METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING ROAMING SERVICES TO PREPAID ROAMERS OF A HOME NETWORK

• US 20100190492A1
• Filed: 01/22/2008
• Published: 07/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mobileum, Incorporated fka Roamware
• Original Assignee: Mobileum, Incorporated fka Roamware
• Inventors: Jiang, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,374,602 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/432.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/55 for hybrid networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8038 Roaming or handoff
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/90 using Intelligent Networks [IN] or Advanced Intelligent Networks [AIN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/00 Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems using a coded card to authorise calls from a telephone set H04M1/675
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/016 Billing using Intelligent Networks [IN] or Advanced Intelligent Networks [AIN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2046 Hybrid network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2053 In based PPS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/34 Roaming
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7442 Roaming
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for providing roaming services to an HPMN'"'"'s prepaid subscriber. The method includes facilitating the prepaid subscriber'"'"'s registration at a VPMN by an SG, despite absence of the prepaid subscriber'"'"'s roaming profile at an HPMN HLR. The HPMN and the VPMN are part of one or more partner networks and are unable to support IN protocol/agreement. The SG is deployed at either the HPMN, or an HPMN'"'"'s MVNO, or a hub operator. The method further includes enabling mobile communication of the prepaid subscriber in the VPMN by the SG that converts protocol of all signaling messages, corresponding to the prepaid subscriber, into a format compatible with the HPMN. The method further includes billing the prepaid subscriber based on pre-defined criteria by using the SG that interfaces with an HPMN PPS via either: an HPMN SCP, or an HPMN service node, or an HPMN SMSC.

Claims

1. A method for providing a prepaid subscriber of a Home Public Mobile Network (HPMN) with roaming services in a Visited Public Mobile Network (VPMN), the HPMN and the VPMN being partner networks, the HPMN having an associated Home Location Register (HLR) for storing subscriber profiles and an associated Prepaid System, each of the HPMN and the VPMN supporting a protocol of signaling messages, the method comprising:

facilitating, via a Signal Gateway (SG), a registration of the prepaid subscriber at the VPMN, wherein the prepaid subscriber does not have a subscriber profile in the HLR to roam in the VPMN;

enabling, via the SG, mobile communications of the prepaid subscriber in the VPMN, thereby providing roaming services to the prepaid subscriber in the VPMN, wherein a protocol of signaling messages corresponding to the prepaid subscriber in the VPMN is converted via the SG into a protocol compatible with the protocol of signaling messages supported by the HPMN, when the protocols of signaling messages supported by the HPMN and the VPMN are different from each other; and

billing the prepaid subscriber based on pre-defined criteria via the SG;

wherein the SG interfaces with the PPS via one selected from a group consisting of a Service Control Point (SCP) associated with the HPMN, a service node associated with the HPMN, and a Short Message Service Center (SMSC) associated with the HPMN;

wherein the SG is associated with one selected from a group consisting of the HPMN, a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) associated with the HPMN, and a hub operator; and

wherein at least one of the HPMN and the VPMN is unable to support an Intelligent Network (IN) protocol or an IN agreement.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein facilitating the registration of the prepaid subscriber at the VPMN comprises:

upon detecting, via a VPMN registration message having a plurality of parameters, a registration attempt of the prepaid subscriber at the VPMN, modifying one or more of the plurality of parameters in the VPMN registration message, prior to sending the VPMN registration message to the HPMN.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

imitating IN support of the VPMN at the HPMN, when the HPMN has IN support, and the VPMN is unable to support the IN protocol or the IN agreement.

4. The method of claim 1, the prepaid subscriber having an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), the method further comprising:

prior to facilitating the registration of the prepaid subscriber, comparing, at the SG, the IMSI of the prepaid subscriber against at least one list of IMSIs selected from a group consisting of blacklist IMSIs, white list IMSIs, and a list of IMSI ranges.

5. The method of claim 1, the SG having a Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC) coupled thereto, the VPMN having an associated Visited Mobile Switching Center (VMSC), and the prepaid subscriber having corresponding originating Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP) messages and originating call control messages;

wherein the SG receives the originating SCCP messages and the originating call control messages via a dedicated connection between GMSC and the VMSC.

6. The method of claim 1, the VPMN having an associated Visited Location Register (VLR) and an associated Signaling Transfer Point (STP), the prepaid subscriber having a number, corresponding originating Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP) messages, and corresponding originating call control messages;

wherein the originating call control messages are directed to the SG by configuring the STP associated with the VPMN to add a prefix corresponding to the SG to one selected from a group consisting of the prepaid subscriber'"'"'s number and a called party number; and

wherein the originating SCCP messages are directed to the SG via a mode selected from a group consisting of configuring the STP to add the prefix to the originating SCCP messages, and performing International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) analysis at the VLR.

7. The method of claim 1, the HPMN transmitting an update message containing the prepaid subscriber'"'"'s profile;

wherein the prepaid subscriber'"'"'s mobile communication is enabled via a mode selected from a group consisting of removing a call barring parameter, removing CAMEL Subscription Information (CSI), adding a service key, and adding a late call forwarding parameter in the prepaid subscriber'"'"'s profile, prior to transmitting the update message to the VPMN.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

storing, at the SG, one selected from a group consisting of the prepaid subscriber'"'"'s profile, a call status, a Short Message Service (SMS) status, a late call forwarding status, a late call forwarding number, an SMS forwarding number, and a CAMEL Subscription Information (CSI).

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the protocol conversion is performed for at least one selected from a group consisting of different ISDN User Part (ISUP) versions, an ISUP version and an IN variant, a Customized Application for Mobile Enhanced Logic (CAMEL) version and a non-CAMEL version, and different IN variants.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

defining a tariff in one selected from a group consisting of the SCP, the service node, and the SMSC, the tariff relating to a Mobile Originated (MO) call and a MO Short Message Service (SMS) of the prepaid subscriber from the VPMN.

11. The method of claim 1, the HPMN having an associated Service Switching Point (SSP) for enabling a Mobile Originated (MO) call of the prepaid subscriber in the VPMN and for billing the prepaid subscriber for the MO call, when the HPMN has IN support and the VPMN is unable to support one selected from a group consisting of the IN protocol and the IN agreement.

12. A method for providing a prepaid subscriber of a Home Public Mobile Network (HPMN) with roaming services in a Visited Public Mobile Network (VPMN), the HPMN and the VPMN being partner networks, the HPMN having an associated Home Location Register (HLR) for storing subscriber profiles and an associated Prepaid System, each of the HPMN and the VPMN supporting a protocol of signaling messages, the method comprising:

receiving, at a Signal Gateway (SG), a registration message having a plurality of parameters, from the prepaid subscriber;

prior to sending the registration message to the HPMN, modifying, via the SG, one or more of the plurality of parameters in the registration message, wherein the prepaid subscriber does not have a subscriber profile in the HLR;

enabling, via the SG, mobile communications of the prepaid subscriber in the VPMN, thereby providing roaming services to the prepaid subscriber in the VPMN, wherein a protocol of signaling messages corresponding to the prepaid subscriber in the VPMN is converted via the SG into a protocol compatible with the protocol of signaling messages supported by the HPMN, when the protocols of signaling messages supported by the HPMN and the VPMN are different from each other; and

billing the prepaid subscriber based on pre-defined criteria via the SG;

wherein the SG interfaces with the PPS via one selected from a group consisting of a Service Control Point (SCP) associated with the HPMN, a service node associated with the HPMN, and a Short Message Service Center (SMSC) associated with the HPMN;

wherein the SG is associated with one selected from a group consisting of the HPMN, a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) associated with the HPMN, and a hub operator; and

wherein at least one of the HPMN and the VPMN is unable to support an Intelligent Network (IN) protocol or an IN agreement.

13. A system for providing a prepaid subscriber of a Home Public Mobile Network (HPMN) with roaming services in a Visited Public Mobile Network (VPMN), the HPMN and the VPMN being partner networks, the HPMN having an associated Home Location Register (HLR) for storing subscriber profiles and an associated Prepaid System, each of the HPMN and the VPMN supporting a protocol of signaling messages, the system comprising:

a facilitator for facilitating, via a Signal Gateway (SG), a registration of the prepaid subscriber at the VPMN, wherein the prepaid subscriber does not have a subscriber profile in the HLR to roam in the VPMN;

an enabler for enabling, via the SG, mobile communications of the prepaid subscriber in the VPMN, thereby providing roaming services to the prepaid subscriber in the VPMN, wherein a protocol of signaling messages corresponding to the prepaid subscriber in the VPMN is converted via the SG into a protocol compatible with the protocol of signaling messages supported by the HPMN, when the protocols of signaling messages supported by the HPMN and the VPMN are different from each other; and

a billing module for billing the prepaid subscriber based on pre-defined criteria via the SG;

wherein the SG interfaces with the PPS via one selected from a group consisting of a Service Control Point (SCP) associated with the HPMN, a service node associated with the HPMN, and a Short Message Service Center (SMSC) associated with the HPMN;

wherein the SG is associated with one selected from a group consisting of the HPMN, a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) associated with the HPMN, and a hub operator; and

wherein at least one of the HPMN and the VPMN is unable to support an Intelligent Network (IN) protocol or an IN agreement.

14. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having control logic stored thereon for causing a computer to provide a prepaid subscriber of a Home Public Mobile Network (HPMN) with roaming services in a Visited Public Mobile Network (VPMN), the HPMN and the VPMN being partner networks, the HPMN having an associated Home Location Register (HLR) for storing subscriber profiles and an associated Prepaid System, each of the HPMN and the VPMN supporting a protocol of signaling messages, the control logic comprising:

first computer useable program code means for facilitating, via a Signal Gateway (SG), a registration of the prepaid subscriber at the VPMN, wherein the prepaid subscriber does not have a subscriber profile in the HLR to roam in the VPMN;

second computer useable program code means for enabling, via the SG, mobile communications of the prepaid subscriber in the VPMN, thereby providing roaming services to the prepaid subscriber in the VPMN, wherein a protocol of signaling messages corresponding to the prepaid subscriber in the VPMN is converted via the SG into a protocol compatible with the protocol of signaling messages supported by the HPMN, when the protocols of signaling messages supported by the HPMN and the VPMN are different from each other; and

third computer useable program code means for billing the prepaid subscriber based on pre-defined criteria via the SG;

wherein the SG interfaces with the PPS via one selected from a group consisting of a Service Control Point (SCP) associated with the HPMN, a service node associated with the HPMN, and a Short Message Service Center (SMSC) associated with the HPMN;

wherein the SG is associated with one selected from a group consisting of the HPMN, a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) associated with the HPMN, and a hub operator; and

wherein at least one of the HPMN and the VPMN is unable to support an Intelligent Network (IN) protocol or an IN agreement.

15. A method for providing a prepaid subscriber of a Home Public Mobile Network (HPMN) with roaming services in a Visited Public Mobile Network (VPMN), the HPMN and the VPMN being partner networks, the HPMN having an associated Home Location Register (HLR) for storing subscriber profiles and an associated Prepaid System, each of the HPMN and the VPMN supporting a protocol of signaling messages, the method comprising:

receiving, at the HPMN, a modified registration message having a plurality of parameters, one or more of the plurality of parameters having been modified upon detecting a registration attempt of the prepaid subscriber at the VPMN;

wherein a registration of the prepaid subscriber at the VPMN is facilitated, the prepaid subscriber not having a subscriber profile in the HLR to roam in the VPMN;

wherein mobile communications of the prepaid subscriber in the VPMN are enabled and a protocol of signaling messages corresponding to the prepaid subscriber in the VPMN is converted into a protocol compatible with the protocol of signaling messages supported by the HPMN, when the protocols of signaling messages supported by the HPMN and the VPMN are different from each other;

wherein the prepaid subscriber is billed based on pre-defined criteria;

wherein the SG interfaces with the PPS via one selected from a group consisting of a Service Control Point (SCP) associated with the HPMN, a service node associated with the HPMN, and a Short Message Service Center (SMSC) associated with the HPMN;

wherein the SG is associated with one selected from a group consisting of the HPMN, a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) associated with the HPMN, and a hub operator; and

wherein at least one of the HPMN and the VPMN is unable to support an Intelligent Network (IN) protocol or an IN agreement.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

imitating IN support of the VPMN at the HPMN, when the HPMN has IN support, and the VPMN is unable to support the IN protocol or the IN agreement.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

transmitting an update message containing the prepaid subscriber'"'"'s profile;

wherein the prepaid subscriber'"'"'s mobile communication is enabled via a mode selected from a group consisting of removing a call barring parameter, removing CAMEL Subscription Information (CSI), adding a service key, and adding a late call forwarding parameter in the prepaid subscriber'"'"'s profile, prior to transmitting the update message.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

storing one selected from a group consisting of the prepaid subscriber'"'"'s profile, a call status, a Short Message Service (SMS) status, a late call forwarding status, a late call forwarding number, an SMS forwarding number, and a CAMEL Subscription Information (CSI).

19. A system for providing a prepaid subscriber of a Home Public Mobile Network (HPMN) with roaming services in a Visited Public Mobile Network (VPMN), the HPMN and the VPMN being partner networks, the HPMN having an associated Home Location Register (HLR) for storing subscriber profiles and an associated Prepaid System, each of the HPMN and the VPMN supporting a protocol of signaling messages, the system comprising:

a receiver for receiving, at the HPMN, a modified registration message having a plurality of parameters, one or more of the plurality of parameters having been modified upon detecting a registration attempt of the prepaid subscriber at the VPMN;

wherein a registration of the prepaid subscriber at the VPMN is facilitated, the prepaid subscriber not having a subscriber profile in the HLR to roam in the VPMN;

wherein mobile communications of the prepaid subscriber in the VPMN are enabled and a protocol of signaling messages corresponding to the prepaid subscriber in the VPMN is converted into a protocol compatible with the protocol of signaling messages supported by the HPMN, when the protocols of signaling messages supported by the HPMN and the VPMN are different from each other;

wherein the prepaid subscriber is billed based on pre-defined criteria;

wherein the SG interfaces with the PPS via one selected from a group consisting of a Service Control Point (SCP) associated with the HPMN, a service node associated with the HPMN, and a Short Message Service Center (SMSC) associated with the HPMN;

wherein the SG is associated with one selected from a group consisting of the HPMN, a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) associated with the HPMN, and a hub operator; and

wherein at least one of the HPMN and the VPMN is unable to support an Intelligent Network (IN) protocol or an IN agreement.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising:

an imitator for imitating IN support of the VPMN at the HPMN, when the HPMN has IN support, and the VPMN is unable to support the IN protocol or the IN agreement.

21. The system of claim 19, further comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting an update message containing the prepaid subscriber'"'"'s profile;

wherein the prepaid subscriber'"'"'s mobile communication is enabled via a mode selected from a group consisting of removing a call barring parameter, removing CAMEL Subscription Information (CSI), adding a service key, and adding a late call forwarding parameter in the prepaid subscriber'"'"'s profile, prior to transmitting the update message.

22. The system of claim 19 further comprising:

a memory for storing one selected from a group consisting of the prepaid subscriber'"'"'s profile, a call status, a Short Message Service (SMS) status, a late call forwarding status, a late call forwarding number, an SMS forwarding number, and a CAMEL Subscription Information (CSI).