System for controlled provisioning of telecommunications services

• US 7,072,653 B1
• Filed: 10/11/2005
• Issued: 07/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sprint Spectrum LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Spectrum LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Zhang, Baoquan, McConnell, Von K., Sladek, Thomas M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Feild, Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): Afshar, Kamran
• Application Number:
  US11/247,853
• Time in Patent Office: 266 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414.1, 455/458, 455/461, 455/466, 455/432.3, 455/435.1, 455/422.1, 455/424, 379/201.02, 379/221.08, 379/221.09, 379/221.11
• US Class Current: 455/432.3
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/303 Terminal profiles
• 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

Abstract

A method and system for controlled provisioning of a desired set of service logic for a subscriber of group of subscribers. In response to a designated stimulus, such as a time-event, a location-event or a threshold-event, a network entity modifies the subscriber profile maintained by a serving system, so as to include in the profile one or more desired parameters. One such modification may be the inclusion in the profile of a trigger that directs the serving system to query a designated network entity for call handling instructions. The designated network entity may then provide a special set of services for the subscriber or group. Further, a mechanism is provided to help ensure that once such a service overlay is imposed, it remains imposed if desired.

Claims

1. In a wireless communications network comprising a home register maintaining a profile for a mobile station, and a serving system maintaining a profile for the mobile station when the mobile station is located within a service area associated with the serving system, the home register providing the serving system with a profile for the mobile station in response to a change in the profile maintained by the home register, a system for imposing in the serving system a designated service set for the mobile station, the system comprising:

a message mediator arranged to monitor and modify information delivered between the home register and the serving system, the message mediator comprising a data storage medium, a processor, and a first set of logic stored in the data storage medium and executable is arranged to be executed by the processor to (a) detect a message sent by the home register, the message defining a profile for the mobile station, (b) modify the profile so as to generate a modified message defining a modified profile comprising the designated service set for the mobile station, and (c) forward the modified message to the serving system,

whereby the serving system is arranged to the modified profile for the mobile station and to responsively maintain and employ the modified profile comprising the designated service set for the mobile station.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the message mediator is embodied by an entity selected from the group consisting of a service control point (SCP), an intelligent peripheral (IP), and a service node (SN).

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the message sent by the home register is selected from the group consisting of a Qualification Directive message and a Registration Notification response message.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the designated service set comprises a trigger arranged to cause the serving system to send a query message to a central control point.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the central control point comprises a service control point (SCP).

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the message mediator performs the modifying function in response to at least one designated stimulus.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one designated stimulus is selected from the group consisting of a time-based event and a threshold-based event.

8. In a wireless communications network comprising a home register that maintains a profile for a mobile station, and a serving system that maintains a profile for the mobile station when the mobile station is located within a service area associated with the serving system, wherein the home register provides the serving system with a profile for the mobile station in response to a change in the profile maintained by the home register, a method for imposing in the serving system a designated service set for the mobile station by monitoring and modifying information delivered between the home register and the serving system, the method comprising:

detecting, at a message mediator, a message sent by the home register, the message defining a profile for the mobile station;

modifying the profile so as to generate a modified message defining a modified profile comprising the designated service set for the mobile station; and

forwarding the modified message to the serving system,

wherein the message mediator includes a data storage medium, a processor, and logic stored in the data storage medium and arranged to be executed by the processor to carry out the detecting, modifying, and forwarding functions,

whereby the serving system is arranged to receive the modified profile for the mobile station and to responsively maintain and employ the modified profile comprising the designated service set for the mobile station.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the message mediator comprises an entity selected from the group consisting of a service control point (SCP), an intelligent peripheral (IP), and a service node (SN).

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the message sent by the home register is selected from the group consisting of a Qualification Directive message and a Registration Notification response message.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the designated service set comprises a trigger arranged to cause the serving system to send a query message to a central control point.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the central control point comprises a service control point (SCP).

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising performing the modifying function in response to at least one designated stimulus.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one designated stimulus is selected from the group consisting of a time-based event and a threshold-based event.