GSM MoU bypass for delivering calls to GSM subscribers roaming to CDMA networks

• US 6,493,551 B1
• Filed: 09/17/1999
• Issued: 12/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Wang, Jin, Gorrepati, Patuardhana Babu
• Primary Examiner(s): Hunter, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gantt, Alan T.
• Application Number:
  US09/398,844
• Time in Patent Office: 1,180 Days
• Field of Search: 455/406, 455/417, 455/432, 709/249
• US Class Current: 455/432.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8038 Roaming or handoff
• 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 17/106 using commercial credit or debit cards
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/14 using commercial credit/debit cards, e.g. VISA, AMEX
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/22 Bandwidth or usage-sensitve billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/34 Roaming
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7442 Roaming
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing

Abstract

Method and system integrating wireless/wireline and circuit/packet networks (to bypass GSM Memorandum of Understandings) for cellular/PCS services so that GSM subscribers roaming into CDMA networks can be provided with basic wireless call delivery services as long as the roamers can pay the bill with their valid credit card. This is achieved by integrating wireless and wireline networks as well as circuit and packet networks, using IP networks and protocols as an alternative to the existing telephony-based approach.

Claims

1. A system to provide basic wireless call delivery service for a user having a mobile device and subscribing to a home wireless service provider serving a home wireless network, wherein the user roams to visit an area served by a visited wireless service provider serving a visited wireless network distinct and separate from the home wireless network, wherein there does not exist a pre-arranged Global Systems for Mobile Communications (GSM) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the home wireless service provider and the visited wireless service provider, and wherein the user has a payment means to pay for the basic wireless call delivery service, the system comprising:

payment identification means for identifying the user'"'"'s payment means to the visited wireless service provider;

bypass means for conveying a voice call as packet data independently of an existing Public Switched Telephony Network (PSTN), an existing GSM MAP network, and an existing ANSI-41 network;

delivery service means for providing basic wireless call delivery service via the PSTN bypass, responsive to the payment identification means;

collection means for collecting billing information from the visited wireless network by the visited wireless service provider responsive to the delivery service means; and

billing means for billing the user by the visited wireless service provider responsive to the collection means and the payment identification means.

2. The system as in claim 1, wherein the bypass means is an IP network.

3. The system as in claim 1, wherein the bypass means is an IP tunnel.

4. The system as in claim 1, wherein the user'"'"'s payment means further comprises credit card information, and wherein the payment identification means further comprises:

payment shared secret means for establishing a Diffie-Hellman temporary shared secret between the user'"'"'s mobile device and the visited wireless network;

secure transmission means for securely transmitting the user'"'"'s credit card information to the visited wireless service provider via the visited wireless network responsive to the payment shared secret means; and

verification means for verifying the validity of the user'"'"'s credit card information by the visited wireless service provider responsive to the secure transmission means.

5. The system as in claim 4, wherein the credit card information is stored within the user'"'"'s mobile device.

6. The system as in claim 4, wherein the user'"'"'s mobile device further comprises data entry means to enter the user'"'"'s credit card information to the user'"'"'s mobile device.

7. The system as in claim 6, wherein the data entry means comprises a keypad.

8. The system as in claim 6, wherein the data entry means comprises a card reader.

9. The system as in claim 1, wherein the delivery service means further comprises:

IP connection means to establish the bypass means via an IP network;

circuit conversion means to convert circuit calls to the mobile device to packets for conveyance via the IP connection means; and

packet conversion means to convert the packets conveyed by the IP connection means to a circuit call.

10. The system as in claim 9, wherein the circuit conversion means is an H.323 server.

11. The system as in claim 9, wherein the packet conversion means is an H.323 server.

12. The system as in claim 9, wherein the delivery service means further comprises:

a phone-number-to-IP-address table in a voice and data service provider'"'"'s network; and

an IP-address-to-phone-number table in the visited wireless network.

13. The system as in claim 12, wherein the delivery service means further comprises:

means to update the phone-number-to-IP-address table; and

means to update the IP-address-to-phone-number table.

14. The system as in claim 9, wherein the IP connection means further comprises forwarding means for setting up call forwarding from the home wireless network to a voice and data service provider'"'"'s network responsive to the user'"'"'s mobile device, wherein the forwarding means comprises:

forwarding number means for obtaining, from the voice and data service provider'"'"'s network, a telephone number for call forwarding, responsive to the user'"'"'s mobile device; and

IP means for obtaining an IP address corresponding to the voice and data service provider'"'"'s network responsive to the user'"'"'s mobile device.

15. The system as in claim 14, wherein the IP connection means further comprises Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) means for obtaining a dynamic IP address from the voice and data service provider'"'"'s network.

16. A system to provide basic wireless call delivery service for a user having a mobile device and subscribing to a home wireless service provider serving a home wireless network, wherein the user roams to visit an area served by a visited wireless service provider serving a visited wireless network distinct and separate from the home wireless network, wherein there does not exist a pre-arranged Global Systems for Mobile Communications (GSM) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the home wireless service provider and the visited wireless service provider, the system comprising:

bypass means, comprising a first end and a second end, for conveying packets in both directions between the first end and the second end, independently of an existing Public Switched Telephony Network (PSTN), an existing GSM MAP network, and an existing ANSI-41 network;

delivery service means for providing basic wireless call delivery service via the bypass means, responsive to the payment identification means;

user'"'"'s payment means for paying to the visited wireless service provider for basic wireless call delivery service;

payment identification means for identifying the user'"'"'s payment means to the visited wireless service provider;

collection means for collecting billing information from the visited wireless network by the visited wireless service provider responsive to the delivery service means; and

billing means for billing the user by the visited wireless service provider responsive to the collection means and the payment identification means.

17. The system as in claim 16, wherein the bypass means is an IP network.

18. The system as in claim 16, wherein the bypass means is an IP tunnel.

19. The system as in claim 16, wherein the user'"'"'s payment means further comprises credit card information, and wherein the payment identification means further comprises:

payment shared secret means for establishing a Diffie-Hellman temporary shared secret between the user'"'"'s mobile device and the visited wireless network;

secure transmission means for securely transmitting the user'"'"'s credit card information to the visited wireless service provider via the visited wireless network responsive to the payment shared secret means; and

verification means for verifying the validity of the user'"'"'s credit card information by the visited wireless service provider responsive to the secure transmission means.

20. The system as in claim 19, wherein the credit card information is stored within the user'"'"'s mobile device.

21. The system as in claim 19, wherein the user'"'"'s mobile device further comprises data entry means to enter the user'"'"'s credit card information to the user'"'"'s mobile device.

22. The system as in claim 21, wherein the data entry means comprises a keypad.

23. The system as in claim 21, wherein the data entry means comprises a card reader.

24. The system as in claim 16, wherein the delivery service means further comprises:

first end means to establish the first end of the bypass means within the home wireless network;

second end means to establish the second end of the bypass means within the visited wireless network;

circuit conversion means to convert circuit calls to the mobile device to packets for conveyance via the bypass means; and

packet conversion means to convert the packets conveyed by the bypass means to a circuit call.

25. The system as in claim 24, wherein the circuit conversion means is an H.323 server.

26. The system as in claim 24, wherein the packet conversion means is an H.323 server.

27. The system as in claim 24, wherein the delivery service means further comprises:

a phone-number-to-packet-address table in a voice and data service provider'"'"'s network; and

a packet-address-to-phone-number table in the visited wireless network.

28. The system as in claim 27, further comprising:

means to update the phone-number-to-packet-address table; and

means to update the packet-address-to-phone-number table.

29. The system as in claim 27, wherein the first end means further comprises forwarding means for setting up call forwarding from the home wireless network to the voice and data service provider'"'"'s network responsive to the user'"'"'s mobile device.

30. The system as in claim 29, wherein the forwarding means further comprises:

forwarding number means for obtaining a telephone number, from the voice and data service provider'"'"'s network, for call forwarding, responsive to the user'"'"'s mobile device; and

address means for obtaining the packet address corresponding to the voice and data service provider'"'"'s network responsive to the user'"'"'s mobile device.

31. The system as in claim 30, wherein the address means further comprises means for storing the packet address within the user'"'"'s mobile device.

32. The system as in claim 30, wherein the second end means further comprises:

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) means for obtaining a dynamic packet address from the voice and data service provider'"'"'s network responsive to the address means;

relay means for relaying the dynamic packet address from the visited wireless network responsive to the user'"'"'s mobile device.

33. A method to bypass Global Systems for Mobile Communications (GSM) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide basic wireless call delivery service for a user having a mobile device and subscribing to a home wireless service provider serving a home wireless network, wherein the user roams to visit an area served by a visited wireless service provider serving a visited wireless network distinct and separate from the home wireless network, wherein there does not exist a pre-arranged GSM MoU between the home wireless service provider and the visited wireless service provider, and wherein the user has a payment means to pay for the basic wireless call delivery service, the method comprising:

registering with the user'"'"'s home wireless service provider to establish forwarding from the home wireless network to a voice and data service provider'"'"'s network;

identifying the user'"'"'s payment means to the visited wireless service provider;

providing a bypass means for conveying a voice call as packet data independently of an existing Public Switched Telephony Network (PSTN), an existing GSM MAP network, and an existing ANSI-41 network;

registering with the visited wireless network to establish the bypass means through to the user'"'"'s mobile device;

delivering calls to the user'"'"'s mobile device via the bypass means;

collecting billing information from the visited wireless network by the visited wireless service provider; and

billing the user by the visited wireless service provider responsive to the billing information collected and the user'"'"'s identified payment means.

34. The method as in claim 33, wherein the bypass means is an IP network.

35. The method as in claim 33, wherein the bypass means is an IP tunnel.

36. The method as in claim 33, wherein the user'"'"'s payment means comprises credit card information and wherein the step of identifying the user'"'"'s payment means to the visited wireless service provider further comprises:

establishing a Diffie-Hellman temporary shared secret between the user'"'"'s mobile device and the visited wireless network;

securely transmitting the user'"'"'s credit card information to the visited wireless service provider via the visited wireless network using the temporary shared secret; and

verifying the validity of the user'"'"'s credit card information by the visited wireless service provider.

37. The method as in claim 36, wherein the step of securely transmitting the user'"'"'s credit card information further comprises retrieving previously stored credit card information within the user'"'"'s mobile device.

38. The method as in claim 36, wherein the step of securely transmitting the user'"'"'s credit card information further comprises the user entering credit card information into the user'"'"'s mobile device.

39. The method as in claim 33, wherein the step of registering with the user'"'"'s home wireless network to establish forwarding from the home wireless network further comprises:

obtaining an IP address corresponding to the voice and data service provider'"'"'s network; and

obtaining a telephone number from the voice and data service provider'"'"'s network for call forwarding.

40. The method as in claim 39, wherein the step of registering with the visited wireless service provider to establish the bypass means through to the user'"'"'s mobile device further comprises:

obtaining a dynamic IP address from the voice and data service provider'"'"'s network using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP);

relaying the dynamic IP address from the voice and data service provider'"'"'s network via the visited wireless network to the user'"'"'s mobile device; and

establishing the bypass means via an IP connection between the visited wireless network and the voice and data service provider'"'"'s network.

41. The method as in claim 40, wherein the step of establishing the bypass means via an IP connection further comprises:

updating an IP-address-to-phone-number table by the visited wireless network; and

updating a phone-number-to-IP-address table by the voice and data service provider'"'"'s network.

42. The method as in claim 40, wherein the step of delivering calls to the user'"'"'s mobile device via the bypass means further comprises:

conversion of a circuit call for delivery to packets by the voice and data service provider'"'"'s network;

forwarding the packets via the established bypass means;

reassembling the forwarded packets into a reassembled circuit call by the visited wireless network; and

transmitting the reassembled circuit call over-the-air to the user'"'"'s mobile device via the visited wireless network.

43. The method as in claim 42, wherein the step of delivering calls to the user'"'"'s mobile device via the bypass means further comprises:

receiving a response over-the-air from the user'"'"'s mobile device by the visited wireless network;

conversion of the response to packets by the visited wireless network;

forwarding the packets via the established bypass means; and

reassembling the forwarded packets into a reassembled circuit call response for delivery by the voice and data service provider'"'"'s network.

44. A method to bypass Global Systems for Mobile Communications (GSM) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide basic wireless call delivery service for a user having a mobile device and subscribing to a home wireless service provider serving a home wireless network, wherein the user roams to visit an area served by a visited wireless service provider serving a visited wireless network distinct and separate from the home wireless network, wherein there does not exist a pre-arranged GSM MoU between the home wireless service provider and the visited wireless service provider, and wherein the user has a payment means to pay for the basic wireless call delivery service, the method comprising:

establishing a PSTN bypass, having a first end and a second end, for conveying packets in both directions between the first end and the second end, independently of an existing Public Switched Telephony Network (PSTN), an existing GSM MAP network, and an existing ANSI-41 network;

delivering calls to the user'"'"'s mobile device via the PSTN bypass;

collecting billing information from the visited wireless network by the visited wireless service provider; and

billing the user by the visited wireless service provider responsive to the billing information collected and the user'"'"'s identified payment means.

45. The method as in claim 44, wherein the PSTN bypass is an IP network.

46. The method as in claim 44, wherein the PSTN bypass is an IP tunnel.

47. The method as in claim 44, wherein the user'"'"'s payment means comprises credit card information and wherein the step of identifying the user'"'"'s payment means to the visited wireless service provider further comprises:

establishing a Diffie-Hellman temporary shared secret between the user'"'"'s mobile device and the visited wireless network;

securely transmitting the user'"'"'s credit card information to the visited wireless service provider via the visited wireless network using the temporary shared secret; and

verifying the validity of the user'"'"'s credit card information by the visited wireless service provider.

48. The method as in claim 47, wherein the step of securely transmitting the user'"'"'s credit card information further comprises retrieving previously stored credit card information within the user'"'"'s mobile device.

49. The method as in claim 47, wherein the step of securely transmitting the user'"'"'s credit card information further comprises the user entering credit card information into the user'"'"'s mobile device.

50. The method as in claim 44, wherein the step of establishing the PSTN bypass further comprises the method:

registering with the home wireless network to establish the first end of the PSTN bypass within the home wireless network;

identifying the user'"'"'s payment means to the visited wireless service provider; and

registering with the visited wireless network to establish the second end of the PSTN bypass within the visited wireless network.

51. The method as in claim 50, wherein the step of registering with the user'"'"'s home wireless network to establish the first end of the PSTN bypass within the home wireless network further comprises setting up call forwarding from the home wireless network to a voice and data service provider'"'"'s network.

52. The method as in claim 51, wherein the step of setting up call forwarding from the home wireless network to a voice and data service provider'"'"'s network further comprises:

obtaining from the voice and data service provider'"'"'s network a telephone number for call forwarding;

obtaining the packet address corresponding to the voice and data service provider'"'"'s network; and

storing the packet address in the user'"'"'s mobile device.

53. The method as in claim 52, wherein the step of registering with the visited wireless network to establish the second end of the PSTN bypass within the user'"'"'s mobile device further comprises:

obtaining a dynamic packet address from the voice and data service provider'"'"'s network using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP);

relaying the dynamic packet address to the user'"'"'s mobile device;

authenticating the connection by the voice and data service provider'"'"'s network and the user'"'"'s mobile device; and

establishing the PSTN bypass by the user'"'"'s mobile device.

54. The method as in claim 53, wherein the step of establishing the PSTN bypass further comprises:

updating a phone-number-to-packet-address table in the voice and data service provider'"'"'s network;

updating a packet-address-to-phone-number table in the visited wireless network.

55. The method as in claim 53, wherein the step of delivering calls to the user'"'"'s mobile device via the PSTN bypass further comprises:

conversion of a circuit call for delivery to packets by the voice and data service provider'"'"'s network;

forwarding the packets via the established PSTN bypass;

reassembling the forwarded packets into a reassembled circuit call by the visited wireless network; and

transmitting the reassembled circuit call over-the-air to the user'"'"'s mobile device via the visited wireless network.

56. The method as in claim 55, wherein the step of delivering calls to the user'"'"'s mobile device via the PSTN bypass further comprises:

receiving a response over-the-air from the user'"'"'s mobile device by the visited wireless network;

conversion of the response to packets by the visited wireless network;

forwarding the packets via the established PSTN bypass; and

reassembling the forwarded packets into a reassembled circuit call response for delivery by the voice and data service provider'"'"'s network.