MXPA01002142A - Adaptive subscriber service allocation - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a system, method, and apparatus for providing subscriber services to a mobile terminal. The mobile switching centers MSC (120) transmit an MSC capabilities message (205) which informs the Home Location Register HLR (126) of the services the MSC supports. When a mobile terminal roams to a particular MSC, the HLR compares (410) the subscriber profile and the MSC capabilities message to determine whether (415) the MSC can support a particular subscriber service. Where the MSC cannot support a particular subscriber service, the HLR determines (420) a comparable service which the MSC does support and modifies (425) a copy of the subscriber profile to include the comparable service as a replacement for the subscriber service that is not supported.

Description

ADAPTABLE SUBSCRIBER SERVICE ALLOCATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to the provision of subscriber services in a wireless network, and more particularly, to a procedure for adapting the services subscribed to the subscriber for provision through a wireless network. of the wireless network. Description of Related Art Subscribers of a wireless network are able to use numerous additional subscriber services in addition to their basic wireless telephony service. Subscriber services allow subscribers to personalize their wireless telephone service according to their habits and usage preferences. Examples of such subscriber services include call waiting, call transfer, voice mail, three-way calling, and caller ID (caller ID). The provision of subscriber services often requires the presence of software and special hardware in the switch, such as the Mobile Switching Center (MSC), which serves the subscriber during a call. Ideally, each MSC in a wireless network is capable from a software and hardware perspective of supporting the same homogeneous set of subscriber services. However, MSC service capabilities can and do vary for several reasons. For example, MSCs are often made by different manufacturers trying to distinguish their MSC from the other MSCs by supporting special innovative services that are not identical to third-party services. In addition, MSCs made by different manufacturers can implement the same subscriber services in a different way, causing formatting and compatibility discrepancies between the MSCs. In addition, MSCs can not be updated correspondingly through the network to transport the same subscriber services identically. Accordingly, an MSC can not support or may be incompatible with a particular subscriber service selected by the subscriber. A design goal of wireless networks is to allow the subscriber to move through the network, while receiving the same services. To achieve this goal, the MSCs are placed through the wireless network area, with each MSC serving a particular area within the wireless network area. When a subscriber moves through the wireless network area, the subscriber can receive service from different MSCs. As the subscriber moves, there is a possibility that a subscriber may not be able to use a particular subscriber service in a particular MSC because of the differences in subscriber support service capabilities of the MSCs. A record known as a subscriber profile is associated with each subscriber and contains information regarding each of the subscriber services that the subscriber has selected. This subscriber profile is stored in a database called initial location registration. When a mobile station enters the area served by the MSC, the MSC downloads the subscriber profile to the subscriber from the initial location register and examines the subscriber services that may be necessary to provide them to the subscriber. The comparison between the services of the subscriber and the services supported by the MSC involves the comparison of specific technical provisions. Any discrepancy in the comparison results in a denial of the particular subscriber service. In addition, subscriber services that are not supported by the MSC are also denied. In most cases, the observed discrepancy occurs due to partial differences between the subscriber service and the corresponding or similar service supported by the MSC. For example, a subscriber profile can indicate access to a certain service for incoming and outgoing calls, whereas the service MSC is only capable of supporting that service for outgoing calls. Despite the fact that the subscriber d have been provided with a particular subscriber service by the MSC, all the subscriber's service would be denied. Consequently, what is desired is a more flexible way to allow subscriber access to subscriber services. The Shannon reference (GB 2,304,497) teaches a method for providing services to a visiting subscriber. The reference recognizes that some PLMNs, or zones in it, may not be able, for a number of reasons, to provide all services to which the subscriber is authorized. In such cases, the service details for the subscriber those that are compared with the set of services capable of being supported within the zone, and the provision is made only of those services that are authorized by the subscription and that are capable of being provided. Around the area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a system, method and apparatus for providing subscription services for a mobile subscriber that has moved to a particular mobile switching center (MSC). A determination is made as to how a particular subscriber service is supported by the MSC. When the subscriber service is not supported, a comparable service that is supported by the MSC is identified and provided to the subscriber. The provision of comparable service is effected by modifying a copy of the subscriber profile to include the comparable service as a replacement for the subscriber service that is not supported.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention can be achieved by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: FIGURE 1 is an illustrative wireless network within which the principles of the present invention can be provided; FIGURE 2A is a signal flow diagram illustrating the operation of the Mobile Switching Center (MSC) and the Initial Location Register (HLR) when an MSC is modified or added; FIGURE 2B is a signal flow diagram illustrating the operation of the MSC and the HLR when the HRL is modified or aggregated; FIGURE 3 is a signal flow diagram illustrating the operation of the Mobile Switching Center (MSC) and the Initial Location Register (HLR) according to the present invention; and FIGURE 4 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the HLR in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference is now made to FIGURE 1 where an illustrative wireless network 100 is shown, such as a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) 105. The PLMN 105 may comprise, for example, a Mobile Telephone Service Network. Advanced (AMPS), a Digital Advanced Mobile Phone Service Network (D-AMPS), or a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM). The PLMN 105 is comprised of a plurality of Mobile Switching Center / Visitor Location Registration (MSC / VLR) 115 areas, each with a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 120 and an Integrated Visitor Location Register (VLR). ) 125 in it. Each MSC 120 is connected to a gateway access MSC 127 that connects the PLMN 105 to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 129. In the areas MSC / VRL 115, in turn, they include a plurality of Location Areas (LA) 130 , which are defined as that part of a determined MSC / VRL area 115 in which a mobile station (MS) (terminal) 135 can move freely without having to send updated location information to the MSC / VLR 115 area it controls LA 130. Mobile Station (MS) 135 is the physical equipment, for example a car telephone or other portable telephone, used by mobile subscribers to communicate with the cellular network 105, each other, and users outside the subscribed network , both wired and wireless. Each Location Area 130 is located within a number of cells 140. The MSC 120 is in communication with at least one Base Station 150. The base station 150 is the physical equipment, polished for simplicity as a radio tower , which provides radio coverage for the geographical part of cell 140 for which it is responsible. With further reference to FIGURE 1, the PLMN 105 includes an Initial Location Record (HLR) 126, which is a database that maintains and stores the subscriber information such as the subscriber profiles, the current location information, International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) numbers, and other administrative information. The subscriber services associated with the mobile station 135 are defined in a subscriber profile that is stored in the HLR 126. The HLR 126 may be co-located with a given MSC 120, integrated with the MSC 120, or alternatively can serve multiple MSCs 120, the last of which is illustrated in FIGURE 1. The VLR 125 is a database containing information about all the Mobile Stations 135 currently located within of the MSC / VLR area 115. If an MS 135 moves from the MSC / VLR area 115a to a new MSC / VLR area 115b, the VLR 125b connected to MSC 120b in the new MSC / VLR area will request data about the Station Cell 135 from HLR database 126 (simultaneously informing HLR 126 about the current location of MS 135). Accordingly, the user of the MS 135 who wishes to make a call, the VLR 125b in the new MSC / VLR area 115 has access to the requisite service profile information without having to interrogate the HLR 126. In the previously described manner, the VLR and HLR databases 125 and 126, respectively, contain different subscriber information associated with a given MS 135. In order to service MSC 120b to communicate information to other nodes of the PLMN 105 that refer to the subscriber services they support, a master list is used across the entire network 100 that contains each possible MSC service that is available on any MSC 120 in the network. The master list can be updated dynamically as new services are released for the network 100. The service MSC 120b communicates its service capabilities using an MSC capabilities message to the other HLR nodes by reference to the supported services contained in the list teacher. Subsequently, when the mobile station 135 moves from a MSC / VLR area 115a to another MSC / VLR area 115b, the HLR uses the MSC capabilities message to give a copy of the subscriber profile in the manner described herein for better coupling the services desired by the subscriber and the service capabilities of the MSC's 120b. Reference is now made to FIGURES 2A and 2B, where a signal flow diagram illustrating the transmission of the MSC capabilities message is shown. In order for the HLR 126 to modify a copy of the subscriber profile to better suit the service capabilities of the MSC 120b, the HLR must first know the capabilities of the MSC. The HLR 126 is informed of the capabilities of the service MSC 120b by the information contained in a capability message from MSC communicated from the service MSC .120b to the HLR 126. The MSC capabilities message comprises the requisite information that describes the services that the MSC 120b supports.

Referring now to FIGURE 2A, there is shown a signal flow diagram illustrating the transmission of an MSC capabilities message when the MSC 120b is modified or aggregated within the network. In step 202, an MSC 120b is modified or aggregated within the network, requiring the HLR 126 to be informed of the set of services supported by the MSC 120b. for example, when the MSC 120b is first installed in a network, the MSC capabilities need to be communicated to the HLR for later access and use. If the services supported by the MSC 120b are subsequently modified, the MSC capabilities were stored in the HLR 126 will need to be updated. In another scenario, when an MSC 120b in a pre-existing network is updated, it is advantageous for the MSC to be able to transmit its capabilities to the HLR 1.26. Conventional operation and maintenance functionalities (O &M) are used to recognize such installation or update or modification of MSC. In response to a modification or addition of an MSC 120b (step 202), a capability message of MSC 205 is transmitted from the MSC 120b to the HLR 126. Referring now to FIGURE 2B, a signal flow diagram is shown which illustrates the transmission of a message of MSC capabilities in an alternative scenario, where the HLR 126 is modified or added in the network. In step 210, an HLR 126 is updated or replaced with an HLR 126 with adaptive subscriber service addition capabilities. In order to cause the MSCs 120a, 120b to communicate their MSC capabilities, the HLR 126 transmits a capability request message from MSC 215a, 215b to each MSC in the network. It should be noted that, while only two MSCs 120 are shown for clarity purposes, there may be any number of MSCs 120. When an MSC 120a, 120b receives the MSC capability request message 215a, 215b, the MSC responds by sending a message of capabilities of MSC 205. When the HLR 126 receives the capability message from the MSC 205, either as shown in FIGURE 2A or FIGURE 2B, the HLR stores the MSC capabilities message for later use to modify a copy of the subscriber profile when the MS 135 associated with the subscriber moves from the first MSC 120a to MSC 120b. Reference is now made to FIGURE 3, where a signal flow diagram for the exchange of information between the service MSC 120b and the HLR 126 is shown when adapting a copy of the subscriber profile. When the MS 135 moves from the first MSC 120a to the service MSC 120b, a registration message MS 308 is sent to the MSC 120b. The MSC 120b then sends a profile request message 310 requesting the HLR 126 to transmit the subscriber profile associated with the MS 135. It should be noted that the transmission of the profile request message 310 may be responsible for other situations, such as changes in the subscriber profile in the HLR 126. Upon receipt of the profile request message 310, the HLR determines whether the subscriber profile needs to be modified (step 311) by comparing the subscriber profile for the MSC 205 capability message transmitted by the subscriber profile. MSC 120b.

If yes, a copy of the subscriber profile stored in HLR is elaborated and then modified to include a comparable or restricted service (step 312). When the HLR 126 completes the comparison and modification of the copy of the subscriber profile, the copy of the modified subscriber profile 315 is transmitted from the HLR 126 to MSC 120b. It should be recognized that the subscriber profile as stored in HLR 126 is not affected or changed when the modified subscriber profile copy is created in step 312. In addition, a message 317 is sent to the mobile station 135 from the HLR 126 that informs the subscriber that this subscriber profile has been temporarily modified in order to provide the best possible services considering the restricted capabilities of the MSC 120. This message 317 may comprise a voice message or a text message (using, perhaps, short message service (SMS) message delivery). The message 317 can also specify the exact manner in which the subscriber service profile has been modified. Reference is now made to FIGURE 4 where a flow chart showing the operation of HLR 126 is shown when comparing the supported services identified in the MSC capabilities message with the services contained within the subscriber profile and modifying the copy of the Subscriber profile. This comparison operation is executed in order to determine if a copy of the subscriber profile needs to be modified in order to provide as complete a service support as possible for a subscriber. The HLR begins by reviewing the first subscriber service stored in the subscriber profile (step 405). The subscriber service is then compared to the services supported by the MSC 120b as identified in an MSC capability message describing them (step 410). As stated earlier, this comparison is based on the list of indexes for the master list by the MSC capabilities message.

After comparing the service with the capabilities identified in the MSC capabilities message, the HLR 126 determines whether the service can be completely provided by the MSC 120b (step 415). In case the service can not be fully supported as determined in step 415, a copy of the subscriber profile is retrieved from HLR 126 and modified. From a comparison of step 410, the HLR 126 determines whether MSC 120b offers a substitute service, a comparable service or can partially support the service (step 420). When the MSC 120b offers a substitute service, a comparable service or partially supports the service, the subscriber profile parameters in the recovered copy are modified to identify the comparable or partial substitute service (step 425). On the other hand, if the MSC 120b does not offer a comparable service and can not partially support the service, the parameters pertaining to the service are omitted from the subscriber profile copy (step 430). Again, it must be recognized that the subscriber profile as stored in HLR 126 is not affected or changed when the modified subscriber profile copy is created. If in step 415 the HLR 126 determines that the service can be fully supported by the MSC 120b, steps 420 to 430 are omitted and no changes are made to the parameters of the subscriber profile copy belonging to the service. After the service is compared to an MSC capability message and the modifications, if any, are made to the subscriber profile copy, the HLR determines if the service was the last service in the subscriber profile (step 435). ). When the service is not the last service in the subscriber's profile, HLR 126 reviews the next service in the subscriber profile (step 440) and steps 410 to 435 are repeated. Steps 410 to 440 are repeated for each service in the subscriber profile until the last service in the subscriber profile is in step 435. When the HLR 126 completes the comparison and modification of the subscriber profile copy as illustrated in FIGURE 4, the modified subscriber profile copy is transmitted from HLR 126 to MSC 120b. Again, it must be recognized that the subscriber profile as stored in HLR 126 is not affected or changed when the modified subscriber profile copy is created. In addition, the HLR may at this point also provide the news message (317, FIGURE 3) that tells the subscriber how the service profile has been temporarily changed to respond to the limitations of the MSC service. With further reference to FIGURES 1, 2, 3 and 4, the operation of HLR 126 is described in the illustrative case where the subscriber associated with mobile station 135 subscribes to a first service, such as an immediate call specification.

(IC) for originating and terminating calls, and a second service, such as a message waiting service in accordance with ANSI-41D improved. Using the message 205, the MSC 120b has previously informed the HLR 126 that it supports the first service, the immediate call specification, for outgoing calls only and the second service, the message wait, in accordance with ANSI-41D. when the subscriber moves in the MSC / VLR area 115b and the registers 308, the MSC 120b sends a profile request message 310 to the HLR 126. When the HLR 126 receives the profile request message 310, the HLR 126 compares the subscriber profile associated with the mobile station 135. In step 405, the HLR 126 reviews the first service in the subscriber profile, for example the immediate call specification. In step 410, the HLR 126 compares the immediate call specification service described in the subscriber profile with the MSC capabilities message. After making the comparison, HLR 126 determines that MSC 120b can not fully support the immediate call specification service described in the subscriber profile in step 415 because the subscriber is subscribed to inbound and outbound service support and the MSC only supports the service for outgoing calls. In step 420, the HLR 126 determines that the MSC 120b can partially support the immediate call specification service by offering the immediate call specification for outgoing calls only as a replacement service. In step 425, the HLR 126 modifies the subscriber profile parameters in the subscriber profile copy to conform to the immediate call specification for outgoing calls only, as offered by the MSC 120b. For example, the HLR 126 may modify in the subscriber profile copla to restrict the MS 135 to outgoing calls only. In step 435, the HLR 126 determines that the immediate call specification service was not the last service in the subscriber profile, and reviews the next subscriber service, in the message wait, at step 440. In the step 410, the HLR 126 compares the subscriber profile with the MSC capability message and in step 415, determines that the message wait service according to the improved ANSI-41D can not be fully supported. In step 420, the HLR 126 determines that the message wait service according to the improved ANSI-41D is comparable to the message waiting service according to an ANSI-41D that is offered by the MSC 120b. In step 425, the HLR 126 modifies the subscriber profile copy to conform to the message waiting service in accordance with ANSI-41D as a replacement service, and in step 435, the HLR 126 determines that the service of message waiting is the last service in the subscriber profile. Again, it must be recognized that the subscriber profile as stored in the HLR 126 is not affected or changed when the modified subscriber profile copy is created. The above represents a more flexible way of providing access to subscriber services for subscribers moving from one MSC / VLR area to another MSC / VLR area.

Claims (15)

1. CLAIMS 1. In a telecommunications system comprising a mobile switching center connected to an initial location register that stores subscriber profiles, a method for providing subscriber service associated with a mobile station, the method comprising the steps of: transmitting a request for a subscriber profile associated with the mobile station from the MSC to the HLR, the subscriber profile that lists a certain subscriber service; and determining whether the MSC can support said subscriber service; the method characterized by the step of: when the MSC can not support a certain service, modify a copy of the subscriber profile thereby causing the modified copy of the subscriber profile to list at least one comparable service as a replacement for the subscriber service . The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving an MSC capabilities message transmitted from the MSC including a plurality of subscriber services that are supported by the MSC. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the MSC capability message comprises a plurality of indices, said plurality of indices corresponding to a master list, the master list comprising a complete list of subscriber services supported by the telecommunications system. 4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the determination step occurs in the HLR. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the determination step further comprises the step of comparing the plurality of subscriber services identified in the MSC capabilities service for a certain subscriber service listed in the subscriber profile. The method according to claim 1, further including the step of downloading the modified copy of the subscriber profile to the MSC for use in the provision of subscriber services to the subscriber. The method according to claim 1, further including the step of notifying the subscriber through the mobile station of the nature of the comparable replacement subscriber service that is provided by the MSC. 8. An Initial Location Record connected to a mobile communication center, wherein the initial location record stores a subscriber profile that lists a subscriber service, the HLR comprising: means for determining whether or not the MSC can support the subscriber service; the HLR characterized by: means responding to a failure to support the subscriber service to modify a copy of the subscriber profile thereby causing the modified copy of the subscriber profile to list a replacement service for said subscriber service. The HLR according to claim 8, characterized in that the HLR stores a list of subscriber services supported by each MSC. The HLR according to claim 9, characterized in that the means for determination further comprises means for comparing the subscriber services supported for the subscriber service listed in the subscriber profile. The HLR according to claim 8, further including means for downloading the modified copy of the subscriber profile to the MSC for use in the provision of subscriber services. The HLR according to claim 8, further including means for notifying a subscriber through its mobile station of the nature of the comparable replacement subscriber service that is provided by the MSC. 13. A telecommunications network comprising: a mobile switching center; and an initial location record connected to the MSC, the initial location record that stores a subscriber profile that lists a subscriber service and a list of subscriber services supported by the MSC, the HLR that also operates to compare the subscriber service listed in the subscriber profile with the list of subscriber services supported by the MSC; the network characterized by: the HLR which also operates to replace the listed subscriber service in a copy of the subscriber profile with a comparable subscriber service from the list of subscriber services supported by the MSC. The telecommunications network according to claim 13, characterized in that the initial location register is further operable to download the subscriber profile copy with the replaced subscriber service for the MSC for use in the provision of subscriber services. The telecommunications network according to claim 13, characterized in that the initial location register is further operable to notify a subscriber through its mobile station of the nature of the comparable replacement subscriber service that is provided by the MSC .