Multiple-protocol home location register and method of use

• US 6,950,876 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2001
• Issued: 09/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: WSOU Investments, LLC (WSOU Holdings, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Chen, Jing, Bright, Penny Lynne
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Zarni
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tiv, Backhean
• Application Number:
  US09/812,401
• Publication Number:
  US 20020169883A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,653 Days
• Field of Search: 709/220, 709/230, 709/228, 370/467, 370/405, 455/433
• US Class Current: 709/230
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4588 containing mobile subscriber information, e.g. home subscriber server [HSS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/04 Registration at HLR or HSS [Home Subscriber Server]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/18 Service support devices; Network management devices

Abstract

A multiple-protocol home location register (MP HLR) comprises a processor, that generates network messages according to two or more network protocols and processes network requests and other messages to obtain information requested by two or more networks that support the two or more network protocols. One embodiment of the MP HLR (101) utilizes protocol gateways (211) that interpret network requests and generate, utilizing a common control procedures for multiple network protocols, queries to a database that provides a common source of data for supported networks. Another embodiment of an MP HLR (101) utilizes a mediation device (405) that generates and/or translates network messages according to multiple different network protocols and utilizes multiple HLRs (401, 403) or home agents, each supporting a different network protocol.

Claims

1. A multiple-protocol home location register comprising:

a receiver for receiving, from a first standard HLR of a requesting network of at least two networks and without a requirement for any modification to the first standard HLR, a network request according to one of at least two network protocols;

a processor, within the multiple-protocol home location register, wherein the processor is arranged and constructed to generate network messages according to the at least two network protocols and to process the network request to obtain information requested by the network request;

a transmitter, operably coupled to the processor, for relaying the requested information to at least one of the requesting network and a destination network;

a mediation device;

wherein the requesting network comprises the first standard HLR and a first mobile switching center that communicate through employment of a first network protocol of the at least two network protocols;

wherein the destination network comprises a second standard HLR and a second mobile switching center that communicate through employment of a second network protocol of the at least two network protocols;

wherein the multiple-protocol home location register performs a call delivery of a call that originates at a communication device in the requesting network and terminates in the destination network;

wherein the first mobile switching center receives an initial address message from the communication device through employment of the first network protocol, wherein the initial address message comprises a called party number;

wherein the first mobile switching center sends routing information to the first standard HLR in response to the initial address message through employment of the first network protocol;

wherein the first standard HLR determines that the destination network employs the second network protocol;

wherein the first standard HLR sends a provide roaming number message with a first mobile switching center address and first network protocol type to the mediation device;

wherein the mediation device stores the first mobile switching center address and the first network protocol type;

wherein the mediation device converts the provide roaming number message to a location request message in the second network protocol, wherein the location request message comprises a mobile switching center identification that identifies the mediation device;

wherein the mediation devices sends the location request message to the second standard HLR;

wherein the second standard HLR sends a route request message to the second mobile switching center through employment of the second network protocol, wherein the route request message comprises the mobile switching center identification that identifies the mediation device;

wherein the second mobile switching center sends an acknowledgement message to the second standard HLR in response to the route request message through employment of the second network protocol, wherein the acknowledgement message comprises a temporary location directory number;

wherein the second standard HLR relays the acknowledgement message to the mediation device through employment of the second network protocol;

wherein the mediation device sends a provide roaming number acknowledgement with a mobile subscribing roaming number to the first standard HLR through employment of the first network protocol;

wherein the first standard HLR sends a send routing information acknowledgement to the first mobile switching center through employment of the first network protocol, wherein the send routing information acknowledgement comprises the mobile subscribing roaming number;

wherein the first mobile switching center sends the initial address message with the mobile subscribing roaming number to the second mobile switching center;

wherein the second mobile switching canter completes the call to the destination network.

2. The multiple-protocol home location register of claim 1, wherein the processor is further arranged and constructed to translate messages according to the at least two network protocols.

3. The multiple-protocol home location register of claim 1, wherein the requested information is generated in response to a communication device request to communicate with a serving network.

4. The multiple-protocol home location register of claim 1, wherein the processor is further arranged and constructed to send a profile for a communication device to a serving network and to format the profile according to the serving networks protocol.

25. The multiple-protocol home location register of claim 1, wherein the standard HLR comprises a standalone HLR.

5. A method comprising the steps of:

receiving, by a multiple-protocol home location register, a network request from a first standard HLR of a requesting network of at least two networks and without a requirement for any modification to the first standard HLR, wherein the network request is composed according to one of at least two network protocols;

processing the network request to obtain information requested by the network request;

generating at least one network message according to at least one of the at least two network protocols and sending the at least one network message to at least one network supporting the at least one of the at least two network protocols;

relaying the requested information to a destination network;

receiving, at a first mobile switching center of the requesting network, an initial address message from a communication device through employment of a first network protocol of the at least two network protocols, wherein the initial address message comprises a called party number;

sending routing information from the first mobile switching center to the first standard HLR in response to the initial address message through employment of the first network protocol;

determining, by the first standard HLR, that the destination network employs a second network protocol of the at least two network protocols;

sending, by the first standard HLR, a provide roaming number message with a first mobile switching center address and first network protocol type to a mediation device;

storing, by the mediation device, the first mobile switching center address and the first network protocol type;

converting, by the mediation device, the provide roaming number message to a location request message in the second network protocol, wherein the location request message comprises a mobile switching center identification that identifies the mediation device;

sending, by the mediation device, the location request message to a second standard HLR of the destination network;

sending, by the second standard HLR, a route request message to the second mobile switching center through employment of the second network protocol, wherein the route request message comprises the mobile switching center identification that identifies the mediation device;

sending, by the second mobile switching center, an acknowledgement message to the second standard HLR in response to the route request message through employment of the second network protocol, wherein the acknowledgement message comprises a temporary location directory number;

relaying, by the second standard HLR, the acknowledgement message to the mediation device through employment of the second network protocol;

sending, by the mediation device, a provide roaming number acknowledgement with a mobile subscribing roaming number to the first standard HLR through employment of the first network protocol;

sending, by the first standard HLR, a send routing information acknowledgement to the first mobile switching center through employment of the first network protocol, wherein the send routing information acknowledgement comprises the mobile subscribing roaming number;

sending, by the first mobile switching center, the initial address message with the mobile subscribing roaming number to the second mobile switching center; and

completing, by the second mobile switching center, the call to the destination network.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of processing comprises the step of translating the network request.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of processing comprises the step of converting a Location Request message to a Provide Roaming Number message.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of processing comprises the step of converting a Send Routing Information message to a Routing Request message.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of processing comprises the step of distributing, throughout the multiple-protocol home location register, subscriber information for a plurality of communications devices.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of processing comprises the step of determining and storing a protocol type and an address for an infrastructure device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the infrastructure device is a gateway mobile switching center.

12. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of processing comprises the step of determining and storing a protocol type and an address for a communication device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of processing comprises the step of determining and storing a protocol type and an address for a serving network for the communication device.

14. The method of claim 5, wherein the multiple-protocol home location register receives a network request, regarding a communication device, from an infrastructure device, regardless of the communication device'"'"'s native mode protocol.

15. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of detecting a protocol type for an infrastructure device, and when the protocol type for the infrastructure device is not a first network protocol, communicating through a mediation device to a borne location register of the protocol type for the infrastructure device.

16. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least two networks comprise at least one of a terminating mobile switching center, a visited mobile switching center, a gateway mobile switching center, a packet gateway, and an internet protocol gateway.

17. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of storing call forwarding information such that processing for call forwarded communications takes place between a mediation device in the multiple-protocol home location register and a terminating mobile switching center.

18. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of issuing an instruction to a previous mobile switching center to delete a visited location register for a communication device.

19. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of processing comprises the step of storing an identification of an infrastructure device that terminates a call.

20. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of processing comprises the step of determining whether a communication device supports multiple-mode operation.

21. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of processing comprises the step of converting a short messaging service message from a first network protocol to a second network protocol.

22. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of processing comprises the steps of routing a pre-paid call, originating according to a first protocol of the at least two network protocols, to an infrastructure device operating according to a second protocol of the at least two network protocols and handling the pre-paid call according to normal call processing procedures for the second protocol.

23. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least two networks comprise at least one of a terminating mobile switching center, a visited mobile switching center, a gateway mobile switching center, a packet gateway, and an internet protocol gateway.

24. The method of claim 5, wherein the destination network is determined by a location for a communication device associated with the network request.

26. The method of claim 5, wherein the first standard HLR comprises a standalone HLR.

27. A multiple-protocol home location register comprising:

a first standard HLR arranged and constructed to provide a first network protocol;

a second standard HLR arranged and constructed to provide a second network protocol;

a mediation device, operably coupled to the first standard HLR and the second standard HLR without a requirement for any modification to the first standard HLR and/or the second standard HLR, wherein the mediation device is arranged and constructed to generate network messages according to the first network protocol and the second network protocol;

such that the multiple-protocol HLR provides HLR capability for a plurality of communication devices utilizing any of the first network protocol and the second network protocol;

a requesting network and a destination network;

wherein the requesting network comprises the first standard HLR and a first mobile switching center that communicate through employment of a first network protocol of the at least two network protocols;

wherein the destination network comprises the second standard HLR and a second mobile switching center that communicate through employment of a second network protocol of the at least two network protocols;

wherein the multiple-protocol home location register performs a call delivery of a call that originates at a communication device in the requesting network and terminates in the destination network;

wherein the first mobile switching center receives an initial address message from the communication device through employment of the first network protocol, wherein the initial address message comprises a called party number;

wherein the first mobile switching center sends routing information to the first standard HLR in response to the initial address message through employment of the first network protocol;

wherein the first standard HLR determines that the destination network employs the second network protocol;

wherein the first standard HLR sends a provide roaming number message with a first mobile switching center address and first network protocol type to the mediation device;

wherein the mediation device stores the first mobile switching center address and the first network protocol type;

wherein the mediation device converts the provide roaming number message to a location request message in the second network protocol, wherein the location request message comprises a mobile switching center identification that identifies the mediation device;

wherein the mediation devices sends the location request message to the second standard HLR;

wherein the second standard HLR sends a route request message to the second mobile switching center through employment of the second network protocol, wherein the route request message comprises the mobile switching center identification that identifies the mediation device;

wherein the second mobile switching center sends an acknowledgement message to the second standard HLR in response to the route request message through employment of the second network protocol, wherein the acknowledgement message comprises a temporary location directory number;

wherein the second standard HLR relays the acknowledgement message to the mediation device through employment of the second network protocol;

wherein the mediation device sends a provide roaming number acknowledgement with a mobile subscribing roaming number to the first standard HLR through employment of the first network protocol;

wherein the first standard HLR sends a send routing information acknowledgement to the first mobile switching center through employment of the first network protocol, wherein the send routing information acknowledgement comprises the mobile subscribing roaming number;

wherein the first mobile switching center sends the initial address message with the mobile subscribing roaming number to the second mobile switching center;

wherein the second mobile switching center completes the call to the destination network.

28. The multiple-protocol HLR of claim 27, wherein the mediation device is further arranged and constricted to translate messages between the first network protocol and the second network protocol.

29. The multiple-protocol HLR of claim 27, wherein the mediation device is arranged and constructed to convert a Provide Roaming Number message to a Location Request message.

30. The multiple-protocol HLR of claim 27, wherein the mediation device is arranged and constructed to convert a Routing Request message to a Send Routing Information message.

31. The multiple-protocol HLR of claim 27, further comprising a provisioning gateway, operably coupled to the first standard HLR and the second standard HLR, wherein the provisioning gateway is arranged and constructed to distribute, among the first standard HLR and the second standard HLR, subscriber information for the plurality of communication devices.

32. The multiple-protocol HLR of claim 27, wherein the first and second network protocols comprise at least one of ANSI-41, GSM MAP, SIP, H.323, AAA, and M-IP.

33. The multiple-protocol HLR of claim 27, wherein the mediation device is further arranged and constructed to determine and store a protocol type and an address for an infrastructure device.

34. The multiple-protocol HLR of claim 33, wherein the infrastructure device is a gateway mobile switching center.

35. The multiple-protocol HLR of claim 33, wherein the mediation device is further arranged and constructed to determine and store a protocol type and an address for a communication device.

36. The multiple-protocol HLR of claim 35, wherein the mediation device is further arranged and constructed to determine and store a protocol type and an address for a serving network for the communication device.

37. The multiple-protocol HLR of claim 27, wherein the first standard HLR is further arranged and constructed to receive a query, regarding a communication device, from an infrastructure device supporting the first network protocol, regardless of whether the communication device'"'"'s native mode is of the first network protocol.

38. The multiple-protocol HLR of claim 27, wherein the first standard HLR is further arranged and constructed to detect a protocol type for an infrastructure device, and when the protocol type for the infrastructure device is not the first network protocol, to communicate through the mediation device to the second standard HLR or a standard HLR of the protocol type for the infrastructure device.

39. The multiple-protocol HLR of claim 27, wherein the mediation device is further arranged and constructed to store call forwarding information such that processing for call forwarded communications takes place between the mediation device and a terminating mobile switching center.

40. The multiple-protocol HLR of claim 27, wherein the plurality of communication devices comprise at least one of a terminating mobile switching center, a visited mobile switching center, a gateway mobile switching center, a packet gateway, and an internet protocol gateway.

41. The multiple-protocol home location register of claim 27, wherein the first standard HLR comprises a standalone HLR.

42. A system comprising:

a first standard HLR arranged and constructed to generate at least one query according to a first network protocol without a requirement for any modification to the first standard HLR;

a second standard HLR arranged and constructed to function according to a second network protocol without a requirement for any modification to the second standard HLR; and

a multiple-protocol home location register, operably coupled to the first standard HLR and the second standard HLR, wherein the multiple-protocol home location register is arranged and constructed to function according to the first network protocol and the second protocol, such that a call request according to the first network protocol and related to the at least one query is completed according to the second network protocol;

a requesting network and a destination network;

wherein the requesting network comprises the first standard HLR and a first mobile switching center that communicate through employment of a first network protocol of the at least two network protocols;

wherein the destination network comprises the second standard HLR and a second mobile switching center that communicate through employment of a second network protocol of the at least two network protocols;

wherein the multiple-protocol home location register performs a call delivery of a call that originates at a communication device in the requesting network and terminates in the destination network;

wherein the first mobile switching center receives an initial address message from the communication device through employment of the first network protocol, wherein the initial address message comprises a called party number;

wherein the first mobile switching center sends routing information to the first standard HLR in response to the initial address message through employment of the first network protocol;

wherein the first standard HLR determines that the destination network employs the second network protocol;

wherein the first standard HLR sends a provide roaming number message with a first mobile switching center address and first network protocol type to the multiple-protocol home location register;

wherein the multiple protocol home location register stores the first mobile switching center address and the first network protocol type;

wherein the multiple-protocol home location register converts the provide roaming number message to a location request message in the second network protocol, wherein the location request message comprises a mobile switching center identification that identifies the multiple-protocol home location register;

wherein the multiple-protocol home location register sends the location request message to the second standard HLR;

wherein the second standard HLR sends a route request message to the second mobile switching center through employment of the second network protocol, wherein the route request message comprises the mobile switching center identification that identifies the multiple protocol home location register;

wherein the second mobile switching center sends an acknowledgement message to the second standard HLR in response to the route request message through employment of the second network protocol, wherein the acknowledgement message comprises a temporary location directory number;

wherein the second standard HLR relays the acknowledgement message to the multiple-protocol home location register through employment of the second network protocol;

wherein the multiple-protocol home location register sends a provide roaming number acknowledgement with a mobile subscribing marring number to the first standard HLR through employment of the first network protocol;

wherein the first standard HLR sends a send routing information acknowledgement to the first mobile switching center through employment of the first network protocol, wherein the send routing information acknowledgement comprises the mobile subscribing roaming number,

wherein the first mobile switching center sends the initial address message with the mobile subscribing roaming number to the second mobile switching center;

wherein the second mobile switching center completes the call to the destination network.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein the at least one query is generated in response to a communication device request to communicate with a serving network.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein a profile for the communication device is sent to the serving network and the profile is formatted according to the serving network'"'"'s protocol.

45. The system of claim 43, wherein the serving network utilizes the first network protocol.

46. The system of claim 42, wherein the multiple-protocol home location register is further arranged and constructed to provide call forwarding functionality.

47. The system of claim 42, wherein the call request is a call termination request.

48. The system of claim 42, further comprising a provisioning gateway, operably coupled to the multiple-protocol home location register, wherein the provisioning gateway is arranged and constructed to provide subscriber information for the plurality of communication devices.

49. The system of claim 42, wherein the first and second network protocols comprise at least one of ANSI-41, GSM MAP, SIP, H.323, AAA, and M-IP.

50. The system of claim 42, wherein the multiple-protocol home location register is further arranged and constructed to determine and store a protocol type and an address for the first standard HLR.

51. The system of claim 42, wherein the first standard HLR is further arranged and constructed to receive a request from a communication device regardless of whether the communication device'"'"'s native mode is of the first network protocol.

52. The system of claim 42, wherein the multiple-protocol home location register is further arranged and constructed to store call forwarding information such that processing for call forwarded communications takes place between the multiple-protocol home location register and the second standard HLR.

53. The system of claim 42, wherein any infrastructure device is one of a terminating mobile switching center, a visited mobile switching center, a gateway mobile switching center, a packet gateway and an internet protocol gateway.

54. The system of claim 42, wherein the first standard HLR generates the at least one query for a gateway mobile switching center.

55. The system of claim 42, wherein the second standard HLR handles the at least one query for a terminating mobile switching center.

56. The system of claim 42, wherein the first standard HLR comprises a standalone HLR.

57. A method comprising the steps of

generating, by a first standard HLR of a requesting network for a first infrastructure device and without a requirement:

for arty modification to the first standard HLR, a query according to a first network protocol;

sending the first network protocol query to a multiple-protocol home location register functioning according to the first network protocol and a second network protocol;

processing, by the multiple-protocol home location register, the first network protocol query, thereby generating a second network protocol message;

sending the second network protocol message to a second standard HLR of a destination network for a second infrastructure device functioning according to the second network protocol and without a requirement for any modification to the second standard HLR;

receiving, at a first mobile switching center of the requesting network, an initial address message from a communication device through employment of a first network protocol of the at least two network protocols, wherein the initial address message comprises a called party number;

sending routing information from the first mobile switching center to the first standard HLR in response to the initial address message through employment of the first network protocol;

determining, by the first standard HLR, that the destination network employs a second network protocol of the at least two network protocols;

sending, by the first standard HLR, a provide roaming number message with a first mobile switching center address and first network protocol type to a mediation device;

storing, by the mediation device, the first mobile switching center address and the link network protocol type;

converting, by the mediation device, the provide roaming number message to a location request message in the second network protocol, wherein the location request message comprises a mobile switching center identification that identifies the mediation device;

sending, by the mediation device, the location request message to a second standard HLR of the destination network;

sending, by the second standard HLR, a route request message to the second mobile switching center through employment of the second network protocol, wherein the route request message comprises the mobile switching center identification that identifies the mediation device;

sending, by the second mobile switching center, an acknowledgement message to the second standard HLR in response to the route request message through employment of the second network protocol, wherein the acknowledgement message comprises a temporary location directory number;

relaying, by the second standard HLR, the acknowledgement message to the mediation device through employment of the second network protocol;

sending, by the mediation device, a provide roaming number acknowledgement with a mobile subscribing roaming number to the first standard HLR through employment of the first network protocol;

sending, by the first standard HLR, a send routing information acknowledgement to the first mobile switching center through employment of the first network protocol, wherein the send routing information acknowledgement comprises the mobile subscribing roaming number;

sending, by the first mobile switching center, the initial address message with the mobile subscribing roaming number to the second mobile switching center;

completing, by the second mobile switching center, the call to the destination network.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein the step of processing comprises the step of translating the network request.

59. The method of claim 57, wherein the step of processing comprises the step of converting a Location Request message to a Provide Roaming Number message.

60. The method of claim 57, wherein the step of processing comprises the step of converting a Routing Request message to a Send Routing Information message.

61. The method of claim 57, wherein the step of processing comprises the step of distributing, throughout the multiple-protocol home location register, subscriber information for a plurality of communication devices.

62. The method of claim 57, wherein the step of processing comprises the step of determining and storing a protocol type and an address for the first infrastructure device.

63. The method of claim 57, wherein the multiple-protocol home location register receives a network request, regarding a communication device, from the first standard HLR, regardless of the communication device'"'"'s native mode protocol.

64. The method of claim 57, further the step of detecting a protocol type for the second infrastructure device, and when the protocol type for the second infrastructure device is not the first network protocol, processing the first network protocol query according to the protocol type for the second infrastructure device.

65. The method of claim 57, further comprising the step of storing call forwarding information such that processing for call forwarded communications takes place between the multiple-protocol home location register, the second standard HLR, and the second infrastructure device.

66. The method of claim 57, further comprising the step of issuing an instruction to a previous mobile switching center to delete a visited location register for a communication device.

67. The method of claim 57, wherein the step of processing comprises the step of storing an identification of the second infrastructure device for a call.

68. The method of claim 57, wherein the step of processing comprises the step of determining whether a communication device supports multiple-mode operation.

69. The method of claim 57, wherein the step of processing comprises the step of converting a short messaging service message from a first network protocol to a second network protocol.

70. The method of claim 57, wherein the step of processing comprises the steps of routing a pre-paid call, originating according to the first protocol, to a third infrastructure device and handling the pre-paid call according to normal call processing procedures for the second protocol.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein the step of routing is based on at least one of a prefix plus a called party number and a different number.

72. The method of claim 57, wherein any of the first and/or second infrastructure devices is one of a terminating mobile switching center, a visited mobile switching center, a gateway mobile switching center, a packet gateway, and an internet protocol gateway.

73. The method of claim 57, wherein the first infrastructure device is a gateway mobile switching center.

74. The method of claim 57, wherein the second infrastructure device is a terminating mobile switching center.

75. The method of claim 57, wherein the step of processing comprises the steps of routing a call, originating according to the first protocol, to a third infrastructure device of the second protocol and handling the call according to normal call processing procedures for the second protocol.

76. The method of claim 57, wherein the first standard HLR comprises a standalone HLR.

77. A multiple-protocol home location register comprising:

a receiver for receiving, from a standard HLR of a requesting network of at least two networks and without a requirement for any modification to the standard HLR, a network request according to one of at least two network protocols;

a processor, within the multiple-protocol home location register, wherein the processor is arranged and constructed to generate network messages according to the at least two network protocols and to process the network request to obtain information requested by the network request;

a transmitter, operably coupled to the processor, for relaying the requested information to at least one of the requesting network and a destination network;

a mediation device;

wherein the standard HLR comprises a first standard HLR;

wherein the requesting network comprises th first standard HLR and a first mobile switching center that communicate through employment of a first network protocol of the at least two network protocols;

wherein the destination network comprises a second standard HLR and a second mobile switching center that communicate through employment of a second network protocol of the at least two network protocols;

wherein the multiple-protocol home location register performs a call delivery of a call that originates at a communication device in the requesting network and terminates in the destination network;

wherein the first mobile switching center receives an initial address message from the communication device through employment of the first network protocol, wherein the initial address message comprises a called party number;

wherein the first mobile switching center sends routing information to the first standard HLR in response to the initial address message through employment of the first network protocol;

wherein the first standard HLR determines that the destination network employs the second network protocol;

wherein the first standard HLR sends a provide roaming number message with a first mobile switching center address and first network protocol type to the mediation device;

wherein the mediation device stores the first mobile switching center address and the first network protocol type;

wherein the mediation device converts the provide roaming number message to a location request message in the second network protocol, wherein the location request message comprises a mobile switching center identification that identifies the mediation device;

wherein the mediation devices sends the location request message to the second standard HLR;

wherein the second standard HLR sends a route request message to the second mobile switching center through employment of the second network protocol, wherein the route request message comprises the mobile switching center identification that identifies the mediation device;

wherein the second mobile switching center sends an acknowledgement message to the second standard HLR in response to the route request message through employment of the second network protocol, wherein the acknowledgement message comprises a temporary location directory number;

wherein the second standard HLR relays the acknowledgement message to the mediation device through employment of the second network protocol;

wherein the mediation device sends a provide roaming number acknowledgement with a mobile subscribing roaming number to the first standard HLR through employment of the first network protocol;

wherein the first standard HLR sends a send routing information acknowledgement to the first mobile switching center through employment of the first network protocol, wherein the send routing information acknowledgement comprises the mobile subscribing roaming number;

wherein the first mobile switching center sends the initial address message with the mobile subscribing roaming number to the second mobile switching center, wherein the second mobile switching center completes the call to the destination network.

78. A method comprising the steps of:

receiving, by a multiple-protocol home location resister, a network request from a first standard HLR of a requesting network of at least two networks and without a requirement for any modification to the standard HLR, wherein the network request is composed according to one of at least two network protocols;

processing the network request to obtain information requested by the network request;

generating at least one network message according to at least one of the at least two network protocols and sending the at least one network message to at least one network supporting the at least one of the at least two network protocols;

relaying the requested information to a destination network;

receiving, at a first mobile switching center of the requesting network, an initial address message from a communication device through employment of a first network protocol of the at least two network protocols, wherein the initial address message comprises a called party number;

sending routing information from the first mobile switching center to the first standard HLR in response to the initial address message through employment of the first network protocol;

determining, by the first standard HLR, that the destination network employs a second network protocol of the at least two network protocols;

sending, by the first standard HLR, a provide roaming number message with a first mobile switching center address and first network protocol type to a mediation device;

storing, by the mediation device, the first mobile switching center address arid the first network protocol type;

converting, by the mediation device, the provide roaming number message to a location request message in the second network protocol, wherein the location request message comprises a mobile switching center identification that identifies the mediation device;

sending, by the mediation device, the location request message to a second standard HLR of the destination network;

sending, by the second standard HLR, a route request message to the second mobile switching center through employment of the second network protocol, wherein the route request message comprises the mobile switching center identification that identifies the mediation device;

sending, by the second mobile switching center, an acknowledgement message to the second standard HLR in response to the route request message through employment of the second network protocol, wherein the acknowledgement message comprises a temporary location directory number;

relaying, by the second standard HLR, the acknowledgement message to the mediation device through employment of the second network protocol;

sending, by the mediation device, a provide roaming number acknowledgement with a mobile subscribing roaming number to the first standard HLR through employment of the first network protocol;

sending, by the first standard HLR, a send routing information acknowledgement to the first mobile switching center through employment of the fist network protocol, wherein the send routing information acknowledgement comprises the mobile subscribing roaming number;

sending, by the first mobile switching center, the initial address message with the mobile subscribing roaming number to the second mobile switching center; and

completing, by the second mobile switching center, the call to the destination network.

79. A multiple-protocol home location register comprising:

a first standard HLR arranged and constructed to provide a first network protocol;

a second standard HLR arranged and constructed to provide a second network protocol;

a mediation device, operably coupled to the first standard HLR and the second standard HLR without a requirement for any modification to the first standard HLR and/or the second standard HLR, wherein the mediation device is arranged and constructed to generate network messages according to the first network protocol and the second network protocol such that the multiple-protocol HLR provides HLR capability for a plurality of communication devices utilizing any of the first network protocol and the second network protocol; and

a requesting network and a destination network;

wherein the requesting network comprises the first standard HLR and a first mobile switching center that communicate through employment of a first network protocol of the at least two network protocols;

wherein the destination network comprises the second standard HLR and a second mobile switching center that communicate through employment of a second network protocol of the at least two network protocols;

wherein the multiple-protocol home location register performs a call delivery of a call that originates at a communication device in the requesting network and terminates in the destination network;

wherein the first mobile switching center receives an initial address message from the communication device through employment of the first network protocol, wherein the initial address message comprises a called party number;

wherein the first mobile switching center sends routing information to the first standard HLR in response to the initial address message through employment of the first network protocol;

wherein the first standard HLR determines that the destination network employs the second network protocol;

wherein the first standard HLR sends a provide roaming number message with a first mobile switching center address and first network protocol type to the mediation device;

wherein the mediation device stores the first mobile switching center address and the first network protocol type;

wherein the mediation device converts the provide roaming number message to a location request message in the second network protocol, wherein the location request message comprises a mobile switching center identification that identifies the mediation device;

wherein the mediation devices sends the location request message to the second standard HLR;

wherein the second standard HLR sends a route request message to the second mobile switching center through employment of the second network protocol, wherein the route request message comprises the mobile switching center identification that identifies the mediation device;

wherein the second mobile switching center sends an acknowledgement message to the second standard HLR in response to the route request message through employment of the second network protocol, wherein the acknowledgement message comprises a temporary location directory number;

wherein the second standard HLR relays the acknowledgement message to the mediation device through employment of the second network protocol;

wherein the mediation device sends a provide roaming number acknowledgement with a mobile subscribing roaming number to the first standard HLR through employment of the first network protocol;

wherein the first standard HLR sends a send routing information acknowledgement to the first mobile switching center through employment of the first network protocol, wherein the send routing information acknowledgement comprises the mobile subscribing roaming number;

wherein the first mobile switching center sends the initial address message with the mobile subscribing roaming number to the second mobile switching center;

wherein the second mobile switching center completes the call to the destination network.

80. A system comprising:

a first standard HLR arranged and constructed to generate at least one query according to a first network protocol without a requirement for any modification to the first standard HLR;

a second standard HLR arranged and constructed to function according to a second network protocol without a requirement for any modification to the second standard HLR;

a multiple-protocol home location register, operably coupled to the first standard HLR and the second standard HLR, wherein the multiple-protocol home location register is arranged and constructed to function according to the first network protocol and the second protocol, such that a call request according to the first network protocol and related to the at least one query is completed according to the second network protocol;

a requesting network and a destination network;

wherein the requesting network comprises the first standard HLR and a first mobile switching center that communicate through employment of a first network protocol of the at least two network protocols;

wherein the destination network comprises the second standard HLR and a second mobile switching center that communicate through employment of a second network protocol of the at least two network protocols;

wherein the multiple-protocol home location register performs a call delivery of a call that originates at a communication device in the requesting network and terminates in the destination network;

wherein the first mobile switching center receives an initial address message from the communication device through employment of the first network protocol, wherein the initial address message comprises a called party number;

wherein the first mobile switching center sends routing information to the first standard HLR in response to the initial address message through employment of the first network protocol;

wherein the first standard HLR determines that the destination network employs the second network protocol;

wherein the first standard HLR sends a provide roaming number message with a first mobile switching center address and first network protocol to the multiple-protocol home location register;

wherein the multiple-protocol home location register stores the first mobile switching center address and the first network protocol type;

wherein the multiple-protocol home location register converts the provide roaming number message to a location request message in the second network protocol, wherein the location request message comprises a mobile switching center identification that identifies the multiple-protocol home location register;

wherein the multiple-protocol home location register sends the location request message to the second standard HLR;

wherein the second standard HLR sends a route request message to the second mobile switching center through employment of the second network protocol, wherein the route request message comprises the mobile switching center identification that identifies the multiple-protocol home location register;

wherein the second mobile switching center sends an acknowledgement message to the second standard HLR in response to the route request message through employment of the second network protocol, wherein the acknowledgement message comprises a temporary location directory number;

wherein the second standard HLR relays the acknowledgement message to the multiple-protocol home location register through employment of the second network protocol;

wherein the multiple-protocol home location register sends a provide roaming number acknowledgement with a mobile subscribing roaming number to the first standard HLR through employment of the first network protocol;

wherein the first standard HLR sends a send routing information acknowledgement to the first mobile switching center through employment of the first network protocol, wherein the send routing information acknowledgement comprises the mobile subscribing roaming number;

wherein the first mobile switching center sends the initial address message with the mobile subscribing roaming number to the second mobile switching center;

wherein the second mobile switching center completes the call to the destination network.

81. A method comprising the steps of:

generating, by a first standard HLR of a requesting network for a first infrastructure device and without a requirement for any modification to the first standard HLR, a query according to a first network protocol;

sending the first network protocol query to a multiple-protocol home location register functioning according to the first network protocol and a second network protocol;

processing, by the multiple-protocol home location register, the first network protocol query, thereby generating a second network protocol message;

sending the second network protocol message to a second standard HLR of a destination network for a second infrastructure device function according to the second network protocol and without a requirement for any modification to the second standard HLR;

receiving, at a first mobile switching center of the requesting network, an initial address message from a communication device through employment of a first network protocol of the at least two network protocols, wherein the initial address message comprises a called party number;

sending routing information from the first mobile switching center to the first standard HLR in response to the initial address message through employment of the first network protocol;

determining, by the first standard HLR, that the destination network employs a second network protocol of the at least two network protocols;

sending, by the first standard HLR, a provide roaming number message with a first mobile switching center address and first network protocol type to a mediation device;

storing, by the mediation device, the first mobile switching center address and the first network protocol type;

converting, by the mediation device, the provide roaming number message to a location request message in the second network protocol, wherein the location request message comprises a mobile switching center identification that identifies the mediation device;

sending, by the mediation device, the location request message to a second standard HLR of the destination network;

sending, by the second standard HLR, a route request message to the second mobile switching center through employment of the second network protocol, wherein the route request message comprises the mobile switching center identification that identifies the mediation device;

sending, by the second mobile switching center, an acknowledgement message to the second standard HLR in response to the route request message through employment of the second network protocol, wherein the acknowledgement message comprises a temporary location directory number;

relaying, by the second standard HLR, the acknowledgement message to the mediation device through employment of the second network protocol;

sending, by the mediation device, a provide roaming number acknowledgement with a mobile subscribing roaming number to the first standard HLR through employment of the first network protocol;

sending, by the first standard HLR, a send routing information acknowledgement to the first mobile switching center through employment of the first network protocol, wherein the send routing information acknowledgement comprises the mobile subscribing roaming number;

sending, by the first mobile switching center, the initial address message with the mobile subscribing roaming number to the second mobile switching center;

completing, by the second mobile switching center, the call to the destination network.