EP0726007A1 - Systeme de communication a numero personnel et a fonction radiotelephonique mobile cellulaire a portee etendue - Google Patents

Systeme de communication a numero personnel et a fonction radiotelephonique mobile cellulaire a portee etendue

Info

Publication number
EP0726007A1
EP0726007A1 EP95900378A EP95900378A EP0726007A1 EP 0726007 A1 EP0726007 A1 EP 0726007A1 EP 95900378 A EP95900378 A EP 95900378A EP 95900378 A EP95900378 A EP 95900378A EP 0726007 A1 EP0726007 A1 EP 0726007A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
communication
subscriber
information
mobile telephone
cellular
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP95900378A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Sonu Mirchandani
Wayne R. Howe
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BellSouth LLC
Original Assignee
BellSouth LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by BellSouth LLC filed Critical BellSouth LLC
Publication of EP0726007A1 publication Critical patent/EP0726007A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W8/00—Network data management
    • H04W8/02—Processing of mobility data, e.g. registration information at HLR [Home Location Register] or VLR [Visitor Location Register]; Transfer of mobility data, e.g. between HLR, VLR or external networks
    • H04W8/08—Mobility data transfer
    • H04W8/12—Mobility data transfer between location registers or mobility servers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q3/00—Selecting arrangements
    • H04Q3/0016—Arrangements providing connection between exchanges
    • H04Q3/0029—Provisions for intelligent networking
    • H04Q3/005—Personal communication services, e.g. provisions for portability of subscriber numbers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2207/00—Type of exchange or network, i.e. telephonic medium, in which the telephonic communication takes place
    • H04M2207/12—Type of exchange or network, i.e. telephonic medium, in which the telephonic communication takes place intelligent networks
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2207/00—Type of exchange or network, i.e. telephonic medium, in which the telephonic communication takes place
    • H04M2207/18—Type of exchange or network, i.e. telephonic medium, in which the telephonic communication takes place wireless networks
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2242/00—Special services or facilities
    • H04M2242/30—Determination of the location of a subscriber
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
    • H04M3/42229—Personal communication services, i.e. services related to one subscriber independent of his terminal and/or location
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
    • H04M3/4228—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers in networks
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
    • H04M3/50—Centralised arrangements for answering calls; Centralised arrangements for recording messages for absent or busy subscribers ; Centralised arrangements for recording messages
    • H04M3/53—Centralised arrangements for recording incoming messages, i.e. mailbox systems
    • H04M3/533—Voice mail systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
    • H04Q2213/13097—Numbering, addressing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
    • H04Q2213/13098—Mobile subscriber
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
    • H04Q2213/13103—Memory
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
    • H04Q2213/13109—Initializing, personal profile
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
    • H04Q2213/1313—Metering, billing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
    • H04Q2213/13141—Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
    • H04Q2213/13282—Call forward, follow-me, call diversion

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to communication systems, and more particularly relates to a system for automatically and interactively delivering communications to subscribers at preselected destinations, one or more of which can include cellular mobile radiotelephones. operated in a roaming manner.
  • PNC Personal number communications
  • PN personal number
  • the system receives and stores communication routing information in the form of one or more destinations or hierarchical lists of destinations. Such destinations or lists of destinations are based on predetermined routing criteria such as time of day, day of the week, priority of calling party, status of communications device (e.g., busy or inactive), desire for privacy, or other predetermined condition.
  • the hierarchy and composition of the destination lists may be changed by the subscriber, when convenient.
  • any incoming communication directed to a subscriber's personal number is received by the system and. in some cases, the source of the communication is identified so that priority callers can be especially handled.
  • the system selects a first destination from the list of destinations. If one of the destinations is a cellular mobile radiotelephone, some PNC systems will automatically select the cellular telephone from the list of destinations if the cellular telephone is active. In this case, the system must somehow detect that the cellular telephone is active, and assume the presence of the subscriber at the mobile telephone destination.
  • the PNC system announces the identified source of a communication and requests communication disposition information from the subscriber as to the acceptance, formal rejection, or passive rejection, such as a "no answer", of the communication. If accepted, the system routes the communication to the first destination. If rejected, the system routes the communication to a next destination in the hierarchical list of destinations, until the communication is successfully routed or until a default destination is reached. If there is no response from the called party at the first destination, the lack of response is considered a passive rejection. The system them proceeds to request communication disposition information from the next destination in the destination list according to the hierarchy selected by the subscriber. The system continues to request communication disposition information from each sequential destination on the destination list until the communication is accepted or until the last destination on the destination list is reached, at which point the communication is routed to the last destination, which is often a voice mailbox or message service.
  • CMR cellular mobile radiotelephone
  • a particular difficulty arises from the fact that cellular mobile radiotelephone service subscribers by definition are "mobile” ⁇ it is expected that the physical location of the telephone may vary from cell to cell within a cellular system, and may even vary from cellular system to cellular system. Users of cellular mobile radiotelephones can travel between cities having different, cellular systems operated by different operating companies. Detecting that a given cellular telephone is "active", and therefore able to send and receive communications, is a complex technical challenge.
  • CMR Cellular mobile radiotelephone
  • AR autonomous registration
  • radio signals carrying identifying information about the cellular telephone such as the Mobile Identification Number or "MIN” and Electronic Serial Number or “ESN”
  • MIN Mobile Identification Number
  • ESN Electronic Serial Number
  • MTSO mobile telephone switching office
  • cellular telephones that are identified by the system operator as subscribers or "home” units are allowed access to the system for making or receiving communications.
  • Other, non-home mobile radiotelephones present within a system are known as “roamers", and cannot make or receive calls without additional steps.
  • Cellular mobile radiotelephones are identified as “home” units or “roamers” by examining the identification information provided by the telephone when it registers.
  • a cellular telephone registers or originates a call, it transmits a series of data messages to the serving cell. These data messages contain the identification information, particularly the MIN and ESN, that uniquely identifies the telephone. The data messages are provided first to the cell, and then through a data link to the mobile telephone switching office (MTSO).
  • MTSO mobile telephone switching office
  • the MTSO also known as "the switch” then makes voice connections between mobile telephones and the main telephone network.
  • a validation determination is made whether the telephone is an authorized user (or subscriber) by looking up the MIN/ESN in the MTSO's computer database to see if there is an entry in the database corresponding to that particular telephone. If the MIN is valid and "home”, calls are allowed to proceed. If the MIN indicates the presence of a "roamer", further validation steps are required.
  • a CMR subscriber's ability to receive incoming calls when roaming outside his or her home service area is restricted. Such restrictions create particular difficulties in delivering communications in a personal number communication service. Unanswered calls placed to a cellular subscriber's home number are typically answered with a voice message indicating that the subscriber cannot be found. While it is theoretically possible to use the information that the subscriber cannot be found to route a PNC call to an alternative destination, it would be preferable that the PNC call be delivered to the subscriber while roaming in the foreign service area.
  • One method for receiving incoming calls when roaming in a foreign service area requires would-be calling parties to know the whereabouts of the subscriber. If the caller knows the CMR system in which the roamer is present, then there are procedures for accessing the subscriber through the facilities known as the "local access number" of the foreign CMR system. However, callers must know the roamer' s travel itinerary and the roamer local access number of the CMR system in which the roamer is present. Armed with this information, a would-be caller can dial the roamer local access number (typically ten digits) of the CMR system in which the roamer is present, and then reach the subscriber by dialing the subscriber's MIN.
  • the roamer local access number typically ten digits
  • Another method for receiving incoming calls when roaming in a foreign service area relies upon the use of cellular "clearinghouses".
  • an intermediary or “clearinghouse” is notified by the subscriber when the subscriber enters the foreign service area and provides the service of connecting calls directed to the subscriber's MIN in the home service area to the telephone in the foreign service area.
  • the clearinghouse performs the function of validation of the subscriber on behalf of the foreign service area MTSO, and provides call routing information to the home service
  • ROAMING AMERICA service provided by Electronic Data Systems, Inc.
  • EDS Personal Communications Corp., Dallas, Texas.
  • clearinghouse systems facilitate the delivery of telephone calls to roamers in foreign service areas, they do not inherently provide any type of personal number communications (PNC) service. Moreover, not all cellular systems provide either FOLLOW ME ROAMING service or ROAMING AMERICA service ⁇ some only allow access to roamers via a local access number.
  • PNC personal number communications
  • the above-referenced clearinghouse-based roaming systems require that a roaming subscriber activate the call-delivery service by providing roaming notification information. Typically, this entails that the roaming subscriber enter a "star" code such as *18 via the telephone keypad upon entry into the foreign service area.
  • the roaming notification information is a signal indicative that a roaming
  • the CMR subscriber desires to receive, in the foreign service area, calls placed to the home service area.
  • the clearinghouse service validates the roaming subscriber by communicating with the home MTSO.
  • the clearinghouse assigns a temporary line directory number (TLDN) to the roaming subscriber and transmits this TLDN to the home MTSO via a data communications link.
  • command information is provided to the roaming CMR subscriber's home service area MTSO so as to enable the home service area MTSO to call forward, via the TLDN, calls placed to the subscriber's MIN in his home service area.
  • TLDN temporary line directory number
  • SCP service control point
  • SCP equipment not only must know that a subscriber's mobile telephone is registered and active, but also must be able to route the call appropriately.
  • the service control point (SCP) equipment To support autonomous registration (AR) capability with a personal number communication service, therefore, the service control point (SCP) equipment must somehow obtain and store information that a subscriber is registered on their mobile telephone, whether home or roaming, and must also obtain and store routing information that allows the call to be forwarded appropriately. If the subscriber is currently served by the home MTSO, then the routing directory number is the MIN. If on the other hand the subscriber is roaming and visiting another MTSO, the routing directory number is generally a temporary line directory number (TLDN) obtained via a clearinghouse or directly from the visited MTSO.
  • TLDN temporary line directory number
  • the present invention satisfies the foregoing criteria by providing a system and method for delivering communications to a subscriber of a personal number communication service that has a cellular mobile radiotelephone or other mobile communications device.
  • the method comprises receiving location information corresponding to a present location of a subscriber.
  • the location information can be obtained from a clearinghouse, or by other means such as directly from a visited cellular system.
  • the system receives communication routing information corresponding to a plurality of destinations associated with the subscriber. These destinations are generally arranged in hierarchical fashion by the subscriber, and are indicative of the subscriber's call routing preferences.
  • the system receives a communication directed to the subscriber, typically via the subscriber's personal number, the communication is routed to one of the destinations in accordance with the communication routing information and the location information.
  • the present invention entails proper routing of communications to the person whether in their home cellular service area, or in a roaming cellular service area, and regardless of whether the individual reflects a "busy" or inactive status.
  • the present invention is operative to obtain location information from the remote location and to properly route the call.
  • the routing number is the cellular telephone number (MIN).
  • MIN cellular telephone number
  • TLDN temporary line directory number
  • the cellular PNC subscriber is in the home area and registered to receive calls, (2) the subscriber is in a visiting cellular area and ready to receive calls, or (3) the cellular subscriber's telephone is busy or the telephone is switched off.
  • such possibilities are indicated by status information in addition to the location information.
  • the communication is routed to one of the destinations in accordance with the communication routing information, location information, and status information.
  • the present invention allows subscribers to continue use of a single personal number as a contact number for receipt of all communications including wire line, wireless (including cellular), facsimile transmissions, paging, voice mailboxes, etc.
  • the provision of communications to the subscriber is transparent and seamless, without the need for entry of any special codes so that the subscriber is automatically detected as being either in a roaming mode or in a home mode, or if the location information and/or status information does not indicate that the cellular telephone is active and available, the communication is automatically routed to alternative destinations.
  • the present invention is still capable of routing personal number communications to most types of communication devices.
  • the destinations may include office and home telephones, mobile telephones, voice mail services, other message services, facsimile transmission devices, and both digital and alphanumeric pagers.
  • Features implemented in personal number communication systems as described in the referenced co-pending application are provided, with enhanced capability of automatic routing of calls to cellular subscribers.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating general concepts, the flow of information, and the telecommunications connections in the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the relationship between a home MTSO, a visited MTSO, and switching equipment in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a personal number communications (PNC) system with cellular mobile radiotelephone roaming capability, constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • PNC personal number communications
  • FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary registration notification data packet that is transmitted between various communicating entities in the system of the preferred embodiment.
  • FIG . 5 illustrates a communication sequence between various elements of the system of the preferred embodiment in a situation wherein a PNC subscriber is roaming in an IS-41 capable foreign cellular service area.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a communication sequence between various elements of the system of the preferred embodiment in a situation wherein a PNC subscriber is roaming in a non-IS-41 capable foreign cellular service area.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a communication sequence between various elements of the system of the preferred embodiment in a situation wherein a PNC subscriber is roaming in a foreign cellular service area, without a clearinghouse intermediary.
  • FIG. 8 illustrates a communication sequence between elements of the system of the preferred embodiment in a situation wherein a PNC subscriber in a foreign cellular service area deactivates roaming.
  • FIG. 9 illustrates a communication sequence between elements of the system of the preferred embodiment in a situation wherein a PNC subscriber in a foreign cellular service area is implicitly de-activated by a clearinghouse.
  • FIG. 10 illustrates a communication sequence between elements of the system of the preferred embodiment in a situation wherein a PNC subscriber in a foreign cellular service area transmits predetermined codes activating various features of the PNC services to the service control point equipment.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates a communication sequence between elements of the system of the preferred embodiment involving use of a temporary line directory number (TLDN) to route personal number service calls to a PNC subscriber in a foreign cellular service area.
  • TLDN temporary line directory number
  • FIG. 12 illustrates a communication sequence between elements of the system of the preferred embodiment involving routing of calls to a PNC subscriber's voice mailbox in the event of detection of a busy or inactive status of the
  • PNC subscriber in a foreign cellular service area.
  • FIG. 13 illustrates a communication sequence between elements of the system of the preferred embodiment in a situation wherein an inactive or busy response is obtained with respect to a PNC subscriber who was previously detected as roaming in a foreign cellular service area.
  • FIG. 14 illustrates a communication sequence between various elements of the system of the preferred embodiment in a situation wherein location information is provided from a line information database (LIDB) maintained by a validation service.
  • LIDB line information database
  • FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating various information fields in the database maintained by the service control point (SCP) equipment in the system of the preferred embodiment.
  • SCP service control point
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating certain basic concepts of a personal number communication (PNC) service or system 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention, involving subscribers that utilize at least one cellular mobile radiotelephone (CMR)(not shown).
  • PNC personal number communication
  • CMR cellular mobile radiotelephone
  • a PNC system 10 allows the provision of PNC services to subscribers.
  • the system receives a communication from a calling party 12 directed to a subscriber/called party's personal number (PN), and routes the communication to a called party 16 at one of a possible plurality of alternative destinations.
  • the called party 16 may designate a cellular mobile radiotelephone (CMR) as one of the alternative destinations.
  • CMR cellular mobile radiotelephone
  • switching equipment 13 is utilized in the system 10 to provide the function of receiving location information, receiving routing information, receiving status information, receiving PN calls, mapping a personal number to a destination number, establishing voice grade trunk connections, etc.
  • switching equipment 13 may be constructed with a variety of different components, e.g. service node (SN) equipment, service control point (SCP) equipment, service switching point (SSP) equipment, private branch exchange (PBX) equipment, other central office (CO) equipment, etc.
  • SN service node
  • SCP service control point
  • SSP service switching point
  • PBX private branch exchange
  • CO central office
  • switching equipment 13 employs one or more computers connected for data communications; such computers receive, store, process, and transmit routing information via known protocols such as SS7, X.25, IS-41.
  • switching equipment means any communications apparatus that is operative to connect an incoming communication to a destination, in accordance with predetermined criteria such as routing information.
  • switching equipment 1 3 comprising SCP equipment and SSP equipment will be described in detail, it being understood that other types of telephone switching and computing equipment are considered equivalent and may be utilized to provide the functions of the invention.
  • the communicating entities include the switching equipment 13, a wireless information provider 24 (which may include a clearinghouse 35 ), and a foreign or home cellular carrier 40 , 50 , respectively.
  • the various communicating entities are connected for data communications via Signaling System 7
  • SS7 data communication links 28 .
  • These data communication links 28 enable cellular registration information, which is a species of location information, to be provided from a cellular carrier such as an MTSO 25 and the wireless information provider 24 to the switching equipment
  • registration information indicative of the presence of a mobile telephone is obtained by a registration function 26 and provided to the system 10.
  • the registration information is utilized as location information, and under certain circumstance status information.
  • the registration information is utilized by the PNC system to modify the communication disposition information maintained by the system, and selectably deliver communications to various destinations in accordance with the communication disposition information.
  • the registration function 26 can occur at a foreign (visited) cellular system, as the foreign system detects roamers, or by a clearinghouse, or in other manners. It is particularly contemplated that the registration function, which obtains the registration information, may comprise delivery of a "copy" of registration information obtained by communicating entities such as cellular telephone switching offices and clearinghouses as such communicating entities detect and handle roaming cellular mobile radiotelephones.
  • the present invention may be implemented by utilizing "copies" of the registration information obtained via data communications links established with such entities.
  • wireless information provider 24 comprising a clearinghouse 35
  • the present invention contemplates use of any wireless information provider, including but not limited to clearinghouses, a visited foreign cellular system, or a home cellular system, any of which can obtain location information as a function of autonomous registrations, activation of roaming services, validation procedures, and the like.
  • the wireless information provider 24 will provide a registration function that at least partly entails detecting registration of cellular subscribers (whether roaming or home), and in certain cases, correlating or mapping personal numbers (PN) to mobile identification numbers (MIN).
  • PN personal numbers
  • MIN mobile identification numbers
  • the wireless information provider then, upon determination that a registration corresponds to a communication intended for a personal number, provides location information via the data communications links 28 to the switching equipment 13, sometimes via a clearinghouse 35, which enables set up of appropriate routings of the call via voice grade telecommunications lines 20.
  • FIG. 1 shows a direct data communications path 28 from the registration function to the switching equipment, as well as via a clearinghouse 35.
  • the clearinghouse function is required only in embodiments of the invention where an intermediary is employed to provide location information and routing information to the service node, e.g. when ROAMING
  • location information means information indicative of the geographic location of a
  • PNC subscriber which information can be used to call-forward or route calls to a remote location.
  • the term can include, in the appropriate context, but is not limited to, cellular "identification information” provided upon registration of a cellular telephone, such as, but not limited to, MIN, SID, REGH, REGR, REGID, REGINCR, SCM. ESN. etc.
  • a "registration message" typically includes identification information, but can include other location information.
  • the switching equipment Upon receipt of a registration message containing registration information, identification information, or other location information at switching equipment 13, the switching equipment will determine appropriate routing for subsequently received PNC calls.
  • location information in the preferred embodiment may be provided through the clearinghouse 35
  • the present invention is not limited to obtaining location information from a clearinghouse, but may also obtain location information directly from cellular systems through appropriate contractual arrangements and establishment of data communication links (such as via SS7 links) so that the location information can be directly supplied from the visited location.
  • data communication links such as via SS7 links
  • Such arrangements are especially contemplated for use in systems operated by multi-state telecommunications service providers, such as BellSouth Corporation, that operate a number of different cellular systems in different geographical areas, so as to integrate the provision of personal number communication services within the jurisdiction of the multi-state operator.
  • switching equipment 13, wireless information provider 24, and any other communicating entities are preferably connected using SS7 data communications in the known manner.
  • the SS7 communications protocol is provided in the document entitled "Bell Communications Research Specification of Signaling System 7," Document TR-NWT-000246, Issue 2 (June 1991), plus Revision 1 (December 1991 ), which is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.
  • other types of data communications media such as X.25 may also be utilized to communicate the data messages contemplated in the present invention.
  • IS-41 data messages or communications between the various entities relating to cellular telephone intersystem operations
  • the requirements for communications utilizing IS-41 messages are based on the
  • the switching equipment 13 comprises a service switching point (SSP) equipment 15 that is operative to route the incoming PN call to a destination (as yet unknown), and service control point (SCP) equipment 14 that is operative to receive location information and determine appropriate routing for the incoming call.
  • SSP service switching point
  • SCP service control point
  • the called party has a cellular mobile radiotelephone, is a subscriber for cellular service with a designated home MTSO 25a, and is roaming with his or her CMR at a visited MTSO 25b .
  • the roaming CMR is designated at 16 ' .
  • the visited MTSO 25b Upon autonomous registration by the roaming CMR 16', the visited MTSO 25b provides a registration message to a clearinghouse
  • the clearinghouse 35 provides the location information to the switching equipment 13 via data communications line 28a .
  • the clearinghouse 35 provides the location information to the switching equipment 13 via data communications line 28b.
  • the SCP 14 in the switching equipment 13 receives the location information.
  • An incoming PN call will arrive via telecommunications line 20a at the switching equipment 13.
  • the incoming PN call will be handled by SSP equipment 15.
  • the SSP equipment is operative to communicate with the SCP equipment to determine appropriate routing for the PN call. The routing will be determined by the location information (and possibly status information) maintained by the SCP.
  • the PN call will then be routed to the visited MTSO 25b via telecommunications line 20b, assuming that the PNC subscriber has previously designated that he or she wishes to receive PN calls when roaming.
  • a similar routing function occurs if the PNC subscriber is not roaming, but desires to receive PN calls at his or her cellular telephone.
  • the switching equipment 13 will route the call to the home MTSO 25a via telecommunications line 20c.
  • the call is typically routed in accordance with the cellular telephone's MIN, which is determined when the switching equipment 13 maps or correlates the subscriber's personal number to the MIN.
  • the location information will indicate that the subscriber is not roaming (or is not to be treated as roaming) because of messages from the clearinghouse 35 (e.g. a registration cancellation message) or other messages containing location information provided directly from the home MTSO 25a. It will therefore be appreciated that the clearinghouse can provide location information directly to the home MTSO 25a via data communications line 28c.
  • the home MTSO 25a may further route the call to a visited MTSO 25b via a telecommunications link 20d.
  • PN calls are first routed to a home MTSO for the PN subscriber, and the home MTSO serves the function of the switching equipment 13.
  • the functional blocks shown in the various figures are for purposes of illustration only, and an important aspect of the present invention is routing of the PN calls to the PN subscriber in accordance with location information, status information, communication disposition information, etc.
  • FIG. 3 the preferred embodiment of a system 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention, which implements a method and apparatus for a personal number communication (PNC) system, involving subscribers that utilize at least one cellular mobile radiotelephone (CMR) 16, will be described.
  • PNC personal number communication
  • CMR cellular mobile radiotelephone
  • the preferred system 10 preferably operates in conjunction with the public switched telephone network (PSTN).
  • PSTN comprises the well-known components of at least one end or central office 18a associated with a calling party 12, switching equipment 13 associated with a called party PNC subscriber 16 (which may include central office 18b), and a plurality of telecommunication lines 20, shown as the thicker lines in FIG. 1, for conducting communications between the calling party and the PNC called party.
  • the switching equipment 13 comprises service switching point (SSP) equipment 14 (which may include central office 18b) and service control point (SCP) equipment 15 that implement the PNC service.
  • SSP service switching point
  • SCP service control point
  • the called party may be at one of a number of different destinations or locations, such as at a cellular telephone 16 in the subscriber's home cellular system 50, at a cellular telephone 16' in a visited cellular system 40, or at an alternative location such as 46. It will be understood that the communication from the calling party 12 is made to the PNC subscriber's personal number (PN), which is routed to the called party's current location.
  • PN personal number
  • the telecommunications lines 20 are typically those associated with voice grade telecommunications wire line, connecting the calling party central office 18a and the called party central office 18b, which is operative to receive in the first instance the communication from the calling party 12.
  • LDC long distance carrier
  • the SSP equipment 14 comprises known telephone switching equipment provided by telecommunications switching equipment vendors such as
  • the SCP equipment 15 preferably comprises a computer platform operative to run PNC application software including routine service, routing, and associated subscriber databases. Examples of SCP equipment vendors are Hewlett-Packard..
  • the public switched telephone network may comprise one or more MTSO's 25 in situations where at least one PNC destination involves a cellular mobile radiotelephone, as in the present case wherein the called party utilizes a cellular mobile radiotelephone 16 in the subscriber's automobile.
  • the preferred PNC system 10 comprises at least one MTSO 25a (directly or indirectly) that is considered the "home" location for the subscriber, that is a part of the subscriber's home cellular system 50.
  • a type 2 trunking interface consisting of twenty-four channels, provides voice trunks 20a between the home MTSO 25a and the SSP 14 via the central office 18b.
  • the SSP equipment 14 comprises or is directly connected to one or more central offices, such as the central office 18b. Through this interconnection, calls made by subscribers using their mobile telephones can be routed properly to wireline destinations, typically via the associated central office 18b.
  • the MTSO's 25 route calls to and from cellular users based on the Numbering Plan Area (NPA) and end office code (NXX), or 1,000 block number group, if required.
  • NPA Numbering Plan Area
  • NXX end office code
  • the MTSO's 25 utilized in the present invention typically include a Home Location Register (HLR)(not illustrated), which as described in IS-41.1 is a database operated by a cellular system operator to which a user identity is assigned for record purposes.
  • HLR Home Location Register
  • the HLR database stores subscriber information such as the Electronic Serial Number (ESN) of a subscriber's telephone 16 , the Mobile
  • the database may also store a Temporary Line Directory Number (TLDN) provided by a clearinghouse or by a visited MTSO to facilitate routing calls to the visited MTSO.
  • TLDN Temporary Line Directory Number
  • the HLR may or may not be located within, and be indistinguishable from, MTSO equipment.
  • the HLR database may serve more than one MTSO, and may be distributed over more than one physical entity.
  • the MTSO's 25 typically also include a Visitor Location Register (VLR)(not illustrated), which is a database other than the HLR used to store and retrieve information related to, for example, handling of calls to or from a visiting subscriber or roamer.
  • VLR Visitor Location Register
  • the VLR may or may not be located within, and be indistinguishable from, MTSO equipment.
  • a VLR may serve more than one MTSO.
  • the preferred cellular systems 40, 50 further include a roamer detection module (RDM)(not shown) associated with the MTSO 25.
  • RDM roamer detection module
  • Such a roamer detection. module is described in connection with the above-referenced co-pending patent application entitled “Interactive Roamer Contact System for Cellular Mobile Radio Telephone Network", the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.
  • Such a roamer detection module may be utilized in the MTSOs 25 to detect registrations of roamers, to provide the registration function described in connection with FIG. 1 , and to provide the location information to the clearinghouse 35 or to the switching equipment 13.
  • mobile telephone registration information or identification information may be delivered by the RDM to the switching equipment 13 in the form of IS-41 signaling messages on the SS7 network.
  • SS7 signaling connections or other data communications links are shown in dotted lines, identified with the reference numeral 28.
  • information indicative of the activation of the cellular telephone 16 is stored in a home location register (HLR) database associated with the MTSO 25a; and data indicative of the registration of the mobile telephone is transmitted via a data communications link 28a to the SCP equipment 15.
  • HLR home location register
  • Such registration information also comprises location information inasmuch as it originates from the home cellular system, thereby indicating the current location of the PNC subscriber and a current status of "cellular phone turned on and active.”
  • the registration information is provided directly from an RDM located in the home cellular system. This registration information is then entered as location information into a PNC subscriber location database maintained in the switching equipment 13 as a part of the provision of the PNC service.
  • the PNC subscriber database also stores communication disposition information.
  • Such communication disposition information which comprises PNC destination information, is used to determine the locations to which PNC calls should be directed. Calls directed to the PNC subscriber's personal number are routed to the cellular telephone 16 if the PNC destination information so indicates.
  • communications are “disposed” of in accordance with the communication disposition information.
  • Communications are “disposed” of by, for example, delivering communications to selected destinations such as land line telephones, voice mail boxes, fax machines, pagers, or mobile telephones, as well providing announcements to callers.
  • disposal of a communication is not limited to delivery of the communication, but can include other types of treatment such as providing announcements, etc.
  • Information stored in the PNC system indicative of a subscriber's preferred disposition of communications is a first species of communication disposition information. In addition to such first communication disposition information. it should also be understood that a second species of communication disposition information relates to information that can be provided by the subscriber in response to attempted delivery of a communication.
  • an attempted call can be accepted, formally rejected (by entry of a *code or other similar command), or passively rejected (as with a no answer).
  • Such information as to the acceptance, formal rejection or passive rejection of the communication may be detected at the foreign cellular system, and provided by foreign system to the PNC system, for example, in the form of an IS-41.5 RemoteFeatureControlRequest (RFCR) message.
  • RFCR RemoteFeatureControlRequest
  • the data communications links 28 will utilize a data communications protocol specifically designed for telecommunications signaling functions such as IS-41.
  • the EIA/TIA interim standard IS-41 establishes protocols for data communications between communicating entities such as between the proprietor of switching equipment associated with a calling party and the proprietor of switching equipment associated with a called party.
  • IS-41 was initially defined to support cellular inter-system hand-off and call delivery, such as between a home MTSO 25a and a visited MTSO 25b.
  • IS-41 utilizes the known X.25 protocol as a transport mechanism with contemplation for migration to a SS7 network.
  • the data communications network lines 28 used in the present invention may comprise the existing SS7 network of the telephone system operating companies, but may also comprise various interconnected private SS7 networks and other forms of data communications networks.
  • the IS-41 signaling standard facilitates the hand-off of calls between dissimilar cellular systems, not unlike the way that calls are handed off between cells of a single system.
  • Data that is communicated between the cellular systems is passed over the IS-41 network (using X.25 or SS7 protocols), and contains identifying information associated with the cellular telephone and other information which can comprise location information and trunk identification information for purposes of connecting voice grade trunks.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary data packet or message 60 transmitted via the IS-41 protocol.
  • the data packet illustrates a "registration notification" or REG.NOT message that corresponds to the registration function.
  • REG.NOT message comprises various fields of identification information in the form of a data record provided from an MTSO to another communications entity such as the switching equipment 13.
  • the message is includes information identifying the cellular telephone (e.g. MEN and ESN), identifying the cellular system in which registration occurred
  • MSCID identifying a geographic area
  • LocationAreaId identifying a geographic area
  • a clearinghouse 35 may be utilized in the present invention to effect the registration function, by obtaining and transmitting location information to the switching equipment 13 .
  • the clearinghouse is operative to obtain identification information and location information from a visited MTSO 25b via the data link 28c in response to registration of the PNC subscriber's cellular telephone 16', validate the called party as a subscriber, and transmit location information via the data communications link 28d to the switching equipment 13.
  • the clearinghouse can comprise the GTE FOLLOW ME
  • ROAMING® service the EDS ROAMING AMERICA service, or other similar clearinghouse service.
  • the clearinghouse 35 provides various functions related to roaming services provided for roaming cellular telephones, many of which may be utilized in connection with the present invention but are not essential to the present invention.
  • One such function that is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,901,340 is the assignment of a temporary directory number (TDN), also called a temporary line directory number (TLDN), for use in the remote service area.
  • TDN temporary directory number
  • TLDN temporary line directory number
  • the FOLLOW ME® roaming processor provides the TLDN, via a data message provided on the data communications link 28d between the clearinghouse 35 and the switching equipment 13.
  • the switching equipment is thereafter operative to intercept and forward calls placed to the subscriber's MIN directed to the home MTSO 25a to the TLDN. Calls are subsequently forwarded via the public switched telephone network from the subscriber's home MTSO 25a to the foreign MTSO 25b via voice trunks 20.
  • the translation function which may be considered a mapping function, correlates calls made to the PNC subscriber's personal number to the subscriber's cellular telephone, so that calls are forwarded to an appropriate cellular number. With the present invention, the calls are forwarded to a roaming location, if the PNC subscriber's call destination hierarchy so indicates.
  • the clearinghouse 35 is an information provider that conveys registration information to an operator of the PNC system. It is the function of the clearinghouse to send identification information and location information in the form of a notification (REG.NOT) when a cellular subscriber to the PNC service has requested that cellular calls be routed to his or her cellular telephone in a visited cellular system, such as 40.
  • a "visited system” is a cellular network 40 that allows the cellular user to roam into the network and receive cellular calls, for example, the visited MTSO 25b in FIG. 3.
  • a “* code” is a code typically involving the dialing of an asterisk ("*") on the telephone keypad, followed by a one or more numbers, the totality of which comprises a * code.
  • * code For example, in the FOLLOW ME ROAMING® service areas, a * code of *18 indicates that the cellular user understands that he or she has roamed into a visited cellular system and has requested to receive calls in the visited system utilizing the FOLLOW ME ROAMING® service.
  • the subscriber can enter a cancellation * code, typically * 19, that is used to indicate a request to stop receiving calls in the visited system.
  • a cancellation * code typically * 19, that is used to indicate a request to stop receiving calls in the visited system.
  • the ROAMING AMERICA service utilizes *31 to activate roaming call reception, while *30 signifies deactivation of roaming.
  • a PNC * code may be dialed by a PNC subscriber in his or her home cellular system when he or she wishes to receive PNC calls at the cellular telephone, which is also indicated by the entry of a
  • the PNC subscriber can receive PNC calls in the visited system: ( 1) the cellular PNC subscriber has activated some type of roaming service that enables calls to be forwarded to the visited MTSO
  • the switching equipment 13 has received location information, typically via the clearinghouse, of this fact, so that PNC calls to the subscriber can be properly routed to the visited MTSO.
  • this information will be provided by IS-41 messages on SS7 or other data communications links such as
  • the clearinghouse 35 Upon receipt of the registration information from the cellular carrier, the clearinghouse 35 passes this information to the system 10, and primarily via a data communications link 28d to the switching equipment 13 associated with the system 10.
  • the clearinghouse 35 receives location information from the clearinghouse 35 and passes the information to the switching equipment 13 via a signaling transfer point (STP).
  • STP signaling transfer point
  • Telephone system operators such as the assignee of the present invention typically interconnect with the clearinghouses via a pair of STP's utilizing a pair of a-links and a quad of b-links (not shown).
  • the clearinghouse 35 connects to the switching equipment via SS7 signaling links.
  • the protocol architecture for communications between the clearinghouse 35 and the switching equipment 13 utilizes SS7 ANSI standards with IS-41 mobile application part to provide registration functionality.
  • the SS7 protocol architecture including the mobile application part is based on the EIA/TIA IS-41.1, referenced hereinabove.
  • PNC system 10 typically that will include at least one cellular carrier serving as the home cellular system 50.
  • the clearinghouse also has business arrangements with other cellular systems, such as the visited cellular system 40.
  • the PNC system operator purchases and provides personal numbers (PNs) for use in connection with the present invention.
  • PNs personal numbers
  • the clearinghouse may record and track the fact that a particular roamer is a recipient of PNC service and is to be associated with a particular PN, it is not a requirement of the present invention that it do so.
  • the clearinghouse serves the function of providing the location information to the PNC system operator, and thereby facilitates the registration function.
  • the registration function requires support of various data communications operations specified in EIA/TIA IS-41.5, which is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.
  • the clearinghouse is preferably able to support the IS-41 operations of registration notification (RN or REG.NOT), registration cancellation (RC or REG.CAN), remote feature control request (RFCR). and the like. These parameters are specified in the referenced EIA/TIA IS-41.5.
  • the clearinghouse preferably supports the error codes specified in IS-41.5.
  • IS-41 is an established protocol and is being used for that reason. It is, however, possible that another protocol may be used that serves the same intent as described in this embodiment.
  • the clearinghouse 35 provide a series of additional information messages to support the provision of the location information, status information, registration information, etc. to the switching equipment 13, thereby facilitating the connection of appropriate telecommunications lines 20 between the system operator's central office 18b and the visited MTSO 25b so as to connect a voice trunk for routing the call to the roaming PNC subscriber's telephone 16'.
  • TABLE I is a list of exemplary messages that are transmitted between a wireless information provider, such as 24 in FIG. 1, and Switching equipment 13.
  • the messages are general in the sense that such messages are communicated without regard to whether a clearinghouse is involved or not. In other words, certain messages must be communicated between the visited cellular system and the switching equipment in order to effect the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the messages can be communicated directly in certain cases, for example, when the operator of the system 10 has direct data communications with visited cellular systems, or indirectly via a clearinghouse 35.
  • TABLE I is provided by way of example and not by way of limitation. These messages are utilized in the remaining figures, as explained further below.
  • a signal indicated in the table below in "all capital letters” generally indicates a message initiated with one entity at a first time. while a corresponding entry in lower-case letters in the diagrams of FIGS. 2-10 indicate a reply or response to the message provided by the entity that receives the message.
  • the preferred embodiment of the invention is constructed utilizing service switching point (SSP) equipment 14 and SCP equipment (SCP) 15 as the switching equipment 13 and to implement the PNC functions.
  • SSP service switching point
  • SCP SCP equipment
  • various messages are transmitted between SSP equipment 14 and the SCP equipment 15, so that information obtained via the data links 28 in connection with the location information and the like can be provided to the SSP for set up of call transfer to an appropriate location or destination.
  • Certain of these messages are illustrated in the following table, which is provided by way of illustration and not limitation:
  • the preferred system 10 requires communication between the various entities involved including the switching equipment 13 , the clearinghouse 35, a visited MTSO 25b, and in some cases, a home MTSO 25a.
  • the disclosed switching equipment 13 comprises SSP equipment 14 and SCP equipment 15.
  • switching equipment comprises "switching equipment” and the term “switching equipment” is being used in the general sense.
  • the switching equipment 13 receives copies of information recording the location of a PNC subscriber.
  • This location information can include routing information that indicates preferred routing of the call to the location of the PNC subscriber. With the location information, the switching equipment 13 is able to route that subscriber's PNC calls to the present location of the subscriber.
  • this location could be a cellular location, either a home location or roaming in a visited cellular system location, or it could be a wire line location, an announcement, or any alternative destination.
  • Location information as to the whereabouts of the PNC cellular subscriber may be acquired in a number of different ways.
  • the subscriber's location may be explicitly detected or implicitly detected.
  • An explicit detection involves roaming requests provided by the roaming subscriber via his or her cellular telephone, requests provided by a clearinghouse service such as the FOLLOW ME ROAMING® service, or a direct REG.NOT message from a visited cellular system.
  • An explicit detection may occur in response to validation or autonomous registration of a subscriber in a roaming environment.
  • a clearinghouse or other communicating entity operative to provide the location information informs the switching equipment 13 about any explicitly detected subscriber events.
  • such explicitly detected subscriber events include information provided by the clearinghouse 35, registration information provided by the home MTSO 25a in response to detection of the presence of the subscriber in the home cellular system 50 (such as when the subscriber returns after roaming), or location information provided by other data communications elements such as an RDM function when a PNC subscriber registers or is detected.
  • Implicit location information is typically derived from subscriber validation. Those skilled in the art will understand that subscriber validation for cellular telephones is available in the cellular industry and the wire line industry. Validation provides implicit location information about a subscriber because validation procedures do not necessarily imply that call delivery is required. Such validation information may be used in the present invention to determine routing information that can be used to route PNC calls.
  • An example of such an implicitly detecting network element is a line information database (LIDB) (not illustrated) for the purpose of validating calling cards (or for that matter credit cards).
  • LIDB line information database
  • Such a LIDB may be implemented by a telephone company, by clearinghouses, or within cellular systems that have established validation procedures with the home cellular systems of subscribers or any third party service provider.
  • implicitly detecting systems also inform the switching equipment 13 about implicitly detected subscriber events.
  • a thin line terminating in an arrowhead indicates a data message passed typically via SS7 or other data communications link 28.
  • a message in all caps such as "REG.NOT” indicates a message originating with a communicating entity, while a temporally later message between the same entities in lower case letters. such as "reg.not” indicates a response or reply to a previously-sent originating message.
  • a bold line extending between various entities indicates a telecommunications trunk 20 such as a voice grade trunk, including but not limited to wireless and wire line connections, typically indicative of the switched voice path connected between SSP equipment 14 and/or another switch such as an MTSO 25.
  • FIG. 5 first will be discussed a scenario involving the roaming of a PNC subscriber with a cellular telephone 16' within a visited cellular system 40.
  • the visited system 40 includes at least one IS-41-capable MTSO 25b.
  • This scenario involves routing to the roaming PNC subscriber at an IS-41 compatible MTSO 25b and typically involves use of only two messages: registration notification and registration cancellation when appropriate.
  • a registration notification message REG.NOT is used to inform the SCP 15 that the PNC cellular subscriber has an active cellular telephone. This information then may be used to route PNC calls to the roaming subscriber at the visiting MTSO 25b, via the home MTSO 25a.
  • the SCP 15 need only instruct the SSP 14 to route the call to the MIN at the home
  • the home MTSO is already aware (through the IS-41 roaming and call delivery procedures) that their subscriber is visiting and prepared to receive calls.
  • the SSP 14 depends on the home MTSO capability to appropriately forward a call to the PNC subscriber.
  • a registration cancellation REG.CAN message not illustrated in FIG. 5, will be used to inform the home MTSO 25a that PNC calls are to be routed to the cellular subscriber at the home MTSO 25a.
  • the home MTSO 25a will receive REG.NOT from the clearinghouse 35 and thereby be enabled to effect routing to the visited MTSO.
  • the SSP 14 Upon receipt of a PNC call, the SSP 14 provides a Query message to the SCP 15 based on the PN, and receives a Response containing the MIN as the routing DN. The MIN therefore directs the call to the home MTSO 25a. The home MTSO then issues a routing request (RR) to the visited MTSO
  • RR routing request
  • the SSP 14 is thus operative to effect a voice path from the SSP via a first voice path 20a to the home MTSO 25a, which is thereafter operative to establish a second voice path 20b to the visited MTSO 25b.
  • the PNC call is therefore delivered to the PNC subscriber at the roaming cellular telephone 16' in the visited system 40.
  • the clearinghouse 35 is utilized to receive the registration notification message and provide it to the home MTSO. Whenever the clearinghouse 35 detects that a cellular PNC subscriber registers in the IS-41 visited MTSO 25b, the clearinghouse sends a corresponding REG.NOT message to the home MTSO 25a .
  • This registration notification message therefore comprises location information that is used in the system 10 to detect that a cellular PNC subscriber is currently present at the visited MTSO 25b. Subsequently, the system 10 will route PNC calls directly to the cellular subscriber MIN. Thus, when a PNC call arrives at the SSP 14, a Query message is provided to the SCP 15, which responds with the MIN.
  • the PNC subscriber may have provided communication disposition information as described in the referenced co-pending patent application Serial No. 07/936,384, filed August 26, 1992, entitled “Personal Number Communication Systems", to me effect that, e.g., the call should be routed an alternative destination #1 during certain times of the day, or to an alternative destination #2 such as a voice mailbox or other default location if he or she does not wish to receive calls, etc.
  • communication disposition information as described in the referenced co-pending patent application Serial No. 07/936,384, filed August 26, 1992, entitled “Personal Number Communication Systems”
  • the communication disposition information provided as a part of the PNC service indicates that the cellular telephone of the subscriber is the intended destination.
  • a voice path is established from the SSP 14 to the home MTSO 25a, by commanding the home MTSO 25a to provide appropriate trunk connection signaling information (via the appropriate signaling techniques such as the SS7 network) to the visited MTSO 25b and establish an appropriate voice connection on the line 20b.
  • a registration cancellation affects the disposition of a PNC call in the present invention.
  • a registration cancellation can be explicit or implicit.
  • a registration cancellation is explicit when an IS-41 REG.CAN message is provided by a visited MTSO. This would occur when the clearinghouse detects that the PNC cellular subscriber has disabled roaming call delivery service such as FOLLOW ME ROAMING® or ROAMING AMERICA with appropriate * codes, or the clearinghouse detects that an automatic deregistration event has occurred.
  • Registration cancellation can also be implicit, as when automatic deregistration timers associated with roaming expire.
  • the GTE FOLLOW ME ROAMING® service presently clears its database at midnight of every day, thereby implicit deregistering all roamers.
  • registration cancellation can automatically occur after a predetermined time has elapsed since the last PNC cellular subscriber event at a visited MTSO.
  • clearinghouses such as the FOLLOW ME ROAMING® service automatically cancel registration status twelve hours since the last subscriber event.
  • the clearinghouse 35 determines explicitly or implicitly that a registration of a cellular subscriber has been canceled.
  • the clearinghouse provides a registration cancellation REG.CAN message to the home MTSO 25a.
  • the home MTSO then "knows" that, unless the subscriber has registered back in the home service area, a call (PNC or otherwise) cannot be routed to the cellular telephone. No ROUT.REQ will be issued, and no TLDN will be obtained. Any PNC call must be routed to an alternative destination.
  • the preferred system 10 is operative to route subsequent PNC calls to destinations other than the cellular destination, since a registration cancellation status indicates that the PNC subscriber's cellular telephone is not active or otherwise cannot receive the call.
  • These alternative destinations may be derived from the communication disposition information stored in the SCP 15, which may include a default time-of-day schedule, or a voicemail box that is explicitly designated for use in such de-registration events.
  • the utilization of the clearinghouse 35 while forming a part of the currently preferred and disclosed embodiment, is not necessary as a required element in all embodiments of the present invention.
  • Alternative embodiments envision direct data communications between the visited cellular system 40 to the switching equipment 13 , with appropriate data communications messages of registration notification, registration cancellation, etc.
  • the database associated with the switching equipment 13 is operative to store location information derived an MTSO (whether home or visited) indicating the presence and activation of a PNC subscriber's cellular telephone. Then, this location information is utilized in conjunction with communication routing information, also maintained in the database of the switching equipment 13, typically in the form of the hierarchical list of destinations associated with the PNC subscriber.
  • the foregoing illustrates a method of delivering a communication to a PNC subscriber having a mobile communications device such as a cellular mobile radiotelephone, comprising the steps of receiving location information corresponding to a present location of a subscriber, where the subscriber utilizes a cellular telephone.
  • the switching equipment 13 performs steps of receiving and storing communication routing information corresponding to one of a plurality of selectable destinations associated with the subscriber.
  • the switching equipment is operative to route the communication to a selected one of the destinations in accordance with the communication routing information hierarchy, and the location information.
  • the database maintained at the switching equipment 13, which corresponds the location information with the communication routing or disposition information may be considered a personal number routing database (PNRDB) that facilitates the correspondence between the location information and the communication routing or destination information.
  • PNRDB personal number routing database
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a communication scenario in a situation wherein the PNC cellular subscriber activates roaming in a non-IS-41 visited MTSO 25b.
  • registration notification messages are not automatically provided, via SS7 or otherwise, in response to detection of a roaming cellular subscriber.
  • the subscriber In order for the PNC subscriber to receive cellular calls in such as non-IS-41 MTSO, the subscriber must provide an appropriate activation code through the cellular telephone 16', and such an activation code must ultimately be transmitted to me switching equipment 13, either directly or via a clearinghouse 35, so that the switching equipment will know that the cellular phone is active and allowed to receive calls.
  • this number must also somehow be associated with the telephone's MIN and PN so as to effect proper call routing. In the preferred embodiment, this association is maintained at the SCP 15 in the switching equipment.
  • These considerations typically require provision of the activation * code, the MIN, and, in proper cases, the local access number (optional), by the non-IS-41 visited MTSO 25b to the clearinghouse 35.
  • the clearinghouse 35 can store local access numbers in its database, and provide same as a part of its clearinghouse service to the switching equipment.) Responsive to receipt of the activation * code, and validation by the clearinghouse 35 of the roamer via the required mechanism, the clearinghouse provides the registration notification message to the switching equipment
  • the voice path to the visited MTSO 25b is established from the SSP 14 to the home MTSO 25a via voice trunk 20a, and thence between the home MTSO and the non- IS-41 visited MTSO 25b via voice trunk 20b.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a scenario substantially the same as in FIG. 6, except without the intervention of a clearinghouse as intermediary.
  • FIG. 7 assumes a direct data communications link (not necessarily SS7 or IS-41) between a visited MTSO 25b and the home MTSO 25a and the switching equipment 13.
  • the scenario assumes an appropriate business arrangement between the different cellular system operators so that registration information, validation, activation of roaming call receipt, etc. are handled satisfactorily between the system operators.
  • the activation * code is provided directly from the non-IS-41 cellular system 40 to the home MTSO; alternatively, the activation code could be provided directly to the switching equipment 13.
  • the clearinghouse and either the home MTSO or the switching equipment perform much the same function.
  • the use of a clearinghouse is optional in the present invention, since the important consideration is the detection of the presence of a roaming PNC subscriber, and enablement of call routing to the PNC subscriber.
  • FIG. 8 illustrates a scenario wherein the PNC cellular subscriber provides a de-activation code at the visited MTSO 25b indicative of a command by the subscriber to halt incoming calls to the cellular telephone 16'.
  • a registration cancellation REG.CAN message is transmitted from the clearinghouse 35 to the switching equipment 13, which updates its database to modify the location information.
  • the location information in the database maintained by me switching equipment will now show mat the subscriber is not present in the visited MTSO 25b, and that subsequent PNC calls should be routed to alternative destinations in accordance with the communicating routing or disposition information associated with the PNC service profile stored at the
  • a Query on the part of the SSP 14 to the SCP 15 will result in a Response from the SCP of information indicating an alternative destination.
  • the response might still be the MIN of the cellular telephone, in which case a voice path 20a is established to the home MTSO 25a, which then routes the call to an alternative destination , such as a voice mail service 45 or an alternative telephone 46, as shown in FIG. 3.
  • the response can be an alternative routing directory number (DN) denominated ALT which results in the routing of the PNC call to an alternative destination indicated at 45 or 46.
  • DN routing directory number
  • FIG. 9 illustrates a scenario of implicit de-activation by a clearinghouse, so as to cause subsequent incoming
  • PNC calls to be redirected from a visited MTSO 40 to an alternative destination As discussed earlier, various clearinghouse services such as FOLLOW ME ROAMING® and ROAMING AMERICA automatically remove registration information from their databases at predetermined times of day or after the passage of a predetermined amount of time. For example, the FOLLOW ME ROAMING® service automatically cancels registrations at midnight, while ROAMING AMERICA® does the same after twelve hours have elapsed since the last cellular event. In such a situation, an implicit de-activation has occurred, and the clearinghouse is operative to provide a registration cancellation message REG.CAN to the switching equipment 13. Subsequently, a PNC call will be routed by the switching equipment to an alternative destination 45, 46 as in the case of FIG. 8.
  • FOLLOW ME ROAMING® and ROAMING AMERICA automatically remove registration information from their databases at predetermined times of day or after the passage of a predetermined amount of time. For example, the FOLLOW ME ROAMING® service automatically cancels registrations at midnight,
  • the home location register (HLR) associated with the home MTSO 25a maintains its database with requisite location information that can be provided to the switching equipment 13.
  • the HLR database is updated and a corresponding REG.NOT message is sent to the switching equipment 13.
  • the registration notification provides requisite information that allows routing of the PNC call to the visited MTSO 25b via the home MTSO 25a.
  • the switching equipment 13 can route such calls to the visited MTSO by routing to the MIN. and the home MTSO forwards the call to the visited MTSO.
  • Such operation requires that the home MTSO 25a provide a properly-formatted registration notification message to the switching equipment 13 when it receives a registration notification and location information from the visited MTSO 25b.
  • the home MTSO detects that the predetermined time or time block has occurred as a registration cancellation event, or that the home MTSO 25a has detected, via the autonomous registration operation, that the PNC cellular subscriber has returned to the home MTSO 25a. Since the switching equipment 13 must keep track of the location, it is expected that the home MTSO 25a will provide any location information, however detected, to the switching equipment 13 so as to facilitate subsequent routing.
  • a remote feature control request RFCR
  • the codes indicative of a command to invoke a feature for example * codes, be transmitted to the switching equipment 13 so that the feature can be implemented.
  • the switching equipment 13 can receive remote feature control information indirectly via the clearinghouse 35, or directly from the home cellular system if a data communications link is established, when the subscriber dials a roamer * code in a visited system, or the subscriber enters a roamer cancellation control code in the visited system.
  • the clearinghouse is preferably operative to send a message containing the remote feature control request operation, typically in the form of an IS -41 RemoteFeatureControlRequest (RFCR) message, to the switching equipment 13 when the visiting subscriber dials the appropriate code and the visited MTSO 25b transmits the code to the clearinghouse.
  • the RFCR message also provides the MIN and the assigned personal number (PN) if maintained at the clearinghouse.
  • PN personal number
  • the timing for an exemplary RFCR scenario is shown in FIG. 10.
  • the information is passed from the visited MTSO 25b to the clearinghouse 35.
  • the clearinghouse 35 then transmits an RFCR message to the switching equipment 13.
  • the database maintained by the SCP 15 is men updated to reflect that the subscriber possessing this particular MEN (associated with their particular PN) intends to invoke particular service features with respect to subsequently received communications.
  • a Query message is transmitted from the SSP 14 to the SCP 15, and the SCP responds by handling the communication in the manner as modified by the remote feature.
  • the remote feature is to cause communications directed to the personal number to be routed to a next or alternate destination in the hierarchical list of destinations, such as a voice mailbox. Then, the Response provided from the SCP
  • DN directory number
  • Remote features are considered species of communication disposition information, since actuation of particular features affects the handling and/or routing of an incoming communication.
  • Examples of remote features contemplated for use by roaming cellular PNC subscribers in the present invention include but are not limited to the following:
  • the alternative destination can include a message service 45 that is operative to play a prerecorded announcement, such as, "We're sorry, but (name of subscriber) is not presently available. At the tone, please leave a voice message.”, and then record a voice message.
  • a message service 45 that is operative to play a prerecorded announcement, such as, "We're sorry, but (name of subscriber) is not presently available. At the tone, please leave a voice message.”, and then record a voice message.
  • the RFCR message is transmitted directly from the visited MTSO 25b to the home MTSO 25a.
  • the home location register (HLR) database associated with the home cellular system 50 is updated to reflect the feature that is to be invoked.
  • the HLR will transmit a corresponding RFCR to the switching equipment 13 so that the database can be updated to reflect activation of the feature.
  • this RFCR message is transmitted when it is detected that the PNC cellular subscriber wishes to enable special features, for example enablement of the FOLLOW ME ROAMING® or ROAMING AMERICA type of service, or when the feature code constitutes a specific request to forward cellular calls to a specific override directory number.
  • special features for example enablement of the FOLLOW ME ROAMING® or ROAMING AMERICA type of service, or when the feature code constitutes a specific request to forward cellular calls to a specific override directory number.
  • Such features are generally indicated with dialed digits following the * code, for example *14, if not supported by the visited cellular system, can constitute a command to activate call forwarding to a remote location, and a string of digits can constitute the call-forwarding number.
  • the switching equipment 13 In response to a RemoteFeatureControlRequest (RFCR) query, the switching equipment 13 provides an appropriate rfcr response back to the clearinghouse. If the received parameters are all valid, then the switching equipment 13 sends a response containing a return result to the clearinghouse.
  • the parameters returned in the rfcr response may indicate a successful activation of the requested feature, as described in IS-41.5, Section 8.2.16.
  • the information in the RFCR is used at the switching equipment 13 to appropriately route subsequent PNC calls to the cellular PNC subscriber or to the indicated alternative destinations.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates a communication scenario wherein a temporary line directory number (TLDN) is utilized to route a PNC call associated with the * code activation request to a visited MTSO 25b.
  • TLDN temporary line directory number
  • the scenario of FIG. 5 is considered "MIN-based" routing, wherein the voice path is established via the MIN to the home MTSO 25a. and thence to the visited MTSO 25b.
  • a TLDN is utilized to route the call directly from the SSP 14 to the visited MTSO 25b.
  • the roaming PNC cellular subscriber is detected at the visited
  • a REG.NOT message is passed from the visited MTSO 25b to the clearinghouse 35, and thence to the switching equipment 13. Appropriate responses are provided, as indicated.
  • the switching equipment 13 updates its database to reflect that the cellular subscriber is active on the cellular telephone.
  • Query is transmitted from the SSP 14 to the SCP 15.
  • the SCP responds with a PN or MIN-based ROUT.REQ message to the clearinghouse, which responds with a TLDN associated with the MIN.
  • the SCP 15 receiving the TLDN provides a Response containing the TLDN back to the SSP 14.
  • the SSP is thereafter operative route the call via a voice path 20a directly to the visited MTSO that provided the TLDN in the first instance. It should be apparent that such a scenario is more direct and efficient than MIN-based routing, which requires voice paths from the SSP to the home MTSO, and thence to the visited MTSO.
  • FIG. 12 illustrates a communication scenario wherein the system is operative for routing a PNC call to an alternative destination (e.g. voice mail 45) based on receipt of status information from a visited MTSO 25b, either directly or indirectly via the clearinghouse 35, for example, busy or inactive status of the roaming PNC subscriber's telephone 16'.
  • an alternative destination e.g. voice mail 45
  • the clearinghouse 35 for example, busy or inactive status of the roaming PNC subscriber's telephone 16'.
  • FIG. 12 should be contrasted with the embodiment of FIG. 8, which involves routing to an alternative destination in response to status information in the form of a registration cancellation message (REG.CAN).
  • REG.CAN registration cancellation message
  • the routing to the alternative destination is in response to the cancellation of registration, and not in response to receipt of information that the roaming cellular subscriber telephone is busy or otherwise inactive. Accordingly, it will be understood that there may be cases where the subscriber has de-activated his or her cellular telephone, but no registration cancellation event has yet occurred that would cause the transmission of the REG.CAN message. It will be recalled from earlier discussion that REG.CAN triggers the routing to the alternate destination 45. A situation of de-activation but no transmission of REG.CAN is likely to occur in the case of non-IS-41 systems, since there is no automatic and uniform mechanism in such systems for transmitting a REG.CAN to a' roaming subscriber's home system.
  • a PNC call would be routed via the home MTSO 25a to the visited MTSO 25b, only to receive a busy or inactive message from the visited MTSO 25b.
  • this would necessarily incur a long distance charge through a long distance carrier associated with the service package utilized by the PNC subscriber. Needless to say, such long distance expenses could be avoided on behalf of the subscriber if the routing to the alternative destination could be effected in response to status information indicating that the cellular telephone was busy or no longer active.
  • the system operator is lawfully entitled to respond to status information provided either directly from a visited MTSO or indirectly via a clearinghouse.
  • a registration notification (REG.NOT) is sent to the clearinghouse 35.
  • a corresponding REG.NOT is passed from the clearinghouse to the switching equipment 13, which updates its database to reflect that the cellular PNC subscriber is active and roaming.
  • a Query is transmitted to the SCP 15, as before.
  • the SCP generates a route request message (ROUT.REQ) to the clearinghouse, which in turn passes a ROUT.REQ message based on me MIN to the visited MTSO 25b.
  • ROUT.REQ route request message
  • an AccessDeniedReason can include inactive or busy, as specified in Section 8.2.18.
  • a voice path is established to the subscriber's alternative destination as determined by the database associated with the switching equipment 13 (the SCP 15 in the disclosed embodiment.
  • the default destination is a voice mailbox 45.
  • the TLDN or DN would be used to route the pending PNC call to the subscriber at the visited MTSO if the subscriber is active, while an inactive or busy response would be used to route the PNC call to one of the PNC subscriber's alternative destinations such as voice mail, secretary's telephone, or the like.
  • FIG. 13 illustrates an alternative communication scenario wherein a PNC cellular subscriber's call is to be forwarded or "transferred to" an alternative destination if the subscriber is currently busy or inactive.
  • the scenario in this figure presupposes that some entity, such as the clearinghouse
  • TTNR transfer to numbers
  • ServiceProfileDirective (SPD) message containing the TTNR is sent by the visited MTSO to the clearinghouse (or home MTSO).
  • This message is described at 8.1.3.9 at IS-41.5, and can include a DN comprising a number of digits of a destination representing a TTNR. It will of course be understood that the home MTSO 25a itself, or the visited MTSO 25b, can maintain the data indicative of the transfer to number.
  • the SSP 14 in response to receipt of a PNC call, the SSP 14 passes a Query message to the SCP
  • ROUT.REQ passes a routing request ROUT.REQ to the clearinghouse 35 (or the home MTSO).
  • This ROUT.REQ is in mm passed to the visited MTSO 25b based on the MIN.
  • a busy/inactive status message is passed back from the visited MTSO 25b to the clearinghouse 35, and thence to the SCP 15.
  • the SCP Upon receipt of a busy/inactive status message, the SCP provides a TransferToNumberRequest (TTNR) message to the clearinghouse, which in mm provides the transfer to number previously received as the response, in the form of a transfer directory number (DN).
  • DN transfer directory number
  • the SCP 15 then provides its response to the SSP 14 in the form of a transfer directory number (DN).
  • the SSP then routes the call to the transferred DN, which comprises an alternative destination such as the destination 48 (see FIG. 3).
  • the system queries me clearinghouse (or home MTSO) to determine subsequent call treatment. This entails transmission of a TTNR query to the clearinghouse, which in turn forwards this to the visited MTSO, if necessary.
  • the cellular subscriber's profile, maintained either at the clearinghouse (or at the home MTSO) contains an alternative transfer to number.
  • a response to the TTNR is a directory number (DN), which is where the subscriber's call is to be forwarded if that subscriber is currently busy or inactive.
  • DN directory number
  • scenario described in connection with FIG. 13 may involve routing via a subscriber's long distance carrier in order to reach the transfer-to location.
  • the routing request message ROUT.REQ is transmitted directly from the switching equipment 13 to the home MTSO (not shown). which stands in the place of the clearinghouse, and the response is a busy or inactive status indication.
  • the TTNR is then passed directly from the switching equipment 13 to the home MTSO, and the response received is the transfer DN provided by the home MTSO. It will therefore be appreciated that in this scenario, which presumes no MFJ restrictions, once an inactive or busy response is obtained from a home MTSO in response to a routing request, the system can query the home MTSO directly by sending a TTNR query.
  • the response to the TTNR is a DN to which the subscriber's call is to be forwarded if the subscriber is currently busy or inactive.
  • FIG. 14 illustrates a communication scenario that involves the validation of a cellular subscriber using a line information database (LIDB) 90.
  • LIDB line information database
  • an LIDB 90 is a computer database primarily operative for validation and anti-fraud functions in connection with cellular telephone systems.
  • a commercially available LIDB is the Calling
  • the LIDB 90 matches a personal identification number (PIN) to a cellular telephone's MIN for validation purposes. Operation and maintenance of such a computer database is considered within the skill of the art. The operation is simply to match predetermined PIN's to MIN's on a real-time basis, with the system providing access or validation only in response to receipt of a validation message from the LIDB.
  • PIN personal identification number
  • an LIDB may be operated by a number of different business entities, including but not limited to the PNC system operator, clearinghouses, and anticipated validation databases established for future communication systems such as the anticipated Motorola IRIDIUMTM personal telecommunications system. Therefore. the present invention will be considered operative with such communication systems or any communications systems that require validation prior to access.
  • FIG. 14 illustrates validation of a cellular subscriber using the LIDB database 90.
  • a cellular subscriber is validated using the MIN that is provided at autonomous registration, and a PIN or other password that is entered via the telephone keypad in response to, for example, a voice prompt message. It is assumed that the roaming subscriber with a telephone 16' has entered his or her PIN, the MIN has been obtained by the visited MTSO 25b, and the
  • PIN and MIN information has been passed in the form of a message to the home MTSO 25a.
  • the information is passed directly to the home MTSO 25a, but it will be understood that the information could be passed via a clearinghouse (not illustrated) or directly to the LIDB 90.
  • validation information may be passed in the form of a ServiceProfileDirective (SPD) message, as described in IS-41.5, ⁇ 8.1.3.9.
  • SPD ServiceProfileDirective
  • the home MTSO 25a passes the MIN and PEN to the LIDB 90, which performs the validation function. If the
  • MIN is properly validated, an appropriate response such as a QualificationDirective (QD), as described in IS-41.5, 1 8.1.3.2, is sent to the visited MTSO, indicating that the subscriber is authorized to access the system.
  • QD Quality of Service
  • LIDB transmits a QualificationDirective (QD) message to the home MTSO 25a, which in turn passes a QD to the visited MTSO 25b.
  • QD Quality of Service
  • the LIDB 90 passes a registration notification message REG.NOT to the switching equipment 13. This in effect informs me SCP 15 in the switching equipment that the cellular PNC subscriber is active and roaming.
  • Subsequent PNC calls to mat subscriber are routed via the MIN, as shown, which entails routing either to the home MTSO 25a and thence to the visited MTSO 25b, or alternatively directly to the visited MTSO, via the TLDN (using ROUT.REQ), as legal circumstances permit for the system operator.
  • preferred embodiments of the present invention provide notification of a registration of a PNC subscriber back at the home MTSO 25a upon return to or entry into the home cellular system 50.
  • the subscriber will dial a PNC * code in the home cellular system to signal a return home.
  • registration of the cellular PNC subscriber in the home MTSO can trigger the provision of the registration cancellation message REG.CAN to the switching equipment 13 when the registration is detected.
  • PN personal numbers
  • MIN mobile identification numbers
  • Such correlated information is required by the wireless information providers such as home MTSO's and cellular systems that directly communicate with the switching equipment, by clearinghouses, by visited MTSO's with direct communications arrangements with the PNC service provider, and by any other communicating entities that are not associated with the provider of the personal number service.
  • a correlation table, maintained in the form of a computer database, is required in order to determine which MIN's are associated with a PNC system and therefore should receive the registration function treatment.
  • this database the implementation is within the skill of the art, will require periodic updates in order to add or delete personal numbers, and relationships between the personal numbers and cellular telephone numbers.
  • updates will be provided on an as-needed basis, and can be provided through conventional mechanisms such as facsimile messages, electronic mail, or other methods.
  • FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary computer database record 100 that is utilized in switching equipment 13, and in particular in the SCP 15 of the disclosed embodiment, to implement PNC service on behalf of roaming cellular subscribers.
  • a database record comprises a plurality of information fields that are associated with one another, and searchable by text string searching or via preconstructed indices. Fields utilized in the preferred record 100 include the personal number
  • PN Mobile Identification Number
  • MIN Mobile Identification Number
  • DN1 principal destination directory number
  • DN2 ⁇ DNi alternative destination directory numbers
  • activated feature codes inactive feature codes
  • status fields busy/inactive/non validated/validated
  • routing DN to reach the voice mail system
  • ah IEC code to be used when the PNC call needs to be forwarded across a LATA boundary
  • other PNC related information as described in the incorporated PNC patent application referenced above.
  • various of the fields in the computer database record 100 may include user control or status flags, ON/OFF, to signify that various features have been activated, or have been enabled for activation by the system operator.
  • a subscriber may selectably activate delivery of calls to the mobile telephone when roaming, or may prevent delivery of calls when roaming. Therefore, the database record field for the mobile telephone includes an ROAMING DELIVERY ON/OFF field associated with cellular telephone.
  • the flag indicates OFF status, calls will not be delivered to the mobile telephone when roaming, and the PNC hierarchy will cause an incoming communication to be directed to another destination, e.g. voice mail.
  • the subscriber can indicate ON/OFF status for delivery of calls to the mobile telephone when in the home cellular service area, with the HOME DELIVERY ON/OFF flag.
  • the subscriber will selectably actuate various feature ON/OFF flags by entry of * codes, which will be delivered to the system 10 with RFCR messages, whether home or roaming.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
  • Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)

Abstract

Système de communication (10) à numéro personnel, permettant d'acheminer des communications à numéro personnel vers des abonnés se trouvant dans des endroits éloignés, par exemple vers le radiotéléphone mobile cellulaire (16) d'un abonné, qui fonctionne en mode non local dans une zone de service cellulaire hors circonscription (40). Des données d'emplacement correspondant à l'endroit où se trouve un radiotéléphone mobile enregistré et actif sont transmises, soit directement, soit indirectement par l'intermédiaire d'un central d'échange (35), vers une installation de commutation qui maintient une base de données contenant des informations (13) d'attribution de communication et comprenant des destinations d'abonné alternatives pour des communications à numéro personnel. Les données d'emplacement sont remises à jour de manière continue afin de tenir compte des enregistrement et des annulations d'enregistrement, du fonctionnement en mode non local ainsi que d'autres informations indiquant l'endroit où se trouve l'abonné et l'état associé. En réposne à la réception d'un appel destiné à un numéro personnel, l'installation de commutation (15) permet d'acheminer l'appel vers l'abonné dans la zone de service (40) hors circonscription si les informations d'attribution de communication indiquent que le téléphone cellulaire (6) de l'abonné est activé et validé.
EP95900378A 1993-10-27 1994-10-21 Systeme de communication a numero personnel et a fonction radiotelephonique mobile cellulaire a portee etendue Withdrawn EP0726007A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US144132 1980-04-28
US14413293A 1993-10-27 1993-10-27
PCT/US1994/011910 WO1995012268A1 (fr) 1993-10-27 1994-10-21 Systeme de communication a numero personnel et a fonction radiotelephonique mobile cellulaire a portee etendue

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EP0726007A1 true EP0726007A1 (fr) 1996-08-14

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FI101443B (fi) 1995-06-28 1998-06-15 Ericsson Telefon Ab L M Menetelmä kutsutun tilaajan tavoittamiseksi
US6032043A (en) * 1996-09-25 2000-02-29 Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ) Home location register feature dispatching and arbitration in a wireless intelligent network
US6134316A (en) * 1996-10-18 2000-10-17 Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson Telecommunications network with relocateability of subscriber number
NL1006862C2 (nl) * 1997-08-27 1999-03-17 Libertel Bv Werkwijze en stelsel voor het verwerken van oproepen voor communicatie-apparatuur met een abonneenummer, dat van een eerste operateur naar een tweede operateur is meegenomen, in het bijzonder geschikt voor toepassing bij stelsels voor mobiele communicatie.
DE59914375D1 (de) * 1999-02-05 2007-07-26 Alcatel Lucent Verfahren zur Bereitstellung eines persönlichen Kommunikationsdienstes sowie Verfahren zur Anrufleitung und Dienststeuereinheit
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BR9407857A (pt) 1997-05-20
WO1995012268A1 (fr) 1995-05-04

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