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 and if the subscriber is roaming in a service area other than the home carrier'"'"'s service area.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The wireless communications system includes a home carrier and a HLR memory, associated with the home carrier, for storing a number of Home Locator Records defining the level of service to be provided to the individual subscribers of the home carrier. The Home Locator Record is at least initially configured to prohibit call termination of the respective subscriber outside of the predetermined service area of the home carrier. However, the wireless communications system also includes reconfiguring devices for at least temporarily reconfiguring the Home Locator Record of a respective subscriber in response to a request for communications service involving the subscriber who has roamed outside of the predetermined service area of the home carrier if the subscriber has prepaid for the requested services. Once reconfigured, the wireless communications system can provide the Home Locator Record of the respective subscriber to a serving carrier via IS-41 (Rev. A) messaging. The reconfigured Home Locator Record serves as the roaming subscriber'"'"'s Visitor Locator Record which, in turn, authorizes the requested wireless communications service. Once the requested service has been ended, either upon completion of the call or exhaustion of the prepaid services, the reconfiguring devices resets the Home Locator Record of the respective subscriber such that the Home Locator Record again prohibits call termination with the subscriber outside of the service area of the home carrier in order to further protect the wireless communications system from fraud.
32 Citations
16 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 and if the subscriber is roaming in a service area other than the home carrier'"'"'s service area. - 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 when the subscriber is roaming 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. - 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 of a first predetermined service area;
determining if the subscriber has paid in advance for the requested 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 and if the subscriber is roaming outside of the first predetermined service area; and
providing the requested wireless communications service if the home locator record is reconfigured to permit call termination with the subscriber. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification