CA2341686A1

CA2341686A1 - Method and system for routing calls to a wireless telecommunications services platform

Info

Publication number: CA2341686A1
Application number: CA002341686A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Karl H. Koster
Original assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation; Karl H. Koster; Bellsouth Corporation; Bellsouth Intellectual Property Group, Inc.
Current assignee: AT&T Delaware Intellectual Property Inc
Priority date: 1998-08-26
Filing date: 1999-08-16
Publication date: 2000-03-09
Also published as: WO2000013453A1; US6356756B1; EP1108339A1; AU5776399A

Abstract

A method and system for routing calls to a wireless platform uses local number portability searches to achieve advanced intelligent network capabilities. The method and system of the present invention "ports" wireless subscriber numbers to a number for a platform providing a specific service. When a caller dials the subscriber's wireless number, a switch determines whether the number is portable. Since the number has been ported, the switch launches a query to a local number portability service control point to obtain additional routing instructions. The service control point accesses a local number portability database to determine the proper routing number. The new routing number allows calls to be routed to a service platform in the wireless network. The service control point transfers the routing number to the switch which then translates the routing number to a directory number for the platform. The call is then routed to the platform.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR
ROUTING CALLS TO A WIRELESS
TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES PLATFORM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention The present invention is directed to wireless telecommunications and, more particularly, to a method and system for routing calls to a platform that performs wireless 1 o telecommunications services for wireless subscribers.

2. Background Providing immediate access to home and work from remote locations, cellular, PCS, and wireless telephones have become increasingly popular. No longer prohibitively expensive, cell phones are used by a wide range of consumers. Presently, there are over 75 million cellular customers ("subscribers") worldwide. Predictions show that over 300 million customers will be using cellular systems by the year 2,000. Cell phones and systems that are being introduced to the market have advanced features, services, and cost advantages over the older cellular technologies.
2o Wireless service providers ("WSPs") offer their subscribers several options for improving their wireless telecommunications services. Certain services were created as added conveniences for the subscriber. Other services were created to reduce overall costs to the subscriber and/or the WSP. Three of the most popular services are the Follow Me service, the Pre-Paid Calling service, and the Calling Party Pays service.
The Follow Me service (a.k.a. "Single Number Service") allows a subscriber to be called at any time of the day using a single telephone number. The subscriber provides a schedule to the WSP, indicating the subscriber's usual whereabouts during the day. For instance, the subscriber may indicate that he is in his office during the morning hours, in his car during certain afternoon hours, and at home during the evening hours. In addition, the 3o subscriber provides the directory numbers for each location. The WSP stores this information !C(.~' V~ w : ~.v... n -nnL,~VI..HtiV Va7 : 1's_i- 'J- - U
1 t~..~~ ~.y ~~ 'mow w i.c . ~a n and the associated directory aurnbcrs for each location in a dedicated platform. The subscnber is then given a new FoIIoR~ Me dirccbry member that is associated with the platform providing the Follow Me services. When this cumber is called, the call is directed to the Follow 11e platform which then; locates the customer icy real-titxtc using the predefined scliedule and telephone number (at his home, at his o~.ce, etc...).
Pre-Paid Calling allows a caller to purchase cellular service in discrete time increments. The subscriber purchases a certain number of minutes of cellular service from the WSP. The WSP prozides a new dirccbory number to the subscr'ber that is associated with a platfomr providing the Pre-Paid Calling services. Callers who dial this new directory t o number are routed to the platform which storos information about the subsrnber's account status. If the svbscribr.~r has time renraitiing in his account, the piatfarm connects the call to the subscriber. If the subscriber has no time remaining in his account, the caller is informed of the subsczxber's account status aaxd tire call is discoyrnected.
Calling Patsy Pays service allows a subsen'ber to request that callers pays for calls ~s made to his wireless phone. The subsriber is provided a directory nunrber for all Galling Party Pays calls. When callers dial the directory number, they are directed to a dedicated Calling Party Pays platform that asps the caller if she would like to pay for tire call, rf the caller responds in the affirrnati~e, the call is connected to the caller. If the caller declines to pay, the call is disconnected.
2o While each of tliese services provide gZeate~r flexibility to the callex, they each have drawbacks as well. First, each service requies the provisioning of a new directory number that routes a caller to an adjuaict platform. As the number of cellular subscribers increases and these services become more ubiquitous, the number of roquired directory numbers will increase as well, z5 Ttte itnpvsition of local number portability (")..N'P"~ also poses problems for such services. LNP is designed to allow subscribers to switch (or "port"} their directory numbers to other ser vice providers within tlieir area. Thus, service providers are required ro prow~ide an infxastnretirre for routing tails from their network to tire network of the new service provider_ With services that use adjunct platforms, the new number allocated for the platform must 3o remain with the subscn'ber if the subscriber decides to change serr~~ice providers. Currently, RC" "~" . "r' ~ 'rtJE.~ICHEN 05 : 12 - 9- O : ~~ : ~ 1 : CC I TT ~:.'A9-. -t.g~ g9 0.,-.... . .._ . ... ..

wireless providers do not have su~cicnt mechanisms for routing ported calls to the adjunct platform_ C?rra solution to this problem would be the implementation of wireless Advanced Tntelligent Network ("A,IN") capabi]ides (sorttetimes referred to a5 Wireline Ir~teltigent Networks). Currently, w-ireline AI1V allows palls to be quickly and efficiett~y ~u~ to other Iacations within the network. AIhT uses a group of switches, transfer points, and service control points ("SCPs") coupled io computer databases to make decisions regarding calls and route the calls to their proper destination. In adttition, AIN uses a group of hers" that cause network components to behave differently and route calls differently than expected, IO >Yor instance, the terminating attempt ('TAT" trigger would be useful in routing wireless sen;ice calls to the proper platform. The TAT trigger causes a switch in the network to pause during call processing and obtain call routing instructions from ~
SCp. The SCP
ntay access a databaswtc detertuine the proper routing instructions. The SCP
may then transzrit a message back to the switch indicating the fatal destina#ionof the call. Thus, in the I~ ~~iraiess erwironment, the call could ultimately be routed to the proper platform despite local number portability requirements.
Unfortunately, AIN is very expensive to implement in a wireline network. A
wireless version of A1N would likely be expensive to implement a.nd would require a large financial underi:a.ldng by a wireless service provider.
SUMMARY OF THE tNtIENTiON
The present invention provides a method and system for emulating o~ p~
capabilities in a wire]ess cnviro~ent without the need for wireless AIN
elements.
SP~cifically, the method and system of the present invention allaw a wireless s~srvice provider to route calls to a service platform using local number portability elements and futlctionality, Thus, the service provider is not forced tp provide additional directory numbers to subscribers. Since new numbers aren't provided, the problems associated with the porting of those numbers are also eliminated.
In a preferred embodiment of the present iztventior., wine]~~
telecommunications services that use a platform having a unique NPA~N?~X may use local number portability

3 capabilities in their own network as well as other network's to effect the routing required for the service. More particularly, the wireless service provider "ports"
directory numbers of service subscribers to platforms within its own network. When a caller dials the subscriber, the local switctl for the caller (whether wireline or wireless) suspends call processing to determine whether the number has been ported. First, the switch examines a table to determine the portability of the number. Since the number has been "ported" by the wireless service provider, the switch queries a local number portability service control point. The SCP accesses a database to determine the local routing number for the ''new"
number. The SCP then returns a local routing number corresponding to the platform for the service.
The platform may he coupled to an end office in the PSTN. Alternatively, the platform may be coupled to a mobile switch in the mobile network. In either event, the call is routed to the platform, which then performs the desired service. If the service is a Follow Me service, for example, the platform accesses records in a database and performs an algorithm to determine the most likely location of the subscriber. The platform then routes the call to the directory number of that location.
Since most wireline service providers are under an obligation to perform LNP
functions for ported wireless numbers, this ensures that calls originating from other carriers will be directly routed to the adjunct platform without intelligent processing capabilities normally performed by the wireless service provider.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and system for routing calls to a wireless services platform that does not require the implementation of wireless AIN.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and system for routing calls to a wireless services platform that emulates advanced intelligent network functionality.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a method and system for routing calls to a wireless services platform that uses the existing local number portability infrastructure.

4 WO 00!13453 PCT/US99/18608 It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method and system for routing calls to a wireless services platform that does not require the provision of additional directory numbers.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will be obvious from the description or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 is a block diagram of a wireless network coupled to a PSTN network, according to the present invention FIGURE 2 is a block diagram of cellular telephone unit.
FIGURE 3 is a flow chart illustrating steps occurring during a call from a PSTN line to the wireless subscriber's directory number.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Reference will now be made in detail to the invention, examples of which are 2o illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
FIGURE 1 is a block diagram of a wireless network 30 coupled to a PSTN network 40, according to the present invention. The mobile network includes at least one mobile switching center ("MSC") 35, one or more wireless base stations 45, and a cellular telephone unit 50 of a subscriber. The mobile switching center 35 monitors the location and call quality of mobile telephones and switches the mobile telephone call between cell sites and the public switched telephone network ("PSTN") 40. The MSC 35 receives the dialed digits, creates and interprets call processing tones, and routes the call paths. The MSC 35 includes controllers, switching assembly, communications links, operator terminal, and subscriber 3o database information. The controllers guide the MSC 35 through the creation and

5 ..,.~. ,.....~.. ",r ._ .. .. . -.._ u.,. . v.v. ' ~ a iv..~ea--~ T't~ 0:7 Y-~...,.....~... - ,. v a interpretation of commands to and from the bye stations 45. A sv~r~hi~
~emblproutrs voice connections fFOrri the cell sits to each other or to the pSTN. An operator tez~
allows operations, administration and maintenance of the system. 'The subscsbar dat~c contains customer-specified f~atmes and billing records. The IbfSC 35 may include S addaional components as well, including a proo~ssor 37 and a menttory 39.
T'he base ~ti0n 45 is a controlling fran,~mittietglreceivdng station that provedes service to cellular telephone units within cell sites. Individual cellular telephone units 50 may utilize a, single base station 45 to conunutucate with the MSc 35.
FIGURE 2 is a block diagram of celhtlar telephone unit 50, in accordance with a to prefetTed embodiment of the present invention. Cellular telephone 50 incletdes processor 52 capable of processing messages received by cellular telephone unit 100 usir~
lazowr~
hardware and according to known metbods_ To make each mobile telephone unique, sever types of information are stored in its inbemal memory. 'I~is memory is called a Nurrrber :~sigament pule 53. T'he NAM eonta~ a Ivtobile rdentiE~,tion Numbesr ('~7 5g~
t~ which identifies the mobile cellular unit 50. The mobile cellular unit 50 further includes additional circuitry 54 fox transmitting and receiving data As illustrated in FIGURE l, the PSTN 40 includes several Advanced. Intelligent Network ("AIIV') elements. For brevity, only a basic explanation of AIN is provided herein.
Where the network 30 operates or is composcrl differently in an important a~oct from that 20 which would be underrtood by those skilled in the art, additional detar'ls are provided herrirt.
For further information regarding ~,~ technology and aspects thereof, the interested reader is referred to LrJ.S. Patent No. 5,430,7I9, to V,T~Ser, Jr.
The P51'_'v140 includes a variety of intereo~ected network olem~ctts. A group of such netwozk elements includes the plurality of and o~ces vVhich are indicated as service s~~~g points ("SSTs" or "sv~~itches"~ 32a, 32b in FIGURL 1. An SSP typically includes s'~'~ ~~or~a?1i'y, but also includes other functionality so as to communicate with outer ACT elerncnts as those skilled in the art understand. Voice connections between the pSTN 40 and the mobile network 30 are made through an access tandem SSP 33. The ta"d~
o~ 33 is used to connect and switch circuits bctn,reen and among other end offices.
Each SSP 3~a, 38 32b serves a designated group of calling lines, and thus, the SSP that serves a pa~cular calling line may be referred to as its serving switch. Data connections betw~
the FSTN 40

6 R'v vrm . co n _uI~ENCtiEW' 08 : 12- g- 0 : ~? : 32 : CC 1 TT ECh~-. +Q-9 89 ?~oo~ a cc . ~. , .~
12-09-2000 . US 009918608 snd the mobile network 30 are made thmugb a s~ignaii~ng transfer post 43. The STP 43 is a telephone network switching point that routes cozTtirol messages to other snitching pots.
The PSTN further includes functionality for determining the portability of local directory runabers. Specifically, the PSTN 40 includes an IrIVP SCPdatabase 44 coupled to one ore more SSPs through a signal transfer point 43. Local Nu~er Portability ("LNP") allows a subsen'ber Co change service providers andfor geographic location while t~etainin~ the same directory number. The subscriber retains this directory number despite a new recipient switch serving the subscriber's phone. When acting as originating switches, all S~Ps art the network perform digit analysis on the dialed digits to determine whether the numher has been ported. If the number has been ported, the SSP launches a quezy to the LNP SCP
44 based on the dialed digiis. The LNP SCP 44 stores one or more LNP routing tables that indicate the routing number ~fo~c the recipient svvit~ch. The LNP SCP 4~ returns a response to the SSP
indicating the routing number of the recipient switch. The origitaating svriteh analyzes the data, translates the data if necessary. and routes the call to the recipient switch. The recipient ~5 switch (SSPj 'then corupletes the call between end users.
Cellular subscribers in the mobile network may purchase various services from the cellular service provider. Far exaraple, subscn'bezs naay purchase FolIovv-Me services that allow a caller to bs reached at any time during the day, based upon a pzedeterrnined schedule.
To providi sucli services, the ivl.SC 35 further includes a platform 100 for the service. The zU platform 100 is a computer and subscriber database containing each custpmer's MIIV to uniquely identify each customer. The platform 100 uses certain criteria, such as the time of dry and caller activation to redirect calls to a subscriber's home number, mobile number, or worI: number. ?he platform 100 performs an algorithm to determine',he most likely location of the subscriber at any given time of day. Each subscriber is normally provided a separate ~s dirc~tory number for the service. The dirccior~~ nurx<bcr is the number that is called to reach the subscriber at different hours of the day. The directory number is a unique NPA-NX?~ for the platform 100. Although a Follow Me service is described, it should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the arts that the principles descn'bed herein are equally applicable to other services that direct calls to a unique ;yPA.-NXX for a specific platform, 30 In the present invention, the subscriber is not provided a new directory number.
Instead, the wireless service provider ports the subscriber's cellular roelephone number to the pr~w vnn, . cn a _MLIE'~C..'H~ U5 : 12 - .9- 0 : --'~.2 : 3ai : CC 1 TT ~Ci~'I-.~ +49 F38 ' NPA NXX for the service platform. Since This platform is owned by the wireless strvicC
provider, the service provider is essentially porting the number to itsolf.
'The wireless service provider notifies the PS'I1~ service provider that the subsen'ber's directory number ~
portable_ The PSTN service pro~dGr updates its network by creating an entry in all SSP
s tables to indicate the portability of the number. In addition, the PST'!V
service provides creates art entry in the LNP SCP 44 routing tables. T'Iae entry includes the subsrn'ber's wireless directory number and maps the wireless directory number to the lVgA-Nx'X
directory number for the platform 100.
FIGURE 3 is a flow chart illustrating steps occurrit~ during a call from a PSTN line t 0 to the wireless subsen'ber's directory aumbcr. In steep 302, the caller dials the subscri'ber's v~zrelcss directory number. In step 304, the switch fot the mallet checks a local table to detc~ine Rfiethcr the number is portable. Since the service provider has "ported" the number i:o itself the number is listed in the table as portable. Zn step 308, the switch sends a query to the I".~TP SCP 44 to determine where the call should be routed. rn step 310, the LNP
is SCP 44 exazruues its internal databases to det~ine the ne~a~ service provider and the routing instructions. the wireless service provider has provided a local routing numbest for the platform to the 1'STN service provider. In step 312, the LNP SCP 44 sends a message back to the switch containing the routing instructions for the servi.ee platform.
In step 314, the switch connects the call to the platform. The platform may then 20 perform additional processing and routing. For example, a Follow l~Ie platform would perform the necessary algorithm to determine the most likely location of the caller. Next, the platfbrm would route the call to that directory number.
Having thus described a rne~od arid system for mating calls in a wireless network, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain advsatages have been achieved, It 25 should also be appreciated that various modifications, adaptations, and alternative cmbodimeuts thereof, including :its use with prepaid Calling aid Caller Pays platforms, far example, may be made within the scope of the present invention 'The invention is further defined by tlxe following claims:

Claims

What is Claimed is:

1. A method for using elements of an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) to route a call directed to a wireless number to a platform to provide a wireless communications service to the call without having to include the AIN elements in a wireless system providing the wireless communications service to the wireless number, the method comprising:
characterizing to the AIN the wireless number as ported to a number for the platform;
in response to receipt of the call directed to the wireless number, querying a local number portability (LNP) database of the AIN regarding the wireless number;
receiving the number for the platform in response to the query; and routing the call using the number for the platform so as to route the call to the platform for provision of the wireless communications service to the call.

2. The method of Claim 1, wherein, prior to querying the LNP database, the method comprises determining the wireless number is portable.

3. The method of Claim 2, wherein receiving the number for the platform comprises receiving the number for the platform in response to the query based on the wireless number being ported to the number for the platform.

4. The method of Claim 1, wherein the number for the platform comprises a local routing number (LRN); and wherein routing the call using the number for the platform comprises routing the call using the LRN.

5. The method of Claim 4, wherein routing the call using the LRN comprises translating the LRN into a directory number for the platform and routing the call using the directory number for the platform.

6. The method of Claim 1, further comprising:
after routing the cell to the platform, providing the wireless communications service to the call.

7.~The method of Claim 6, wherein providing the wireless communications service comprises providing a Follow Me service, a Pre-Paid Calling service, or a Call Party Pays service.

8. A method to make use of elements of an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) to route a call directed to a wireless number to a platform to provide a wireless communications service to the call without having to include the AIN elements in a wireless system providing the wireless communications service to the wireless number, comprising:
causing the wireless number to be characterized as ported to the elements of the AIN;
and providing a ported number for the wireless number, the ported number corresponding to a number for the platform operative to provide the wireless communications service, so that the call is routed to the number for the platform rather than to the wireless number.

9. The method of Claim 8, wherein providing the ported number comprises providing a directory number of the platform as the ported number for the wireless number.

10. The method of Claim 8, further comprising;
after the call is rooted to the platform, providing the wireless communications service to the call.

11. The method of Claim 10, wherein providing the wireless communications service comprises providing a Follow Me service, a Pro-Paid Calling service, or a Cal1 Party Pays service.

12. A system for using elements of an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) to route a call directed to a wireless number to a platform to provide a wireless communications service to the call without having to include the AIN elements in a wireless system providing the wireless communications service to the wireless number, the system comprising:
a switch being operative, in response to receipt of the call directed to the wireless number, to query a local number portability (LNP) database in the AIN
regarding the wireless number, the LNP database including the wireless number as ported to a number of the platform, and being operative to respond to the query with the number of the platform as the ported number for the wireless number; and the switch being operative, in response to receipt of the number of the platform as the ported number for the wireless number, to route the call to the number of the platform.

13. The system of Claim 12, wherein the switch comprises ported numbers, the ported numbers comprising the wireless number to which the call is directed; and wherein the switch is operative, as a condition to querying the LNP database, to detetsnine the wireless number is portable by using the ported numbers.

14. The system of Claim 12, wherein the number for the platform comprises a local routing number (LRN).

15. The system of Claim 14, wherein the switch is operative to translate the LRN into a directory number for the platform and to route the call using the directory number.