Subscriber registration method

• US 20030190913A1
• Filed: 02/07/2003
• Published: 10/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Markport Limited (Mavenir Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Markport Limited (Mavenir Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kobayshi, Nelson, Oʼ Sullivan, Fergal, Coad, Alan
• Application Number:
  US10/359,712
• Publication Number:
  US 20030190913A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/435.1
• 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 17/10 Account details or usage
• 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 8/06 Registration at serving network Location Register, VLR or user mobility server

Abstract

A mobile user in a visited network, in which they would otherwise be denied service, is allowed make calls in a pre-paid account automatically set up by a visited network. An auxiliary HLR recognises that the user would normally be denied service and, on receipt of a registration request, sets up an account, which is made active in a final stage after notification to the user in a Short Message and payment of funds.

Claims

1. A method of allowing a person to use a mobile phone in a visited network, in which she would normally be denied service, the method comprising the steps of:

—

the visited network receiving a registration request from the user'"'"'s mobile phone, and

the visited network recognising that the user cannot be registered with the home network and automatically setting up a local pre-paid account for the user.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the visited network sets up the pre-paid account in two stages as follows:

—

an initial stage in which an account is set up with an inactive status,

a final stage in which the account is activated after payment of funds by the user.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the visited network applies a default profile to the account in the initial stage.

4. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the visited network notifies the user of the account after completion of the initial stage.

5. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the visited network notifies the user of the account after completion of the initial stage;

and wherein the notification is transmitted in a Short Message.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the visited network notifies the user of the account after completion of the initial stage;

and wherein the visited network automatically cancels the account if the final stage is not completed after a pre-set time or upon failure to deliver the notification.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method comprises the further steps of the visited network making a registration request to a home network of the user, and for proceeding with account set-up if the home network denies registration.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the registration method is directed by an auxiliary HLR in the visited network.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the account is set-up in an account system for local pre-paid subscribers.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein a pre-paid platform of the visited network manages the account.

11. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the visited network cancels the account automatically after a configurable duration of inactivity.

12. A mobile network HLR comprising means for controlling a method as claimed in claim 1.