CA2240648C - Method and system in a wireless communications network for providing restricted user termination areas based on calling line identification and directory number - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and system product in a wireless communications network for limiting communication transactions are disclosed. Initially, a communications transaction from an originator to a primary recipient is initiated. An identity of the originator and an identity of the primary recipient are determined. A termination of the communications transaction is then restricted to a specified area based upon the identify of the originator or the identity of the primary recipient. Alternatively, the communications transaction can be restricted to a specified area based upon the identity of the primary recipient alone or based upon the identity of the originator alone, or in combination with one another. If the communications transaction is restricted to a specified area, a class of equivalent recipients that are allowable substitutes for the primary recipient are then identified. Next, it is determined which recipient among the equivalent recipients and the primary recipient is most advantageously suited to receive the communications transaction. The communications transaction is then automatically routed to the recipient most advantageously suited to receive the communications transaction. If no equivalent recipients are identified who are advantageously suited to respond to the communications transaction, alternative action is then implemented. The identity of the originator can include calling line identification information, and the identity of the primary recipient can include a directory number of the primary recipient.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field:
The present invention relates in general to an improved communications system.
In particular, the present invention relates to an improved communications system in which communication transfers occur between originators and terminating users.
Still more particularly, the present invention relates to an improved communications system in which user termination areas are provided based on dialed directory numbers and calling line identification.

2. Description of the Related Art:
Cordless telephone systems are well-known in the prior art. Cordless telephone systems generally include a portable cordless handset and a cordless base station connected to a telephone company phone system by a landline. The cordless base station has an assigned landline telephone number that allows cordless telephone users to place and receive calls utilizing a cordless portable handset within a limited range of the base station, such as within the range of an office or a home. However, due to the limited range of such systems, cordless portable handsets provide users with only relatively local radio-telephone communication.
Radio-telephone communication outside the range of a cordless telephone system can be provided to users via cellular telephone systems. Cellular radio, a type of wireless communications system, is a radio-telephone communications system that began to develop rapidly in the early 1980s. Basically, this system offers a small-scale, "cellular" version of the communication linkage provided by large radio-broadcasting systems. In such a system, for example, a metropolitan area can be divided into smaller RR1190 _ 3 _ units, called cells, that can each have a radius of about 13 to 19 km (8 to 12 mi).
Depending on the design of a given cellular telephone system, the radius of a cell can range from several hundred feet to approximately 25 miles.
Each cell includes its own small radio transmitter. If necessary, each cell can be further subdivided into smaller cells to form a honeycomb pattern of cells. In this way, the honeycomb pattern of cells can repeatedly utilize the same range of radio frequencies without interfering with one another, so long as neighboring cells do not utilize precisely the same radio channels. Individuals equipped with small mobile telephones can thus utilize this system in the same way that telephone calls can be performed via standard carriers.
Computerized switching is essential to the operation of cellular radio, so that when mobile-unit calls are switched from one cell to the next, the transfer in channels occurs without interruption or at most, a brief delay. The growth of electronic switching systems and the development of microprocessors have made this possible.
For each area to be covered by cellular radio, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) licenses different types of organizations. For example, one type can be a telephone company, while another, a business that agrees to construct the necessary radio system. In recent years, the FCC has also awarded newer frequency bands that utilize cellular technology.
Cellular telephone systems typically include cellular subscriber units that can be mobile or portable, and cellular base stations which are connected to the public telephone company via one or more cellular switching networks. Each cellular subscriber has an assigned cellular telephone number that allows users (i.e., cellular subscribers) to place and receive calls within a widespread range of the cellular base stations, such as throughout a metropolitan area.

' RR1190 Cellular telephone systems are thus based on a structure of associated cells, which are specified geographic areas that (a) are defined for a specific mobile communication system; and (b) each have their own base station and a single controller interconnected with a public telephone network. Cellular telephone systems are particularly advantageous in providing cellular mobile service, a communications service that allows users to access telephone networks from stationary or moving vehicles, and which is based on a combination of radio transmission and telephone switching. Cellular mobile services typically provide communications links to the user by segmenting a large geographic area into many smaller areas (i.e., cells). As a user passes from cell to cell, the cellular mobile service allows calls in progress to be handed over without interruption to adjacent base stations.
Cellular telephone systems are particularly useful in service industries where it is important to maintain client contacts, but not at the expense of the service itself. For example, a recipient of a cellular telephone call such as a car salesperson might wish to receive calls from clients whenever he or she is located on the car lot.
When the salesperson is not located on the car lot, the salesperson might not want to receive any calls from the clients. To accomplish this, however, special restrictions must be provided that the terminating user can activate in order to determine whether or not to route a call through to his or her mobile phone.
Currently, a terminating user must deactivate the cellular telephone itself (i.e., place the cellular phone in an "off' state) in order to restrict calls from particular originating callers (i.e., originators). The disadvantage with this approach is that the terminating user may not be contacted by other individuals or services from which the terminating user would like to receive a call. For example, the aforementioned salesperson may want to receive calls from his or her spouse but not the clients when the salesperson is located away from the car lot. Temporarily deactivating the cellular telephone itself is an inefficient method for determining which calls to route to the RR1190 _ 5 _ recipient and which calls to route elsewhere. Services do exist for restricting the termination service area of a mobile all the time. A termination service area (i.e., can also be referred to as a user termination area) is a geographic area in which a call terminates (i.e., in which the call can potentially be received by the recipient).
However, such services do not allow users to override the service based on calling line identification conditions or the directory number of a particular recipient.
Calling line identification (CLID) is a network-provided service feature in telephone communication systems in which terminating users can be notified by the network of the number or address from which the call originated. In other words, the terminating users can be informed of the identity of a caller. A directory number (DN) is the number dialed by an originator of a telephone call, cellular-based or otherwise. If such services did exist to take advantage of CLID and DN, a terminating user would have greater control over which types of calls could be routed to his or her mobile communications device.
Because such services already exist, it would be advantageous to utilize such services in a unique manner to allow terminating users greater control over which calls should or should not be routed to their cellular telephones. Present systems do not take advantage of these features to allow terminating users greater control over routing of cellular phone calls. From the foregoing, it can be seen that a need exists for a method and system that allows terminating users to restrict phone calls based on directory number (DN) or calling line identification (CLID) conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide an improved communications system.
It is therefore another object of the present invention to provide an improved wireless communications telephone system in which communication transactions occur between originators and terminating users.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved wireless communications network that includes restricted user termination areas based on calling line identification (CLID) and/or the dialed directory number (DN).
The above and other objects are achieved as is now described. A method and system product in a wireless communications network for limiting communication transactions are disclosed. Initially, a communications transaction from an originator to a primary recipient is initiated. An identity of the originator and an identity of the primary recipient are determined. A termination of the communications transaction is then restricted to a specified area based upon the identify of the originator or the identity of the primary recipient. Alternatively, the communications transaction can be restricted to a specified area based upon the identity of the primary recipient alone or based upon the identity of the originator alone, or in combination with one another.
If the communications transaction is restricted to a specified area, a class of equivalent recipients that are allowable substitutes for the primary recipient are then identified.
Next, it is determined which recipient among the equivalent recipients and the primary recipient is most advantageously suited to receive the communications transaction. The communications transaction is then automatically routed to the recipient most advantageously suited to receive the communications transaction. If no equivalent recipients are identified who are advantageously suited to respond to the _ 7 communications transaction, alternative action is then implemented. The identity of the originator can include calling line identification information, and the identity of the primary recipient can include a directory number of the primary recipient.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method in a cellular wireless communications network for limiting calls, comprising the steps o~ initiating a call from an originator to a primary recipient;
obtaining an identity of said originator; obtaining an identity of said primary recipient;
determining a location of said primary recipient; and in response to at least one of said obtained identity of said originator and said obtained identity of said primary recipient, denying completion of said call to said primary recipient when said primary recipient is located within a limited geographic area of a predetermined cell of said cellular wireless communications network.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a system in a cellular wireless communications network for limiting calls, comprising:
means for initiating a call from an originator to a primary recipient; means for obtaining an identity of said originator; means for obtaining an identity of said primary recipient; means for determining a location of said primary recipient;
and means for denying completion of said call to said primary recipient when said primary recipient is located within a limited geographic area of a predetermined cell of said cellular wireless communications network, in response to at least one of said identity of said originator and said identity of said primary recipient.

RR1190 _ g _ BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The novel features believed characteristic of this invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objects, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram illustrative of a cellular telephone system in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention may be implemented;
FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram illustrative of a cellular telephone which may be implemented in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 illustrates a pictorial representation illustrative of a cellular telephone system in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention may be implemented;
FIG. 4 is a pictorial diagram illustrative of a cellular telephone system in which user termination areas are restricted based on the DN in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a pictorial diagram illustrative of a cellular telephone system in which restricted user termination areas can be provided based on CLID in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 depicts a flow chart of operations illustrative of a method in a cellular telephone network for providing restricted user termination areas based on CLID and DN, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

RR1190 _ g _ FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart of operations illustrative of a method in a cellular telephone network for providing restricted user termination areas based primarily on CLID, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart of operations illustrative of a method in a cellular telephone network for providing restricted user termination areas based primarily on the dialed DN, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 depicts a pictorial representation illustrative of network entities involved in implementing a method and system for providing restricted user termination areas based on DN and/or CLID in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 illustrates a profile transfer diagram of mobile station (MS) call originators in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11 depicts a messaging sequence diagram illustrative of the flow for delivering the location of the terminating user in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12 illustrates a messaging sequence diagram illustrative of the flow for delivering the geographic location of the terminating user in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 13 depicts a messaging sequence diagram illustrative of the flow for delivering instructions on how to handle a particular call in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference now to the figures and in particular with reference to FIG. 1, there is depicted a block diagram of a cellular telephone system 10 in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention may be implemented. The cellular telephone system 10 depicted in FIG. 1 includes a telephone company phone system (TELCO) 14, connected by telephone landlines to a control terminal 16 which in turn is coupled, also by telephone landlines, to a cellular base station 18 that is geographically located in a cell of a mobile cellular telephone system.
Cellular telephone 12 communicates with cellular base station 18 via antennas 22 and 24, which may be implemented as telescopic whip antennas that can be extended or retracted (i.e., lengthened or shortened) by being constructed in the form of overlapping concentric cylinders that slide inside of each other and make electrical contact with each other. It can be appreciated by those skilled in the art that such antennas are, of course, only examples of antennas that can be utilized with a cellular telephone system such as cellular telephone system 10. A wide variety of other antennae can also be utilized in conjunction with a wireless communication system such as cellular telephone system 10. The landlines utilized with cellular telephone system 10 are lines that are placed in areas on land or inland waterways, and include twisted-pair lines, coaxial cables, and fiber optic cables utilized in overhead, direct buried, underground, and microwave applications.
Additional cellular base stations may be located throughout a geographic area to provide telephone service to cellular telephones 12. Cellular base station 18 incorporates both a receiver antenna 22 and a transmitter antenna 24 for communicating with cellular telephones 12. Cellular telephone 12 may be a mobile unit installed in a vehicle, a transportable unit which is a mobile unit and battery installed in a carrying case, or a hand-held portable unit. Cellular telephone 12 includes an antenna 20 for the cellular radio channels. In the United States, the cellular radio channels are in the frequency band from 824-894 MHz. More particularly, in the United States, a total bandwidth of 50 MHz is allocated to the cellular mobile service, the 50 MHz distributed between 824 MHz and 849 MHz, and between 869 MHz and 894 MHz of the frequency spectrum. Also, recently the FCC has auctioned off bandwidths in the 1.9 GHz range.
All of these bands can be utilized in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a cellular telephone 12 which may be implemented in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Cellular telephone 12 includes antenna 20, cellular telephone transceiver 120, microcomputer 130, keypad 140, display 180, audio switch 150, and handset 160, including speaker 162 and microphone 164. Microcomputer 130 is a computer built around a single chip microprocessor. Less powerful than mini-computers and mainframe computers, microcomputer 130 is nevertheless capable of complex tasks involving the processing of logical operations. Microcomputer 130 includes a central processing unit (CPU) (i.e., not shown), which is the computational and control unit of microcomputer 130, and which interprets and executes instructions for cellular telephone 12.
Alternatively, cellular telephone transceiver 120 may be coupled to a single antenna 119 .in place of antenna 20 and by way of high-pass filter 187, respectively High-pass filter 187 is utilized to filter only those signals which fall within a frequency range utilized by cellular telephones in the United States. High-pass filter 187 can be further modified to allow for cellular telephone frequency ranges of countries other than the United States. Specific design parameters of such a high-pass filter are left to the discretion of the manufacturer of a cellular telephone such as cellular telephone 12.
Display 180 can be any type of display device which visually presents data to a cellular telephone user. Display devices such as a light-emitting diode panel or liquid crystal display can be utilized to implement display 180. Keypad 140 is a set of keys that are mounted on a small keyboard and are dedicated to a specific purpose, such as inserting numbers. Keypad 140 is preferably modeled on the standard telephone keypad.
Control signals 131 TX ENABLE and 132 RX ENABLE of microcomputer 130 enable cellular transmitter 124 and cellular receiver 122, respectively. In addition to control signals 131 and 132 to cellular transceiver 120, microcomputer 130 also monitors control signals 133 RSSI, 134, RX DATA, and 135 TX DATA for detecting signal strength, for detecting receive data and for sending transmit data, respectively, utilized in operation of cellular transceiver 120. In addition, cellular transceiver 120 is composed of cellular receiver 122, cellular transmitter 124 and audio circuitry 126.
Audio circuitry 126 is coupled to audio switch 150 via the RX AUDIO and TX
AUDIO
signal lines. The RX AUDIO signal is transmitted to node A1 at audio switch 150.
The TX AUDIO signal is transmitted from node Bl at audio switch 150 to audio circuitry 126. Note that the example depicted in FIG. 2 merely describes one form of a cellular telephone that can be utilized in accordance with the method and system of the present invention. One skilled in the art will appreciate that other types of cellular telephone systems can be implemented with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as long as the particular cellular telephone system utilized provides restricted user termination areas based on DN and/or CLID as described herein.
FIG. 3 depicts a pictorial representation illustrative of a cellular telephone system 30 in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention can be implemented.
Cellular telephone system 30 is composed of a variety of cells 34: Each cell encompasses a specified geographic area. Each geographic area has its own base station 38 and a single controller (not shown) interconnected with a public telephone network.
Each cell 34 sits adjacent to another cell to create a honeycomb pattern of cells. Cells 34 can cover a laige metropolitan area. Each cell 34 can have a radius of about 13 to 19 km (8 to 12 miles), depending upon the strength of each base station 38.

Specific cell radii are not necessary features of the present invention. Cells can have ranges as low as several hundred feet up to approximately 25 miles in radius. The specific numbers described herein are for demonstrative purposes only and are not necessary features of the present invention. Although not depicted in FIG. 3, each cell 34 can be further subdivided into still smaller cells. In this way, the honeycomb pattern of cells 34 can repeatedly utilize the same range of radio frequencies without interfering with one another, so long as neighboring cells 34 do not utilize precisely the same radio channels. This is true particularly for analog mobile phone service/time division media access (AMPS/TDMA), a type of wireless communications service well known in the art of communication systems.
Those skilled in the art, however, will appreciate that the example depicted in FIG. 3 is illustrative only, and is not a necessary feature of the invention.
Other types of wireless communication services such as those that incorporate code division multiple access (CDMA) can be utilized in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. CDMA can utilize the same frequencies (i.e., broadband) to transmit calls in adjacent cells. CDMA does not utilize frequencies to separate calls, but utilizes a special algorithm that "pulls" a single call from a spread spectrum signal that multiple mobile communication devices can utilize to transmit simultaneously. CDMA is thus another type of wireless communications service that can be utilized in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Although not shown in FIG. 3, each cell 34 can include six directional antennas, centrally located in each cell 34, each radiating into a sixty degree section of each cell.
A plurality of cells 34 are combined to form cellular telephone system 30 covering a particular geographic area. This cellular system enables mobile cellular telephone traffic to communicate with landline telephone networks and other mobile cellular telephones while moving through the geographic area. Each cell 34 also has a number of frequencies, transmitted by low power transmitters, assigned to it that cannot be utilized in adjacent cells because of frequency interference problems. Due to the low power of each cell's transmitter, however, the same frequency can be re-utilized in other cells, referred to as co-channel cells in the same metropolitan area.
Cellular telephone system 30 is an example of a cellular mobile service, a communications service that allows a user to access the public telephone network from a stationary or moving vehicle, and which is based on a combination of radio transmission and telephone switching. Individuals with small mobile telephones can utilize this system in the same way that telephone calls are made utilizing standard carriers. The cellular mobile service thus provides a communication link to the user by segmenting a large geographic area into smaller areas (i.e., cells).
Cellular telephone system 30 can include cellular subscriber units which may be mobile or portable. Each base station 38 is connected to the public telephone company (i.e., TELCO) via one or more cellular switching network (not shown). Each cellular subscriber has an assigned cellular telephone number that allows the user to place and receive calls within a widespread range of each base station 38, such as throughout a metropolitan area. During a cellular telephone call, when a mobile cellular telephone moves from one cell to another, it must be handed-off to the next cell in order to continue communicating. This procedure is accomplished as follows for the analog cellular system. The cell serving the mobile and neighboring cell sites scans (i.e., takes samples of) the received mobile signal strength. This information is collected at a switch and a decision is made whether to hand-off the mobile to a neighboring cell.
For the U.S. Digital Cellular System, as outlined in the Electronic Industries Association/Telecommunications Industry Association (EIA/TIA) Standard IS-54 document, the mobile cellular telephone also collects channel quality information (channel bit error rate (BER) and signal strength) on its own channel and signal strength measurements on neighboring cell channels. This information is transmitted to the serving cell site as a mobile assisted hand-off (MAHO) message to be added to the base scan information for making a hand-off decision. Such hand-off procedures can be utilized with the cellular telephone system described herein; however, such hand-off procedures are not necessary features of the present invention only and are merely included to describe one particular embodiment of the present invention.
A street or road 32, such as a metropolitan highway, is depicted as extending through cells 34 contained within cellular telephone system 30. Thus, a user can travel along road 32 through cells 34 and while travelling, perform cellular mobile telephone operations. Cellular telephone system 30 further includes a mobile telephone switching office (MTSO) 33, a central office for mobile switching in cellular telephone system 30. MTSO 33 houses a mobile switching center (MSC) 37, and fielded monitoring and relay stations (not shown) for switching calls from cell sites to wire line central offices such as (TELCO) 14 depicted in FIG. 1, or a public switched telephone network (PSTN), made up of local networks, exchange area networks, and long-haul networks that interconnect telephones and other communication devices on a worldwide basis.
MSC 37 can control system operations in analog cellular networks. For example, MSC
37 can control calls, track billing information, and locate cellular subscribers. MSC 37 is thus a switch that provides services and coordination between mobile users (i.e., originators) in a network such as cellular telephone system 30 and external networks.
Note that in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5, like parts are indicated by like reference numerals. FIG. 4 is a pictorial diagram illustrative of a cellular telephone system 30 in which restricted user termination areas are provided based on DN in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, cell DN
is a cell in which a primary terminating user is located. Cells A and B also contain associated terminating users. When an originator dials, via the DN, the terminating user located in cell DN, a test is performed to determine whether or not to initiate a restricted user termination area. Based on the location of the DN, a determination is made whether or not it is appropriate to restrict the termination area of the primary terminating user. If it is determined not to restrict this termination because the primary terminating user is in the appropriate area, the call is simply routed directly to the primary terminating user and the call is processed normally. If it is determined that this termination should be restricted based on the location of the primary terminating user, several options can be then made available to the terminating user.
In the example depicted in FIG. 4, the DN is located in cell DN. If the primary terminating user is not accepting terminations at that location or is unavailable, the call will terminate with a terminating user located nearest the DN. In this case, the closest terminating user available to take a call when the DN is unavailable is the terminating user located in cell B. If the terminating user located in cell B is not available, then according to the example depicted in FIG. 4, the next closest terminating user available is the terminating user located in cell A.
Those skilled in the art can appreciate that the unit of granularity (i.e., the cell) depicted in the example of FIG. 4 is not a necessary feature of the present invention.
The cells are utilized for illustrative purposes only. For example, when an individual calls a salesperson's telephone number (i.e., a DN) at a car dealership, the salesperson (i.e., the terminating user) may desire to receive calls only when the salesperson is geographically located within one-half mile of the car dealership. In other words, in such a case, the salesperson desires the calls when at work, but not does not want to receive the calls when not at work.
A radius of one-half mile is less than the radius of a typical cell. The salesperson may further desire that calls to his or her DN be rerouted to a dispatcher or secretary when the salesperson is not located within one-half mile of the car dealership (i.e., when the salesperson is not at work). Thus, from the foregoing example it can be seen that a preferred embodiment of the present invention can provide a service that restricts RR1190 _ 1~ _ calls to terminating users based on a comparison of the geographic location of the terminating user to a geographic area assigned or associated with the DN.
Of course, alternative scenarios can be considered for the example depicted in FIG. 4. An originator may desire to call the primary terminating user whose DN
is located in cell DN. If the primary terminating user is unavailable, or it is determined, based on a variety of possible factors, that the call should not be routed to the primary terminating user, the call can be routed to an associated terminating user who is most advantageously suited to respond to the call. A determination of whether or not a particular associated terminating user is most advantageously suited to receive the call can be based on the geographic location of that particular terminating user with respect to the geographic location of the DN, or in the example described herein, cell DN.
In FIG. 4, an associated terminating user is located in cell B, the cell located closest cell DN. The associated terminating user located in cell B is thus the terminating user most advantageously suited to respond to the call. The call is thus routed to the associated terminating user located in cell B, as opposed to the associated terminating user located in cell A. In reference to the aforementioned salesperson example, if the salesperson is not located in cell DN (e.g., the car lot), the call is then routed to the nearest terminating user located within one half mile of the car lot.
Assuming that cell B is located within one half mile of the car lot, the call is routed to a salesperson located in cell B before any attempts are made to route the call to another salesperson located elsewhere.
FIG. 5 is a pictorial diagram illustrative of a cellular telephone system 30 in which restricted user termination areas can be provided based on CLID in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. An originator attempts to make a telephone call to a primary terminating user located in cell C. When the originator initiates a telephone call to the primary terminating user located in cell C, a test is RR1190 _ 1g performed to determine whether or not, based on the identity of the caller provided by a CLID service, it is appropriate to execute a service that restricts the user termination area of the primary terminating user located in cell C. If the service is not appropriate, the call is processed normally (i.e., as if the service is not necessary). The intent of this test is to determine whether to execute the service or not based on the CLID.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various scenarios can be envisioned in which this test is performed, and in which the service is invoked or not invoked. For example, the primary terminating user may not want to restrict the termination area when a call is received from the terminating user's spouse (i.e. a termination is allowed without considering the location of the primary terminating user's location, when the originator is the terminating user's spouse).
In the example shown in FIG. 5, associated terminating users are located respectively in cells A and B. If a determination is made to restrict the user termination area of the primary terminating user based on the identity of the originator, the call can then be routed to the terminating user most advantageously suited to field the call. A
number of tests can be performed to determine whether or not an associated terminating user is most advantageously suited to field the call. In such a case, it may be desirable to route the call to the terminating user or recipient located nearest the primary terminating user, such as the terminating user located in cell D. On the other hand, it may be desirable to route the call to the associated terminating user located nearest the originator, such as the terminating user located in cell B.
FIG. 6 depicts a flow chart of operations 41 illustrative of a method in a cellular telephone network for providing restricted user termination areas based on CLID and/or DN, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It can be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the flow charts depicted and described herein present a self consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical manipulation of physical quantities. Usually, although not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times by those skilled in the art, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities.
Further, the manipulations performed are often referred to in terms, such as adding or comparing, which are commonly associated with mental operations performed by a human operator. No such capability of a human operator is necessary or desirable in most cases in any of the operations described herein which form part of the present invention; the operations are machine operations. Useful machines for performing operations of a preferred embodiment of the present invention include data-processing systems such as general purpose digital computers or other similar devices. In all cases the distinction between the method operations in operating a computer and the method of computation itself should be borne in mind.
The present invention relates to method steps for processing electrical or other (e.g., mechanical, chemical) physical signals to generate other desired physical signals, and can be implemented via a computer such as microcomputer 130 depicted in FIG.
2. However, it is not necessary to maintain within a computer memory of a cellular telephone, instructions implementing these method steps. Such instructions can be maintained with a computer memory at a cellular telephone base station or a central broadcasting center from which such base stations receive instructions.
Implementation of the method described herein is left to the discretion of a particular cellular telephone system designer.

Thus, as illustrated at block 49, an origination even is initiated. An "event," in the context of the method described herein, is an occurrence or happening, usually significant to the performance of a function, operation, or task. Thus, an origination event is an event in which an originator triggers a communications telephone call. The originator is an initiator of a particular information transfer transaction.
In the case of the cellular telephone systems described herein, the initiation of a particular communications transaction occurs as a result of an originator pressing telephone keys on a cellular telephone keypad such as keypad 140 depicted in FIG. 2. As depicted at block 51, the CLID of the originator and the dialed DN are determined.
As described at block 52, a test is performed to determine whether a new service (i.e., restricting the user termination area) is appropriate, based on the CLID and/or the DN. If the new service is appropriate and should not be implemented, then as depicted at block 63 the telephone call initiated by the originator is processed normally.
However, if a determination is made that the new service is not appropriate, then as depicted at block 54, an operation is performed to determine the appropriate units (i.e., mobile communication devices) that should be considered as part of the new service.
For example, a list of terminating users can be compiled based on the geographic location of each user in relation to the geographic location of the terminating area in which the DN terminates and/or the geographic location of the terminating area in which the CLID is assigned to terminate.
As illustrated at block 56, a test is performed which utilizes the CLID and/or the DN to determine appropriate termination areas to which the call may potentially be routed. One termination area may be considered or alternative termination areas may be considered. As illustrated at block 58, a test is performed to determine if any unit or units selected earlier for consideration are in the determined appropriate termination areas on which a termination is allowed for that particular unit or those particular units.
If it is determined that no units are present in the appropriate termination area or areas, as illustrated at block 59, an appropriate alternative action is determined and executed.
The operation performed, as described at block 59, essentially determines how the particular call should be handled, given that none of the potential units are in an appropriate termination area in which to receive the call.
An alternative action can include repeating the service with a different compiled set of units and/or a different set of areas. Another action that can be taken at this point includes routing the call to voice mail, a secretary, a dispatcher and so forth. Still other actions that can be taken include routing the call to a landline or playing an announcement indicating that the person is not available. Such alternative actions are left to the discretion of individuals who desire to implement a preferred embodiment of the present invention. If it is determined, as described at block 58, that at least one unit is located in an appropriate termination area, then as illustrated at block 61, a particular unit is chosen in which to route the call, based on a wide variety of possible mechanisms.
For example, the call may be awarded to a unit based on a particular ordering of units (i.e., assuming there are several units in the same appropriate termination area.
Another example includes a situation in which the unit located closest the center of the appropriate termination area is awarded the call. Still further possibilities include situations in which a unit located in the appropriate termination is randomly chosen to award the call, assuming that other units are located in the same appropriate termination area. Other possibilities include routing the call to the unit that has received the least number of terminations (i.e., completed phone calls) in a recent time period (e.g., in the last few hours). As illustrated at block 63, the call is processed as normal once a unit has been chosen, as described at block 61.
It can be appreciated by those skilled in the a.rt that the aforementioned process steps can be implemented in accordance with alternative preferred embodiments of the present invention. For example, instead of utilizing both the CLID and the DN
together to determine whether or not to initiate a restriction of the user termination area, the CLID can be utilized alone or in combination with the DN to determine whether or not to initiate a restriction of the user termination area. Other examples include a preferred embodiment in which the DN is utilized first to determine whether or not to initiate restriction of the user termination area, and if the DN is unavailable, the CLID can be subsequently utilized to determine whether or not to initiate a restriction of the user termination area. Likewise, the CLID can be utilized first to determine whether or not to initiate restriction of the user termination area, and if the CLID is unavailable, the DN can be subsequently utilized to determine whether or not to initiate restriction of the user termination area.
FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 herein describe alternative preferred embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart of operations 40 illustrative of a method in a cellular telephone network for providing restricted user termination areas based primarily on CLID, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 describes an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention in which the CLID can be primarily utilized to determine whether or not to initiate a restricted user termination area. FIG. 7 is thus a variation of FIG. 6. As illustrated at block 42, an origination event occurs. As depicted at block 43, the CLID
of the originator and/or the dialed DN are determined. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that although a potential choice between determining the dialed DN
or the CLID exists in the operation described at block 43, because the CLID is primarily utilized in the example of FIG. 7 to determine whether or not to intiate a restricted user termination area, the CLID should be determined according to block 43 in order to successfully implement the logical operations described at blocks 44 to 54.
Thus, when the originator initiates a communications transaction to a primary terminating user, the CLID informs the primary terminating user (i.e., which may be no more than informing the mobile communications device or unit itself, not an individual human user) of the number or address from which the call originated. As described at block 44, a test is performed to determine whether it is appropriate to restrict this call to a particular user termination area or areas. The operation performed, as described at block 44 in FIG.
7, is analogous to the operation performed and described in the text related to block 52 of FIG. 6.
In FIG. 7, if it is determined that it is not appropriate to restrict the call to particular user termination areas, the call is simply routed directly to the originally dialed mobile communications device (i.e., the call is routed directly to a primary terminating user) and processed normally, as illustrated at block 47. If it is determined that it is appropriate to restrict the call to particular user termination areas, then as described at block 45, the geographic locations of the primary terminating user (i.e., primary terminator) and associated terminating users are determined. The associated terminating users constitute a class of equivalent recipients or equivalent terminating users that are allowable substitutes for the primary terminating user. For example, each salesperson in a group of salespeople may have a mobile. When one salesperson (i.e., a primary recipient) is contacted by an originator, the geographic locations of each active mobile in the group is determined.
Any number of geographic locator methods can be utilized to perform this operation. For example, the Global Positioning System (GPS) can be utilized to calculate the latitude and longitude of either the terminating users or the originators.
GPS is one example of a technique or method that can be utilized to calculate the latitude and longitude of the MS. GPS is a United States federal-government-sponsored system that enables the identification and determination of the position of a mobile transmitter anywhere on or near the Earth's surface. Signal Intercept from Low Orbit (SILO) can be utilized in association with the GPS. SILO is a tracking beacon that utilizes GPS signals to determine the location of an object, and transmits GPS
location data with a unique identification code utilizing an ultrahigh frequency (UHF) carrier.

SILO can receive signals from space, airborne, or ground systems, and is roughly the size of a video cassette.
Other techniques, such as signal strength triangulation can be utilized to determined the geographic location of terminating users and originators.
Signal strength triangulation, a technique well known in the art of communications, involves obtaining a fix on a transmitter by plotting, on a map, the bearings of the transmitter from the plotted positions of the stations that are taking and reporting the bearings, and determining the geographic location of the intersection of those bearings. Of course, those skilled in the art can appreciate that signal strength triangulation can be performed via a variety of different techniques. For example, instead of utilizing a map, table of longitude and latitude can be utilized, or the intersection point can be calculated by utilizing the known positions and bearings. The intersection is a point that is common to two or more sectors that are defined by the bearings that are taken. If bearings are taken from three or more stations, the intersections will define an area whose size depends on the precision of the bearing instruments. Such geographic locator methods, including GPS and signal strength triangulation, can also be utilized in accordance with the operations related to those depicted in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8.
As illustrated at block 4b, a test is performed to determine whether or not the CLID of the originator will be accepted by the primary terminating user. A
number of parameters can be utilized in this operation to make this determination. For example, if the CLID is that of an individual the primary terminating user does not wish to communicate with, the call is not accepted by the primary terminating user. If the call is acceptable to the primary terminating user, the call is routed directly to the primary terminating user, as illustrated at block ~2. If the call is unacceptable to the primary terminating user, a test is performed, as described at block 48 to determine if alternative terminating users are available among the associated terminating users. In other words, is there a terminating user most advantageously suited to field the call from the originator.
The geographic location of an associated terminating user with respect to the primary terminating user can be one factor utilized to determine whether or not the associated terminating user is most advantageously suited to field the call from the originator. Other factors, such as the geographic location of an associated terminating user with respect to the geographic location of the originator can also be utilized to determine whether or not the associated terminating user is most advantageously suited to field the call from the originator. If it is determined that no associated terminating user is available to field the call, then alternative action is taken, as described at block 54. The alternative action described at block 54 can include functions such as rerouting the call to a dispatcher or message center informing the originator that no terminating users are currently available. If it is determined that an alternative terminating user is available to field the call, then as depicted at block 50, the call is routed to the alternative terminating user.
FIG. 8 illustrates a high-level flow chart of operations 60 illustrative of a method in a cellular telephone network for providing restricted user termination areas based primarily on the dialed DN, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 describes an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention in which the DN can be primarily utilized to determine whether or not to initiate a restricted user termination area. FIG. 8 thus presents a variation to FIG. 6.
As illustrated at block 62, an origination event occurs that results in the dialing of a particular directory number (DN) of a primary terminating user's mobile communications device. As depicted at block 64, the dialed DN andlor the CLID
are determined. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that although a potential choice between determining the dialed DN or the CLID exists in the operation described at block 43 depicted in FIG. 7, because the dialed DN is primarily utilized in the example of FIG. 8 to determine whether or not to intiate a restricted user termination area, the dialed DN should be determined according to block 43 in order to successfully implement the logical operations described at blocks 44 to 54 in FIG. 7.
Thus, as described at block 65, a test is performed to determine whether it is appropriate to restrict this call to a particular user termination area or areas, based on factors associated with the dialed DN. Such factors, although not specifically illustrated in step 65 of FIG. 8, can include the "time-of day" or "time-of week" that the DN is dialed. Such "time-of day" and/or "time-of week" factors can also be utilized in association with the operations depicted in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. The operation performed, as described at block 65 in FIG. 8, is analogous to the operation performed and described in the text related to block 52 of FIG. 6. In FIG. 8, if it is determined that it is not appropriate to restrict the call to particular user termination areas, the call is simply routed directly to the originally dialed mobile communications device (i.e., the call is routed directly to a primary terminating user) and processed normally, as illustrated at block 67.
If it is determined that it is appropriate to restrict the call to a particular user termination area or areas, then as illustrated at block 66, the geographic location of the DN, the originator, and one or more associated terminating users is determined. Any number of geographic locator methods can be utilized to perform this operation. For example, the latitude and longitude of the originator and the terminating users can be utilized to determine the geographic location of the respective entities. The Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system can be utilized to calculate the latitude and longitude of the either the DN, the terminating users or the originators. Other techniques, such as signal strength triangulation can be utilized to determine the geographic location of the DN, the terminating users and the originator. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the geographic location techniques described herein can be utilized in association with the operations respectively depicted in FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 to RR1190 _ 2~ _ determine the geographic location associated with a dialed DN, a terminating user, and so forth.
As depicted at block 68, a test is performed to determine if the closest terminating user is in fact the same mobile as the dialed DN. If it is the same mobile, then as described at block 72, a test is performed to determine whether or not the DN
is located within a desired range. If the DN is located within the desired range, then the call is routed to that mobile, as depicted at block 76. If it is not located within the desired range, then as depicted at block 78, the call is rerouted to a dispatcher or message center for further instructions or announcements. If, as described at block 68, it is determined that the terminating user is not equivalent to the DN, then as described at block 70, the call is rerouted to the terminating user located nearest the DN.
The terminating user located nearest the DN is terminating user most advantageously suited to receive the communications transaction (i.e., the mobile phone call). The aforementioned operations described at blocks 72, 76, and 78 are then performed.
The operations described herein can be described generally as follows:
Initially, a communications transaction from an originator to a primary recipient (i.e., primary terminating user) is initiated. The communications transaction can be a phone call initiated via a mobile telephone. The CLID of the originator and the dialed DN
are utilized to determine, either alone or in combination with one another, whether or not to initiate restriction of the user termination area. If it is determined to restrict the user termination area based on the CLID or the DN alone or in combination with one another, a class of equivalent recipients (i.e., other associated terminating users) that are allowable substitutes for the primary recipient is identified. Thus, when a call is made to a primary terminating user, and it is determined to initiate a restricted user termination area based on the CLID or DN alone or in combination with one another, other terminating users are identified who can potentially respond to the call in the event the primary terminating user is unavailable or unable to respond to the call.

A determination is then made determining which recipient among the equivalent recipients and the primary recipient is most advantageously suited to receive the communications transaction. The recipient most advantageously suited to receive the communications transaction (i.e., the mobile telephone call) can be determined according to any of a number of possible factors, including the geographic location of a given terminating user with respect to a geographic location associated with the DN.
The call is finally routed to the recipient identified as most advantageously suited to receive the call.
For example, the equivalent recipient located closest to the geographic location from which the CLID originates, may be most advantageously suited to respond to the call. Likewise, the equivalent recipient located closest the geographic location of the dialed DN may be the recipient most advantageously suited to receive the call.
In the case of the DN, in particular, an equivalent recipient may be located close to the geographic location in which the dialed DN terminates. However, the primary recipient (i.e., the primary terminating user) may be unavailable to respond to the call. In such a case, the call is routed to the equivalent recipient located geographically closest to the DN.
It can be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the operations described in the examples of FIG, 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 can be performed alone or in combination with one another. For example, a call can be routed to a particular terminating user based not only on the appropriate termination area to utilize as a physical location associated with the DN, but also in combination with the appropriate termination area to utilize when a particular CLID is calling the terminating user. In such a case, if the terminating user or an equivalent terminating user is located in an area that is considered to be the most appropriate portion of the terminating area in which to receive a call from that particular CLID, then the call can be routed to that particular terminating user or equivalent terminating user as being most advantageously suited to RR1190 _ 2g _ respond to that call. In the event that neither the terminating user nor an equivalent terminating user or recipient is located in an appropriate termination area, based on the CLID, an attempt can then be made to terminate the call with an appropriate terminating user or equivalent terminating user, based on the terminating area in association with the dialed DN.
Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the intent of utilizing CLID and DN services as described herein is to determine whether or not restricting the termination area for a particular call is appropriate. Although terms such as "primary terminating user," "secondary terminating user," "primary recipient" and "secondary recipient" are utilized herein, such terms are utilized for illustrative purposes only. A
variant of the service described herein can include determining which of several units are located closest to the assigned physical location of a directory number and routing the call to the unit located closest that assigned physical location, rather than determining the current geographic location of the mobile communications device having that particular directory number and subsequently routing the call to the unit located closest that current geographic location.
Another variant of the service described herein can include randomly routing a call to one of several units located within a given distance of the physical location of the directory number dialed or located within a coverage area of that directory number.
Thus, in the aforementioned "salesperson" example, calls would be randomly distributed to those salespeople physically located somewhere on the car lot that is assigned to the directory number. A further variant of the service described herein includes one where a call is routed to a terminating user's mobile communications device, if the mobile communications device is located in an appropriate area, regardless of the location of other units (i.e., other associated mobile communication devices). In this case, alternative action (e.g., voice messaging, dispatcher, and so forth) can be implemented if the mobile communications device is not located in the appropriate area. A
specific example illustrative of this particular case involves a situation in which a terminating user desires to receive calls only when at work. When not at work, the call is routed to a voice mail, secretary, dispatcher, announcement service, and so forth. A
still further variant of the service described herein can include a situation in which a call is routed to the terminating user when the terminating user is located near his or her home. However, when the terminating user is located away (i.e., a given distance) from the home, the home landline receives the call instead of the mobile cellular telephone itself.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention can essentially be broken down into five parts: subscription, collecting the geographic location of the terminating user, delivering the location of the terminating user, determining an appropriate action, and executing the appropriate action. These parts, taken together, provide a service for routing calls from an originator to an appropriate terminating user based on the 1 S geographic location of the originator with respect to the terminating user with respect to the DN and/or CLID.
FIG. 9 depicts a pictorial representation 240 illustrative of network entities involved in implementing a method and system for providing restricted user termination areas based on DN and/or CLID in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the example of FIG. 9, a home location register (HLR) 246 is coupled to an originating mobile switching center (MSC-0) 244. MSC-O 244 is the mobile switching center in a cellular network that is the first cellular mobile aware node that contains information indicative that an incoming call is destined for a mobile.
HLR 246 is the location register to which a user identity may be assigned for record purposes, such as subscriber information (e.g., serial number, mobile station directory number, profile information, current location, authorization period, etc).

HLR 246 may or may not be located within and be distinguishable from a mobile switching center (MSC). HLR 246 may serve more than one MSC. In general, an HLR such as HLR 246 can be distributed over more than one physical entity. HLR

is coupled to service machine 248 which in turn is connected to the serving mobile switching center (MSC-S) 252. MSC-S 252 is the mobile switching center that currently has a mobile switching center service located at one of its cell sites within its coverage area. MSC-S in turn serves visiting location register (VLR) 250. VLR

is a location register other than HLR that is utilized by an MSC to retrieve information for handling of calls to or from a visiting subscriber. VLR 250 may or may not be located within and be indistinguishable from an MSC. VLR 250 may serve more than one MSC.
MSC-O 244 (i.e., originating MSC) is responsible for determining that a given call is destined for a wireless directory number (DN), and asks HLR 246 for instructions on how to handle such calls. HLR 246 is responsible for providing the subscription information, for querying service machine 248 for instructions, and for requesting that VLR 250 in association with MSC-S 252 provide the mobile's location.
VLR 250 and MSC-S 252 are responsible for providing the location of terminating users. Service machine 248 is responsible for providing appropriate action following the aforementioned requesting and querying operations.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a subscription is that portion of the service that provides to the various entities involved, necessary information regarding which mobile subscribers (MS) have subscribed to the service. HLR
246, VLR 250 and service machine 248 are involved in the subscription portion of the service. HLR 246 is responsible for service provisioning the subscription service. This means that HLR 246 provides an external interface that provides an HLR
operator with the capability of specifying which mobile subscribers will be provided with the subscription service and which mobile subscribers will not. Information specifying subscription includes the address of service machine 248.
Service machine 248 is responsible for determining the subscription information for mobile switches. This may be accomplished by fetching the profile from HLR
246, or it can be accomplished by providing an external interface which service machine 248 can utilize to designate which mobile switches will be provided with the subscription service. Service machine 248 is responsible for maintaining and processing methods for determining whether or not to allow a call to complete. Examples of such methods include those described herein such as restricting user termination areas based on the identity of an originator and/or the directory number dialed by the originator.
FIG. 10 illustrates a profile transfer diagram 256 of mobile station (MS) call originators in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. An MS comprises interface equipment utilized to terminate the radio path at the user side.
It provides the capabilities to access network services by a user. According to profile transfer diagram 256, at step a, call origination as indicated by arrow 265, occurs.
MSC 271 (i.e., the serving MSC) receives a call origination from MS 270. Note that MSC 271 is analogous to MSC-S 252 of FIG. 9. As indicated at step b, if the profile of the MS is unknown to the MSC, a "QUALREQ" is sent to VLR 250, as indicated by arrow 264. Note that messages in all caps (e.g., "QUALREQ") are invoke messages requesting that something be done.
Messages in all lower case (e.g., "qualreq") are return results (i.e., responses), giving the data requested or information related to what happened as a result of the request. As indicated at step c, if the profile of MS is unknown to VLR 250, then VLR 250 sends a "QUALREQ", as indicated by arrow 260, to HLR 246. As indicated at step d, HLR 246 sends a "qualreq" to VLR 250 (i.e., the serving MSC's VLR), as indicated by arrow 262. The subscription for the new service is included in this request. As indicated at step e, VLR 250 stores the subscription information sends back the qualreq to MSC 271, as indicated by arrow 258. Only MSC-S 252 (i.e., the serving MSC) is involved in the portion of the service related to the collecting of the geographic location of the terminating user. A serving switch (i.e., terminator's switch) determines the geographic location by performing a variety of potential techniques, including but not limited to triangulation, directional antennae, and so forth.
FIG. 11 depicts a messaging sequence diagram 280 illustrative of the flow for delivering the location of the terminating user in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As indicated at step a, HLR 246 requests MSC-S
252 to set up a call deliver to the mobile and determine the mobile's current location by sending a "ROUTREQ" message. The sending of the "ROUTREQ" message is specifically indicated by arrow 286. As indicated at step b, MSC-S 252 determines the geographic location of the mobile. MSC-S 252 is prepared for call delivery and then reports the geographic location of the mobile in the "routreq" message. The sending of the routreq message is specifically indicated by arrow 284. MSC-S 252 then takes other appropriate action to prepare for the termination, which can include maintaining the mobile in a "ready" state for termination. As indicated at step c, HLR 246 reports the current location of the terminating user to service machine 248 in a "SERVREQ"
message. Sending of the "SERVREQ" message is specifically indicated at arrow 282.
The phrase "geoloc" as utilized in the example of FIG. 11 is indicative of geographic location information.
In delivering the geographic location of the terminating user, several methods are possible. First, location delivery can occur when the call is received but before it is delivered. In this case, HLR 246 is responsible for sending the "ROUTREQ" to MSC-S
252 in which a request is made for MSC-S 252 to determine the geographic location of the mobile and report back. Upon receiving the response "routreq," HLR 246 is then responsible for passing the geographic location information received to the service machine 248 via a "SERVREQ" message. MSC-S 252 then responds to HLR 246 by sending the "routreq" response, including the current geographic location of the mobile.
MSC-S 252 is also responsible for taking appropriate action to keep the mobile accessible until the call delivery is received, when the call is allowed to terminate. This may include assigning the mobile to a traffic channel.
FIG. 12 illustrates a messaging sequence diagram 290 illustrative of the flow for delivering the geographic location of the terminating user in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The example depicted in FIG. 12 is an alternative to the example described in the text related to FIG. 11. The sequence depicted in FIG. 12 can be implemented as a preferred embodiment of the present invention when a need exists to report the geographic location information to the service machine on a substantially continuous basis. The example depicted in FIG. 12 shows a messaging sequence utilized by the MSC-S and the service machine in order to transfer the geographic location. As indicated at step a, if the profile indicates that the MS has this service, and it is appropriate (i.e., time has expired, mobile station has moved sufficiently, or other trigger) that the MSC (i.e., MSC 271) inform service machine 248 of the new location of the MS, MSC 271 sends a location notification ("LOCNOT") message to service machine 248. Sending of the "LOCNOT" message, including "geoloc" information, is specifically indicated by arrow 294. As indicated at step b, service machine 248 stores the new location of the MS and returns a "locnot"
response to MSC 271 via arrow 292.
Appropriate algorithms must be executed to determine what the service should do with a particular call. The service machine dominates this portion of the service.
Service machine 248 takes data related to the reported geographic location of the terminating user, CLID (i.e., identity of the originating terminal), and the dialed DN
(e.g., terminating users's business number or personal number), and executes a service algorithm. One skilled in the art will appreciate that there are many possible methods available for a service machine to make a decision related to executing the service algorithm. Service machine 248 can be utilized via the service algorithm to determine which terminating user is located close enough to a specific location associated with the dialed DN. Service machine 248 can be utilized via the service algorithm to determine whether a terminating user is located in a city/block/area associated with the dialed DN.
In addition, service machine 248 can be utilized via the service algorithm to determine whether or not to restrict a particular area (e.g., a car salesperson may want his or her spouse to be able to talk to him or her without considering the location of the salesperson). Service machine 248 can also be utilized via the service algorithm to decide whether the dialed DN is or is not appropriate for geographic location restriction.
For example, it may be desirable to restrict a personal number by geographic location, but not a business number. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that "time-of day" and "time-of week" factors, as elaborated herein, can be utilized by service machine 248 to make a decision related to executing the service algorithm.
1 S After processing the service algorithm, service machine 248 will have sufficient information to determine whether the call should be allowed to terminate as normal or whether alternative action should be taken. Alternative action can include, but is not restricted to: routing to voice mail, routing to a dispatcher, routing to another member of a group located within a termination area associated with the dialed DN
(e.g., routing to another car salesperson at a car dealership), and playing an announcement for the originator indicating that the terminating user is currently not available.
FIG. 13 depicts a messaging sequence diagram 295 illustrative of the flow for delivering instructions on how to handle a particular call in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is an example of a standard IS-41 messaging sequence that can be utilized to provide delivery of the instructions on handling the particular call. The example of FIG. 13 illustrates a response to a previously received "LOCREQ." The previously received "LOCREQ" is not shown in FIG. 13 because a change to the "LOCREQ" does not subsequently occur in the messaging sequence illustrated in FIG. 13. As indicated at step a, service machine 248 implements the appropriate action determined earlier. Service machine 248 sends instructions in a "servreq" message to HLR 246, as indicated specifically at arrow 298.
As indicated at step b, HLR 246 receives these instructions from service machine 248 and executes these instructions. The instructions may require HLR 246 to send additional messages to other nodes. When HLR 246 finishes processing its portion of th~9hs~i-~c~i~IrILsRtfblfiesal~ga'trn~s~~qcstesh~ea~nt~earlier by MSC-O 244) to MSC-O 244 informing MSC-O 244 what it must now do with the call.
MSC-O 244 receives the "locreq" and provides the appropriate call termination as instructed.
Service machine 248, HLR 246 and MSC-O 244 are involved in executing the appropriate action determined above. Service machine 248 is responsible for taking appropriate action once it has determined that appropriate action must be taken. HLR
246 is responsible for receiving and processing instructions. HLR 246 also informs MSC-O 244 of the type of termination appropriate for a given call. Appropriate action can include, but is not limited to, routing the call to a voice messaging center based on "time-of day" and/or "time-of week" considerations. For example, a terminating user may desire that calls from originators terminate at his or her mobile communications device whether he or she is located near his or her home during working hours, but not during non-working hours. Alternatively, during working hours, the primary terminating user may desire to restrict business calls based on his or -her location.
During non-working hours, the primary terminating user may desire to receive business calls only if he or she is actually located at work. Although such "time-of day" and "time-of day" restrictions can be utilized in accordance with the aforementioned preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art can appreciate that such restrictions can be utilized with alternative preferred embodiments such as those described herein.

Preferred implementations of the invention can include implementations as a computer system (e.g., a microcomputer with memory) programmed to execute the method or methods described herein, and as a program product. According to such a computer system implementation, sets of instructions for executing the method and methods are resident in a computer memory of one or more computer systems.
Until required by the computer system, the set of instructions may be stored as a computer-program product in another computer memory, as for example, in a disk drive (which may include a removable memory such as an optical disk or floppy disk for eventual use in disk drive).
Further, the computer-program product can also be stored at another computer and transmitted when desired to the user's workstation by a network or by an external network. One skilled in the art can appreciate that the physical storage of the sets of instructions physically changes the medium upon which it is stored so that the medium carries computer-readable information. The change may be electrical, magnetic, chemical, or some other physical change. While it is convenient to describe the invention in terms of instructions, symbols, characters, or the like, the reader should remember that all of these and similar terms should be associated with the appropriate physical elements.
Note that the invention describes terms such as determining, terminating, completing or other such terms that could be associated with a human operator.
However, for at least a number of the operations described herein which form part of at least one of the embodiments, no action by a human operator is desirable.
As indicated herein, these operations described are, in large part, machine operations processing electrical signals to generate other electrical signals. Thus, a method for implementing the logical operations depicted herein can be accomplished with a computer-aided device. In such a method, data stored in a memory unit of a data-processing system or a microcomputer such as microcomputer 130 depicted in FIG. 2, can represent steps in a method for implementing a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In addition, a preferred embodiment of the present invention can include a program product stored in a memory of a microcomputer coupled to the MSC
described herein.
It can be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the methods or processes described herein can be implemented as a program product, such as a control program residing with a computer memory and containing instructions that when executed on a CPU, will carry out the operations depicted in the logic flow charts described herein.
It is important to note that, while the present invention can be described in the context of a fully functional computer system, those skilled in the art can appreciate that the present invention is capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that the present invention applies equally, regardless of the particular type of signal-bearing media utilized to actually carry out the distribution.
Examples of signal-bearing media include: recordable-type media, such as floppy disks, hard-disk drives and CD ROMs, and transmission-type media, such as digital and analog communication links.
The embodiments and examples set forth herein are presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable those skilled in the art to make and utilize the invention. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only. For example, the present invention can be utilized in accordance with wireless communication systems in general, not just the cellular form of wireless communication systems. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims (8)

CLAIMS:

1. A method in a cellular wireless communications network for limiting calls, comprising the steps of:
initiating a call from an originator to a primary recipient;
obtaining an identity of said originator;
obtaining an identity of said primary recipient;
determining a location of said primary recipient; and in response to at least one of said obtained identity of said originator and said obtained identity of said primary recipient, denying completion of said call to said primary recipient when said primary recipient is located within a limited geographic area of a predetermined cell of said cellular wireless communications network.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:
in response to a denial of completion of said call, identifying a class of equivalent recipients that are considered as allowable substitutes for said primary recipient;
determining if a selected recipient among said equivalent recipients is within said specified limited geographic area to receive said call; and automatically completing said call with said selected recipient.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said utilizing step further comprises a step of utilizing said obtained identity of said originator and said obtained identity of said primary recipient to deny completion of said call to a specified limited geographic area.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein:
said step of determining an identity of said originator further comprises a step of determining a calling line identification of said originator; and said step of determining an identity of said primary recipient further comprises a step of determining a directory number of said primary recipient.

5. A system in a cellular wireless communications network for limiting calls, comprising:
means for initiating a call from an originator to a primary recipient;
means for obtaining an identity of said originator;
means for obtaining an identity of said primary recipient;
means for determining a location of said primary recipient; and means for denying completion of said call to said primary recipient when said primary recipient is located within a limited geographic area of a predetermined cell of said cellular wireless communications network, in response to at least one of said identity of said originator and said identity of said primary recipient.

6. The system of claim 5 further comprising:
means for identifying a class of equivalent recipients that are considered as allowable substitutes for said primary recipient, in response to a denial of completion of said call;
means for determining if a selected recipient among said equivalent recipients is within said specified limited geographic area to receive said call; and means for automatically completing said call with said selected recipient.

7. The system of claim 6 further comprising:
means for utilizing said obtained identity of said originator and said obtained identity of said primary recipient to deny completion of said call to a specified limited geographic area.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein:
said means for determining an identity of said originator further comprises means for determining a calling line identification of said originator; and said means for determining an identity of said primary recipient further comprises means for determining a dialed directory number of said primary recipient.