Personal communication service registration system and method

• US 5,610,969 A
• Filed: 12/23/1994
• Issued: 03/11/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bell Atlantic Mobile Systems Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bell Atlantic Mobile Systems Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: McHenry, James F., Farris, Robert D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Wing F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Maung, Nay Aung
• Application Number:
  US08/363,040
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 379/56, 379/57, 379/58, 379/59, 379/60, 455/33.1, 455/33.2, 455/54.1, 455/54.2
• US Class Current: 455/435.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42229 Personal communication services, i.e. services related to one subscriber independent of his terminal and/or location diverting calls from one subscriber to another subscriber, i.e. two different subscriptions H04M3/54; selecting arrangements in intelligent networks H04Q3/005
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4228 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/54 Arrangements for diverting calls for one subscriber to another predetermined subscriber based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; to voice mail H04M3/53308
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13513 UPT - personal as opposed to terminal mobility, inc. number portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13532 mobile networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13541 routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/005 Personal communication services, e.g. provisions for portability of subscriber numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/665 Circuit arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/02 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A simplified system and method is provided for effecting registration in a system for routing a call to a subscriber to a personal telephone number service in an integrated wired and wireless communication network by utilizing in association with a pair of land line terminals designated by the subscriber one or two adjunct registration devices. In a manual version a registration device is situated at the site of the subscriber premise terminal and registration in the ISCP of the advanced intelligent network (AIN) of the wireline system is effected by subscriber actuation of the manual device. In an automated version the registration device at the site of the terminal includes a transceiver for emitting a periodic low power and limited range scanning signal to detect the presence of a key chain device carried by the subscriber. This device includes a miniature transceiver to effect a handshake exchange with the stationary registration device upon entering its vicinity. Both embodiments may be provided with a second control for establishing a blocking and/or call forwarding condition in the user profile in the central office switch which contains that profile.

Claims

1. A registration system for routing a call to a subscriber to a personal telephone number service in an integrated wired and wireless communications network, comprising:

a central office switching system connected to communication lines connected to subscriber premise terminals including at least one service switching point for selectively providing switched communications between the communication lines;

a mobile switching center connected to the central office switching system arranged for selectively providing wireless communications between said central office switching system and wireless mobile communications units by using control data conveyed to at least one service switching point through a service transfer point;

a network controller arranged for selectively providing control data to effect land line communications, and arranged separately from the central office switching system and the mobile switching center, said network controller being connected to both said mobile switching center and at least one service switching point through at least one service transfer point arranged to convey control data to effect communications, said network controller storing preprogrammed call processing data associated with subscribers who are associated with the communication lines connected to consumer premise terminals connected to the central office switching system and said mobile switching center and who are also associated a mobile communication unit, said network controller having additional storage capacity;

a first adjunct registration device which is portable associated with each of said subscribers, which registration device includes a low power transceiver programmed to respond to receipt of a predetermined wireless signal;

a second adjunct registration device associated with the consumer premise terminals associated with said subscribers, said second adjunct registration devices including low power transceivers programmed to periodically transmit a predetermined wireless signal associated with at least one of said first adjunct registration devices to cause said first registration device transceiver to respond, said second adjunct registration device responsive to receiving said response causing the conveyance of a signal to at least one of said service switching points, whereby said service switching point originates a signal to said network controller to cause storage of registration of the subscriber associated with said first adjunct registration device.

2. A registration system according to claim 1 wherein said conveyed signal is a data signal between the site of said terminal and said second adjunct registration device and said service switching point, said signal being conveyed without requiring connection of said terminal and its associated communication line to a central office switch.

3. A registration system according to claim 2 wherein said data signal is conveyed at least partially over the data channel of an ISDN link.

4. A registration system according to claim 1 wherein said second adjunct registration device is programmed to react to receipt of the responsive signal from said first adjunct registration device by causing said terminal to go off hook and then initiating a signal to said service control point to cause registration of said subscriber as located at said terminal in said storage associated with said network controller, whereby calls to the personal directory number of said subscriber are directed to said terminal identified by said registration in said storage.

5. A registration system according to claim 1 wherein said second adjunct registration device includes manually actuatable means which upon actuation subsequent to said registration causes initiation of a signal to the central office containing the service profile of said terminal, whereby said profile is changed to cause calls to said single number of said subscriber directed to said terminal to be blocked without connection of said terminal to a central office switch over its associated communication line.

6. A registration system according to claim 5 wherein said blocked call is call forwarded to a different terminal.

7. A registration system according to claim 6 wherein said different terminal comprises a voice mail terminal.

8. A registration system according to claim 6 wherein said different terminal comprises a directory number chosen by said subscriber.

9. A registration system according to claim 1 wherein said signal to said service switching point is conveyed by common channel interoffice signaling.

10. A registration system according to claim 9 wherein said signal to said network control comprises a TCAP message and said network controller comprises an integrated service control point.

11. A registration system for routing a call to a subscriber to a personal telephone number service in an integrated wired and wireless communications network, comprising:

a central office switching system connected to communication lines connected to subscriber premise terminals including at least one service switching point for selectively providing switched communications between the communication lines;

a mobile switching center connected to the central office switching system arranged for selectively providing wireless communications between said central office switching system and wireless mobile communications units by using control data conveyed to at least one service switching point through a service transfer point;

a network controller arranged for selectively providing control data to effect land line communications, and arranged separately from the central office switching system and the mobile switching center, said network controller being connected to both said mobile switching center and at least one service switching point through at least one service transfer point arranged to convey control data to effect communications, said network controller storing preprogrammed call processing data associated with subscribers who are associated with the communication lines connected to consumer premise terminals connected to the central office switching system and said mobile switching center and who are also associated with a mobile communication unit, said network controller having additional storage capacity;

a registration device associated with the consumer premise terminals associated with said subscribers, said registration device including a manually operable control device including means to initiate the conveyance of a signal to at least one of said service switching points, whereby said service switching point originates a signal to said network controller to cause storage of registration of the subscriber associated with the terminal with which said registration device is associated, said registration device includes subscriber actuatable means which upon actuation subsequent to said registration causes initiation of a signal to the central office containing the service profile of said terminal, whereby said profile is changed to cause calls to said single number of said subscriber directed to said terminal to be blocked without connection of said terminal to a Central office switch over its associated communication line.

12. A registration system according to claim 11 wherein said conveyed signal is a data signal between the site of said terminal and registration device and said service switching point, said signal being conveyed without requiring connection of said terminal and its associated communication line to a central office switch.

13. A registration system according to claim 12 wherein said data signal is conveyed at least partially over the data channel of an ISDN link.

14. A registration system according to claim 11 wherein said registration device is programmed to react to subscriber actuation device by causing said terminal to go off hook and then initiating a signal to said service control point to cause registration of said subscriber as located at said terminal in storage associated with said network controller, whereby calls to the personal directory number of said subscriber are directed to said terminal identified by said registration in said storage.

15. A registration system according to claim 11 wherein said blocked call is call forwarded to a different terminal.

16. A registration system according to claim 15 wherein said different terminal comprises a voice mail terminal.

17. A registration system according to claim 15 wherein said different terminal comprises a directory number chosen by said subscriber.

18. A registration system according to claim 11 wherein said signal to said service switching point is conveyed by common channel interoffice signaling.

19. A registration system according to claim 18 wherein said signal to said network control comprises a TCAP message and said network controller comprises an integrated service control point.

20. A registration system for routing a call to a subscriber to a personal telephone number service in an integrated wired and wireless communications network, comprising:

a central office switching system connected to communication lines connected to subscriber premise terminals including at least one service switching point for selectively providing switched communications between the communication lines;

a mobile switching center connected to the central office switching system arranged for selectively providing wireless communications between said central office switching system and wireless mobile communications units by using control data conveyed to at least one service switching point through a service transfer point;

a network controller arranged for selectively providing control data to effect land line communications, and arranged separately from the central office switching system and the mobile switching center, said network controller being connected to both said mobile switching center and at least one service switching point through at least one service transfer point arranged to convey control data to effect communications, said network controller storing preprogrammed call processing data associated with subscribers who are associated with the communication lines connected to consumer premise terminals connected to the central office switching system and said mobile switching center and who are also associated a mobile communication unit, said network controller having additional storage capacity;

a registration device associated with the consumer premise terminals associated with said subscribers, said registration device including a subscriber operable control device including means to initiate the conveyance of a signal to at least one of said service switching points, whereby said service switching point originates a signal to said network controller to cause storage of registration of the subscriber associated with said the terminal with which said registration device is associated, said registration device includes subscriber actuatable means which upon actuation subsequent to said registration causes initiation of a signal to the central office containing the service profile of said terminal, whereby said profile is changed to cause calls to said single number of said subscriber directed to said terminal to be blocked without connection of said terminal to a central office switch over its associated communication line.

21. A registration system according to claim 20 wherein said conveyed signal is a data signal between the site of said terminal and registration device and said service switching point, said signal being conveyed without requiring connection of said terminal and its associated communication line to a central office switch.

22. A registration system according to claim 21 wherein said data signal is conveyed at least partially over the data channel of an ISDN link.

23. A registration system according to claim 20 wherein said registration device is programmed to react to subscriber actuation of said control device by causing said terminal to go off hook and then initiating a signal to said service control point to cause registration of said subscriber as located at said terminal in storage associated with said network controller, whereby calls to the personal directory number of said subscriber are directed to said terminal identified by said registration in said storage.

24. A registration system according to claim 20 wherein said blocked call is call forwarded to a different terminal.

25. A registration system according to claim 24 wherein said different terminal comprises a voice mail terminal.

26. A registration system according to claim 24 wherein said different terminal comprises a directory number chosen by said subscriber.

27. A registration system according to claim 20 wherein said signal to said service switching point is conveyed by common channel interoffice signaling.

28. A registration system according to claim 27 wherein said signal to said network control comprises a TCAP message and said network controller comprises an integrated service control point.

30. A method according to claim 20 wherein said conveyed signal is a data signal between said site and said service switching point which is conveyed without requiring connection of said terminal and its associated communication line to a central office switch.

31. A method according to claim 30 including the step of conveying said data signal at least partially over the data channel of an ISDN link.

29. In a registration system for routing a call to a subscriber to a personal telephone number service in an integrated wired and wireless communications network, comprising:

a central office switching system connected to communication lines connected to subscriber premise terminals including at least one service switching point for selectively providing switched communications between the communication lines;

a mobile switching center connected to the central office switching system arranged for selectively providing wireless communications between said central office switching system and wireless mobile communications units by using control data conveyed to at least one service switching point through a service transfer point;

a network controller arranged for selectively providing control data to effect land line communications, and arranged separately from the central office switching system and the mobile switching center, said network controller being connected to both said mobile switching center and at least one service switching point through at least one service transfer point arranged to convey control data to effect communications, said network controller storing preprogrammed call processing data associated with subscribers who are associated with the communication lines connected to consumer premise terminals connected to the central office switching system and said mobile switching center and who are also associated a mobile communication unit, said network controller having additional storage capacity, a method comprising the steps of;

actuating a registration device at the site of a subscriber premise telephone terminal;

responsive to said actuation conveying a signal to at least one of said service switching points;

generating a signal at said service switching point and conveying said signal to said network controller;

responsive to receipt of said signal at said network controller storing data in storage associated with the network controller to indicate registration of the subscriber associated with said the terminal at which said registration device is actuated as being located at said terminal.

32. A method according to claim 29 including the step of momentarily going off hook with said terminal and during the off hook period initiating said signal to said service control point to cause registration of said subscriber as located at said terminal, whereby calls to the personal directory number of said subscriber are directed to said terminal identified by said registration in said storage.

33. A method according to claim 29 including the step of, subsequent to said registration and during the time that said registration exists, initiating a signal to the central office containing the service profile of said terminal;

and

changing said profile to cause calls to said single number of said subscriber directed to said terminal to be blocked without connection of said terminal to a central office switch over its associated communication line.

34. A method according to claim 33 including the step of forwarding the blocked call to a different terminal.

35. A method according to claim 34 including the step of forwarding the blocked call to a voice mail terminal.

36. A method according to claim 33 including the steps of entering the directory number of a terminal to which calls are to be forwarded and forwarding blocked calls to said directory number.

37. A method according to claim 29 including the step of conveying said signal to said service switching point by common channel interoffice signaling.

38. A method according to claim 37 wherein said signal to said network control comprises a TCAP message and said network controller comprises an integrated service control point.

39. In a registration system for routing a call to a subscriber to a personal telephone number service in an integrated wired and wireless communications network, comprising:

a central office switching system connected to communication lines connected to subscriber premise terminals including at least one service switching point for selectively providing switched communications between the communication lines;

a mobile switching center connected to the central office switching system arranged for selectively providing wireless communications between said central office switching system and wireless mobile communications units by using control data conveyed to at least one service switching point through a service transfer point;

a network controller arranged for selectively providing control data to effect land line communications, and arranged separately from the central office switching system and the mobile switching center, said network controller being connected to both said mobile switching center and at least one service switching point through at least one service transfer point arranged to convey control data to effect communications, said network controller storing preprogrammed call processing data associated with subscribers who are associated with the communication lines connected to consumer premise terminals connected to the central office switching system and said mobile switching center and who are also associated a mobile communication unit, said network controller having additional storage capacity, a method comprising the steps of;

periodically transmitting from the site of the terminal of a subscriber a wireless signal associated with said terminal;

detecting said transmitted signal with a portable registration device;

responsive to said detection transmitting from said portable registration device a wireless signal associated with said first transmitted wireless signal and responsive thereto;

detecting said response at the source of said first transmission and responsive to detecting said response conveying a signal to at least one of said service switching points;

originating a signal at said service switching point responsive to said signal conveyed thereto and conveying said signal originated at said service switching point to said network controller;

deriving information from said signal received at said network controller and storing in the storage of said network controller data to indicate registration of the subscriber associated with the terminal at which said signal to said service switching point originated as being located at said terminal.

40. A method according to claim 39 wherein said signal is conveyed to said service control point as a data signal which is conveyed without requiring connection of said terminal and its associated communication line to a central office switch.

41. A method according to claim 40 wherein said data signal is conveyed at least partially over the data channel of an ISDN link.

42. A method according to claim 39 including the steps of, responsive to the detection of the response from said portable registration device, momentarily going off hook at said terminal, and during the off hook interval initiating said signal to said service control point.

43. A method according to claim 39 including the steps of, subsequent to said registration and during the time that said registration exists, initiating a signal to the central office containing the service profile of said terminal;

and

changing said profile to cause calls to said single number of said subscriber directed to said terminal to be blocked without connection of said terminal to a central office switch over its associated communication line.

44. A method according to claim 43 including the step of forwarding said blocked call to a different terminal.

45. A method according to claim 44 including the step of forwarding said blocked call to a voice mail terminal.

46. A method according to claim 43 including the steps of entering the directory number of a terminal to which calls are to be forwarded and forwarding blocked calls to said directory number.

47. A method according to claim 39 including the step of conveying said signal to said service switching point by common channel interoffice signaling.

48. A method according to claim 47 wherein said signal to said network control comprises a TCAP message and said network controller comprises an integrated service control point.