Network directed system selection for cellular and PCS enhanced roaming

• US 6,438,369 B1
• Filed: 12/14/1999
• Issued: 08/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Huang, Chenhong, Chang, Kim T., Patel, Girish
• Primary Examiner(s): Urban, Edward F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gesesse, Tilahun
• Application Number:
  US09/461,528
• Time in Patent Office: 980 Days
• Field of Search: 455/432, 455/433, 455/435, 455/445, 455/560, 455/411, 455/410, 455/436, 455/439, 455/442, 455/417, 455/434, 455/552
• US Class Current: 455/417
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/065 involving selection of the user mobility server
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cellular and PCS enhanced roaming arrangement for assuring that a roaming mobile station is serviced outside its home service market be a preferred service provider. A mobile station outside its home market, when attempting to register or initiate a call, will attempt to connect to a remote service provider in the geographic region where it is located in the same manner as it would in the home market. The remote service provider will contact the home service provider seeking, among other things, service information and account status. In the event that the home service provider has more favorable arrangements with another service provider in the geographic region where the mobile station is located, the home service provider will transmit redirection instructions to the remote service provider which is transmitted to the mobile station. The redirection instructions direct the mobile station to attempt to establish communication with an alternative preferred service provider in the geographic region where the mobile station is located. Instructions may also be sent identifying what the mobile station should do in the event communication with the alternative preferred service provider cannot be established.

Claims

1. A method for redirecting a mobile station to a preferred cellular/PCS service provider when the mobile station is not in its home service market comprising the steps of:

receiving a message identifying the remote switching center for the current remote service provider on which the cellular mobile station is attempting to register or originate a call;

determining from the identification of the remote mobile switching center and the capabilities of said mobile station attempting to register or originate a call whether the remote mobile switching center is the most preferred cellular/PCS provider; and

sending to the remote switching center a return message with a redirection record and parameters if said remote mobile switching center does not belong to the preferred cellular/PCS provider, said redirection record including one of at least two instructions for execution by the mobile station attempting to register or originate a call comprising one of;

a.) instructions to establish communication with a different and preferred service provider but if that cannot be done, reestablish communication with the current remote service provider;

b.) instructions to establish communication with a different and preferred service provider but if that cannot be done, attempt to establish communication with any other service provider except the current remote service provider.

2. The method of claim 1 where said determining step includes determining the services subscribed to by the mobile station seeking to register or originate a call and including in said redirection record and parameters data identifying the services subscribed to by said mobile station seeking to register or originate a call.

3. A method for redirecting a mobile station to a preferred cellular/PCS service provider when the mobile station is not in its home service market comprising the steps of:

receiving a notification message identifying the remote mobile switching center on which the cellular mobile station is attempting to register or originate a call;

determining from the identification of the remote mobile switching center and the capabilities of said mobile station attempting to register or originate a call whether the remote mobile switching center belongs to the most preferred cellular/PCS; and

sending to said remote switching center a return message with a redirection record, said redirection record including one of at least two instructions for execution by the mobile station attempting to register or originate a call comprising one of;

a.) instructions to establish communication with a different and preferred service provider but if that cannot be done, reestablish communication with the current remote service provider;

or

b.) instructions to establish communication with a different and preferred service provider and if that cannot be done, attempt to establish communication with any other service provider except the current remote service provider.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said notification message comprises either an authentication request message, a registration notification message or a qualification request message.

5. A method for redirecting a cellular/PCS mobile station to request service from a preferred cellular/PCS service provider when the mobile station is not in its home service market comprising the steps of:

receiving at a remote switching center a request for service from the mobile station;

forwarding data identifying at least the mobile station requesting service and the identify of the mobile switching center where the mobile station is seeking service;

receiving at the remote mobile switching center a return result indicating that the mobile station should be redirected to an alternate preferred service provider, the return result including one of at least two instructions comprising;

a.) instructions to establish communication with a different and preferred service provider but if that cannot be done reestablish communication with the remote service provider where service was initially sought;

b.) instructions to establish communication with a different and preferred service provider but if that cannot be done, attempt to establish communication with any other service provider except the current remote service provider; and

sending the return result to the mobile station from the remote mobile switching center.

6. A method for redirecting a cellular/PCS mobile station to seek service from an alternative preferred service provider in the remote service market where the mobile station is located comprising the steps of:

a.) receiving at the mobile switching center serving the mobile station, a request to register or to initiate a call;

b.) transmitting data requesting to register or initiate a call, the transmitted data indicating at least the identity of the mobile switching center from which the data is transmitted and the identity of the mobile station requesting to register or initiate a call;

c.) receiving data including at least redirection instructions for the mobile station seeking to register or initiate a call in the geographic region where the mobile station is physically located the received data including one of at least two instructions comprising;

1.) instructions to establish communication with a different and preferred service provider but if that cannot be done, reestablish communication with the remote service provider where service was initially sought;

2.) instructions to establish communication with a different and preferred service provider and if that cannot be done, attempt to establish communication with any other service provider except the remote service provider where service was initially sought; and

d.) transmitting said redirection instructions to the mobile station seeking to register or initiate a call.

7. The method of claim 6 additionally including the steps of:

receiving, at the computer serving the home service market for the mobile station, said transmitted data from the mobile switching center serving the mobile station;

determining whether the mobile switching center serving the mobile station is the preferred service provider in the geographic region where the mobile station is located and if the switching center serving the mobile station is not the preferred service provider generating redirection instructions for the mobile station to identify the preferred service provider; and

transmitting the redirection instructions to the mobile switching center serving the mobile station.