GB2532516A

GB2532516A - Communications system

Info

Publication number: GB2532516A
Application number: GB1420861.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rasakulasuriar Suresh; Anand Abhinav
Original assignee: RESILIENT PLC
Current assignee: RESILIENT PLC
Priority date: 2014-11-24
Filing date: 2014-11-24
Publication date: 2016-05-25
Anticipated expiration: 2034-11-24
Also published as: GB2532516B; GB201420861D0

Abstract

A communications system is disclosed in which a mobile telephone has associated primary and secondary telephone numbers and a communication apparatus has an associated steering telephone number. The communication apparatus receives from the mobile communication device, via the steering telephone number, a request for communication. The request includes the primary telephone number as a source telephone number. The communication apparatus determines, from the received request, a destination number of a further communication device; updates the request to include the secondary telephone number as the source telephone number; and sends the updated request towards the further communication device.

Description

Communications System The present invention relates to a communications system and to parts thereof. The invention has particular but not exclusive relevance to mobile communications systems and devices thereof operating according to the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and/or the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards or equivalents or derivatives thereof. The invention has particular although not exclusive relevance to the provision of a secondary identity for use in a GSM, a third generation (3G), and/or a fourth generation (4G) mobile service.

The GSM standards have been developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) to specify protocols for communications over second generation (2G) digital cellular networks. The GSM standards initially covered a digital, circuit-switched network optimized for full duplex voice telephony, but they were later expanded to cover data communications using various technologies, such as the General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) and/or the Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) technologies.

The third generation of standard specifications have been developed by 3GPP and these specifications are referred to as the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) standards.

The latest developments of the 3GPP standards are referred to as the Long Term 20 Evolution (LTE) of the EPC (Evolved Packet Core) network and the E-UTRA (Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access) network.

Under the 3GPP standards, a NodeB (in UMTS) or an eNB (in LTE) is the base station via which mobile communications devices connect to a core network and communicate to other communications devices or remote servers. For simplicity, the present application will use the term base station to refer to any such base stations regardless of the generation or the type of standards implemented by that base station.

Communications devices might be, for example, mobile communications devices such as mobile telephones, smartphones, user equipment (UE), personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptop computers, web browsers, and the like. 3GPP standards also make it possible to connect non-mobile user equipment to the network, such as Wi-Fi routers, modems, which can be implemented as a part of a (generally) stationary apparatus. For simplicity, the present application refers to mobile telephones in the description but it will be appreciated that the technology described can be implemented on any mobile and "non-mobile" equipment that can connect to such a core network.

In order to communicate with other devices, mobile telephones need to register and authenticate the user with the network based on information stored in a smart card coupled to the mobile telephone. Such a smart card is usually provided in the form of a removable subscriber identity module or subscriber identification module (SIM), which is effectively an integrated circuit (embedded in a plastic card, such as a SIM card') that securely stores information for identifying the subscriber and for securing communications with the network. The information for identifying the subscriber is usually provided in the form of an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) and the information for securing communications includes one or more subscriber specific (cryptographic) keys. The IMSI uniquely identifies the mobile telephone (i.e. the SIM card thereof), the associated home network, and the country of the home network.

The so-called Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN) is a number uniquely identifying a subscriber in a mobile communication network.

The MSISDN is effectively a telephone number associated with the SIM card of a particular mobile telephone and is mainly used for routing calls and/or text messages to the subscriber using that mobile telephone. There is a unique association created between the subscriber's IMSI and MSISDN in the network operator's subscriber database (for example, in the Home Location Register (HLR) and/or the like). Therefore, the MSISDN and/or the IMSI can be used for uniquely identifying the subscriber. The IMSI is often used as an identifier for the subscriber in the network operator's subscriber database whilst the MSISDN is the number normally dialled by other parties to connect a call (or to send a text message) to the mobile telephone (into which the subscriber's SIM card has been inserted).

It can be seen therefore that in mobile communication systems (such as GSM/UMTS/LTE and/or the like) the subscriber can only have one mobile telephone number (MSISDN) associated with a SIM card. Therefore, those subscribers that wish to use multiple telephone numbers, for example, a primary mobile telephone number (e.g. a private telephone number) and a secondary mobile telephone number (e.g. a business telephone number), need to use separate SIM cards (since each mobile telephone number/MSISDN needs to have an associated SIM card).

Consequently, subscribers having more than one telephone number either need to use multiple mobile telephones (each having an associated SIM card) or a mobile telephone that can support two (or more) SIM cards simultaneously. However, it is impractical for most subscribers to carry with them and to use two (or more) mobile telephones, which may also require separate accessories (such as chargers, headsets, etc.) and/or may require duplication of user/phone data (such as contact lists, to-do lists, passwords, applications, etc.). Whilst multi-SIM mobile telephones can partially address these issues, such mobile telephones are not as readily available as regular ('single-SIM') mobile telephones, and they are typically limited to using two SIM cards, which makes it difficult to use and switch between three or more mobile telephone numbers (which may only be possible by swapping SIM cards).

The provision of a secondary mobile telephone number may be possible using various Internet Protocol (IP) based services, such as voice-over-IP (VoIP) services. In this case, the subscriber registers with the VoIP services provider and obtains a 'virtual' mobile telephone number ('virtual SIM') which is then associated with the subscriber's account. However, even when such virtual telephone numbers (or other, similar identifiers) are provided by the VoIP service provider, calls made using such numbers or identifiers are not routed exclusively via conventional mobile communication networks (such as GSM/UMTS/LTE networks) but via the VoIP provider's network as well. Therefore, it is difficult or even impossible to ensure the same quality of service (QoS) level for such communications than what can normally be provided in conventional mobile communication networks. Even if such VoIP communications are mainly routed via a conventional mobile communication network, a required end-to-end QoS level cannot be guaranteed due to the involvement of the VoIP services provider. In other words, VoIP solutions (virtual SIMs) can only be provided using a non QoS/COS compliant service.

If the same QoS/COS level is desired for VoIP communications (e.g. virtual SIM based calls) as what can normally be provided in conventional mobile communication networks (e.g. in a GSM/3G/LTE network), then the VoIP services also require additional support by the underlying access network (e.g. appropriate hardware/software installed in the GSM/3G/LTE network) so that these VoIP services can be handled differently to regular IP traffic and so that a desired endto-end QoS can be achieved.

Further, virtual SIM solutions require network integration into the primary mobile telephony provider and can, therefore, be provided only via the same mobile telephony provider that issued the subscriber's primary telephone number (SIM card). However, this is inflexible and makes it difficult for the subscribers to select other service providers and use any virtual telephone number (or to have a private and a business telephone number from different network operators). It may also make it difficult or impossible to use a secondary mobile telephone number while the subscriber is located in a visited network (for example, when roaming and/or traveling abroad).

Accordingly, preferred embodiments of the present invention aim to provide methods and apparatus which overcome or at least partially alleviate the above issues.

Although for efficiency of understanding for those of skill in the art, the invention will be described in detail in the context of a GSM system, the principles of the invention can be applied to other systems, for example 3GPP system (UMTS, LTE), in which mobile telephones or user equipment communicate using a secondary telephone number.

In one aspect the invention provides a communication apparatus for a communication network comprising a mobile communication device having an associated first telephone number and an associated second telephone number, the communication apparatus having an associated steering telephone number and comprising: means for receiving via said steering telephone number, from said mobile communication device, a request for communication, the request including information identifying said first telephone number associated with said mobile communication device as a source telephone number; means for determining, from at least one of said first telephone number and said steering number via which said request was received, a destination number of a further communication device; means for generating a message for establishing communication with said further communication device, wherein said message includes information identifying said second telephone number associated with said mobile communication device as the source telephone number; and means for sending said generated message towards a network serving said further communication device.

The means for determining might be operable to determine said second telephone number from at least one of said first telephone number and said steering number. The steering number might uniquely identify a communication session between said mobile communication device and said further communication device.

The receiving means might be operable to receive, prior to receiving said request via said steering telephone number, a request for establishing a communication session between said mobile communication device and said further communication device. In this case, the steering number might be provided to said mobile communication device responsive to said request for establishing a communication session.

The request for establishing a communication session might comprise said destination number and at least one of: the first telephone number; and a token associated with at least one of said first telephone number, said second telephone number, and a user of said mobile communication device.

The generating means might be operable to generate said message by replacing, in said request received via said steering telephone number: i) said first telephone number with said second telephone number; and ii) said steering number with said destination number of said further communication device. The sending means might be operable to send said generated message on behalf of said mobile communication device.

The receiving means might operable to receive said request via a mobile telephone network (e.g. a GSM network) serving said mobile communication device.

In one aspect the invention provides a communication apparatus for a communication network comprising a mobile communication device having an associated first telephone number and an associated second telephone number, the communication apparatus comprising: means for receiving, from a further communication device, a request for communication, the request including information identifying said second telephone number associated with said mobile communication device as a destination telephone number; means for determining, from said second telephone number, said first telephone number associated with said mobile communication device; means for generating a message for establishing communication with said mobile communication device, wherein said message includes information identifying said first telephone number associated with said mobile communication device as the destination telephone number; and means for sending said generated message towards a network serving said mobile communication device.

The generating means might be operable to generate said message by replacing, in said received request: i) said second telephone number with said first telephone 20 number. The sending means might be operable to send said message on behalf of said further communication device.

The communication apparatus might further comprise means for associating said second telephone number associated with said mobile communication device with said first telephone number associated with said mobile communication device (e.g. when authenticating a user of said mobile communication device).

The communication apparatus might further comprise means for authenticating a user of said mobile communication device using at least one of: said second telephone number and a username (e.g. an email address). The authenticating means might be operable to allocate an authentication token for said mobile communication device, wherein said authentication token might be associated with at least one of said first telephone number, said second telephone number and a user of said mobile communication device.

The second telephone number associated with said mobile communication device might comprise a mobile telephone number (e.g. a virtual SIM number and/or a virtual MSISDN). The first telephone number associated with said mobile communication device might comprise a mobile telephone number (e.g. an MSISDN). The primary identifier might be specific to a network other than said communication network which includes said communication apparatus.

In one aspect the invention provides a communication device for use with the communication apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 18, the communication device comprising: means for generating a request for communication, the request including: information identifying said first telephone number associated with said mobile communication device as a source telephone number; and said steering number associated with said other communication device; and means for sending said generated request towards a network serving said mobile communication device.

The communications device might further comprise means for obtaining, from said communication apparatus, information that uniquely identifies said second telephone number for said mobile communication device (e.g. an authentication token). The communications device might further comprise means for authenticating a user of said mobile communication device using at least one of: said second telephone number and a username (e.g. an email address).

The communication device might further comprise means for obtaining a steering number for the establishment of a communication session between said mobile communication device and said further communication device. The communication device might further comprise means for requesting establishment of a communication session between said mobile communication device and said further communication device. In this case, the obtaining means might be operable to obtain said steering number responsive to said requesting means requesting said establishment of said communication session.

The requesting means might be operable to send, to said communication apparatus, a request for establishment of a communication session, the request comprising a destination number associated with said other communication device and at least one of: the first telephone number; and a token associated with at least one of said first telephone number, said second telephone number, and a user of said mobile communication device.

In one aspect the invention provides a system comprising the above described communication apparatus and the above described communication device.

In one aspect the invention provides a method performed by a communication apparatus in a communication network comprising a mobile communication device having an associated first telephone number and an associated second telephone number, the communication apparatus having an associated steering telephone number, the method comprising: receiving via said steering telephone number, from said mobile communication device, a request for communication, the request including information identifying said first telephone number associated with said mobile communication device as a source telephone number; determining, from at least one of said first telephone number and said steering number via which said request was received, a destination number of a further communication device; generating a message for establishing communication with said further communication device, wherein said message includes information identifying said second telephone number associated with said mobile communication device as the source telephone number; and sending said generated message towards a network serving said further communication device.

In one aspect the invention provides a method performed by a communication apparatus in a communication network comprising a mobile communication device having an associated first telephone number and an associated second telephone number, the method comprising: receiving, from a further communication device, a request for communication, the request including information identifying said second telephone number associated with said mobile communication device as a destination telephone number; determining, from said second telephone number, said first telephone number associated with said mobile communication device; generating a message for establishing communication with said mobile communication device, wherein said message includes information identifying said first telephone number associated with said mobile communication device as the destination telephone number; and sending said generated message towards a network serving said mobile communication device.

In one aspect the invention provides a method performed by a communication device in a system comprising said communication device and the above described communication apparatus, the method comprising: generating a request for communication, the request including: information identifying said first telephone number associated with said mobile communication device as a source telephone number; and said steering number associated with said other communication device; and sending said generated request towards a network serving said mobile communication device.

The invention also provides, for all methods disclosed, corresponding computer programs or computer program products for execution on corresponding user equipment or network communications devices.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates schematically a cellular telecommunications system to which embodiments of the invention may be applied; Figure 2 is a block diagram of a mobile telephone forming part of the system shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a block diagram of an authentication server forming part of the secondary telephone number provider (smartnumber) network shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a block diagram of a user database forming part of the secondary telephone number provider (smartnumber) network shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is an exemplary timing diagram indicating a procedure by which a mobile originated call is being set up for a mobile telephone forming part of the system shown in Figure 1, using a secondary mobile telephone number; Figure 6 is an exemplary timing diagram indicating a procedure by which a mobile terminated call is being set up for a mobile telephone forming part of the system shown in Figure 1, using a secondary mobile telephone number; Figure 7 is an exemplary timing diagram indicating a procedure by which a mobile telephone authenticates itself with a GSM network shown in Figure 1 using its primary mobile telephone number; and Figure 8 is an exemplary timing diagram indicating a procedure by which a mobile telephone forming part of the network shown in Figure 1 manages a secondary mobile telephone number.

Overview Figure 1 schematically illustrates a telecommunications network 1 in which a user of a mobile telephone 3 can communicate with other users and network nodes via a base station 5 (forming part of an access network 6) using an appropriate radio access technology (RAT). As those skilled in the art will appreciate, whilst one mobile telephone 3 and one base station 5 are shown in Figure 1 for illustration purposes, the system, when implemented, will typically include other base stations and mobile telephones.

The mobile telephone 3 and the base station 5 are connected via an air interface. In this example, the mobile telephone 3 and the base station 5 are connected via an appropriate GSM air interface, although they may also use any other suitable interface (such as a UMTS or an LTE interface) depending on the capabilities of the mobile telephone 3 and the base station 5. The mobile telephone 3 includes a (removable) SIM card 7, which determines the network that the mobile telephone 3 should use (and is authorised to use). In this example, the SIM card 7 comprises a GSM SIM card 7, and uniquely associates a GSM mobile telephone number to the user of the mobile telephone 3. In the following, the GSM mobile telephone number associated with the SIM card 7 is referred to as the user's primary mobile telephone number (or simply 'primary identifier').

The base station 5 is also connected to a core network 10 (denoted 'GSM network' in Figure 1) via an appropriate network interface (e.g. a GSM network interface) and to a so-called smartnumber network 20 (i.e. the provider of a secondary mobile telephone number) via an appropriate network interface, such as an interface using IP, hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), secure HTPP (HTTPS), and/or the like. It will be appreciated that an appropriate network interface is also provided between the GSM network 10 and the smartnumber network 20 (either directly or via an external network 29). In this example, the external network 29 comprises a public services telephone network (PSTN) although it may also comprise a suitable IP network (such as the Internet, a VoIP network, and/or the like).

The GSM network 10 includes, amongst others, a mobile switching centre (MSC) / visitor location register (VLR) 11 and a home location register (HLR) 15 (which is coupled to a user (subscriber) database 17).

The MSCNLR 11 is responsible for managing communications between the network nodes in the access network 6 (such as the mobile telephone 3) and other nodes by allocating, controlling, and monitoring resources required by the network 15 nodes served by the MSCNLR 11, based on information stored in the VLR.

The HLR 15 also provides the functionality of an authentication server 15, based on user-specific information held by the user database 17. The user database 17, amongst others, holds information relating to the subscription of each user for which the GSM operator is the home network operator (such as the user of SIM card 7). Subscription data may include, amongst others: settings and preferences; device capabilities; authorisations for accessing the access network 6, the GSM network 10, and/or the external network 29; services associated with the SIM card 7; QoS associated with such services; information related to charging for services; and/or the like. In contrast, information relating to the users currently served by the access network 6 (whether they are home or roaming subscribers) is stored in the VLR (e.g. temporarily). It will be appreciated that some of the information included in the HLR 15 is also stored on the SIM card 7 (for example, subscriber-specific security keys, settings and preferences, and/or the like).

In the smartnumber network 20, there is provided an authentication server 25 (for authenticating users of the mobile telephone numbers that belong to the smartnumber network 20) and a user database 27 (for storing information relating to each smartnumber network user and their respective telephone numbers). In the following, any telephone number provided by the smartnumber network for (the user of) the mobile telephone 3 is referred to as the user's secondary mobile telephone number (or simply 'secondary identifier').

The authentication server 25 and the user database 27 are coupled via an appropriate network interface, in this example, via an HTTP interface. However, it will be appreciated that other interfaces may also be used and/or the authentication server 25 and the user database 27 may be provided as a single network entity (in which case an internal interface may be provided between the functionalities of the authentication server part and the user database part of the single network entity).

Whenever the mobile telephone 3 is powered up in (or registers to) an area served by the access network 6, it informs the MSCNLR 11 (via the base station 5) about its current location (i.e. a current cell) using appropriate GSM signalling. The mobile telephone 3 also performs an appropriate authentication with the GSM network 10 and sets up an authenticated channel with the GSM network 10 so that it can be reached securely via the serving base station 5. It will be appreciated that in GSM networks such an authentication involves a challenge-response based authentication mechanism (for example, the so-called A3 and A8 algorithms) using one or more secret keys known only to the mobile telephone 3 (stored in its SIM card 7) and the home network (stored in the HLR 15). Therefore, following a successful authentication with the GSM network 10, the user of the mobile telephone 3 is able to communicate (make/receive calls and/or text messages) using his primary mobile telephone number (associated with the SIM card 7).

In this system, however, the user of the mobile telephone 3 is also able to communicate using one or more secondary mobile telephone number(s). This is made possible by the mobile telephone 3 including an appropriate application (e.g. a ismartnumber application') that can interface with the smartnumber network 20. In this example, the smartnumber application and the smartnumber network 20 communicate using the HTTP/HTTPS protocol (although it will be appreciated that they may use any other suitable communication protocol) for managing the setting up of incoming/outgoing calls (and/or text messages) for the mobile telephone 3, via the GSM network 10, using the secondary mobile telephone number.

Before the user of the mobile telephone 3 can communicate using a secondary mobile telephone number, the smartnumber application identifies the user with the smartnumber network 20 by performing an appropriate authentication procedure (using HTTP/HTTPS). For example, the user may be required to enter an appropriate username and password combination (and/or the like). During the authentication procedure, the smartnumber application obtains a token (e.g. an authentication token and/or the like) from the smartnumber network 20. Once the user has been successfully identified by the smartnumber network 20, the user can use his secondary mobile telephone number (which is stored in the user database 27) without requiring a second SIM card to be inserted into the mobile telephone 3.

Specifically, if the user wishes to place a call (such as a regular GSM call) to a number (e.g. an MSISDN number) of another party using his secondary mobile telephone number, he dials the other party's number via the smartnumber application. The obtained token is then used by the smartnumber application to request a session for establishing a subsequent telephone call, via the GSM network 10, to the other party using the secondary mobile telephone number.

Based on the token (which effectively serves as a proof of authorisation) the smartnumber network 20 can determine which primary mobile telephone number has been associated with which secondary number. Once the session has been authorised, the smartnumber application dials an appropriate 'steering number' (or the like) for connecting the requested telephone call, via the GSM network 10, to the other party using the secondary mobile telephone number. The steering number is effectively a 're-useable' telephone number that belongs to and/or is associated with the smartnumber network 20.

In more detail, the smartnumber application initiates the requested call towards the GSM network 10 by sending a regular call setup message (e.g. a regular GSM call setup message). In this example, however, the smartnumber application includes in the call setup request information identifying the originator of the call (the primary mobile telephone number, which is the telephone number known to the GSM network 10 for that user) and information identifying the destination of the call (the steering number, rather than the number of the other party).

Based on the steering number, the GSM network 10 directs the call setup message to the smartnumber network 20 (because the steering number is associated with the smartnumber network 20 rather than with the party dialled by the user). The smartnumber network 20 checks which user initiated the call (e.g. based on the primary mobile telephone number included in the received call setup message and the information stored in the user database 27). The smartnumber network 20 also checks the intended destination of this call (e.g. based on an association between the steering number and the number originally dialled by the user associated with the primary identifier) and forwards the call setup request to the actual called party (i.e. the number originally dialled by the user), i.e. rather than responding (answering/rejecting) the call.

Beneficially, before forwarding the call setup request towards the called party, the smartnumber network 20 replaces the steering number with the actual dialled number (based on at least one of: the token; the primary mobile telephone number; and the steering number that is associated with the dialled number) and replaces the call originator number with the secondary mobile telephone number that belongs to that user (based on data held for the user in the user database 27).

Therefore, when the called party (the number originally dialled by the user) receives the appropriately modified call setup request, the request appears to have been originated using the secondary mobile telephone number. When the called party answers the call setup request (picks up the phone), the call is connected between the mobile telephone 3 and the called party's device, via the GSM network 10 (serving the mobile telephone 3) and any other telephone network serving the called party. Advantageously, the established call, since it is effectively a standard GSM call, is routed without involving the smartnumber network 20 (i.e. after the call setup phase) and/or any VoIP network and hence it is possible to provide communications having essentially the same QoS level as for calls placed using the user's primary mobile telephone number.

Effectively, the smartnumber network 20 is operable to perform an automated call forwarding based on the token/steering number uniquely associated with the user's primary mobile telephone number. It is noted however, that in this system the token/steering number allocated to the user's primary mobile telephone number is used only once, i.e. for forwarding a single mobile originated call.

Therefore, each time the user dials a new number (or re-dials a previously called number), the smartnumber application is operable to request a new token/steering number from the smartnumber network 20 before initiating the requested call via the GSM network 10.

When receiving incoming requests for (mobile terminated) calls (or text messages) using the secondary mobile telephone number, the telephone network of the calling party (which may be different to the GSM network 10) routes the call setup request / text message request to the smartnumber network 20 that has issued that secondary mobile telephone number to the user of the mobile telephone 3.

Advantageously, if the mobile telephone 3 is turned on (and has authenticated itself with the serving GSM network 10) and the user has logged in to the smartnumber network 20 via the smartnumber application, then the smartnumber network 20 is able to process any incoming request for the mobile telephone 3 directed to its secondary mobile telephone number. It will be appreciated that there is no need for the GSM network 10 to know that the user of the secondary mobile telephone number and the primary mobile telephone number is the same person. Therefore, the procedure is transparent to the underlying communication network.

Specifically, upon receiving such a request (incoming call/text message) for the secondary mobile telephone number, the smartnumber network 20 looks up the corresponding primary mobile telephone number (from user database 27). Next, rather than responding to (answering/rejecting) the request, the smartnumber network 20 replaces the secondary mobile telephone number in the request with the corresponding primary mobile telephone number and forwards the modified request towards the mobile telephone 3 (e.g. to the MSCNLR 11). Finally, the GSM network 10 forwards the smartnumber network's 20 modified request to the mobile telephone 3 based on the primary mobile telephone number included in the modified request. Advantageously, from the GSM network's 10 point of view, the incoming request appears to be a standard (e.g. GSM) request addressed to the primary mobile telephone number associated with the SIM card 7, even though the calling party has dialled the secondary mobile telephone number.

In summary, the above described smartnumber solution provides at least the following benefits: The user of the mobile telephone 3 is able to communicate using a secondary mobile telephone number without relying on VoIP services and/or without the smartnumber service provider requiring any integration with the GSM network 10.

The above method provides a secondary mobile identity (aka mobile number or 10 MSISDN) for inbound and outbound communication on the mobile telephone 3, where: a) The identity and service is independent of the underlying radio access network 6 / GSM network 10 of the primary mobile identity and requires no server integration with the network infrastructure providing the primary mobile identity. In other words, the primary number and the SIM card 7 can be provided by any mobile service provider and the secondary identity is effectively radio network provider agnostic.

b) Calls to and from both the primary and secondary identities belonging to the mobile telephone 3 use the same reliable QoS enabled connection for voice, i.e. calls are routed via the user's home GSM network 10 rather than over VoIP networks and/or using the mobile telephone's 3 data connection.

c) The service can be provided on any smartphone irrespective of multi SIM support. Therefore, the smartnumber service is effectively a virtual SIM (or SIM free) solution and does not require the mobile telephone 3 to support dual SIM.

d) The same secondary mobile telephone number may be used with the mobile telephone 3 regardless of which primary mobile telephone number (SIM card) is currently being associated with the mobile telephone 3.

Mobile Telephone Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the main components of the mobile telephone 3 shown in Figure 1. As shown, the mobile telephone 3 has a transceiver circuit 31 that is operable to transmit signals to and to receive signals from a base station 5 via one or more antenna 33. The mobile telephone 3 has a controller 37 to control the operation of the mobile telephone 3.

The controller 37 is coupled to a SIM interface 38 for communicating with a SIM card 7 when it is inserted into the mobile telephone 3.

The controller 37 is associated with a memory 39 and is coupled to the transceiver circuit 31. Although not necessarily shown in Figure 2, the mobile telephone 3 may of course have all the usual functionality of a conventional mobile telephone 3 (such as a user interface 35) and this may be provided by any one or any combination of hardware, software and firmware, as appropriate. Software may be pre-installed in the memory 39 and/or may be downloaded via the telecommunications network or from a removable data storage device (RMD), for

example.

The controller 37 is configured to control overall operation of the mobile telephone 3 by, in this example, program instructions or software instructions stored within memory 39. As shown, these software instructions include, among other things, an operating system 41, a communications control module 43, a GSM module 45, a SIM card module 46, a HTTP(S) module 47, and a smartnumber module 49.

The communications control module 43 controls the communication between the mobile telephone 3 and the base station 5. The communications control module 43 also controls the separate flows of uplink data (user and/or application data) and control data that are to be transmitted to the base station 5.

The GSM module 45 controls communications between the mobile telephone 3 and the GSM network 10 (including the base station 5 and the access network 6). In particular, the GSM module 45 communicates with the GSM network (e.g. the MSC/VLR 11) for managing communications using a primary mobile telephone number (such as an MSISDN associated with the SIM card 7).

The SIM card module 46 controls communications between the mobile telephone 3 (e.g. the GSM module 45 thereof) and the SIM card 7 inserted into the mobile telephone 3. The SIM card module 46 and the SIM card 7 communicate using messages formatted in accordance with an appropriate smart card protocol, such as the protocols defined in the ETSI 102 221, ETSI 102 223, International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 7816 standards, and/or the like.

The HTTP(S) module 47 controls communications (e.g. generates, sends and receives messages) in accordance with the hypertext transfer protocol and/or the secure hypertext transfer protocol specified by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). In particular, the HTTP(S) module 47 communicates with the smartnumber network 20 (e.g. the authentication server 25 and the user database 27) for managing communications using a secondary telephone number.

The smartnumber module 49 comprises the smartnumber application which facilitates the making/receiving of calls and/or text messages via the GSM network 10 using the secondary mobile telephone number.

Authentication server Figure 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating the main components of the authentication server 25 shown in Figure 1. As shown, the authentication server 25 includes a transceiver circuit 51 which is operable to transmit signals to, and to receive signals from the mobile telephone 3 (via the base station 5) via a UE interface 53 and to transmit signals to, and to receive signals from PSTNs (such as the GSM network 10 and/or the like) via a PSTN interface 55. The operation of the transceiver circuit 51 is controlled by a controller 57 in accordance with software stored in memory 59. The software includes, among other things, an operating system 61, a communications control module 63, a PSTN module 65, an HTTP(S) module 67, and a user database management module 69.

The communications control module 63 controls the communication between the authentication server 25 and other entities, such as the mobile telephone 3 (via the base station 5), the user database 27, and other network nodes (e.g. network 30 nodes in the GSM network 10 and/or in the PSTN / external network 29).

The PSTN module 65 controls communications between the authentication server 25 PSTNs (such as the GSM network 10 and the access network 6). In particular, the PSTN module 65 communicates with the GSM network 10 (e.g. the MSCNLR 11) for managing communications initiated for a secondary mobile telephone number associated (in the user database 27) with a primary mobile telephone number that belongs to the GSM network 10 (such as an MSISDN associated with the SIM card 7).

The HTTP(S) module 67 controls communications (e.g. generates, sends and receives messages) in accordance with the hypertext transfer protocol and/or the secure hypertext transfer protocol specified by the IETF. In particular, the HTTP(S) module 67 communicates with the smartnumber module 49 (smartnumber application) of the mobile telephone 3 for managing communications using a secondary telephone number.

The user database management module 69 interfaces with the user database 27 (via the HTTP(S) module 67) for managing information related to the users of the smartnumber network 20 (such as the user of the mobile telephone 3). The user database management module 69 controls the associations (held in the user database 27) between the primary and secondary mobile telephone numbers for the users.

User database Figure 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating the main components of the user database 27 shown in Figure 1. As shown, the user database 27 includes a transceiver circuit 71 which is operable to transmit signals to, and to receive signals from the other network entities, such as the authentication server 25 via a network interface 73. The operation of the transceiver circuit 71 is controlled by a controller 77 in accordance with software stored in memory 79. The software includes, among other things an operating system 81, a communications control module 83, a database module 85 (which includes corresponding user entries 87 for each user served by this user database 27), and an HTTP(S) module 89.

The communications control module 83 controls the communication between the user database 27 and other entities, such as the authentication server 25 (via the HTTP(S) module 89).

The database module 85 stores user entries 87 for the users of the smartnumber network 20 (such as the user of the mobile telephone 3).

The HTTP(S) module 89 controls communications (e.g. generates, sends and receives messages) in accordance with the hypertext transfer protocol and/or the secure hypertext transfer protocol specified by the IETF. In particular, the HTTP(S) module 89 communicates with the authentication server 25 (the user database management module 69 thereof) for maintaining information (user entries 87) related to the users of the smartnumber network 20 (such as the user of the mobile telephone 3).

In the above description, the mobile telephone 3, the authentication server 25, and the user database 27 are described for ease of understanding as having a number of discrete modules (such as the communications control modules, the GSM/PSTN modules, and the HTTP(S) modules etc.). Whilst these modules may be provided in this way for certain applications, for example where an existing system has been modified to implement the invention, in other applications, for example in systems designed with the inventive features in mind from the outset, these modules may be built into the overall operating system or code and so these modules may not be discernible as discrete entities. These modules may also be implemented in software, hardware, firmware or a mix of these.

Operation -mobile originated call Figure 5 is a timing diagram indicating a procedure by which the smartnumber network 20 controls setting up a mobile originated GSM call for the mobile telephone 3 forming part of the system 1 shown in Figure 1, using a secondary (non-GSM) mobile telephone number.

The procedure begins at step S500, when the mobile telephone 3 (using its GSM module 45 and SIM card 7) performs an appropriate authentication procedure with 30 the GSM network 10 (e.g. the HLR 15) using the primary mobile telephone number (MSISDN) associated with the SIM card 7 inserted into the mobile telephone 3.

Further details of such an authentication procedure for the primary identity are shown in Figure 7 and are omitted here for sake of simplicity.

Upon completion of a successful (SIM-based) authentication procedure for the primary identity, an authenticated channel is established, in step S502, between the mobile telephone 3 and the GSM network 10 serving the mobile telephone 3.

In other words, the mobile telephone 3 can now be reached securely (via the serving base station 5 and GSM network 10) using its associated primary mobile telephone number. For example, the user of the mobile telephone 3 can communicate (initiate/receive calls and/or text messages) using his primary mobile telephone number.

In this system, the user of the mobile telephone 3 is also able to communicate using a secondary mobile telephone number (secondary identity). Therefore, as generally shown in step S510, the mobile telephone 3 (using its smartnumber module 49 and HTTP(S) module 47) authenticates the user with the authentication server 25 (using the HTTP(S) module 67 and user database management module 69 thereof). For example, the user is requested to enter a username and a password combination (and/or the like) into the smartnumber application (smartnumber module 49) installed on the mobile telephone 3. Further details of such an authentication procedure for the secondary identity are shown in Figure 8 and are omitted here for sake of simplicity.

As part of the authentication procedure with the smartnumber network 20, the mobile telephone 3 (using its HTTP(S) module 47 and smartnumber module 49) obtains an appropriately formatted string of characters (herein referred to as a token') that is uniquely associated with the user of the mobile telephone 3. The mobile telephone 3 (the smartnumber module 49 thereof) needs to use this token in its subsequent communications with the smartnumber network 20 (so that there is no need to re-authenticate the user every time the user places or receives a call using the smartnumber application). In step S511, the smartnumber module 49 stores the obtained token in the memory 39. Further details of an exemplary procedure in which the mobile telephone 3 can obtain such a token are also shown in Figure 8 and are omitted here for sake of simplicity.

As shown in step S513, the user of the mobile telephone 3 dials a telephone number, for example, an MSISDN that belongs to another mobile telephone 3'. In this example, however, the user would like to call this telephone number using his secondary mobile telephone number (using the smartnumber application).

Next, in response to the user dialling the number, the mobile telephone 3 (using HTTP(S) module 47 and the smartnumber module 49) establishes a session with the smartnumber network 20 for facilitating the routing of this call to the other mobile telephone 3' via the GSM network 10. Specifically, the mobile telephone 3 (using its HTTP(S) module 47) generates and sends, in step S517, an appropriately formatted signalling message to the smartnumber network 20 (e.g. the authentication server 25 thereof), for example, a 'dial session request' HTTPS message. The smartnumber module 49 also includes in this message the dialled number (e.g. the MSISDN that belongs to the mobile telephone 3'), the primary mobile telephone number (e.g. a GSM MSISDN) associated with the user of the mobile telephone 3 initiating the call, and the token obtained at step S510 (stored in memory 39 at step S511).

Upon receipt of the mobile telephone's 3 request, the smartnumber network allocates a steering number (e.g. selected from a pool of available steering numbers) for handling the requested call. The steering number is effectively a 're-useable' telephone number that belongs to and/or is associated with the smartnumber network 20. It will also be appreciated that the steering number may be pre-allocated to the mobile telephone 3 (e.g. stored in memory 39), for example. The smartnumber network 20 generates and sends, in step S519, an appropriately formatted response message (e.g. a 'dial session response' HTTPS message) and includes in this message the allocated steering number and/or an authorisation to use the (pre-allocated) steering number.

In step S523, the smartnumber module 49 proceeds to place the requested call to the other mobile telephone 3' on behalf of the secondary user identity. However, as can be seen in step S524, the smartnumber module 49 generates and sends (using the GSM module 45) an appropriately formatted signalling message to the GSM network 10 (for example, a 'call setup' GSM request) for setting up a call between the mobile telephone 3 and the smartnumber network 20 (rather than the mobile telephone 3'). The smartnumber module 49 thus includes in the call setup message the primary identifier of the mobile telephone 3 initiating the call (e.g. the MSISDN associated with the SIM card 7), and the smartnumber steering number as the destination of the call.

Since the steering number belongs to the smartnumber network 20, the GSM network 10 routes the call setup message (at step S524) to the smartnumber network 20. Upon receipt of the call setup message, the smartnumber network 20 replaces the primary identity used for originating the call with the secondary identity associated with that primary identity (in accordance with the user entry 87 stored in the user database 27 for that user). The smartnumber network 20 also replaces the steering number in the request with the telephone number of the called party (i.e. the MSISDN of the other mobile telephone 3' that the user dialled in step S513).

Next, the smartnumber network 20 forwards, in step S526, this appropriately modified call setup request towards the called party (i.e. the network serving the mobile telephone 3').

In step S527, the mobile telephone 3' answers the call by generating and sending an appropriately formatted signalling message (e.g. a 'call answer' GSM message).

Finally, as generally shown in step S530, the requested call is successfully established between the mobile telephones 3 and 3', via the GSM network 10 (and optionally a network serving the other mobile telephone 3'), wherein from the called party's perspective the call appears to have been originated using the secondary mobile telephone number (rather than the primary mobile telephone number and/or the steering number). Beneficially, there is no need to the dialled mobile telephone 3' to implement or use any smartnumber specific features (such as a smartnumber module 49) since the call setup request received at step S526 is a conventional GSM call setup request.

Advantageously, since the established call (generally shown in step S530) is effectively a standard GSM call (although the call is being set up via the smartnumber network 20) hence it is possible to provide communications using the secondary mobile telephone number having essentially the same QoS level as for calls placed using the user's primary mobile telephone number.

Operation -mobile originated text message Similarly to the example described with reference to Figure 5, it is also possible to send text messages, via the GSM network 20, using the user's secondary mobile telephone number. It will be appreciated that in this case, the 'dial session request' message (step S517) and the corresponding 'dial session response' message (step S519) may be replaced, for example, with an appropriately formatted 'text message session request' message and a 'text message session response' message, respectively.

Further, in this case, instead of placing a GSM call (as in step S523), the smartnumber application is operable to generate an appropriate text message for sending to the GSM network 20 (e.g. similarly to step S524). The text message in this case includes the primary identity as the sender and the steering number as the recipient of the text message (instead of the actual recipient number).

In this case, the smartnumber network 20 checks the incoming text message, replaces the steering number with the actual recipient number (e.g. the MSISDN of the other mobile telephone 3') and replaces the sender's primary number with the secondary mobile telephone number before forwarding the text message towards its intended destination. Therefore, on the receiving mobile telephone 3' it appears as if the text message was sent from the secondary mobile telephone number.

Operation -mobile terminated call / text message Figure 6 is an exemplary timing diagram indicating a procedure by which a mobile terminated call is being set up for a mobile telephone 3 forming part of the system 1 shown in Figure 1, using a secondary mobile telephone number.

In this example, the smartnumber network 20 connects the mobile telephone 3 to an incoming (mobile terminated) call using the secondary mobile telephone number associated with the user of the mobile telephone 3.

Steps S600 to S611 are identical to steps S500 to S511, respectively; hence their description is omitted herein for sake of simplicity.

As can be seen, in step S613, a calling party (e.g. a calling mobile telephone 3") dials the secondary mobile telephone number ( smartnumber') associated with the user of the mobile telephone 3. It will be appreciated that it is not necessary for the calling mobile telephone 3" to include any smartnumber application and/or to have any information about the primary mobile telephone number (MSISDN) associated with the SIM card 7.

The calling mobile telephone 3" generates and sends an appropriately formatted GSM call setup message towards the smartnumber network 20 (because that smartnumber belongs to the smartnumber network 20) via the PSTN 29 serving the calling mobile telephone 3". It will be appreciated that the PSTN 29 may or may not be different to the GSM network 10 serving the mobile telephone 3.

In step S614b, the PSTN 29 routes the call setup request / text message request to the smartnumber network 20 that has issued that secondary mobile telephone number to the user of the mobile telephone 3.

Since in step S600 the mobile telephone 3 has authenticated itself with the serving GSM network 10 and in step S610 with the smartnumber network 20, the smartnumber network 20 is able to process the incoming call request for the mobile telephone 3 directed to the secondary mobile telephone number.

Specifically, in step S615, the smartnumber network 20 looks up (using the 20 database module 85) the corresponding primary mobile telephone number (MSISDN / GSM number) associated with the mobile telephone 3.

Next, the smartnumber network 20 generates (using the PSTN module 65) and sends, in step S616, an appropriately formatted GSM call setup message towards the mobile telephone 3. However, the message at S616 includes the mobile telephone's 3 primary mobile telephone number rather than the dialled smartnumber (at step S613). In other words, the smartnumber network 20 replaces the smartnumber (of the incoming message at step S614b) with the primary mobile telephone number for the mobile telephone 3.

Since the primary mobile telephone number is uniquely associated with the SIM 30 card 7 issued by the GSM network 10, the call setup message at S616 is processed by the GSM network 10 (not shown in Figure 6) and forwarded to the mobile telephone 3 (via the base station 5).

Beneficially, there is no need for the GSM network 10 to know that the user of the secondary mobile telephone number and the user of the primary mobile telephone number is the same person (since whenever a smartnumber is used in a request, for example in step S614a, the GSM network 10 routes the request towards the smartnumber network 20).

Upon the user of the mobile telephone 3 answering the call setup request, the smartnumber module 49 generates and sends, at step S617, an appropriately 10 formatted GSM call answer message (via the GSM network 10 and/or PSTN 29) towards the calling mobile telephone 3".

Finally, as generally shown in step S630, the call initiated at step S613 using the mobile telephone's secondary mobile identity is connected between the calling party 3" and the mobile telephone 3 (using its primary identity). Advantageously, from the calling mobile telephone's 3" point of view, it appears as if the call has been connected to the secondary mobile telephone number.

It will be appreciated that in an analogous way to mobile terminated calls, the smartnumber network 20 may also be operable to process incoming (mobile terminated) text messages for the mobile telephone 3 using the secondary identity.

In this case, the GSM call setup messages (steps S614a/b and S616) may comprise text messages and the call answer message (step S617) may comprise a message delivery confirmation and/or the like.

In this case, similarly to mobile originated text messages, the smartnumber network 20 is operable to check any incoming text messages, and replace the steering number with the primary identity (i.e. the MSISDN associated with the SIM card 7) before forwarding the text message towards the mobile telephone 3.

Operation -SIM based authentication Figure 7 is an exemplary timing diagram indicating a procedure by which a mobile telephone 3 authenticates itself with a GSM network 20 shown in Figure 1 using its primary mobile telephone number. Effectively, Figure 7 illustrates in detail the procedure performed between the mobile telephone 3 and the GSM network 10 in step S500 of Figure 5.

The procedure begins in step S700, in which the user of the mobile telephone 3 performs an authentication of the SIM card 7 being used with the mobile telephone 3 (e.g. as part of powering up the phone).

Next, the mobile telephone 3 generates (using its GSM module 45) and sends, in step S702, and appropriately formatted message requesting access to the GSM network 10. This message (e.g. an 'access request' GSM message) includes the IMSI from the SIM card 7.

In response to receiving the mobile telephone's 3 request, the MSCNLR 11 generates and sends, at step S704, an appropriately formatted message to the HLR 15 (e.g. an 'authentication info request' GSM message) requesting subscription information required for authenticating the received IMSI.

The HLR 15 looks up in the user database 17 the corresponding authentication information, such as an authentication 'triplet' including a random number (RAND), an SRES, and a security key (Kc) associated with the SIM card 7, and the HLR 15 sends the authentication information to the MSCNLR 11 in an appropriate response message (e.g. an 'authentication info response' GSM message).

The MSCNLR 11 stores the received triplet and forwards the RAND to the mobile telephone 3 for using the RAND as an input for a SIM based authentication procedure. Therefore, in step S710, the mobile telephone 3 performs (using its SIM card module 46) an appropriate authentication procedure (which typically includes the so-called A3 an AS algorithms in GSM) using the RAND as an input parameter, and derives a corresponding authentication response ('RES').

In step S712, the mobile telephone 3 (using its GSM module 45) generates and sends a message to the GSM network 10 (to the MSCNLR 11), and includes in the message the derived authentication response.

If the MSCNLR 11 finds, in step S713, that the mobile telephone's 3 'RES' equals to the SRES' included in the triplet received from the HLR 15, then it generates 30 and sends an appropriately formatted message authorising the mobile telephone 3 to access the services provided by the GSM network 10. As generally illustrated in step S715, such GSM services are provided over an authenticated channel between the MSC/HLR 11 and the mobile telephone 3. The authentication of the primary (SIM based) identity is now complete (step S720).

Therefore, after a successful authentication with the GSM network 10, the user of the mobile telephone 3 is able to communicate with other parties using his primary mobile telephone number (i.e. the MSISDN associated with the SIM card 7).

Operation -authentication with the secondary identity provider Figure 8 is an exemplary timing diagram indicating a procedure by which a mobile telephone 3 forming part of the network 1 shown in Figure 1 manages a secondary mobile telephone number. Effectively, Figure 8 illustrates in detail the procedure performed between the mobile telephone 3 and the smartnumber network 20 in step S510 of Figure 5.

As generally illustrated in step S800, in this example the user database 27 of the smartnumber network 20 initially includes information about the user of the mobile telephone 3, including: a username; an associated password; a primary MSISDN; and one or more secondary MSISDN (although such a secondary MSISDN may be optional at this phase).

The procedure begins in step S801, in which the user of the mobile telephone 3 initiates authentication with the smartnumber network 20. For example, the user might be requested to enter (using smartnumber module 49) a username and password combination (and/or any similar suitable authentication parameter) into the smartnumber application running on the mobile telephone 3.

In response to this, the mobile telephone 3 (using its smartnumber module 49) generates and sends, in step S802, an appropriately formatted request (e.g. an HTTP 'authentication request' message) for authenticating the user with the smartnumber network 20.

If the authentication server 25 determines that the username/password pair is correct (e.g. based on data obtained from the user data base 27), then it proceeds to assign a security token to the mobile telephone 3 (the details of which are shown in steps S804 to S806). The security token may also be referred to as a 'virtual SIM' (VSIM). In step S807 (which may form part of step S804), the authentication server 25 (using its user database management module 69) instructs the user database 27 to store (in its database module 85) the assigned security token along with the user entry 87 for the mobile telephone 3. Therefore, as shown in step S808, the user entry 87 is appended with the security token (and possibly with the corresponding secondary mobile telephone number is not yet known) for the mobile telephone 3.

Once the authentication server 25 can confirm (e.g. by receiving an appropriate confirmation in step S809) that the security token has been stored for this mobile telephone 3, it proceeds to generate (using its HTTP(S) module 67) and send, in step S810, an appropriately formatted message (e.g. an 'authentication successful' HTTP message) to the mobile telephone 3 confirming that the username/password combination entered at step S801 was correct and that the smartnumber network 20 has allocated registered the secondary identity (MSISDN) for this mobile telephone 3. The authentication server 25 also includes in this message the security token assigned for this mobile telephone 3.

The mobile telephone 3 (using its smartnumber module 49) stores the received security token for subsequent use in initiating communications, via the GSM network 10, using the secondary identity (for example, as described above with reference to step S517 of Figure 5).

Modifications and Alternatives Detailed embodiments have been described above. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, a number of modifications and alternatives can be made to the above embodiments whilst still benefiting from the inventions embodied therein. By way of illustration only a number of these alternatives and modifications will now be described.

In the above embodiments, various examples are discussed illustrating how the smartnumber network can manage mobile originated and mobile terminated calls/text messages for the mobile telephone using a secondary identity linked to a primary mobile telephone number. However, it will be appreciated that more than one secondary identity may be linked to the same primary mobile telephone number. In this case, the user may select from the smartnumber application which secondary number to use for placing a mobile originated call.

It will also be appreciated that the smartnumber network may be arranged for communication of multimedia messages for the secondary identity (not only calls/text messages). It will be appreciated that such multimedia messages may include multimedia messaging service (MMS) messages, emails, instant messages, social network communications, and/or the like.

In the above exemplary embodiments, a text message on behalf of the secondary user identity is sent/received via the smartnumber network and using a conventional SMS service (provided by the GSM network) in combination with an appropriate steering number (provided by the smartnumber network) associated with the secondary user identity. However, it will also be appreciated that such a text message (and/or a multimedia message) may also be sent as HTTP data (e.g. from within the smartnumber application) and/or via email. In this case, at least for mobile originated messages, the token (which identifies and/or authenticates the sender) and/or the secondary user identity may be included in the HTTP data packet and/or email carrying the message. In this case, an appropriate steering email address and/or other suitable steering identifier may also be used (e.g. instead of a steering number). It will also be appreciated that if HTTP data and/or email is used, text/multimedia communications may be possible without involving the GSM network at all (e.g. if both the sender and the receiver implement an appropriate smartnumber application).

In step S617 of Figure 6, the mobile telephone 3 is shown to send an appropriate call answer message via the smartnumber network serving the mobile telephone and the PSTN serving the calling party. However, it will be appreciated that such a call answer message may be sent without involving the smartnumber network (e.g. directly to the PSTN and/or involving only the GSM network serving the mobile telephone).

In Figure 1, the HTTP connection between the mobile telephone and the smartnumber network is shown to be routed directly between the base station and the smartnumber network. However, it will be appreciated that in a deployed system the HTTP connection between the mobile telephone and the smartnumber network will be routed via the GSM network.

Although the above examples are described with GSM networks in mind, they are applicable to other communication technologies as well, such as UMTS, LTE, CDMA, WCDMA, and/or the like.

In the above embodiments, the mobile telephones are cellular telephones. It will be appreciated that the above embodiments could be implemented using devices other than mobile telephones such as, for example, personal digital assistants, laptop computers, tablet computers, web browsers, etc. In the above embodiments, a number of software modules were described. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the software modules may be provided in compiled or un-compiled form and may be supplied to the mobile telephone, to the authentication server, or to the user database as a signal over a computer network, or on a recording medium. Further, the functionality performed by part or all of this software may be performed using one or more dedicated hardware circuits. However, the use of software modules is preferred as it facilitates the updating of the mobile telephone 3, the authentication server 25, and the user database 27 in order to update their functionalities.

Various other modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and will not be described in further detail here.

Claims

CLAIMSA communication apparatus for a communication network comprising a mobile communication device having an associated first telephone number and an associated second telephone number, the communication apparatus having an associated steering telephone number and comprising: means for receiving via said steering telephone number, from said mobile communication device, a request for communication, the request including information identifying said first telephone number associated with said mobile communication device as a source telephone number; means for determining, from at least one of said first telephone number and said steering number via which said request was received, a destination number of a further communication device; means for generating a message for establishing communication with said further communication device, wherein said message includes information identifying said second telephone number associated with said mobile communication device as the source telephone number; and means for sending said generated message towards a network serving said further communication device.
2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for determining is operable to determine said second telephone number from at least one of said first telephone number and said steering number.
The communication apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said steering number uniquely identifies a communication session between said mobile communication device and said further communication device.
4. The communication apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said receiving means is operable to receive, prior to receiving said request via said steering telephone number, a request for establishing a communication session between said mobile communication device and said further communication device.
5. The communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said steering number is provided to said mobile communication device responsive to said request for establishing a communication session.
6. The communication apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said request for establishing a communication session comprises said destination number and at least one of: the first telephone number; and a token associated with at least one of said first telephone number, said second telephone number, and a user of said mobile communication device.
7. The communication apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein said generating means is operable to generate said message by replacing, in said request received via said steering telephone number: i) said first telephone number with said second telephone number; and ii) said steering number with said destination number of said further communication device.
8. The communication apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein said sending means is operable to send said generated message on behalf of said mobile communication device.
9. The communication apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein said receiving means is operable to receive said request via a mobile telephone network (e.g. a Global System for Mobile Communications, GSM, network) serving said mobile communication device.
10. A communication apparatus for a communication network comprising a mobile communication device having an associated first telephone number and an associated second telephone number, the communication apparatus comprising: means for receiving, from a further communication device, a request for communication, the request including information identifying said second telephone number associated with said mobile communication device as a destination telephone number; means for determining, from said second telephone number, said first telephone number associated with said mobile communication device; means for generating a message for establishing communication with said mobile communication device, wherein said message includes information identifying said first telephone number associated with said mobile communication device as the destination telephone number; and means for sending said generated message towards a network serving said mobile communication device.
11. The communication apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said generating means is operable to generate said message by replacing, in said received request: i) said second telephone number with said first telephone number.
12. The communication apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said sending means is operable to send said message on behalf of said further communication device.
13. The communication apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 12, further comprising means for associating said second telephone number associated with said mobile communication device with said first telephone number associated with said mobile communication device (e.g. when authenticating a user of said mobile communication device).
14. The communication apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 13, further comprising means for authenticating a user of said mobile communication device using at least one of: said second telephone number and a username (e.g. an email address).
15. The communication apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said authenticating means is operable to allocate an authentication token for said mobile communication device, wherein said authentication token is associated with at least one of said first telephone number, said second telephone number, and a user of said mobile communication device.
16. The communication apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 15, wherein said second telephone number associated with said mobile communication device comprises a mobile telephone number (e.g. a virtual subscriber identification module, SIM, number and/or a virtual Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number, MSISDN).
17. The communication apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 16, wherein said first telephone number associated with said mobile communication device comprises a mobile telephone number (e.g. an MSISDN).
18. The communication apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 17, wherein said primary identifier is specific to a network other than said communication network which includes said communication apparatus.
19. A communication device for use with the communication apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 18, the communication device comprising: means for generating a request for communication, the request including: information identifying said first telephone number associated with said mobile communication device as a source telephone number; and said steering number associated with said other communication device; and means for sending said generated request towards a network serving said mobile communication device.
20. The communications device according to claim 19, further comprising means for obtaining, from said communication apparatus, information that uniquely identifies said second telephone number for said mobile communication device (e.g. an authentication token).
21. The communications device according to claim 19 or 20, further comprising means for authenticating a user of said mobile communication device with said communication apparatus using at least one of: said second telephone number and a username (e.g. an email address).
22. The communication device according to any of claims 19 to 21, further comprising means for obtaining a steering number for the establishment of a communication session between said mobile communication device and said further communication device.
23. The communication device according to any of claims 19 to 22, further comprising means for requesting establishment of a communication session between said mobile communication device and said further communication device.
24. The communication device according to claim 22, further comprising means for requesting establishment of a communication session between said mobile communication device and said further communication device, and wherein said obtaining means is operable to obtain said steering number responsive to said requesting means requesting said establishment of said communication session.
25. The communication device according to claim 23 or 24, wherein said requesting means is operable to send, to said communication apparatus, a request for establishment of a communication session, the request comprising a destination number associated with said other communication device and at least one of: the first telephone number; and a token associated with at least one of said first telephone number, said second telephone number, and a user of said mobile communication device.
26. A system comprising the communication apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 18; and the communication device according to any of claims 19 to 25.
27. A method performed by a communication apparatus in a communication network comprising a mobile communication device having an associated first telephone number and an associated second telephone number, the communication apparatus having an associated steering telephone number, the method comprising: receiving via said steering telephone number, from said mobile communication device, a request for communication, the request including information identifying said first telephone number associated with said mobile communication device as a source telephone number; determining, from at least one of said first telephone number and said steering number via which said request was received, a destination number of a further communication device; generating a message for establishing communication with said further communication device, wherein said message includes information identifying said second telephone number associated with said mobile communication device as the source telephone number; and sending said generated message towards a network serving said further communication device.
28. A method performed by a communication apparatus in a communication network comprising a mobile communication device having an associated first telephone number and an associated second telephone number, the method comprising: receiving, from a further communication device, a request for communication, the request including information identifying said second telephone number associated with said mobile communication device as a destination telephone number; determining, from said second telephone number, said first telephone number associated with said mobile communication device; generating a message for establishing communication with said mobile communication device, wherein said message includes information identifying said first telephone number associated with said mobile communication device as the destination telephone number; and sending said generated message towards a network serving said mobile communication device.
29. A method performed by a communication device in a system comprising said communication device and the communication apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 18, the method comprising: generating a request for communication, the request including: information identifying said first telephone number associated with said mobile communication device as a source telephone number; and said steering number associated with said other communication device; and sending said generated request towards a network serving said mobile communication device.
30. A computer program product comprising instructions for causing a computer-programmable device to perform a method according to any of claims 27 to 29.