MXPA00002886A - Wireless prepaid platform integration with standard signaling - Google Patents

Abstract

The telecommunications networks of the present invention include a wireless enhanced service platform (112) which is coupled to a home location register database (110) and a prepaid platform (116). The telecommunications networks of the present invention may also include a mobile switching center (108) for accepting calls from a wireless handset (106), an interexchange network (114) that carries calls to the prepaid platform (116), and a local network (118) for terminating calls. The present invention also includes a method for setting up a call in a telecommunications network comprising sending transaction capabilities application part messages containing prepaid parameters between a wireless enhanced service platform (112) and a prepaid platform (116), and a method for sending transaction capabilities application part messages containing prepaid parameters between a mobile switching center (108) and a prepaid platform (116). The prepaid parameters are the information needed to process and bill a debit call.

Description

WIRELESS PLATFORM INTEGRATION PREVIOUSLY PREPAID WITH STANDARD SIGNALING CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUESTS The following application of the common assignee contains a certain common description, and is believed to have an effective filing date identical to that of the present invention. ireless Prepaid Plataform Integration With SS7 ISUP Interface (A Previously Paid Wireless Platform Integration With ISUP SS7 Interface), Proxy No. RIC-96-098 (1575.1950000), 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 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 customer who 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 previously paid calls 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 the use of a signaling message, referred to as a partial application message with transaction capabilities, between components to transmit the information necessary to process previously paid wireless calls. In addition, a previously paid routine number and a caller ID number is used to direct the call and retrieve the information regarding that call. 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 industry standard signaling message used to establish calls is referred to as the initial address message. In addition to the initial address message, the present invention uses a partial application message with transaction capabilities, also in accordance with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard. Signaling System Number 7 (SS7) Integrated Digital Network (ISDN) User Part (ISUP), to transfer information necessary to process wireless calls previously paid. The partial application message with transaction capabilities comprises a transaction portion and a component portion. The transaction portion indicates the type of message and elements in the network that will receive the message. The component portion includes a question or invocation message and a response message. The question or invocation message includes the operation that will be performed and the parameters that can be defined on a product-by-product basis. The response component indicates whether the transaction was successful, contained an error, or was rejected. Although the format for an application message with transaction capabilities is in accordance with the industry standard signaling method, the industry standard signaling method does not specify that this message be used to signal the previously paid wireless call processing. In addition, the signaling technique of the present invention defines parameters in the question or invocation component of the message to provide information that can be used to direct and bill wireless calls previously paid. Although the industry signaling standard does not specify the use of a message with transaction capabilities or parameters previously paid for wireless call processing previously paid, since the information is translated by the equipment into a form that can be transmitted by a initial address message, the call set-up signaling technique is in accordance with the standard industry signaling method.

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. As well, the services are not limited to, for example, a previously paid subscriber to make or receive 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 flow diagram 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 taken 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 Structure of the Invention 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 process and bill 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 so that they 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 and a partial application message with transaction capabilities. As discussed above, the format for both messages is in accordance with the industry standard ANSI SS7 ÍSUP. 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 previously paid platform 116 determines whether the call is allowed based on the funds in the subscriber's account and collects and processes the information necessary to 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 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 calling 204 can be any telephone service customer, 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 calls to the previously paid platform 116 using an initial address message and a partial application message with transaction capabilities. 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.

Operation of the Invention FIGS. 3A and 3B together represent a flow chart 302, which illustrates the operation of the previously paid wireless call origin environment 102. When the steps of FIGS. 3A and 3B are described, the components shown in FIG. Figure 1 will be named. 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 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 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. One type of location information is the last mobile switching center 108 that was registered to serve the subscriber 104. This is stored in the form of a mobile switching center identification number, which identifies the appropriate mobile switching center. Other location information is used to calculate the tax on the cost of a call. In addition, the subscriber is identified using a mobile identification number. 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, the subscriber's mobile switching center identification number, and the location identifier for the tax calculation . 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. In step 316, the enhanced wireless service platform 112 sends a partial transaction message with transaction capability to the platform previously paid 116 to transfer the necessary information to process and bill the previously paid wireless call. As previously mentioned, the partial application message with transaction capabilities is specified by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Signaling System Number 7 (SS7) Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) User Part (ISUP). The three types of partial application messages with transaction capabilities are start, end and unidirectional. An application partial message with start-type transaction capabilities starts a transaction and needs a response. An application partial message with end-type transaction capabilities is a response to a start message. A unidirectional message is a message that does not require a response and is not an answer. Improved wireless service platform 112 sends a partial message start type with transaction capabilities to the previously paid platform 116. The type of message, whether it is start, end or unidirectional, is specified in the partial message transaction portion. of application with transaction capabilities. Portions of the application partial message with transaction capabilities are shown in Table 2 below.

Table 2 Partial Message of Application with Transaction Capabilities Field Use Transaction Portion Indicates the type of message and the network elements that will receive the message. Component Portion Indicates the operation that will be performed, provides billing and address information, and provides a response to the message transfer.

More particularly, the type of message is specified by the message type label field in the portion of the application partial message with transaction capabilities. The transaction portion also contains a transaction identifier, which identifies partial application messages with particular transaction capabilities and allows the association of start and end messages. The type of transaction identifier varies based on the type of message. An additional description of the transaction portion of the application partial message with transaction capabilities is given in Table 3 below. In Table 4, below, additional information is provided regarding the message type label and the transaction identifier.

Table 3 Table 4 In addition to having different transaction identifiers, the component portion used varies based on the type of message. An application partial message with type transaction capabilities uses a question component (also referred to as an invocation). Provided in Table 5 below, details of the two types of component portions of the application partial message with transaction capabilities are found.

Table 5 The enhanced wireless service platform 112 sends the partial application message with transaction capabilities to the previously paid platform 116 in order to transfer the previously paid billing and address information. This information is transferred in the component portion of the application portion with transaction capabilities of the message. The parameter contains the field in the question / invoke component that can contain multiple parameters that are defined on a product-by-product basis. More information regarding the type of question or invocation message is presented in Table 6 below.

Table 6 The previously paid address and billing information transferred between the enhanced wireless service platform 112 and the previously paid platform 116 is referred to in the present invention as previously paid parameters. The previously paid parameters are transferred in the field of parameter contents of the question component or invocation of the application partial message with transaction capabilities. The field of parameter contents described in summary in Table 6 is defined in more detail in Table 7 below.

Table 7 The previously paid parameters are the mobile identification number, the digits dialed by the caller, the mobile switching center identification number, and a location identifier for the tax calculation. The previously paid parameters are used to invoice the previously paid wireless call. The mobile identification number identifies the previously paid subscriber 104. The mobile identification number is used to signal the wireless headset 106. The mobile switching center identification number, interchangeably referred to herein as the identifier 108 of the mobile switching center which serves the subscriber, identifies the mobile switching center serving the previously paid subscriber 104. The mobile switching center identification number is used to determine the billing scale of the call. This identifier is also used to establish where the call is placed. The dialed digits indicate whether the call establishment will be completed. The location identifier for the tax calculation is used to calculate the tax on the cost of the call. The parameters previously paid are shown in Table 8 below.

Table 8 The previously paid address number is stored in the called party number field of the initial address message. The called party number is a field in the initial address message shown in Table 1 above and in more detail in Table 9 below. The address information field of the called party number field typically contains the destination address digits. However, in this invention, the address information field contains the address number previously paid. More description of the called party number field is provided in Table 9 below.

Table 9 In step 318, the previously paid platform 116 stores the previously paid parameters received in the application partial message with start-type transaction capabilities and sends a partial application message with end-type transaction capabilities to the enhanced wireless service platform 112. Parameters in the application partial message with end-type transaction capabilities include the mobile switching center identification number, a call identification number and the result The call identification number is a 10-digit number that it is used by the platform previously paid 116 in a last step to recover the stored information. The result, which is represented in the response component of the application partial message with transaction capabilities, can be a result of return, if the call can be successfully processed, rejected, if a parameter is missing, or error, indicating either an error in the transmitted information or a system problem that prohibits the establishment of the call at that moment. More detail regarding the response component is provided in Table 10 below.

Table 10 Response Component Field Use Last Return Result Indicates that a transaction was completed successfully. Includes a component type label and an invocation identifier tag. It can also include a sequence tag, an operation code tag, and a parameter field. A sequence tag is used when there is more than one parameter in a component. Continue for the sequence length. Return Error Component Indicates that either the invalid information was transmitted or there is a failure in the system that prohibits the establishment of the call. Includes a component type label and an invocation identifier tag. It may also include immeram stopmeters. Reject component Indicates a protocol error such as a missing parameter. It includes a component type tag, an invocation flag, a problem code tag, and a parameter field. A problem code is preceded by a problem code label and a problem code length. A problem code can be one of the following four types: a general problem, a return result problem and a return error problem.

In step 322, 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 previously paid address number in the called party number field and the caller ID number in the charging number field. The switch within the exchange network 114 can establish the call through other switches within the exchange network 114, depending on the availability of traffic links. In step 324, the exchange network 114 establishes the call to the previously paid platform 116. The exchange network 114 uses the previously paid address number to establish the call to the platform previously paid 116. If the address number previously paid It 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 in the previously mentioned platform 116 and the junction line arc that is used to direct the calls to that switch in the platform previously paid. Calls are then routed through the union line group retrieved to the switch on the previously paid platform. If the previously paid address number is a junction line identifier and switch, calls are routed over the junction line group to the identified switch. Exchange network 114 signals using an initial address message with the call identification number in the load number field. In step 326, 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 to retrieve the subscriber's account information and the call identifier number, which is in the charging number field to retrieve the previously stored billing information. The previously paid platform 116 uses the parameters previously paid, specifically the mobile identification number, the digits dialed by the caller, the identifier of mobile switching center 108 serving the subscriber, and the location detector for the calculation of tax , to determine the cost of establishing the call. The previously paid platform 116 compares the cost of establishing the call with the funds available in the subscriber's account to determine if there are sufficient funds to establish the call. If there are sufficient funds, step 328 is performed. In step 328, the previously paid platform 116 establishes the call to the local exchange network 118. In step 330, the receiver 122 receives the call through the telephone 120 and the call connection is completed. The operation of flow chart 302 is completed after performing step 330, as indicated by step 338. Referring again to step 326, if subscriber 104 does not have sufficient funds in his account, step 332 is performed. In step 332, 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 334, the exchange network 114 releases the connection to the enhanced wireless service platform 112. In step 336, the call is released through from the network to the previously paid subscriber 104. The operation of the flow diagram 302 is completed after performing step 336, as indicated by step 338. Figures 4A and 4B collectively represent flow diagram 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 previously mentioned, 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 home location register 110 uses the mobile switching center identification number it has stored to determine to which mobile switching center 108 it is necessary to inquire.

In step 416, the mobile switching center 108 returns the previously accessed temporary local access advance directory number to the home location register 110. In step 418, the home location register 110 returns to the service platform wireless enhanced 112 the previously paid address number, the temporary local access advance directory number previously paid, the mobile switching center identification number, and the location detector for the tax calculation. Similar to previously paid wireless source calls, the previously paid address number can be a national number or a switch identifier and join line. In step 422, similar to the origin calls, the enhanced wireless service platform 112 sends part of the application with start-type transaction capabilities to the previously paid platform 116. As the origin calls, the application partial message with start-type transaction capabilities includes previously paid parameters. Also, similar to the originating calls, the previously paid parameters are transmitted in the field of parameter contents in the question / invocation component of the application partial message with transaction capabilities. Two parameters previously paid, the identification number of the mobile switching center and a location identifier to calculate the tax, are the same for both originating and terminating calls. However, for wireless calls previously paid for termination, the previously paid parameters also comprise the temporary local access advance directory number previously paid and the mobile termination identification number. The temporary local access advance directory number previously paid will be used in the last step by the previously paid platform 116 to direct the call to the mobile switching center 108 to be completed. The mobile identification number of termination is used to determine the wireless headset 106 that will receive the call. The parameters previously paid in the application partial message with transaction capabilities of the startup type are presented in Table 11 below.

Table 11 In step 424, the previously paid platform 116 stores the previously paid parameters received in the application partial message with start-type transaction capabilities and sends a partial application message with end-type transaction capabilities to the enhanced wireless service platform 112. Similar to the originating calls, the parameters in the application partial message with end-type transaction capabilities comprise the mobile switching center identification number, a call identification number, and the result. Again, the call identification number is a 10-digit number that is used by the previously paid platform 116 in a last step to retrieve the stored information. The possible results that can be returned are also similar to the calls of origin. The possible results that can be returned are successful, if the call can be processed, rejected, if a parameter is missing, or has an error, indicating either an error in the transmitted information or a system problem that prohibits the establishment of the call in that moment. In step 426, 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 establishes the call through the connection line group to the switch identified within the previously paid platform 116. The enhanced wireless service platform 112 sends an initial address message with the address number previously paid in the part number field call and the caller ID number in the load number field. In step 428, the exchange network 114 establishes the call to the previously paid platform 116. The exchange network 114 sends an initial address message with the call identification number in the charge number field to the platform previously paid 116. In step 430, 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 called number to retrieve the subscriber's account information and the call identification number, which is in the charging number field to retrieve the previously stored billing information. The previously paid platform 116 uses the parameters previously paid, specifically the mobile identification number of termination, the digits dialed by the caller, the mobile switching center identification number that serves the subscriber and the location identifier for the calculation of the tax, to determine the cost of establishing the call. The previously paid platform 116 compares the cost of establishing the call with the funds available in the subscriber's account to determine if there are sufficient funds to establish the call. If there are sufficient funds, step 432 is performed. In step 432, the previously paid platform 116 sends the call to the mobile switching center 108 through the exchange network 114 using the temporary access advance local directory number paid out. 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 switch and junction line identifiers that correspond to the temporary local access advance directory number previously paid. 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 434, 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 434, as indicated by step 440. If there are insufficient funds, step 436 is performed. In step 436, the previously paid platform 116 intercepts and releases the connection to the exchange network 114. In step 438, the exchange network 114 releases the connection to the enhanced wireless service platform 112. In step 440, the call is released to through the network it calls 204. The operation of the flow diagram 402 is completed after performing step 440, as indicated by step 442. 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 tnal. The user interface equipment can be wireless or non-wireless. Additional modalities are possible that access and tnate 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 public network. 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 (20)

1. - A method for establishing a call, comprising: (1) sending a plurality of partial application messages with transaction capabilities between an enhanced wireless service platform and a previously paid platform, comprising the steps of: (i) sending a partial application message with start-type transaction capabilities including one or more parameters previously paid in a question component or invocation of the application partial message with start-type transaction capabilities from the enhanced wireless service platform to the previously paid platform; (ii) sending a partial application message with end-type transaction capabilities from the platform previously paid to the enhanced wireless service platform; (2) send an initial address message from the enhanced wireless service platform to the platform previously paid.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the parameters previously paid comprise: a mobile switching center identification number.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the parameters previously paid comprise: a number dialed by the caller; and a mobile switching center identification number.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the parameters previously paid comprise: a location identifier for the tax calculation.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the previously paid parameters comprise: a temporary local access advance directory number previously paid; and a mobile switching center identification number.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the partial application message with end-type transaction capabilities comprises: a response component comprising a call identification number, and a result.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the partial application message with end-type transaction capabilities comprises a response component comprising a mobile switching center identification number and a result.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (2) comprises: (i) storing by the enhanced wireless service platform a previously paid address number in a called part number field of the message of initial direction; (ii) sending the initial address message with the previously paid address number stored from the enhanced wireless service platform to an exchange network; (iii) retrieve the previously paid address number from the called party number field and translate the previously paid address number in order to direct the call to the previously paid platform; and (iv) send the initial address message from the exchange network to the platform previously paid.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the previously paid address number comprises: a national address number; or a switch identifier and a join line identifier.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (2) comprises: (i) storing by the enhanced wireless service platform a call identification number in a message number field of the message initial address; (ii) sending the initial address message with the stored call identification number of the enhanced wireless service platform to an exchange network; and (i¡¡) sending the initial address message with the stored call identification number of the exchange network to the platform previously paid.

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

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said previously paid parameters comprise: a mobile identification number.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein said parameters previously paid comprise: a location identifier for the calculation of the tax.

14. The method according to claim 1, 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.

15. The method according to claim 1, 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.

16. The method according to claim 1, 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.

17. The method according to the rei indication 1, which also comprises the following steps: (3) giving signals from the previously paid platform to an 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.

18. 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.

19. A method for establishing a call, comprising: (1) sending a plurality of partial application messages with transaction capabilities between a mobile switching center and a previously paid platform, comprising the steps of: (i) sending an application partial message with start-type transaction capabilities including one or more parameters previously paid in a question component or invocation of the application partial message with start-type transaction capabilities from the mobile switching center to the previously paid platform; Y . (ii) sending a partial application message with end-type transaction capabilities from the platform previously paid to the mobile switching center; and (2) sending an initial address message from the mobile switching center to the platform previously paid.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the following steps that are performed before step (1): signaling 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 parameters previously paid from the mobile switching center to a home location register; and sending the parameters previously paid from the home location register to the mobile switching center.