Wireless communications system and method of operation for reducing fraud
First Claim
1. A wireless communications system comprising:
- a home carrier for providing wireless communications service to a subscriber within a predetermined service area;
HLR memory means, associated with said home carrier, for storing a home locator record database comprising a plurality of home locator records at least partially defining the wireless communications service to be provided to respective ones of the subscribers of said home carrier, wherein the home locator record is at least initially configured to prohibit call termination with the respective subscriber; and
reconfiguring means for at least temporarily reconfiguring the home locator record of a respective subscriber in response to a request for wireless communications service involving the subscriber to permit call termination with the subscriber if the subscriber has paid in advance for the requested wireless communications service, wherein said reconfiguring means resets the home locator record of the respective subscriber upon completion of the requested wireless communications service such that the home locator record again prohibits call termination with the subscriber.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless communications system and method of operating the same for reducing fraud, the system including a home carrier for providing wireless services to a subscriber within a predetermined area, and an HLR memory associated with the home carrier for storing home locator records for each subscriber. The home locator record defines the level of service to be provided to the subscriber, and is initially configured to prohibit call termination when the subscriber is outside of the home carrier area. Fraud is reduced in the system by initially prohibiting call termination through the HLR record, and then only permitting call termination if the subscriber has paid in advance for wireless services. If so, then the system temporarily reconfigures the HLR record to permit call termination. When the call ends or the pre-paid amount is depleted, the system resets the HLR to again prohibit call termination.
273 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A wireless communications system comprising:
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a home carrier for providing wireless communications service to a subscriber within a predetermined service area; HLR memory means, associated with said home carrier, for storing a home locator record database comprising a plurality of home locator records at least partially defining the wireless communications service to be provided to respective ones of the subscribers of said home carrier, wherein the home locator record is at least initially configured to prohibit call termination with the respective subscriber; and reconfiguring means for at least temporarily reconfiguring the home locator record of a respective subscriber in response to a request for wireless communications service involving the subscriber to permit call termination with the subscriber if the subscriber has paid in advance for the requested wireless communications service, wherein said reconfiguring means resets the home locator record of the respective subscriber upon completion of the requested wireless communications service such that the home locator record again prohibits call termination with the subscriber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A wireless communications switching platform for selectively providing wireless communications service to a plurality of subscribers, wherein the wireless communications service to be provided to a respective subscriber is at least partially defined by a home locator record which is at least initially configured to prohibit call termination with the subscriber outside of a predetermined service area, and wherein the wireless communications switching platform comprises:
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account memory means for storing account information for the plurality of subscribers; and reconfiguring means, responsive to said account memory means, for at least temporarily reconfiguring the home locator record of a respective subscriber in response to a request for wireless communications service involving the subscriber outside of the predetermined service area to permit call termination with the subscriber if the stored account information indicates that the subscriber has paid in advance for the requested wireless communications service, wherein said reconfiguring means resets the home locator record of the respective subscriber upon completion of the requested wireless communications service such that the home locator record again prohibits call termination with the subscriber outside of the predetermined service area. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of selectively providing wireless communications service to a plurality of subscribers, wherein the wireless communications service to be provided to a respective subscriber is at least partially defined by a home locator record which is at least initially configured to prohibit call termination with the subscriber, and wherein the method comprises the steps of:
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receiving a request for wireless communications service including call termination with the subscriber outside a first predetermined service area; determining if the subscriber has paid in advance for the requested wireless communications service; at least temporarily reconfiguring the home locator record of the subscriber to permit call termination with the subscriber if the subscriber has paid in advance for the requested wireless communications service; providing the requested wireless communications service if the home locator record is reconfigured to permit call termination with the subscriber; and resetting the home locator record of the respective subscriber upon completion of the requested wireless communications service such that the home locator record again prohibits call termination with the subscriber outside of the predetermined service area. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification