MXPA98004514A - Marking of co code - Google Patents

Abstract

A mobile telephone network stores a list of short dialing codes in association with each user identity in a manner that defines the short codes which each individual user is allowed to use to provide access to a PAD / DH1 data conversion device on the which provides access to a PDN1 private network. When the short code is dialed at a mobile station MS1, the call data comprising the short code together with the calling party identification data derived from the mobile station MS1 are transmitted over the radio link 1 to the switching center mobile MSC1. Before sending the call, the identity of the dialing station MS1 is authenticated. The short code in the call data is then compared with the allowed list of short codes to determine if the user is allowed to make the call. If the calling party is allowed to make the call, the call is routed to a destination corresponding to the PAD / PH1 data conversion device. Therefore, only allowed users can have access to a PAD / PH1 data conversion device. Furthermore, it is possible for a network operator to configure the data conversion device (PAD / PH1) so that an operator can offer a subscriber a fixed relationship between a code and a data conversion device. After the device can be configured with specific information of the subscriber so that it makes its own communications in an easier and professional way, for example, through personalized welcome pages, simplified access to specific user data, and

Description

SHORT CODE MARKING DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a short code subscription apparatus for a telecommunications network, and to a method for making calls through the network using short codes. In conventional telecommunication networks, calls are usually connected based on a dialable number which is part of a defined numbering plan. Conventional telephone numbers typically comprise a large number of digits, typically nine or more, although in certain circumstances they may be constituted up to five or six digits for local calls on the fixed PSTN (public switched telephone network). Alternatively, short codes of, for example, two or three digits can be used in private networks. These short codes can be used with a search memory in order to have access to a complete telephone number based on the short code. The term "short code" is used in this specification to mean a code which is shorter than a normal telephone number of the line accessed by the code. Because such codes are short, they are easy to find in a haphazard way, making access control difficult.

It is possible to configure a service that allows a mobile user to have access to a data conversion device, commonly known as a packet assembler / disassembler (PAD) so that communications with database hosts and other users can be made in a network of public data switched in packets (PSPDN). The existing systems within the GSM standard (global system for mobile communication) can be used to identify short codes of the class described above to allow access to a PAD, but there is no access authorization management to a specific PAD by the GSM network and in this way, in order to provide security, the user of the mobile station needs to enter a specific keyword and compile with other security measures in order to have access to the private network after the initial connection has been established. the private network through the use of short code, which avoids the accidental or deliberate use of the short code to have unauthorized access. These additional security measures need to be performed after the call has been connected, and in this way the user is not allowed access, the network resources have been used uselessly during the failed connection process. In addition, the use of keywords is inconvenient for a mobile user, and eliminates the advantages of a short code access. Services such as call screening can be used to provide a safety measure for a marked station, by determining the number of the station that you dial. This service is provided for the security of the station marked, so that the receiver of the call may be required to pay for this benefit. In addition, since the examination takes place in the station marked, the studies of the network are used to make the initial connection, which is a waste if the call is going to be rejected. The present invention provides an alternative approach, in accordance with the invention, a short code marking apparatus is provided, comprising: telecommunication network means for selectively providing communication links between a plurality of marking stations and a plurality of stations marked in dependence on the short codes produced by the dialing stations, at least one marked station is a data conversion device selectable by a predetermined short code and having means to perform specific data conversion operations for the subscriber in response to the short code produced by the station that marks and / or the identity of the station marked; and means of verification for comparing the identity of a short code produced by a marking station with the identity of the marked station and, if the short code corresponds to a short code allowed to be used by the calls made from the station, it allows the communication link to be established with the station marked. Therefore, according to the invention, the short code generated in the marking station is verified before the communication link with the marked station is established. Therefore, according to the invention, the short code generated in the marking station is verified before the communication link between the marking station and the marked station is established, avoiding the useless use of network resources in the case in which the call is not allowed to be made from the dialing station, for example, because the user that the dialing station is not an authorized subscriber of the data conversion device. Furthermore, it is possible for a network operator to configure the data conversion device (PAD) so that for a given short code, it has an association only with a PAD (or a PAD group). This allows an operator to provide the subscriber with a fixed relationship between a short code and a PAD. Therefore, the PAD can be configured with subscriber-specific information so that it makes its own communications easier and more professional. The invention has particular application to mobile networks, especially cellular networks. In a conventional mobile network, the identity of the user of a mobile station, such as a mobile telephone device, is determined by comparing a unique identification code retained in a mobile station with a stored value that is retained in the network and, in the In the case of GSM, additional authentication processes are performed to provide additional security. In accordance with the invention, this system can be adapted to allow the network to determine if particular short codes are allowed to be dialed from the mobile station, and the way in which the data conversion device is configured for the individual user. For this purpose, the mobile network may include a service control means that stores data regarding the identity of mobile stations for use in the network and corresponding groups of short codes allowed to be used from the respective mobile stations. The mobile network may include means for switching operational messages in response to such short codes, and call data received from the mobile station with respect to the identity of the same, to relate the call data to the service control means to determine whether it is allowed to use the short code by the mobile station, and direct the call in accordance with the short code if the short code is allowed to be used, but which otherwise does not allow a call. The short code can be used to access a network such as a private packet switching network. Since the verification means itself provides verification as to whether the short code is allowed to be used from a mobile station, there may be no need to provide additional keyword security to access the packet switching network , because the identification of the mobile subscriber itself is sufficient to determine if it is allowed to make calls to the network from the mobile station. The device can also be used when mobile stations "travel" from one network to another; that is, a mobile station operates in cooperation with a different network that is the "origin" network. When recording the journey of the mobile station with the network, the short codes allowed for use by the mobile station can be loaded into a visitor registration means which maintains a data record with respect to the traveling mobile station and allows the Short codes are used by the traveling station. The invention also includes a method for selectively establishing telecommunications links between a plurality of dialing stations and a plurality of stations marked in dependence on the short codes produced by the dialing stations, at least one marked station is selectable by a short code predetermined, the method comprises the steps of: comparing a short code produced by a marking station with the identity of a marked station; if the short code corresponds to a short code allowed to be used for calls made from the station it is dialing, a communication link is allowed; and specific data conversion operations are performed for the subscriber in the marked station, the operations are dependent on the short code produced by the marking station and are based on the identity of the marking station. In order that the invention is more fully understood, an embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of a mobile network which incorporates the short code subscription apparatus according to the invention; and Figure 2 illustrates two mobile networks to explain how data is processed with respect to short codes in the case of travel of a mobile station. With reference to Figure 1, a mobile cellular telephone network operating in accordance with the GSM standard is schematically shown. A mobile station MSI, in a conventional manner, includes a SIM subscriber identification module, which consists of a "smart card" inserted in the mobile station. A radio communication link 1 is established between the mobile station and a base transceiver site BTSl. This base transceiver site is one of several BTS base transceiver sites separated at locations within a network coverage area which operate at different frequencies to provide individual cells in a manner known per se. The groups of base transceiver sites are connected to a base station controller BSCl. The connection for the base transceiver site BTSl is referred to as 2 in Figure 1 and references 3 and 4 schematically illustrate the connections of other base transceiver sites with the base site controller BSCl. The base site controller BSC1 is connected to a mobile switching center MSC1. Other base site controllers (not shown) in the network are also connected to the mobile switching center MSC1, as schematically shown by the signal paths 5, 6. In figure 1, the mobile switching center MSC1 is connected to a public switched telephone network based on conventional land PSTNl and includes a gate for calls coming from the PSTN. In addition, the mobile switching center MSC1 is connected to a private packet switched digital network PDN1. Access to the PDN1 private network is provided through a packet assembler / disassembler or a PAD / PHl packet handler. For example, private network PDN1 may comprise a private company network that provides data communication between different factories or offices within the company. A conventional telephone set Tl connected to PSTNl is shown. In use, calls made from the mobile station MSI are routed through the base site controller BSC1 to the mobile switching center MSC1 where they are directed to other mobile stations within the GSM network or to stations marked in other networks, for example, the telephone Tl connected to PSTNl. The calls can be made to the mobile station MSI in an inverse manner. For further details of the configuration of the GSM mobile network, reference is made to various GSM standard documents printed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). The mobile GSM network also includes a home location register HLR1. In addition, a visitor location register VLR1 is coupled to the mobile switching center MSC1. The home location register HLR1 contains information regarding a unique identification number known as an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) for each registered SIM that has its location of origin with the network, together with the GSM secret key, which It is a unique security code for the user. In the GSM protocol, when a telephone call is made from the mobile station MSI, data is transmitted with respect to the IMSI handled on the SIM card to the mobile switching center MSC1, together with an encrypted version of the secret key and the dialed digits that designate the station to be dialed, for example the telephone Tl. The mobile switching center MSC1, upon receiving such data, validates the user in accordance with standard GSM procedures, which involves verifying the encrypted version of the secret key with a corresponding version produced locally with reference data from the HLR1 register of location of origin. Typically, when dialing a dialed station such as the telephone Tl, the dialed number is a relatively large dialed code, eg, nine digits or more. However, the GSM standard also contemplates the use of short codes to access packet switched networks such as a private network PDN1. The mobile switch center MSC1 is configured to recognize a short code such as a two-digit code to provide the mobile user with access to the network. However, conventionally there has been no security directly associated with the two-digit code. Instead, security has been provided through the use of a keyword regime. The user is required to enter a keyword in the form of a multi-digit code after the connection to the PAD / PH1 has been established. The present invention provides an alternative approach. According to the invention, the home location register HLR1 stores a list of short codes in association with each user IMSI so that it defines the short codes which are allowed to be used by each individual user. When a short code is dialed at the mobile station MSI, the call data comprising the short code together with the calling party identification data derived from the SIM card to the transceiver site are transmitted over the radio link 1. base BTSl and from here to the mobile switching center MSC1 through the base site controller BSCl. Before sending the call, the mobile switching center MSC1 refers to the call data to the visitor location register VLR1 where the identity of the MSI dialing station is authenticated during the use of IMSI and the secret key. The short code in the dialing data is then compared with the allowed list of short codes to determine if the user is allowed to make the call. If the calling party is allowed to make the call, the visitor location register VLR1 signals to the mobile switch center MSC1 that the call can be directed to a destination corresponding to the short code; in this case, PAD / PHl. Otherwise, the mobile switching center MSC1 does not make the call and an appropriate failure message is transmitted back through the base site controller BSC1 and the base transceiver site BTS1 to the mobile station MSI to inform the user that The call has not been connected. As is well known in the art, the security verification procedures used in the GSM standard, which make use of the IMSI retained in the SIM card and the associated secret key processes provide a very high degree of security. Therefore, access to PAD / PHl can only be obtained through users who have been pre-assigned a short code which provides access. Therefore, only allowed users can access private network PDN1. Accordingly, the security verification procedures of the GSM standard, according to the invention, have been adapted to provide secure access control to a private network and as a result, additional keyword measures are not necessary to provide security. It is possible for a network operator to configure the PAD so that for a given short code, it has a single PAD (or a PAD group) in association. Allowing an operator to offer a subscriber (for example a corporation) a fixed relationship between a short code and a PAD. Subsequently, the PAD can be configured with subscriber-specific information so that it makes its own communications easier and more professional. Such configurations are; a welcome page formatted in a logo of the corporation; a list of short-cut preselected options to direct a call to the guests of the corporation; or simply additional closed user group information (CUG) and automatic sending of the calling party to the guest (ie, without having to navigate at intermediate levels), once the user has been established, and therefore their privileges of access. By providing the need to subscribe the short code, a security access to the PAD can be ensured. This improves subscriber service by adding value to the call setup procedure through a personalized welcome page, access to user-specific data, etc., and by simplifying the charge since the user can receive the PSPDN charges ( network of public data switched in packet) through the GSM network account.

The network will also provide similar facilities for traveling mobile stations, as now described with reference to Figure 2. In Figure 2, the first, and second mobile GSM networks NI and N2 are shown. The network NI corresponds to the configuration shown in figure 1, and the network N2 is substantially identical to NI, with its component parts designated with the suffix 2. Typically, the first network NI can be in a country and the network N2 in a different country. The networks NI and N2 are connected to the respective local national public switched telephone networks PSTN1, 2. The national networks PSTN1, 2 are connected by international signal paths 7 in a manner known per se. The PD1 private digital network connects to the PDN2 private network and can operate from a single network, for example for an international company with offices and factories in two countries, and the parties can be linked by private communications links. According to the GSM standard, private networks PDN1 and PDN2 can be accessed, both, by the same short code. When the mobile station MSI travels from its originating network NI to the network N2, the mobile station needs to register with the network N2. In accordance with the GSM standard, a mobile station transmits its unique identification number derived from the SIM card to the network N2. The identification number is transmitted through the base transceiver site BTS2 and the base site controller BSC2 to the mobile switching center MSC2, where it is loaded into a visitor location register VLR2. The visitor location register VLR2 then instructs the network to establish a signaling path without connections through PSTN2, PSTN1 and the international signaling system 7 to obtain information about the user from the home location register for the user, specifically HLR1. . The relevant data is transmitted back to the N2 network and loaded into the visitor location register VLR2. In addition, according to the invention, the relevant data includes the group of short codes allowed to be used by the user of the mobile station MSI. Therefore, when the user of the mobile station MSI makes a call through the network N2 using a short code, the mobile switching center MSC2, before sending the call, refers to the call data received from the station mobile to the visitor location register VLR2 where the identification data and the short code are compared with the corresponding data derived from HLR2. If it is determined that the user is allowed to dial the short code, the call is appropriately sent by the mobile switching center MSC2 but, otherwise, the call is suspended and a message is transmitted to the mobile station in the manner previously described with Therefore, the same short code that is used to access the private network PDN1 in relation to the network NI can also be used when the mobile station has traveled to the network N2 in order to have access to the private digital network through PAD / PH2, which allows a local connection to be made and minimizes user billing costs. Many modifications and variations of the described apparatus are possible. For example, in order to provide an improved service provision, the networks NI and N2 can each include a service control point SCP1, SCP2, in which case the verification of the short code can be carried out at the control point of service SCP1, SCP2, instead of using the data in the visitor location registers VLR1, VLR2. In addition, instead of each private network having a common short code for all users, each user can have their own set of short codes, which are interpreted individually by the network (HLR / VLR / MSC) to provide access to stations markup settings such as a private network, or accessible dialing stations for larger dialing codes in which case the mobile switching center (MSC) appropriately produces the longest dialing code. The invention is applicable to other mobile networks and can be used for example, in networks which are not cellular, such as a DECT network. In addition, for cellular systems, the use of the GSM standard is not essential. For example, DAMPS or other known standards, both digital and analog, can also be used.In addition, the invention is not restricted to mobile systems and can be used in conventional land-based switching telephone networks. For example, it is possible to offer a similar solution when access to an intelligent network (IN) is required, a function of specialized resources (SRF) which can provide the PAD functionality. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it relates. Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following:

Claims (38)

202JES

1. A short code marking apparatus, characterized in that it comprises: telecommunication network means for selectively providing communication links between a plurality of marking stations and a plurality of stations marked in dependence on the short codes produced by the marking stations, by at least one marking station is a data conversion device selectable by a predetermined short code and has means for performing data conversion operations specific to the subscriber in response to the short code produced by the marking station and / or the identity of the subscriber. the station that you dial; and means of verification for comparing the identity of a short code produced by a marking station, with the identity of the marking station, and, if the short code corresponds to a short code allowed to be used for calls made from the station , allow a communication link to be established with the station marked.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the verification means comprises means for providing a group of short marking codes allowed to be used by the marking station, and means for comparing the short codes marked from the station with the markings. short codes in the group.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that it includes means for associating data corresponding to the identity of the station marked with the group, and means for comparing the identity of the station marked with the data, to determine the permissible short codes that They can be used by the marking station.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that it includes means for identifying a plurality of groups of short codes allowed to be used by calls made from a plurality of individual marking stations.

5. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes means for sending calls to selectively send calls corresponding to the short codes marked by the marking station to the marked stations, the verification means are operative to prevent the sending of a call in case the use of a short code associated by the station that marks is not allowed.

6. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the network means includes a first network for communication with the marking station, and a second network accessible from the first network by one of the predetermined short codes.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the first network includes a radio link for use with a mobile station as the marking station.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that it includes the mobile station for use as the marking station.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the first network is a cellular radio network and the mobile station includes a memory with a unique stored identification code to provide identity.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the unique code is stored in a SIM card.

11. The apparatus according to any of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the first network includes a service control means that stores data regarding the identity of the mobile stations for use with the network and the corresponding groups of short codes allowed for be used by the respective mobile stations.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that it includes operative message switching means, in response to the data of the calling party from the mobile station with respect to the identity of the same and a short code, to make reference to the data from the calling party to a service control means to determine if the short code is allowed to be used by the mobile station, and the call is sent according to the short code if the short code is allowed, but that otherwise interrupt the call.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that it includes means for signaling to the mobile station that a call has not been established when it is determined that the short code in the call data is not allowable for use by the mobile station.

14. The apparatus according to claims 11, 12 or 13, characterized in that the first network includes a source registration means for maintaining data regarding the identity of the registered mobile stations for use with the network and the short codes allowed for use by the mobile stations, respectively.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the source registration means includes a record of the marked station numbers that are associated with the allowed short codes.

16. The apparatus according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that it includes visitor registration means for maintaining data regarding a mobile station that is traveling from another network and is registered for use with the first network, the visitor registration means includes data regarding the short codes that are allowed to be used by the traveling mobile station.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the first network is operative to derive data regarding the permissible short codes for the mobile station traveling from the network from which it has traveled, in response to the registration of the traveling station. with the first network.

18. The apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 17, characterized in that the second network comprises a packet communication network.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that it includes a means of assembling and disassembling packets in response to one of the predetermined short codes to provide access to the second network from the first network.

20. The apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 19, wherein the second network is a private network.

21. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the short codes are two-digit codes.

22. A method for selectively establishing telecommunications links between a plurality of marking stations and a plurality of stations marked in dependence on the short codes produced by the marking stations, at least one marked station is selectable by a predetermined short code, the method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of: comparing a short code produced by a marking station, with the identity of the station marked; if the short code corresponds to a short code allowed to be used for calls made from the station it is dialing, allow the communication link to be established; and perform specific data conversion operations for the subscriber with the station marked, the operations are dependent on the short code produced by the station marked and on the identity of the station marked.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that the comparison is made at a remote location from the station marked.

24. The method according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that it includes providing access to a private network, without an additional security keyword, by comparing the identity of the marking station with the stored database of allowed identities, and allowing that the call proceeds only if the identity corresponds to one of the allowed identities stored in the database.

25. The method according to any of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that the verification comprises comparing the short code marked from the marking station, with a group of marked short codes allowed to be used by the marking station, and means

26. The method according to any of claims 22 to 25, characterized in that it includes selectively sending calls corresponding to the short codes marked by the stations marking to marked stations, and preventing the sending of a call in the case of a short code associated not allowed is used by the marking station.

27. The method according to any of claims 22 to 26, characterized in that one of the predetermined short codes allows access from a first network to a second network.

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that the marking station is a mobile station of a cellular radio network.

29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that the mobile station transmits a unique stored identification code to the network to provide identity.

30. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that the unique code is stored in a SIM card.

31. The method according to any of claims 28 to 30, characterized in that the calling party data received from the mobile station with respect to the identity thereof and a short code, refer to a service control means for determining if the short code is allowed to be used by the mobile station, and the call is directed according to the short code if the short code is allowed to be used, but otherwise the call is prevented.

32. The method according to claim 31, characterized in that a signal is transmitted to the mobile station to indicate that a call has been prevented when it is determined that the short code in the call data is not allowable for use by the mobile station.

33. The method according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that a first network derives data regarding the permissible short codes for a mobile station traveling from a network from which it has traveled, in response to the registration of the station traveling with the first network.

34. The method according to any of claims 27 to 33, characterized in that one of the predetermined short codes causes the packet assembly and disassembly means to provide access to the second network from the first network.

35. The method according to any of claims 27 to 34, characterized in that the second network is a private network.

36. The method according to any of claims 22 to 35, characterized in that the short codes are two-digit codes.

37. An apparatus for short code marking, characterized in that it is substantially as described in the foregoing with reference to the accompanying drawings.

38. A method for establishing a telecommunications link, characterized in that it is substantially as described in the foregoing with reference to the accompanying drawings. RES? MEM OF THE INVENTION A mobile telephone network stores a list of short dialing codes in association with each user identity in a manner that defines the short codes which each individual user is allowed to use to provide access to a PAD / DH1 data conversion device on the which provides access to a private PDNl network. When the short code is dialed at a mobile station MSI, the call data comprising the short code together with the calling party identification data derived from the mobile station MSI are transmitted over the radio link 1 to the switching center mobile MSC1. Before sending the call, the identity of the MSI dialing station is authenticated. The short code in the call data is then compared with the allowed list of short codes to determine if the user is allowed to make the call. If the calling party is allowed to make the call, the call is routed to a destination corresponding to the PAD / PHI data conversion device. Thus, only allowed users can access a PAD / PHl data conversion device. In addition, it is possible for a network operator to configure the data conversion device (PAD / PH1) so that an operator can offer a subscriber a fixed relationship between a code and a data conversion device. After the device can be configured with subscriber-specific information so that it makes its own communications easier and more professional, for example, through personalized welcome pages, simplified access to specific user data, etc.