Pseudo-global title translation for international roaming of ANSI-41 subscribers

• US 6,735,439 B2
• Filed: 03/11/2002
• Issued: 05/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Globalstar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Globalstar Incorporated
• Inventors: Bazinet, Christian, Bowman, Philip J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vuong, Quochien B.
• Application Number:
  US10/094,752
• Publication Number:
  US 20020137511A1
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: 455/12.1, 455/427, 455/433, 455/435.1, 455/445, 455/432.1, 455/432.2, 455/414.1, 455/560, 379/219, 379/220.1
• US Class Current: 455/427
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/1856 for call routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0025 Provisions for signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/20 Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/24 between backbone network devices

Abstract

A method is provided for routing a message through a telecommunications network. The method includes receiving an identifying number (eg: a MIN or ESN) from a wireless terminal and prepending at least one character to the identifying number to form a pseudo-global title. The message is then routed through the telecommunications network to a destination determined by the pseudo-global title. Upon arrival at the destination, the method further includes converting the pseudo-global title to a home location register address. The message is then routed to a home location register having the home location register address.

Claims

1. A method for routing a message through a telecommunications network comprising the steps of:

receiving an identifying number from a subscriber'"'"'s wireless terminal;

prepending at least one character, to said identifying number to form a pseudo-global title, wherein said at least one character is indicative of a location of a translation facility;

routing a message through said telecommunications network to said translation facility based on said pseudo-global title;

translating said pseudo-global title to a home location register address upon arrival at said translation facility; and

routing said message to a home location register having said home location register address.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said identifying number is a mobile identification number.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one character comprises at least a portion of a country code.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said home location register address is an E.164 address.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said translating is accomplished using a lookup table.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said translating is accomplished using a conversion algorithm.

7. An apparatus for routing a message through a telecommunications network comprising:

a mobile switching center for receiving an identifying number from a wireless terminal;

a unit coupled to said mobile switching center for prepending at least one character to said identifying number to form a pseudo-global title, wherein said at least one character is indicative of a location of a translation facility;

a first router, coupled to said unit, for routing a message through said telecommunication network to said translation facility based on said pseudo-global title;

a translator, coupled to said translation facility, for translating said pseudo-global title to a home location register address upon the arrival of said message at said translation facility; and

a second router, coupled to said translation facility, for routing said message to a home location register having said home location register address.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said identifying number is a mobile identification number.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said at least one character comprises at least a portion of a country code.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said translator translates said pseudo-global title using a lookup table.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said translator translates said pseudo-global title using a conversion algorithm.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said home location register address is an E.164 address.

13. A satellite telecommunication network comprising:

at least one satellite in earth orbit;

at least one gateway in two-way communication with said satellite and with a terrestrial communication system;

at least one wireless terminal in two-way communication with said gateway through said satellite wherein said wireless terminal is not a subscriber to said satellite telecommunication network;

a switching center, coupled to said gateway, for receiving an identifying number from said wireless terminal;

a unit coupled to said switching center for prepending at least one character to said identifying number to form a pseudo-global title, wherein said at least one character is indicative of a location of a translation facility;

a first router, coupled to said unit, for routing a message through said satellite telecommunication network to said translation facility based on said pseudo-global title;

a translator, coupled to said translation facility, for translating said pseudo-global title to a home location register address upon the arrival of said message at said translation facility; and

a second router, coupled to said translation facility, for routing said message to a home location register having said home location register address.

14. The satellite telecommunication network of claim 13, wherein said identifying number is a mobile identification number.

15. The satellite telecommunication network of claim 13, wherein said at least one character comprises at least a portion of a country code.

16. The satellite telecommunication network of claim 13, wherein said translator translates said pseudo-global title using a lookup table.

17. The satellite telecommunication network of claim 13, wherein said translator translates said pseudo-global title using a conversion algorithm.

18. The satellite telecommunications network of claim 13, wherein said home location register address is an E.164 address.