KR100333110B1 - System of selective pre-paid mobile phone service and method for providing service thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for selectively providing a prepaid mobile telephone service using a called number dialing method, and a method for providing a prepaid mobile telephone service in a prepaid mobile telephone service system including an exchange office, a home location register, and a prepaid mobile telephone server. A method comprising: (a) providing an optional prepaid mobile phone service field in the subscriber profile that may be set to an unregistered state value, a registration deactivation state value, or a registration activation state value; (b) receiving a mobile telephone call; (c) in the subscriber profile of the mobile subscriber who originated the mobile telephone call received in step (b), (c1) if the optional prepaid mobile telephone service field is set to an unregistered state value or a registered deactivated state value, Treating the transferred mobile phone call as a general mobile phone call; And (c2) if the optional prepaid mobile phone service field is set to a registration activation state value, processing the received mobile phone call as a prepaid mobile phone call by a called number dialing method.

According to the present invention, a user can selectively use a prepaid mobile telephone service and a general mobile telephone service by a called number dialing method that does not perform a subscriber authentication process using one mobile communication terminal. In addition, the present invention has the advantage that it can operate while maintaining compatibility with the conventional prepaid mobile phone service.

Description

System for selective pre-paid mobile phone service and method for providing service

The present invention relates to a prepaid mobile phone service, and more particularly to a method for providing a prepaid mobile phone service by means of called number dialing.

The prepaid mobile phone service refers to a service in which a user uses a mobile phone within a deposit limit after depositing a predetermined amount in advance. To provide prepaid mobile phone service, a prepaid mobile phone server (PPS; Pre-Paid Service Server), which manages the prepaid mobile phone subscriber database registered with the prepaid mobile phone service, is introduced to the mobile network to use mobile phones within the deposit limit. To help.

Prepaid mobile phone service is generally provided by a called number dialing scheme. In order to provide a prepaid mobile telephone service using a called number dialing scheme, a prepaid mobile telephone subscriber database includes a mobile identification number (MIN) of a mobile communication terminal used by a mobile subscriber registered with a prepaid mobile telephone service. Number) and the subscriber's identification number, the deposit for using the prepaid mobile phone is managed. In the destination number dialing method, all mobile phone calls attempted through a mobile communication terminal having a registered subscriber identification number are regarded as prepaid mobile phone calls, all the calls are connected to a prepaid mobile phone server, and thereafter, between the exchange and the prepaid mobile phone server. Allow mobile phone calls within the deposit limit through the interface. From the user's point of view, a prepaid mobile phone is used in a manner similar to that of a normal mobile phone. The called number dialing method is a prepaid mobile telephone service provided only when a mobile communication terminal having a registered subscriber identification number is used, and thus does not undergo a separate user authentication process.

However, the conventional prepaid mobile phone service using the called party number dialing method has a problem that a mobile communication terminal having a registered subscriber identification number can be used only as a prepaid mobile phone 'only' and cannot be used for a general mobile phone. have. That is, there is a disadvantage in that one mobile communication terminal cannot use a general mobile phone and a prepaid mobile phone at the same time. In addition, there is a fundamental limitation that the call itself is impossible when the deposit for the registered subscriber identification number is exhausted.

Another method of providing a prepaid mobile phone service is to access a prepaid mobile phone server through a specific feature code or a specific access number to perform a user authentication process, and then use a prepaid mobile phone. Or there is a special connection method. In these schemes, a general mobile telephone and a prepaid mobile telephone can be selectively used through one mobile communication terminal.

However, after the user accesses the prepaid mobile phone server every time, there is a inconvenience in using the user identification process through the subscriber identification number and password, and finally enter the destination number to start the call. There is also an underlying problem in that there is a possibility that others may steal the subscriber identification number and password.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is a method for providing a prepaid mobile phone service by a selective calling number dialing method and a selective prepaid mobile phone service system for providing the optional prepaid mobile phone service to solve the above problems. To provide.

1 schematically illustrates a system configuration for providing a prepaid mobile telephone service in a mobile communication network.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing an optional prepaid mobile phone service in a prepaid mobile phone service system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing an optional prepaid mobile phone service in a prepaid mobile phone service system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing an optional prepaid mobile phone service in a prepaid mobile phone service system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

In order to solve the above technical problem, a method for providing a selective prepaid mobile telephone service according to an aspect of the present invention is connected to the switching center for relaying a mobile telephone call, the switching center and the mobile communication network, and manages the subscriber profile of the mobile subscriber A database for prepaid mobile telephone service subscribers, which is connected to a home location register and the switching center and the home location register, is pre-deposited for a predetermined amount and registered with a prepaid mobile telephone service using a mobile phone within the deposit limit. A method of providing a prepaid mobile phone service in a prepaid mobile phone service system including a prepaid mobile phone server, the method comprising: (a) an unregistered status value indicating not registering with an optional prepaid mobile phone service selectively using a prepaid mobile phone service; , Select above A registration deactivation status value indicating that the prepaid mobile phone service is not activated when registered with the prepaid mobile phone service or a registration activation state value indicating activation of the prepaid mobile phone service when registered with the optional prepaid mobile phone service. Providing an optional prepaid mobile phone service field in the subscriber profile managed by the home location register; (b) receiving a mobile telephone call comprising a called number; (c) in the subscriber profile of the mobile subscriber who originated the mobile telephone call received in step (b), (c1) if the optional prepaid mobile telephone service field is set to an unregistered state value or a registered deactivated state value; treating the mobile phone call received in step (b) as a general mobile phone call; And (c2) when the optional prepaid mobile phone service field is set to a registration activation state value, the mobile telephone call received in step (b) is not performed by an incoming number dialing method that does not perform an authentication process of a prepaid mobile phone subscriber. Processing as a prepaid mobile telephone call.

In addition, the step (c1) is obtained from the visitor location register which manages the information of the mobile telephone subscriber located in the predetermined area by the visitor profile, and refers to the processing of the mobile phone call received in the step (b). Since there is no trigger field loaded due to the optional prepaid mobile phone service among the outgoing triggers in the visitor profile, the mobile phone call received in step (b) is treated as a general mobile phone call, and (c2 In step (b), as the specific originating trigger field in the visitor profile is loaded due to the optional prepaid mobile phone service, the mobile phone call received in step (b) is changed through signaling between the switch and the home location register. It is preferred to be treated as a prepaid mobile telephone call by called number dialing.

In addition, the step (a), (a1) registration deactivation state of the value of the optional prepaid mobile phone service field in the subscriber profile of the subscriber in accordance with the request to change the state value of the mobile subscriber registered with the optional prepaid mobile phone service. Preferably it further comprises the step of mutually changing the value or registration activation state value.

In addition, in step (a1), when the state value of the optional prepaid mobile phone service field is changed from a registration deactivation state value to a registration activation state value, the mobile telephone subscriber located within a predetermined area in the home location register. Requesting a visitor location register for managing information of the visitor profile to load a specific origination trigger field in the visitor profile of the visitor for the optional prepaid mobile phone service; And (a12) when the state value of the optional prepaid mobile phone service field is changed from a registration activation state value to a registration deactivation state value, from the home location register to the visitor location register in the visitor profile of the visitor. And preferably requesting release of the particular originating trigger field loaded for service.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for providing a selective prepaid mobile telephone service, comprising: a switching center for relaying a mobile telephone call, a home location register connected to the switching center through a mobile communication network, and managing a subscriber profile of a mobile subscriber; A prepaid mobile telephone server, which is connected through a home location register and a mobile communication network, prepaid mobile telephone server that pre-deposits a certain amount and manages a database of prepaid mobile telephone service subscribers registered with a prepaid mobile telephone service using a mobile phone within the reserve limit. A method for providing a prepaid mobile phone service in a mobile phone service system, the method comprising: (a) an unregistered status value indicating not registering with an optional prepaid mobile phone service selectively using a prepaid mobile phone service; Registered Providing an optional prepaid mobile phone service field in a subscriber profile managed by the home location register, which may be set to a status value including a registration status value indicating a status; (b) receiving a mobile telephone call including a called number from a mobile telephone subscriber registered with the optional prepaid mobile telephone service; And (c) if the balance of the deposit does not exist in the corresponding account in the prepaid mobile subscriber database managed by the prepaid mobile telephone server of the mobile subscriber who originated the mobile telephone call received in step (b), The mobile phone call received in step (b) is treated as a general mobile phone call, and if there is a balance of deposit, the mobile phone call received in step (b) does not perform the authentication process of the prepaid mobile phone subscriber. And processing the prepaid mobile telephone call by the called number dialing method.

In addition, the step (c), (c1) is obtained from the visitor location register that manages the information of the mobile telephone subscriber located in the predetermined area in the visitor profile, the processing of the mobile phone call received in the step (b) The outgoing handling message for the mobile telephone call received in step (b) from the switchboard to the home location register as the specific outgoing trigger field in the visitor profile referred to for is loaded due to the optional prepaid mobile telephone service. Transmitting; (c2) the home location register inquiring the prepaid mobile phone server the balance of the account to process the outgoing message received in step (c1); (c3) in response to the inquiry from the prepaid mobile phone server for the inquiry in step (c2), if there is no deposit balance in the account, the mobile phone call received in step (b) The homepage is a response message to the outgoing call message instructing the mobile phone call received in step (b) to be treated as a prepaid mobile phone call by called number dialing, if there is a deposit balance in the account. Transmitting from a location register to the exchange; And (c4) the exchange, according to the response message received in step (c3), processing the mobile telephone call received in step (b).

Further, the step (a) may include: (a1) setting the optional prepaid mobile phone service field to a registered state value when the mobile subscriber registers with the optional prepaid mobile phone service; And (a2) when the optional prepaid mobile phone service field is set to a registered state value, the home location register may load a specific origination trigger field in the visitor profile of the visitor for the optional prepaid mobile phone service from the home location register to the visitor location register. Preferably further comprising the step of requesting the request.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for providing a selective prepaid mobile telephone service, comprising: a switching center for relaying a mobile telephone call, a home location register connected to the switching center through a mobile communication network, and managing a subscriber profile of a mobile subscriber; A prepaid mobile telephone server connected to the home location register and a mobile communication network, the prepaid mobile telephone server for depositing a predetermined amount in advance and managing a database of prepaid mobile telephone service subscribers registered with a prepaid mobile telephone service using a mobile phone within the deposit limit; A method of providing a prepaid mobile phone service in a prepaid mobile phone service system, the method comprising: (a) an unregistered status value indicating not registering with an optional prepaid mobile phone service selectively using a prepaid mobile phone service; Register to A status value including a registration deactivation status value indicating that the prepaid mobile phone service is not activated in one state or a registration activation status value indicating that the prepaid mobile phone service is activated while registering with the optional prepaid mobile phone service. Providing an optional prepaid mobile phone service field in a subscriber profile managed by the home location register; (b) the selective prepaid move in the subscriber profile of the subscriber according to the deposit balance present in the account in the prepaid mobile subscriber database maintained by the prepaid mobile phone server of the mobile subscriber registered with the selective prepaid mobile phone service. Setting a status value of a telephone service field; (c) receiving a mobile telephone call comprising a called number; (d) in the subscriber profile of the mobile subscriber who originated the mobile telephone call received in step (c), (d1) if the optional prepaid mobile telephone service field is set to an unregistered state value or a registration deactivated state value; treating the mobile phone call received in step (b) as a general mobile phone call; And (d2) when the optional prepaid mobile phone service field is set to a registration activation state value, the mobile telephone call received in step (b) does not perform an authentication procedure of a prepaid mobile phone subscriber. Processing as a prepaid mobile telephone call.

In the step (b), the first event is that the deposit balance existing in the corresponding account in the prepaid mobile telephone subscriber database managed by the prepaid mobile telephone server of the mobile subscriber registered with the selective prepaid mobile telephone service is exhausted. In the event that the second event occurs or when the deposit balance existing in the account is exhausted and the new state is exhausted due to a new deposit, an event occurrence message notified to the home location register from the prepaid mobile phone server is generated. When the first event is notified, the status value of the optional prepaid mobile phone service field is set as a registration deactivation state value in the subscriber profile of the corresponding subscriber, and when the second event is notified, the status value of the optional prepaid mobile phone service field is registered. Set to an activation state value, and (b1) the optional If the status value of the non-telephone service field is changed from the registration deactivation status value to the registration activation status value, the visitor location registrant manages the information of the mobile telephone subscriber located in a predetermined area in the home location register with the visitor profile. Requesting to load a particular originating trigger field for the optional prepaid mobile phone service in a visitor profile of; And (b2) when the state value of the optional prepaid mobile phone service field is changed from a registration activation state value to a registration deactivation state value, from the home location register to the visitor location register in the visitor profile of the visitor. And preferably requesting release of the particular originating trigger field loaded for service.

In addition, it is preferable that a deposit that can be used for the selective prepaid mobile phone service according to the present invention can be accumulated using a reward obtained from a web server on the Internet.

In order to solve the above other technical problem, an optional prepaid mobile telephone service system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: an exchange station for relaying a mobile telephone call; A home location register connected to the switching center through a mobile communication network and managing a subscriber profile of a mobile telephone subscriber; And a prepaid mobile phone connected to the switching center and the home location register through a mobile communication network and pre-depositing a predetermined amount and managing a database of a prepaid mobile phone service subscriber registered with a prepaid mobile phone service using a mobile phone within the deposit limit. A subscriber profile comprising a server, wherein the subscriber profile managed by the home location register is an unregistered status value indicating not registering with an optional prepaid mobile phone service that selectively uses a prepaid mobile phone service, prepaid while registered with the optional prepaid mobile phone service; A status value including a registration deactivation status value indicating not to activate a mobile phone service or a registration activation status value indicating activation of a prepaid mobile phone service in a state registered with the optional prepaid mobile phone service. An optional prepaid mobile phone service field, wherein the exchange, upon receiving a mobile phone call that includes a called number, the optional prepaid mobile phone service field in the subscriber profile of the mobile telephone subscriber that originated the received mobile phone call. Is set to an unregistered or deactivated state value, the received mobile phone call is treated as a regular mobile phone call. If the optional prepaid mobile phone service field is set to a registered enabled state value, the received mobile phone call is received. It is characterized in that the prepaid mobile telephone is processed as a prepaid mobile telephone call by a called number dialing method that does not perform the authentication process of the prepaid mobile telephone subscriber.

An optional prepaid mobile phone service system according to another aspect of the present invention includes an exchange station for relaying a mobile phone call; A home location register connected to the switching center through a mobile communication network and managing a subscriber profile of a mobile telephone subscriber; And a prepaid mobile phone connected to the switching center and the home location register through a mobile communication network and pre-depositing a predetermined amount and managing a database of a prepaid mobile phone service subscriber registered with a prepaid mobile phone service using a mobile phone within the deposit limit. A subscriber profile comprising a server, wherein the subscriber profile managed by the home location register indicates an unregistered status value indicating not registering with an optional prepaid mobile phone service that selectively uses a prepaid mobile phone service, and indicating that it is registering with the optional prepaid mobile phone service. And an optional prepaid mobile phone service field, which may be set to a status value including a registration status value, wherein the exchange receives a mobile telephone call including a called number from a mobile subscriber registered with the optional prepaid mobile phone service. Occation, If the balance of the deposit does not exist in the corresponding account in the prepaid mobile subscriber database managed by the prepaid mobile telephone server of the mobile subscriber who originated the new mobile telephone call, the received mobile telephone call is treated as a general mobile telephone call, If there is a balance of the deposit, the received mobile telephone call is treated as a prepaid mobile telephone call by a called number dialing method which does not perform the authentication process of the prepaid mobile telephone subscriber.

An optional prepaid mobile telephone service system according to another aspect of the present invention includes an exchange station for relaying a mobile telephone call; A home location register connected to the switching center through a mobile communication network and managing a subscriber profile of a mobile telephone subscriber; And a prepaid mobile phone connected to the switching center and the home location register through a mobile communication network and pre-depositing a predetermined amount and managing a database of a prepaid mobile phone service subscriber registered with a prepaid mobile phone service using a mobile phone within the deposit limit. A subscriber profile comprising a server, wherein the subscriber profile managed by the home location register is an unregistered status value indicating not registering with an optional prepaid mobile phone service that selectively uses a prepaid mobile phone service, prepaid while registered with the optional prepaid mobile phone service; It may be set to a status value including a registration deactivation status value indicating that the mobile phone service is not activated or a registration activation status value indicating that the prepaid mobile phone service is activated in the state of registering with the optional prepaid mobile phone service. Includes an optional prepaid mobile phone service field, and the status value of the optional prepaid mobile phone service field in the subscriber profile of the mobile subscriber registered with the optional prepaid mobile phone service is managed by the prepaid mobile phone server. The exchange is set according to a deposit balance existing in the subscriber's account in the database, and when the exchange receives a mobile telephone call containing the called number, the exchange in the subscriber profile of the mobile subscriber who originated the received mobile telephone call. If the optional prepaid mobile phone service field is set to an unregistered state value or a registration deactivated state value, the received mobile phone call is treated as a regular mobile phone call, and if the optional prepaid mobile phone service field is set to a registration activated state value, Received mobile phone The call is treated as a prepaid mobile telephone call by a called number dialing method that does not perform the authentication process of the prepaid mobile telephone subscriber.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail the configuration and operation of the preferred embodiments of the present invention.

1 schematically illustrates a system configuration for providing a prepaid mobile telephone service in a mobile communication network.

Base Station Transceiver Subsystem (BTS), Switchboard or Switching Station (110a, 110b), Visitor Location Register (VLR) 120a, 120b and Home Location Register (HLR) shown in FIG. 130 is a basic component for providing a mobile communication service. Signaling in a mobile communication network connecting the switching centers 110a and 110b, the visitor location registers 120a and 120b, and the home location register 130 is a signaling system number 7 network using a common line signaling method. It is generally done through In addition, a base station control (BSC) may exist between the base station and the switching center.

The switching centers 110a and 110b receive the mobile telephone call from the mobile communication terminal via the base station and then relay the received mobile telephone call to the destination switching center through signaling with the home location register 130.

The home location register 130 manages various subscriber information required for mobile subscriber management with a mobile subscriber profile. The basic function of the home location register 130 is to provide information about the current location of the destination mobile station (i.e., mobile communication terminal) to the calling switching center via signaling with the visitor location registers 120a and 120b to route to the appropriate destination switching center and base station. It is to support routing. The home location register 130 also handles calls loaded with feature codes from originating exchanges (starting with special characters such as * or # and meaning codes used for special purposes) and origination triggers. . Outgoing triggers will be described in detail later.

The visitor location registers 120a and 120b manage the information of the mobile subscribers (preferably referred to as mobile communication terminals) currently located in the predetermined area by the visitor profile. When a mobile telephone subscriber enters a predetermined zone, that subscriber's profile (including an outgoing trigger) is sent from home location register 130 to visitor location registers 120a and 120b. The visitor location registers 120a and 120b also provide outgoing trigger information for outgoing mobile phone calls to the originating exchange. Therefore, even if the outgoing trigger information of the subscriber changes as the mobile subscriber registers or releases a specific service, the subscriber's profile is transmitted from the home location register 130 to the visitor location registers 120a and 120b.

Since the visitor location registers 120a and 120b are generally located in the exchange stations 110a and 110b, the visitor location registers 120a and 120b are connected to each of the exchange stations 110a and 110b. The visitor location registers 120a and 120b may also be implemented in the same computer system as the exchange stations 110a and 110b, in which case the communication between the exchange stations 110a and 110b and the visitor location registers 120a and 120b is interprocess. Inter-Process Communication (IPC). However, depending on the implementation manner, one visitor location register 120a, 120b may provide information to the plurality of exchanges, and one exchange 110a, 110b may provide information from the plurality of visitor location registers 120a, 120b. May be received.

Based on the description so far, describing the processing of a general mobile phone call, the general mobile phone call of the originating mobile station in the mobile phone service is forwarded to the originating switching center via the originating base station, and the originating exchange is communicating with the visitor location register. Obtains outgoing trigger information, obtains destination exchange information through signaling with the home location register 130 with reference to outgoing trigger information and called number, and is connected to the destination mobile station through the destination base station via the destination exchange station.

In order to provide a prepaid mobile telephone service, a prepaid mobile telephone server 150 that manages a prepaid mobile telephone subscriber database is introduced into a mobile communication network. The prepaid mobile telephone subscriber database includes a subscriber identification number of a prepaid mobile telephone subscriber and a prepaid mobile telephone. The currency deposit (hereinafter simply referred to as deposit) is managed as already discussed. Here, the subscriber identification number is generally used to identify the identification number (ie, MIN) of the mobile communication terminal registered in the prepaid mobile phone service, but through a feature code use method or a special access method that is also provided through the prepaid mobile phone card. In the prepaid mobile phone service, the card number of the prepaid mobile phone card may be used.

As shown in FIG. 1, the prepaid mobile telephone server 150 is connected to the switching centers 110a and 110b and the home location register 130 through the SS7 network, and between the prepaid mobile telephone server 150 and the switching center 110b. In general, there is a separate communication channel used for transmitting voice information. Also, the prepaid mobile phone service is generally provided through a service control point (SCP), which is a service control station in a mobile communication network. In this case, the prepaid mobile phone server 150 is present in the SCP (that is, the same computer system). Implemented using).

Subsequently, a method of providing a prepaid mobile telephone service in a prepaid mobile telephone service system including the prepaid mobile telephone server 150 will be described. The prepaid mobile telephone service is generally provided by a called number dialing method, and may be provided by a characteristic code using method or a special access method in some cases.

First, the special connection method will be described first. In the special number access method, a user dials a special access number of the prepaid mobile phone server 150 directly to access the prepaid mobile phone server 150, and inputs his own prepaid mobile phone account number (referring to the subscriber identification number) and the password. After the authentication process is entered, the user enters the desired forwarding number and uses the mobile phone within the deposit limit. The specific method of providing the prepaid mobile phone service by using the special access method and the characteristic code to be described below and the called number dialing method may vary depending on the type of international standard and the requirements of the application, and here TIA / EIA The standard of the IS41E (Interim Standard 41E) series proposed by (Telecommunication Industry / Electronic Industries Assoc.) Will be described as an example.

The special number representing the prepaid mobile telephone server 150 may be an incoming number that can be directly identified by the exchanges 110a and 110b (hereinafter described based on 110b), or a called number recognized by the exchange as a general incoming number. May be used. In the case of a special number that can be identified by the exchange 110b, a difference can be made in that the prepaid mobile telephone server 150 can be directly connected to the prepaid mobile telephone server 150 without performing the destination location query by the HLR 130 in order to know the destination path of the corresponding destination number. In this case, it is assumed that a general called number is used as a special number for a prepaid mobile telephone service.

The exchange 110b, which has received the mobile telephone call including the called party number from the user through the base station, primarily performs communication with the VLR 120b for obtaining outgoing trigger information of the user. If a specific origination trigger field is loaded in the subscriber profile of the user, if a corresponding trigger event is detected, a separate process is performed. However, it is common that there is no separate outgoing trigger field to provide a prepaid mobile telephone service by the special access method. In the following description, the communication with the VLR 120b is excluded when there is no origin trigger field separately loaded for the prepaid mobile phone service.

Next, the exchange 110b refers to the called route (exactly, the actual called number including the called route information) of the corresponding called number. Hereinafter, the term called address is used to distinguish it from the called number received from the user through the mobile telephone call. In order to know, the location inquiry message (LocationRequest Invoke) is sent to the HLR (130).

Upon receiving the location inquiry message, the HLR 130 returns a destination address for the special number of the prepaid mobile telephone server 150 as a result value of the location inquiry message. To this end, the HLR 130 should have information for mapping the special number of the prepaid mobile phone server 150 to the destination address of the prepaid mobile phone server 150.

The exchange 110b receiving the destination address of the prepaid mobile phone server 150 recognizes that the destination address is the destination address of the prepaid mobile phone server 150 and performs a prepaid mobile phone service procedure. The exchange 110b transmits an intelligent network processing message (Analyzed Informatioin Invoke) to the prepaid mobile phone server 150 for the prepaid mobile phone service.

Receiving the intelligent network processing message, the prepaid mobile phone server 150 provides the announcement to the user through IP (Information Peripheral) providing the output of the voice signal, and performs the user authentication process by receiving the subscriber identification number and password . After the user authentication process is completed, the incoming number is input from the user.

After completing the process according to the intelligent network processing message, if the prepaid mobile phone server 150 notifies the exchange 110b of the available time according to the deposit and the called number received from the user, the exchange 110b according to the deposit You can make a call within the available time limit. Finally, after the call is over, the exchange 110b transmits information about the talk time to the prepaid mobile phone server 110b to reduce the deposit of the subscriber.

The description so far has described an example of implementing a special access method, and as described above, there may be a difference in a specific implementation method. In addition, the above description is based on a procedure for providing a prepaid mobile telephone service through signaling in the form of an intelligent network, and depending on the application field, a direct prepaid mobile telephone server 150 for a mobile telephone call according to a special number is provided. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that a method of switching to a mobile phone call) and providing a prepaid mobile phone service while the mobile phone call to the prepaid mobile phone server 150 is established is also possible. will be.

Next, the method of using the characteristic code will be described. The feature code usage scheme is that when the mobile telephone subscriber dials a specific feature code (e.g., * 11 or **, etc.), the exchange 110b prepaid the subscriber's call through communication with the location register 130; After connecting to the server 150, the prepaid mobile phone server 150 is a method that allows the call within the deposit limit by receiving the desired destination number after the authentication process to enter the subscriber identification number and password. This method is conceived in that it is difficult for a user to remember a special number for the prepaid mobile phone service in the case of the special access method, and instead of the special number, the user can use the prepaid mobile phone service using a specific characteristic code that is easy to remember. to be. That is, for example, using * 11 as a feature code for a prepaid mobile phone service has an advantage of being more convenient for a user to remember than using a special number such as 200-4949.

The processing of the feature code usage method is similar to the called number dialing method. The exchange 110b receiving the feature code input by the user transmits a feature code processing message (FeatureRequest Invoke) to the HLR 130 to process the feature code.

Upon receiving the feature code processing message, the HLR 130 recognizes the meaning of the feature code and returns the destination address of the prepaid mobile phone server 130 as a result value of the feature code processing message. To this end, the HLR 130 must have information to process the feature code for the prepaid mobile phone service. The process after receiving the destination address of the prepaid mobile telephone server 150 at the exchange 110b is the same as in the case of the special access method.

Finally, the most widely used called number dialing method for prepaid mobile phone service will be described. The called number dialing method regards all calls attempted by the mobile telephone subscriber as prepaid mobile telephone calls, connects all calls to the prepaid mobile telephone server 150, and then communicates between the exchange 110b and the prepaid mobile telephone server 150. Through this method, the amount of money deposited is allowed, and the user authentication process is not performed as described above.

In order to provide a prepaid mobile telephone service by a called number dialing scheme, a subscriber profile managed by the HLR 130 includes a prepaid mobile telephone subscriber (a mobile communication terminal having a subscriber identification number registered in the prepaid mobile telephone service). The field or code is defined. In order to provide a prepaid mobile telephone service to a subscriber registered as a prepaid mobile telephone subscriber using a called number dialing method, the HLR 130 transmits a subscriber profile message according to a location registration or a change of subscriber information of the prepaid mobile telephone subscriber. When sending Invoke to visitor location register 120b, arming a particular origination trigger field for a prepaid mobile phone service by called number dialing.

An outgoing trigger is a reference to process outgoing calls received at exchange 110b. Exchange 110b obtains outgoing triggers for outgoing calls from visitor location register 120b. Outgoing triggers include all call triggers, K digits triggers (1 digit, 2 digits, 3 digits, etc.), international call triggers, general call triggers, recursive call triggers, and feature code-related triggers (* call triggers, ** call trigger, # call trigger, etc.). Here, the recursive call call refers to a call that is sent from its own number to the called number. Various triggers as described above are managed in units of bit fields of the originating trigger. When the exchange 110b detects a trigger event loaded on the received outgoing call, the exchange 110b does not process the signal directly, but transmits an origination request message to the HLR 130 and, according to the reply of the HLR 130, Handle outgoing calls.

The type of origination trigger and the event interpretation of each origination trigger field may differ depending on the type of implementation and the implementation method. In addition, the outgoing trigger field to be used for the prepaid mobile phone service may vary depending on the operator's policy, but in principle, a trigger field that can detect all calls that are charged should be used. For example, all call triggers may be used for prepaid mobile phone service, and K digit triggers may be used.

The exchange 110b first obtains outgoing trigger information of the corresponding user from the VLR 120b in order to process the received outgoing call, and checks the loaded corresponding trigger event. In the case of a user registered to the prepaid mobile phone service, the specific outgoing trigger field is loaded for the prepaid mobile phone service. Thus, exchange 110b sends the origination processing message to HLR 130. The outgoing call message includes detected outgoing trigger information, subscriber identification number (hereinafter referred to as MIN), an electronic serial number (ESN), which is a unique identification code of the mobile communication terminal, and the called number of the mobile phone call.

The HLR 130 inquires the subscriber profile through the MIN value and the ESN value in the received outgoing processing message, and when the corresponding subscriber is identified as the prepaid mobile phone service subscriber, the destination address of the prepaid mobile phone server and the destination number of the mobile phone call. The processing result of the originating message including the reply to the exchange (110b).

The exchange 110b receiving the destination address of the prepaid mobile phone server 150 recognizes that it is a prepaid mobile phone call and transmits an intelligent network processing message including the MIN value and the destination number of the mobile phone call to the prepaid mobile phone server 150. .

When the prepaid mobile phone server 150 receives the intelligent network processing message including the called number of the mobile phone call, it is assumed that the user authentication process through the HLR 130 has already been completed, and the user authentication process through the subscriber identification number and password. Omit. However, it is generally provided that the announcement of the balance of the current deposit is provided to the user.

After completing the processing according to the intelligent network processing message, when the prepaid mobile phone server 150 notifies the exchange 110b of the available time of the deposit and the called number of the mobile telephone call, the exchange 110b calls the deposit. As described above, it is possible to make a call within the available time limit, and after the call is completed, the exchange 110b transmits information on the talk time to the prepaid mobile phone server 110b to reduce the deposit of the subscriber. As shown. In addition, the method for providing a prepaid mobile phone service by the called number dialing method described above is one example, and as described above, there may be a difference in a specific implementation method.

The method for providing a prepaid mobile phone service by a special access method, a feature code using method, and a called number dialing method has been described in detail, and the method for providing a selective prepaid mobile phone service according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. do.

The present invention provides a method for using a prepaid mobile phone through a called number dialing method that does not go through a user authentication process even when a user selectively uses a prepaid mobile phone and a general mobile phone. The method of performing the selection of the prepaid mobile phone and the general mobile phone (that is, whether or not to use the prepaid mobile phone service) according to the user's intention / request is called a manual conversion method (the first embodiment). If there is a deposit balance in the subscriber account in the prepaid mobile subscriber database managed by the server, the prepaid mobile phone service is used. If there is no balance, the method is automatically converted to a general mobile phone. Example and 3rd Example). Further, the functions performed in each step of the method embodiment of the present invention can be applied to each component of the prepaid mobile phone system shown in FIG. 1 to construct an optional prepaid mobile phone service system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here, the description will focus on the method embodiments.

First, the first embodiment will be described first. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing an optional prepaid mobile phone service in a prepaid mobile phone service system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The first embodiment can be implemented by adding several functions to the HLR, and can operate with compatibility with components of the existing prepaid mobile telephone system.

First, the subscriber profile managed by the HLR is provided with a Selective Pre-Paid Service (SPPS) field (step 210). The SPPS field may be added separately for the optional prepaid mobile phone service according to the embodiment of the present invention which selectively uses the prepaid mobile phone service, and a field already present in the subscriber profile is used as the SPPS field used in the embodiment of the present invention. It may be utilized, which is the same in the second and third embodiments to be described later.

The SPPS field may be set to three basic status values: unregistered, registered deactivated, and registered activated, and additional status values may be defined for management and other purposes. Here, the unregistered state value indicates not registering with the selective prepaid mobile phone service according to the embodiment of the present invention, and the registration deactivation state value is registered with the selective prepaid mobile phone service according to the embodiment of the present invention. Indicates that the service is not activated (ie, used as a normal mobile phone), and the registration activation state value activates the prepaid mobile phone service in the state of registering with the optional prepaid mobile phone service according to an embodiment of the present invention. Display, status to use as a prepaid mobile phone. That is, the SPPS field in the first embodiment may be set to an activated or deactivated state value of the prepaid mobile phone service in a state registered with the selective prepaid mobile phone service according to the embodiment of the present invention.

To provide the first embodiment, the HLR has an SPPS field in the subscriber profile and sets the initial value to an unregistered state value. When the mobile telephone subscriber registers for the selective prepaid mobile telephone service according to the embodiment of the present invention, the SPPS field is set to a registration deactivation or registration activation state value according to the user's desire. Registration with the optional prepaid mobile phone service according to an embodiment of the present invention may be performed in various ways such as manual registration through an operator, registration via an answering machine, registration via a home page on a web server, or registration using a characteristic code. have.

In order to register for the selective prepaid mobile phone service according to an embodiment of the present invention, the user's account, that is, the subscriber identification number of the mobile phone terminal, is registered in the prepaid mobile subscriber database managed by the prepaid mobile phone server. Should be.

The subscriber who registers with the selective prepaid mobile phone service according to the embodiment of the present invention may change (ie, activate or deactivate) the state value of the SPPS field according to his / her desire (step 220). The request to change the state value of the SPPS field may be performed in various ways as in the optional prepaid mobile phone service registration. Preferably, a particular feature code may be used to activate or deactivate the SPPS field value. For example, * 12 may be used for activation and * 13 may be used for deactivation.

When a change in the status value of the SPPS field occurs at the user's request, the HLR sends a visitor location register (VLR) in the subscriber's visitor profile to the outgoing trigger field for the optional prepaid mobile phone service according to the embodiment of the present invention. Or request disarming (step 230). That is, when the status value of the SPPS field is changed from the registration deactivation status value to the registration activation status value, the specific origination trigger field is selected in the visitor profile of the subscriber (ie, the visitor) from the HLR to the VLR according to the embodiment of the present invention. Requesting reloading for prepaid mobile phone service, and when the status value of the SPPS field is changed from the registration activation status value to the registration deactivation status value, from the visitor profile of the visitor of the corresponding visitor to the VLR, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Requests the release of a particular originating trigger field loaded for prepaid mobile phone service.

Such a request for loading and releasing a specific originating trigger is preferably performed by a subscriber profile transmission message transmitted from the HLR to the VLR when registering or releasing a specific service or registering a new location. In addition, it is preferable to use the same trigger field as the outgoing trigger loaded to provide a prepaid mobile telephone service based on a called number dialing method according to the conventional method for the compatibility of the outgoing trigger loading request.

Next, when the exchange receives the mobile telephone call including the called number from the mobile subscriber through the base station (step 240), the processing scheme varies according to the status value of the SPPS field (step 250, step 260, step). 270).

If the SPPS field of the mobile subscriber is set to an unregistered or unregistered state value, the mobile phone call received in step 240 is treated as a normal mobile phone call (step 260). If the SPPS field is set to the registration activation state value, the mobile phone call received in step 240 is treated as a prepaid mobile phone call by a called number dialing method that does not perform a user authentication process (step 270). The method of providing the prepaid mobile telephone service by the called number dialing method has already been described.

Here, the exchange can indirectly know the status value of the SPPS field of the corresponding subscriber in the subscriber profile managed by the HLR through an outgoing trigger obtained through communication with the VLR. Expressed correctly, the exchange operates with reference only to the originating trigger (step 250), irrespective of the optional prepaid mobile phone service according to the embodiment of the present invention. That is, when the status value of the SPPS field is set to the unregistered or registered deactivated state value, the mobile phone received in step 240 because there is no trigger field loaded due to the selective prepaid mobile phone service according to the embodiment of the present invention. The call is treated as a regular mobile phone call, and when the status value of the SPPS field is set to the registration activation status value, as the particular outgoing trigger field is loaded due to the optional prepaid mobile phone service according to the embodiment of the present invention, the exchange to the HLR Send an outgoing handling message and according to the response of the HLR (the HLR instructs the exchange to treat the received call as a prepaid telephone call if the status value of the SPPS field is set to the registration activation state value); The mobile phone call is treated as a prepaid mobile phone call (step 260, step 270). Of course, the outgoing trigger field loaded due to the service irrelevant to the selective prepaid mobile phone service according to the embodiment of the present invention is processed according to a general processing method regardless of the embodiment of the present invention.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates steps 220 and 230 at the front of step 240, this is for convenience of description, and the state value change of the SPPS field may occur at any time, and in some cases, step 220 and / or It will be understood by those skilled in the art that step 240 may be performed without step 230 being performed.

Since each step in the first embodiment is caused by the operation of each component of the prepaid mobile telephone system shown in Fig. 1, the optional prepaid mobile telephone service system embodiment of the present invention according to the first embodiment will be constructed. Can be as we have already seen.

According to the first embodiment described above, the subscriber who wants to make a call to the prepaid mobile phone by using the amount accumulated in his prepaid mobile phone service account activates the SPPS field and then uses the conventional called number dialing method. You can use a prepaid mobile phone in the same way as a prepaid mobile phone. On the other hand, a subscriber who wishes to stop using the prepaid mobile phone for his account or for other reasons may deactivate the SPPS field and use the normal mobile phone.

In addition, the optional prepaid mobile phone service according to an embodiment of the present invention can be extended to a business model on the Internet. To this end, by interworking a web server on the Internet and a prepaid mobile phone server in a mobile communication network, the rewards obtained from the web server on the Internet can be accumulated as a deposit for use in the optional prepaid mobile phone service according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is desirable to support.

Subsequently, a second embodiment which is one of automatic conversion methods will be described. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing an optional prepaid mobile phone service in a prepaid mobile phone service system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The second embodiment sets up a communication channel between the HLR and the prepaid mobile phone server, and receives a mobile phone call from the subscriber who registers with the selective prepaid mobile phone service according to the embodiment of the present invention, from the HLR to the prepaid mobile phone server. After performing the balance inquiry, if the balance exists in the account of the subscriber in the prepaid mobile subscriber database managed by the prepaid mobile phone server, the balance is treated as a prepaid mobile phone of the incoming dialing method. This is handled by a normal mobile phone. That is, the service method is automatically selected according to the deposit balance existing in the subscriber account for the prepaid mobile phone.

The second embodiment can also be implemented by adding several functions to the HLR and the prepaid mobile telephone server, and can operate with compatibility with the components of the existing prepaid mobile telephone system like the first embodiment. The operation method of the second embodiment will be described.

First, the SPPS field is included in the subscriber profile managed by the HLR (step 310). Unlike the first embodiment, the SPPS field according to the second embodiment may be set to two basic state values of unregistered and registered, and additional state values may be defined for management and other purposes. Here, the unregistered state value indicates not registering with the selective prepaid mobile phone service according to the embodiment of the present invention, and the registration state value indicates registering with the selective prepaid mobile phone service according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In order to provide the second embodiment, the HLR has an SPPS field in the subscriber profile and sets the initial value to the unregistered state value. When the mobile telephone subscriber registers for the optional prepaid mobile telephone service according to the embodiment of the present invention, the SPPS field is set to a registration state value. The registration scheme for the selective prepaid mobile phone service according to the embodiment of the present invention may be made in a manner similar to that in the first embodiment.

If the mobile subscriber subscribes to the optional prepaid mobile phone service according to the embodiment of the present invention, and the SPPS field in the subscriber profile of the subscriber is set to the registration status value, the HLR is a VLR and the visitor profile of the subscriber in the subscriber profile of the present invention. Request loading of a particular origination trigger field for an optional prepaid mobile phone service according to an embodiment (step 320). As described above, it is preferable that the loading request of the specific origination trigger field is performed by a subscriber profile transmission message transmitted from the HLR to the VLR when registering or releasing a specific service or registering a new location. In addition, the outgoing trigger field loaded according to the second embodiment is preferably set to be the same as the outgoing trigger loaded for providing the prepaid mobile telephone service by the called number dialing method according to the conventional method for compatibility.

Next, when the exchange receives a mobile telephone call including a called number from the mobile telephone subscriber via the base station (step 330), a deposit is made to the account of the subscriber in the prepaid mobile telephone subscriber database managed by the prepaid mobile telephone server. If there is a balance, it is processed by a prepaid mobile phone by the called number dialing method. If there is no balance of the deposit, it is processed by a general mobile phone (steps 340, 350, 360, and 370).

First, the exchange receiving the mobile telephone call obtains an originating trigger in the subscriber's visitor profile through communication with the visitor location registrar to process the received call. In the case of a call originating from a subscriber registered with the selective prepaid mobile phone service according to an embodiment of the present invention, a specific origination trigger field may be loaded in step 320. Accordingly, the exchange sends an outgoing handling message for the outgoing call received at step 330 to the HLR (step 340).

The HLR that receives the outgoing call message is the subscriber to the prepaid mobile phone server through the communication channel if the caller of the call is an optional prepaid mobile phone service subscriber according to an embodiment of the present invention (when the SPPS field is set to a registered status value). The deposit balance of the prepaid mobile phone account is retrieved (step 350). Here, the communication channel for inquiry of the deposit balance between the HLR and the prepaid mobile phone server may use an existing mobile communication network, for example, an SS7 network, or may use a separate data communication channel through the Internet or an intranet.

The HLR, which has returned the deposit balance of the account from the prepaid mobile phone server, sends the forwarding address of the prepaid mobile phone server and the called number of the mobile phone call to the exchange if the balance exists in the corresponding account of the prepaid mobile phone server. In response to the result, the call is instructed to be treated as a prepaid mobile telephone call by the called number dialing method (step 360). If the balance does not exist in the corresponding account of the prepaid mobile phone server, the HLR returns only the destination address for the called number of the mobile phone call to the exchange as a result of the processing of the outgoing handling message, and treats the call as a general mobile phone call. Instruct it to do it (step 360).

The exchange will process the received mobile telephone call according to the processing result of the outgoing handling message (step 370). As discussed above, even in the second embodiment, the exchange acquires the originating trigger from the VLR and operates according to the processing result of the HLR originating message regardless of the selective prepaid mobile telephone service according to the embodiment of the present invention. I can see.

Since each step in the second embodiment described so far is due to the operation of each component of the prepaid mobile telephone system shown in Fig. 1, it constitutes an optional prepaid mobile phone service system embodiment of the present invention according to the second embodiment. This can be done as in the first embodiment. In addition, the selective prepaid mobile telephone service according to the embodiment of the present invention has already been described as extending to the business model on the Internet.

Subsequently, a third embodiment which is another automatic conversion method will be described. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing an optional prepaid mobile phone service in a prepaid mobile phone service system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the second embodiment, the third embodiment can be implemented by adding some functions to the HLR and the prepaid mobile telephone server, and can operate while being compatible with the components of the existing prepaid mobile telephone system.

In the case of the second embodiment, in order to process outgoing calls from subscribers registered with the selective prepaid mobile phone service according to the embodiment of the present invention, even if there is no deposit balance in the subscriber account, the outgoing processing message is transmitted from the exchange to the HLR every time. The HLR sends a balance inquiry message to the prepaid mobile phone server. In the third embodiment, in order to reduce the unnecessary communication process in the second embodiment, the exchange sends an outgoing processing message to the HLR only when the prepaid mobile phone service is used because the balance of the deposit actually exists, and the HLR is sent to the prepaid phone server. It is possible to provide a prepaid mobile phone service by the called number dialing method without checking the balance of the service provider. To this end, the prepaid mobile telephone server has a deposit balance in the subscriber's account registered for the selective prepaid mobile telephone service according to an embodiment of the present invention (when the balance exists and becomes 0 and when new credit is made in the balance 0 state). To the HLR, allowing the HLR and VLR to adjust the originating trigger of the subscriber in the subscriber profile. An operation method of the third embodiment will be described below.

First, an optional prepaid mobile phone service field is included in the subscriber profile managed by the HLR (step 410). The SPPS field may be set to three basic status values of unregistered, registered deactivated, and registered activated, and additional status values may be defined for management and other purposes as in the first embodiment. However, the status value of the SPPS field is set to the value of registration activation and registration deactivation, not at the request of the user, but is automatically set according to the deposit balance of the subscriber account existing in the prepaid mobile phone server. have.

In order to provide the third embodiment, the HLR includes an SPPS field in the subscriber profile and sets an initial value to an unregistered state value. When the mobile telephone subscriber registers with the selective prepaid mobile telephone service according to the embodiment of the present invention, the SPPS field is set to a registration deactivation or registration activation state value according to synchronization of the HLR with the prepaid mobile telephone server. The method of performing synchronization between the HLR and the prepaid mobile phone server may be, for example, a method of transmitting a synchronization request message from the HLR to the prepaid mobile phone server. Alternatively, at the time of registration, the state value of the SPPS field is set to the registration deactivation state value, and when the subscriber account for the selective prepaid mobile phone service according to the embodiment of the present invention is registered in the prepaid mobile phone server, the prepaid mobile It may be possible to send a synchronization request message from the telephone server to the HLR. In addition, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the synchronization between the HLR and the prepaid mobile phone server may be performed in various ways. In addition, the registration method for the selective prepaid mobile telephone service according to the embodiment of the present invention may be made in a manner similar to that in the first embodiment or the second embodiment.

Unlike the first embodiment, the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the value of the status of the SPPS field is based on the deposit balance existing in the corresponding account in the prepaid mobile telephone subscriber database managed by the prepaid mobile telephone server of the subscriber registered with the optional prepaid mobile telephone service. Is set (step 420).

To this end, the prepaid mobile telephone server generates a first event with the HLR when the deposit balance existing in the corresponding account of the subscriber registered with the prepaid mobile telephone service according to the third embodiment is exhausted (hereinafter referred to as the first event). And in the opposite case, i.e. when the reserve balance in the account has been exhausted and the new deposit is used up to clear the exhausted state (hereinafter referred to as the second event), notify the HLR of the occurrence of the second event. do. For notification of the occurrence of the first or second event from the prepaid mobile phone server to the HLR, the prepaid mobile phone server has information to extract the HLR managing the subscriber profile from the subscriber identification number in the subscriber account of the prepaid mobile phone service. An intermediary server that manages or mediates communication between the prepaid mobile phone server and the HLR needs to be introduced.

When the HLR is notified of the first event, the HLR sets the subscriber's SPPS field to an inactive state value and releases the outgoing trigger loaded due to the selective prepaid mobile phone service according to the third embodiment in the subscriber's profile of the HLR. In addition, when the second event is notified, the SPPS field of the corresponding subscriber is set to an activation state value, and the specific outgoing trigger field is loaded in the subscriber profile of the HLR for the selective prepaid mobile telephone service according to the third embodiment.

In response to the first event occurrence or the second event occurrence notification from the prepaid mobile phone server, when a change in the status value of the SPPS field occurs, the HLR sends a visitor location register (VLR) to the visitor profile of the subscriber in accordance with the present invention. Request loading or deactivation of an outgoing trigger field for an optional prepaid mobile phone service according to step 440. That is, when the status value of the SPPS field is changed from the registration activation status value to the registration inactivation status value, the specific outgoing call loaded for the selective prepaid mobile telephone service according to the embodiment of the present invention in the visitor profile of the subscriber from the HLR to the VLR. By requesting the release of the trigger field, it prevents outgoing processing messages from the exchange for the prepaid mobile phone service to the HLR. In addition, when the status value of the SPPS field is changed from the registration deactivation status value to the registration activation status value, the specific outgoing trigger field in the visitor profile of the subscriber from the HLR to the VLR is set to the optional prepaid mobile phone service according to the embodiment of the present invention. By requesting the device to load, thereby allowing the exchange to send outgoing processing messages to the HLR to provide prepaid mobile phone service.

This request for loading and unloading a particular originating trigger is sent to the subscriber profile transmission message sent from the HLR to the VLR upon receipt of the first or second event occurrence message, or at the time of registration / de-registration of other services, or upon registration of a new location. It is preferably carried out by. In addition, as described above, it is preferable to use the same trigger field as the loaded trigger for providing the prepaid mobile telephone service by the called number dialing method according to the conventional method for the compatibility of the load triggered load request.

Next, when the exchange receives a mobile telephone call including a called number from the mobile subscriber through the base station (step 440), the mobile terminal receives the movement received in step 440 according to the status value of the SPPS field in a manner similar to the first embodiment. Process the telephone call (step 450, step 460, step 470).

If the SPPS field of the mobile subscriber is set to an unregistered or registered deactivated state value, the mobile terminal receives the movement received in step 440 as there is no trigger field loaded due to the optional prepaid mobile telephone service according to the embodiment of the present invention. The telephone call is treated as a regular mobile telephone call (step 460). If the SPPS field is set to the registration activation state value, as the specific originating trigger field is loaded due to the optional prepaid mobile phone service according to the embodiment of the present invention, the exchange transmits an outgoing processing message to the HLR, and Upon response (HLR instructs the exchange to process the received call as a prepaid phone call, if the status value in the SPPS field is set to the registration activation state value), the mobile phone call received in step 440 performs a user authentication process. It is treated as a prepaid mobile telephone call by an incoming number dialing method which does not (step 470).

Since each step in the third embodiment described so far is due to the operation of each component of the prepaid mobile telephone system shown in Fig. 1, it constitutes an optional prepaid mobile phone service system embodiment of the present invention according to the third embodiment. This can be the same as in the first and second embodiments. In addition, the selective prepaid mobile telephone service according to the embodiment of the present invention has already been described as extending to the business model on the Internet.

Method embodiments of the present invention may be written as a program executable in a computer system. In addition, the program can be read from a computer readable recording medium having recorded such a program and executed in a general-purpose digital computer system. Such recording media include magnetic storage media (e.g., ROM, floppy disk, hard disk, etc.), optical reading media (e.g., CD-ROM, DVD, etc.) and carrier waves (e.g., transmission over the Internet). Media is included.

So far, the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment (s). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in a modified form without departing from the essential features of the present invention. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered in descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. The scope of the present invention is shown in the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in the present invention.

According to the present invention, a user can selectively use a prepaid mobile telephone service and a general mobile telephone service by a called number dialing method that does not perform a subscriber authentication process using one mobile communication terminal. In addition, depending on the deposit balance for the prepaid mobile phone service, the use of the prepaid mobile phone service or the general mobile phone service may be automatically switched. In other words, the user can conveniently use the optional prepaid mobile phone service by calling number dialing instead of using a characteristic code or a special access method for performing subscriber authentication, and even when the deposit balance is exhausted. You can switch to the phone.

In addition, the present invention has the advantage that it can operate while maintaining compatibility with the conventional prepaid mobile phone service. In addition, the present invention may be a method of selectively and conveniently utilizing a reward obtained from a web server through a linkage with a web server on the Internet as a free mobile phone call.

Claims (31)

A switching center for relaying a mobile telephone call, connected to the switching center through a mobile communication network, a home location register for managing a subscriber profile of a mobile telephone subscriber and a switching center and the home location register with a mobile communication network, and for a predetermined amount A method of providing a prepaid mobile telephone service in a prepaid mobile telephone service system comprising a prepaid mobile telephone server for managing a database of prepaid mobile telephone service subscribers deposited and registered with a prepaid mobile telephone service using a mobile telephone within a deposit limit. , (a) an unregistered status value indicating not to register with an optional prepaid mobile phone service that optionally uses a prepaid mobile phone service, and deactivating a registration indicating that the prepaid mobile phone service is not activated when registered with the optional prepaid mobile phone service; Manage an optional prepaid mobile phone service field in the home location register that may be set to a status value including a status value or a registration activation state value indicating activation of a prepaid mobile phone service in a state registered with the optional prepaid mobile phone service Providing to the subscriber profile; (b) receiving a mobile telephone call comprising a called number; (c) in the subscriber profile of the mobile subscriber who originated the mobile telephone call received in step (b), (c1) when the optional prepaid mobile phone service field is set to an unregistered state value or a registered deactivated state value, processing the mobile phone call received in the step (b) as a general mobile phone call; And (c2) when the optional prepaid mobile phone service field is set to a registration activation state value, prepaid by a called number dialing method in which the mobile phone call received in step (b) does not perform an authentication process of a prepaid mobile phone subscriber; And providing a mobile telephone call. The method of claim 1, In step (c1), the switch acquires information of a mobile telephone subscriber located in a predetermined area from a visitor location register that manages a visitor profile, and refers to the mobile phone call received in step (b). As there is no trigger field loaded due to the optional prepaid mobile phone service among outgoing triggers in the visitor profile, the mobile phone call received in step (b) is treated as a normal mobile phone call, In step (c2), as the specific origination trigger field in the visitor profile is loaded due to the optional prepaid mobile phone service, the movement received in step (b), through signaling between the exchange and the home location register. And a telephone call is treated as a prepaid mobile telephone call by called number dialing. According to claim 1, wherein the step (a), (a1) Mutually changing the state value of the optional prepaid mobile phone service field to a registration deactivation state or registration activation state value in a subscriber profile of the subscriber according to a request for changing a state value of a mobile subscriber registered with the optional prepaid mobile phone service. And providing a prepaid mobile phone service. The method of claim 3, The request for changing the state value in the step (a1) is a selective prepaid mobile phone service providing method characterized in that the mobile phone call using a specific characteristic code. According to claim 3, wherein the step (a1), (a11) When the status value of the optional prepaid mobile telephone service field is changed from a registration deactivation status value to a registration activation status value, a visitor who manages information of a mobile telephone subscriber located in a predetermined area in the home location register using a visitor profile. Requesting a location register to load a particular outgoing trigger field in the visitor's visitor profile for the optional prepaid mobile phone service; And (a12) when the state value of the optional prepaid mobile phone service field is changed from a registration activation state value to a registration deactivation state value, the optional prepaid mobile phone service in the visitor profile of the visitor from the home location register to the visitor location register; Requesting the release of the particular outgoing trigger field loaded for the purpose of providing an optional prepaid mobile phone service. The method of claim 5, The request for reloading the specific origination trigger field in step (a11) and the request for release of the corresponding origination trigger field in step (a12) are performed by a subscriber profile transmission message sent from the home location register to the visitor location register. A method of providing optional prepaid mobile phone service. The method of claim 3, In order for a mobile subscriber to register for the optional prepaid mobile phone service, the subscriber preamble mobile phone service subscriber identification number of the mobile terminal must be registered in the prepaid mobile phone subscriber database managed by the prepaid mobile phone server. How to Provide. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, And depositing a deposit for the prepaid mobile phone service using a reward obtained from a web server on the Internet. Switching centers relaying mobile phone calls; A home location register connected to the switching center through a mobile communication network and managing a subscriber profile of a mobile telephone subscriber; And A prepaid mobile telephone server connected to the switching center and the home location registrar through a mobile communication network and managing a database of a prepaid mobile telephone service subscriber registered in a prepaid mobile telephone service using a mobile phone in advance for depositing a predetermined amount of money and within a deposit limit. Including, The subscriber profile managed by the home location register has an unregistered status value indicating that it is not registered with the optional prepaid mobile phone service that selectively uses the prepaid mobile phone service, and activates the prepaid mobile phone service while registered with the optional prepaid mobile phone service. An optional prepaid mobile phone service field, which may be set to a status value including a registration deactivation status value indicating no, or a registration activation status value indicating activation of a prepaid mobile phone service in a state registered with the optional prepaid mobile phone service. Including, When the exchange receives the mobile telephone call including the called number, the optional prepaid mobile telephone service field in the subscriber profile of the mobile telephone subscriber originating the received mobile telephone call is set to an unregistered state value or a registration deactivated state value. If so, treat the received mobile phone call as a regular mobile phone call, If the optional prepaid mobile phone service field is set to a registration activation state value, the received mobile phone call is treated as a prepaid mobile phone call by a called number dialing method that does not perform the authentication process of the prepaid mobile phone subscriber. Optional prepaid mobile phone service system. The method of claim 9, When the exchange receives the mobile telephone call including the called number, the optional prepaid mobile telephone service field in the subscriber profile of the mobile telephone subscriber originating the received mobile telephone call is set to an unregistered state value or a registration deactivated state value. The prepaid mobile telephone service from among the outgoing triggers in the visitor profile referred to for processing of the received mobile telephone call, which is obtained from the visitor location register which manages the information of the mobile telephone subscriber located in the predetermined area with the visitor profile. Since the loaded trigger field does not exist, the received mobile phone call is treated as a normal mobile phone call, If the optional prepaid mobile phone service field is set to a registration activation state value, as a particular originating trigger field in the visitor profile is loaded due to the optional prepaid mobile phone service, through signaling between the exchange and the home location register. And processing the received mobile telephone call as a prepaid mobile telephone call by called number dialing. The method of claim 9, In response to a request for changing a state value of a mobile subscriber registered with the optional prepaid mobile phone service, the state value of the optional prepaid mobile phone service field in the subscriber profile of the subscriber may be changed to a registration deactivation state value or a registration activation state value. An optional prepaid mobile phone service system, characterized in that it can. The method of claim 11, When the status value of the optional prepaid mobile phone service field in the subscriber profile of the optional prepaid mobile phone service subscriber is changed from the registration deactivation status value to the registration activation status value, the home location register is assigned to the mobile subscriber located within the predetermined area. Requesting the visitor location register which manages the information as a visitor profile to load a specific outgoing trigger field in the visitor profile of the visitor for the optional prepaid mobile phone service through a subscriber profile transmission message, When the state value of the optional prepaid mobile phone service field is changed from a registration activation state value to a registration deactivation state value, the home location register sends the selective prepaid in the visitor profile of the visitor through a subscriber profile transmission message to the visitor location register. Requesting the release of the particular outgoing trigger field loaded for mobile phone service. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, In order for a mobile subscriber to register for the optional prepaid mobile telephone service, a subscriber identification number of his mobile terminal must be registered in a prepaid mobile subscriber database managed by the prepaid mobile telephone server. Selective prepaid mobile phone service system, characterized in that the deposit for the prepaid mobile phone service can be accumulated using a reward obtained from a web server on the Internet. A switching center for relaying a mobile telephone call, connected to the switching center through a mobile communication network, a home location register for managing a subscriber profile of a mobile telephone subscriber and a switching center and the home location register with a mobile communication network, and for a predetermined amount A method of providing a prepaid mobile telephone service in a prepaid mobile telephone service system comprising a prepaid mobile telephone server for managing a database of prepaid mobile telephone service subscribers deposited and registered with a prepaid mobile telephone service using a mobile telephone within a deposit limit. , (a) a status value including an unregistered status value indicating not registering with an optional prepaid mobile phone service selectively using a prepaid mobile phone service, and a registration status value indicating registering with the optional prepaid mobile phone service. Providing an optional prepaid mobile phone service field in a subscriber profile managed by the home location register; (b) receiving a mobile telephone call including a called number from a mobile telephone subscriber registered with the optional prepaid mobile telephone service; And (c) if the balance of the deposit does not exist in the corresponding account in the prepaid mobile telephone subscriber database managed by the prepaid mobile telephone server of the mobile telephone subscriber originating the mobile telephone call received in step (b); The mobile phone call received in step (b) is treated as a general mobile phone call, and if there is a balance of deposit, the incoming call does not perform the authentication process of the prepaid mobile subscriber in receiving the mobile phone call received in step (b). A method of providing an optional prepaid mobile phone service, comprising the steps of: processing a prepaid mobile phone call by a number dialing method. The method of claim 14, wherein step (c) comprises: (c1) in the visitor profile, which the exchange obtains from the visitor location register which manages the information of the mobile telephone subscriber located in the predetermined area in the visitor profile and refers to the processing of the mobile phone call received in step (b). As the particular originating trigger field is loaded due to the optional prepaid mobile phone service, sending from the exchange to the home location register an outgoing handling message for the mobile phone call received in step (b); (c2) the home location register inquiring the prepaid mobile phone server the balance of the account to process the outgoing message received in step (c1); (c3) in response to the inquiry from the prepaid mobile phone server for the inquiry in step (c2), if there is no deposit balance in the account, the mobile phone call received in step (b) The homepage is a response message to the outgoing call message instructing the mobile phone call received in step (b) to be treated as a prepaid mobile phone call by called number dialing, if there is a deposit balance in the account. Transmitting from a location register to the exchange; And and (c4) the exchange, in response to the response message received in step (c3), processing the mobile phone call received in step (b). The method of claim 15, wherein the step (a), (a1) when the mobile telephone subscriber registers with the optional prepaid mobile telephone service, setting the optional prepaid mobile telephone service field to a registration state value; And (a2) when the optional prepaid mobile phone service field is set to a registration state value, the home location register loads a specific origination trigger field in the visitor profile of the visitor for the optional prepaid mobile phone service from the home location register to the visitor location register; And providing a request for an optional prepaid mobile phone service. The method of claim 16, Requesting a loading of a specific originating trigger field in step (a2) is performed by a subscriber profile transmission message sent from the home location register to the visitor location register. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, And depositing a deposit for the prepaid mobile phone service using a reward obtained from a web server on the Internet. Switching centers relaying mobile phone calls; A home location register connected to the switching center through a mobile communication network and managing a subscriber profile of a mobile telephone subscriber; And A prepaid mobile telephone server connected to the switching center and the home location registrar through a mobile communication network and managing a database of a prepaid mobile telephone service subscriber registered in a prepaid mobile telephone service using a mobile phone in advance for depositing a predetermined amount of money and within a deposit limit. Including, The subscriber profile managed by the home location register includes an unregistered status value indicating not registering with an optional prepaid mobile phone service selectively using a prepaid mobile phone service, and a registration status value indicating registering with the optional prepaid mobile phone service. Includes an optional prepaid mobile phone service field that can be set to a containing status value, When the switchboard receives a mobile telephone call including a called number from a mobile telephone subscriber registered with the selective prepaid mobile telephone service, the prepaid mobile telephone managed by the prepaid mobile telephone server of the mobile telephone subscriber originating the received mobile telephone call. If the deposit balance does not exist in the corresponding account in the telephone subscriber database, the received mobile phone call is treated as a normal mobile telephone call. If the deposit balance exists, the received mobile phone call is authenticated by the prepaid mobile subscriber. An optional prepaid mobile telephone service system, characterized in that it is treated as a prepaid mobile telephone call by a called number dialing method that is not performed. The method of claim 19, When the exchange receives a mobile telephone call including a called number from a mobile telephone subscriber registered with the selective prepaid mobile telephone service, the exchanger manages information of a mobile telephone subscriber located in a predetermined area by a visitor profile. From the exchange, the specific outgoing trigger field in the visitor profile referenced for processing of the received mobile phone call is loaded due to the optional prepaid mobile phone service, so that the mobile telephone call received at the exchange to the home location register is Send an outgoing handling message for the outgoing message, process the received mobile telephone call according to a response message to the outgoing handling message from the home location register, The home location register queries the prepaid mobile phone server for the deposit balance of the account to process the outgoing processing message received from the exchange, and in response to the deposit balance inquiry from the prepaid mobile phone server, If the deposit balance does not exist in the account, the received mobile phone call is treated as a normal mobile phone call. If the deposit balance exists in the account, the received mobile phone call is treated as a prepaid mobile phone call by called number dialing. An optional prepaid mobile telephone service system, characterized in that it transmits a response message to the exchange in response to the outgoing process message. The method of claim 20, The home location register sets the optional prepaid mobile phone service field to a registration state value when a mobile telephone subscriber registers with the optional prepaid mobile phone service, and when the optional prepaid mobile phone service field is set to a registration state value, Requesting a visitor location register to reload a specific outgoing trigger field in the visitor profile of the visitor for the optional prepaid mobile phone service through a subscriber profile transmission message. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 21, Selective prepaid mobile phone service system, characterized in that the deposit for the prepaid mobile phone service can be accumulated using a reward obtained from a web server on the Internet. A switching center for relaying a mobile telephone call, connected to the switching center through a mobile communication network, a home location register for managing a subscriber profile of a mobile telephone subscriber and a switching center and the home location register with a mobile communication network, and for a predetermined amount A method of providing a prepaid mobile telephone service in a prepaid mobile telephone service system comprising a prepaid mobile telephone server for managing a database of prepaid mobile telephone service subscribers deposited and registered with a prepaid mobile telephone service using a mobile telephone within a deposit limit. , (a) an unregistered status value indicating not to register with an optional prepaid mobile phone service that selectively uses a prepaid mobile phone service; deactivating a registration indicating that a prepaid mobile phone service is not activated when registered with the optional prepaid mobile phone service; Managing an optional prepaid mobile phone service field in the home location register that may be set to a status value including a status value or a registration activation status value indicating that a prepaid mobile phone service is activated while registered with the optional prepaid mobile phone service; Equipping the subscriber profile; (b) the selective prepaid move in the subscriber profile of the subscriber according to the deposit balance present in the account in the prepaid mobile subscriber database maintained by the prepaid mobile phone server of the mobile subscriber registered with the selective prepaid mobile phone service. Setting a status value of a telephone service field; (c) receiving a mobile telephone call comprising a called number; (d) in the subscriber profile of the mobile telephone subscriber originating the mobile telephone call received in step (c), (d1) when the optional prepaid mobile phone service field is set to an unregistered state value or a registered deactivated state value, processing the mobile phone call received in step (b) as a general mobile phone call; And (d2) If the optional prepaid mobile phone service field is set to a registration activation state value, prepaid by a called number dialing method that does not perform the authentication process of a prepaid mobile phone subscriber for the mobile phone call received in step (b). And providing a mobile telephone call. The method of claim 23, wherein In step (d1), the switch acquires information of a mobile phone subscriber located in a predetermined area from a visitor location register that manages a visitor profile and refers to the mobile phone call received in step (c). As there is no trigger field loaded due to the optional prepaid mobile phone service among outgoing triggers in the visitor profile, the mobile phone call received in step (c) is treated as a normal mobile phone call, In step (d2), as the specific origination trigger field in the visitor profile is loaded due to the optional prepaid mobile phone service, the movement received in step (c) is via signaling between the exchange and the home location register. And a telephone call is treated as a prepaid mobile telephone call by called number dialing. The method of claim 23, wherein step (b) comprises: A first event occurs or a deposit exists in a corresponding account in the prepaid mobile telephone subscriber database managed by the prepaid mobile telephone server of the mobile subscriber registered with the selective prepaid mobile telephone service. If a second event occurs in which the balance is exhausted due to a new deposit and the balance is exhausted, according to the event occurrence message notified to the home location register from the prepaid mobile phone server, the subscriber is notified when the first event is notified. Set a state value of the optional prepaid mobile phone service field to a registration deactivation state value in a subscriber profile of A; set a state value of the optional prepaid mobile phone service field to a registration activation state value when a second event is notified; (b1) a visitor who manages information of a mobile telephone subscriber located within a predetermined area in the home location register with a visitor profile when the state value of the optional prepaid mobile phone service field is changed from a registration deactivation state value to a registration activation state value; Requesting a location register to load a particular outgoing trigger field in the visitor's visitor profile for the optional prepaid mobile phone service; And (b2) when the state value of the optional prepaid mobile phone service field is changed from a registration activation state value to a registration deactivation state value, the home prepaid mobile telephone service in the visitor profile of the visitor from the home location register to the visitor location register; Requesting the release of the particular outgoing trigger field loaded for the purpose of providing an optional prepaid mobile phone service. The method of claim 25, The request for reloading the specific originating trigger field in step (b1) and the request for releasing the corresponding originating trigger field in step (b2) are performed by a subscriber profile transmission message sent from the home location register to the visitor location register. A method of providing optional prepaid mobile phone service. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 26, And depositing a deposit for the prepaid mobile phone service using a reward obtained from a web server on the Internet. Switching centers relaying mobile phone calls; A home location register connected to the switching center through a mobile communication network and managing a subscriber profile of a mobile telephone subscriber; And A prepaid mobile telephone server connected to the switching center and the home location registrar through a mobile communication network and managing a database of a prepaid mobile telephone service subscriber registered in a prepaid mobile telephone service using a mobile phone in advance for depositing a predetermined amount of money and within a deposit limit. Including, The subscriber profile managed by the home location register has an unregistered status value indicating that it is not registered with the optional prepaid mobile phone service that selectively uses the prepaid mobile phone service, and the prepaid mobile phone service is activated when registered with the optional prepaid mobile phone service. An optional prepaid mobile phone service field, which may be set to a status value including a registration deactivation status value indicating not to be registered or a registration activation status value indicating that a prepaid mobile phone service is activated in a state registered with the optional prepaid mobile phone service. Including, The state value of the optional prepaid mobile phone service field in the subscriber profile of the mobile subscriber registered with the optional prepaid mobile phone service is a deposit present in the account of the subscriber in the prepaid mobile phone subscriber database managed by the prepaid mobile phone server. Set according to the balance, When the exchange receives the mobile telephone call including the called number, the optional prepaid mobile telephone service field in the subscriber profile of the mobile telephone subscriber originating the received mobile telephone call is set to an unregistered state value or a registration deactivated state value. If so, treat the received mobile phone call as a regular mobile phone call, If the optional prepaid mobile phone service field is set to a registration activation state value, the received mobile phone call is treated as a prepaid mobile phone call by a called number dialing method that does not perform the authentication process of the prepaid mobile phone subscriber. Optional prepaid mobile phone service system. The method of claim 28, When the exchange receives the mobile telephone call including the called number, the optional prepaid mobile telephone service field in the subscriber profile of the mobile telephone subscriber originating the received mobile telephone call is set to an unregistered state value or a registration deactivated state value. The prepaid mobile telephony service from among outgoing triggers in the visitor profile referred to for processing of the received mobile telephone call, which is obtained from a visitor location register which manages information of a mobile telephone subscriber located within a predetermined area with a visitor profile. Since the loaded trigger field does not exist, the received mobile phone call is treated as a normal mobile phone call, If the optional prepaid mobile phone service field is set to a registration activation state value, as a particular originating trigger field in the visitor profile is loaded due to the optional prepaid mobile phone service, through signaling between the exchange and the home location register. And processing the received mobile telephone call as a prepaid mobile telephone call by called number dialing. The method of claim 28, A first event occurs or a deposit exists in a corresponding account in the prepaid mobile telephone subscriber database managed by the prepaid mobile telephone server of the mobile subscriber registered with the selective prepaid mobile telephone service. When a second event occurs in which the balance is exhausted due to a new deposit, the prepaid mobile phone server transmits a first or second event occurrence message to the home location register. When the home location register receives the first event occurrence message from the prepaid mobile phone server, the home location register sets a state value of the optional prepaid mobile phone service field in a subscriber profile of the subscriber to a registration deactivation state value, and a second event occurrence message. Receives a, sets a state value of the optional prepaid mobile phone service field to a registration activation state value When the status value of the optional prepaid mobile phone service field in the subscriber profile of the optional prepaid mobile phone service subscriber is changed from the registration deactivation status value to the registration activation status value, the home location register is assigned to the mobile subscriber located within the predetermined area. Requesting the visitor location register which manages the information as a visitor profile to load a specific outgoing trigger field in the visitor profile of the visitor for the optional prepaid mobile phone service through a subscriber profile transmission message, When the state value of the optional prepaid mobile phone service field is changed from a registration activation state value to a registration deactivation state value, the home location register sends the selective prepaid in the visitor profile of the visitor through a subscriber profile transmission message to the visitor location register. Requesting the release of the particular outgoing trigger field loaded for mobile phone service. The method according to any one of claims 28 to 30, Selective prepaid mobile phone service system, characterized in that the deposit for the prepaid mobile phone service can be accumulated using a reward obtained from a web server on the Internet.