Security cellular telecommunications system

• US 6,157,823 A
• Filed: 01/20/1998
• Issued: 12/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Orbital Sciences Corporation (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Freedom Wireless Incorporated (Freedom Wireless)
• Inventors: Harned, Dan B., Fougnies, Douglas V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Nay
• Application Number:
  US09/009,199
• Time in Patent Office: 1,050 Days
• Field of Search: 455/403, 455/405, 455/406, 455/407, 455/408, 455/409, 455/410, 455/411, 455/426, 379/112, 379/113, 379/114, 379/120, 379/121, 379/127, 379/128, 379/144, 379/130, 380/247, 380/248, 380/271, 235/380, 235/382, 235/382.5
• US Class Current: 455/406
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/48 Secure or trusted billing, e.g. trusted elements or encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/73 Validating charges
• 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 17/20 with provision for recharging the prepaid account or card, or for credit establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0156 Secure and trusted billing, e.g. trusted elements, encryption, digital signature, codes or double check mechanisms to secure billing calculation and information
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7072 Validate charges
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/126 Anti-theft arrangements, e.g. protection against subscriber identity module [SIM] cloning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A cellular telecommunications system having a security feature which allows only pre-authorized users to complete cellular telephone calls. The system and method recognizes a cellular radiotelephone'"'"'s pre-programmed a pre-selected telephone number and a automated number identification code (ANI). The pre-selected telephone number is reserved to the pre-paid cellular telecommunications system. The cellular radiotelephone transmits the ANI and a dialed number identification system code (DNIS) to a cellular switch, which contacts a host computer for call validation by the pre-paid service provider.

Claims

1. A method of completing pre-paid wireless telephone calls to a subscriber, the subscriber having a prepaid subscriber account balance stored in a database, where the prepaid subscriber account balance is associated with a predetermined wireless telephone number assigned to the subscriber, comprising:

receiving the subscriber'"'"'s wireless telephone number at a wireless switch, the telephone number corresponding to a wireless telecommunications event initiated by a party calling the subscriber'"'"'s wireless telephone number, the wireless switch recognizing the subscriber'"'"'s wireless telephone number as being associated with the subscriber;

communicating between a computer with access to the database and the wireless switch;

validating existence of a pre-determined subscriber account balance in the database; and

if the validating step is successful, completing a call.

2. The method of claim 1 comprising:

checking for a connection with the subscriber'"'"'s wireless telephone, and periodically validating a call based on the balance associated with the account during the telecommunications event until the call is terminated.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the call is terminated due to validation being unsuccessful.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the call is terminated by a party to the call.

5. The method of claim 1 comprising:

checking for a connection with the subscriber'"'"'s wireless telephone; and

causing the call to be terminated when a time limit based on the account balance is expired.

6. A method of wireless telecommunications with respect to a subscriber, the subscriber having a prepaid subscriber account balance stored in a database, where the prepaid subscriber account balance is associated with a predetermined wireless telephone number assigned to the subscriber, comprising:

receiving an identifier associated with the subscriber at a wireless switch, the wireless switch recognizing the identifier as being associated with a pre-paid subscriber for whom a wireless telecommunications event has been initiated by a party calling the subscriber'"'"'s wireless telephone number;

communicating between a computer with access to the database and the wireless switch;

attempting to establish a connection between the wireless switch and the subscriber'"'"'s wireless telephone;

checking for a connection with the subscriber'"'"'wireless telephone, and periodically validating a call based on the balance associated with the account during the telecommunications event until the call is terminated.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the call is terminated due to validation being unsuccessful.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the call is terminated by a party to the call.

9. A method of completing wireless telephone call requests to a subscriber to a pre-paid wireless telephone service, comprising:

receiving at a wireless switch an identifier corresponding to a pre-paid wireless subscriber to whom a wireless telephone call is directed;

forwarding the identifier to a pre-paid wireless service provider associated with the pre-paid wireless subscriber that validates an account associated with the pre-paid wireless subscriber based on the forwarded identifier, and if the validation is successful, passes the identifier to a wireless switch and causes the call to be completed, performs periodic real-time validation of the account while the call is in progress, and causes the call to be interrupted while the call is in progress if the periodic validation fails.

10. A method of completing wireless telephone call requests to a subscriber to a pre-paid wireless telephone service, comprising:

receiving at a wireless switch an identifier corresponding to a pre-paid wireless subscriber to whom a wireless telephone call is directed;

at a pre-paid wireless service provider associated with a pre-paid wireless subscriber to whom a wireless telephone call is directed, receiving from a telecommunications service an identifier corresponding to the pre-paid wireless subscriber;

validating an account associated with the pre-paid wireless subscriber based on the forwarded identifier;

if the validation is successful, passing the identifier to a wireless switch and causing the call to be completed;

performing periodic real-time validation of the account while the call is in progress; and

causing the call to be interrupted while the call is in progress if the periodic validation fails.

11. A method of wireless telecommunications with respect to a subscriber, the subscriber having a prepaid subscriber account balance stored in a database where the prepaid subscriber account balance is associated with a predetermined wireless telephone number assigned to the subscriber, comprising:

receiving an identifier associated with the subscriber at a wireless switch, the wireless switch recognizing the identifier as being associated with a pre-paid subscriber for whom a wireless telecommunications event has been initiated by a party calling the subscriber'"'"'s wireless telephone number;

communicating between a computer with access to the database and the wireless switch;

attempting to establish a connection between the wireless switch and the subscriber'"'"'s wireless telephone;

checking for a connection with the subscriber'"'"'s wireless telephone, and causing a call to be terminated when a time limit based on the account balance is expired.

12. The method of claim 11 comprising:

identifying at least one cost variable associated with the call;

determining a rate associated with a fixed interval of time based on the cost variable; and

converting the account balance to a maximum call length based on the account balance and based on the rate.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the cost variable is time of day.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the cost variable is a destination of the pre-paid wireless call.

15. A method of completing wireless telephone call requests to a subscriber to a pre-paid wireless telephone service, comprising:

receiving at a wireless switch an identifier corresponding to a pre-paid wireless subscriber to whom a wireless telephone call is directed;

forwarding the identifier to a pre-paid wireless service provider associated with the pre-paid wireless subscriber that validates an account associated with the pre-paid wireless subscriber based on the forwarded identifier, and if the validation is successful, passes the identifier to a wireless switch, causes the call to be completed, sets a time limit based on the account balance, and causes the call to be terminated when the time limit is expired.

16. A method of completing wireless telephone call requests to a subscriber to a pre-paid wireless telephone service, comprising:

receiving at a wireless switch an identifier corresponding to a pre-paid wireless subscriber to whom a wireless telephone call is directed;

at a pre-paid wireless service provider associated with a pre-paid wireless subscriber to whom a wireless telephone call is directed, receiving from a telecommunications service an identifier corresponding to the pre-paid wireless subscriber;

validating an account associated with the pre-paid wireless subscriber based on the forwarded identifier; and

if the validation is successful, passing the identifier to a wireless switch and causing the call to be completed; and

causing the call to be terminated when a time limit based on the account balance is expired.

17. A system for managing pre-paid wireless communications, comprising:

a wireless switch at which a wireless call request is received; and

a pre-paid wireless service provider, in communication with the wireless switch, that selectively authorizes the wireless call request based on information in the wireless call request that identifies a pre-paid wireless subscriber to whom the call request is directed;

wherein the pre-paid wireless service provider selectively authorizes the wireless call request by validating in real time an account associated with the identified pre-paid wireless subscriber; and

wherein validation of an account by the pre-paid wireless service provider occurs periodically during a call and the call is caused to be terminated if validation is unsuccessful.

18. A method for managing pre-paid wireless communications, comprising:

receiving a wireless call request at a wireless switch; and

communicating between the wireless switch and a pre-paid wireless service provider that selectively authorizes the wireless call request based on information in the wireless call request that identifies a pre-paid wireless subscriber to whom the call request is directed;

wherein the pre-paid wireless service provider selectively authorizes the wireless call request by validating in real time an account associated with the identified pre-paid wireless subscriber; and

wherein validation of an account by the pre-paid wireless service provider occurs periodically during a call and the call is caused to be terminated if validation is unsuccessful.

19. A method for managing pre-paid wireless communications, comprising:

at a pre-paid wireless service provider, communicating with a wireless switch at which a wireless call request is received, and selectively authorizing the wireless call request based on information in the wireless call request that identifies a pre-paid wireless subscriber to whom the call request is directed;

wherein the pre-paid wireless service provider selectively authorizes the wireless call request by validating in real time an account associated with the identified pre-paid wireless subscriber; and

wherein validation of an account by the pre-paid wireless service provider occurs periodically during a call and the call is caused to be terminated if validation is unsuccessful.

20. A system for managing pre-paid wireless communications, comprising:

a wireless switch at which a wireless call request is received; and

a pre-paid wireless service provider, in communication with the wireless switch, that selectively authorizes the wireless call request based on information in the wireless call request that identifies a pre-paid wireless subscriber to whom to call request is directed;

wherein the pre-paid wireless service provider selectively authorizes the wireless call request by validating in real time an account associated with the identified pre-paid wireless subscriber; and

wherein validation of an account by the pre-paid wireless service provider includes causing a call is caused to be terminated when a time limit based on a balance in the account is expired.

21. A method for managing pre-paid wireless communications, comprising:

receiving a wireless call request at a wireless switch; and

communicating between the wireless switch and a pre-paid wireless service provider that selectively authorizes the wireless call request based on information in the wireless call request that identifies a pre-paid wireless subscriber to whom the call request is directed;

wherein the pre-paid wireless service provider selectively authorizes the wireless call request by validating in real time an account associated with the identified pre-paid wireless subscriber; and

wherein validation of an account by the pre-paid wireless service provider includes causing a call to be terminated when a time limit based on a balance in the account is expired.

22. A method for managing pre-paid wireless communications, comprising:

at a pre-paid wireless service provider, communicating with a wireless switch at which a wireless call request is received, and selectively authorizing the wireless call request based on information in the wireless call request that identifies a pre-paid wireless subscriber to whom the call request is directed;

wherein the pre-paid wireless service provider selectively authorizes the wireless call request by validating in real time an account associated with the identified pre-paid wireless subscriber; and

wherein validation of an account by the pre-paid wireless service provider includes causing a call to be terminated when a time limit based on a balance in the account is expired.

23. A system for managing pre-paid wireless communications, comprising:

a wireless switch at which a wireless call request is received; and

a pre-paid wireless service provider, in communication with the wireless switch, that selectively authorizes the wireless call request based on information in the wireless call request that identifies a pre-paid wireless subscriber to whom the wireless call request is directed;

wherein the pre-paid wireless service provider selectively authorizes the wireless call request by validating in real time an account balance associated with the identified pre-paid wireless subscriber; and

wherein validation of the account balance by the pre-paid wireless service provider occurs prior to a call being authorized.

24. A method for managing pre-paid wireless communications, comprising:

receiving a wireless call request at a wireless switch; and

communicating between the wireless switch and a pre-paid wireless service provider that selectively authorizes the wireless call request based on information in the wireless call request that identifies a pre-paid wireless subscriber to whom the call request is directed;

wherein the pre-paid wireless service provider selectively authorizes the wireless call request by validating in real time an account balance associated with the identified pre-paid wireless subscriber; and

wherein validation of the account balance by the pre-paid wireless service provider occurs prior to a call being authorized.

25. A method for managing pre-paid wireless communications, comprising:

at pre-paid wireless service provider, communicating with a wireless switch at which a wireless call request is received, and selectively authorizing the wireless call request based on information in the wireless call request that identifies a pre-paid wireless subscriber to whom the call request is directed;

wherein the pre-paid wireless service provider selectively authorizes the wireless call request by validating in real time an account balance associated with the identified pre-paid wireless subscriber; and

wherein validation of the account balance by the pre-paid wireless service provider occurs prior to a call being authorized.

26. A system for managing pre-paid wireless communications comprising:

a wireless switch at which is received a wireless call request;

a pre-paid wireless service provider, in communication with the wireless switch, that selectively authorizes the wireless call request based on information in the wireless call request that identifies a pre-paid wireless subscriber to whom the wireless call request is directed; and

a database of pre-paid wireless subscribers, comprising account information for the pre-paid wireless subscribers, that is accessed by the pre-paid wireless service provider to decide whether to authorize the wireless call request;

the pre-paid wireless service provider'"'"'s selective authorization of the wireless call request being based on a real-time validation of an account balance associated with the identified pre-paid wireless subscriber.

27. A method for managing pre-paid wireless communications, comprising:

receiving a wireless call request at a wireless switch; and

communicating between the wireless switch and a pre-paid wireless service provider that selectively authorizes the wireless call request based on information in the wireless call request that identifies a pre-paid wireless subscriber to whom the call request is directed, and that accesses a database of pre-paid wireless subscribers, comprising account information for the pre-paid wireless subscribers, in order to decide whether to authorize the wireless call request, the pre-paid wireless service provider'"'"'s selective authorization of the wireless call request being based on a real-time validation of an account balance associated with the identified pre-paid wireless subscriber.

28. A method for managing pre-paid wireless communications, comprising:

at a pre-paid wireless service provider, communicating with a wireless switch at which a wireless call request is received, and selectively authorizing the wireless call request based on information in the wireless call request that identifies a subscriber to whom the call request is directed; and

accessing a database of pre-paid wireless subscribers, comprising account information for the pre-paid wireless subscribers, in order to decide whether to authorize the wireless call request, the pre-paid wireless service provider'"'"'s selective authorization of the wireless call request being based on a real-time validation of the of an account balance associated with the identified pre-paid wireless subscriber.

29. A method for pre-paid wireless telephone service, the method comprising:

identifying an originator of a wireless telephone call as a subscriber to a pre-paid wireless telephone service;

causing the call to be connected to a pre-paid switching system; and

a wireless switch sending an identifier associated with the destination of the call and an identifier associated with a pre-paid account of the originator of the call to the pre-paid switching system that validates the balance in the account of the originator of the call, causes the call to be connected to the destination, sets a time limit based on the account balance, and causes the call to be terminated when the time limit is expired.

47. The method as set forth in claim 42, 29, 30, or 31 wherein the validating step includes finding the pre-paid account of the originator of the call and retrieving a balance associated with the account.

48. The method as set forth in claim 47 including maintaining a database of identifiers associated with pre-paid wireless telephone accounts, the database being remote from the pre-paid switching system, and the finding step including accessing the database via a remote server.

49. The method as set forth in claim 48 wherein the accessing step includes sharing access to the database with one or more other pre-paid switching systems.

50. The method as set forth in claim 42, 29, 30, or 31 including notifying the originator of the pre-paid wireless telephone call of the status of the account.

51. The method of claim 50 including notifying the originator of the pre-paid wireless telephone call of the remaining balance.

52. The method of claim 42, 29, 30, or 31 wherein the identifier associated with the pre-paid account is an electronic serial number.

53. The method of claim 42, 29, 30, or 31 comprising:

identifying at least one cost variable associated with the call;

determining a rate associated with a fixed interval of time based on the cost variable; and

converting the account balance to a maximum call length based on the account balance and based on the rate.

54. The method of claim 53 wherein the cost variable is time of day.

55. The method of claim 53 wherein the cost variable is a destination of the pre-paid wireless call.

56. The method as set forth in claim 42, 29, 30, or 31 wherein the originator of the wireless telephone call is identified as a subscriber to the pre-paid wireless telephone service at the wireless switch.

57. The method as set forth in claim 42, 29, 30, or 31 wherein the identifier associated with the destination of the call is entered by the subscriber prior to origination of the wireless telephone call, and the identifier associated with the pre-paid account of the originator of the call is transparently sent to the wireless switch upon origination of the wireless telephone call.

30. A method for pre-paid wireless telephone service, the method comprising:

at a pre-paid switching system, receiving from a wireless switch an identifier associated with a destination of a wireless telephone call, and an identifier associated with a pre-paid account of an originator of the call, the originator of the call being identified as being a subscriber to the pre-paid wireless telephone service;

validating the balance in the account of the originator of the call;

causing the call to be connected to the destination; and

periodically validating the call based on the balance associated with the account and causing the call to be terminated if validation is unsuccessful.

31. A method for pre-paid wireless telephone service, the method comprising:

at a pre-paid switching system, receiving from a wireless switch an identifier associated with a destination of a wireless telephone call, and an identifier associated with a pre-paid account of an originator of the call, the originator of the call being identified as being a subscriber to the pre-paid wireless telephone service;

validating the balance in the account of the originator of the call;

causing the call to be connected to the destination; and

causing the call to be terminated when a time limit based on the balance in the account is expired.

32. A method for pre-paid wireless telephone service, the method comprising:

identifying an originator of a wireless telephone call as a subscriber to a pre-paid wireless telephone service;

causing the call to be connected to a pre-paid switching system; and

sending an identifier associated with the destination of the call and an identifier associated with a pre-paid account of the originator of the call to the pre-paid switching system that validates the balance in the account of the originator of the call, causes the call to be connected to the destination, and periodically validates the call based on the balance associated with the account and terminates the call if validation is unsuccessful;

wherein the identifier associated with the pre-paid account is an electronic serial number.

33. A system for providing pre-paid wireless telephone service, comprising:

(a) a database of information pertaining to subscribers to the pre-paid wireless telephone service;

(b) a computer with access to the database of information pertaining to subscribers to the pre-paid wireless telephone service, which computer receives, from a wireless switch, an identifier associated with a destination of a wireless telephone call, and an identifier associated with a pre-paid account of an originator of the call, the originator of the call being identified as being a subscriber to the pre-paid wireless telephone service;

(c) a computer that receives information from the wireless switch and that;

(i) validates a balance in the pre-paid account of the originator of the call;

(ii) causes the call to be connected to the destination;

(iii) periodically validates the call based on the balance associated with the account; and

(iv) causes the call to be terminated if validation is unsuccessful.

58. The system of claim 33 to 34 wherein the computer with access to the database is the computer that receives information from the wireless switch, validates the balance, causes the call to be connected to the destination, periodically validates the call, and causes the call to be terminated if validation is unsuccessful.

59. The system of claim 33 to 34 wherein the computer with access to the database is networked to a server computer with which the database is associated.

34. A system for providing pre-paid wireless telephone service, comprising:

(a) a database of information pertaining to subscribers to the pre-paid wireless telephone service;

(b) a computer with access to the database of information pertaining to subscribers to the pre-paid wireless telephone service, which computer receives, from a wireless switch, an identifier associated with a destination of a wireless telephone call, and an identifier associated with a pre-paid account of an originator of the call, the originator of the call being identified as being a subscriber to the pre-paid wireless telephone service;

(c) a computer that receives information from the wireless switch and that;

(i) validates a balance in the pre-paid account of the originator of the call;

(ii) causes the call to be connected to the destination;

(iii) sets a time limit based on the account balance; and

(iv) causes the call to be terminated when the time limit is expired.

35. A method for pre-paid wireless telephone service comprising:

receiving an identifier associated with a pre-paid account of an originator of a call at a wireless switch;

at the wireless switch, determining whether the identifier is associated with a pre-paid account; and

if the identifier is associated with a pre-paid account, communicating with a pre-paid service provider and causing the identifier associated with the pre-paid account and an identifier associated with a destination of the call to be sent to the pre-paid service provider.

36. A method as set forth in claim 35 and including:

at the pre-paid service provider, validating the call based on the balance associated with the account;

causing the call to be completed; and

periodically validating the call based on the balance associated with the account and causing the call to be terminated if validation is unsuccessful.

37. The method as set forth in claim 36 wherein the step of periodically validating the call continues until the call is terminated or the balance in the account reaches a predetermined amount.

38. The method as set forth in claim 36 including terminating the call when the balance in the account reaches a predetermined amount.

39. The method of claim 35 comprising:

at the pre-paid service provider, validating the call based on the balance associated with the account;

causing the call to be completed; and

causing the call to be terminated when a time limit based on the account balance is expired.

40. The method as set forth in claim 35 wherein the step of determining whether the identifier is associated with a pre-paid account comprises accessing a database remote from the pre-paid service provider and comparing the identifier with numbers stored in the database.

41. The method as set forth in claim 40 wherein the accessing step includes sharing access to the database with other pre-paid service providers.

42. A method for pre-paid wireless telephone service, the method comprising:

identifying an originator of a wireless telephone call as a subscriber to a pre-paid wireless telephone service;

causing the call to be connected to a pre-paid switching system; and

a wireless switch sending an identifier associated with the destination of the call and an identifier associated with a pre-paid account of the originator of the call to the pre-paid switching system that validates the balance in the account of the originator of the call, causes the call to be connected to the destination, and periodically validates the call based on the balance associated with the account and causes the call to be terminated if validation is unsuccessful.

43. The method as set forth in claim 42 including terminating the call when the balance in the account becomes zero.

44. The method of claim 42 wherein the identifier associated with the pre-paid account is a mobile identifier.

45. The method of claim 42 wherein the identifier associated with the pre-paid account is a telephone number.

46. The method of claim 42 wherein the identifier associated with the pre-paid account is an automated number identifier.