MXPA99009018A - Cellular system having programmable subscription capabilities - Google Patents

Abstract

A subscription record within a telecommunication system is sub-divided into three separate registers, namely, a user (110), a subscription (105) and a terminal register (115). The use of three separate registers within the system allows several terminals (145) to be associated with one user, several users to be associated with one terminal (145), several subscriptions to be associated with one user, and several users to be selectively associated with one subscription. The subscription records include a list of allowed users for each subscription account. Additionally, the subscription records include a schedule (270) that defines allowable usage time for each user. The user records include a schedule which defines what subscription accounts will be charged at specified times during the week.

Description

CELLULAR SYSTEM WITH PROGRAMABLE SUBSCRIPTION CAPACITIES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Related Application This application relates to the jointly assigned United States application No. 08 / 585,149 filed January 10, 1996, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a cellular telecommunications system and, in particular, to a system for charging the tariffs generated to a plurality of separate subscriptions according to a preselected program.

Description of the Related Art The development and improvements in wireless telecommunications switching systems have allowed subscribers of the wireless system to move easily from one location to another while using telephone services and subscriber characteristics. For exa, an inherent characteristic of a cellular radio system is that an owner of a cellular telephone subscriber station can move freely within his area of the local exchange and receives or makes calls without being connected to a communication line by means of of wires. An improvement of conventional cellular systems is the interconnection of the various different systems in a cellular network that allows "wanderers". The roving unit feature allows a user to use the same cellular subscriber station in different regions of the country. Although a user can "be roaming" between telecommunications systems, there is still no cote mobility of the subscriber, terminal or subscription. To illustrate, each cellular terminal has a specific subscription account in common systems. The owner of the terminal, therefore, is responsible for the subscription account. More specifically, each directory number within a cellular system is assigned to a mobile identification number (MIN), and in this manner, to a specific mobile terminal and not to a specific user. All calls made from or to each cellular subscriber terminal with its unique MIN are charged to the subscriber's account associated with the specified MIN. Each cellular subscriber must, therefore, physically carry the cellular terminal to receive and make telephone calls within the system. In addition, if a user receives a personal call or a business call, the owner of the terminal receives the charge for the call. Therefore, mobility or independence between a subscription of the cellular system, a cellular subscriber terminal and a cellular user is not real. It would be a different advantage if a cellular user selects a program that defines which subscriber account calls are loaded.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides user mobility, terminal and subscription within a cellular system by assigning a telephone number to a particular user instead of to a specific subscriber terminal. The present invention allows calls to or from a particular cellular terminal to be charged to a selected subscriber account in accordance with a selected program and not si to a subscription account of the owner of the terminal. More specifically, the selected subscription that is to be charged for a call is determined by the combination of the user's action (or inaction) and time in relation to a preselected program. In general, subscriptions and subscriber terminals are each identified by unique, separate identification codes. The present invention describes a system that allows a single user to choose between a predetermined subscription account and at least one other account for all charges. This selection can be made through a computer program according to the time of the system. In addition, the selection can be modified by the action of the user as a call is made or as a function of the selection of a switch. In one aspect, the present invention includes a system wherein a residence location register (HLR) contains separate registers or storage means for separately storing user, terminal and subscription information. In another aspect, the present invention provides multiple subscriptions for the use of a user. Accordingly, a user can register as a caller of origin in a subscriber terminal and have the costs charged to a specific account. The same user can have the cost charged to an alternate subscriber account according to a selected program or according to a switch selection. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for enabling mobility of a user, subscription and terminal by providing more than a subscription identification stored in a user record and more than a user identification stored in a subscription record. The selection between the multiple identifications can be done as a function of a scheduled schedule that can be found in each of the user and subscription registers. In addition, either the selected subscription is a predetermined subscription or the subscription specified by a specified program is selectable in a user terminal in a conventional manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention can be had by referring to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIGURE 1 is a block diagram illustrating the independence between subscriptions, users and terminals that can be obtained by keeping separate records for each according to the teachings of the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a block diagram illustrating the functional changes within a cellular radio system according to the location; FIGURE 3 is a block diagram representing a commution network according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 4 is a block diagram illustrating a commution network according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary record within a list of user subscriptions stored within the HLR in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 6 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary subscription record stored within an HLR in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 7 is a signal sequence diagram illustrating a sequence of the signals for modifying the list of users allowed in the HLR; FIGURE 8 is a signal sequence diagram illustrating a system and method for modifying the list of user registers to define new usage parameters; FIGURE 9 is a signal sequence diagram illustrating the connection to or disconnection of, automatic, to a new subscription for a user; and FIGURE 10 is a signal sequence diagram illustrating a sequence of signals for selecting the automatic recording feature according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A CURRENTLY PREFERRED MODALITY, EXAMPLE The common wireless commution systems employ a one-to-one drop-off between a user, a user terminal and a subscription account. That is, the use of the user's terminal results in the user's subscription account charged by the call even though the call may be by another or in the name of another. In common commution networks, a storage element is used to define the subscriber. That is, a storage element is used to establish the relationship between the user, the terminal and the account. The flexibility of the system can be greatly improved by defining a clear difference between each user, subscription and terminal. As used herein, the term "user" refers to a person who uses telephone services within a cellular telecommutions network. Typically, a user is electrolly identified by a code known as a mobile identification number (MIN). In the same way, a subscriber is electrolly identified by a code such as terminals. Implicit in any reference to one of these, so, is a reference to the actual codes that relate and identify any of the three. It is possible for an ordinary user to want to charge their calls to more than a subscription account. For example, calls made for private purposes could be charged to the user's subscription, while calls made for business purposes of the user could be charged to the user's business subscription. As described herein, the present invention allows the common user to select from different subscriptions for originating calls and for termination calls under certain conditions. This selection can be made by selecting an operation mode. For example, a mode of operation may include the charge of the calls according to a specified program. The term "subscription" as used herein refers to an agreement between a cell phone operator and a person. A user may wish to have more than one subscription without having more than one terminal. For example, a user may require one for personal use and one for business use. In addition, a user may wish to have multiple subscription accounts assigned to the terminal in a selectable form. Therefore, there is a logical and conceptual difference that exists between the three previous elements. By separating the conventional association between the three above elements, the present invention describes a system where multiple subscriptions can be assigned to or available for use by a single user.

FIGURE 1 is a block diagram illustrating the independence between subscriptions, users and terminals, which can be obtained by keeping separate records in separate record locations for each according to the teachings of the present invention. Now with relation to Figure 1, the subscription registers 105 store information related to the agreements between users and operators of the cellular system on the use of telecommunications services within a telecommunications network. The user registers 110 store information related to the persons who have access to telecommunications services within a cellular system. The registers of the terminal 115 store information related to the subscriber cellular stations or terminals that are connected to a telecommunications network. Therefore, the records of the terminal 115 no longer store information related to the subscription or user information. Those data are stored separately in subscription records 105 and user registers 110. Because there is no particular association between the three preceding items, the number of records for each of the three previous records does not have to be the same. same. For example, multiple subscriptions and / or multiple terminals may be assigned to a single user.

FIGURE 2 is a block diagram showing the functional changes within a cellular radio system according to the location, which can be used to illustrate the present invention. Now with reference to Figure 2, a cellular telecommunications network link, comprises a plurality of mobile services switching centers (MSCs) 135a and 135b, a residence location register (HLR) 200, a visitor location register. (VLR) 150, a plurality of base station controllers (BSC) 140a and 140b, and a cell phone terminal 145. The HLR 200 is a database containing information about all users, terminals and their services and locations served by the MSC 135. In large network networks [sic] with a large number of subscribers, the HLR 200 is a separate node as shown in FIGURE 1. In small networks, this may be integrated into the MSC 135. The BSC 140a provides the communication link with a cell phone terminal 145 when it is within the coverage area of the BSC 140a. The MSC 135a labeled as the "residence MSC" is located within a first cellular system and handles information from the cell phone terminals 145. If the subscriber crosses the limit to another cellular system served by another MSC during a conversation, an automatic transfer between exchanges will be carried out. More specifically, the MSC 135a transmits the subscriber, user and terminal information in an information signal of the register 120 to the MSC 135b. The MSC 135b uses known protocols to request the MSC 135a to transmit this information to perform the automatic transfer between exchanges. After receiving the information signal from the register 120, the MSC 135b handles the conversation for the terminal 145. The process for allowing a mobile station having an account with a first cellular system to travel to a second cellular system and receive the services of this second system for incoming and outgoing calls is known as "roaming" (roaming). More specifically, as the cell phone terminal 145"wanders", or moves to another cellular system and tries to use its telecommunications services, as represented by line 155 in FIGURE 2, the visited MSC 135b notifies to residence HLR 200 from the presence of the mobile station in its area and request information related to the station account with this system through communication link 130. If the request to provide telecommunications services is approved by the HLR 200, the MSC 135b provides the telecommunications service to the visiting cell phone terminal 145 as a wandering subscriber. The MSC 135b also receives the necessary subscriber, user and terminal information from the subscription registers 105, subscriber registers 110 and registers from the terminal 115 in the registration information signal 120 from the HLR 200 and then stores all this information in visitor location register (VLR) 150. As can be seen in FIGURE 2, the information received is then stored as subscription registers 105 'user registers 110' and terminal registers 115 '. This reduces the need for the MSC 135b to communicate with the HLR 200 each time the MSC 135b needs information from the residence switch with respect to the telephone terminal 145. In an alternative mode, the received information could simply be stored in a register. FIGURE 3 is a block diagram representing a communication network according to an embodiment of the present invention. The network of FIGURE 3 includes three separate registers for storing subscription information, the terminal and the user. Each record is separate and independent of the others. When the VLR 150 provides service to a terminal 145 of a roving subscriber communicates with the HLR 200 of this subscriber, the VLR 150 no longer retrieves the data from a single register. In contrast, in accordance with the present invention, the VLR system 150 retrieves information about the subscriber from a subscription register 210, about the user's terminal from a register of the terminal 220 and about the user from a registration of the user. user 230. For simplicity, these three elements are shown in FIGURE 3 as assigned to the same residence MSC / HLR. However, each of these three elements can also be found in a separate HLR. According to the invention, the present system allows a user assigned to an HLR to access and use a terminal or subscription assigned to and associated with a different party whose subscriber information is stored in a different HLR. Therefore, if a user wishes to use a subscriber terminal that is currently assigned to a different residence MSC / HLR, then the user's residence MSC / HLR must communicate with the terminal MSC / HLR in order to provide the VLR. 150 all the information necessary to allow telecommunications services to be provided to the subscriber requesting them (for example, a wanderer). FIGURE 4 is a block diagram illustrating a communication network according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Now in relation to FIGURE 4, the VLR 150 communicates with a number of different HLRs to obtain subscriber, user and terminal information. As shown, a terminal register 220, a user register 230 and a subscription register 210 each is located in a different HLR. To better understand the operation of the invention, consider the network of FIGURE 4. FIGURE 4 shows a user within the coverage area of, for example, the HLR Dallas 200a using a terminal whose terminal registration is stored within the HLR 200b from Austin, while calls are subscribed to the user's company assigned to the Houston HLR 200c. For this case, the VLR 150 communicates with the HLR 200a which contains the user register 230 to obtain the user information. The HLR 200a in turn communicates with the HLR 200b which contains the terminal register 220 for obtaining information from the terminal, and with the HLR 200c containing the registration of the subscription 210 to obtain subscription information (billing). The HLR 200a transmits to the VLR 150 the information it receives from the HLR 200b and 200c. FIGURE 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary record within a user subscription list stored within an HLR, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Now with reference to FIGURE 5, the registration of the user subscription list 240 is a part of the user register 230 formed within an HLR 200, as shown in FIGURE 3. As shown, the registration of the list of user subscriptions 240 includes the three fields to define an operation mode and a table defining a selection program. The selection program indicates which subscription will be charged according to the time and date. Specifically, as shown in field 245, the default subscription is defined as Lisa. Accordingly, unless otherwise required by user selection or by the selection program, the subscription account belonging to "Lisa" is charged for all calls. Field 250 indicates that this subscription belongs to Andersson. Accordingly, any calls made in the present time will be charged to the "Andersson" subscription account. Field 205 indicates that the selection program is currently being used (as opposed to "OFF") to determine the subscription to which charges should be recorded. Thus, rows 260 and 265 define, in relation to the current time, the subscription that will be charged for the calls made. Because field 250 indicates that the present subscription is defined for Anderson, it is deduced from the table that the present tense should be between 1:30 and 4:00 p.m. the sixth day of the week (assuming there is not an annual written envelope of the selection program). Although not shown explicitly in FIGURE 5, it is understood that the field of the present subscription 250 will reflect that the calls will be charged to Andersson because the auto-connection feature is "ON" and the selection program specifies that the subscription present is "Andersson" or because the present subscription indicates "Andersson" according to the user's selection. An effect of the auto-connect feature of "OFF", therefore, is that the selection program simply does not modify the present subscription. FIGURE 6 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary subscription record stored within an HLR in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. Now in relation to FIGURE 6, a subscription record 270 includes a list of allowed users of the "Ericsson" subscription. As shown, the subscription record 270 includes information pertaining to two permitted users, namely Lisa and Adam. Regarding line 275, it can be seen that Lisa is a user of the Ericsson subscription during days 1 to 5 from 8 a.m. at 5 p.m. As can be seen by examining row 280, Adam is a permitted user at all times. Although the registration of the subscription 270 only mentions the allowed users and the time during which they are allowed to use the "Ericsson" subscription, this subscription register 270 can be used to track other parameters. For example, the usage restriction for each or all users can also be stored. To illustrate, if Lisa is only allowed to make local calls or to call numbers at no cost, then this restriction could be placed in a column (not explicitly shown) in row 275. In general, subscription record 270 is stored in the HLR to which the subscriber is assigned, for example, HLR 2 of FIGURE 4. In addition, only the actual owner of the subscription is allowed to modify the list of allowed users. Although the subscription record 270 of FIGURE 6 indicates that the permitted users are Lisa and Adam, it should be understood that the information defining the permitted users can be, for example, a specified ID code, belonging to a person such as Lisa. It should also be understood that the block diagrams of FIGURES 5 and 6 represent data stored within a plurality of counting records. The block diagrams of FIGURES 5 and 6 are shown herein to better illustrate the nature of the data stored within the records of a computer system. FIGURE 7 is a signal sequence diagram illustrating a sequence of signals that modifies the list of allowed users 270 of FIGURE 6 in the HLR, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. In general, a specified terminal, associated with a user who, in turn, is associated with a subscription account must generate a signal for the HLR that stores a specified subscription record to modify the list of allowed users for the subscription account specified Once the HLR makes the changes and are reflected within the user records and user profiles, the HLR generates a signal to the terminal to confirm the change in the list of allowed users. In the case where a user is registered in different MSCs for a plurality of different terminals, the HLR generates a signal for each of the MSCs. For the purposes of this signal sequence diagram shown in FIGURE 7, it is assumed that standard procedures for establishing a communication link between a terminal and an HLR have already been followed and that a communication link has been established. Now in relation to FIGURE 7, terminal 285 transmits a characteristic code string signal 290 to VMSC 295 to effect a change in the subscription registers. The VMSC 295 translates the characteristic code string 290 received from the terminal 285 and transmits a feature request signal 300 to the HLR 305.

The feature request signal 300 includes a feature code, an identification of a user, a subscription ID (associated with a named person or organization), and usage parameters. The usage parameters define the days and the time when a specified subscription account can be used by a user. In determining that the subscriber record to be modified, as defined in the feature request, is owned by the user registered at terminal 285 that generated the code string of characteristic 290, HLR 305 updates the list of users allowed to manifest the usage parameters received in the feature request signal 300. For example, if the list of permitted users in FIGURE 6 is modified by Lisa, then the subscriber subscription list in the HLR 315 must be updated so that the selection program therein is consistent with the subscription records of HLR 305 of FIGURE 7. Next, HLR 305 updates the user registers so that they are consistent with those of the list of users allowed to the user specific. To do so, the HLR 305 generates and transmits an update signal 310 to the HLR 315. In the event that the change in the subscription and user registers is generated by a system operator and not by the user, the user is informed for a message of short message services, voice mail, etc. The HLR 315 also transmits an update profile signal 235 to the VMSC 295 so that the VMSC 295 can update its user profiles. Once the VMSC 295 updates its user profiles, it sends a confirmation signal of the profile update 330 back to the HLR 315. The HLR 315 then sends a confirmation signal of the update profile 335 to the HLR 305. A Once the HLR 305 receives the update confirmation signal from the profile 335, it generates a request signal from the confirmation feature 340 for the terminal 285. As can be seen, each of the two HLRs includes one of the two sets of records, subscription records and user records. However, the processing in each HLR is similar to the processing that would occur if the two series of records were in the same location. In general, software processes that maintain user records and subscription records are capable of exchanging information by transmitting signals to each other, whose signals contain information or an address for information or instruction. One reason for developing this signal architecture is that it is entirely possible that user registries and subscription records for a specific combination of users and subscriptions are kept in separate HLRs or in an HLR. Again in relation to the confirmation signal of the update of the user registers 335, the confirmation signal of the updating of the user registers 335 is actually generated from one HLR to another in the modality shown in FIGURE 7. In this way, the apparatus and methods are established to support these independent signal transmissions whether the processes for maintaining user registers and subscription registers are in the same or in the different HLR. The update request signal 320 is transmitted to the terminal 285 only if the change in the registers was initiated by the user of the terminal instead of by the system operator. If the change is initiated by the system operator, a signal is generated to inform the user in the form of a voice mail message, a message of the short message services or the like. One purpose of these messages is to inform the real user that the change has been made to the list of subscription records. Also, in the preferred modality, the user's profile in the VLR is updated only if his present subscription information is changed. In such a case, the update profile signal 325 is confirmed with a confirmation signal for the update of the profile 330. If the subscription information present in the VLR does not change, however, then according to the preferred embodiment, neither the Update profile signal 325 and profile update recognition signal 330 are generated and transmitted from the VMSC to HLR 315 and, more specifically, to the processes for handling the user registers in the HLR. FIGURE 8 is a signal sequence diagram illustrating a system and method for modifying the list of user registers to define new usage parameters. Now with regard to FIGURE 8, the terminal 350 transmits a characteristic code-signal signal 335 to the VMSC 360. The characteristic code-signal signal 370 is, as before, a signal that manifests a specific operation or functionality requested by the terminal 350. The VMSC 360, upon receiving the signal from the characteristic code chain 355, generates in response thereto a feature request signal 365 and transmits it to the HLR 370. The characteristic request signal 365 includes, among others signals, a signal that reflects the requested feature code, a signal that reflects the user, a signal that defines the owner of the subscription and a signal that defines the usage parameters for the subscriber determined in relation to the user's terminal. For the system shown in FIGURE 8, the HLR 370 is the HLR that maintains the user registration for the user of the terminal 350. Upon receiving the feature request signal 365, the HLR 370 generates and transmits a signal of permission request 375 to the HLR 380. The permission request signal reflects those signals received within the feature request signal 365 that are necessary to determine whether the desired operation by the terminal 350 is allowed. By way of example, HLR 380, which contains the subscription records, compares the requested usage parameters to verify that this use does not conflict with the permitted use as defined within the subscriber's records. To illustrate, the subscription records for Ericsson, as shown in FIGURE 6, indicate that your employee Lisa is allowed to use the Ericsson subscription on the 8:00 a.m. business days. at 5:00 p.m. The HLR 370 will confirm the feature request from the terminal 350 provided that the usage parameters are within those defined in the HLR 380. For example, the feature request includes a request to use the Ericsson subscription until 7:00 AM. : 00 pm during the weekdays or during the week end, and this feature request would not be confirmed by the HLR 370. As can be seen, therefore, the HLR receives the permission request signal 375 and generates and transmits to the HLR 370 a 385 permission confirmation signal if you do not find conflicts. If the modification to the list of user subscriptions is initiated by a network operator, then the user can be informed in one of many ways that includes voice mail, a message from the short message service or the equivalent form to inform the user that the record has been changed. Likewise, the HLR 370 generates an update profile signal 395 and transmits it to the VMSC 360. The VMSC 360 receives the update profile signal 395 and updates the profile of the user services in the VLR. Once the profile of the user services in the VLR is updated, the VMSC 360 generates and transmits a confirmation signal 400 to the HLR 370. Once the HLR 370 receives the confirmation signal 400, it generates and transmits a confirmation signal of feature request 405 to terminal 350. FIGURE 9 is a signal sequence diagram illustrating the automatic connection to or disconnection of a new subscription for a user. Now in relation to FIGURE 9, an HLR 370 and a VLR 410 are displayed. In general, the HLR 370 updates the user profiles within the VLR 410 when a profile for a specified user changes. For example, when the subscription information changes, or in other words, the information related to the party that must be charged for a call, the HLR must update the user profiles within the VLR. Thus, according to the present invention, when the field defining the present subscriber changes according to a specified program, the HLR must update the user profile in the VLR. For example, if the specified program reflects that Ericsson, Inc. will be charged for all calls made between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. On weekdays of the week, then the present subscription will circulate from the default subscription which is the user subscription to Ericsson and back according to the program. More specifically, when the present subscription changes in accordance with the selection program, the HLR 370 transmits an update profile signal 375 to the VLR 410. Once the VLR 410 has updated its profiles, it generates and transmits a confirmation signal. from the 380 update profile to the HLR 370 to inform you that the profile has been updated. Otherwise, the confirmation signal may also be transmitted to the HLR just upon reception of the confirmation of the signal in accordance or before the VLR 410 updates the user profiles. In general, the registration of the MSC is updated when the subscription present in the HLR 370 is changed. One reason why the user subscription list in the HLR 370 could change is, as already described, that a change in the subscription in accordance with a selection program. However, as another example, the operator selection may request a change in the list of user subscriptions. For example, consider the case where the default subscription is the individual user while the present subscription is that of another (for example, Ericsson). If the feature of having the subscription programs activated over time is selected, this subscription will be defined by the program. If the user deselects the feature, this subscription will no longer change according to the program. If it will change according to the actions of the user or the operator. For example, if the default subscription is the individual user while the present subscription is Ericsson, and then the feature of having the subscription programs activated over time is deselected, this subscription will remain as Ericsson until it is changed by the operator or the user. Now with reference to FIGURE 10, a signal sequence diagram illustrating a sequence of signals for selecting the automatic recording feature according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Terminal 350 transmits a feature request signal 390 to HLR 370, at any time the user presses a button or sequence of buttons to disable the automatic registration feature. The feature request signal 390 includes a signal defining the desired characteristic and identifying the user. The HLR 370 responds by modifying the user subscription list to manifest the user's deselection of the automatic registration feature. Once the HLR 370 updates the subscriber list of the users it generates and transmits a recognition signal of the feature request 395 to the terminal 350 to confirm the request of the characteristic. In the same way, according to the teachings of the present invention, the concept of a cellular "subscriber" is divided into three different and separate entities: subscription, user and terminal. Through this division, which allows separate records or storage means for each of the three entities, it is possible to connect different subscriptions to a user and different users to a subscription and different terminals to a user and different users to a terminal. The use of a selection program allows a user to automatically have the calls loaded to an appropriate subscription account. Although a preferred embodiment of the method and apparatus of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the aforementioned detailed description, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the invention as established and defined by the following claims.

Claims (23)

1. A data store for storing billing information for cellular communications service subscribers, comprises: a plurality of subscriber billing records, each of the subscriber billing records indicating a different subscriber identity of the communication services cell phones; and a list of allowed users located in at least one record of the plurality of subscriber billing records.

The data store of claim 1, wherein the list of allowed users includes a user identification code for each user allowed to use a specified subscriber billing record.

3. The data store of claim 2, wherein the list of allowed users includes a start time field and an interrupt time field for each user identification code.

The data store of claim 3, wherein the list of allowed users includes a field of the day for each user identification code, wherein the day field defines which days the user can use the subscription billing record specified.

5. The data store within a residence location register of a communication system, for storing user information for a terminal, comprises: a plurality of user records; a list of subscriber identification codes located within at least one record of the plurality of user records; and at least one field in at least one register to define a start time for each of the subscriber identification codes.

6. The data store of claim 5 further includes a predetermined subscription field for defining a predetermined subscription to which the call is loaded.

7. The data store of claim 5 further includes a present subscription field to define a subscription to which the present call must be loaded.

8. A method for automatically updating a list of permitted users of a subscription account within a cellular communication system, comprising the steps of: transmitting a feature request signal from a switch to a subscription record store; and modify a program that defines a period of use for at least one of the permitted users.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprises the step of transmitting, from the user terminal of the owner of the subscription, a message to request the switch to transmit the characteristic request signal.

The method of claim 9 further comprises the step of transmitting, from the subscription record store to a user record store, an update signal to update the specified signals within the user record store.

The method of claim 10 further comprises the step of transmitting, from the user record store to the switch, an updated profile signal to update the specified signals within the switch.

The method of claim 9 further comprises the step of transmitting, from the subscription record store to the user terminal of the subscription owner, a confirmation signal of the characteristic request.

13. A method for updating a user record within a user record store of a communication system that includes a terminal, a switch, and a subscription record store, comprises the steps of: transmitting a feature request signal from the switch to the store of user registers; and modifying a usage parameter within the user record that includes a program that defines a period of use for a plurality of subscription accounts for the user.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprises the step of transmitting, from the terminal associated with the user registration, a message to request the switch to transmit the characteristic request signal.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of transmitting, from user records to the subscription record store, a confirmation signal of the update profile.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of determining whether a usage parameter is valid within the confirmation signal of the updated profile.

17. A method for updating one of a plurality of user accounts for one of a plurality of users within a communication system that includes a terminal, a switch, a user record store and a subscription record store, comprises the steps of: determining that a change must be made from a first subscription account to a second subscription account to load incoming or outgoing calls; and change from the first subscription account to the second subscription accounts.

The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of storing a signal indicating the change from the first subscription account to the second subscription account.

The method of claim 17, wherein the step of determining that a change to a subscription account is made according to a specified program, stored within the user record store.

The method of claim 17, wherein the step of further determining includes the steps of receiving a message from the switch and determining accordingly the change of the subscription accounts.

21. A system for providing telecommunications services to a plurality of users within a cellular radio network, comprising: a plurality of user terminals; and at least one register, which contains: a plurality of subscription data stores for storing charge information for a plurality of subscribers, each of which can be selectively associated with at least one of the plurality of users, at least one of the subscription data stores that includes a list of allowed users for a given subscription; a plurality of user data stores for storing a schedule of charge times for at least two of the plurality of subscribers for a user terminal; and a plurality of terminal data stores for storing terminal information indicative of an association between the plurality of user terminals and the plurality of users.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the list of allowed users includes a program that defines the times in which the user can use the subscription associated with the list of allowed users.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the plurality of user data stores further includes a field for defining the predetermined subscription and a field for defining the current subscription.