Pseudo-global title translation for international roaming of ANSI-41 subscribers

• US 20020137511A1
• Filed: 03/11/2002
• Published: 09/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Globalstar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Globalstar Incorporated
• Inventors: Bazinet, Christian, Bowman, Philip J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,735,439 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/432.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/1856 for call routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0025 Provisions for signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/20 Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/24 between backbone network devices

Abstract

A method is provided for routing a message through a telecommunications network. The method includes receiving an identifying number (eg: a MIN or ESN) from a wireless terminal and prepending at least one character to the identifying number to form a pseudo-global title. The message is then routed through the telecommunications network to a destination determined by the pseudo-global title. Upon arrival at the destination, the method further includes converting the pseudo-global title to a home location register address. The message is then routed to a home location register having the home location register address.

Claims

1. A method for routing a message through a telecommunications network comprising the steps of:

receiving an identifying number from a wireless terminal;

prepending at least one character to said identifying number to form a pseudo-global title; and

,

routing a message through said telecommunications network to a destination determined by said pseudo-global title.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said identifying number is a mobile identification number.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one character comprises at least a portion of a country code.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said destination is a home location register of said wireless terminal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of routing further comprises:

converting said pseudo-global title to a home location register address upon arrival at said destination; and

,

routing said message to a home location register having said home location register address.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said step of converting is accomplished using a lookup table.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein said step of converting is accomplished using a conversion algorithm.

8. An apparatus for routing a message through a telecommunications network comprising:

a mobile switching center for receiving an identifying number from a wireless terminal;

a unit coupled to said mobile switching center for prepending at least one character to said identifying number to form a pseudo-global title; and

,

a first router, coupled to said unit, for routing a message through said telecommunications network to a destination determined by said pseudo-global title.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said identifying number is a mobile identification number.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said at least one character comprises at least a portion of a country code.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said destination is a home location register of said wireless terminal.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

a converter, coupled to said destination, for converting said pseudo-global title to a home location register address upon the arrival of said message at said destination; and

,

a second router, coupled to said converter, for routing said message to a home location register having said home location register address.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said converter converts said pseudo-global title using a lookup table.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said converter converts said pseudo-global title using a conversion algorithm.

16. The satellite telecommunication network of claim 15, wherein said identifying number is a mobile identification number.

17. The satellite telecommunication network of claim 15, wherein said at least one character comprises at least a portion of a country code.

18. The satellite telecommunication network of claim 15, wherein said destination is a home location register of said wireless terminal.

19. The satellite telecommunication network of claim 15, further comprising:

a converter, coupled to said destination, for converting said pseudo-global title to a home location register address upon the arrival of said message at said destination; and

,

a second router, coupled to said converter, for routing said message to a home location register having said home location register address.

20. The satellite telecommunication network of claim 19, wherein said converter converts said pseudo-global title using a lookup table.

21. The satellite telecommunication network of claim 19, wherein said converter converts said pseudo-global title using a conversion algorithm.

15. A satellite telecommunication network comprising:

at least one satellite in earth orbit;

at least one gateway in two way communication with said satellite and with a terrestrial communication system;

at least one wireless terminal in two way communication with said gateway through said satellite wherein said wireless terminal is not a subscriber to said satellite telecommunication network;

a switching center, coupled to said gateway, for receiving an identifying number from said wireless terminal;

a unit coupled to said switching center for prepending at least one character to said identifying number to form a pseudo-global title; and

,

a first router, coupled to said unit, for routing a message through said satellite telecommunications network to a destination determined by said pseudo-global title.

22. A global title translator in communication with a first network and a second network comprising:

a converter for receiving a message with a pseudo-global title through said first network and for converting said pseudo-global title to a home location register address;

a router, coupled to said converter, for routing said message through said second network to a home location register having said home location register address.

23. The global title translator of claim 22, wherein said converter converts said pseudo-global title using a lookup table.

24. The global title translator of claim 22, wherein said converter converts said pseudo-global title using a conversion algorithm.