System and method for wireless network of unlicensed personal communications service areas with local switch interfaces and enhanced customer features

• US 5,940,755 A
• Filed: 12/31/1996
• Issued: 08/17/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Scott, Charles Ronald
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisenzopf, Reinhard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BANKS HAROLD, MARSHA DENISE
• Application Number:
  US08/777,879
• Time in Patent Office: 959 Days
• Field of Search: 455/422, 455/426, 455/552, 455/553, 455/461, 455/465, 455/445, 455/405, 455/406, 455/408, 455/410, 455/411, 455/414, 455/565, 379/207, 379/114, 379/133, 379/199, 379/200
• US Class Current: 455/426.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8044 Least cost routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8055 Selecting cheaper transport technology for a given service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8061 Selecting least cost route depending on origin or type of service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0108 Customization according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. customer preferences, friends and family, selecting services or billing options, Personal Communication Systems [PCS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1313 Metering, billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13513 UPT - personal as opposed to terminal mobility, inc. number portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13515 authentication, authorisation - fraud prevention
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13532 mobile networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13541 routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 Provisions for intelligent networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/64 using geofenced areas
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing

Abstract

A system and method for making a call from a dual mode mobile station functioning in either a PCS (personal communication service) mode or a cellular mode permits PCS communications if the station receives a beacon of a sufficient strength in a PCS frequency band, and alternatively permits cellular communications if the station does not receive a beacon of a sufficient strength in the PCS frequency band. In order for the dual mode station to perform in both a cellular mode and a PCS mode, a single service provider (reseller) will attempt to provide both types of services. The reseller must ensure that a call can be properly billed to a mobile station user for both a call received at the dual mode mobile station and a call transmitted from the dual mode mobile station. Accordingly, methods and systems are provided for controlling cellular service access to and from the mobile station. For an inbound call to the station, the originating caller is provided an access number that accesses an IN platform, which communicates with the station to authenticate the call, bills the call, and routes the call. For an outbound call from the station, the mobile station transmits an access number, the user-dialed number, and identification information for the station to an IN platform, which handles call billing and routing.

Claims

1. A method for providing communications to a system which includes a plurality of dual mode mobile stations functioning in one of a PCS (Personal Communication System) mode and a cellular mode, wherein each said station can receive an inbound call placed thereto and can transmit an outbound call placed therefrom, comprising:

(a) providing communications to a dual mode mobile station in the PCS mode if said station receives a PCS frequency band beacon of a predetermined strength;

(b) providing communications to said station in the cellular mode if said station does not receive said PCS frequency band beacon of said predetermined strength;

(c) authenticating and registering said station when said station functions in the PCS mode;

(d) transmitting a unique identification code for said station to an authentication and registration center;

wherein said authentication and registration center searches a database for said unique identification code, and if said unique identification code is found therein, said authentication and registration center stores a PCS area wherein said station is located; and

(e) determining how to-route the call based upon whether the call is a private dialing plan call to be billed in arrears to the private dialing plan customer or a debit call to be billed to the user of said station in advance of the call, wherein said advanced intelligent network is used to determine how to route the call and to route the call from said station

using said unique identification code for said station to index a table associated with said station within said advanced intelligent network, and

searching for said dialed number in said table to determine whether the call is a private dialing plan call or a debit call.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

searching for said dialed number in said table to determine whether the call is a restricted call.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein if it is determined that the call is a private dialing plan call, then said method further comprises:

designating a network switching facility for handling of said private dialing plan call;

transmitting said unique identification code for said station, said dialed number, and said site information to said designated network switching facility from said mobility switch;

translating said dialed number to a public switched telephone network number using a translation and routing table;

routing the call to a destination caller and permitting completion of the call using said public switched telephone network number; and

billing a customer for said private dialing plan call in arrears.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein if it is determined that the call is not a private dialing plan call, then said method further comprises:

rating the call to determine a minimal amount of funds required to place the call;

determining whether there are sufficient funds registered to said station to complete the call for a predetermined period of time;

permitting said user to purchase call credits if it is determined that there are insufficient funds registered to said station to complete the call for said predetermined period of time,

wherein the call credits are consumed one of during the call and during a subsequent outbound or inbound call;

designating a network switching facility for handling of the call if there are sufficient funds registered to said station to complete the call for said predetermined period of time;

transmitting said unique identification code for said station, said dialed number, and said site information to said designated network switching facility from said mobility switch; and

routing the call to a destination caller using said dialed number and permitting completion of the call.

5. A method for providing communications to a system which includes a plurality of dual mode mobile stations functioning in one of a PCS (Personal Communication System) mode and a cellular mode, wherein each said station can receive an inbound call placed thereto and can transmit an outbound call placed therefrom, comprising:

(a) providing communications to a dual mode mobile station in the PCS mode if said station receives a PCS frequency band beacon of a predetermined strength; and

(b) providing communications to said station in the cellular mode if said station does not receive said PCS frequency band beacon of said predetermined strength;

wherein receipt of the inbound call according to step (a) from said station functioning in the PCS mode further comprises;

determining whether the call is a private dialing plan call to be billed in arrears to the private dialing plan customer or a debit call to be billed to the user of said station in advance of the call;

using an advanced intelligent network to determine how to route the call; and

routing the call from said station as determined by said advanced intelligent network.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein if it is determined that the call is a private dialing plan call, then the method fou comprises:

translating said dialed number to a PSTN (public switched telephone network) number using a translation and routing table;

transmitting a set of routing instructions and said PSTN number to a switching facility;

sending the call and said dialed number to said advanced intelligent network.

7. A method according to claim 6, further comprising:

(a) querying said authentication and registration center for a temporary routing number,

wherein said advanced intelligent network submits a request to said authentication and registration center for a location of said handset and said authentication and registration center receives said temporary routing number from a mobility switch providing connection to said handset;

(b) routing the call to a network facility switch using said temporary routing number if said station is located during said query,

wherein said network facility switch has a connection to said mobility switch providing connection to said handset;

(c) routing the call to a cellular services provider to attempt routing of the call in a cellular mode if said station is not located during said query.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein if it is determined that the call is a private dialing plan call, then step (a) further comprises:

permitting the routing and completion of the call to said station; and

billing said private dialing plan customer for said private dialing plan call in arrears;

wherein if it is determined that the call is a debit call, then step (a) further comprises;

rating the call to determine a minimal amount of funds required to place the call;

determining whether there are sufficient funds registered to said station to complete the call for a predetermined period of time associated with said minimal amount of funds required to place the call;

permitting said user of said station to purchase call credits if it is determined that there are insufficient funds registered to said station to complete the call for said predetermined period of time,

wherein the call credits are consumed via one of during the call and during a subsequent outbound or inbound call; and

permitting the routing and completion of the call to said station if there are sufficient funds registered to said station to complete the call for said predetermined period of time.

9. A method according to claim 5, wherein if it is determined that the call is a debit call, then the method further comprises:

transmitting a set of routing instructions and a dialed number to a switching facility;

sending the call and said dialed number to said advanced intelligent network.

10. A system for providing communications in one of a PCS (personal communication service) band mode and a cellular frequency band mode, comprising:

one or more dual mode mobile stations operating in one of the PCS band mode and the cellular frequency band mode;

means for authenticating and registering station information for storing a unique identification number for each said station and for determining the PCS area wherein each said station is located;

means for PCS network communications for transmitting and receiving communications between each said station and one or more public switched telephone network switching facilities;

means for providing intelligent network routing for said station when operating in the PCS band mode and a how to route inbound calls received at each said station when operating in the PCS band mode; and

wherein said means for providing intelligent network routing determines whether a call is a private dialing plan call to be billed in arrears to the private dialing plan customer or the debit call to be billed to the user of said station in advance of the call and routes the call accordingly;

wherein said means for providing intelligent network routing includes a table associated with each said station for storing information related to whether the call is a private dialing plan call for the debit call, and wherein said means for providing intelligent network routing further comprises;

means for using a unique identification code of a said station to index a said table associated therewith and using the dialed number dialed by said user of said station to determine whether the call is one of a private dialing plan call and a debit call.

11. A system for providing communications in one of a PCS (personal communication service) band mode and a cellular frequency band mode, comprising:

one or more dual mode mobile stations operating in one of the PCS band mode and the cellular frequency band mode;

means for authenticating and registering station information for storing a unique identification number for each said station and for determining the PCS area wherein each said station is located;

means for PCS network communications for transmitting and receiving communications between each said station and one or more public switched telephone network switching facilities;

means for providing intelligent network routing for said station when operating in the PCS band mode and a how to route inbound calls received at each said station when operating in the PCS band mode; and

wherein said means for providing intelligent network routing determines whether a call is a private dialing plan call to be billed in arrears to the private dialing plan customer or the debit call to be billed to the user of said station in advance of the call and routes the call accordingly;

means for private call switching for receiving a private dialing plan call directed to said means for PCS network communications and for routing a private dialing plan call directed from said means for PCS network communications; and

means for translating a dialed number to the public switched telephone number using the translation and routing table,

wherein said means for providing intelligent network routing further comprises means for billing said private dialing plan customer for the call in arrears.

12. A system for providing communications in one of a PCS (personal communication service) band mode and a cellular frequency band mode, comprising:

one or more dual mode mobile stations operating in one of the PCS band mode and the cellular frequency band mode;

means for authenticating and registering station information for storing a unique identification number for each said station and for determining the PCS area wherein each said station is located;

means for PCS network communications for transmitting and receiving communications between each said station and one or more public switched telephone network switching facilities;

means for providing intelligent network routing for said station when operating in the PCS band mode and a how to route inbound calls received at each said station when operating in the PCS band mode; and

wherein said means for providing intelligent network routing determines whether a call is a private dialing plan call to be billed in arrears to the private dialing plan customer or the debit call to be billed to the user of said station in advance of the call and routes the call accordingly;

means for debit call switching for receiving a debit call directed to said that means for PCS network communications and for routing a debit call directed from said means for PCS network communications;

means for permitting a caller using said station to purchase call credits if it is determined that there are insufficient funds registered to said station to complete the call for a predetermined period of time, wherein the call credits are consumed one of during the call, during a subsequent outbound call, and during a subsequent inbound call; and

wherein said means for providing intelligent network routing functionality further comprises;

means for rating the call to determine the minimal amount of funds required to place the call; and

means for determining whether there are sufficient funds registered to said station to complete the call for said predetermined period of time.

13. A system for providing communications in one of a PCS (personal communication service) band mode and a cellular frequency band mode, comprising:

one or more dual mode mobile stations operating in one of the PCS band mode and the cellular frequency band mode;

a home location register for storing a unique identification number for each said station and for determining the PCS area wherein each said station is located;

a mobility system for transmitting and receiving communications between each said station and one or more public switched telephone network switching facilities;

an advanced intelligent network for providing intelligent network routing for said stations by determining how to route outbound calls transmitted from each said station when operating in the PCS band mode and how to route inbound calls received at each said station when operating in the PCS band mode;

wherein said advanced intelligent network determines whether the call is a private dialing plan call to be billed in arrears to a private dialing plan customer or a debit call to be billed to a user of a said station in advance of the call and routes the call accordingly

wherein said advanced intelligent network includes a table associated with each said station for storing information related to whether the call is a private dialing plan call or a debit call, and wherein said means for providing intelligent network routing further comprises;

a services data point for using a unique identification code of a said station to index a said table associated therewith and using a dialed number dialed by said user of said station to determine whether the call is one of a private dialing plan call and a debit call.

14. A system for providing communications in one of a PCS (personal communication service) band mode and a cellular frequency band mode, comprising:

one or more dual mode mobile stations operating in one of the PCS band mode and the cellular frequency band mode;

a home location register for storing a unique identification number for each said station and for determining the PCS area wherein each said station is located;

a mobility system for transmitting and receiving communications between each said station and one or more public switched telephone network switching facilities;

an advanced intelligent network for providing intelligent network routing for said stations by determining how to route outbound calls transmitted from each said station when operating in the PCS band mode and how to route inbound calls received at each said station when operating in the PCS band mode;

wherein said advanced intelligent network determines whether the call is a private dialing plan call to be billed in arrears to a private dialing plan customer or a debit call to be billed to a user of a said station in advance of the call and routes the call accordingly

a switching facility for receiving a private dialing plan call directed to said mobility system and for routing a private dialing plan call directed from said mobility system;

a private dialing plan translating device that translates a dialed number to a public switched telephone number using a translation and routing table,

wherein said advanced intelligent network further comprises a means for billing said private dialing plan customer for the call in arrears.

15. A system for providing communications in one of a PCS (personal communication service) band mode and a cellular frequency band mode, comprising:

one or more dual mode mobile stations operating in one of the PCS band mode and the cellular frequency band mode;

a home location resister for storing a unique identification number for each said station and for determining the PCS area wherein each said station is located;

a mobility system for transmitting and receiving communications between each said station and one or more public switched telephone network switching facilities;

an advanced intelligent network for providing intelligent network routing for said stations by determining how to route outbound calls transmitted from each said station when operating in the PCS band mode and how to route inbound calls received at each said station when operating in the PCS band mode;

wherein said advanced intelligent network determines whether the call is a private dialing plan call to be billed in arrears to a private dialing plan customer or a debit call to be billed to a user of a said station in advance of the call and routes the call accordingly

a switching facility for receiving a debit call directed to said mobility system and for routing a debit call directed from said mobility system;

a call credit purchasing device that permits a caller using said station to purchase call credits if it is determined that there are insufficient funds registered to said station to complete the call for a predetermined period of time, wherein the call credits are consumed one of during the call, during a subsequent outbound call, and during a subsequent inbound call; and

wherein said advanced intelligent network further comprises;

a rating device that rates the call to determine a minimal amount of funds required to place the call; and

a fund determination device that determines whether there are sufficient funds registered to said station to complete the call for said predetermined period of time.

16. A method for providing communications to a system which includes a plurality of dual mode mobile stations functioning in one of a PCS (Personal Communication System) mode and a cellular mode, wherein each said station can receive an inbound call placed thereto and can transmit an outbound call placed therefrom, comprising:

(a) providing communications to a dual mode mobile station in the PCS mode if said station receives a PCS frequency band beacon of a predetermined strength;

(b) providing communications to said station in the cellular mode if said station does not receive said PCS frequency band beacon of said predetermined strength;

(c) authenticating and registering said station when said station functions in the PCS mode;

(d) transmitting a unique identification code for said station to an authentication and registration center;

wherein said authentication and registration center searches a database for said unique identification code, and if said unique identification code is found therein, said authentication and registration center stores a PCS area wherein said station is located;

(e) determining how to-route the call based upon whether the call is a private dialing plan call to be billed in arrears to the private dialing plan customer or a debit call to be billed to the user of said station in advance of the call, wherein said advanced intelligent network is used to determine how to route the call and to route the call from said station

(f) querying said authentication and registration center for a temporary routing number,

wherein said advanced intelligent network submits a request to said authentication and registration center for a location of said handset and said authentication registration center receives said temporary routing number from a mobility switch providing connection to said handset;

(g) routing the call to a network facility switch using said temporary routing number if said station is located during said query,

wherein said network facility switch has a connection to said mobility switch providing connection to set handset; and

(h) routing the call to a cellular services provider to attempt routing of the call in a cellular motive said station is not located during said query.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein if it is determined that the call is a private dialing plan call, then step (a) further comprises:

permitting the routing and completion of the call to said station; and

billing said private dialing plan customer for said private dialing plan call in arrears;

wherein if it is determined that the call is a debit call, then step (a) further comprises;

rating the call to determine a minimal amount of funds required to place the call;

determining whether there are sufficient funds registered to said station to complete the call for a predetermined period of time associated with said minimal amount of funds required to place the call;

permitting said user of said station to purchase call credits if it is determined that there are insufficient finds registered to said station to complete the call for said predetermined period of time,

wherein the call credits are consumed via one of during the call and during a subsequent outbound or inbound call; and

permitting the routing and completion of the call to said station if there are sufficient funds registered to said station to complete the call for said predetermined period of time.