MXPA00002885A - Wireless prepaid platform integration with ss7 isup interface - Google Patents

Abstract

The telecommunication networks (202) include a wireless enhanced service platform (112) which is coupled to a home location register database (110) and a prepaid platform (116).

Description

WIRELESS PLATFORM INTEGRATION PREVIOUSLY PAID WITH SS7 ISUP INTERFACE CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUESTS The following application of the common assignee contains a certain description, and is believed to have an effective filing date identical to that of the present invention. Wireless Prepaid Platform Integration With Standard Signaling (A Previously Paid Wireless Platform Integration With Standard Signaling), Proxy No. RIC-96-044 (1575.1960000), incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to telecommunications network products and, more particularly, to a network and method for processing pre-paid wireless telephone calls.

Related Technology Telecommunications network products are services provided by telephone companies that are carried over telecommunications networks. A widely known example is a dial 1 long distance voice service, which allows a customer to dial a 1 plus a 10 digit number from their home phone, talk to a party that answers the phone on the line of the 10-digit number dialed, and pay for the phone call when invoiced at the end of the month. Although dialing 1 is popular, other calling and payment options are sometimes preferable, such as the option to make a call from a phone other than the home phone and charge the call to the home phone account using a calling card. One of these call and payment options is the debit call, which is also referred to as a previously paid call. The debit call allows a customer to place funds in an account and have those funds as debit each time a phone call is made. The standard debit call processing includes checking the account balance before connecting the call and going through the balance check during the call. An example of a typical debit call customer is a parent who wants to buy a debit call card for their child who is away from home. As previously mentioned, the debit call is made in a telecommunications network. A telecommunications network comprises two basic elements: telecommunications equipment, which can also be referred to as network components, and links that connect the equipment or components. In a common channel signaling telecommunications network, two types of links connect components, signaling links and traffic links, also known as telephone lines. The signaling links carry the signaling information necessary to process a call between the components of the network. The traffic links or telephone lines carry information to a client that is sending, for example, a digitized signal of a person's voice, between network components. The components of the telecommunications network, specifically switches, establish a traffic link to carry a call by exchanging messages through the signaling links. Signaling links specify tasks that will be performed on traffic links. Since the handling of call and information processing for debit calls differs from other voice services, debit calls are handled through specialized components in the telecommunications network. The difficulties arise in establishing calls through network components that are not specialized for previously paid handling calls. These components can mainly handle dialing 1 calls or be specialized for other services, such as wireless voice service. A particular problem addressed by the present invention is to incorporate calls previously paid to a network specialized in handling wireless calls. The most common aspect to incorporate the debit call to a wireless network is to require a specialized wireless headset to force calls through the network components that can handle the debit calls. Another aspect is to require a customer to dial an access number to enter the appropriate network components to make the debit call. Another aspect is to limit the services available to the caller with the debit callFor example, some wireless debit services that allow customers to make debit calls but do not allow customers to receive debit calls over the wireless network.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION In summary, the present invention offers pre-paid wireless calls without the use of a special wireless handset or access number. In addition, the present invention allows a customer to place and receive calls through the wireless network. Also, the present invention offers specialized call processing for wireless debit calls, while in accordance with industry signaling standards. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a wireless pre-paid platform using a signaling technique. The signaling technique involves defining special parameters, referred to as previously paid call parameters and a pre-paid address number that handles specialized call processing and directs calls to the specialized network components necessary to process a debit call. In the signaling technique, the previously paid call parameters and the previously paid address number are encapsulated in the establishment signaling information. In other words, the previously paid call parameters and the previously paid address number are stored in fields in the signaling message for call set-up that are not specified by the industry standard signaling method. The telecommunications industry has developed a standard signaling method, which allows telephone companies to communicate over the networks of other companies. The equipment in a telecommunications network is in accordance with the standard, so that it can receive and respond to other equipment's signaling messages. The current industry standard is the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Signaling System Number 7 (SS7) Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) User Part (ISUP), NCT 1.113 (1995), and the American National Standards Institute (document). ANSI) Signaling System Number 2 (SS7) Message Transfer Part (MTP) NCT 1.111 (1992), which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The present invention uses fields in the standard signaling message ANSI SS7 ISUP that establishes a call. The signaling message used to establish a call is referred to as the initial address message. The present invention places or encapsulates the previously paid call parameters within the super generic digits field of the initial address message. The encapsulation is discussed in more detail in the patent application of E.U.A. Series No. 08 / 653,885, filed May 28, 1996, entitled "Encapsulation of Proprietary Protocol Information", incorporated herein by reference. The previously paid address number is stored in the called party number field, another field in the initial address message. Although the present invention redefines the fields in the standard signaling message, it has the same signaling format and is in accordance with the standard. The use of the signaling technique mitigates the need for a special wireless headset or an access number to direct the call to the appropriate network components. Also, the services are not limited to, for example, a previously paid subscriber for both making and receiving a call. Other aspects and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of the various embodiments thereof, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, similar reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar and / or structurally similar elements. The drawings in which a first element appears are indicated by the digit (s) farthest to the left in the corresponding reference number.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a block diagram of a wireless call origin environment previously paid in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a block diagram of a wireless call termination environment previously paid in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figures 3A and 3B collectively illustrate a flowchart showing the operation of the previously paid wireless call origin environment of Figure 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figures 4A and 4B together represent a flow chart illustrating the operation of the previously paid wireless call termination environment of Figure 2, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES Figure 1 is a block diagram of a home environment of wireless debit or pre-paid call 102. Debit and pre-paid terms are used simultaneously herein. The previously paid wireless call origination environment 102 comprises a wireless enhanced service platform 112, a home location register 110 and an exchange network 114, a previously paid platform 116. In a wireless home debit call, which call is a wireless debit 104 call service subscriber (also referred to as a previously paid subscriber). The pre-paid subscriber 104 places the call using a wireless headset 106, which is also referred to as a subscriber station, a cordless telephone, or a cellular telephone. When the previously paid subscriber 104 enters the call information (i.e. dial a telephone number) through the wireless handset 106, the wireless handset 106 outputs a signal to the mobile switching center 108. The mobile switching center 108 is a commutator that directs calls and performs call handling functions. Multiple mobile switching centers 108 are geographically separated. Each mobile switching center 108 has a corresponding database (not shown) that contains subscriber information. The mobile switching center 108 enters the database to obtain the information with respect to the subscriber 104. The mobile switching center 108 directs the call to the enhanced wireless service platform 112. The enhanced wireless service platform 112 comprises several components They accept wireless calls, provide audio capability when necessary, collect billing information, and direct the call through the telecommunications network. The enhanced wireless service platform 112 directs calls by entering information in the home location register 110. The home location register 110 is a functional database containing the subscriber profile and movement management information. Improved wireless service platform arrangements 112 and home location register 110 are described in the U.S. patent application. No. 08 / 445,997, filed June 28, 1995, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Improved Cali Connectivity in an Intelligent Wireless Network," (Method and Apparatus for Improving Call Connectivity in an Intelligent Wireless Network) , incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Improved wireless service platforms 112 typically do not include components that store customer account information for processing and billing debit calls. In a network using the present invention, the components of the enhanced wireless service platform 112 need only limited modifications to direct the components for them to store customer account information on the previously paid platform 116. The enhanced wireless service platform 112 direct debit calls to the previously paid platform 116 using an initial address message. As discussed above, the initial address message is in the format established by the industry standard signaling method ANSI SS7 ISUP to establish a call. The initial address message contains a super generic digit field, wherein the enhanced wireless service platform 112 stores the previously paid call parameters. In addition, the initial address message has a called party number field where the previously paid address number is stored. The previously paid platform 116 determines whether the subscriber 104 has sufficient funds in his account to connect the call. The previously paid platform 116 is made up of several components that have switching, audio, pre-paid information processing, and billing capabilities. The pre-paid platform 116 uses the previously paid call parameters received from the enhanced wireless service network 112 to process and bill the call. The calls can be directed to the previously paid platform 116 through an exchange network 114. An exchange network 114 comprises a plurality of switches or exchangers that are located across a geographical area. For example, a national exchange network 114 may comprise switches located throughout the nation. When a call is directed to the exchange network 114, it is directed to one or more switches within the exchange network 114. The calls are routed through an exchange network 114, since the installation of direct signaling links and telephone lines between the wireless service platform 112 and the previously paid platform 116, is prohibitively expensive. The exchange network 114 transmits the call parameters previously paid without translation. The previously paid platform 116 completes the call through a local exchange network 118. A local exchange network 118 comprises switches and terminating equipment within a localized area. An example of a local exchange network 108 is a local Bell network that operates the company network such as Bell Atlantic. The local exchange network 118 terminates the call on a telephone 120, which if answered by the receiver 122, completes the call connection. Figure 2 is a block diagram of the previously paid wireless call termination environment 202. The previously paid wireless call termination environment 202 comprises the same network components as the source environment 102, specifically, an enhanced wireless service platform. 112, a home location register 110, an interchange network 114, and a pre-paid platform 116. In a previously paid wireless termination call, the called party is a wireless debit calling service subscriber 104. In contrast to the service that is not wireless, a wireless subscriber 104 is billed not only for making a call, but also for receiving a call. The one who calls 204 can be any customer of telephone service, however; in this mode, the one who calls 204 uses a service that is not wireless. When the caller 204 enters the call information (ie, dials a telephone number) through the telephone 120, the telephone 120 gives signal to the local exchange network 118. Contrary to the call origin processing, the exchange network local 118 and not the mobile switching center 108, accepts the caller's call 204 and establishes the call to the enhanced wireless service platform 112. However, the enhanced wireless service platform 112 accepts the call and uses the information obtained by asking to home location register 110 to process the call. Similar to the originating call processing, the enhanced wireless service platform 112 only needs limited modifications to handle the debit call service. Improved wireless service platform 112 directs calls to the previously paid platform 116 through exchange network 114 to process the previously paid call. Also, similar to the originating call processing, the enhanced wireless service platform 112 directs previously paid call parameters to the previously paid platform in the super generic digits field of the initial address message. In addition, the previously paid address number is sent to the exchange network in the called party number field of the initial address message. Like the originating call processing, the previously paid platform 116 can terminate a call to a wireless subscriber 104 through the local exchange network 118 if the local exchange network 118 is capable of handling wireless calls. However, if the local exchange network is not capable of handling wireless calls, the termination calls are routed from the previously paid platform 116 back to the exchange network 114, as shown in Figure 2. The exchange network 114 directs the call to the mobile switching center 108 serving the previously paid subscriber 104. When the mobile switching center 108 receives the call, the mobile switching center 108 gives signal to the wireless handset 106 of the previously paid subscriber 104. As the originating call processing, the call connection is completed if the previously paid subscriber 104 answers the call. Figures 3A and 3B together represent a flow diagram 302, which illustrates the operation of the previously paid wireless call origin environment 102. When the steps of Figures 3A and 3B are described, the components shown in Figure 1 will be denominated. Step 306, the previously paid subscriber 104 initiates a call to a receiver 122. The previously paid subscriber 104 does this by entering digits of a telephone number in the wireless handset 106. In step 308, the mobile switching center 108 receives the call . The digits entered in the wireless handset 106 are transferred through a signal to the mobile switching center 108 in a well-known manner. In step 310, the mobile switching center 108 directs the call to the enhanced wireless service platform 112. The mobile switching center 108 sends an origin request to the enhanced wireless service platform 112. The origin request consists of a initial address message. The initial address message is initiated when a component in a telecommunications network signals another component to establish a call. The preferred initial address message contains fields that describe the nature of the connection, the calling party, the called party, and other attributes necessary to connect and bill a call. For example, the calling party number and called party number fields give the address and billing information. The charging number field gives the billing information. Also included are the fields that indicate the tributes of the network of the call that is being made. For example, the nature of the connection indicators informs the receiving equipment if satellite equipment and echo suppression are being used. A complete list of the fields of the initial address message is presented in Table 1 below.

Table 1 Initial Address Message Fields Use Nature of Connection Indicators Set indicators with respect to connection transmission. Advance Call Indicator Set indicators with respect to the connection and type of call Calling Party Part Ordinary Calling Number (ISDN) Plan User Service Information Set indicators that identify information with carrier capacity.

Charge Number Mobile subscriber billing number, if different from the mobile subscriber's directory number. Number of the Party Calling Number of the mobile subscriber's directory. Call Part Number Digits of destination address. Parameter of Redirection Number The last advance number, if the call progress has occurred. The presence of this parameter depends on the availability of this information from the originating network. Original Called Number Original destination address digits dialed, if a multiple call advance has occurred. The presence of this parameter depends on the availability of this information by the originating network. Source line information Digits of ANI information of origin lines. Selection of Traffic Network Information regarding transit networks. Generic Address Field Optional. Field of Super Generic Digits Later Optional Network Transport.

The information in the calling party number field of the initial address message shown in Table 1 above is used to determine the identifier of the originating mobile switching center 108, which is in mobile switching center 108 which received the call of the wireless handset 106. The identifier of the home mobile switching center 108 is referred to as the mobile home directory number. The mobile home directory number is used to determine where the call was placed to bill the call. In step 312, the enhanced wireless service platform 112 asks the home location register 110 to direct the information. The home location register 110 maintains two types of subscriber information: subscription information and location information. The subscription information is the services that the subscriber 104 is author to use. The home location register uses the subscription information to verify that the subscriber 104 is author for the previously paid wireless service. One type of location information is the last mobile switching center 108 that was registered to serve the subscriber 104. The last mobile switching center 108 that was registered as serving the subscriber 104 may be different from the originating mobile switching center 108, if the subscriber 104 is calling out of his home area. The mobile subscriber switching center 108 is identified using a switching center identification number. The previously paid subscriber 104 is identified using a mobile identification number. Other location information is used to calculate the tax on the cost of a call. The location information is used to properly direct and bill the call. In step 314, the home location register 110 returns to the enhanced wireless service platform 112 a previously paid address number, and previously paid call parameters. The previously paid address number may be a national number, such as the ten digit number used to direct and bill calls with the dialing of the number 1, or a switching identifier and junction line. Switching and junction line identifiers are used by switches in telecommunication networks to route calls to another switch through a specified junction line. A junction line is a group of traffic links that have the same physical endpoints and are defined in the switching software as those used as an entity to direct calls. As mentioned earlier, the previously paid call parameters contain information necessary to handle the specialized call processing that is necessary for debit calls. The parameters previously paid include location information. More particularly, in this mode, two identifiers are returned: a mobile switching center identification number and a location identifier for the calculation of the tax. In addition, the enhanced wireless service platform received the originating mobile identification number of the mobile switching center 108. In step 316, the enhanced wireless service platform 112 encapsulates the previously paid address number and call parameters previously paid in the call establishment signaling information. As previously mentioned, ie the previously paid call parameters are stored in a field in the signaling message used to establish a call that is not specified by the industry standard signaling method. The encapsulation is discussed in more detail in the patent application of E.U.A. Series No. 08 / 653,885, filed on May 28, 1996, entitled "Encapsulation of Proprietary Protocol Information". The previously paid address number is stored in the called party number field of the initial address message. The destination address digits are typically stored in the address information field of the called party number field shown in Table 2. (The called party number field is part of the initial address message shown in Table 1) . However, in this invention, the address information field contains the address number previously paid. The format of the called party number field is shown below in Table 2.

TABLE 2 The previously paid call parameters are stored in the super generic digits field of the initial address message shown in Table 1. In the patent application of E.U.A. Series No. 08 / 653,885 filed on May 28, 1996 entitled "Encapsulation of Proprietary Protpcol Information", a distribution scheme for the parameters in the super generic digits field is established. This embodiment of the present invention has defined parameters based on that distribution. The first two bytes are distributed to store the name and length of the parameter. The parameter names in this mode are MSCID for the mobile switching center identification number, Location ID for the location identifier for the tax calculation, and OMIN for the mobile identification number of origin. The parameter length is specified on a case-by-case basis. The third byte is distributed to store the coding scheme and type of digits. In this embodiment of the present invention, the coding scheme is binary and the type of digits is 0-19 (11011), which are generic digits. Table 3 shows the distribution of bytes and bits in the field of super generic digits. The field of super generic digits to originate calls is shown in Table 4, which is presented later.

TABLE 3 Format for the Super Generic Digit Field # of Bit 3 of Bytes Parameter Name Parameter Name Coding Scheme Type of Digits Digits Digits TABLE 4 In step 318, the enhanced wireless service platform 112 establishes a call to the exchange network 114. The enhanced wireless service platform 112 sends an initial address message to a switch within the exchange network 114 with the address number previously paid and previously paid call parameters encapsulated in the message. The switch within the exchange network 114 may establish the call via other switches within the exchange network 114 depending on the availability of traffic. In step 320, the exchange network 114 establishes the call to the platform previously paid 116. The exchange network 114 uses the address number previously paid to establish the call to the platform previously paid 116. If the address number previously paid is a national number, the switch in the exchange network 114 searches for the number in a table to retrieve from the table the corresponding switch that is on the previously paid platform 116 and union line group that is used to direct calls to that switch on the platform previously paid. Calls are then routed via the union line group retrieved to the switch on the previously paid platform. If the previously paid address number is a switch and a junction line identifier, the calls are routed over the identified junction line group to the switch. The exchange network 114 signals using an initial address message with the previously paid parameters encapsulated within the message. The exchange network 114 passes the parameters previously paid to the platform previously paid 116 without translation. In step 324, the previously paid platform 116 determines whether the call should be allowed. By doing this, the previously paid platform 116 determines if there are sufficient funds in the subscriber's account. The previously paid platform 116 uses the calling number and the mobile switching center identification number to request the subscriber's account to determine if there are sufficient funds to connect the call.

If there are sufficient funds, step 326 is performed. In step 326, the previously paid platform 116 establishes the call to the local exchange network 118. In step 328, the receiver 122 receives the call via the telephone 120 and the call connection is completed. The operation of the flow chart 302 is completed after performing step 328, as indicated in step 336. Referring again to step 324, if the subscriber 104 does not have sufficient funds in his account, step 330 is performed. In step 330, the previously paid platform 116 intercepts the call. The previously paid platform 116 provides a message to the previously paid subscriber 104 informing him of the lack of funds in the account. Then, the previously paid platform 116 releases the connection to the exchange network 114. In step 332, the exchange network 114 releases the connection to the enhanced wireless service platform 112. In step 334, the call is released through from the network to the previously paid subscriber 104. The operation of the flow chart 302 is completed after performing step 334, as indicated by step 336. FIGS. 4A and 4B collectively represent flow chart 402 illustrating the operation of the previously paid wireless call termination environment 202. When the steps of Figures 4A and 4B are described, the components shown in Figure 2 will be named. In step 406, the caller 204 initiates a call to the previously paid subscriber 104. The caller 204 initiates the call by entering digits of a telephone number in the telephone 120. In step 408, the local exchange network 118 receives a call of the telephone 120. The digits entered in the telephone 120 are transferred to the local exchange network 118 in a well-known manner. In step 410, the local exchange network 118 directs the call to the enhanced wireless service platform 112. The local exchange network 118 uses the same signaling as that used for other voice calls. In step 412, the enhanced wireless service platform 112 requests the home location register 110 to direct information. As mentioned previously, the home location register 110 maintains two types of subscriber information: subscription information and location information. The subscription information is the services that the subscriber 104 is authorized to use. The home location register uses the subscription information to verify that the subscriber 104 is authorized for the previously paid wireless service. The location information includes a mobile communication center identification number and a location identifier used to calculate the tax on the cost of a call. In step 414, the home location register 110 requests from the mobile switching center 108 a previously paid access in advance to the temporary local directory number. The temporary local access advance directory number previously paid is an additional parameter for terminating calls used by the previously paid platform 116 in a last step to direct the call to the appropriate mobile switching center 108 to complete the call. The temporary local access advance directory number previously paid is in the form of destination digits. The temporary local access advance directory number previously paid is an additional parameter that is encapsulated in the initial address message. The home location register 110 uses the mobile switching center identification number it has stored, which as previously mentioned, is the last mobile switching center 108 registered as serving the subscriber 104, to determine to which switching center mobile 108 ask. In step 416, the mobile switching center 108 returns the pre-paid temporary access advance local directory number and a mobile termination identification number to the start location registration 110. The terminating mobile identification number is an identifier for the previously paid subscriber 104 who will receive the call. In step 418, the home location register 110 returns to the enhanced wireless service platform 112 to the previously paid address number and call parameters previously paid. Similar to previously paid wireless origin calls, the previously paid address number can be a national number or a junction line identifier and switch. With respect to the previously paid call parameters, the two identifiers returned to the location calls, the switching center identification number and the location identifier for the tax calculation are also returned to termincalls. However, as mentioned above, unlike the previously paid wireless origin calls, in this mode, the home location register 110 also returns two additional parameters, the temporary local access advance directory number previously paid and the mobile identification number of termination. In step 420, similar to the origin calls, the enhanced wireless service platform 112 encapsul the previously paid address number and call parameters previously paid in the call set-up signaling information. The previously paid address number is stored in the called party number field of the initial address message in Tables 1 and 2, which is the same field used in origin calls. In addition, as with origin calls, the previously paid call parameters are encapsul within the super generic digits field shown in Table 1 and following the distribution of parameters within the field of super generic digits described in the US pt application. Series No. 08 / 653,885 filed on May 28, 1996, entitled "Encapsulation of Proprietary Protocol Information". More particularly, for this mode, the distribution of the parameters within the super generic digits field to terminthe calls is as follows. The first two bytes are distributed to store the name and length of the parameter. The parameter names are MSCID for the switching center identification number, location ID for the location identifier for the tax calculation, PAF_TLDN for the temporary access advance local directory number previously paid, and TMIN for the number of mobile identification of termination. The length of the parameter is specified on a case-by-case basis. The third byte is distributed to store the coding scheme, which is binary and the type of digits, which is 0x19 (11011) or generic digits. For more information, Table 3 shows the distribution of bytes and bits in the field of super generic digits. The field of super generic digits to termincalls is illustr in Table 5 below.

TABLE 5 In step 424, the enhanced wireless service platform 112 establishes the call to the exchange network 114. Similar to the originating calls, the exchange network 114 obtains a switch identifier and junction line using the previously paid address number and it establishes the call through the connection line group to the switch identified within the previously paid platform 116. The exchange network 114 sends an initial address message with the previously paid parameters encapsulated within the message. The exchange network 114 passes the parameters previously paid to the platform previously paid 116 are translation. In step 426, the exchange network 114 establishes the call to the previously paid platform 116. In step 428, the previously paid platform 116 determines whether the call should be allowed. The previously paid platform 116 determines if there are sufficient funds in the previously paid subscriber's account. The previously paid platform 116 uses the terminating mobile identification number to request the subscriber's account to determine if there are sufficient funds to connect the call. If there are sufficient funds, step 430 is performed. In step 430, the previously paid platform 116 sends the call to the mobile switching center 108 through the exchange network 114 using the address information received in the signaling message of call establishment encapsulated. The pre-paid platform 116 directs the call using the previously paid forward temporary local directory number. The temporary local access advance directory number previously paid, in the form of destination digits, is used by the switch in the exchange network 114 to direct the call to the appropriate mobile switching center 108. The switch in the network of exchange 114 searches a table for the commutator and junction line identifiers that correspond to the previously accessed temporary access advance local directory number. The switch and junction line identifiers identify a mobile switching center 108 and a junction line group for the mobile switching center 108. The switch on the exchange network 114 directs the call to the identified mobile switching center 108 through of the union line group recovered.

In step 432, the previously paid subscriber 104 receives the call through the telephone 120 and the call connection is completed. The operation of the flow diagram 402 is completed after performing step 432, as indicated by step 440. If there are insufficient funds, step 434 is performed. 434, the previously paid platform 116 intercepts and releases the connection to the exchange network 114. In step 436, the exchange network 114 releases the connection to the enhanced wireless service platform 112. In step 438, the call is released through the network it calls 204. The operation of the flow diagram 402 is completed after performing step 438, as indicated by step 440. Other embodiments of the present invention are possible. As mentioned above, another embodiment of the invention allows both the caller 204 and the receiver 104 of Figure 2 to be wireless subscribers. Also, either or both can previously paid subscribers. Referring to Figure 2, this embodiment comprises two headsets 106 instead of a wireless headset 106 and a telephone 120 and two mobile switching center 108, instead of a mobile switching center 108 and a local exchange network 118. They are possible other modalities, such as the modalities that replace the wireless headset 106 and / or telephone 120 of Figures 1 and 2 with other user interface equipment such as a computer terminal. The user interface equipment can be wireless or non-wireless. Additional modalities are possible that access and terminate the call using means other than an individual mobile switching center 108 and an individual local exchange network 118 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. These embodiments may include a plurality of centers of mobile switching 108 and / or local exchange networks 118. Other modes may use different types of equipment, such as a private branch exchange, to perform the functions of the mobile switching center 108 and / or the local exchange network 118. A private branch exchange is an exchange that belongs to a private company and is not part of a network public. In another embodiment, the enhanced wireless service platform 112 performs the functions of the mobile switching center 108. Two additional modalities that are possible include direct lines of the user interface equipment in the enhanced wireless service platform 112 or the previously paid platform 116 In these embodiments, the previously paid wireless calling environment, including the enhanced wireless service platform 112, the home location register 110, the exchange network 114 and the previously paid platform 116, perform the functions of the mobile switching center. 108 and the local exchange network 118. Other more modalities are possible by reconfiguring the previously paid wireless call environment components. For example, referring to Figure 1 or 2, an alternative mode does not include exchange network 114. In Figure 1, exchange network 114 can be omitted by installing lines directly between the enhanced wireless service platform 112 and the platform. previously paid 116. In Figure 2, the exchange network 114 can be omitted both by installation lines directly between the enhanced wireless service platform 112 and by the previously paid platform 116 and installing lines directly from the platform previously paid 116 to the center of mobile switching 108 or another piece of equipment that performs the function of the mobile switching center. In addition, the home location register 110 can be omitted and its function can be performed by the enhanced wireless service platform 112. Finally, the improved wireless service platform 112 and the previously paid platform 116 can be combined on the same platform or component with the signaling of the present invention occurring between wireless and previously paid functional environments. Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example and not limitation. Thus, the breath and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the illustrative embodiments described above, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims (22)

1. - A telecommunications system comprising: an enhanced wireless service platform; an exchange network coupled to the enhanced wireless service platform; and a previously paid platform coupled to the exchange network.

2. The telecommunications system according to claim 1, further comprising a home location register to the enhanced wireless service platform.

3. The telecommunications system according to claim 1, further comprising a mobile switching center coupled to the enhanced wireless service platform; and a wireless headset coupled to the mobile switching center

4. The telecommunications system according to claim 1, further comprising a mobile switching center coupled to a wireless headset.

5. The telecommunications system according to claim 1, further comprising a local network coupled to the platform previously paid; and a phone coupled to the crazy network.

6. The telecommunications system according to claim 1, further comprising a local network coupled to the enhanced wireless service platform; and a telephone coupled to said local network.

7. The telecommunications system according to claim 1, further comprising a mobile switching center coupled to the exchange network; and a wireless headset coupled to the mobile switching center.

8. A telecommunications system comprising: an improved wireless service platform; and a pre-paid platform coupled to said enhanced wireless service platform.

9. A method for establishing a call in a telecommunications system comprising: (1) encapsulating through an enhanced wireless service platform one or more previously paid call parameters within a super-generic digit field of a message initial address; and (2) sending the initial address message with the previously paid call parameters within the super-generic digit field of the initial address message of the enhanced wireless service platform to a previously paid platform.

10. The telecommunications system according to claim 9, wherein step (2) comprises: (i) encapsulating through an enhanced wireless service platform a previously paid address number in a called party number field of the initial address message; (ii) sending the initial address message with the previously paid call parameters and the previously paid address number encapsulated within the enhanced wireless service platform to an exchange network; (iii) retrieve the previously paid address number from the called party number field and translating the previously paid address number in order to direct the call to the previously paid platform; and (iv) sending the initial address message with the previously paid call parameters encapsulated within the initial address message of the exchange network to the previously paid platform.

11. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the following steps that are to be performed before step (1); send a request for one or more previously paid call parameters from an enhanced wireless service platform to a home location register; and sending one or more previously paid call parameters from the home location register to the enhanced wireless service platform.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein said previously paid parameters comprise: a mobile switching center identification number.

13. The method according to claim 9, wherein said parameters previously paid comprise: a location identifier for the tax calculation.

14. The method according to claim 9, wherein the previously paid call parameters comprise: a temporary local access advance directory number previously paid.

15. The method according to claim 9, wherein the previously paid address number comprises: a national address number; or a switch identifier and a join line identifier.

16. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the following steps that are performed before step (1): giving signals from an earphone to a mobile switching center; and signaling from the mobile switching center to an enhanced wireless service platform.

17. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the following steps: (3) giving signals from the platform previously paid to a local network; and (4) signaling from the local network to a telephone.

18. - The method according to claim 9, further comprising the following steps that are performed before step (1): giving signals from a telephone to a local network; signal from the local network to an enhanced wireless service platform; send a question for one or more previously paid parameters of the enhanced wireless service platform to a home location record; send a question for a local access advance temporary directory number previously paid from the home location register to a mobile switching center; send the temporary local access advance directory number previously paid from the mobile switching center to the home location registrar; and sending the previously paid parameters, including the temporary local access advance directory number previously paid, from the home location register to the enhanced wireless service platform.

19. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the following steps: (3) sending an initial address of the platform previously paid to the exchange network; (4) signaling from the exchange network to a mobile switching center; and (5) signaling from the mobile switching center to a wireless headset.

20. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the following steps: (3) recovering the information of a subscriber account within the platform previously paid; and (4) determine through the platform previously paid if the funds in the subscriber's account are sufficient to allow the call.

21. A method for establishing a call in a telecommunications system comprising: (1) encapsulating, through a mobile switching center, one or more previously paid call parameters within a super-generic digit field of a message initial address; Y (2) sending the initial address message with the previously paid call parameters encapsulated within the super generic digit field of the initial address message of the mobile switching center to a previously paid platform.

22. The method according to claim 21, further comprising the following steps that are performed before step (1): giving signal from a telephone to a local network; give signal from the local network to a mobile switching center; send a question for one or more call parameters previously paid from the mobile switching center to a home location register; Send a question for a number. temporary local advance directory of previously paid access from the home location register to a mobile switching center; and send the previously paid parameters from the home location register to the mobile switching center.