Telecommunications – Radiotelephone system – Usage measurement
Reexamination Certificate
2002-12-17
2004-12-07
Tieu, Binh (Department: 2643)
Telecommunications
Radiotelephone system
Usage measurement
C455S414200, C455S432100, C379S114200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06829473
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field
The claimed invention relates to communications of computer networks. More specifically, it relates to a method and system for prepaid billing for wireless mobile services in communications networks.
2. Description of Related Art
In legacy prepaid billing scenarios, control of user access to the network is performed by elements of the Signaling System 7 (SS7) network. To enable such services, wired networks have adopted te advanced intelligent network (“AIN”) approach. The AIN approach provides for centrally located call control information and call processing logic, including the logic for prepaid billing, and a set of standardized messages between the network elements for accessing and using prepaid services, among other things.
Wireless telecommunications networks have been developed on a similar model. In some legacy wireless networks, the switching of calls and the signaling for call control may be performed by mobile switching centers (MSCs). Each MSC typically controls one or more base stations or base transceiver stations (BTSs), sometimes via one or more base station controllers (MSCs). Each BTS provides a wireless coverage area within which wireless mobile nodes, such as mobile phones, personal digital/data assistants, and other mobile devices, can communicate with the BTS over an air interface. Alternatively, the functions of the MSC may be integrated into or integral to the BSC, thereby eliminating the MSC. In such case, the functions performed by the MSC may be performed by one or more BSCs.
Each wireless mobile node typically has a “home” wireless network in which a home location register (HLR) serves as a centralized repository of information about the wireless mobile node. Typically, the HLR contains a user profile for the wireless mobile node, the last reported location of the mobile station, and the current status of the mobile station, such as whether it is active or inactive. The user profile may also contain indications or attributes of the enhanced services to which the wireless mobile node subscribes. Further, the user profile may be cataloged by the Mobile Identification Number (MIN), the dialed number, the Mobile Directory Number (MDN), the wireless mobile node's unique 32-bit Electronic Serial Number (ESN), or any other wireless mobile node identifier.
When an MSC (or alternatively a BSC) needs to find information about a wireless mobile node, such as where it is located or what services it subscribes to, it queries the HLR corresponding to that wireless mobile node. Thus, to inquire about a wireless mobile node prepaid services, the MSC or BSC queries the HLR.
In a manner analogous to the AIN approach used in wireline networks, an MSC or a BSC may also query a Wireless Intelligent Network (“WIN”) device for call processing instructions, in the course of either originating a call from or terminating a call to the wireless mobile node. Such queries can arise from trigger points set by the wireless mobile node's service profile that the MSC or BSC downloaded from the wireless mobile node's HLR. Moreover, the MSC or BSC use such queries to obtain the call processing instructions needed to provide enhanced telecommunications services to the wireless mobile node. In response to such queries, the WIN network devices will typically execute the appropriate service logic and consult the wireless mobile node's service profile to formulate the call processing instructions that the WIN network devices then send to the MSC.
This is acceptable for voice services since-the Home Location Register (HLR) controls authorization of voice services. Units of use in the voice networks are typically time-based. And since voice activity inherently involves the SS7 network, the draw down of the usage units is reported to the HLR on a regular basis, which can provide for reasonable accounting of the usage.
Today, second generation (“2G”) networks provide communication services to mobile nodes. These 2G networks have their foundation in older circuit-switched or packet-switched technologies that make the transmission of video and data quite slow, and thus, limit the type of multimedia, video and data services that can be used. In addition to the 2G networks, newer second-and-a-half generation (“2.5G”) network services are currently providing communication services to mobile nodes. These 2.5G networks use newer packet-switched services, which allow for increased transmission speeds for video and data as compared to 2G networks. Like the 2G networks, current 2.5G networks have similar limitations on the types of multimedia, video, and data services that can be used.
Mobile nodes may take advantage of third generation (“3G”) network services, which allow for significantly faster data rates that in turn allow for a broader range of multimedia, video and data services to be used on a roaming mobile node. The 3G networks provide packet switched services with the capability of providing Internet Protocol traffic, such as Mobile Internet Protocol (“Mobile IP”) traffic; symmetrical and asymmetrical data rates; multimedia services such as video conferencing and streaming video; international roaming among different 3G operating environments; and more. Typical 3G systems include packet-based transmission of digitized voice, data and video. 3G networks encompass a range of wireless technologies such as Code Division Multiple Access (“CDMA”), Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (“UMTS”), Wide-band CDMA (“WCDMA”), and others.
In 3G networks, communications originating and terminating from mobile nodes may use Mobile IP to establish a voice, video and/or data call from a mobile node that has roamed from its home network to a foreign network. Mobile IP allows mobile nodes to transparently move between different Internet Protocol sub-networks (“subnets”). For a mobile node to use the services of the network, it has to connect to its home subnet. The home subnet provides access to an external network, such as the Internet, through a “home agent” that serves as the subnet's gateway router.
To register on the 3G network, the mobile node may periodically transmit “agent solicitation” messages to the home agent. The mobile node also listens for “agent advertisement” messages from the PDSN. When a mobile node receives an agent advertisement message it registers with the PDSN that sent the agent advertisement message.
To provide services to the mobile node when the mobile node “roams,” (i.e., dynamically changes its physical location), the mobile node periodically transmits “agent solicitation” messages to other gateway routers, and also listens for “agent advertisement” messages from the other gateway routers. When a mobile node receives an agent advertisement message indicating that it is now on a foreign subnet, it registers with the foreign gateway router or “foreign agent,” and with its home agent. The registration with the foreign agent allows the mobile node to receive data on the foreign subnet. Whereas, the concurrent registration with the home agent provides an indication to the home subnet that the mobile node is not at home. This may allow for forwarding to the foreign subnet the data directed to the mobile node received on its home subnet.
As noted above, 2G and later networks provide packet data services in addition to the current voice services. Further, migration of voice services to a Voice over IP model complicates matters because the packet data network may and most likely will become the carrier for voice traffic, in contrast to the current circuit based mechanism, where voice traffic is controlled by SS7 and/or Wireless Intelligent Network (WIN) elements.
However, there are several problems associated with establishing voice, video or data calls on 3G networks. One problem is that users currently cannot easily buy, use or replenish prepaid services, such as pre-paid calling accounts on mobile nodes some 3G networks. Such problems occur when legacy billing systems do not work on 3G networks, or the provider of the 3G networks acc
Borella Michael
Raman Sundar
Warrier Chandra
Fitch Even Tabin & Flannery
Tieu Binh
Utstarcom Inc.
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