Method for registering with a communication service

• US 20040248570A1
• Filed: 07/14/2004
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Denenberg, Jack, Febo, Denise
• Granted Patent: US 7,167,706 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/432.3
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2066 Call type detection of indication, e.g. voice or fax, mobile of fixed, PSTN or IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/14 with services dependent on location where the service is an information service H04M2242/15; services independent of location H04M3/42229
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/30 Determination of the location of a subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42153 by subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42348 Location-based services which utilize the location information of a target
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/00 Affiliation to network, e.g. registration; Terminating affiliation with the network, e.g. de-registration
• 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 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A method determines whether a given mobile communication device is eligible to register for a particular service. A first database tracks the equipment capabilities of various mobile devices. A second database tracks which regions, of a plurality, of geographic regions are eligible to receive the service. These databases are checked when the system receives a request to register for the service.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

pursuant to a registration process for a potential subscriber to a wireless service, accessing filtering information to determine whether to permit the potential subscriber to receive the service, the filtering information relating to whether a mobile device associated with the potential subscriber is technically capable of receiving the service, and to whether, based on the potential subscriber'"'"'s home location, the potential subscriber is eligible to receive the service; and

if the mobile device is technically capable of receiving the service and the potential subscriber is eligible to receive the service based on the home location, registering the potential subscriber to receive the service.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile device is considered to be technically capable of receiving the service if the mobile device can operate on both analog and digital networks.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the potential subscriber is considered to be eligible to receive the service if the home location is within a wireless service provider'"'"'s footprint.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the service involves a special billing rate whereby all calls made or received by the mobile device are charged at a same rate whether or not the mobile device is within a wireless service provider'"'"'s footprint.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the filtering information associates an electronic serial number of the mobile device with a definition of a technical capability of the mobile device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

if the mobile device is not technically capable of receiving the service, attempting to register the mobile device for a different service consistent with its technical capabilities.

7. A system comprising:

a capabilities database including identifiers of mobile devices associated with subscribers to wireless services, wherein the capabilities database relates, via their respective identifiers, the mobile devices to technical capabilities thereof;

an eligibility database including location identifiers correlated with wireless services provided for areas respectively associated with the location identifiers; and

a processor coupled to the capabilities database and the eligibility database to access the capabilities database and the eligibility database pursuant to a registration process for a potential subscriber to a given wireless service, to determine whether to permit the potential subscriber to receive the given wireless service.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the capabilities database describes whether a mobile device is a multi-network-capable device.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein a location identifier is associated with a footprint of a wireless service provider.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the given wireless service involves a special billing rate whereby all calls made or received by the mobile device are charged at a same rate whether or not the mobile device is within the wireless service provider'"'"'s footprint