MXPA00002996A - System and method for providing restrictions on mobile-originated calls - Google Patents

Abstract

A cellular telephony network includes a supplementary service (SS) database in an intelligence network (IN) node. The SS database stores subscriber record which includes call barring data such as screening lists of specific numbers or countries and call barring options that indicate the treatment of the call barring data. The SS database may be located in an IN node connected to a mobile service center/visitor location register in a cellular telephony network or a signaling database point in a signaling network connected to the cellular telephony network or in the home location register of the cellular telephony network. At call origination, the MSC/VLR transmits the requested called number and MSISDN of the mobile subscriber to the SS database. The IN node compares the requested called number to the subscriber record associated with the MSISDN of the mobile subscriber and transmits a message to the MSC/VLR indicating whether the call is barred. In an alternate embodiment, a subscriber record is stored on a subscriber identity module (SIM) in a mobile station. The SIM stores a subscriber record of the mobile subscriber associated with the SIM. At call origination, the mobile station reads the subscriber record stored in the SIM and compares the requested outgoing call to the call barring options. If the subscriber record indicates that the call is barred, the mobile station displays a call barred message to the mobile subscriber.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING RESTRICTIONS ON CALLS ORIGINATED FROM A MOBILE PHONE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates to supplementary services in a cellular telephone network and more particularly to prevent outgoing calls in a cellular telephone network. Background of the Invention Supplementary services in a cellular telephone network are additional features to either teleservices or carrier services. Supplemental services typically provide treatment options for entry or exit calls. International publication No. WO 9303585 generally describes a telecommunications system that allows control with a company over various parameters such as call restriction, outbound calls from the company's mobile phones. Calls within the controlled group are routed through a mobile "service switching center" exchange and part number A and part number B are used to compare data stored in a database to determine the appropriate call parameters. International publication number WO 9613949 generally describes a network of mobile communications to activate intelligent network services in the network. A mobile services switching center (MSC = Mobile Services Switching Center) operates as the service switching point of the intelligent network. With respect to outgoing calls, currently supplementary services in cellular telephone networks only provide three options: prevent all outgoing calls, prevent international outgoing calls, and prevent all international outgoing calls except those addressed to the country of departure. the public land mobile network (PLM = Public Land Mobile Network) of the service area. The first option, to prevent all outgoing calls, makes it possible for a mobile subscriber to block all outgoing calls or all calls associated with a basic service. The second option, to prevent all international calls, makes it possible for a mobile subscriber to block international calls outside the PLMN of the country of the subscriber's service area. The outgoing calls can only be made to subscribers of the service area PLMN and the fixed network of the country where the subscriber is currently located. The PLMN can be the service area PLMN or a visited PLMN. Finally, the third option, to prevent international calls of departure except those addressed to the country PLMN of the service area, it is possible for a mobile subscriber to avoid all attempted international calls, except for international calls to the mobile subscriber's service area country PLMN. Outgoing calls are restricted to subscribers of the PLMN and the fixed network of the country where the mobile subscriber is currently located or to mobile subscribers of the PLMN country in the service area of the mobile subscriber served, and to subscribers of the fixed network in the country of the service area PLMN. The current PLMN can be the service area PLMN or a visited PLMN. This option can again be associated with all services or with a specific basic service. A mobile subscriber requests the supply of a supplementary service from the PLMN service provider. When supplying, the mobile subscriber chooses the various supplementary services and the way in which the mobile subscriber can activate the supplementary services. The mobile subscriber can choose two ways to activate supplementary supplementary services provided: by the service provider or by the mobile subscriber with the use of a key. If the mobile subscriber chooses activation by the service provider, the supplementary services can not be activated or changed by the mobile subscriber.

Under the second election, the supplementary services can be activated by the mobile subscriber using a key. The service provider must initially register a key for the mobile subscriber, which can be subsequently changed by the mobile subscriber. The mobile subscriber can then activate the supplementary service by providing the key and information regarding whether the calls of all the services or calls of a specific basic services group should be blocked or prevented. The mobile subscriber can also change the blocking options by issuing commands on a mobile station keypad and feeding the key. Specific command protocols (such as ** 33 * to prevent all outgoing calls) can be employed or menu driven applications can be implemented in the mobile station to collect blocking options from the mobile subscriber. Once activated, the supplementary service is automatically invoked by the cellular telephone network upon request from an outgoing call not allowed by the active blocking option for the corresponding basic service group. If the outgoing call is blocked under the active blocking option, the network will reject the outgoing call request and send a message indicating rejection to the mobile station. In this way, in a network of Typical cellular telephony, a mobile subscriber only has three call blocking options as part of the supplementary services. A mobile subscriber is unable to choose to block calls to specific numbers or countries. In this way, a need has arisen in the industry for more flexible supplementary services to prevent outgoing calls in a cellular telephone network. COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to supplementary services to prevent outgoing calls in a cellular telephone network. In a first modality, the cellular telephone network includes a database of supplementary services (SS = Supplementary Service) in an intelligent network node (IN = Intelligence Network). The SS database stores subscriber records that contain data to block or prevent subscriber-defined calls such as number lists or specific countries. The subscriber record may also indicate options for blocking subscriber-specific calls, which indicates processing of data to prevent the call, such as an option to allow all MS origin calls in a classification list or an option to deactivate all MS origin calls in the classification list. The SS database can be located in an IN node connected to a visitor location record / mobile service center in a cellular telephone network or a signaling data base point in a signaling network connected to the cellular telephone network or in the service area location record of the cell phone network. Upon the origination of the call, the MSC / VLR transmits the requested called number and MSIS of the mobile subscriber to the SS database. The IN node compares the requested called number with the subscriber register associated with the MSISDN of the mobile subscriber and transmits a message to the MSC / VLR indicating whether the call is blocked. An alternate mode, a subscriber register is stored within a memory, such as within a subscriber identity module (SIM = Subscriber Identity Module) in a mobile station. The SIM stores a subscriber record of the mobile subscriber associated with the SIM. Again, the subscriber record contains call blocking data defined by the subscriber such as classification lists of specific countries or numbers. The subscriber record may also indicate subscriber-specific call blocking options indicating the processing of data to block the call, such as an option to allow all MS origin calls in a classification list or an option to deactivate all the MS source calls in a sort list. Upon originating the call, the mobile station reads the subscriber register stored in the SIM and compares the requested outgoing call with the options to block the call. If the subscriber record indicates that the call is blocked, the subscriber station displays a blocked call message to the mobile subscriber. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a more complete understanding of the present invention and for further objectives and advantages thereof, reference may now be made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numbers are used for parts Similar: Figure 1 illustrates a cellular telephone network in which the present invention can be incorporated; Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of a subscriber record in the database of supplementary services of the present invention; Figure 3 illustrates a flow chart of the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for administration of supplementary services in the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 illustrates a flow diagram of another method for administration of supplementary services in the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 illustrates a block diagram of a mobile station in a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 illustrates a flow chart of the operation of the station in the second embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 8 illustrates a flow chart of a method for subscriber registration administration in the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention will now be more fully described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated. This invention, however, can be incorporated in very different ways and will not be considered as limited to the modalities established herein. Figure 1 illustrates a cellular telephone network wherein the present invention can be implemented.

The illustrated cellular telephone network 10 is an implementation of the global system standard for mobile communications (GSM = Global System for Mobile Communication), although a person skilled in the art will appreciate that cellular telephone networks based on other standards or architectures can be employed to implement the present invention equally. The cellular telephone network 10 includes a switching system 12, a base station system (BSS = Base Station System) 14, operation and support system (OSS = Operation and Support System) 16 and at least one mobile station 18. base station system 14 is responsible for the radio base functions in the cellular telephone network 10, and manages radio communication with the mobile station 18, including call transfers between cells served by the base station system 14, and the configuration and release of call connections. The base station system 14 also manages radio network resources and cell configuration data. The base station system 14 includes the base station controller (BSC = Base Station Controller) 20 and the radio base station (RBS = Radio Base Station) 22. The BSC 20 can be implemented as a standalone node or as integrated with MSC / VLR 24 in the switching system 12. The BSC 20 controls and monitors a large number of radio base stations (RBS) 22 (although only one is illustrated in Figure 1. The radio base station 22 includes the required radio equipment to communicate with the mobile station 18. Although only one mobile station (MS) 18 is illustrated in Figure 1, typically a plurality of mobile stations 10 are located in a geographic area served by the radio base station 22. The base station system 14 provides an interface between the mobile station 18 and the switching system 12. Typically, the base station controller 20 uses digital facilities to communicate with MSC / VLR 24 about what is referred to as the A interface. The MSC / VLR 24 includes both the mobile switching center (MSC = Mobile Switching Center) 26 as a visitor location register (VLR = Visitor Location Register) 28. Although MSC 26 and VLR 28 may be separate nodes, it is preferred to incorporate both in the same node to reduce the signaling load on the network. The MSC 26 manages the calls, such as configuring the calls, directing, terminating a call and coordinating the operation of the connected base station systems 14 within the cellular telephone network 10. In addition, the MSC 26 acts as a switch for direct calls to and from the appropriate base station system 14. VLR 28 is used to store temporary information regarding all mobile subscribers currently located in the service area of MSC 26. Temporary information includes information regarding visiting subscribers who are not in the service area and operating information outside the service area (roaming) that allows the subscriber to use his mobile station in another city. The MSC / VLR 24 is also connected to the service area location register (HLR) 30, equipment identity register (EIR = Equipment Identity Register) 32, GSM interoperation unit (GIWU = GSM Interworking Unit) 34, and MSC Gatekeeper (GMSC = Gateway MSC) 36. HLR 30 stores subscriber information for all subscribers within the PLM of the service provider. The HLR 30 can be linked to other service areas, so that subscriber information can be shared between networks. The HLR 30 can also be implemented together with the MSC / VLR 24 or as a stand-alone node as illustrated in Figure 1. The EIR 32 and the authentication center (AUC = Authentication Center) 38 are databases to provide security in the cellular telephone network 10. The AUC 38 confirms that the identity of a subscriber is valid to protect against unauthorized use of the network. The authentication is applied in each register of a mobile station 18, in each attempt by call configuration and before activation or deactivation of supplementary services. The EIR 32 activates MSC / VLR 24 to verify the identity of mobile equipment using an international mobile station equipment (IMEI International Mobile Equipment Identity) identity of the f emencos of network. The remote OSS 16 allows connections with different network elements by sending commands to the element network of the workstation or terminal. In this way, various tasks can be performed to operate and configure the network. For example, using a file management service, an operator can read, modify, create or delete files in network elements to update or add subscriber information. The cellular network 10 is connected to various other telecommunications networks, including a signaling system network 7 (SS7 = Signaling System 7) 44, a public switched telephone network (PSTN = Public Switched Telephone Network) 46, a data network in public switched packets (PSPDN = Public Switched Packet Data Network) 48, and other public land mobile networks (PLMN = Public Land Mobile Network) 50. The SS7 network 44 provides signaling for the cellular telephone network 10 and includes one or more points Signaling Transfer Points (STP) 52 and a Signaling Control Point (SCP) 54 and a signaling data base point (SDP = Signaling Data Point) 56. The functions and bases of SDP data 56 may be alternately incorporated into SCP 54. In the present invention, SDP 56 includes a subscriber record database, referred to as a service database. uplementary (SS Supplementary Service) 60. The SS 60 database includes a record for each subscriber in the cellular telephone network 10. The subscriber records within the database 60 may be shared among various PLMNs 50 to communicate subscriber information when operating outside the service area. A block diagram in Figure 2 illustrates, in graphical form, the information stored in a subscriber record 62 in the database SS 60. Each subscriber record 62 in the database SS 60 includes, among others, data for block 64 calls for the mobile subscriber associated with the subscriber record. The data for blocking calls 64 includes one or more classification lists 66 of specific numbers or countries or area codes. In addition, the data to prevent calls 64 include options to prevent calls 68 indicating treatment of the data to prevent calls or other options. For example, options to prevent calls 68 may include an option to allow all origin calls in a particular classification list 66 in the subscriber record or an option to deactivate all originating MS calls in another classification list. Options to prevent calls 68 may also include options to prevent typical calls offered such as preventing all outgoing calls, preventing outgoing calls international calls and prevent all international outgoing calls except those addressed to the PLMN of the service area country. A subscriber record 62 may include any combination of call options and / or classification lists. In this way, the subscriber register 62 can indicate in a classification list 66 specific numbers to prevent and also indicate in the options to prevent calls 68 that all international outgoing calls are equally prevented. The subscriber registers 62 further include a key 67 for protecting the subscriber record 62 from unauthorized access or modification. Subscriber records 62 is associated with a specific mobile subscriber using an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI = International Mobile Subscriber Identity) of the mobile subscriber. The IMSI consists of three different parts: IMSI = 3D MCC + MNC + MSIN where the MCC is a three-digit mobile country code, the MNC is a two-digit mobile network code, and the MSIN is an identification number 10-digit mobile subscriber maximum. The IMSI preferably has a maximum length of 15 digits. However, it must be understood that alternate numbers may be employed, for example mobile subscriber ISDN numbers. The IMSI is a unique identification of each subscriber. It is stored in the service area location register (HLR) 30 and the service VLR 28 of the mobile station 18. The IMSI is also stored in the subscriber identity module (SIM) of the mobile station 18 that is explained in more detail with respect to Figure 4. The IMSI is used for all signaling in the PLMN 50 to correctly identify a particular mobile subscriber. All the subscriber information related to the network is connected to the IMSI of the mobile subscriber. For subscriber confidentiality, a temporary mobile subscriber identity (TMSI = Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity) can be assigned to the mobile station 18 by the MSC / VLR 24 for transmission over the air interface. In an alternate embodiment, the SS 60 database may be located within another intelligent network (IN) node 58 connected through a physical line to the MSC / VLR 24. The IN 58 node is preferably shared among all the MSCs / VLRs 24 in the PLMN of the cellular network 10. Still in another modality, the SS 60 database can be located within the HLR 30. In this way, the SS 60 database can be located in any of three types of network nodes intelligent: a signaling database point in a signaling system or intelligent network, such as SDP 56, within a separate IN node connected to the MSC / VLR 24 of the cellular network 10, such as the IN 58 node or located within the HLR 30 of the cellular network 10. The operation of the present invention is now explained with reference to Figure 3. In the step 70 of Figure 3, the mobile station 18 registers with the cellular telephone network 10. The station mobile 18 requires registration with the cellular telephone network 10 in two situations: the first energizing or turning on, and when the mobile station 18 operates outside the service area in an area served by a new MSC / VLR 24. Each time the station mobile 18 first energizes or activates or operates outside the service area in a new area, the mobile station 18 attempts to register with the service MSC / VLR 24 by transmitting an identification number such as the IMSI number or the TMSI number associated with the mobile subscriber. The MSC / VLR 24 uses the received IMSI or TMSI number to transmit a location update signal to the service area location register associated with the mobile station 18. If the cellular telephone network 10 is the service area PLMN the mobile station 18, then the HLR 30 is the service area location register associated with the mobile station 18. If the mobile station 18 operates outside the service area, then the location register of the service area associated with the mobile station 18 may be a service area location register in another PLMN 50. The MSC / VLR 24 transmits a mobile application part message (MAP = Mobile Application Part), that is, a signal without connection SS 7 to HLR 30 associated with mobile station 18. The MAP message uses the received IMSI or TMSI number as a destination address for the connection control point of signage (SCCP = Signaling Connection Control Point). This address activates the telecommunications network connection to direct the signal transmitted from the service MSC / VLR 24 to the service area HLR 30 associated with the mobile subscriber. The HLR 30 verifies the identity of the mobile subscriber with the AUC 38 and EIR 32. The HLR 30 also updates its database to take note of the MSC / VLR 24 currently served by the mobile station 18. The location information in the HLR 30 is used to redirect incoming calls to the mobile station 18 to the correct service MSC / VLR 24. The HLR 30 also retrieves subscriber data associated with the mobile station 18 and communicates the retrieved data to the service MSC / VLR 24, as illustrated in step 72 of Figure 3. Again, this data is sent in a MAP message to the MSC / VLR 24. Upon receiving the subscriber data, the MSC / VLR 24 stores the subscriber data in the VLR 28. The VLR 28 stores the subscriber data in its database and associates the subscriber data with the IMSI number of the mobile subscriber. In the present invention, the subscriber data includes information on whether the mobile subscriber has subscribed to supplementary services, such as services to prevent calls. The VLR 28 in this way has information on whether a mobile subscriber has subscribed to supplementary services to prevent calls. Other subscriber data may include, for example, call forwarding features, billing information, long distance carrier data, etc. The subscriber data is used by the MSC / VLR 24 when service is provided to the mobile station 18. By requiring the service MSC / VLR 24 to retrieve subscriber data from the home HLR of service area 30, associated with the station mobile 18, regardless of whether MSC / VLR 24 serves mobile station 18, the same subscriber data is used to provide uniform service to mobile station 18. In step 74 of figure 3, mobile station 18 originates a call. Upon originating the call, the mobile station requests service on the reverse access channel (RACH = Reverse Access Channel). The base station system 14 recognizes and transmits the number of a channel of slow dedicated control (SDCCH = Slow Dedicated Control Channel) to the mobile station 18. The mobile station 18 transmits a SABM message with the type of message on SDCCH. For call setup and supplementary services, the message type is RIL3-CC. The base station system 14 recognizes and requests a connection to the MSC / VLR 24 through an SCCP message connection request. The MSC 26 sends a "MAP / B service request" message to the VLR 28. The MSC 26 can initiate authentication of the mobile station 18 equally. The MSC 26 may assign a TMSI number to the mobile station 18. The mobile station 18 will then initiate call establishment by sending a RIL3-CC configuration message. The message includes the MS-ISDN number, the called party number (the B #) and the type of service requested. The MSC 26 sends a message "MAP / B sends call configuration information" to the VLR 28 which contains the information in the mobile station 18. The VLR 28 responds with a "complete message called MAP / B" listing the capabilities of the station mobile 18, subscribed services and parameters required by the network, to appropriately allocate a channel for the call. The subscriber services in the "MAP / B full call" message of the VLR 28 indicates the MSC 26 and the mobile station 18 subscribes to the call blocking features. If the mobile subscriber subscribes to features of block call, the MSC 26 transmits a MAP message to the signaling data base point (SDP = Signaling Datbase Point) 56 with the IMSI of the mobile subscriber and the B number of the called party, to determine the activated services as illustrated in step 76. The SDP 56 receives the message from the MSC 26 and accesses the subscriber register associated with the IMSI of the mobile subscriber in the database SS 60. The subscriber record indicates the data to prevent call and the options to prevent call of the mobile subscriber. The SDP 56 analyzes the number B, to determine if it is among the calls blocked by the subscriber register as illustrated in step 78. For example, if the subscriber record indicates that all international calls are blocked, more specific numbers are blocked, and SDP 56 determines if the B number is an international call or if it is one of the specific numbers in the classification list. The SDP 56 can send interrogations to the MSC / VLR 24 if more information is required for call blocking analysis. For example, if the location area identity (LAI Location Identity Area) of the service MSC / VLR 24 is required to determine whether a call is an international call, and the LAI is not included in the original message to SDP 56, the SDP 56 transmits an SCCP message from interrogation to the MSC / VLR 24, to determine the required information. Once the SDP 56 has the required information, it completes the analysis of number B to determine if the call is blocked, as illustrated in step 80. In an alternate mode, the processing of number B can be performed by the control point (SCCP = Signaling Control Point) 54 after accessing the subscriber record in SDP 56. This alternative may be preferred if SDP 56 is primarily a file server. Once the subscriber record is analyzed and compared to the number B to determine if the call is blocked, the SDP 56 then transmits back to the MSC / VLR 24, in an SCCP or ISUP message where the call is blocked. The MSC / VLR 24 will read the return message to determine if the call is blocked as illustrated in step 80. If the call is blocked, the MSC / VLR 24 will reject the call configuration and transmit a call rejection message. to the mobile station 18. The mobile station 18 will display a call blocking message to the mobile subscriber as illustrated in step 80. If the call is not blocked, the MSC / VLR 24 will continue to establish the call as illustrated in stage 84 Alternatively, as explained above, the SS 60 database can be located in the IN 58 node instead of the SS 7 44 network. In this mode, the IN 58 node can access the subscriber record in the base of the database. SS 60 data and perform an analysis of the subscriber record to determine if the call is blocked. Similarly, in an alternate modality, where the SS database is located in the HLR 30, the HLR 30 can access the SS 60 database and perform the analysis of number B. In another alternate mode, the entire subscriber record 62 may be downloaded to the VLR 28 at the time the mobile station is registered instead of the VLR 28 simply storing if supplementary services are provided for the mobile station 18 in the step 72 of Figure 3. The MSC 28 may then access the Subscriber registration within VLR 28 upon origination of the call and performing the analysis of number B. However, this alternative will require a lot of storage space in the VLR 28. The mobile subscriber can change the classification lists and call blocking options in the subscriber record using the administration of supplementary services. There are three ways in which the subscriber can modify the associated subscriber record. In a first alternative, the mobile subscriber contacts the CAS 42. The CAS 42 enters the new lists of classification or call options to the subscriber record in the subscriber database. A second alternative is illustrated in Figure 4. The alternative of Figure 4, the mobile subscriber accesses the subscriber record in the database SS 60 through a PSPDN 48. For example the PSDPDN 48 can be Internet. The PSPDN can alternatively be connected to the SS 60 database via the PSTN 46 as is typical rather than directly as illustrated in Figure 1. As described above, during the provision of the supplementary services, the mobile subscriber you can choose two options to activate the supplementary service: activation by the service provider or activation by the mobile subscriber by use of a key. In the method of activating the supplementary service of Figure 4, the mobile subscriber must choose the option to activate the supplementary service through a key, as illustrated in step 90. Otherwise, the cellular network will reject access of mobile subscriber to the subscriber record. In step 92, the mobile subscriber accesses the SS 60 database through the PSPDN network 48 using the TCP / IP protocol. The subscriber will be required to provide a key to access the associated subscriber record in the SS 60 database as illustrated in step 94. The key is verified and the Subscriber registration can then be modified by the mobile subscriber. The mobile subscriber can modify the classification list or call blocking options or deactivate call blocking completely. A third alternative to activate or deactivate the supplementary service is illustrated in Figure 5. In this alternative, the mobile subscriber activates, deactivates or modifies the subscriber record through a menu-driven command system in the mobile station 18. mobile station 18 interrogates the mobile subscriber that provides a key in step 100 and then initiates in step 102 an application that preferably resides in MSC / VLR 24 to collect the data blocking the new call. The mobile station 18 and the MSC / VLR 24 communicate using unstructured supplementary service data (USSD = Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) messages to collect necessary information from the mobile subscriber, as illustrated in step 104. The MSC / VLR 24 verifies the key provided by the mobile subscriber with the key 67 stored in the subscriber register 62, before modifying the subscriber register 62. The MSC / VLR 24 then transmits the modifications of the subscriber register 62 to the SS database 60 (either in SDP 56 or node IN 58 or HLR 30) using SCCP messages, as illustrated in step 106.

In this alternative again, the mobile subscriber must choose to activate the supplementary service by use of a key. It will be understood that the USSD message is transparent to the MSC / VLR 24 and can proceed from the MS 18 through the MSC / VLR 24 to the HLR 30. An alternate mode of providing outgoing call blocking is illustrated in Figure 6. Figure 6 illustrates a block diagram of a mobile station 110 that can be employed in a typical cellular telephone network. The mobile station 110 includes a controller 112, human-mobile interface unit (MMI = Man-Mobile Interface) 114 and subscriber identity module (SIM = Subscriber Identity Module) 116. The SIM 116 stores various mobile subscriber data, such as the IMSI number and may be removable or removable from the mobile station 110. The mobile station 110 operates in accordance with various data and options programmed in the SIM 116. The SIM 116 may be a smart card or other device capable of memory storage. . The SIM is a key that, if removed, causes the mobile station 110 to be inactive except for emergency calls. The SIM can be removed and placed on other mobile stations to configure the operation of the mobile station to the subscriber data of the mobile station. The SIM is protected by a PIN or PIN. A mobile subscriber You can register and modify part of the subscriber data in the SIM. The SIM 116 includes a subscriber record 118 similar to that described with respect to Figure 2. The subscriber record 118 includes data to block calls such as a classification list of numbers, countries or specific area codes that the mobile subscriber wants block as well as call blocking options that indicate treatment of call blocking data or other options. The subscriber register 118 also includes a key as described with respect to Figure 2. The MMI 114 is preferably a keyboard and transducer for converting the marked keys into electronic signals for processing by the controller 112. The MMI 114 is also preferably includes a display to show menu options and other information. The operation of the mobile station 110 is now explained with reference to Figure 7. The mobile subscriber provides a number of the party to be called, ie the number B in the MMI 114 as illustrated in step 120. The MMI 114 converts the number B fed into an electronic signal that is transmitted to the controller 112. The controller 112 accesses the subscriber register 118 in step 122 in SIM 116 and reads the data for blocking of call. The controller 112 compares the number B with the numbers indicated as blocked by the call blocking data in the subscriber register 118 in step 124. The controller 112 determines whether the call is blocked in step 126. If the call is not lock, the controller 112 proceeds with the establishment of the call, shown in step 128. If the call is blocked, the controller 112 rejects the call and displays a blocked call message to the mobile subscriber, as illustrated in step 130. The call blocking data stored in the subscriber register 118 in the SIM 116 can be modified by the mobile subscriber. Subscriber register 118 is preferably a protected key to avoid any unauthorized modifications of call blocking data. Figure 8 illustrates the operation of modifying the call blocking data of the mobile station 110. In step 132, the mobile station 110 exhibits a main menu with various options including a menu for the call blocking feature. The mobile subscriber chooses the menu option corresponding to the call blocking feature in step 134. The mobile station 110 will signal the mobile subscriber by a key in step 136. The controller 112 then compares the key with the key stored in the SIM 116. This verification of a key in step 138 prevents unauthorized modification of the data blocking the call. If the key is verified, the mobile station 110 exhibits a menu for the call blocking feature including options for changing the key, sorting lists or call blocking options stored in the subscriber register 118, as illustrated in the step 140. The mobile subscriber can modify the call blocking data by selecting the corresponding menu option and providing the new desired data in step 142. The mobile station 110 then stores the new call blocking data to the subscriber register 118. in the SIM 116 as illustrated in step 144. The call blocking feature included in the mobile station 110 in Figure 6 has the advantage that no interaction with the cellular telephone number is required. In this way, air traffic is not generated as in the first mode by a blocking call. The present invention provides a more flexible call block service than in the prior art. A subscriber record is capable of storing additional call blocking data than those previously stored in a cellular telephone network. The subscriber record can be located in a database of supplementary services in an intelligent network node of the cellular telephone network, as in the first embodiment of Figure 1, or in the SIM 116 of a mobile station, as in the second embodiment of Figure 6. While the operation and construction of the present system is considered. invention will be apparent to those of the above description, the method of operation and system structure shown and described have been characterized as preferred, the scope of the invention is defined in the following claims.

Claims (20)

1. - A system for providing call blocking services in a cellular telephone network, characterized by: a memory unit that stores a plurality of subscriber records, each of the subscriber registers is associated with a respective mobile subscriber by means of an identity of international mobile subscriber and includes a classification list of blocked numbers for the mobile subscriber; means of comparison for the called party number, which is received from a mobile terminal associated with the mobile subscriber, with the respective classification list of blocked numbers in the subscriber register associated with the mobile subscriber, wherein a request for home call from the mobile terminal is blocked when one of the numbers blocked within the classification list corresponds to the called party number; a service area location record to store information on whether the mobile subscriber subscribes to the call blocking services; and a switching center for controlling call operations, wherein the switching center determines, upon the call start request, that the mobile subscriber subscribes to the block or call services by means of the information stored in the location register. of service area and access the memory unit by transmitting the identity of the international mobile subscriber and the calling party number.

2. - The system according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: a switching system that controls the routing of call operations in the cellular telephone network; and a signaling system connected to the switching system that provides signaling for call operations, wherein the memory unit is located within the signaling system.

3. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that the signaling system comprises: a signaling data base point, wherein the memory unit is located within the signaling data base point; and a signaling control point for accessing the plurality of subscriber registers stored in the memory unit, the comparison means comprising the signaling control point.

4. - The system according to claim 3, characterized in that the switching system comprises: the service area location register; the switching center and a visitor location register to store information on whether the mobile subscribers currently served subscribe to a call blocking service.

5. - The system according to claim 3, characterized in that it further comprises an operational service system that accesses and modifies the plurality of subscriber records in the memory unit located at the signaling data base point.

6. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the switching center interacts with the mobile station, by means of an application, associated with the mobile subscriber to modify the respective subscriber register associated with the mobile subscriber, in response to receiving a key of the mobile terminal, where the application resides in the switching center and collects new call blocking data from the mobile terminal, through unobstructed supplementary service data protocol messages, subsequently the switching center transmits the data blocking of new call to the memory unit by means of signal connection control point messages.

7. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises an intelligence network node connected to the center of switching, wherein the memory unit is located within the intelligence network node, wherein the intelligence network node is shared among a plurality of switching centers in the cellular telephone network.

8. - The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the mobile subscriber accesses the memory unit to modify the call blocking data via the Internet using the TCP / IP protocol.

9. - The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the service area location record includes the memory unit.

10. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the subscriber registers also include a list of call blocking options that specifies the treatment of blocked numbers in the classification list, wherein the call blocking option allows a subscriber to vary between allowing call connections for all the called party numbers in the sorting list and blocking call connections for all called party numbers in the sorting list.

11. Method for providing call blocking services in a cellular telephone network, characterized by the steps of: storing data from subscriber regarding whether the mobile subscriber is subscribed to the call blocking services within a service area location record; receiving a request for call initiation, which includes a called party number and an international mobile subscriber identity number of the mobile subscriber from the mobile terminal associated with the subscriber; determine if the mobile subscriber subscribes to the call blocking services through the information stored in the service area location-record; accessing a subscriber record associated with the international mobile subscriber identity number of the mobile subscriber, which is stored in a supplementary service database having a plurality of subscriber records, wherein the subscriber record contains a classification list of blocked numbers, wherein the accessing step further includes transmitting a message comprising the identity of the international mobile subscriber and the called party number; determine whether the request for call initiation is blocked by analysis of the classification list in the subscriber record and the number of the calling party; and in response to determining that the call start request is blocked, sending a call blocking message to the mobile terminal associated with the mobile subscriber.

12. - The method according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: receiving a request to register the mobile station associated with the mobile subscriber, the request includes the international mobile subscriber identity number of the mobile subscriber; accessing the service area location record to obtain the subscriber data associated with the international mobile subscriber identity of the mobile subscriber; and store the subscriber data in a visitor location record.

13. - The method according to claim 12, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: after the step of receiving the request for call initiation, accessing the subscriber data in the visitor location register, to determine whether the mobile subscriber is subscribed to call blocking services; and in response to determining that the mobile subscriber is subscribed to call blocking services, performing the step of accessing a subscriber register associated with the international mobile subscriber identity number of the mobile subscriber.

14. - The method according to claim 13, characterized in that it also comprises the steps of: in response to determining that the request for call initiation is not blocked, proceed to process the request for call initiation.

15. - The method according to claim 14, wherein the step of accessing the subscriber record comprises the steps of: transmitting the message including the called party number and the international mobile subscriber identity number of the mobile subscriber to a signaling control point in a signaling network of the cellular telephone network; and access a database of supplementary services located in the signaling network.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the step of determining whether the request for call initiation is prevented by analysis of the classification list in the subscriber record and the number of the called party comprises the steps of : determine if the number of the called party is included in the classification list of the subscriber record; and determine if the call blocking options included in the subscriber record indicate that the call is blocked; and transmit a message by the signaling control point to indicate whether the request for a call initiation is blocked. 17.- A mobile station that provides call blocking feature, characterized by: subscriber identity module for storing an international mobile subscriber identity and a subscriber record including a call blocking number and option list, wherein the call blocking option allows the subscriber to vary between enabling connections of the subscriber. call for all call party numbers in the sort list and prevent call connections for all called party numbers in the sort list; a human-machine interface to receive a called party number; and a controller that accesses the subscriber record in the storage mode and compares the called party number that is received by the human-machine interface with the number classification list and call blocking options to determine whether a call to the Call party number is blocked. 18. The mobile station according to claim 17, characterized in that the subscriber register stored in the subscriber identity module also includes a key. 19. Method for providing a call blocking feature in a mobile station, characterized by the steps of: receiving a called party number; accessing a subscriber register stored in a subscriber identity module of the mobile station, the Subscriber registration includes a list of number classification and call blocking options, where the call blocking option allows a subscriber to vary between allowing call connections for all called party numbers in the classification list and blocking connections Call for all called party numbers in the sort list; determine that a call to the called party number is blocked, by comparing the number classification list and a call blocking option in the subscriber record and the called party number; and displaying a blocked call message in response to determining that a call to the called party number is blocked. 20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that it also comprises the step of proceeding with the call set-up to the called party number, in response to determining that a call to the called party number is not blocked. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A cellular telephone network includes a database of supplementary services (SS) in an intelligent network (IN) node. The SS database stores the subscriber record which includes call blocking data such as number or country specific classification lists and call blocking options indicating the handling of the call blocking data. The SS database can be located in an IN node connected to a visitor location registry / mobile service center in a cellular telephone network or a signaling data base in a signaling network connected to the telephony network cellular or in a location registry service area of the cellular network. Upon origination of the call, the MSC / VLR transmits the requested call number and the MSISDN of the mobile subscriber to the SS database. The IN node compares the requested called number with the subscriber register associated with the MSISDN of the mobile subscriber and transmits a message to the MSC / VLR indicating whether the call is blocked. In an alternate mode, a subscriber record is stored in a subscriber identity module (SIM) in a mobile station. The SIM stores a subscriber record of the mobile subscriber associated with the SIM. Upon originating the call, the mobile station reads the subscriber record stored in the SIM and compares the requested exit call with the call blocking options. If the subscriber record indicates that the call is blocked, the mobile station displays a blocked call message to the mobile subscriber. 18-072