewahrung fir die Benutzereinrichtung (UE) abgerufen wird. Verfahren nach einem vorhergehenden Anspruch, wobei mindestens eine von der Teilnehmergruppeninformation und der Bereichszugangsinformation eine Bitmap ist. Verfahren nach Anspruch 7, wobei eine logische Operation an den Bitmaps durchgefthrt wird, und die Zugangsgewahrung gemi8 dem Ergebnis der logischen Operation bestimmt wird.10. 1. 12. 13. a4, oe Verfahren nach einem vorhergehenden Anspruch, wobei die ZugangsgewAhrung im Zugangsknoten (AN1, AN2) bestimmt wird. Verfahren nach einem der Anspriiche 1 bis 9, wobei die Teilnehmergruppeninformation und die Bereichszugangsinformation an die Benutzereinrichtung (UE) gesendet werden, und wobei die Zugangsgewéhrung in der Benutzereinrichtung (UE) bestimmt wird. Verfahren nach einem vorhergehenden Anspruch, wobei, der Zugangsknoten (AN1, AN2) ein UMTS-Funkzugangsnetz oder ein GSM-Funkzugangsnetz steuert. Verfahren nach einem vorhergehenden Anspruch, wobei, der Zugangsknoten (ANI, AN2) eine Funknetzsteuerung ist, und wobei der Steuerkoten (Nl, N2) eine Mobildienstvermittlungsstelle oder ein. GPRS Unterstitzungsknoten ist. Kommunikationsnetz, umfassend Mittel um Ausfihren aller Schritte des verfahrens nach —ednem vorhergehenden Anspruch. Steuerknoten (Ni, N2) fir ein Kommunikationssystem mit einem Verarbeitungssystem, das so ausgelegt ist, dass es Dienste fir eine Benutzereinrichtung (UE) abwickelt, und mit einer Schnittstelle zum Austauschen von Nachrichten mit einem Zugangsknoten (AN, AN2) und/oder mit der Benutzereinrichtung (UE) versehen ist, wobei der Steuerknoten (NI, N2) so ausgelegt ist, dass er eine Anfrage fiir Dienstverarbeitung fiir die Benutzereinrichtung (UE) mit einer Identifikation der Benut zereinrichtung (UE) empfangt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dassas. 16. der Steuerknoten (N1, N2) so ausgelegt ist, dass er eine Teilnehmergruppeninformat ion fir die Benutzereinrichtung (UE) gemi8 der Tdentifikation bestimmt und die Teilnehmergruppeninformation an den Zugangsknoten (AN1, AN2) sendet. Zugangsknoten (AN1, AN2) fir ein Funkzugangsnetz eines Kommunikationssystems mit einem Verarbeitungssystem, das so ausgelegt ist, dass es bestimmt, ob Zugang einer Benutzereinrichtung (UE) zum Funkzugangsnetz in einer gegenwartigen Position der Benutzereinrichtung (UE) gewahrt werden soll, und den Zugang steuert, und mit einer Schnittstelle zum © Austauschen —_von Nachrichten mit einem Steuerknoten (NI, N2), der Dienste fir die Benutzereinrichtung (UE) abwickelt, und mit der Benutzereinrichtung (UE) versehen ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Zugangsknoten (ANI, AN2) so ausgelegt ist, dass er eine Teilnehmergruppeninformation empfangt, der Zugangsknoten (ANL, ANZ) so ausgelegt ist, dass er eine Bereichszugangs information gemas dem gegenwartigen Aufenthaltsort der Benutzereinricntung (UE) bestimmt, die Zugangsgewahrung der Benutzereinrichtung (UB) zum Funkzugangsnetz gem&8 einer logischen Kombination der ‘Teilnehmergruppeninformation und der Bereichszugangsinformation durchfiihrt. Programmeinheit, umfassend Code zum Ausfiihren entweder der Schritte, welche im Zugangsknoten (AN1, AN2) ausgefihrt werden, oder, welche im Steuerknoten (N1, N2) ausgefihrt werden, eines Verfahrens nach einem der Anspriiche 1 bis 12.FET htce Letter accompanying subsequently filed items wopten Representative coz nen Mr dm MEDAU Fer o9(0}80 230.0] Fax 465 Ericsson Gmt Patent Department 70. Box5818 Ericsson Allee 1 N20 HV Roi Nether’ Patent Tel =310}0 940-2040 | Fox 3018 10958 Brin Phone: +492407575-5639 Semany Fax: +492407575-4050 Tet o()3028601-0 | Fax 240 E-mail; joern.medau@ericsson.com ‘The document(s) listed below is (are) subsequently filed documents pertaining to the following application: ‘Application number 19763150 Applicants or representative's reference Prssi2ePt Description of document riginal fle name ‘Assigned fe name 1 [Translation of claims 15312 EPI_2015.01-13 approved al ‘CLMSTRAN-1 pat aimsDE pa 2 | Translation of claims 15312 EPI_2015.01-13 approved dl ‘CLMSTRAN-2 pat aimsFR pat 3 | Reply tthe communication under rule PISSi2EP1 2015-02-28 IGRA-t pdt 71) EPC R713. response pa Fees Factor appied | Fee.schedule | Amount to be paid 754 | _007 Fee for grant, ncuding fee for publeation ofthe 7 ‘915.00 918.00 European patent specification (R71(3)) Total: EUR 916.00 Payment 7 [Made of payment Debit fom deposit account ‘Currency: | EUR ‘The European Patent Office is heraby authorised, o debit from the deposit account with the EPO any fees and costs Indicated on the fos page, Deposit account number: | 28001024 ‘Account holder: | Ericsson AB 2 [Refund’Reimburserment Reimbursement if any) fo be made to EPO daposit account | 28007024 ‘Account holder: | Ericsson AB Signatures Pace: Horzogenrath P15312EP1Date 28 February 2015 Signed by: ‘oem Medau! Capacity: (Representative) P15312EP1pean Patant fica GERMANY ‘or ea0 80 20000 Annex to EPO Form 2004, Communication pursuant to Rule 71(3) EPC Bibliographical data of European patent application No. 01 976 315.0 For the intended grant of the European patent, the bibliographical data are set out below, for information: Title of invention: Classification: Date of filing: Priority claimed: Contracting States* for which fees have been paid: Extension States" for which fees have been paid! Validation States" for which fees have been paid: Applicant(s)"*: Inventor(s): - VERFAHREN ZUM BESTIMMEN, OB EINEM BENUTZERGERAT ZUGANG ZU EINEM FUNKZUGANGSNETZ GEWAHRT WERDEN SOLL - METHOD FOR DETERMINING WHETHER TO GRANT ACCESS OF A USER EQUIPMENT TO A RADIO ACCESS NETWORK PROCEDE PERMETTANT DE DETERMINER SI L'ACCES D'UN EQUIPEMENT UTILISATEUR A UN RESEAU D'ACCES RADIO DOIT ETRE AUTORISE INV. Hoawaei0 Hoawa6i2 Hoawasin4s 19.10.2001 US /13.02.2001 /USP268065 AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (pub!) 164 83 Stockholm SE STOMPERT, Martin Hundsbrunnertalstr. 22 87691 Hocnspeyer PERSSON, Bengt Gronstromsvagen 13 A 8-168 66 Bromma SE WILLARS, Per Rindégatan 19 8-115 86 Stockholm SEPeery pean Patant fica OD) | rien: GEAMANY er eeo0 2000 *) Ifthe time limit for the payment of designation fees according to Rule 39(1) EPC has not yet expired and the applicant has not withdrawn any designation, all Contracting StatesExtension StatesWValidation States are currently stil deemed to be designated See also Rule 71a(3) EPC and, if applicable, the above Note to users of the automatic debiting procedure. **) _Iftwo or more applicants have designated different Contracting States, this is indicated here.pean Patant fica GERMANY ‘or ea0 80 20000 ll lll Ik lll il I ll le Tonscheidt, Andreas Eriesson GmbH Ericsson Allee 1 52134 Herzogenrath ALLEMAGNE Fesiaion No Fat Oat 01 976 315.0 - 1854 P18312-ATO 31.10.2014 Poslcant Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) Communication under Rule 71(3) EPC 1. Intention to grant You are informed that the Examining Division intends to grant a European patent on the basis of the above application with the text and drawings and the related bibliographic data as indicated below. A.copy of the relevant documents is enclosed, 4.1. Inthe text for the Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GRIE IT LI LUMC NLPT SE TR Description, Pages 121 as published Claims, Numbers 1416 filed in electronic form on 29-07-2014 Drawings, Sheets 16-38 as published With the following amendments to the above-mentioned documents proposed by the division Description, Pages. 3° Comments * Rule 42(1)0) EPC Registered letterDate 31.10.2014 Sheet 2 Application No.: 01 976 318.0 1.2 Bibliographic data ‘The title of the invention in the three official languages of the European Patent Office, the international patent classification, the designated Contracting States, the registered name(s) of the applicant(s) and the other bibliographic data are shown on the enclosed EPO Form 2056. 2. 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Further procedure 4.1 Inthe case of point 2.1 above 4.1.1 The decision to grant the European patent will be issued, and the mention of the grant of the patent will be published in the European Patent Bulletin, if the requirements concerning the transiation of the claims and the payment of all fees are fuliled and there is agreement as to the text to be granted (R. 71a(1) EPC). Note on payment of the renewal fee: If a renewal fee becomes due before the next possible date for publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, publication will be effected only after the renewal fee and any additional fee have been paid (R. 71a(4) EPC) Under Article 86(2) EPC, the obligation to pay renewal fees to the European Patent Office terminates with the payment of the renewal fee due in respect of the year in which the mention of the grant of the European patent is published. 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Notice from the European Patent Office dated 16 July 2013 concerning communication of the certificate for a European patent, OJ 2013, 418). 4.1.3 Filing of translations in the Contracting States As regards translation requirements prescribed by the Contracting States under Article 65(1) EPC, please consult the website of the European Patent Office www.e00.0ra Law & practice “Legal texts, National law relating to the EPC wnmw.ep0.0rg “Law & practice “All Legal texts London Agreement Registered letter42 61 62 63 64 Date 31.10.2014 Sheet 4 Application No.: 01 976 318.0 In the case of a valid extension or validation ‘As regards translation requirements prescribed by the Extension or or Validation States, please consult the website of the European Patent Otfice wwn.0p0.010 Law & practice “Legal texts, National law relating to the EPC. 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The latest version of the Schedule of, fees and expenses, published as a Supplement to the Official Journal of the EPO, is also available on the EPO website (wiw.ep0.0ra) and can be found under www.epo.org&chedule-of-fees, which allows the viewing, downloading and searching for individual fee amounts, both current and previous, Please note that procedural fees are usually adjusted every two years, on even years, with effect from + Apri Payments by cheque delivered or sent direct to the EPO are no longer accepted as from 1 April 2008 (see OJ EPO 2007, 626). Registered letterDate 31.10.2014 Sheet § Application No.: 01 976 318.0 Examining Division: Chairman: Bosch, Michael : Pasini, Enrico ‘Schweitzer, J Barrio Baranano, A For the Examining Division Tel. No.: +49 89 2899 - 8621 Enclosures): Text intended for grant ( 27 pages) EPO Form 2056 Registered lettervrpean Patent Offs ‘Ter e49 9 200000 Application No.: 01 976 315.0 1V.2. Patent classification ‘The classification has been changed. It now is as follows: INV. HO4W36/10 Ho4w36/12 Hoaw4si04 1V.3. Title of the invention ‘The title has been changed. It now is as follows: VERFAHREN ZUM BESTIMMEN, OB EINEM BENUTZERGERAT ZUGANG ZU EINEM FUNKZUGANGSNETZ GEWAHRT WERDEN SOLL METHOD FOR DETERMINING WHETHER TO GRANT ACCESS OF A USER EQUIPMENT TO A RADIO ACCESS NETWORK PROCEDE PERMETTANT DE DETERMINER SI L'ACCES D'UN EQUIPEMENT UTILISATEUR A UN RESEAU D'ACCES RADIO DOIT ETRE AUTORISE IV.4. Documentation 220% ia issih il ee . bee Sr caer Enclosure(s): Fo rom tsa ea OTA10 15 20 25 30 ‘WO 02/065789 PCT/EPOL/I2121 1 —pRU Ck - GA Methecttordetermining-whetherte-grantaccess ofa (bserequipmenttera Taao ACCESS Tretwork— Technical field of the invention The present invention relates to a method for determining whether to grant access of a user equipment to a radio access network in a present position of the user equipment within a communications system, the communications system comprising a control node handling services for the user equipment and an access node controlling the access network. A communication network, nodes and software programs embodying the invention are also described. Background of the invention The radio access networks of customary mobile communication systems comprise one or several base stations for the wireless connection to the user equipment and an access node which controls the base stations and connects them to the core network of the communication system. The access node can bbe for example a base station controller (BSC) as defined in GSM or a radio network controller (RINC) for a base station subsystem according to UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System) specifications. The access node therefore administrates the resources of the radio access system which are required to provide services and connections to the user equipment which may be a mobile phone or another wireless terminal, e.g. a personal digital assistant or a laptop computer. Typically the communications system comprises also control nodes handling services for the user equipment, e.g. for setting up user originating and CONFIRMATION COPY10 15 20 25 ‘WO 02/065789 terminating connections, short messages or location data handling of the user equipment. The control nodes are generally part of the core network of the communication system which can interconnect different access networks and which may provide further connections to external networks, e.g. a fixed telephone system or the Internet. Examples for the control nodes are an MSC (Mobile Services Switching Center) or an SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node with GPRS being the General Packet Radio Service). The handling of services. comprises for example the provision of routing information in reply to an initial address message requesting the set-up of a connection to a user equipment or storing information according to handover procedures of the user equipment between different radio base stations. For this purpose, the control node can exchange information with a home location register (HLA) or a visitor location register (VLR) which store subscription data as well as the present control node for the user equipment. Especially to save money on network infrastructure, e.g. when a communication system is updated for a new access technology, it is advantageous if network operators can share parts of a network: For example, operators may share a UMTS network while for other parts of the communication system they may be competitors, e.g. for networks providing GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) connections. Consequently, a wide variety of access restrictions may apply for home and roaming mobile users throughout the ication system. Also, different user groups in the home network may have different subscriptions which only authorize them for a subset of services. commu For roaming user equipment in idle mode location based services implemented in core network nodes can be used for access granting and restriction. However, no mechanism for shared networks and mobiles in connected mode exists so far. Therefore, users in connected mode can presently not be restricted from entering parts of a mobile communication system which is forbidden for their subscription.10 15 30 ‘WO 02/065789 ‘Summary and description of the invention Itis an object of the present invention to obviate the above disadvantages and provide a method for controlling the access of user equipment to a radio access system within a mobile communication system, which is effective and which is easy to implement. According to the invention, the method describedin claim 1 is performed. Furthermore, the invention is-ombediedirre-eyetem_nedes amt computer -programs.as-describedin claims 13 to 16. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims. sé beara kt In the proposed method for determining an access grant of a user equipment to a radio access network in a present position of the user equipment within a communications system, the communications system comprises a control node handling services for the user equipment and an access node controlling the access network. The control node receives a request for service processing for the user equipment with an identification of the user equipment, typically an IMS! (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) or another identification which may be converted into an IMSI. The request can for example be an initial address message for setting up a connection to the user equipment, a set-up request for a connection originating from the user equipment, a request for sending a short message (SMS) or a message “relocation required”. The contro! node determines a subscriber group information for the user equipment according to the identification of the user equipment, ie. it performs a classification of the user equipment identification according to subscriber groups with different access rights. For example, the classification can be based ‘on stored roaming agreements for the operator or operators of the10 15 20 25 30 PCT/EPOWU12121 communication system. Particularly, the subscriber group information can correspond to an indication of a home operator of the subscriber as well as roaming agreements between the home operator and one or several operators operating the network which can be a shared network. Both for a network which is shared and for a network which is not shared, an operator may have different roaming agreements which allow access only to specific groups of home or roaming subscribers. The subscriber group information is sent to the access node. Furthermore, an area access information according to the present location of the user equipment is determined in the access node, optionally before reception of the subscriber group information. It is possible that only a single area access information exists for the total area covered by the access node or that different parts of the coverage area have a respective area access information. The area access information can be for example selected from a memory of the access node. The access granting of the user equipment to the radio access network is performed according to a logical combination of the subscriber group information and the area access information. The logical combination can be calculated in a processing system of the access node, e.g. as outlined below. The granting or restriction of access can be performed in different ways. A straightforward alternative is to terminate the procedure during which the request for service processing was sent to the control node if the access to the area is forbidden, e.g. to terminate a connection set-up or a handover. Alternatively or in addition, the access node can provide a list of allowed or forbidden cells to the user equipment, i.e. a filtered list of neighboring cells instead of a list comprising all neighboring cells. In this case the user equipment can consider only allowed cells for access and also in signal quality measurements for handover preparation, i.e. a handover request to a forbidden cell will not be performed because the signal quality in that cell is not determined.10 15 20 25 ‘WO 021065789 PCT/EPOW/12121 For the proposed method, the amount of signaling of information between the control node and the access node is low because only few bits corresponding to the particular user need to be signaled while information, e.g. tables, required for the determination of user groups are needed only in the control nodes. A record representing roaming agreements of the operator can remain at a single or few locations in the communication system, especially in the control nodes. This simplifies significantly the updating of any changes. Also it is not necessary to implement an analysis function for the user identification in the access nodes while the existing analysis function in the control node can be used for determining subscriber groups. Finally, it is possible to use the proposed method instead of checking whether a user equipment in idle mode is authorized for access to the communication system or in case that a corresponding check fails. The processing load for the checks in the nodes can be reduced in this way at the expense of increased signaling for requests to forbidden services. This option is advantageous in case of'a small fraction of requests for forbidden services. Ina preferred embodiment of the method, an operator identification is determined in the control node from the identification of the user equipment and the subscriber group information is determined according to the operator identification. in this way, operator agreements can easily be transformed into data which can be processed in the communication system. Especially, an information on the roaming agreements for the operators can be stored, e.g. in the control node or in a central database accessible to the control node, and the subscriber group information is determined according to the information on the roaming agreements. The subscriber group information is preferably enclosed in a reply to the request for service processing. Especially, said reply can be a common identification (ID) message or a relocation request message as defined in specification 3GPP10 15 20 25 30 Sa ‘WO 021065789 PCT/EPOW/12121 25.413. As the common ID message is sent at the connection set-up of a UMTS subscriber while the relocation request message is sent for any further handover in the connection, it is preferable that the subscriber group information is enclosed both in a common ID message and a relocation request message. Else a subsequent handover in a connection requires additional checks of access restrictions. Both the common ID message and the relocation request message precede the radio bearer establishment for the user equipment so that the handover procedure can be terminated before in case of a restricted access and unnecessary signaling for bearer establishment is avoided. However, it is also possible to include the subscriber group information into a bearer assignment request or a handover request, e.g. according to specification GSM 08.08 or 3GPP25.413. As the common ID message is not used in customary GSM networks, a sending and processing of the message according to UMTS specifications can be implemented for a GSM network as an alternative to using the assignment request and/or handover request messages according to the BSSAP (Base Station System Application Part) protocol for transmitting the subscriber group information. It is also possible to store the subscriber group information in the control node or in a user record of a VLR associated with the control node to avoid a repeated calculation or in the access node to reduce the signaling. The determined subscriber group information can then be retrieved for any further determination of an access granting to the user equipment reducing the processing and/or signaling load. In an advantageous embodiment of the method, at least one of the subscriber group information and the area access information is a bitmap which allows an effective transmission and processing of the information. For example, every bit from a first group of bits in the bitmap for the area access information can indicate a home subscriber of an operator, every bit from a second group of bits can indicate a subscriber of an external operator having a roaming agreement10 15 20 25 ‘WO 02/065789 with a selected operator of the network. One bit can represent several operators for whom the same restrictions apply. Further groups of bits in the bitmap for the area access information may indicate if a user is entitled only for GSM or UMTS connections or allowed to still further services. Preferably, both the subscriber group information and the area access information are bitmaps and the processing comprises a logical operation which is performed on the bitmaps. The granting or denial of an access is determined according to the result of the logical operation. Determining on the fact whether the bits of the bitmaps correspond to an allowed or restricted access, the logical operation can be for example an “AND” or an “OR” operation between corresponding bits. It is possible to perform different operations according to the position of a bit and to perform further processing upon the result of the logical operation. The access node can control for example a UMTS radio access network or a GSM radio access network. In this case the access node can be for example an RNC (Radio Network Controller) or a base station controller (BSC). A control node in this case can be a mobile services switching center MSC for circuit switched connections, e.g. an MSC comprising the bearer processing for the connection or an MSC server controlling other nodes, e.g. a media gateway, handling the traffic bearer. For packet switched traffic to the user, the control node can be for example a GPRS Support Node (GSN). Preferably, the granting or denial of access is determined in the access node. This avoids the circumvention of access restrictions by the user equipment and is especially efficient to achieve a low amount of signaling in the communication system. Alternatively, the subscriber group information and the area access information can be transmitted to the user equipment and the access granting is determined10 15 20 25 GER) CTS ORPIERe NIE ‘WO 02/065789 PCT/EPOU/12121 in the user equipment. This can avoid any unnecessary signaling due to access attempts in case of forbidden access. According to the invention, a control node for a communications system with a processing system is adapted to handle services for a user equipment and provided with an interface to exchange messages with an access node or with the user equipment or with both. The contro! node is also adapted to receive a request for service processing for the user equipment with an identification of the user equipment. The control node is adapted to determine a subscriber group information for the user equipment according to the identification and to send the subscriber group information to the access node. An advantageous access node for a radio access network of a communications system is provided with a processing system adapted to determine whether to grant access of a user equipment to the radio access network in a present position of the user equipment, e.g. in a specific location area. The access node controls the access of the user equipment to the radio access network, e.g. to the corresponding target cells. The access node is provided with an interface to ‘exchange messages with a control node handling services for the user equipment and with the user equipment. Accor jing to the invention, the access Node is adapted to receive a subscriber group information and to determine an area access information according to the present location of the user equipment. It is possible that the same area access information applies to the total service area of the access node and that the area access information is ‘stored for this purpose in a memory accessible to the processing system. The access node performs the access granting of the user equipment to the radio access network according to a togical combination of the subscriber group information and the area access information. Both the control node and the access node can be used in any embodiment of the above method. The steps of the above method related to the respective10 15 20 WO 02065789 PCT/EPOW/I2121 nodes as well as the adaptations of the nodes according to the invention are preferably embodied by software executed in a processing system of the respective node. Therefore, the invention is also embodied by a program unit comprising code for performing either the steps of the above method which are executed in the access node or which are executed in the control node. The program unit according to the invention is for example stored on a data carrier or directly loadable into a processing system, e.g. as a sequence of signals. The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1. shows a first scenario for the sharing of networks between operators Fig. 2 shows a second scenario for the sharing of networks between operators Fig. 3 shows a network for performing a method according to the invention Fig. 4 shows a first message sequence according to the invention Fig. 5 shows a second message sequence according to the invention Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention Figures 1 and 2 illustrate different shared network scenarios which are for example suitable for UMTS shared network solutions: - In a Geographically Split Network operators each covering part of a region, for example a country, together provide access in the whole region. - Ina Common Shared Network, e.g. one, UMTS operator provides UMTS service for himself and further operators who operate only GSM networks. In a geographically split network, user equipment subscribed to different10 18 20 25 30 WO 02/065789 PCT/EPOLU12121 operators is allowed access to a UTRAN (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) with different access restrictions for different areas 1, 2, 3 of this UTRAN. An example situation is shown in figure 1, in which operator A and B together to cover a whole region but compete in a middle area 2 where they both have coverage. The networks of Operator A and B have an equivalent access technology in this case, i.e. both provide UMTS access. User equipment subscribed to operator B is allowed in the whole area 1 of operator A except in the overlap area 2. In the overlap area 2, access of user equipment subscribed to operator B to operator A is restricted. In the common shared network solution, there are no access restrictions for the subscribers of the operators A, B, C within a shared access network 4 but at the borders of the shared network 4, different neighboring GSM or UMTS cells from the individual access networks 5, 6, 7 of the operators have to be determined as possible target for a handover. Figure 2 illustrates a corresponding example in which UMTS operator A has allowed access to user equipment from operators B and C to his UMTS network. When a user equipment UE moves out of the UTRAN coverage of the shared network 4 into the GSM region of access networks 5, 6, 7 as indicated by the arrow, a GSM cell of the respective operator A, B, C should be the target for a handover. Generally, the situation is further complicated because roaming restrictions may exist, e.g. between operator C and operator B. The neighboring access networks 5, 6, 7 in figure 2 are described above to be GSM networks but this is not required and they could also be UMTS networks. Even if there is more than one UMTS network involved, the common shared network case is different from a geographically split network for two reasons: ‘* Ina geographically split network, the shared UMTS area is covered by equivalent access networks each with their own PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network)-identification, whereas for a common shared network, the shared UMTS area is covered by one access network with one PLMN- identification.EiiteaiHisiao 10 15 25 sere? ie ‘WO 021065789 PCT/EPOW/12121 W * Ina geographically split network, access restrictions have to be considered within the shared area while in a common shared network, it may be necessary to check access restrictions at the boundary of the shared area to cells of neighboring networks and inside the shared area. Real configurations may be combinations of these two cases. For example since equivalent access networks in the geographically split case will typically also have neighboring networks, the access granting checks for a common shared network may be also required at the boundary of the geographically split network. Therefore, a plurality of cases and situations which may change in time according to different agreements between the operators must be considered when granting access of a roaming user equipment to a network. Figure 3 depicts nodes in a communication system involved in handling connections with user equipment and determining the granting of access to an access network which typically comprises access nodes AN1, AN2, e.g. an RNC or BSC, and radio base stations BS covering the radio access in different cells C1, C2, C3 through which a user equipment may roam. The RAN (Radio Access Network) is the part of the network that is responsible for the radio transmission and control of the radio connection. The RINC of the RAN controls radio resources and radio connectivity within a set of cells while a base station handles the radio transmission and reception within one or more cells covering a geographical area. The radio coverage in a cell is provided by radio base station equipment at the base station site and each cell is identified by a unique identity, which is broadcast in the cell. There may be more than one cell covering the same geographical area. The interfaces between the various nodes are indicated as lu, lub, and lur. The radio interface is sometimes feferred to as the Uu interface.10 15 20 25 30 WO 02/065789 PCT/EPOL/12121 a A radio access network can comprise several access nodes, e.g. RNC. Therefore, on a per RAN-UE connection basis, the RNC can have the roles of an SRNC (Serving RNC) which is in charge of the connection with the user equipment , connection to the core network. Alternatively, an RNC may be a DRNC (Drift RNC) for a connection. In this role the RNC supports the SRINC with radio resources for a connection with the user equipment that needs radio resources in cells controlled by the DRNC. The RAN decides the role of an RNC (SRNC or DRNC) when the UE-RAN connection is established. Normally, the RNC that controls the cell where the connection to the user equipment is initially established is assigned the SANC role for that connection. As the user equipment moves, the connection is maintained by establishing radio controls the connection inside the RAN and provides the communication branches via new cells, possibly also involving cells controlled by another RNC (i.e., a DRNC). According to implementation, either an SRNC ‘or a DRNC may be the access node in the method according to the invention. In the core network GN of the communication system, control nodes N1, N2 handle services like connection requests and handling of location data for the user equipment UE, both for circuit and packet switched connections, The control nodes N1, N2 can therefore be for example an MSC/VLR or an SGSN, either as nodes processing both the payload and the signaling of the connection or as servers processing only the signaling and controlling bearer nodes for handling the payload. A plurality of further nodes FN may be part of the communication network, the further nodes controlling for example connections with further fixed or mobile terminals which may be the target for an originating connection from the user equipment or the target of a terminating connection. Control nodes N1, N2 and further nodes FN are adapted to contact a central location register, e.g. a home location register (HLR) H, holding an information of the present location of a user equipment, generally an identification of the respective control node. It is also possible to send messages between different control nodes N1, N2.10 15 20 25 30 ‘WO 021065789 PCT/EP01/12121 13 The proposed method concerns the signaling between a contro! node N1, N2 and an access node AN1, AN2 in connected mode, especially in shared networks. The control node N1, N2 can perform an analysis of a subscriber identification, e.g. an MSC or an SGSN have the possibility to perform an IMSI (international Mobilé Subscriber Identity) series analysis. The outcome of this analysis is put in a bit map and signaled from the control node N1, N2 to the access node AN1, AN2 handling the connection, e.g. over the UMTS tu interface. The bitmap indicates the subscriber groups which are applicable for that particular subscriber. The bitmap can be for example 16 bits long but comprises preferably at least 32 or 64 bits, the actual number of bits being chosen according to the number of operators considered. A possible usage is that every bit indicates for a network operator, who shares the network either an ‘own subscriber or an international roamer (UMTS and/or GSM roamer) of an operator. The information about the operator agreements can be stored in a database DB, which can either be part of the control nodes CN or can be contacted by them as depicted in Fig. 3. An example for the contents of the database DB is shown in Figure 3a. For every operator of the communication system A, B, ... there are entries with which other operators roaming agreements exist. In the example, operator A has a roaming agreement with operators X, Y, Z while operator 8 has no roaming agreement with operator X and provides only access to his UMTS cells for user equipment subscribed to operators Y and Z. To ‘simplify the IMS! analysis, the operators may be represented in the table by the respective mobile country codes and mobile network codes. The subscriber group information is needed in the access node to allow or restrict a handover to another cell. Both the subscriber group information received from control node N1, N2 and the access information stored for the target cell of the handover in the access node AN1, AN2 are taken into10 15 20 25 ‘WO 021065789 : PCTVEPOLUA2124, 14 consideration, i.e. the access node AN1, ANZ uses the information received from control node N1, N2 to decide if a handover to a particular cell C1 ~C3 is allowed or not. Between a DRNC and an SANG, the access information or the subscriber group information may be signaled over the lur interface. If a handover for the user equipment is not allowed to a particular cell, preferably no measurements are done to prepare a handover towards this cell. In this way, unnecessary signaling is avoided and the battery life of the user equipment is extended. : To determine access, the access node AN1, AN2 can apply a positive or a negative logic for the bitmap indicating the subscriber group information. For this purpose, the access node AN1, AN2 has stored information for the cells C1 ~ C3 or location areas and/or routing areas or for the whole service area, whether the access for a subscriber group corresponding to a bit in the bitmap is allowed or forbidden to the respective area. This information is preferably stored in a second bitmap denoted area access information. For example, six operators A, B, C, D, E and F ina selected region, e.g. a country have'sharing agreements, wherein identical restrictions apply to all subscribers of operator E and F. In this case the bitmap for the subscriber group information may comprise ten bits, E and F being represented by the same bits, the bits having the meaning A/roam to A/B/roam to B/C/roam to C/D/roam to D/E or F/roam to E or F, .e. a bit either indicates a home subscriber of the respective operator or a subscriber of a further operator having a roaming agreement with the respective ‘operator. Roaming agreements can especially relate to a particular access network, e.g. only to UMTS cells. As an example for an international UMTS roamer of rietwork A, who has also roaming agreement with B, but not with any of the other operators, the bitmap for the subscriber group information would be 0/1/0/1/0/0/0/0/0/0.10 15 20 25 30 ‘WO 02/065789 PCT/EPOW/12121 15 For the cell of the access network which is the target for a handover, a corresponding bitmap for the area access information defines which user groups have access to the cell. If a cell in the above example belongs to operator B and B is competing with all other operators in this cell, the bitmap 0/0/1/1/0/0/0/0/ 0/0 would indicate for which subscriber groups access is allowed, i.e. only for subscribers and international roamers of B. To determine whether access to the respective cell is allowed for a subscriber, a logical AND operation is performed between both bitmaps, the result being 0/0/0/1/0/0/0/0/0/0 and an OR operation is performed to the bits of the resulting bitmap, giving 1 in this case. If the result is 1, a handover to this cell is possible, i.e. access to the user equipment is granted upon a request for handover. Else access is restricted and another cell needs to be selected for a handover. To avoid restrictions in case of signaling problems, e.g. due to different capabilities, of nodes, access should be granted if the subscriber group information or the area access information can not be obtained. . to indicate those Alternatively, it is also possible to apply a negative logic, user groups in the bitmap for which no access is allowed, i.e. if a subscriber group is indicated, the user equipment does not have access and access is only permitted if the user does not belong to any restricted group. However, competing operators frequently have several roaming agreements. Often the competing operators sharing a network only allow own international roamers, ice. user equipment subscribed to foreign operators with whom roaming contracts exist, but do not allow roamers of the other operators with whom they share the network. In this case an international roamer could have roaming agreements via his home operator with both operators A and B. Applying negative logic, the cell of operator A would be restricted to subscribers of the foreign operator with a roaming agreement of operator B. In this case, access should be allowed while a specification, e.g. of SGPP, may require that access10 15 20 25 30 SRST WO 02/065789 PCT/EPOW/12121 16 is forbidden if a restriction applies to any of the subscriber groups, i.e. access would be forbidden for the subscriber although he holds a roaming agreement with operator A as due to one restricted group, the access is not allowed. Therefore, additional operations on the bitmaps are required to consider such cases and allow access. For the generation of the bitmap, information about the roaming agreements for all operators sharing a network is stored in a control node N1, N2 in the core network, e.g. in an MSC or SGSN. Alternatively or for updates, a server in the communication network can provide access to information on the roaming agreements for downloading of the corresponding data by the control node N1, N2. When a request for a handover or another service like a connection set-up or sending a short message (SMS) is received for a user equipment, the control node N1, N2 performs an analysis of the subscriber identification, e.g. an IMSt series analysis for determining to which operator a user equipment is subscribed. In GSM and UMTS networks this is possible according to the definition of the IMSI comprising a mobile country code (MCC) and a mobile network code (MIC) in addition to the mobile subscriber number (MSN), i.e. IMSI(max 15 digits) = MCC(3 digits) + MNC(2 or 3 digits) + MSN In this way, the first digits of the IMSI indicate the operator. With this knowledge and the stored representations of the roaming agreements, the MSC sets the bitmap to indicate the subscriber group information of the subsoriber, e.g. indicating if itis an own subscriber, for each of the operators sharing the network and indicating if the home operator of the subscriber has roaming agreements with any of the operators sharing the network, for each operator sharing the network. It should be noted that in GSM and UMTS networks, location area identifications comprise bits corresponding to MCC, MC, location area code10 15 20 25 30 ‘WO 02/065789 PCT/EPOW/12121 17 (LAC) white the bits of cell identifications correspond to MCC, MNC, LAC and cell identity, According to this definition, in one location area there are only cells of one operator. For signaling the bitmap indicating the subscriber group information to the access node AN1, AN2 which performs the logical operation to determine the access granting or restrictions, the Common ID message and the Relocation Request message according to GSM and UMTS specifications are preferable messages. The purpose of the Common ID message in networks according to the state of the art is paging coordination in an RNC of the access network, i.e. to avoid unnecessary paging if a user equipment can have several connections, e.g. a circuit switched connection and a packet switched connection. The Common ID message is always sent to the RNC after a subscriber is authenticated and comprises the IMSI in addition to the bitmap according to the proposed method. If selective authentication is used, i.e. an authentication procedure is omitted in a message flow for resource saving, the Common ID message is sent after the point in time where the authentication would be done. This applies for mobile originating or mobile terminating connections and services as well as for SMS and USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) signating. After the first service or handover took place, the new access node AN1, AN2 may initiate a further handover. To allow the selection of an appropriate cell, the new access node AN1, ANZ is also provided with the subscriber group information. For this purpose, the Relocation Request message according to UMTS specifications is advantageous. Figures 4 and 5 show examples of signaling procedures in a method according to the invention. In both figures, examples for the devices involved in the10 215 20 25 30 ‘WO 021065789 PCT/EPOW/I2121 signaling are indicated at the top of the vertical lines. Double-headed arrows indicate procedures which comprise two or more messages between the involved devices. More detail on the messages can be found in the 3GPP specifications of the 3 Generation Partnership Project, especially in specification 3GPP 25.413 V4.1.0. Figure 4 shows a signaling for a mobile terminating call which is initiated with an initial address message IAM from a transit switching center (TSC) or a gateway MSC (GMSC). After a paging procedure P, P’ an authentication A, A’ of the user equipment is performed followed by a mode procedure M, M' for setting transmission mode parameters. Then the common ID message C is sent, comprising the subscriber group information as described above as a bitmap. Furthermore, the common ID message C indicates to the RNC that a connection to the user equipment already exists and a paging, e.g. due toa further connection request from an SGSN, is not required. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the subscriber group information can be included in the direct transfer message D initiating the connection set-up procedure S,'S'. The advantage of the former option is that it requires less signaling in case of restricted access, i.e. the set-up is terminated earlier. Furthermore, the common ID message C is sent from the MSC to the RNC both for a mobile originating and a mobile terminating connection. In contrast, the direct transfer message D and the corresponding confirmation D’ are sent in the opposite direction between RNC and MSC for a connection originating from the user equipment UE. Therefore, a subdivision between mobile originating and terminating connections would be required to determine whether the subscriber group information has to be included in the direct transfer message D or the confirmation D’. Finally, the further call set-up S, S' proceeds if the processing of the subscriber group information and the area access information has the result that the user equipment is allowed for connections or services in the radio access network. Else the procedure is terminated.10 15 20 25 ‘WO 021065789 PCT/EPO4/12121 19 {na further alternative embodiment, the subscriber group information can be included in an assignment message requesting bearer establishment during the connection set-up procedure S, S’. This alternative has the advantage that the assignment message is always sent form the control node to the access node. However, if the procedure is terminated at this point in time, much unnecessary signaling is performed. For a subsequent handover during the conneation froma source RNC toa target RNC, an advantageous message flow is depicted in figure 5. The message flow is initiated by a message “relocation required” RR from the source RNC presently controlling the radio connection to the MSC controlling the connection for the access network. In turn the MSC sends a message “relocation request” RR’ to the target RNC which can be determined for ‘example due to transmitted measurement results for the connection quality form the user equipment. According to the invention, the bitmap representing the subscriber group information is included in the relocation request RR’. The further relocation procedure R, R’ proceeds only if the processing of the subscriber group information and the area access information stored in the RNC has the result that the user equipment is allowed for connections or services in the present location by the radio access network. Else the procedure is terminated. In this, case the a different target RNC needs to be selected and a further relocation procedure initiated. Both after the message flow in figure 4 and 5, preferably the access node provides a filtered list of neighboring cells to the user equipment to avoid that quality measurements on restricted cells are performed for further handover preparation,, i.e. cells can be removed from a list of neighboring cells if access will not be granted. For any subsequent handover, restricted cells can be ruled10 15 20 30 ‘WO 02/065789 PCT/EPOW/12121 20 out in this way as possible targets, reducing battery consumption in the mobile phone and avoiding unnecessary signaling. If the access restriction is performed by cell filtering, a list of neighbor cells adapted to the specific user equipment's subscription can be provided. To filter the list of all neighbor cells down to those cells appropriate, again subscriber group information is considered along with area access information about the neighbor cells. The home network of the mobile can be determined from the IMSI. In addition, the network to which a neighbor cell belongs is part of the UTRAN cell identity stored in the DRNC and transferred to the SRNC. In an example method for implementing the invention, based on available mobile subscriber information, it is determined which networks identified by PLMN codes represented by mobile country code and mobile network code may be accessed by the subscriber. A filtering of the list of neighbor cells is performed to limit the list to those cells consistent with the user's subscription and the filtered neighbor cell list is sent to the mobile using standard signaling, The control node determines the allowed networks of the subscriber, e.g. as a list of MCC-+MNC or as subscriber group information represented by a bitmap, and passes the allowed networks to the SRNC over the lu interface in the common ID message. The SRNC can forward the allowed networks over the ur interface to the DRNC which performs filtering. If the filtering is performed in an SANG, the control node again passes the allowed networks or subscriber group information to the SRNC over the lu interface in the common ID message. The DRNC sends the full list of neighbor cells over lur and the SRNC performs filtering of the cell list received from the DRNC. In principle, the combination of the subscriber group information and the area access information can also be done in the user equipment or in the control node. For example, an alternative solution uses national roaming restrictions in10 15 20 25 a nksa®) ‘WO 02/068789 PCT/EPOU/12121 21 the MSC which also administers the restricted location areas per subscriber group. The method for access granting is then implemented in the MSC and location areas are ruled out for handover, if access is not allowed for the subscriber. Then only those location areas which are allowed for the user equipment are indicated to the RNC to prepare the handover. However, the proposed solution is especially resource efficient and avoids unnecessary signaling. It is possible that an inter-MSC handover is required during a connection from an anchor MSC outside the communication system to a target control node in the system, The anchor MSC may be a contro! node not adapted to perform the proposed method or lacking information on the roaming agreements to determine the subscriber group information. According to UMTS and GSM specifications, the anchor control node outside the shared communication system processes any services for the user equipment while the target control node adapted to the proposed method would only relay messages to the access node. In this case, the target control node can amend the relayed messages by the subscriber group information or signal the subscriber group information to the anchor control node of the inter-MSC handover for inclusion into messages. The above embodiments admirably achieve the objects of the invention. However, it will be appreciated that departures can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention which is limited only by the claims.10 15 20 25 30 9) a EP 01.976 315 01 976 315.0-1854 28 July 2014 P15312 EP1 22 Claims 1. Method for determining whether to grant access of a user equipment (UE) to a radio access network in a present position of the user equipment (UE) within a communications system, the communications system comprising a contro! node (N1, N2) handling services for the user equipment (UE) and an access node (AN1, AN2) controlling the access network, the method comprising the steps of - receiving a request for service processing for the user equipment (UE) in the control node (N1, N2) with an identification of the user equipment (UE), - determining a subscriber group information for the user equipment (UE) according to the identification of the user equipment (UE), - sending the subscriber group information to the access node (AN1, AN2), - determining an area access information according to the present location of the user equipment (UE) in the access node (AN1, AN2), and performing the access granting of the user equipment (UE) to the radio access network according to a logical combination of the subscriber group information and the area access information 2. Method according to claim 4, wherein an operator identification is determined in the control node (N1, N2) from the identification of the user equipment (UE) and the subscriber group information is determined according to the operator identification. 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an information on the roaming agreements for the operators is stored and the subscriber group information is determined according to the information on the roaming agreements. 4. Method according to any preceding claim, wherein the subscriber group information is enclosed in a reply to the request for service processing.7 3 10 15 20 25 30 EP 01976 315, 01 976 315.0-1854 28 July 2014 P15312 EP1 23 5. Method according to claim 4, wherein the reply is any message from a group comprising a common identification message (C), a relocation request (RR’), a handover request or a bearer assignment request. 6. Method according to any preceding claim, wherein the determined subscriber group information is stored and retrieved for a further determination of an access granting to the user equipment (UE). 7. Method according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the subscriber group information and the area access information is a bitmap. 8. Method according to claim 7, wherein a logical operation is performed on the bitmaps and the access granting is determined according to the result of the logical operation. 9. Method according to any preceding claim, wherein the access granting is determined in the access node (AN1, AN2). 10.Method according to any of the claims 1 to 9, wherein the subscriber group information and the area access information are transmitted to the user equipment (UE) and wherein the access granting is determined in the user equipment (UE). 141. Method according to any preceding claim, wherein the access node (AN1, AN2) controls a UMTS radio access network or a GSM radio access network. 12. Method according to any preceding claim, wherein the access node (AN1, ‘AN2) is @ radio network controller and wherein the contro! node (N1, N2) is a mobile services switching center or a GPRS Support NodePrinted: 30-07-2014 CLM 10 15 20 25 30 01 976 315.0-1854 28 July 2014 P15312 EP1 24 13.Communication network comprising means for carrying out all the steps of the method according to any preceding claim. 14.Control node (N1, N2) for a communications system with a processing system adapted to handle services for a user equipment (UE) and provided with an interface to exchange messages with an access node (AN1, AN2) and/or with the user equipment (UE), wherein the control node (N1, N2) is adapted to receive a request for service processing for the user equipment (UE) with an identification of the user equipment (UE), characterized in that the control node (N1, N2) is adapted to determine a subscriber group information for the user equipment (UE) according to the identification and to send the subscriber group information to the access node (AN1, AN2). 15.Access node (AN1, AN2) for a radio access network of a communications system with a processing system adapted to determine whether to grant access of a user equipment (UE) to the radio access network in a present Position of the user equipment (UE) and to control the access and provided with an interface to exchange messages with a control node (N1, N2) handling services for the user equipment (UE) and with the user equipment (UE), characterized in that the access node (AN1, AN2) is adapted to receive a subscriber group information, the access node (AN1, AN2) is adapted to determine an area access information according to the present location of the user equipment (UE), and to perform the access granting of the user equipment (UE) to the radio access network according to a logical combination of the subscriber group information and the area access information. 16. Program unit comprising code for performing either the steps of a method according to any of the claims 1 to 12 which are executed in the access node (AN1, AN2) or which are executed in the control node (N1, N2).‘WO 02/065789 PCT/EPOW/12121 FIG. 1 Aand B compete eo FIG. 2 UMTS shared by A, B,C SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)‘WO 02065789 2/3 FIG. 3a Operator A | Operator B Operator X yes no Operator Y yes UMTS Operator Z yes UMTS SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)(OEis: PCT/EPOW/12121 3/3 FIG. 4 TSC/ MSC/VLR GMSC MGW RNC UE P Pp A Low Direct Transfer Setup Direct Transfer at. Ss FIG. 5 RNC MSC/VLR RNC UE source MGW target Relocation required Relocation request SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 28)») European patent application No. 01976315.0 After communication under Rule 71(3) EPC (IGRA) but before decision to grant (EPO Form 2006A) 28.07.2014 Bequest for amendments/corrections of documents (IGRE coded) dated Note 1: If the request is treated when the decision to grant (EPO Form 2006A) has already been handed over to the EPO postal service, itis to be submitted to the examining division with EPO Form 2051 Note 2: If the request concerns only the title(s) andlor classification, itis to be submitted to the examining division as described in Fil d’Ariane. (C1 Third-party observations under Article 115 EPC (TIPA coded) dated Continue with point 2. Note: If the observations are treated when the decision to grant (EPO Form 206A) has already been handed over to the EPO postal service, they must no longer be submitted to the examining division. @ fining {The request was received within the IGRA period. The request was received after expiry of the IGRA period. The applicant failed to reply in time (ADWI situation) but further processing has been requested. The request was received after having already paid fees and submitted translations of claims in due time. The decision to grant (EPO Form 2006A) has not yet been handed over to the EPO postal service. 2. To the examining division Please decide below whether the requested amendments/corrections are allowable or whether the third-party ‘observations are relevant. Date; 30-07-2014 Formaities Officer: _ Patrice, Nathalie 3. Tothg tormalties officer e ones is von tothe amencments/crrections requested, Anew communication under Rule 71(8) EPC (IGRA) is to be issued. 32 Following a telephone conversation agreement has been reached. A new communication under Rule 71(3) EPC (IGRA) is to be issued. Attached EPO Form 2036 (telephone consultation) is to be enclosed with it. 3.3 Notall or none of the amendmentsicorrections can be allowed. Examination proceedings are to be resumed. (2 Attached communication is to be despatched with EPO Form 2001 (EXRE) / 2909 (INBA) G Attached EPO Form 2036 (telephone consultation) is to be despatched with EPO Form 2049 (EXRE). G1 Attached summons to oral proceedings is to be despatched with EPO Form 2008 (ORAL). (Note for examiner: At least one communication under Rule 71(1)(2) EPC must have been sent before Summons to oral proceedings can be sent.) Attached reasoned refusal is to be despatched with EPO Form 2007 (REFU). (Note for examiner: At least one communication under Rule 71(1)(2) EPC must have been sent and the applicant’ rights according to Articles 113(1) and 116 EPC must have been met before a refusal can be sent.) The communication under Rule 71(3) EPC was based upon an auxiliary request. Since the applicant maintains the main or higher ranking request which is not allowable, the application is to be refused (Ant. 97(2) EPC), EPO Form 20820 04.12 NP5137134 The applicant has expressed disapproval. Since there is no text on which to base a decision, the application is to be refused (Art. 113(2) EPC; see T 237/96 and Guidelines C-V, 4.9). (Note for examiner: Standard clause N17C will be used.) Observations by a third party (Art. 115 EPC) D._ The observations under Article 115 EPC give no cause for amendment of the documents. Note: TIPAO4 is to be coded (to release APUB). _ Examination proceedings are to be resumed. Attached communication is to be dispatched. Date: 22 Examining Division = Chairman ‘Second Examiner EPO Fom 20926 04.12 NP51371Acknowledgement of receipt We hereby acknowledge receipt ofthe following subsequently filed document(s) ‘Submission number ‘Application number Date of receipt Receiving Office Your reference Applicant Documents submitted ‘Submitted by Method of submission Date and time receipt generated Message Digest 2912230 EP01976315.0 29 July 2014 European Patent Office, The Hague P15312 EP1 All applicants as on file package-data xml epf1038.paf (1 p.) CLMS-1.pdfP15312_EP1_claims1stR 713_clean.paf (3 p.) ep-sfd-request.xm! IGRA-1 pdfiP15312_EP1_letteristR71 3.pdt (2 p.) CLMS-HWA-1.pdlP'15312_EP1_claim ststR713_markedup.pdf (3 p.) CN=V, Mojzesz 32927,0: ricsson GmbH,C- =DE Online 29 July 2014, 15:39 (CEST) C9:85:6F:3F:57'8C/F6:5F:28F2:F5:C6:8C:EA‘A7:2E:37-E9:F0:E9 Correction by the EPO of errors in debit instructions filed by eOLF Errors in debit instructions fled by eOLF that are caused by the editing of Form 1038E entries or the continued use of outdated ‘software (all forms) may be corrected automatically by the EPO, leaving the payment date unchanged (see decision T 152/82, (OJ EPO 1984, 301 and point 6.3 ff ADA, Supplement to OJ EPO 10/2007). Acknowledgement of receipt - application number EP01976315.0 European Patent Orfice/ Page 1 of 110 15 20 25 30 01 976 315.0-1854 28 July 2014 P15312 EP1 22 Claims 1. Method for determining whether to grant access of a user equipment (UE) to a radio access network in a present position of the user equipment (UE) within a communications system, the communications system comprising a control node (N1, N2) handling services for the user equipment (UE) and an access node (AN1, AN2) controlling the access network, the method comprising the steps of - receiving a request for service processing for the user equipment (UE) in the control node (N1, N2) with an identification of the user equipment (UE), - determining a subscriber group information for the user equipment (UE) according to the identification of the user equipment (UE), - sending the subscriber group information to the access node (AN1, AN2), - determining an area access information according to the present location of the user equipment (UE) in the access node (AN1, AN2), and performing the access granting of the user equipment (UE) to the radio access network according to a logical combination of the subscriber group information and the area access information. 2. Method according to claim 1, wherein an operator identification is determined in the control node (N1, N2) from the identification of the user equipment (UE) and the subscriber group information is determined according to the operator identification 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an information on the roaming agreements for the operators is stored and the subscriber group information is determined according to the information on the roaming agreements. 4, Method according to any preceding claim, wherein the subscriber group information is enclosed in a reply to the request for service processing.10 15 20 25 30 01 976 315.0-1854 28 July 2014 P15312 EP1 23 5. Method according to claim 54, wherein the reply is any message from a group comprising @ common identification message (C), a relocation request (RR’), a handover request or a bearer assignment request. 6. Method according to any preceding claim, wherein the determined subscriber group information is stored and retrieved for a further determination of an access granting to the user equipment (UE). 7. Method according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the subscriber group information and the area access information is a bitmap. 8. Method according to claim 7, wherein a logical operation is performed on the bitmaps and the access granting is determined according to the result of the logical operation. 9. Method according to any preceding claim, wherein the access granting is determined in the access node (AN1, AN2) 10.Method according to any of the claims 1 to 9, wherein the subscriber group information and the area access information are transmitted to the user equipment (UE) and wherein the access granting is determined in the user equipment (UE). 11. Method according to any preceding claim, wherein the access node (AN1, AN2) controls a UMTS radio access network or a GSM radio access network. 12.Method according to any preceding claim, wherein the access node (AN1, ‘AN2) is a radio network controller and wherein the control node (N41, N2) is a mobile services switching center or a GPRS Support Node.01 976 315.0-1854 28 July 2014 P15312 EP1 24 13. Communication network comprising means for carrying out all the steps of the method according to any preceding claim. 44. Control node (N1, N2) for a communications system with a processing 5 system -adapted to handle services for a user equipment (UE) and provided with an interface to exchange messages with an access node (AN1, AN2) and/or with the user equipment (UE), wherein the control node (N1, N2) is adapted to receive a request for service processing for the user equipment | (UELwith an identification of the user equipment (UE), characterized in that 10 the control node (N1, N2) is adapted to determine a subscriber group information for the user equipment (UE) according to the identification and to send the subscriber group information to the access node (AN1, AN2) | 15.Access node (AN, AN2) for a radio access network of a communications 15 system with a processing system adapted to determine whether to grant access of a user equipment (UE) to the radio access network in a present | position of the user equipment (UE) and to control the access and provided with an interface to exchange messages with a control node (N1, N2) handling services for the user equipment (UE) and with the user equipment 20 (UE), characterized in that the access node (AN1, AN2) is adapted to receive a subscriber group information, the access node (AN1, AN2) is adapted to determine an area access information according to the present location of the user equipment (UE), 25 and to perform the access granting of the user equipment (UE) to the radio. access network according to a logical combination of the subscriber group information and the area access information. 16.Program unit comprising code for performing either the steps of a method 30 according to any of the claims 1 to 12 which are executed in the access node (AN1, AN2) or which are executed in the control node (N41, N2’10 15 20 25 30 01 976 315.0-1854 28 July 2014 P15312 EP1 22 Claims 1. Method for determining whether to grant access of a user equipment (UE) to a radio access network in a present position of the user equipment (UE) within a communications system, the communications system comprising a control node (N1, N2) handling services for the user equipment (UE) and an access node (AN1, AN2) controlling the access network, the method comprising the steps of - receiving a request for service processing for the user equipment (UE) in the control node (N1, N2) with an identification of the user equipment (UE), - determining a subscriber group information for the user equipment (UE) according to the identification of the user equipment (UE), - sending the subscriber group information to the access node (AN1, AN2), - determining an area access information according to the present location of the user equipment (UE) in the access node (AN1, AN2), and performing the access granting of the user equipment (UE) to the radio access network according to a logical combination of the subscriber group information and the area access information. 2. Method according to claim 1, wherein an operator identification is determined in the control node (N1, N2) from the identification of the user equipment (UE) and the subscriber group information is determined according to the operator identification 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an information on the roaming agreements for the operators is stored and the subscriber group information is determined according to the information on the roaming agreements. 4, Method according to any preceding claim, wherein the subscriber group information is enclosed in a reply to the request for service processing.10 15 20 25 30 01 976 315.0-1854 28 July 2014 P15312 EP1 23 5. Method according to claim 4, wherein the reply is any message from a group comprising a common identification message (C), a relocation request (RR’), a handover request or a bearer assignment request. 6. Method according to any preceding claim, wherein the determined subscriber group information is stored and retrieved for a further determination of an access granting to the user equipment (UE). 7. Method according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the subscriber group information and the area access information is a bitmap. 8. Method according to claim 7, wherein a logical operation is performed on the bitmaps and the access granting is determined according to the result of the logical operation. 9. Method according to any preceding claim, wherein the access granting is determined in the access node (AN1, AN2) 10.Method according to any of the claims 1 to 9, wherein the subscriber group information and the area access information are transmitted to the user equipment (UE) and wherein the access granting is determined in the user equipment (UE). 11. Method according to any preceding claim, wherein the access node (AN1, AN2) controls a UMTS radio access network or a GSM radio access network. 12.Method according to any preceding claim, wherein the access node (AN1, ‘AN2) is a radio network controller and wherein the control node (N1, N2) is a mobile services switching center or a GPRS Support Node.10 15 20 25 30 01 976 315.0-1854 28 July 2014 P15312 EP1 24 13. Communication network comprising means for carrying out all the steps of the method according to any preceding claim. 44. Control node (N1, N2) for a communications system with a processing system adapted to handle services for a user equipment (UE) and provided with an interface to exchange messages with an access node (AN1, AN2) and/or with the user equipment (UE), wherein the control node (N1, N2) is adapted to receive a request for service processing for the user equipment (UE) with an identification of the user equipment (UE), characterized in that the control node (N1, N2) is adapted to determine a subscriber group information for the user equipment (UE) according to the identification and to send the subscriber group information to the access node (AN1, AN2). 15. Access node (AN1, AN2) for a radio access network of a communications system with a processing system adapted to determine whether to grant access of a user equipment (UE) to the radio access network in a present position of the user equipment (UE) and to control the access and provided with an interface to exchange messages with a control node (N1, N2) handling services for the user equipment (UE) and with the user equipment (UE), characterized in that the access node (AN1, AN2) is adapted to receive a subscriber group information, the access node (AN1, AN2) is adapted to determine an area access information according to the present location of the user equipment (UE), and to perform the access granting of the user equipment (UE) to the radio. access network according to a logical combination of the subscriber group information and the area access information. 16.Program unit comprising code for performing either the steps of a method according to any of the claims 1 to 12 which are executed in the access node (AN1, AN2) or which are executed in the control node (N1, N2).>) Hee Bne Letter accompanying subsequently filed items Representative: 80288 Munich Comany Ms. Verena KARGL Tel, +49(0}89 2300-0 | Fax -4465 Ericsson GmbH Patent Department P.O. Box 5818 Eaacaniesd C2200 HY Rp Nether’ 52134 Herzogenrath Tel. +31(0}70 340-2040 | Fax -3016 Germany Phone: +492407575-4026 Fax: +492407575-4050 E-mail: verena.dr.kargl@ericsson.com ‘The document(s) listod below is (are) subsequent fled documents pertaining to the following application ‘Application number Applicants or representative's reference 10958 Bertin Germany Tol. +49(0)30 25901-0 | Fax 840 19763150 Pissi2EP1 Description of document riginal fle name ‘Assigned fle name 7 | Reply tothe communication under rule PH5912_EPI_loteristR719.pd IGRAA pat 71(9) EPC "Amended clams (lean copy) P15012_EP1_claime 1stR719_dlean pa ‘CLNS-T pat ‘Amended claims wih annotations P15912_EP1_daimststR715_markedup pt CLMS-HWA pa Signatures Place: Date Signed by: Capacity 15312 EP1 Herzogenrath 29 July 2014 ‘Nerena Kerg (Representative)Unser Zeichen |Our Reference: P15312 EP1 Datum Date: 2014-07-28, ERICSSON Bearbeltor «Attending fo this matter: Verona Kargl 4924075754028 the Zelchon - Your Referonce: 01976316.0-1854 Ihe Daturn» Your Date: 2014-03-21 European Patent Office 80298 Munich Appl. number: 01 976 315.0-1854 Applicant: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ) Our ref.: P15312 EP1 Regarding the Communication under Rule 71(3) EPC dated 21 March 2014, the applicant requests herewith reasoned amendments to the claims and to correct the bibliographic data: 4. Filed documents ‘As an enclosure, amended claims 1 to 16 are filed, in order to replace claims 1 to 16 annexed to the above Communication, respectively. Further, marked-up copies of the above documents are filed, from which the performed amendments can be retraced 2. Requests 2.1 __Itis requested to envisage the grant of a European patent based on amended claims 1 to 16, description pages 1 to 21 annexed to the above Communication and the figures 1 to 5 on sheets 1/3 to 3/3 annexed to the above Communication. 2.2 __Itis requested to change the German title to "Verfahren zum Bestimmen, ob einem Benutzergerat Zugang zu einem Funkzugangsnetz gewahrt werden soll’ 2.3 Asan Auxiliary Request, an informal interview with the Examiner is requested. 2.4 Asan Auxiliary Request, Oral Proceedings according to Art. 116 EPC are requested. 3. Reasons Ericsson GmbH Eurolab ~ Untemetimansberech Forschung und Entwckung 134 Herzogenrath Ericsson Allee 1 Nat. 0.2407 /'575-0 Nat. 02407 575-150. Amisgericht Disseldort Int 492407 /575-0 Int 649 2407 1575-150. Reg-te. HRB 33012, wv erosion de ‘The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V. Kto-Nr. 146 968 8009 BLZ 502.304 00. Stefan Koetz (Vors) Valter D'Avino (Vors)Fogattan Huma (DE62 6023 0400 1409 6600 09 | ABNADEFFFRA Nils de Baar VAT: DE ar1976161 Bomd Melinghaus WEEE: DE3250842522) Reference: P15312 EP - Date: 2014-07-28 3.1 Amendments Amended claims 1 to 16 are based on claims 1 to 16 annexed to the above Communication, respectively. The back-reference of amended claim 5 is corrected. Missing reference numerals are inserted throughout the claims. 3.2 Patentability The subject-matter of the independent claims annexed to the above Communication and thus of the amended independent claims has already been found to be patentable. Dr. Verena Kargl European Patent Attorney GA. 603320.3, Encls. Amended claims 1 to 16 Marked-up copies» = European Patent ce GERMANY ‘or e40 89 20900 ‘Annex to EPO Form 2004, Communication pursuant to Rule 71(3) EPC Bibliographical data of European patent application No. 01 976 315.0 For the intended grant of the European patent, the bibliographical data are set out below, for information: Title of invention: Classification: Date of filing: Priority claimed: Contracting States* for which fees have been paid: Extension States* for which fees have been paid! Applicant(s)**: Inventor(s): - VERFAHREN ZUM BESTIMMEN OB EINEM BENUTZERGERAT ZUGANG ZU EINEM MOBILFUNK-KOMMUNIKATIONSSYSTEM ERLAUBT WERDEN SOLL - METHOD FOR DETERMINING WHETHER TO GRANT ACCESS OF A USER EQUIPMENT TO A RADIO ACCESS NETWORK PROCEDE PERMETTANT DE DETERMINER SI L'ACCES D'UN EQUIPEMENT UTILISATEUR A UN RESEAU D'ACCES RADIO DOIT ETRE AUTORISE INV. Hoawaeito Hoawa6i2 Hoawasi04 19.10.2001 US / 13.02.2001 /USP268065 AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GRIE IT LI LUMC NL PT SE TR Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) 16488 Stocknoim E STOMPERT, Martin Hundsbrunnertalstr. 22 67691 Hochspeyer DE PERSSON, Bengt Cronstrémsvagen 13 A 8-168 66 Bromma SE WILLARS, Per Rindégatan 19 8-115 36 Stockholm SE *) Ifthe time limit for the payment of designation fees according to Rule 39(1) EPC has not yet expired and the applicant has not withdrawn any designation, all ContractingSee European Patent ce 0 GERMANY ‘or e40 89 20900 StatesExtension States are currently stil deemed to be designated. See also Rule 71(8) EPC. and, if applicable, the above Note to users of the automatic debiting procedure ) two or more applicants have designated different Contracting States, this is indicated here.iene European Patent Office 0 : GERMANY ‘or e40 89 20900 Tonscheidt, Andreas Eriesson GmbH Ericsson Allee 1 52134 Herzogenrath ALLEMAGNE ‘Repeation No Fat Date 01 976 315.0 - 1854 P15312-ATO 21.03.2014 ‘esleant Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) Communication under Rule 71(3) EPC 1. Intention to grant You are informed that the Examining Division intends to grant a European patent on the basis of the above application with the text and drawings and the related bibliographic data as indicated below. A copy of the relevant documents is enclosed. 1.1. Inthe text for the Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LILU MC NL PT SE TR Description, Pages 121 as published Claims, Numbers 112 as published 13-16 filed with telefax on 04-04-2011 Drawings, Sheets 18-38 as published With the following amendments to the above-mentioned documents proposed by the division Description, Pages. 3° Claims, Numbers 13 * Comments Registered letterDate 21.03.2014 Sheet 2 Application No.: 01 976 318.0 1 Rule 42(1)) EPC ** minor clarification 1.2 Bibliographic data The tile of the invention in the three official languages of the European Patent Office, the international patent classification, the designated Contracting States, the registered name(s) of the applicant(s) and the other bibliographic data are shown on the enclosed EPO Form 2056. 2. Invitation You are invited, within a non-extendable period of four months of notification of this communication, 2.1 to EITHER approve the text communicated above and verity the bibliographic data (R. 71(5) EPC) (1) by filing a translation of the claim(s) in the other two official languages of the EPO Fee code EUR (2a) by paying the fee for grant including the tee for printing (Art, 2(2) RFees): 007 875.00 minus any amount already paid (R. 71a(5) EPC): 0.00 (25) by paying the printing fee (Art. 2(2) RFees) for the 36th and each subsequent page; number of pages payable: 0 008 0.00 minus any amount already paid (R. 71a(5) EPC): 0.00 Total amount: 875.00 (3) by paying additional claims fees under Rule 71(4) EPC; number of claims fees payable: 0 016 0.00 minus any amount already paid (R. 71a(5) EPC): 0.00 Total amount 0.00 Important: If the translations of the claims and fees have already been filed and paid respectively in reply to a previous communication under Fule 71(3) EPC, e.g. in the case of resumption of examination after approval (see Guidelines C-V, 6), agreement as to the text to be granted (R. 714(1) EPC) must be expressed within the same time limit (2.9. by approving the text and verifying the bibliographic data, by confirming that grant proceedings can go ahead with the documents on file andlor by stating which translations of the claims already on file are to be used) Note 1: See “Important notes concerning fee payments" below. Note 2: Any overpaid "minus" amounts will be refunded when the decision to grant (EPO Form 206A) has been issued. 22 OR, in the case of disapproval, to request reasoned amendments or corrections to the text communicated above or keep to the latest text submitted by you (R. 71(6) EPC). In this case the transiations of the claims and fee payments mentioned under point 2.1 above are NOT due. The terms "amendment(s)" and “correction(s)" refer only to amendments or corrections of the application documents and not of other documents (e.g. bibliographic data, the designation of the inventor, etc). Registered letterDate 21.03.2014 Sheet 3 Application No.: 01 976 318.0 IF filing amendments, you must identify them and indicate the basis for them in the application as filed. 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It neither of the two possible actions above (see points 2.1 or 2.2) is pertormed in due time, the European patent application will be deemed to be withdrawn (R. 71(7) EPC). 4, Further procedure 4.1 Inthe case of point 2.1 above 4.1.4 The decision to grant the European patent will be issued, and the mention of the grant of the patent will be published in the European Patent Bulletin, if the requirements concerning the transiation of the claims and the Payment of all fees are fulfilled and there is agreement as to the text to be granted (R. 71a(1) EPC). Note on payment of the renewal fee: Ita renewal fee becomes due before the next possible date for publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, publication will be effected only after the renewal fee and any additional fee have been paid (R. 74a(4) EPC) Under Article 86(2) EPC, the obligation to pay renewal fees to the European Patent Office terminates with the payment of the renewal fee due in respect of the year in which the mention of the grant of the European patent 's published Note on payment of the designation fee(s): Ifthe designation fee(s) become(s) due after the communication under Fule 71(3) EPC, the mention of the grant of the European patent will not be published until the designation fee(s) hashave been paid (R. 71a(3) EPO). 4.1.2 After publication, the European patent specification can be downloaded tree of charge from the EPO publication server https:idata,epo.orgipublication-server or ordered from the Vienna sub-office upon payment Of a fee (OJ EPO 2005, 126). Until 31 December 2013, each proprietor may request in writing to receive the certificate for the European patent together with one copy of the new patent specification only ifthe request is fled within three-month or the additional two-month period (R. 95(3) and (4) EPC). If such request has been previously filed, it has to be confirmed within the same period. The requested copy is tree of charge. Any request or confirmation of a request fled after 31 December 2013 or after expiry of these periods will not be dealt with and the certificate will be delivered without a copy of the new European patent specification (cf. Notice from the European Patent Office dated 16 July 2013 concerning communication of the certificate for a European patent, OJ 2013, 418). Registered letterDate 21.03.2014 Sheet 4 Application No.: 01 976 318.0 4.1.3 Filing of translations in the Contracting States As regards translation requirements prescribed by the Contracting States under Article 65(1) EPC, please consult the website of the European Patent Office www.e90.0rg Law & practice Legal texts, National law relating to the EPC www.e90.0r0 “Law & practice “*All Legal texts “London Agreement In the case of a valid extension or validation As regards translation requirements prescribed by the Extension or of Validation States, please consult the website of the European Patent Office wwnw.ep9.0rg ~Law & practice “Legal texts, National law relating to the EPC Failure to supply a prescribed transtation in a Contracting State, or in an Extension or Validation State may result in the patent being deemed to be void ab initio in the State concerned (Art. 65(3) EPC). 4.2 Incase of 2.2 above If the present communication under Rule 71(3) EPC is based on an auxiliary request and, within the time limit, you maintain the main request or a higher ranking request which is not allowable, the application will be ‘efused (Art. 97(2) EPC) Ifthe Examining Division gives its consent to the requested amendments or corrections, it will issue a new communication under Rule 71(3) EPC; otherwise, it shall resume the examination proceedings (R.71(6) EPC) 5. Filing of a divisional application Any divisional application relating to this European patent application must be filed directly with the European Patent Office in Munich, The Hague or Berlin and will be in the language of the proceedings for the present application, or if the latter was not in an official language of the EPO, the divisional application may be filed in the language of the present application as filed (see Article 76(1) and Rule 36(2) EPC). Any such divisional application must be filed while the present application is still pending and the time limit for fling divisional applications must be observed (R. 36(1) EPC; Guidelines A-IV, 1.1.1). 6. 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For further details see the Arrangements for the automatic debiting procedure (AAD) and accompanying information from the EPO concerning the automatic debiting procedure (Annexes A.1 and A.2 to the Arrangements for deposit accounts (ADA) in Supplement to OJ EPO 322009) 6.3 Important information relating to fee amounts Following any amendment to the Rules relating to Fees, the amount(s) mentioned in this communication may be different from the amount(s) actually due on the date of payment. The latest version of the Schedule of fees and expenses, published as a Supplement to the Official Journal of the EPO, is also available on the EPO website (www.ep0.0'g) and can be found under www.ep0.orgSchedule-of-fees, which allows the viewing, downloading and searching for individual fee amounts, both current and previous. Please note that procedural fees are usually adjusted every two years, on even years, with effect from 1 April Registered letterDate 21.03.2014 Sheet 5 Application No.: 01 976 318.0 64 Payments by cheque delivered or sent direct to the EPO are no longer accepted as from 1 April 2008 (see OJ EPO 2007, 626}. Examining Di Chaitma adsch, Michael 2nd Examiner: Pasini, Enrico Ast Examiner: ‘Schweitzer, J ott, & % %, se Mey soy" Schubert-Pischel, S For the Examining Division Fol No. 149.80 2099 "812 Enclosure(s): Text intended for grant ( 27 pages) EPO Form 2086 Registered letterEuropoan Patent Otco fase MNCs SeRwan fet 89 20090 Application No. 1V.2. Patent classification ‘The classification has been changed. It now is as follows: 01 976 315.0 INV. HO4W36/10 Ho4w36/2 Hoaw4sin4 IV.3. Title of the invention The title has been changed. It now is as follows: VERFAHREN ZUM BESTIMMEN OB EINEM BENUTZERGERAT ZUGANG ZU EINEM MOBILFUNK-KOMMUNIKATIONSSYSTEM ERLAUBT WERDEN SOLL METHOD FOR DETERMINING WHETHER TO GRANT ACCESS OF A USER EQUIPMENT TO A RADIO ACCESS NETWORK PROCEDE PERMETTANT DE DETERMINER SI L'ACCES D'UN EQUIPEMENT UTILISATEUR A UN RESEAU D'ACCES RADIO DOIT ETRE AUTORISE IV.4. Documentation fia e ate = iabsen, Michal Chairman Enclosure(s): EC. asin, Enrico| 2nd examiner12003) REBAWORLETS © (EROTBZGS1.0 TPCTERON 1PHEA WO 021065789 PCT/EPOL/12121 10 15 20 25 30 1 Summary and description of the invention Itis an object of the present invention to obviate the above disadvantages and provide a method for controlling the access of user equipment to a radio access system within a mobile communication system, which is effective and which is. easy to implement. According to the invention, the method described in claim 1 is performed. Furthermore, the invention ie-embodiedtirre eyoiem-nedes arthcompater -programs.as described.in claims 13 to 16. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims. In the proposed method for determining an access grant of a user equipment to a radio access network in a present position of the user equipment within a communications system, the communications system comprises a control node handling services for the user equipment and an access node controlling the access network. The control node receives a request for service processing for the user equipment with an identification of the user equipment, typically an IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) or another identification which may be converted into an IMSI. The request can for example be an initial address message for setting up a connection to the user equipment, a set-up request for a connection originating from the user equipment, a request for sending a short message (SMS) or a message "relocation required”. The control node determines a subscriber group information for the user equipment according to the identification of the user equipment, i.e. it performs a classification of the user equipment identification according to subscriber groups with different access rights. For example, the classification can be based on stored roaming agreements for the operator or operators of the BBRE ROS\Paied 11 260g) WEAMrRCCH) —_—(ERO GPRS ONPETEN OAH) 10 15 20 25 30 WO 02/065789 PCT/EPOW/I2121 communication system. Particularly, the subscriber group information can correspond to an indication of a home operator of the subscriber as well as. roaming agreements between the home operator and one or several operators ‘operating the network which can be a shared network. Both for a network which is shared and for a network which is not shared, an operator may have different foaming agreements which allow access only to specific groups of home or roaming subscribers. The subscriber group information is sent to the access node. Furthermore, an area access information according to the present location of the user equipment is determined in the access node, optionally before reception of the subscriber group information. It is possible that only a single area access information exists for the total area covered by the access node or that different parts of the coverage area have a respective area access information. The area access information can be for example selected from a memory of the access node. ‘The access granting of the user equipment to the radio access network is. performed according to a logical combination of the subscriber group information and the area access information. The logical combination can be calculated in a processing system of the access node, e.g. as outlined below. The granting or restriction of access can be performed in different ways. A straightforward alternative is to terminate the procedure during which the request for service processing was sent to the control node if the access to the area is forbidden, e.g. to terminate a connection set-up or a handover. Alternatively or in addition, the access node can provide a list of allowed or forbidden cells to the user equipment, i.e. a filtered list of neighboring cells instead of a list comprising all neighboring cells. In this case the user equipment can consider only allowed cells for access and also in signal quality measurements for handover preparation, i.e. a handover request to a forbidden cell will not be performed because the signal quality in that cell is not determined. a‘WO 021065789 PCT/EPOW/12121 itntedsis- 41-2003) EporSfe0i8 JRGHED oF 1212H) For the proposed method, the amount of signaling of information between the control node and the access node is low because only few bits corresponding to the particular user need to be signaled while information, e.g. tables, required 5 _ for the determination of user groups are needed only in the control nodes. A. record representing roaming agreements of the operator can remain at a single or few locations in the communication system, especially in the control nodes. This simplifies significantly the updating of any changes. Also it is not necessary to implement an analysis function for the user identification in the access nodes 10 while the existing analysis function in the control node can be used for determining subscriber groups. Finally, it is possible to use the proposed method instead of checking whether a user equipment in idle mode is authorized for access to the communication system or in case that a corresponding check fails. The processing load for the checks in the nodes can 15 _ be reduced in this way at the expense of increased signaling for requests to forbidden services. This option is advantageous in case of a small fraction of requests for forbidden services. Ina preferred embodiment of the method, an operator identification is 20 determined in the control node from the identification of the user equipment and the subscriber group information is determined according to the operator identification. In this way, operator agreements can easily be transformed into data which can be processed in the communication system. Especially, an information on the roaming agreements for the operators can be stored, e.g. in 25 the control node or in a central database accessible to the control node, and the subscriber group information is determined according to the information on the roaming agreements. The subscriber group information is preferably enclosed in a reply to the request 30 for service processing. Especially, said reply can be a common identification (ID) message or a relocation request message as defined in specification 3GPP ERS10 15 20 25 30 ‘epoISeBIS OTC TER ON 1212 WO 02/065789 PCT/EPOW/12121 25.413. As the common ID message is sent at the connection set-up of a UMTS subscriber while the relocation request message is sent for any further handover in the connection, itis preferable that the subscriber group information is enclosed both in a common ID message and a relocation request message. Else a subsequent handover in a connection requires additional checks of access restrictions. Both the common ID message and the relocation request message precede the radio bearer establishment for the user equipment so that the handover procedure can be terminated before in case of a restricted access and unnecessary signaling for bearer establishment is avoided. However, it is also possible to include the subscriber group information into a bearer assignment request or a handover request, e.g. according to specification GSM 08.08 or 3GPP25.413. As the common ID message is not used in customary GSM networks, a sending and processing of the message according to UMTS. specifications can be implemented for a GSM network as an alternative to using the assignment request and/or handover request messages according to the BSSAP (Base Station System Application Part) protocol for transmitting the subscriber group information. Itis also possible to store the subscriber group information in the control node or in a user record of a VLR associated with the contro! node to avoid a repeated calculation or in the access node to reduce the signaling. The determined subscriber group information can then be retrieved for any further determination of an access granting to the user equipment reducing the processing and/or signaling load. In an advantageous embodiment of the method, at least one of the subscriber group information and the area access information is a bitmap which allows an effective transmission and processing of the information. For example, every bit from a first group of bits in the bitmap for the area access information can indicate a home subscriber of an operator, every bit from a second group of bits can indicate a subscriber of an external operator having a roaming agreement& 10 15 20 25 30 WO 02/065789 PCT/EPOW/12121 with a selected operator of the network. One bit can represent several operators for whom the same restrictions apply. Further groups of bits in the bitmap for the area access information may indicate if a user is entitled only for GSM or UMTS connections or allowed to still further services. Preferably, both the subscriber group information and the area access information are bitmaps and the processing comprises a logical operation which is performed on the bitmaps. The granting or denial of an access is determined according to the result of the logical operation. Determining on the fact whether the bits of the bitmaps correspond to an allowed or restricted access, the logical operation can be for example an “AND” or an “OR’ operation between corresponding bits. It is possible to perform different operations according to the. Position of a bit and to perform further processing upon the result of the logical operation. The access node can control for example a UMTS radio access network or a GSM radio access network. In this case the access node can be for example an RNC (Radio Network Controller) or a base station controller (BSC). A control node in this case can be a mobile services switching center MSC for circuit switched connections, e.g. an MSC comprising the bearer processing for the connection or an MSC server controlling other nodes, e.g. a media gateway, handling the traffic bearer. For packet switched traffic to the user, the control node can be for example a GPRS Support Node (GSN). Preferably, the granting or denial of access is determined in the access node. This avoids the circumvention of access restrictions by the user equipment and is especially efficient to achieve a low amount of signaling in the communication system. Alternatively, the subscriber group information and the area access information can be transmitted to the user equipment and the access granting is determined BBs:10 15 30 8) GeemPHeT] «—_ePRUSHeaTSNPERIEMSTE ‘WO 02/065789 PCT/EPOU/I2121 in the user equipment. This can avoid any unnecessary signaling due to access attempts in case of forbidden access. According to the invention, a control node for a communications system with a processing system is adapted to handle services for a user equipment and provided with an interface to exchange messages with an access node or with the user equipment or with both. The control node is also adapted to receive a request for service processing for the user equipment with an identification of the user equipment. The control node is adapted to determine a subscriber group information for the user equipment according to the identification and to send the subscriber group information to the access node. An advantageous access node for a radio access network of a communications system is provided with a processing system adapted to determine whether to grant access of a user equipment to the radio access network in a present position of the user equipment, e.g. in a specific location area. The access node controls the access of the user equipment to the radio access network, e.g. to the corresponding target cells. The access node is provided with an interface to exchange messages with a control node handling services for the user equipment and with the user equipment. According to the invention, the access node is adapted to receive a subscriber group information and to determine an area access information according to the present location of the user equipment. It is possible that the same area access information applies to the total service area of the access node and that the area access information is stored for this purpose in a memory accessible to the processing system. The access node performs the access granting of the user equipment to the radio access network according to a logical combination of the subscriber group information and the area access information. Both the control node and the access node can be used in any embodiment of the above method. The steps of the above method related to the respective Bese 2063,inte 10 15 20 25 30 12009) (ABpAMPHUETS =P Herat SONBCTERGIIAISY ‘WO 02/065789 PCT/EPO1/12121 nodes as well as the adaptations of the nodes according to the invention are preferably embodied by software executed in a processing system of the respective node. Therefore, the invention is also embodied by a program unit comprising code for performing either the steps of the above method which are executed in the access node or which are executed in the control node. The program unit according to the invention is for example stored on a data carrier or directly loadable into a processing system, e.g. as a sequence of signals. The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1 shows a first scenario for the sharing of networks between operators Fig. 2 shows a second scenario for the sharing of networks between operators Fig. 3 shows a network for performing a method according to the invention Fig. 4 shows a first message sequence according to the invention Fig. 5 shows a second message sequence according to the invention Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention Figures 1 and 2 illustrate different shared network scenarios which are for ‘example suitable for UMTS shared network solutions: - In a Geographically Split Network operators each covering part of a region, for example a country, together provide access in the whole region. - Ina Common Shared Network, e.g. one, UMTS operator provides UMTS service for himself and further operators who operate only GSM networks. Ina geographically split network, user equipment subscribed to differentbedi 10 15 20 25 30 2008 waBaMpHbery) —_ (ERD IBreStSi0 HRETEP OH2 WO 02/065789 PCT/EPOW/I2121 10 operators is allowed access to a UTRAN (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) with different access restrictions for different areas 1, 2, 3 of this, UTRAN. An example situation is shown in figure 1, in which operator A and B together to cover a whole region but compete in a middle area 2 where they both have coverage. The networks of Operator A and B have an equivalent access technology in this case, i.e. both provide UMTS access. User equipment subscribed to operator B is allowed in the whole area 1 of operator A except in the overlap area 2. In the overlap area 2, access of user equipment subscribed to operator B to operator A is restricted. In the common shared network solution, there are no access restrictions for the ‘subscribers of the operators A, B, C within a shared access network 4 but at the borders of the shared network 4, different neighboring GSM or UMTS cells from the individual access networks 5, 6, 7 of the operators have to be determined as possible target for a handover. Figure 2 illustrates a corresponding example in which UMTS operator A has allowed access to user equipment from operators B and C to his UMTS network. When a user equipment UE moves out of the UTRAN coverage of the shared network 4 into the GSM region of access networks 5, 6, 7 as indicated by the arrow, a GSM cell of the respective operator A, B, C should be the target for a handover. Generally, the situation is further complicated because roaming restrictions may exist, e.g. between operator C and operator B. The neighboring access networks 5, 6, 7 in figure 2 are described above to be GSM networks but this is not required and they could also be UMTS networks. Even if there is more than one UMTS network involved, the common shared network case is different from a geographically split network for two reasons: ‘* Ina geographically split network, the shared UMTS area is covered by equivalent access networks each with their own PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network)-identification, whereas for a common shared network, the shared UMTS area is covered by one access network with one PLMN-identification,‘WO 021065789 PCT/EPOL/12121 Einteaiitstflz008) REPAMBRUET! = (EROHSPEBISTOR ACTER OW2 121 10 15 20 25 30 W ‘+ Ina geographically split network, access restrictions have to be considered within the shared area while in a common shared network, it may be necessary to check access restrictions at the boundary of the shared area to cells of neighboring networks and inside the shared area. Real configurations may be combinations of these two cases. For example since equivalent access networks in the geographically split case will typically also have neighboring networks, the access granting checks for a common shared network may be also required at the boundary of the geographically split network. Therefore, a plurality of cases and situations which may change in time according to different agreements between the operators must be considered when granting access of a roaming user equipment to a network. Figure 3 depicts nodes in a communication system involved in handling connections with user equipment and determining the granting of access to an access network which typically comprises access nodes AN1, AN2, e.g. an RNC or BSC, and radio base stations BS covering the radio access in different cells C1, C2, C3 through which a user equipment may roam. The RAN (Radio Access Network) is the part of the network that is responsible for the radio transmission and control of the radio connection. The RNC of the RAN controls radio resources and radio connectivity within a set of cells while a base station handles the radio transmission and reception within one or more cells covering a geographical area. The radio coverage in a cell is provided by radio base station equipment at the base station site and each cell is identified by a unique identity, which is broadcast in the cell. There may be more than one cell covering the same geographical area. The interfaces between the various nodes are indicated as lu, lub, and lur. The radio interface is sometimes feferred to as the Uu interface.10 15 20 25 30 iSTeHE OPTRA ‘WO 021065789 PCT/EPOI/12121 Fs A radio access network can comprise several access nodes, e.g. RNC. Therefore, on a per RAN-UE connection basis, the RNC can have the roles of an SRNC (Serving RNC) which is in charge of the connection with the user equipment , i.e., it controls the connection inside the RAN and provides the connection to the core network. Alternatively, an RNC may be a DRNC (Drift RNC) for a connection. In this role the RNC supports the SRNC with radio tesources for a connection with the user equipment that needs radio resources in cells controlled by the DRNC. The RAN decides the role of an RNC (SRNC or DRNC) when the UE-RAN connection is established. Normally, the RNC that controls the cell where the connection to the user equipment is initially established is assigned the SRNC role for that connection. As the user equipment moves, the connection is maintained by establishing radio communication branches via new cells, possibly also involving cells controlled by another RNC ( or a DRNC may be the access node in the method according to the invention. .. a DNC). According to implementation, either an SNC In the core network CN of the communication system, control nodes N1, N2 handle services like connection requests and handling of location data for the user equipment UE, both for circuit and packet switched connections, The control nodes N1, N2 can therefore be for example an MSC/VLR or an SGSN, either as nodes processing both the payload and the signaling of the connection or as servers processing only the signaling and controlling bearer nodes for handling the payload. A plurality of further nodes FN may be part of the communication network, the further nodes controlling for example connections with further fixed or mobile terminals which may be the target for an originating connection from the user equipment or the target of a terminating connection. Control nodes N1, N2 and further nodes FN are adapted to contact a central location register, e.g. a home location register (HLR) H, holding an information of the present location of a user equipment, generally an identification of the respective control node. It is also possible to send messages between different control nodes N1, N2. Bebb e002)10 15 20 25 30 GepANMPHUET]) —-_EROISTESTS OPENER o1li2124) ‘WO 02/065789 PCTEPOL/12121 13, The proposed method concerns the signaling between a contro! node N1, N2 and an access node AN1, ANZ in connected mode, especially in shared networks. The control node N1, N2 can perform an analysis of a subscriber identification, e.g. an MSC or an SGSN have the possibility to perform an IMSI (Intemational Mobile Subscriber Identity) series analysis. The outcome of this analysis is put in a bit map and signaled from the control node N1, N2 to the access node AN1, AN2 handling the connection, e.g. over the UMTS lu interface. The bitmap indicates the subscriber groups which are applicable for that particular subscriber. The bitmap can be for example 16 bits long but comprises preferably at least 32 or 64 bits, the actual number of bits being chosen according to the number of operators considered. A possible usage is that every bit indicates for a network operator, who shares the network either an own subscriber or an international roamer (UMTS and/or GSM roamer) of an operator. The information about the operator agreements can be stored in a database DB, which can either be part of the control nodes CN or can be contacted by them as depicted in Fig. 3. An example for the contents of the database DB is. shown in Figure 3a. For every operator of the communication system A, B, ... there are entries with which other operators roaming agreements exist. In the example, operator A has a roaming agreement with operators X, Y, Z while operator B has no roaming agreement with operator X and provides only access to his UMTS cells for user equipment subscribed to operators Y and Z. To simplify the IMS! analysis, the operators may be represented in the table by the respective mobile country codes and mobile network codes. The subscriber group information is needed in the access node to allow or restrict a handover to another cell. Both the subscriber group information received from control node N1, N2 and the access information stored for the target cell of the handover in the access node AN1, AN2 are taken intoame 10 15 20 25 30 2803) GRCAMBHLET) Ebb ferebist6 “Poteet WO 02/065789 PCT/EPOU/I2121 14 consideration, i.e. the access node AN1, AN2 uses the information received from control node N1, N2 to decide if a handover to a particular cell C1 -C3 is allowed or not. Between a DRNC and an SRNC, the access information or the subscriber group information may be signaled over the lur interface. If a handover for the user equipment is not allowed to a particular cell, preferably no measurements are done to prepare a handover towards this cell. In this way, unnecessary signaling is avoided and the battery life of the user equipment is extended. : To determine access, the access node AN1, AN2 can apply a positive or a negative logic for the bitmap indicating the subscriber group information. For this purpose, the access node AN1, AN2 has stored information for the cells C1 — C3 or location areas and/or routing areas or for the whole service area, whether the access for a subscriber group corresponding to a bit in the bitmap is allowed or forbidden to the respective area. This information is preferably stored in a second bitmap denoted area access information. For example, six operators A, B, C, D, E and F ina selected region, e.g. a country have sharing agreements, wherein identical restrictions apply to all subscribers of operator E and F. In this case the bitmap for the subscriber group information may comprise ten bits, E and F being represented by the same bits, the bits having the meaning A/roam to A/B/roam to B/C/roam to C/D/roam to D/E or F/roam to E or F, i.e. a bit either indicates a home subscriber of the respective operator or a subscriber of a further operator having a roaming agreement with the respective operator. Roaming agreements can especially relate to a particular access network, e.g. only to UMTS cells. As an example for an international UMTS roamer of network A, who has also roaming agreement with B, but not with any of the other operators, the bitmap for the subscriber group information would be 0/1/0/1/0/0/0/0/0/0.once 8 G2pAUBHIET)) —-_ERdNSvexi Ad PEED ot 12134) 10 15 20 25 30 ‘WO 02/065789 PCT/EPOI/12121 15 For the cell of the access network which is the target for a handover, a corresponding bitmap for the area access information defines which user groups have access to the cell. Ifa cell in the above example belongs to operator B and B is competing with all other operators in this cell, the bitmap 0/0/1/1/0/0/0/0/ 0/0 would indicate for which subscriber groups access is allowed, i.e. only for subscribers and international roamers of B. To determine whether access to the respective cell is allowed for a subscriber, a logical AND operation is performed between both bitmaps, the result being 0/0/0/1/0/0/0/0/0/0 and an OR operation is performed to the bits of the resulting bitmap, giving 1 in this case. If the result is 1, a handover to this cell is possible, i.e. access to the user equipment is granted upon a request for handover. Else access is restricted and another cell needs to be selected for a handover. To avoid restrictions in case of signaling problems, e.g. due to different capabilities of nodes, access should be granted if the subscriber group information or the area access information can not be obtained. Alternatively, it is also possible to apply a negative logic, i.e. to indicate those user groups in the bitmap for which no access is allowed, i.e. if a subscriber group is indicated, the user equipment does not have access and access is only permitted if the user does not belong to any restricted group. However, competing operators frequently have several roaming agreements. Often the competing operators sharing a network only allow own international roamers, i.e. user equipment subscribed to foreign operators with whom roaming contracts exist, but do not allow roamers of the other operators with whom they share the network. In this case an international roamer could have roaming agreements via his home operator with both operators A and B. Applying negative logic, the cell of operator A would be restricted to subscribers of the foreign operator with a roaming agreement of operator B. In this case, access should be allowed while a specification, e.g. of SGPP, may require that access BBE RES(Batted: fi.1Ai2503, (ROPAMPHLET) = Edi 9768: 10 15 20 25 30 36 Peter eiaai2i) ‘WO 02/065789 _. PCT/EPOW/12121 16 is forbidden if a restriction applies to any of the subscriber groups, i.e. access would be forbidden for the subscriber although he holds a roaming agreement with operator A as due to one restricted group, the access is not allowed. Therefore, additional operations on the bitmaps are required to consider such cases and allow access. For the generation of the bitmap, information about the roaming agreements for all operators sharing a network is stored in a control node N1, N2 in the core network, e.g. in an MSC or SGSN. Alternatively or for updates, a server in the ‘communication network can provide access to information on the roaming agreements for downloading of the corresponding data by the control node N1, N2, When a request for a handover or another service like a connection set-up or sending a short message (SMS) is received for a user equipment, the control node N1, N2 performs an analysis of the subscriber identification, e.g. an IMS! series analysis for determining to which operator a user equipment is. subscribed. In GSM and UMTS networks this is possible according to the definition of the IMSI comprising a mobile country code (MCC) and a mobile network code (MNC) in addition to the mobile subscriber number (MSN), i.e. IMSI(max 15 digits) = MCC( digits) + MNC(2 or 3 digits) + MSN In this way, the first digits of the IMSI indicate the operator. With this knowledge and the stored representations of the roaming agreements, the MSC sets the bitmap to indicate the subscriber group information of the subscriber, e.g. indicating if itis an own subscriber, for each of the operators sharing the network and indicating if the home operator of the subscriber has roaming agreements with any of the operators sharing the network, for each operator sharing the network. It should be noted that in GSM and UMTS networks, location area identifications comprise bits corresponding to MCC, MNC, location area codeEriceira 10 15 20 25 30 ARPHLET) «——_(ERGIBTESISO TRCTER(GT P12 ‘WO 02/065789 PCT/EPOW/I2121 17 (LAC) while the bits of cell identifications correspond to MCC, MNC, LAC and cell identity. According to this definition, in one location area there are only cells of one operator. For signaling the bitmap indicating the subscriber group information to the access node AN1, AN2 which performs the logical operation to determine the access granting or restrictions, the Common ID message and the Relocation Request message according to GSM and UMTS specifications are preferable messages. The purpose of the Common ID message in networks according to the state of the art is paging coordination in an RNC of the access network, i.e. to avoid unnecessary paging if a user equipment can have several connections, e.g. a circuit switched connection and a packet switched connection. The Common ID message is always sent to the RNC after a subscriber is authenticated and comprises the IMSI in addition to the bitmap according to the proposed method. If selective authentication is used, i.e. an authentication procedure is omitted in a message flow for resource saving, the Common ID message is sent after the Point in time where the authentication would be done. This applies for mobile originating or mobile terminating connections and services as well as for SMS and USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) signaling. Alter the first service or handover took place, the new access node AN1, AN2 may initiate a further handover. To allow the selection of an appropriate cell, the new access node AN1, AN2 is also provided with the subscriber group information. For this purpose, the Relocation Request message according to UMTS specifications is advantageous. Figures 4 and 5 show examples of signaling procedures in a method according to the invention. In both figures, examples for the devices involved in thePea REE, «RHR WN RSERAIZIS) 10 15 20 26 30 ‘WO 02/065789 PCT/EPOI/12121 18 signaling are indicated at the top of the vertical lines. Double-headed arrows indicate procedures which comprise two or more messages between the involved devices. More detail on the messages can be found in the 3GPP specifications of the 3° Generation Partnership Project, especially in specification 3GPP 25.413 V4.1.0. Figure 4 shows a signaling for a mobile terminating call which is initiated with an initial address message IAM from a transit switching center (TSC) or a gateway MSC (GMSC). After a paging procedure P, P’ an authentication A, A’ of the user equipment is performed followed by a mode procedure M, M for setting transmission mode parameters. Then the common ID message C is sent, ‘comprising the subscriber group information as described above as a bitmap. Furthermore, the common ID message C indicates to the RNC that a connection to the user equipment already exists and a paging, e.g. due to a further connection request from an SGSN, is not required. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the subscriber group information can be included in the direct transfer message D initiating the connection set-up procedure S, S'. The advantage of the former option is that it requires less signaling in case of restricted access, i.e. the set-up is terminated earlier. Furthermore, the common ID message C is sent from the MSC to the RNC both for a mobile originating and a mobile terminating connection. In contrast, the direct transfer message D and the corresponding confirmation D’ are sent in the opposite direction between RNC and MSC for a connection originating from the user equipment UE. Therefore, a subdivision between mobile originating and terminating connections would be required to determine whether the subscriber group information has to be included in the direct transfer message D or the confirmation D’. Finally, the further call set-up S, S' proceeds if the processing of the subscriber group information and the area access information has the result that the user equipment is allowed for connections or services in the radio access network. Else the procedure is terminated. aeeetg10 15 20 25 30 19 Ina further alternative embodiment, the subscriber group information can be included in an assignment message requesting bearer establishment during the connection set-up procedure S, S’. This alternative has the advantage that the assignment message is always sent form the control node to the access node. However, if the procedure is terminated at this point in time, much unnecessary signaling is performed. For a subsequent handover during the connection from a source RNC toa target RNC, an advantageous message flow is depicted in figure 5. The message flow is initiated by a message “relocation required” RR from the source RNC presently controlling the radio connection to the MSC controlling the connection for the access network. In turn the MSC sends a message “relocation request” RR’ to the target RNC which can be determined for example due to transmitted measurement results for the connection quality form the user equipment. According to the invention, the bitmap representing the subscriber group information is included in the relocation request RR’. The further relocation procedure R, R’ proceeds only if the processing of the subscriber group information and the area access information stored in the RNC has the result that the user equipment is allowed for connections or services in the present location by the radio access network. Else the procedure is terminated. In this case the a different target RNC needs to be selected and a further relocation procedure initiated. Both after the message flow in figure 4 and 5, preferably the access node provides a filtered list of neighboring cells to the user equipment to avoid that quality measurements on restricted cells are performed for further handover preparation., ie. cells can be removed from a list of neighboring cells if access will not be granted. For any subsequent handover, restricted cells can be ruled (208-2008)Pring 1132008 WepaMiPHuET) == EROHBZESISUE pcreH oN/daiat 10 15 20 25 WO 021065789 PCT/EPOW/I2121 20 out in this way as possible targets, reducing battery consumption in the mobile phone and avoiding unnecessary signaling. If the access restriction is performed by cell filtering, a list of neighbor cells, adapted to the specific user equipment's subscription can be provided. To filter the list of all neighbor cells down to those cells appropriate, again subscriber group information is considered along with area access information about the neighbor cells. The home network of the mobile can be determined from the IMSI. In addition, the network to which a neighbor cell belongs is part of the UTRAN cell identity stored in the DRNC and transferred to the SRNC. In an example method for implementing the invention, based on available mobile subscriber information, it is determined which networks identified by PLMN codes represented by mobile country code and mobile network code may be accessed by the subscriber. A filtering of the list of neighbor cells is performed to limit the list to those cells consistent with the user's subscription and the filtered neighbor cell list is sent to the mobile using standard signaling. The control node determines the allowed networks of the subscriber, e.g. as a list of MCC+MINC or as subscriber group information represented by a bitmap, and passes the allowed networks to the SRNC over the lu interface in the common ID message. The SRNC can forward the allowed networks over the lur interface to the DRNC which performs filtering. If the filtering is performed in an SRNC, the control node again passes the allowed networks or subscriber group information to the SRNC over the Iu interface in the common ID message. The DRNC sends the full list of neighbor cells over lur and the SRNC performs filtering of the cell list received from the DRNC. In principle, the combination of the subscriber group information and the area access information can also be done in the user equipment or in the control node. For example, an alternative solution uses national roaming restrictions in EEREzaSWO 021065789 PCT/EPOW/12121 ai the MSC which also administers the restricted location areas per subscriber group. The method for access granting is then implemented in the MSC and location areas are ruled out for handover, if access is not allowed for the subscriber. Then only those location areas which are allowed for the user 5 equipment are indicated to the RNC to prepare the handover. However, the proposed solution is especially resource efficient and avoids unnecessary signaling 10 Itis possible that an inter-MSC handover is required during a connection from an anchor MSC outside the communication system to a target control node in the system. The anchor MSC may be a control node not adapted to perform the proposed method or lacking information on the roaming agreements to determine the subscriber group information, According to UMTS and GSM 15 specifications, the anchor control node outside the shared communication system processes any services for the user equipment while the target control node adapted to the proposed method would only relay messages to the access node. In this case, the target control node can amend the relayed messages by the subscriber group information or signal the subscriber group information to 20 the anchor control node of the inter-MSC handover for inclusion into messages. The above embodiments admirably achieve the objects of the invention. However, it will be appreciated that departures can be made by those skilled in 25 the art without departing from the scope of the invention which is limited only by the claims.tft 2008 i@PaMenier) 1 STRSIBIOE BCTER 01 12124) Wo 02068789 PCTIEROWI2121 22 Claims 1. Method for determining whether to grant access of a user equipment (UE) to 5 a radio access network in a present position of the user equipment (UE) within a communications system, the communications system comprising a control node (N1, N2) handling services for the user equipment (UE) and an access node (AN1, AN2) controlling the access network, the method comprising the steps of 10 - receiving a request for service processing for the user equipment (UE) in the control node (N1, N2) with an identification of the user equipment (UE), - determining a subscriber group information for the user equipment (UE) according to the identification of the user equipment, - sending the subscriber group information to the access node (AN1, AN2), 15 - determining an area access information according to the present location of the user equipment (UE) in the access node (AN1, AN2), and performing the access granting of the user equipment (UE) to the radio ‘access network according to a logical combination of the subscriber group information and the area access information. 20 2. Method according to claim 1, wherein an operator identification is determined in the control node (N1, N2)from the identification of the user equipment (UE) and the subscriber group information is determined according to the operator identification. 25 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an information on the roaming agreements for the operators is stored and the subscriber group information is determined according to the information on the roaming agreements. 30 4, Method according to any preceding claim, wherein the subscriber group information is enclosed in a reply to the request for service processing.(Binted Fa: 2005) ERgISIeS1SIO: PETER G 1215 WO 021065789 PCT/EPOL/12121 23 5. Method according to claim 5, wherein the reply is any message from a group comprising a common identification message (C), a relocation request (RR’), a handover request or a bearer assignment request. 6. Method according to any preceding claim, wherein the determined subscriber group information is stored and retrieved for a further determination of an access granting to the user equipment (UE). 10 7. Method according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the subscriber group information and the area access information is a bitmap. 8. Method according to claim 7, wherein a logical operation is performed on the bitmaps and the access granting is determined according to the result of the 15 logical operation. 9. Method according to any preceding claim, wherein the access granting is. determined in the access node (AN1, AN2). 20. 10.Method according to any of the claims 1 to 9, wherein the subscriber group information and the area access information are transmitted to the user ‘equipment (UE) and wherein the access granting is determined in the user equipment (UE). 25 11,Method according to any preceding claim, wherein the access node (AN1, AN2) controls a UMTS radio access network or a GSM radio access network. 12, Method according to any preceding claim, wherein the access node (AN1, 30 _AN2)is a radio network controller and wherein the control node is a mobile services switching center or a GPRS Support Node. PEREPrinted:,04-04-2011 CLMS) EP 01 976 315 4, APR. 2011 14:05 5 10 15 25 30 ICSSON PATENTS EDD WO.7431 0 P9 = 24 ll 43. Communication network compris the steps of the method according to any preceding clalm. 14, Control node for a communications system with a processing system adapted to handle services for a user equipment (UE) and provided with an interface to exchange messages with an access node (AN1, AN2) and/or with the user equipment (UE), wherein the control node (N1, N2) is adapted to receive a request for service processing for the user equipment with an identification of the user equipment (UE), characterized in that the control node (N1, N2) is adapted to determine a subscriber group information for the user equipment (UE) according to the identification and to send the subscriber group information to the access node (AN‘, AN2). 415, Access node for a radio access network of a communications system with a processing system adapted to determine whether to grant access of a user equipment (UE) to the radio access network in a present position of the user equipment and to control the access and provided with an interface to exchange messages with a control node (N1, N2) handling services for the user equipment (UE) and with the user equipment, characterized in that the access node (AN1, AN2) is adapted to receive a subscriber group information, the access node (AN1, AN2) is adapted to determine an area access information according to the present location of the user equipment (UE), and to perform the access granting of the user equipment (UE) to the radio access network according to a logical combination of the subscriber group information and the area access information. 46.Program unit comprising code for performing either the steps of a method according to any of the claims 1 to 12 which are executed in the access node or which are executed in the control node. Duration: 04042011 140313 - OF OF DOTT 1405.95. This page Sof 3 was competed al 04 04 ZOTT 14OSSS Received at the EPO on Apr 04, 2011 14:03:33. Page 3 of 3 tA 04-04-2044)12003) ABRAUPHLET) ——_—(EROIS769i50: BOTH 12127) “WO 02/065789 PCT/EPOW/I2121 1/3 FIG. 1 Aand B compete £9 ep i 72 200, FIG. 2 UMTS shared by A, B,C @ SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) (2BRBz02)cece Ena ‘wo 027065789 2/3 FIG. 3 FIG. 3a Operator A | Operator B Operator X yes no Operator Y yes UMTS Operator Z yes UMTS SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)‘WO 02/065789 FIG. 4 TSC/ GMSC FIG. 5 UE (eRaPHEER] © HBR URSA UHaTAR PCT/EPOW/12121 3/3 MSC/VLR MGW RNC UE Pp id A A M M Common ID , C Direct Transfer Setu D Confirm Direct Transfer Confirm D S s RNC MSC/VLR RNC source MGW target Relocation required Relocation request SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)4, APR. 20 5 10 15 20 4:05 ERICSSON PATENTS EDD NO. 7431 P, 24 13. Communication network comprising means for carrying out the steps of the method according to any preceding claim. 14. Control node for a communications system with a processing system adapted to handle services for a user equipment (UE) and provided with an interface to exchange messages with an access node (AN1, AN2) and/or With the user equipment (UE), wherein the control node (N1, N2) is adapted to receive a request for service processing for the user equipment with an identification of the user equipment (UE), characterized in that the control node (N1, N2) is adapted to determine a subscriber group information for the user equipment (UE) according to the identification and to send the subscriber group information to the access node (AN, AN2).. 415. Access node for a radio access network of a communications system with a processing system adapted to determine whether to grant access of a user equipment (UE) to the radio access network in @ present position of the user ‘equipment and to control the access and provided with an interface to exchange messages with a control node (N1, N2) handling services for the user equipment (UE) and with the user equipment, characterized in that the access node (AN, AN2) is adapted to receive a subsoriper group information, the access node (AN1, AN2) is adapted to determine an area access information according to the present location of the user equipment (UE), and to perform the access granting of the user equipment (UE) to the radio access network according to a logical combination of the subscriber group information and the area access information. 16. Program unit comprising code for performing either the steps of a method according to any of the claims 1 to 12 which are executed in the access node or which are executed in the control node, Duration: 04 04 207] 140313 04 04 2071 THOESS. This page Sof 3 was completed at 04 04 2017 TOSS Received at the EPO on Apr 04, 2011 14:03:33. Page 3 of 34. APR DIT 14:04 ERI PA ENTS_EDD ho74at Pt 4 ran aan Cierny | 2011.01.04 P1S312.ATO ealem: Yours FreZaleen:Yesrrenet European Patent Office Sear Tl Atay rar ‘Andreas Tanscheidt +49 2407576-7784 80208 Munchen Appl number: 01 976 315.0 - 2412 oo Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (pub!) ‘Method for determining whether to grant access of a user equipment to a radio access network Our ref.: P15312-ATO Referring to the Communication pursuant to Article 94(3) EPC dated 22.09.2010, the applicant thanks for the extension of the time limit and submits the following comments. With respect to the objections of claim 13, a claim amended in line with the proposal of the Examiner is submitted in order to expedite the granting procedure, A corresponding replacement page for page 24 of the application as pending is enclosed. All other claims are unchanged. Furthermore, the Examining division raised ctarity objections against independent ciaims 1, 14 and 15. The Applicant respectfully traverses these objections. In more detail, the International Preliminary Report on Patentability states that features of Glaim 3 should be amended to claim 1. However, this is not correct as explained on p. 2, I, 21 ~ 30 of the application: access restrictions may also apply to users within a home network, see in particular lines 23 - 24 of this citation. Accordingly, the features of dependent claim 3 relate to a relevant scenario in which the invention can be applied. Howover, the same technical solution can also be applied in other Ericeson GmbH Eulsh— Untrntrnensbeeien Zorchung wd Ertieeang Biaziae Herzogenath Eheseen alot NaOze a7 7870 Natd 407 s7a100 Ainge Coseabot Inte 24071 976-0 Intv4d 2407476480 Regt HAB SS 0°2 in ason de toa eget Sista Keet (Vor) pune gary ve ‘The Roya Oank of eatand NV. Kea. 46 966000 BLZ £02,904 00. Nlede Oar Sadar Rardevaa Des 8029 Ga00 1480 6880.00. ABNAGEFEERA, 'enmidt Durations 04 04 2017 140513 -04 042071 140898. This page 1 of 3 was competed stO4 04 DOTT 140820 Received at the EPO on Apr 04, 2011 14:03:33. Page 1 of 34 APR 2011 14:04 NN PATENTS EDD NO. 7431-2 2@ ae Retro 2011-0404 P1612. ATO scenarios independent of particular roaming agreements. Correspondingly, the independent claims also do not mention that claim elements correspond to home or roaming networks or that the access network is shared. This shows clearly that the features of claim 3, in particular the ‘roaming agreements", are not necessary to clarify the independent claims. The technical purpose of the proposed method, as also stated in the object on p. 3, l, 5— 8 is, to perform an access control and for this abject it is not essential on which type of agreement the access contro! is based. Therefore, the features of claim 3 are clearly not essential to clarify the elements of the independent claims. Novelty and inventive step were not questioned, WV In view of the above amendments and arguments the applicant respectfully submits that a patent may be granted for the application. Should the Examiner not agree that a patent could in principle be granted, a further communication under Art. 94(3) EPG is requested or, as an auxiliary request, an oral interview. The signer proposes discussion by telephone in the case that only minor further amendments are required for a granting decision. fndreas Tonscheidt (European Patent Attorney) Enclosure: Amended claims Duration: 04 04 2077 14 0313-04 04 2071 THOESS. This page 2 of 3 was completed at 04 04 2017 THOSRS Received at the EPO on Apr 04, 2011 14:03:33. Page 2 of 3remem European Patent Offoe Lead 80298 MUNICH rate Oe GERMANY wep Tel, +49 (0)89 2909-0 Fax +49 (0)89 2399 - 4465, this eommunieatior Tonscheidt, Andreas Tol. (0)70 940 45.00 Eriesson GmbH Ericsson Allee 1 52134 Herzogenrath ALLEMAGNE 13.01.11 [racer Toplston No Patent P15312-ATO 01976315.0 - 2412 / 1360858 SRT ORES Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (pub!) Extension of time limit pursuant to Rule 132(2) EPC Examination procedure With reference to your request, the time limit for replying to the communication pursuant to Article 94(8) EPC dated 22.09.10 has been extended by 2 months toatotalof 6 months from the date of notification of the above-mentioned communication. Please note: To the extent that your request exceeded the above extension, your request has been refused Note ‘The granting of extensions to time limits is governed by the Implementing Regulations to the EPC and the Guidelines for Examination in the EPO, part E-Vill, 1.6. A request for extension, Which would result in the total period set exceeding six months, must be reasoned and supported by evidence, It no reply to the communication is received in due time, the European patent application will be deemed to be withdrawn (Art. 94(4) EPC). For the Examining Division a Pliey, s "¢, *e, ¢ Po1n9 aay EPO Fom29448 10.08 (1009/1)10. JAN 2011 14:25 ERICSSCN PATENTS EDD. 4 J Pines European Patent Office p-80298 Manchen EP application number. -01978318.0 2011.01 08 Ne. 7 ‘ua zoenen eres PissrzePt IheDaken: Yorcute ire Zen Yurmaece Bearer Name Teen Atego eater Dr. Andreas Tonscheldt +49 2407 575 7764 Applicant: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (pub!) Our ref. PIsat2EP1 Referring to the communication pursuant to article 94(3) EPC dated September 22, 2010 we request an extension of 2 months for our response. (re ae ‘Thomas Burchardi (European Patent Attorney) Eniesson GnbH Eola. Untematrmenaveec Frechung und Entwckang DBE Hezogenath reason Ale 1 sere cnsegarsather ‘The Royal mk of Scolend NV. Kore 146968 8008 BLZ 612.20400 ‘Dez £023 64001450 660009 | ABNAGEFFFRA een ns Neto 2407/8750 Irts9 2007 8750 Staten rots (vers) Nis de Gow, Beret Sch nats Sopa NatO 2407/s75ts0 Amsgesht Dissedodt Toe4@ 2407 1876150. Rap.Ne HRB 39 012 mvveeseonae nthe sees Se Feitiwan aerefainewd "VAT: BESTT Week: oenz620426 Duration: 10072071 T4ZEN - 10.01 2011 142520. This page 1 of 2 was conpleted at 70.07 2011 Received at the EPO on Jan 10, 2011 14:25:20, Page 1 of 2 BsDatum alan Anmelde-Nr Date 22.09.2010 Sheet 1 Applicaton No: 01 976 Date Feuille Demande n* ‘The examination is being carried out on the following application documents Description, Pages 1-21 as published Claims, Numbers, 1-16 as published Drawings, Sheets 113-313 as published An International Preliminary Examination Report (IPER) dated 08.05.2003 has al- ready been drawn up for the present application [PCT/EP01/12121] in accordance with the PCT. The Examining Division essentially agrees with the given findings regarding the novelty and inventive step (Articles 54 and 56 EPC) of the claimed subject-matter. Nevertheless, before the application can proceed to grant, some amendments are required to meet the deficiencies mentioned in the IPER, which give rise to objections under the corresponding provisions of the EPC. In particular, for the reasons given in section V of the IPER under "General remarks concerning clarity of the claims", independent claims 1, 14 and 15 lack clarity and hence do not meet the clarity (essential features) requirements of Article 84 EPC. In addition, also for clarity reasons, independent claim 13 should be reformulated 0 as to define that the claimed network "comprises means for carrying out the steps of any preceding claim”. However, care should be taken during revision, especially of the introductory portion including any statements of problem or advantage, not to add subject-matter which extends beyond the content of the application as originally filed, Article 123(2) EPC. EPO Fam 2206iene European Patent Office 0 : GERMANY ‘or e40 89 20900 ll lll Ik lll il I ll eee" Tonscheidt, Andreas SaY 0,70 940.48 00 Eriesson GmbH Ericsson Allee 1 ges 52134 Herzogenrath Tore40 89'2990° 3969 ALLEMAGNE ‘Repeation No Fat Date 01 976 315.0 - 2412 P15312-ATO 22.09.2010 ‘esleant Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) Communication pursuant to Article 94(3) EPC The examination of the above-identified application has revealed that it does not meet the requirements of the European Patent Convention for the reasons enclosed herewith. if the deficiencies indicated are nat rectified the application may be refused pursuant to Article 97(2) EPC. You are invited to file your observations and insofar as the deficiencies are such as to be rectiiable, to correct the indicated deficiencies within a period of 4 months from the notification of this communication, this period being computed in accordance with Rules 126(2) and 181(2) and (4) EPC. One set of amendments to the description, claims and drawings is to be filed within the said period on separate sheets (R. 50(1) EPC). It fling amendments, you must identify them and indicate the basis for them in the application as filed. Failure to meet either requirement may lead to a communication from the Examining Division requesting that you correct this deficiency (R. 137(4) EPC). Failure to comply with this invitation in due time will result in the application being deemed to be withdrawn (Art. 94(4) EPC). Registered LetterDate 22.09.2010 Sheet 2 ost * 6 9g : “a ” oan 40 wio* Schweitzer, J Primary Examiner For the Examining Enclosures): 1 page’ reasons (Form 2906) Registered Letter Application No.: 01 976 315.0CN PATENTS £09] es wr op Lier 2th 3Bepiginber 2010 SE AULT TORRERET PIS TOY EVE Fina "OM Tere Coee cee Fai “480 European Patent Office 80298 Munchen EP Application No: 01976315.0 Applicant: ‘Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) Our ref: P15312EP1 Upon review of the file the Applicant has noted that there has been no action in this ease ‘fora considerable time. The European Patent Office is respectfully asked to indicate when further prosecution of this case can be expected. boinheulf- Dr. Andreas Tonscheidt European Patent attorney Biosson Gmbe Ee - Utareensborh Forchino Enna sexo th Seo: Twin-migtee Tobe eso rostecopanaby ——Erewon et Mar "ootor/e7so tr O2407/S76.189 bang Oot ea In +492407/575-0 Ink «092407/5 75-100 PogeNr, MAB 29012 sieae ein cate tiie Patter: gee en marae fat INO Ban Weovne TaeecoecovEL7 22280400 OnstnAvers Anco Dino) WARDETUTO"e! DeeeseraeanoToacee009 ASML ieee ob sume Duration: 16109 2070 16:59:80 - 15.09.2010 1659.35 This page 1 of 7 was coveleted at 15.09.2010 165595 Received at the EPO on Sep 15, 2010 16:53:35. Page 1 of 1ERICSSON 2 oun. ee sentune nano, Toebn- Atego is man ame epoore ——" Meh 2905. te 2aenen- Yur etree Klaus-Dieter Kribber +49 2407 575 548 European Patent Office PO -Munich 80298 Munich 8 18 15. Mart EP application number: Applicant: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) Ss Our ref.: as = OOMSH.4 Herewith we name the following representatives, all European Patent Attomeys, 0OM554.2. for the above-mentioned European Patent Application: C0MS33.0 OH S34. © Klaus-Dieter Kribber, OY S355 Ericsson GmbH, Ericsson Allee 1, D-52134 Herzogenrath, Germany 09¥S3G,.3 Phone: +49 2407 575 548, Fax: +49 2407 575 400 cosy OA 4 Dr. Andreas Tonscheidt, eee Ericsson GmbH, Ericsson Allee 1, D-52134 Herzogenrath, Germany Sorel eu gy Gabriele Mohsler, Satoset Ericsson GmbH, Ericsson Allee 1, D-52134 Herzogenrath, Germany Dr. Torsten Pfeifer, Ericsson GmbH, Ericsson Allee 1, D-52134 Herzogenrath, Germany replacing the former representatives. Please address all further correspondence regarding this application to Klaus-Dieter Kribber. K) “ Klaus-Dieter Kribber European Patent Attomey General Authorisation No. 48913 Ericsson GmbH Eurcab - Unternehmensbereich Forschung und Entwicktung ‘esti Mat ‘rate. Sever Tele sno ‘te Regsopee -52134 Herzogenmin ———Eriesson Allo 1 Nat 02407/5750 Nat _02407/575-150 __Arnfsgeriont Dasseldort Int 49240715750 Int s492407/575-150—-Reg-Nr. HB 33012 ewan ant scout enn stent tant -Sieuieo Sous YARED. ‘ABN AMRO Bank o-Ne 1469668009 Dr Ulich Sick Jetkevsiermans (ors) DE 81 1978181 ‘DES2502304001469668009 BLZ 50230400Europlisches European Office européen 9d 3 Siero uarchen Patentamt Patent Office des revels, = tam nes 1 S686 ead Fax “toes Sn ates st inctote Gar ction Gtrrate2 COPY Tonscheidt, Andreas z Ericsson Eurolab Deutschland Gmbit Patent Department Ericsson Allee 1 52134 Herzogenrath ALLEMAGNE. Dana 15/03/04 L 4 Teche ‘hating We hopieston Ne Daan Pan Patio ov P15312-ATO 01976315.0-2412/1360858 Taal hppleaniberanteuiPaertbabaopiat Tiare ‘Telefonaktiebolaget IM Ericsson (publ) COMMUNICATION concerning the registration of amendments relating to [ ] a transfer (Rule 20/Rules 61,20 EPC) oA entries pertaining to the applicant/the proprietor (Rule 92(1)(£) EPC) As requested, the entries pertaining to the applicant of the above-men- tioned European patent application/to the proprietor of the above-men- tioned European patent have been amended to the followin; AT-BE~CH-CY-DE-DK-ES-FI-FR-GB-GR-IE~IT-LI-1U-MC-NL-PT-SE-TR ‘Telefonaktiebolaget IM Ericsson (publ) 16483 Stockholm/SE 02, 03,04 The registration of the changes has taken effect on ..... In the case of a published application/a patent, the change will be re- corded in the Register of European Patents and published in the European Patent Bulletin (Section I.12/II.12). Your attention is drawn to the fact that, in the case of the registra- tion of a transfer, any automatic debit order only ceases to be effec~ tive from the date of its express revocation (cf. point 14(c) of the Arrangements for the automatic debiting procedure, Supplement to 0J EPO 6/1994). Formalities officer Tel.: (449-89) 2399- EPO Form 2544 11.99 7051014 _ 10/03/04oe ss ERICSSON B oem: camer ‘82008 were i rece rare eee EPO - iviunich “on CONFIRMATION OF FAX a 4, kare 2004 ASSENTON 62.03.2904 Mr. Eric Bihl i 80298 Miinchen Fax: 089-239-4465 For all EP applications which we have with the EPO in the name of the applicant ‘Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ.) Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (PUBL) Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson the address has been changed from 12625 Stockholm Sweden to 16483 Stockholm, Sweden Furthermore we ask you to correct the applicant's designation forall applications corresponding to the previous enumeration to ‘Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) qj CGubnde J 6 | Gabriele Mohsler European Patent Attomey General Authorisation No. 38847 Ericsson Eurolab Deutschland GmbH poset Mad sate Saat Tetlon-eeahone “ein tae ogetaeient D's2104 Herzogenraih Eriesson Aloe 1 fat. O2¢07/5750 hat. 02807/575-150 ‘Ariagaricht Aachen int + 49/240715 75-0 int. + 49/24 07/5 75-150 Rog, Nt HRS 4550 arse ating accom Ccaenahsaner- Present cht: Sipertsor Boat vara. Bevisene Bark AG, Aachen Keislan Tow Kast Asmar (Voss) De 121734922 to-Nr, 116 285 800 (BLZ 390 70020)ERICSSON 2 Beerbeter Nome, Ten» Arann hs mone ane, lephane Gabriele Mobsler +49 2407575-681 European Patent Office usT Mr. Eric Bibl 80298 Miinchen Fax: 089-239-4465 SRa'2004 sens eee ere I 2ROt For all EP applications which we have with the EPO in the name of the applicant ‘Telefonakticbolaget LM Ericsson (publ) ‘Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ.) ‘Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (PUBL) ‘Telefonaktieboluget LM Ericsson the address has been changed from 12625 Stockholm Sweden to 16483 Stockholm, Sweden Furthermore we ask you to correct the applicant's designation for all applications corresponding to the previous enumeration to ‘Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) fab ridé / Gabriele Mohsler European Patent Attorney General Authorisation No. 38847 Ericsson Eurolab Deutschland GmbH Dis215¢ Merzaganrah Eriesson alle 1 Berliono: Bont Deutsene Bon SooN 1 Toon prone wha tr egurgeren O24071575-0 nat. 02¢07/575-150 ‘Amisgericht Aachen Int + 49/24 0715 75-0 int + 49/24 07/5 75-150 eg.-Nr HRS 4550 Oxctattve Frist utes: Swenson Boo sn stan Tov0 Kart Alsmar (Vore.) DE 121794922a fugaiccies — Eugeag ——— erorpten — Q) Bees wee ac mre 7 Tonscheidt, Andreas z ALLEMAGNE, ce 01730703 L J Thelin Appear! DenandeuPleiahaberPropst Taare TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (publ) NOTIFICATION OF EUROPEAN PUBLICATION NUMBER AND INFORMATION ON THE APPLICATION OF ARTICLE 67(3) EPC The provisional protection under Article 67(1) and (2) EPG in the individual Contracting States becomes effective only when the conditions referred to in Article 67(3) EPC have been fulfilled (for further details, see information brochure of the European Patent Office "National Law relating to the EPC" and additional information in the Official Journal of the European Patent Office). Pursuant to Article 158(1) EPC the publication under Article 21 PCT of an international application for which the European Patent Office is a designated Office takes the place of the publication of a European patent application. The bibliographic data of the above-mentioned Euro-PCT application will be published on 12.11.03 in Section I.1 of the European Patent Bulletin. The European publication number is 1360858. In all future communications to the European Patent Office, please quote the application number plus Directorate number. RECEIVING SECTION EPO Form 1219 (02.94) 26/09/03 009European 18 -Patentaan 2 2280 HY swig (2H) Patent Office Boro) 3403040 Fax (070) 3403016 Gonwralaeenton 1 Dictate General Diecton generale 1 Torsha es I Eriesson Eurolab Deutschland GmbH Patent Department Ericsson Allee 1 52134 Herzogenrath epoline® Customer Services ALLEMAGN' Tel.:+31 (0)70 340 45.00, Dae 22-09-2003 Reference ‘Appieaton No Pate. P18312-ATO 01976316.0- 2412 POT/EPO112121 TppleaniPropreer TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET L M ERICSSON (publ) ‘Communication pursuant to Rules 109 and 110 EPC (1) Amendment of application documents, especially the claims (Rule 109 EPC) ‘The above mentioned international (Euro-PCT) application has entered the European phase, or can do £0, once the necessary conditions are fulfilled Under Articles 28, 41 PCT, Rules 52, 78 PCT and Rule 86(2) to (4) EPC, the applicant may amend the application documents after receiving the international search report. Whether or not he has already done so, he now has a further opportunity to file amended claims or other application documents within a non-extendable ti it of ONE MONTH after notification of the present communication (Rule 109 EPC). ‘The claims applicable on expiry of the above time limit, ie. those filed on entry into the European phase or in response to the present communication, will form the basis for the calculation of any claims fee to be paid (eee page 2) and for any supplementary search to be carried out under Article 157(2) EPC (Rule 109 EPC) Registered letterate neat 2 ‘Aepieaton Ne. 01976315.0 (2) Claims fees under Rule 110 EPC If the application documents on which the European grant procedure is to be based comprise more than ten claims, a claims fee shall be payable for the eleventh and each subsequent claim within the period provided for in Rule 107(1) EPC. Based on the application documents currently on file, all necessary claims fees have already been paid (orthe documents do not comprise more than 10 claims). 11 Allnecessary fees will behave been debited automatically according to the automatic debit order. (The claims fee due for the claims to ‘were not paid within the above-mentioned period, ‘Any non-paid claims fee, either based on the current set of claims or on any amended claims to be filed pursuant to Rule 109 EPC (see page 1), may still be validly paid within a non-extendable period of grace of ‘ONE MONTH after notification of this communication. If a payment is made for only some of the claims, it must be indicated for which claims itis intended. If a claims fee is not paid in due time, the claim concerned is deemed to be abandoned (Rule 110(4) EPC). If claims fees have already been paid, but on expiry of the above-mentioned time limit there is a new set of claims containing fewer fee-incurring claims than previously, the claims fees in excess of those due under Rule 110(2), 2nd sentence, EPC will be refunded (Rule 110(3) EPC). You are reminded that any supplementary search under Article 157(2) EPC will relate only to the last set of claims applicable on expiry of the above time limit AND will be confined to those fee-incurring claims for which fees have been paid in due time. ‘The fee for the eleventh and each subsequent claim is EUR 40,00. RECEIVING SECTIONa Europalaches European Office européen Pg sate Patentaen 2 Bes Hv Fs (2) Patentamt Patent Office des brevets Boro) 3402040 Fax (07g)3403016 Generation | Dietorate General Diecton generate 1 PERSSON Bert HLA Cronstrémsvagen 13 A epoline® Customer Services 8-168 66 Bromma Tel: #34 ()70:340 45.00 SUEDE Dae 17.09.03, ‘Aapleaton No Pasi, 01976316.0-241-EP0112121 AopiesniPrepreior TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET L M ERICSSON (pub!) Notification of the data mentioned in Article 128(5) EPC pursuant to Rule 17(3) EPC In the above-identified patent application you are designated as inventor/co-inventor. Pursuant to Rule 17(3) EPC the data as mentioned in Article 128(8) EPC are notified herewith: DATE OF FILING 19.10.01 PRIORITY US/13.02,01/ USP 268065 TITLE METHOD FOR DETERMINING WHETHER TO GRANT ACCESS OF A USER EQUIPMENT TO A RADIO ACCESS NETWORK DESIGNATED STATES AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE ITLILUMC NL PT SE TR RECEIVING SECTIONa Europalaches European Office européen Pg sate Patentaen 2 Bes Hv Fs (2) Patentamt Patent Office des brevets Boro) 3402040 Fax (07g)3403016 sagen a IAN HOUUAE Hundsbrunnertalstr. 22 epoline® Customer Services Tel: #34 ()70:340 45.00 Dae 17.09.03, ‘Aapleaton No Pasi, 01976316.0-241-EP0112121 AopiesniPrepreior TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET L M ERICSSON (pub!) Notification of the data mentioned in Article 128(5) EPC pursuant to Rule 17(3) EPC In the above-identified patent application you are designated as inventor/co-inventor. Pursuant to Rule 17(3) EPC the data as mentioned in Article 128(8) EPC are notified herewith: DATE OF FILING 19.10.01 PRIORITY US/13.02,01/ USP 268065 TITLE METHOD FOR DETERMINING WHETHER TO GRANT ACCESS OF A USER EQUIPMENT TO A RADIO ACCESS NETWORK DESIGNATED STATES AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE ITLILUMC NL PT SE TR RECEIVING SECTIONa Europalaches European Office européen Pg sate Patentaen 2 Bes Hv Fs (2) Patentamt Patent Office des brevets Boro) 3402040 Fax (07g)3403016 Generation | Dietorate General Diecton generate 1 ee HLA Rindégatan 19 8-115 36 Stockholm epoline® Customer Services Tel: #34 ()70:340 45.00 SUEDE Dae 17.09.03, ‘Aapleaton No Pasi, 01976316.0-241-EP0112121 AopiesniPrepreior TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET L M ERICSSON (pub!) Notification of the data mentioned in Article 128(5) EPC pursuant to Rule 17(3) EPC In the above-identified patent application you are designated as inventor/co-inventor. Pursuant to Rule 17(3) EPC the data as mentioned in Article 128(8) EPC are notified herewith: DATE OF FILING 19.10.01 PRIORITY US/13.02,01/ USP 268065 TITLE METHOD FOR DETERMINING WHETHER TO GRANT ACCESS OF A USER EQUIPMENT TO A RADIO ACCESS NETWORK DESIGNATED STATES AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE ITLILUMC NL PT SE TR RECEIVING SECTIONa Europalaches European Office européen Pg sate Patentaen 2 Bes Hv Fs (2) Patentamt Patent Office des brevets Boro) 3402040 Fax (07g)3403016 Generation | Dietorate General Diecton generate 1 Tonscheidt, Andreas Ericsson Eurolab Deutschland GmbH Patent Department Ericsson Allee 1 52134 Herzogenrath ep oline® Customer Services ALLEMAGNE, Tel: #34 ()70:340 45.00 Dae 27.08.08 ‘apleaton No Pater, (01976318.0-2412-EP0112121 DopleaniPrepretr ‘TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET L M ERICSSON (pub!) Refund of fees ‘The following fees were paid in respect of the application 01976315.0: Fee Code VoucherNo Date Currency Amount. Examination fee 006 00408009 26.07.03 EUR 1 430,00 REFUND ORDER 1. Inaccordanee with Art. 12(1) Rules relating to Fees in conjunction with Rule 6(3) EPC, 20 % of the examination fee will be refunded and in accordance with Art. 12(2) Rules relating to Fees in conjunction with Rule 104b(6) EPC, 50 % of the examination fee will be refunded. (see Supplement No, 1 to OJ EPO 12/1992, page 25, par. II-3) 2. The refund will be done by: CREDITING YOUR DEPOSIT ACCOUNT 28001024 Ericsson Eurolab Deutschland GmbH Patent Depar ‘Amount refundable: Code Currency Amount Voucher No 006 = EUR 858,00 00432287 Total: EUR 858,00 ‘The Authorising Officer SCHUBERT KP (31)(70)3402979») Ar oa 1, Ju 1999 singer ) enn teetnne Eintritt in die europaische Phase (EPA als Bestimmungsamt oder ausgewahites Amt) ‘To the European Patent Office from 1 July 1998 om ‘Oni for inernaione! gapeytona lh 14 Entry into the? 5, Juli 2003 European phase {EPO as designated or elected Office) ATOtfice européen des brevets 1 Sevloment pour les demands intemations ies posses compter du jar 1999 Entrée dans la phase européenne (VOEB agissant en qualité d’office désigné ou élu) Europsische Anmeldenumme oder, fll right bokannt, PCT-Aktonaeichen ode PCEVerotfantlehungsnuremer e uropean application number, oi not known, PCT applestion or publication umber 01976315.0 (POT/EPO112121) ‘Numéro de dépbt de ia demande de brevet urepéen ou, 8 défaut, numéro PCT ou de publication PCT eichon des Armes oder Verwotrs ‘Appliant’s or representative's reference éléronce dv demandour ou du mandatare ‘Anmpaler sind in der nternatonsien \erstfentienung enthalton oder vom Internationaien Baro noch dor Interationalen Verfentichung 1 Aaerungen, ie das inerainste Biro noch nat vrers a, snd suf einem Zueataa angegeben Zustellansehritt (stone Morkbat 1) imax: T5Posttonen (max 8 apaceh {iS catecteres ou espace ou rox) P18312-ATO 1 Anmelder ~ 1. Apicant 1 Demand Ba)" Bevhngsten ater den ie Indletions concerning the Les ndestions concernant ts de applicant) are contained in the international pubieaton o recorded by the Interntional Bureau ster the ‘mtormotional publestion Changes which have not yet been ‘recorded bythe Intrmational urea Ste aot out onan adlional shest. Address for correspondence (Gee Notes 1) ‘andeurs iguent dane la pubieation Internationale ov ont eto envegistiees ‘ere Bureau intermatonel apres la Dubleation internationale Les changements qui n'ont as encore 616 envenstiss parle Bureau int atonal sontneques su ue Tulle acitonne [Adresse pour la correspondance Ivateneteo 1) Einzelvotinach ist bigetoan ‘Algemene Volinacht it rogisirt {ater Nummer: 1 Alsemeine vac ist eingreieh ater noch nen epee [Dia bsim Em als PCTAnmateamt fagersche Velen soe acs Srtckicn i eropacne Pre on oe feelers a Etesson Eula Devtclord Shon bacsson Ales Soe ctaeaeean Zur Kasse | Meee Elo -4 ‘Telefax Telex Fox Telex ‘Téléfax Télex ¢ te Oo Sasol ey os 3. Volimacht 3. 3. Pouvoir | Individul authorisation is attached. General authorisation hasbeen reajetorod under No! 41822 ‘A general authovisaton has been fit, but not yet registered ‘The authorisation fied with the EPO 1 PCT receiving Office expressly ‘ncludes the European phase Un pouvoir spcil est joint, Un pouvoir general exe enrogistd souslen Un powvoi géndtlo 616 déposs, ‘mais rst pas encore anvogis6 Le powair général déposé & FOEB agissant on alte office récepteur 0 uve du PCT sapplique enpresse ‘rant 3 a phaco eutopeenne [EPNEPOIOES Form 12001 01.02 eb pat