NL2005518C2

NL2005518C2 - Mobile communication network such as a gsm network.

Info

Publication number: NL2005518C2
Application number: NL2005518A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Gerardus Hubertus Egidius Oberije; Rutger Balthazar Net
Original assignee: Vodafone Libertel N V
Priority date: 2010-10-14
Filing date: 2010-10-14
Publication date: 2012-04-17

Description

Title: Mobile communication network such as a GSM network.

The invention relates to a mobile communication network such as a GSM network provided with at least one mobile service switching centre (MSC) and a radio network system which is communicatively connected with 5 the at least one mobile service switching centre (MSC), wherein the network is further provided with a plurality of mobile communication units (MSE) such as mobile telephones which are each provided with a memory module (SIM) in which a user identification code (IMSI) is stored and which are each arranged for wirelessly communicating with the radio network system, wherein the 10 network is further provided with register means in which information about users of the network is stored such as the user identification codes (IMSI) and telephone numbers (MS-ISDN) wherein each user identification code is associated in the register with a telephone number (MS-ISDN).

The invention also relates to a method for using a Mobile 15 communication network such as a GSM network provided with at least one mobile service switching centre (MSC) and a radio network system which is communicatively connected with the at least one mobile service switching centre (MSC), wherein the network is further provided with a plurality of mobile communication units (MSE) such as mobile telephones which are each 20 provided with a memory module (SIM) in which a user identification code (IMSI) is stored and which are each arranged for wirelessly communicating with the radio network system, wherein the network is further provided with register means in which information about users of the network is stored such as the user identification codes (IMSI) and telephone numbers (MS-ISDN) 25 wherein each user identification code is associated in the register with a telephone number (MS-ISDN).

Such a mobile communication network and system is known per se by the name of GSM and UMTS. Also the future network 4G is such a network.

2

The known mobile communication networks such as GSM and UMTS are widely spread over the world. Nowadays, many people use a mobile communication unit in the form of a mobile telephone for calling or for being called. The telephone numbers which are related to a mobile communication 5 unit are numbers (MS-ISDN) belonging to special categories (often specific number ranges) which can be recognised as a telephone number belonging to a mobile communication unit. In addition to the mobile communication network for making telephone calls, also the public switching telephone network is still available and used by many people. In this patent application public switching 10 telephone network refers to the well known fixed telephone networks. These are telephone networks wherein a cable enters a building to be connected to a communication unit such as a telephone. Also telephone numbers (PSTN-n) related to a public switching telephone network belong to certain categories which can be recognised as being a telephone number belonging to a public 15 switch telephone network. The categories for those telephone numbers are categories associated with a certain geographic area. Also in the Netherlands 085 numbers (PSTN-n) are known as numbers belonging to the public switch telephone network. The public switch telephone network and the mobile communication network are connected to each other so that communication is 20 possible between a telephone belonging to the public switch telephone network and a mobile communication unit belonging to the mobile communication network.

An object of the invention is to improve the mobile communication network such that it provides more attractive possibilities to be used by a user 25 of the mobile communication unit. Therefore, according to a first aspect of the invention, the mobile communication network is characterised in that, at least one user identification code is associated with a collection telephone numbers comprising at least one telephone number (MS-ISDN. PSTN-n)), wherein the network is arranged such that if any one of the telephone number of the 30 collection of telephone numbers is called the call is connected to the mobile 3 communication unit having a memory module wherein the user identification code is stored which is associated with the collection of telephone numbers. Because the collection may comprise more than one telephone number it may be possible that the mobile communication unit can be reached on more than 5 telephone number. The user can use different telephone numbers for different purposes.

It is noted that in this patent application “the call is connected to the mobile communication unit having a memory module wherein the user identification code is stored which is associated with the collection of telephone 10 numbers.” means that a connection with the mobile communication unit is made so that the mobile communication unit can make a user of a mobile communication unit aware of the fact that someone is trying to call him. Subsequently the user may or may not answer the call, for example by pushing a green button on the mobile communication unit. This means also that if the 15 call is not answered a connection is made with the mobile communication unit. If the call is answered an audio-path between calling and called party is established.

It is also noted that the user identification code can be associated with a mobile telephone number and the collection of telephone numbers. In 20 that case this is considered equivalent to a situation wherein the user identification code is associated with the mobile telephone number and wherein the collection of telephone numbers is associated with the mobile telephone number. The situation wherein the user identification code is associated with a mobile telephone number and with the collection of 25 telephone numbers may, for example, occur if the user identification code was initially associated with a mobile telephone number wherein later the collection of telephone numbers is added to become associated with the user identification code. In that case the mobile communication unit having the user identification code can be reached under the original mobile telephone 30 number as well as under each of the telephone numbers of the collection of 4 telephone numbers. As will be explained hereafter the telephone numbers comprised in the collection of telephone numbers may provide in special embodiments of the invention special features which are not available for the regular mobile telephone number which does not belong to the collection of 5 telephone numbers. In case it is desired that such features will also become available to the original regular mobile telephone number this telephone number can be added to the collection of telephone numbers. In that case the collection of telephone numbers is directly associated to the user identification code. In case said mobile telephone number is not part of the collection it is 10 possible that the collection of telephone numbers is directly associated with the mobile telephone number wherein the mobile telephone number is directly associated with the user identification code. In that case in the application it is also said that the collection of telephone numbers is associated with the user identification code.

15 According to a special embodiment of the invention the collection indeed comprises a plurality of telephone numbers such that it is possible that a user of the mobile communication unit can be reached by each of the telephone numbers belonging to the collection. This enables the possibility for example, to provide different telephone numbers to one and the same mobile 20 communication unit. For example, if the user of the mobile communication unit is the person who is running his own business as being self-employed, that person can provide a certain telephone number to his clients and another telephone number to his family. In that case he can be reached on his mobile communication unit on both telephone numbers of the collection of telephone 25 numbers.

According to a special embodiment of the invention, the mobile communication network is characterised in that the collection of telephone numbers comprises at least one telephone number (PSTN-n) which is recognised (by the public) as a telephone number which belongs to a Public 30 Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or a plurality of telephone numbers 5 which telephone numbers are recognised to belong to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Although such telephone numbers are recognised as telephone numbers belonging to a Public Switched Telephone Network they are in fact telephone numbers (MS-ISDN) belonging to the mobile 5 communication network. In this way for example the self employed person can provide a telephone number associated with a Public Switched Telephone Network to his client and he can provide, for example, another telephone number associated with a Public Switched Telephone Network to his family. These two telephone numbers do belong to the collection of telephone numbers. 10 In addition, he can provide a mobile telephone number (very often an original telephone number) which is associated with the at least one user identification code belonging to his mobile communication unit to certain friends. This telephone number can but need not be added to the collection as discussed above.

15 The advantage is that, clients who want to reach the person in question, dial a number which is recognised as a number belonging to a Public Switched Telephone Network. This provides the impression that, for example, an office of the person is called. This provides a better impression then calling a telephone number which is recognized as a mobile telephone number. It may 20 also save costs for the calling party (different tariffs). Furthermore, family members who are dialling the other telephone number associated with the Public Switched Telephone Network may be under the impression that they call a fixed line belonging to a certain house. In each case however, the call reaches the mobile communication unit and can be answered by the self-25 employed man as if he is in his office or at his home.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mobile communication network is characterised in that, if any one of the telephone numbers of the collection of telephone numbers is called the call is connected to the mobile communication unit having a memory module wherein the user 30 identification code is stored which is associated with the collection of 6 telephone numbers and wherein the mobile communication unit provides information to a user of the mobile communication unit about which telephone number of the collection of telephone numbers is called. This information is preferably not detectable by the calling party. Said information may for 5 example be in visible, audible and/or tangible form. Because the mobile communication unit provides information about which telephone number of the collection of telephone numbers is called, the user of the mobile communication unit can answer his call accordingly. For example, if the collection of telephone numbers comprises a first telephone number recognised 10 as belonging to the Public Switched Telephone Network it is made known to the user that somebody tries to call him using this telephone number recognised as belonging to the Public Switched Telephone Network. In that case, he can respond as a representative of his business. In case the collection of telephone numbers also comprises a second telephone number recognised as 15 belonging to the Public Switched Telephone Network and which telephone number is known to the user’s family as discussed above the user can respond in a more personal or informal way because the user known that the second telephone number is called. In case the user is called on a regular mobile telephone number, not belonging to the collection of telephone numbers, it may 20 be that there is no indication at all about which telephone number is used for calling the user of the mobile communication unit. This indicates that a regular mobile telephone number is used for calling the mobile communication unit. It is however also possible that the mobile telephone number is made part of the collection in which case the mobile communication unit provides 25 also information that this mobile telephone number is used for calling the mobile communication unit.

Thus, according to a special embodiment of the invention it holds that the at least one user identification code which is associated with the collection of telephone numbers is also associated with at least one additional 30 telephone number associated with the mobile communication network or 7 another mobile communication network wherein the communication network is arranged such that if the at least one additional telephone number is called the call is connected to the mobile communication unit having the memory module wherein the user identification code is stored which is associated with 5 the called at least additional telephone number wherein the mobile communication unit may or may not provide information to a user of the mobile communication unit about which at least one additional telephone number is called wherein said information may for example be in visible, audible and/or tangible form. Preferably this information is not detectable by 10 the calling party.

Preferably it holds that the network is arranged such that if a telephone number of the collection of telephone numbers is called the call is connected to the mobile communication unit having a memory module wherein the user identification code is stored which is associated with the called 15 telephone number wherein on a display of the mobile communication unit the information is displayed indicating which telephone number of the telephone numbers of the collection of telephone numbers is called.

Preferably it holds for the network that the information displayed on the display comprises at least one character or number indication a line 20 number associated with the called telephone number.

Even more preferably it holds for the network that the network is arranged such that if a telephone numbers of the collection of telephone numbers is called, on the display also information about the identity of the caller is displayed wherein the at least one character or number indicating the 25 line number is displayed on the display as a prefix of the information about the identity of the caller.

According to a preferred embodiment of the network it is also possible that the network is arranged such that if a telephone numbers of the collection of telephone numbers is called the call is connected to the mobile 30 communication unit having a memory module wherein the user identification 8 code is stored which is associated with the collection of telephone numbers wherein before the call is connected the mobile communication unit which is called indicates to a user of the mobile communication unit, for example by means of a ring tone, that there is an incoming call wherein, if or before the 5 user of the mobile communication unit answers the call, an audible announcement is submitted to the user by means of the mobile communication unit indicating the information about which telephone number of the telephone numbers of the collection of telephone numbers is called wherein preferably this announcement is not audible for the calling party. More 10 particularly the network may be arranged such that if a telephone number of the collection of telephone numbers is called, the call is connected to the mobile communication unit having a memory module wherein the user identification code is stored which is associated with the collection of telephone numbers wherein, before the call is connected, the mobile communication unit which is 15 called indicates to a user of the mobile communication unit, for example by means of a sound, by means of vibration or by means of a visible indication, that there is an incoming call wherein if the called user presses a button of the mobile communication unit for answering the call an announcement is provided by means of the mobile communication unit indicating to the user of 20 the mobile communication unit which telephone number is called. The network may be arranged such that such an announcement may be the telephone number as such or for example ‘line 1’. Again this announcement is preferably not detectable for the calling party. Preferably the network is arranged such that the announcement is not charged to the calling party. Furthermore the 25 network may be arranged such that after the announcement is made, the connection between the mobile communication unit and the calling party becomes in a modus wherein the calling party and the user of the mobile communication unit can speak to each other.

Preferably the collection of telephone numbers also comprises at 30 least one telephone number known as a fax number wherein the 9 communication network is arranged such that if the at least one telephone number known as a fax number is called for submitting a fax message the fax message is submitted to a mail server. The fax message may be automatically submitted by the network to an e-mail address of the user of the mobile 5 communication unit having a memory wherein the user identification code is stored which is associated with the collection of telephone numbers comprising the fax number. In this way, the user of the mobile communication unit is also able to receive faxes. He simply has to check his e-mail box which is present at the mail-server. Thus, preferably in combination with the option for the 10 collection of telephone numbers comprising a telephone number relating to a Public Switched Telephone Network the impression may be that the user is having a fixed line for his office as well as a fixed line for his fax.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the network is further provided with a voice mail server wherein the network is arranged such that a 15 telephone number within said collection of telephone numbers can be marked as a ‘divert to voicemail server’ telephone number within the network (preferably this is possible if said telephone number (PSTN-n) is associated with a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)) wherein if a telephone number of the collection of telephone numbers is called which is marked as 20 ‘divert to voicemail server’, the call is automatically diverted to the voicemail server. This diversion occurs unconditionally so that such call can not be answered upon being called. After that a call is diverted to a voicemail server a message can be left by the calling party on this voicemail server in the well known manner.

25 Preferably it holds that the network is arranged such that if the call is diverted to the voicemail server an answer message is submitted to a communication unit, such as a telephone, used for calling the telephone number of the collection of telephone numbers wherein this telephone number is marked as a ‘divert to voicemail server’ telephone number. The marking of a 30 telephone number (MS-ISDN, PSTN-n) within the network can for example be 10 carried out by a user of the mobile communication unit having the telephone number which is marked as ‘divert to voicemail server’ via internet. Such telephone number can also be changed to become unmarked by said user if it were previously marked as ‘divert to voicemail server’. This can be done in a 5 similar manner a the marking of a telephone number as ‘divert to voicemail server’. In that case if such unmarked telephone number is called and the call is not answered the network may respond in a similar way as if a regular mobile telephone number (MS-ISDN) of the network not belonging to the collection of telephone numbers is called and not answered. For example if 10 such regular mobile telephone number is called and not answered the call may or may not be diverted to a voice mail server, depending on the settings within the system. Thus if in that case an unmarked telephone number is called and not answered the call also may or may not be diverted to a voice mail server, depending on the settings within the system in relation with the regular 15 mobile telephone number. If this call is answered it will not be diverted to the voice mail server. If the settings for the regular mobile telephone number (MS-ISDN) not belonging to the collection but associated with the user identification code are such that diversion should take place, for example if a call to this number is not answered, such diversion will in this example also 20 take place if an unmarked telephone number (MS-ISDN, PSTN-n) of the collection which is associated with a user identification code which is also associated with the regular mobile telephone is called and not answered. In that case the network may be arranged such that the call to the telephone number of the collection wherein said telephone number is not marked as 25 ‘divert to voicemail server’ can be diverted to the voicemail server via the mobile communication unit which is called. The mobile communication unit may receive this call to the unmarked telephone number of the collection and divert the call to the voicemail server if the call is not answered.

Thus the network may be arranged such that a call is diverted 30 directly via the mobile network and excluding the called mobile 11 communication unit towards the voicemail server if the called telephone number is marked as ‘direct to voicemail server’ and that the call is diverted via the called mobile communication unit to the voicemail server if the called telephone number is not marked as ‘direct to voicemail server ’ and if the 5 network is set such that such diversion would also take place if the called mobile communication unit would be called via a regular mobile telephone number associated to the user identification code and not belonging to the collection of telephone numbers.

If the settings for the regular mobile telephone number (MS-ISDN) 10 not belonging to the collection but associated with the user identification code are such that diversion should not take place, for example if a call to this number is not answered, such diversion will in this example also not take place if an unmarked telephone number (MS-ISDN, PSTN-n) of the collection which is associated with a user identification code which is also associated 15 with the regular mobile telephone is called and not answered.

Even more preferably it holds that the network is arranged such that at least one answer message from a plurality of predetermined answer messages stored in the network can be submitted to the communication unit used for calling the telephone number which was marked as ‘ divert to 20 voicemail server’. The selection depends on which telephone number associated with the at least one identification code and marked as ‘divert to voice mail4 is called. In that case, if for example the collection of telephone numbers comprises a first and second telephone number associated with the Public Switched Telephone Network wherein both numbers are marked as 25 ‘divert to voicemail server ’, a first type of message can be submitted if the first telephone number is called whereas the second type of message can be submitted when the second telephone number is called. The first message can be a special commercial message whereas the second message can be a more general business-like message. After that such message is submitted to a 12 calling party the calling party can leave a message on the voicemail server in a well known manner.

This would in that case be an addition to the well-known GSM network. In this GSM network, it may well be that the at least one 5 identification code is also associated with a mobile telephone number not belonging to the collection. In that case, for the mobile telephone number, the usual voice mail answering service is available if a call is not answered.

Also according to a preferred embodiment of the invention the network is further provided with means for diverting a call to a telephone 10 number (MS-ISDN, PSTN-n) of the collection of telephone numbers towards at least one selected destination wherein the network is arranged such that each telephone number of the collection of telephone numbers can be marked as "divert call to at least one selected destination’ and can be unmarked to divert call to a selected destination by a user of a mobile communication unit having 15 a memory module wherein an identification code is stored which is associated with the collection of telephone numbers, wherein said marking and unmarking can for example be carried out by means of the mobile communication unit having the memory module wherein the identification code is stored which is associated with the collection of telephone numbers 20 wherein the network is arranged such that if any one of the telephone numbers of the collection of telephone numbers is called and this telephone number is marked as ‘divert call to at least one selected destination , the call is diverted to the at least one selected destination and if any one of the telephone numbers of the collection of telephone numbers is called and this 25 telephone number is unmarked to divert call to at least one selected destination, the call is not diverted to the at least one selected destination. A selected destination may for example be a communication unit. This communication unit may for example be associated with at least one certain telephone number. The selected destination may be identified within the 30 mobile communication network by means of this certain at least one telephone 13 number. Basically the mobile communication network may be arranged for calling this at least one certain telephone number for diverting the call (to the communication unit associated with this telephone number). The communication unit where the call is diverted to, may be a telephone 5 belonging to any existing communication network (any mobile communication network or any Public Switched Telephone Network), an answering machine belonging to any existing communication network, etc..

In this way a call from a person who is calling a telephone number that belongs to the collection wherein this telephone number for example, is 10 recognised as belonging to a Public Switched Telephone Network, this call can actually be diverted to, for example, a receiving office for that call. This could, for example, be done if the user of the mobile communication unit is not able to answer his mobile communication unit when the phone rings, for example, because the person is self-employed and is actually working on a job which 15 requires his attention. For example, when the self-employed person is working in an area where there is a lot of noise, he may choose to divert his incoming calls for which a telephone number of the collection of telephone numbers related to a Public Switched Telephone Network is used to divert the call to an office to answer his call. This receiving office may have a communication unit 20 associated with the above referred to at least one certain telephone number.

According to a special embodiment of the invention the network is arranged such that if any one of the telephone numbers of the collection of telephone numbers is called, the call is connected to the mobile communication unit having a memory module wherein the user identification code is stored 25 which is associated with the collection of telephone numbers wherein in this mobile communication unit a telephone number is stored from which the call originates and wherein the network is further arranged such that if the stored telephone number is called back by means of the mobile communication unit wherein the information about the telephone number from which the call 30 originates is stored, information about the called telephone number of the 14 collection of telephone numbers is submitted to a communication unit which is called back and associated with the stored telephone number.

This means that if the user of the mobile communication unit notices in the usual way that he has missed a call from a calling party (for example if 5 the mobile communication unit is a mobile telephone, the telephone number or the identity of the party who tried to call is usually shown in a display of the telephone) the user can call back the party who tried to call the user wherein for example in a display of a telephone of the calling party the telephone number or an identity for this telephone number which he failed to call is 10 shown if he is called back. The identity may be stored in the telephone of the calling party in association with said called telephone number in the well known manner for displaying this identity. It is also possible that the user selects a telephone number from the collection of telephone numbers for calling back the calling party. In that case the calling parties sees in his display that 15 he called by this selected telephone number. It is also possible to select a mobile telephone number associated with the user identification code and not belonging to the collection of telephone numbers for submitting to the calling party if the calling party is called back. Thus according to the invention he network may further be arranged such that if the stored telephone number is 20 called back by means of the mobile communication unit wherein the information about the telephone number from which the call originates is stored, upon selection by the user, information about the called telephone number of the collection of telephone numbers or information of a selected telephone number belonging to the collection or information of a mobile 25 telephone number associated with the user identification code associated with the collection of telephone numbers is submitted to a communication unit which is called back and associated with the stored telephone number.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the network is arranged such that a user of the mobile unit can, preferably by means of the 15 mobile unit determine whether or a telephone number belongs to the collection of telephone numbers.

Preferably it holds that the network is arranged such that a user of the mobile unit can, preferably by means of its mobile unit determine whether or 5 not a telephone number belongs to the collection of telephone numbers depends on selected parameters by the user such as the time of the day, the day of the week. In that case for example whether or not it is indicated on a display of the communication unit which line is used for calling the communication unit can be activated or de-activated. If, for example, a 10 telephone number belonging to the collection, is removed from the collection no such information will be displayed. This removal or adding to the collection of telephone numbers can be made dependent on the time of the day or the day of the week etc.

The method according to the invention is characterised in that at 15 least one user identification code is associated with a predetermined collection of at least one telephone number, wherein if one of the telephone numbers of the collection of telephone numbers is called the call is connected to the mobile communication unit having a memory module wherein the user identification code is stored which is associated with the called telephone number.

20 The invention will now be discussed on the basis of the following drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 shows a possible embodiment of a system according to the invention for carrying out a method according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows schematically the operation of a first embodiment of the 25 invention;

Fig. 3 shows schematically the operation of the first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 shows schematically the operation of a second embodiment of the invention; 16

Fig. 5 shows schematically the operation of a third embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 6 shows schematically the operation of a fourth embodiment of the invention.

5 In Fig. 1, GSM or UMTS is understood to refer to a mobile communication network according to the invention. The network is provided with a mobile services switching center (MSC 1) and a mobile services switching center (MSC 2). The network further comprises a plurality of base station controllers (BSC 1.1, BSC 1.2, BSC 1.3) which are each 10 communicatively connected with the mobile services switching center (MSC 1) and a plurality of base station controllers (BSC 2.1, BSC 2.2, BSC 2.3) which are each communicatively connected with the mobile services switching center (MSC 2). The mobile communication network is further provided with a plurality of base transmitting/receiving stations (BTS 1.1.1, BTS 1.1.2, BTS 15 1.2.1, BTS 1.2.2, BTS 1.3.1, BTS 1.3.2) which are each communicatively connected with one of the base stations (BSC 1.1, BSC 1.2 or BSC 1.3). The mobile communication network is further provided with a plurality of base transmitting/receiving stations (BTS 2.1.1, BTS 2.1.2) which are each connected with the base station (BTS 2.1) and a plurality of base 20 transmitting/receiving stations (BTS 2.2.1, BTS 2.2.2) which are each communicatively connected with the base station (BSC 2). The base transmitting/receiving stations (BTS) and the base stations (BSC) together from a radio network system 3. In this example, the network (GSM/UMTS) further comprises a plurality of mobile communication units (MSE), such as 25 mobile telephones, which are each provided with memory modules (SIM) in which a user identification code (IMSI) is stored. The communication units (MSE) are each arranged for wirelessly communicating with the radio network system 3. More in particular, it holds for this example that the communication units (MSE) are each arranged for wirelessly communicating with the base 30 transmitting/receiving stations (BTS).

17

The mobile communication network is further provided with at least one HLR register (HLR 1) in which the information about users of the network is stored. This involves the allocated user identification codes (IMSI) of the users, the associated telephone numbers of the users (MS-ISDN) and locations 5 of activated associated mobile communication units (MSE) within the network. In this example, it holds with regard to the location of the activated mobile communication unit that information is stored in the HLR register about through which mobile services switching center (MSC) an activated mobile communication unit (MSE) can be reached.

10 The mobile communication network is further provided with at least

one VLR register (VLR 1) which is, in this example, associated with the mobile services switching center (MSC 1) and at least one VLR register (VLR 2) which is, in this example, associated with the mobile services switching center (MSC

2). In this example, the mobile services switching center (MSC 1) and the VLR 15 register (VLR 1) are placed physically in each other's proximity. The same holds for the mobile services switching center (MSC 2) and the VLR register (VLR 2).

In the VLR register (VLR 1), information is stored such as the user identification code (IMSI) and/or a temporary user identification code (TMSI) 20 of all mobile communication units (MSE) which are activated in an area (MSC/VLR service area) covered with the at least one mobile services switching center (MSC 1). In the VLR register (VLR 2), information is stored such as the user identification code (IMSI) and/or a temporary user identification code (TMSI) of all mobile communication units (MSE) which are 25 activated in an area (MSC/VLR service area) covered with the at least one mobile services switching center (MSC 2).

So, in the HLR register, information is stored about through which mobile services switching center (MSC) a mobile communication unit (MSE) could be reached most recently. Whether the mobile communication unit is 30 actually still activated is not know in the HLR register. By contrast, in the 18 VLR register, information is stored about through which base control (BSC) connected with a mobile services switching center (MSC) an activated mobile communication unit (MSE) can be reached. Thus, the VLR register comprises a record for the respective activated communication unit in which, for instance, 5 the temporary user identification code of the activated communication unit is stored. If a communication record having a record with, for instance, the VLR register (VLR 1) is deactivated, then it is also registered in the record of the VLR register (VLR 2) as being detached.

If, however, such an activated communication unit moves to an area 10 covered by the VLR register (VLR 2), then a record is made in the VLR register (VLR 2) with information therein of the respective communication unit such as a (new) temporary user identification code (TMSI). In the HLR register, it is then indicated that the respective communication unit is reachable through the VLR register (VLR 2) and the system gives a command to erase the record 15 of the respective communication unit in the VLR register (VLR 1). If this erasing does not succeed, then the record will be erased automatically if, for instance for seven days, no communication with the respective communication unit has occurred through the VLR register (VLR 1).

In this example three mobile communication units (MSE 1), (MSE 2) 20 and (MSE 3) are each provided with a memory module (SIM 1, SIM 2 and SIM 3 respectively) wherein each memory module is provided wit hits own unique identification code (IMSI1, IMSI 2 and IMSI 3 respectively).

The operation of the mobile communication network described up to this point is as follows. When the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) is activated, it 25 transmits a signal comprising inter alia its user identification code (IMSI).

This signal is, for instance, received by the base transmitting/receiving station (BTS 1.1.1). The base transmitting/receiving station (BTS 1.1.1) passes the received signal on to the associated base station controller (BSC 1.1). This passes information about the received signal on to the mobile services 30 switching center (MSC 1). The mobile services switching center (MSC 1) writes 19 the respective user identification code (IMSI) in the associated VLR register (VLR 1), as well as information about through which base station (BSC 1.1.1) the information was received. To this end, in the VLR register (VLR 1), a record is made for the communication unit (MSE 1) in which this information 5 is stored. Further, the mobile services switching center (MSC 1) passes a temporary user identification code (TMSI) on to the communication unit (MSE 1). This temporary user identification code (TMSI) is stored in the respective record of the VLR register (VLR 1) and in the communication unit (MSE 1). With the base station controller (BSC 1.1), a so-called location area (LA 1.1) is 10 covered which is part of the MSC/VLR service area. Then, the mobile services switching center (MSC 1.1) transmits information to the HLR register about the activated communication unit. In the HLR register, it is then noted that the communication unit (MSE 1) with the user identification code (IMSI) is reachable through, in this example, the mobile services switching center (MSC 15 1.1). The latter involves location information of the mobile communication unit with the respective user identification code (IMSI).

If then an activated mobile communication unit (MSE 3) wants to call a telephone number (MS-ISDN) associated with the mobile communication unit (MSE 1), the mobile communication unit (MSE 3) contacts the network.

20 The communication unit (MSE 3) then transmits the respective telephone number (MS-ISDN). This is received by one of the base transmitting/receiving stations (BTS). The network then consults the HLR register to look whether a communication unit with a user identification code IMSI which is coupled to the respective telephone number MS-ISDN is registered. The user 25 identification code IMSI being coupled to the telephone number MS-ISDN is also referred to as the user identification code IMSI being associated with the telephone number MS-ISDN. In this example, it appears from the HLR register that a mobile communication unit with the respective user identification code (IMSI 1) and which is coupled to the telephone number 30 (MS-ISDNO is indeed registered. It is then verified with which mobile services 20 switching center (MSC) the respective mobile communication unit (MSE 1) having stored in its memory (SIM) the user identification code (IMSI1) is registered. This is found to be the mobile services switching center (MSC 1). The HLR register then, in this example, requests this mobile services 5 switching center (MSC 1) to allocate a temporary telephone number to the active user identification code (IMSI) registered in the VLR register. The mobile services switching center (MSC 1) adds a temporary telephone number (MS-RN) and this temporary telephone number (MS-RN) is then passed on to the HLR register. Then the network ensures that the request of (MSE 3) for a 10 call is coupled to the temporary telephone number (MS-RN) after which then the mobile communication unit (MSE 3), using the temporary telephone number (MS-RN), requests the mobile services switching center (MSC 1.1) to make a connection with the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) which has the user identification code IMSI which is coupled to the temporary telephone 15 number (MS-RN). Then a connection is realized between the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) and the mobile services switching center (MSC 1) using the temporary user identification code (TMSI). Thereby, a connection between the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) and the mobile communication unit (MSE 3) has thus been realized. When a communication 20 can be ended, one of the two or both communication units (MSE 1 or MSE 3) can break the connection. After this, the temporarily allocated telephone number (MS-RN) is cancelled.

In a similar known manner from a communication unit in the form of a fixed telephone apparatus belonging to a Public Switched Telephone 25 Network (PSTN), a connection can be made with the mobile communication unit (MSE 1). In figure 1 this fixed telephone apparatus is indicated with FT.

If the fixed telephone apparatus (FT) wants to call a telephone number (MS-ISDN) associated with the mobile communication unit (MSE 1), the fixed telephone apparatus (FT) contacts the network 1 by means of, in this example, 30 a fixed line FL. The telephone apparatus (FT) then transmits the respective 21 telephone number (MS-ISDN). This is in this case received by the HLR register. The network (GSM/UMTS) then consults this HLR register (HLR 1) to look whether a communication unit with a user identification code IMSI which is coupled to the telephone number MS- ISDN is registered. In this 5 example, again, it appears from the HLR register that a mobile communication unit with the respective user identification code is indeed registered. It is then verified with which mobile service switch centre (MSC) the respective mobile communication unit (MSE) is registered.

This is found to be the mobile service switching centre (MSC 1). The 10 HLR register then, in this example, request this mobile service switching centre (MSE 1) to allocate a temporary telephone number to the active user identification code (IMSI) registered in the VLR register. The mobile service switching centre (MSCl) adds a temporary telephone number (MS-RN) and this temporary telephone number (MS-RN) is then passed onto the HLR 15 register. Then the network assures that the request of the telephone apparatus (FT) for a call is coupled to the temporary telephone number (MS-RN) after which then the fixed telephone apparatus (FT), using the temporary telephone number (MS-RN), requests the mobile service switching centre (MSC 1.1) to make contact with the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) which has the user 20 identification code (IMSI) which is coupled to the temporary telephone number (MS-RN). Then a connection is realised between the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) and the mobile service switching centre (MSC 1) using the temporary user identification code (TMSI). Thereby a connection between the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) and the fixed telephone apparatus (FT) 25 has thus been realised. When a communication can be ended, one of the two or both communication units (MSE 1 of FT) can break the connection. After this, the temporarily allocation telephone number (MS-RN) is cancelled.

In this embodiment the mobile telephone number (MS-ISDN) associated with (also referred to as: coupled to) the identification code (IMSI 1) of the mobile 30 communication unit (MSE 1) is 06 12345678. The mobile communication unit 22 (MSE 1) can be reached using this telephone number as discussed above. Furthermore, the user identification code (IMSI1) which is stored in the memory (SIM 1) of the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) is also associated with a predetermined collection (C) of at least one telephone number (MS-5 ISDN, PSTN-n). The collection may comprise at least one or a plurality of telephone numbers (PSTN-n) which telephone number(s) is/ are recognised by the public as belonging to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and/or at least one or a plurality of telephone numbers (MS-ISDN) which belong to the mobile network. In this example this predetermined collection (C) 10 comprises at least two telephone numbers. These telephone numbers (PSTN-n) are recognised by the public as telephone numbers belonging to a public switching telephone network (PSTN). The first telephone number (PSTN-1) is 010-8765432 which is recognized by the public as a telephone number of the public switch telephone network wherein this telephone number indicates that 15 it relates to the area of the city Rotterdam in The Netherlands. Furthermore, the second telephone number (PSTN-2) which belongs to the collection, is the telephone number 085-12345321. Also this telephone number (PSTN-2) indicates to the public that it belongs to the Public Switched Telephone Network. However in reality these two telephone numbers belong to the 20 mobile communication network 1. The collection of telephone numbers (C) being associated with the user identification code (IMSI 1) is stored in the network on the same positions in the network wherein the telephone number (MS-ISDN) being associated with the user identification code (IMSI 1) is stored in the network. In this example this means that the user identification code 25 (IMSI 1) and the collection of telephones (C) are stored in the HLR register, also in such a way that they are associated (coupled) with each other. In this example in the HLR register the mobile telephone number (MS-ISDN) 06 12345678 is also stored in the HLR register, also such that this mobile telephone number is associated with (coupled to) the user identification code 30 (IMSI 1). This mobile telephone number does not belong to the collection. The 23 mobile communication unit (MSE 1) can be reached under the telephone number 06-12345678 following the procedure as discussed above.

The network is further arranged such that (see figure 2) if any one of the telephone numbers of the collection of telephone numbers (the collection 5 comprises 010-876432 and 085-1234321 in this example) is called the call is connected (indicated as “mobile only service”) to the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) having the memory module (SIM 1) wherein the user identification code (IMSI 1) is stored and which user identification code is associated with the collection of telephone numbers. Thus this means if the 10 user of for example the mobile communication unit (MSE 3) (any caller) or the user of the fixed telephone apparatus (FT) (any caller) is calling telephone number 010-8765432 he will be connected with the mobile communication unit (MSE 1). The same is true if such user is calling the telephone number 085-01234321. The procedure for making a call using telephone number 010-15 8765432 is the same as for making a call using telephone number 06-12345678 as discussed above. For example if an activated mobile communication unit (MSE 3) wants to call telephone number 010-8765432 (PSTN-1) associated with the mobile communication unit (MSE 1), the mobile communication unit (MSE 3) contacts the network. The communication unit (MSE 3) then 20 transmits the respective telephone number 010-8765432 (PSTN-1). This is received by one of the base transmitting/receiving stations (BTS). The network then consults the HLR register to look whether a communication unit with a user identification code IMSI which is coupled to (associated with) the respective telephone number 010-8765432 is registered. In this example, it 25 appears from the HLR register that a mobile communication unit with a respective user identification code (IMSI 1) is indeed registered as being associated with a collection of telephone numbers which comprises the telephone number 010-8765432. Thus it appears from the HLR register that the telephone number 010-8765432 is indeed associated with a user 30 identification code (IMSI 1). It is then verified with which mobile services 24 switching center (MSC) the respective mobile communication unit (MSE 1) having in its memory (SIM) the user identification code (IMSI1) is registered. This is found to be the mobile services switching center (MSC 1). The HLR register then, in this example, requests this mobile services switching center 5 (MSC 1) to allocate a temporary telephone number to the active user identification code (IMSI) registered in the VLR register. The mobile services switching center (MSC 1) adds a temporary telephone number (MS-RN) and this temporary telephone number (MS-RN) is then passed on to the HLR register. Then the network ensures that the request of (MSE 3) for a call is 10 coupled to the temporary telephone number (MS-RN) after which then the mobile communication unit (MSE 3), using the temporary telephone number (MS-RN), requests the mobile services switching center (MSC 1.1) to make a connection with the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) which has the user identification code (IMSI 1) which is coupled to the temporary telephone 15 number (MS-RN). Then a connection is realized between the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) and the mobile services switching center (MSC 1) using the temporary user identification code (TMSI). Thereby, a connection between the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) and the mobile communication unit (MSE 3) has thus been realized. When a communication 20 can be ended, one of the two or both communication units (MSE 1 or MSE 3) can break the connection. After this, the temporarily allocated telephone number (MS-RN) is cancelled.

In a similar known manner from a communication unit in the form of a fixed telephone apparatus, a connection can be made with the mobile 25 communication unit (MSE 1). In figure 1 this fixed telephone apparatus is indicated with FT. If the fixed telephone apparatus (FT) wants to call the telephone number 010-8765432 associated with the user identification code (IMSI 1), the fixed telephone apparatus (FT) contacts the network 1 by means of, in this example, a fixed line FL. The telephone apparatus (FT) then 30 transmits the respective telephone number (MS-ISDN). This is in this case 25 received by the HLR register. The network (GSM/UMTS) then consults this HLR register (HLR 1) to look whether a communication unit with a user identification code IMSI which is coupled to the telephone number 010-8765432 is registered. In this example, again, it appears from the HLR register 5 that a mobile communication unit with the respective user identification code is indeed registered. It is then verified with which mobile service switch centre (MSC) the respective mobile communication unit (MSE) is registered.

This is found to be the mobile service switching centre (MSC 1). The HLR register then, in this example, request this mobile service switching centre 10 (MSE 1) to allocate a temporary telephone number to the active user identification code (IMSI) registered in the VLR register. The mobile service switching centre (MSCl) adds a temporary telephone number (MS-RN) and this temporary telephone number (MS-RN) is then passed onto the HLR register. Then the network assures that the request of the telephone apparatus 15 (FT) for a call is coupled to the temporary telephone number (MS-RN) after which then the fixed telephone apparatus (FT), using the temporary telephone number (MS-RN), requests the mobile service switching centre (MSC 1.1) to make contact with the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) which has the user identification code (IMSI) which is coupled to the temporary telephone number 20 (MS-RN). Then a connection is realised between the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) and the mobile service switching centre (MSC 1) using the temporary user identification code (TMSI). Thereby a connection between the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) and the fixed telephone apparatus (FT) has thus been realised. When a communication can be ended, one of the two or 25 both communication units (MSE 1 of FT) can break the connection. After this, the temporarily allocation telephone number (MS-RN) is cancelled.

Also the procedure for making a call using telephone number 085-01234321 is the same as for making a call using telephone number 06-12345678 as discussed above.

26

The advantage may be that both numbers are recognized by the person (any caller) who is calling as telephone numbers belonging to the fixed Public Switched Telephone Network (fixed lines). For example, the owner (Mobile Only User) of the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) may be a self-5 employed person who is working during the day on a certain job out of home and out of his office. In that case, someone who is trying to call the user by means of the telephone number 010-8765432 will have the impression that he is calling the office of the self-employed person. The self-employed person can subsequently answer the telephone call. The same is true if the self-employed 10 person is called by means of the telephone number 085-1234321 which is also a telephone number which is recognised as a telephone number associated with the fixed Public Switched Telephone Network.

It is known that on a display of a mobile telephone the telephone number or a name associated with this telephone number of the person who is 15 calling, is displayed. However, in this embodiment the network is also arranged such that if any one of the telephone numbers of the collection of telephone numbers (C) is called, the call is connected to the mobile communication unit having a memory module wherein the user identification code is stored which is associated with the collection of telephone numbers and 20 wherein the mobile communication unit provides information about which telephone number of the collection of telephone numbers (C) is called. This information can for example be provided visible, audible or tangible (for example vibration). Hence, in this case information is provided about the called telephone number. In this case the network is arranged such that on the 25 display of the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) information is displayed indicating which telephone number of the collection (C) of telephone numbers (010-8765432 and 085-1234321) is called. In this example, the telephone number 010-8765432 is indicated as line 1 whereas the telephone number 085-1234321 is indicated as line 2. This information is not detectable by the calling 30 party. The network is arranged such that the information displayed on the 27 display of the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) comprises at least one character or number indicating a line number associated with the called telephone number (figure 3). In this example, if the telephone number 010-8765432 is called, this is indicated on the display by “1*”. The indication “1*” is 5 a prefix of the displayed information about the telephone number from who is calling. In this example the telephone number from the caller is 31433557781 wherein the caller is (Oberije, Eeg). In this example “1*” is a prefix of the calling telephone number but it could also be displayed before or after Oberije, Eeg’ or elsewhere on the display Similarly, if (Oberije, Eeg) is calling 10 telephone number 085-1234321 this is indicated on the display of the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) by “2*”. The advantage is that the user (Mobile Only User) of the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) knows which office line is called and can respond accordingly if he is accepting the call. For example, if telephone number 010-8763432 is called, he can respond by: “Good morning, 15 this is firm X”. If the other telephone number 085-1234321 is called, he can for example, answer by: “This is firm Y”.

In this example, the user identification code (IMSI1) belonging to the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) is also associated with a mobile telephone number (MS-TN) belonging to the mobile communication network 20 and not belonging to the collection. It may also be alternatively or additionally that the Mobile communication unit vibrates once if line 1 is called and vibrates twice if line 2 is called. It may for example not vibrate if the mobile telephone number which does not belong to the collection is called.

The network is arranged such that if any one of the telephone 25 number of the collection of telephone numbers is called, the call is connected to the mobile communication unit having a memory module wherein the user identification code is stored which is associated with the collection of telephone numbers. Also if a telephone number (such as 06-12345678) is called, not comprised in the collection (this is also referred to as that the user 30 identification code is associated with an additional telephone number 28 (additional to the collection)), the call is connected to the mobile communication unit (such as MSE 1) having a memory module wherein the user identification code (such as IMSI1) is stored which is associated with this telephone number. Thus it also holds for the network that at least one user 5 identification code which is associated with the collection of telephone numbers is also associated with at least one additional telephone number (such as 06-12345678) associated with the mobile communication network or another mobile communication network wherein the communication network is arranged such that if the at least one additional telephone number is called, 10 the call is connected to the mobile communication unit having the memory module wherein the user identification code is stored which is associated with the called at least additional telephone number wherein the mobile communication unit may or may not provide information to a user of the mobile communication unit about which at least one additional telephone 15 number is called wherein said information may for example be in visible, audible and/or tangible form.

In this example, the mobile communication network is arranged such that if said mobile telephone number is called the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) does not provide information about which telephone number 20 associated with the mobile communication network is called. This means that if there is no indication that line 1 or line 2 is called, the user knows that a caller is calling his mobile telephone number and he can respond accordingly, for example, by stating: “Hi Eeg, this is Peter”. The same holds if the identification code belonging to the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) is 25 associated with a mobile telephone number which is associated with another mobile communication network, for example, a foreign mobile communication network. Also in that case, if the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) is called, there is no indication of any line number in the display.

According to an alternative embodiment, it is possible that the 30 network is arranged such that the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) 29 provides information about which mobile telephone number associated with the mobile communication unit is called. For example, this can be done by adding the mobile telephone number 06-12345678 to the collection (C). In that case the network can be arranged such that Ml* could be displayed as a prefix 5 of the calling telephone number in the display if the number 06-12345678 is called. . Thus if “Ml” is displayed the user of the communication unit (MSE 1) knows that his mobile telephone number 06-876432 is used for calling him. Thus it is possible that the collection of telephone numbers not only comprises telephone numbers associated with the public switch telephone network, but 10 also telephone numbers associated with a mobile communication network. In that case, it again holds that the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) can be reached on each of those telephone numbers wherein if a caller calls any of those telephone numbers the mobile communication unit will provide (visible and/r audible and/or tangible) information about which telephone number of 15 the collection of telephone numbers is called. Thus if a mobile telephone number is associated with a mobile communication unit (MSE 1) it may belong to the collection of telephone numbers such that in this example it holds that also information about which mobile telephone number being called is displayed on the mobile communication unit (MSE 1). If it does not belong to 20 the collection in this example, the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) can still be reached under this mobile telephone number but there will be no information displayed about the mobile communication number being called.

In that case only the telephone numbers belonging to the collection which then comprises the above referred to two Public Switched Telephone Network 25 telephone numbers are displayed when they are called. It will be clear that the collection of telephone numbers (C) may also comprise for example, two mobile telephone numbers displayed as Ml* and M2* and three fixed line numbers displayed as 1*, 2*, 3*. If any of these numbers are called, the information Ml*, M2*, 1*, 2* or 3* will be displayed.

30

The advantage of the network being arranged such that if one of the telephone numbers of the collection of telephone numbers is called on the display also information about the identity of the caller is displayed, wherein the at least one character or number indicating the line number is a prefix of 5 the information about the identity of the caller, is that if the user of mobile communication unit (MSE 1) wants to call back the caller this can be done by calling back the displayed number wherein the prefix is ignored. In that case the network may also be arranged such that if the caller is called back, the caller receives information about the telephone number of the collection which 10 he called. In other words, if a caller called or tried to call telephone number 010-8765432 and the call was or was not answered, this event is stored in the usual way in the mobile communication unit (MSE 1). The user can find in a directory from which telephone numbers (TN) he received a call and whether or not this call was answered by him. If the user of the mobile communication 15 unit subsequently wishes to call back the telephone number (TN) the network is arranged such that if this telephone number is called back by means of the mobile communication unit (MSE 1), the mobile communication unit submits the telephone number whereon he was called by the calling party. Thus if the calling party called the telephone number 010-8765432, the calling party will 20 receive information that he is called back by telephone number 010-8765432. Also if the calling party called the telephone number 085-1234321, the calling party will receive information that he is called back by telephone number 085-1234321. Thus this holds for each telephone number belonging to the collection. Also if the calling party called the telephone number 06-12345678 25 which does not belong to the collection, the calling party will receive information that he is called back by telephone number 06-12345678 in the well known manner. In order to make this special feature possible, the network is arranged such that in the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) it is not only stored by which telephone number the communication unit was called 30 but also on which telephone number the communication unit was stored.

31

Preferably storing in the mobile communication unit on which telephone number the mobile communication unit is called is only carried out for telephone numbers belonging to the collection of telephone numbers. If no such telephone number is stored in the mobile communication unit in association 5 with a telephone number of a calling party by default it is assumed that the call by the calling party was made to the mobile telephone number 06-12345678 which does not belong to the collection. In case this number would belong to the collection than this number would be stored in the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) in association with the telephone number of a 10 party who called the mobile communication unit (MSE 1). Thus according to a special embodiment of the invention, its holds for the network that if any one of the telephone numbers of the collection of telephone numbers is called, the call is connected to the mobile communication unit having a memory module wherein the user identification code is stored which is associated with the 15 collection of telephone numbers wherein in this mobile communication unit a telephone number is stored from which the call originates and wherein the network is further arranged such that if the stored telephone number is called back by means of the mobile communication unit wherein the information about the telephone number from which the call originates is stored, 20 information about the called telephone number of the collection of telephone numbers is submitted to a communication unit associated with the stored telephone number. According to a special embodiment the network is arranged such that the user of the mobile communication unit may select by means of his mobile communication unit a telephone number which is submitted to the 25 communication unit which is called back. He may select this to be submitted telephone number from the collection of telephone numbers associated with the user identification code and/or from telephone numbers associated with the user identification code and not belonging to this collection. The same applies if the user calls another communication unit. In that case the user may select 30 the telephone number to be submitted to the party who is called from the 32 collection of telephone numbers associated with the user identification code and/or from telephone numbers associated with the user identification code and not belonging to this collection. Thus according to a special embodiment is holds that the network is arranged such that if a user of the mobile 5 communication unit calls another communication unit, the user can select by means of the mobile communication unit the telephone number to be submitted to the communication unit that is called, wherein said selection can be made from the collection of telephone numbers associated with the user identification code and/or from telephone numbers associated with the user 10 identification code.

It may also be that the network is arranged such that if a telephone number of the collection (C) of telephone numbers is called, that call is connected to the mobile communication unit having a memory module wherein the user identification code is stored which is associated with the collection of 15 telephone numbers wherein before the call is connected, the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) which is called indicates to a user of the mobile communication unit, for example by means of a ringtone, that there is an incoming call wherein, if or before the user of the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) answers the call, an audible announcement is submitted to the user 20 by means of his mobile communication unit (MSE 1) indicating information about which telephone number of the collection of telephone numbers is called. For example, if a caller is calling 010-8765432, the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) generates a ringtone and it generates an audible announcement stating “telephone call on line 1”. Such announcements are not detectable by 25 the calling party. Similarly, if telephone number 085-1234321 is called, there is a ringtone and an audible announcement “telephone call on line 2”. If the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) can also be reached on a mobile communication number (such as in this example 06 12345678) and if this mobile communication number does not belong to the collections of telephone 30 numbers there is only a ringtone and no audible announcement indicating 33 about which telephone number is called if this mobile number is called. More particularly if a telephone number comprised in the collection is called to, following events may occur if the mobile communication unit is a well known mobile telephone having a green button for answering a call. First: the called 5 party presses the green answer button. Second: the called party hears an audible announcement providing information about the called number of the collection (C) (e.g. ‘Line F). The audible information is heard from the normal speaker of the mobile communication unit (so a regular device can be used). The calling party still hears the standard ring-back tone during this 10 announcement. There is no answer signalling sent to the calling party. Third: the answer signal is sent toward the calling party. Fourth: the telephone call is established (audio-path between calling and called party established).

As shown in figure 4 in this embodiment the mobile communication network 1 is further provided with a fax server (MoIP). This fax server is in 15 this example connected with the HR-register (HLR 1).

The user identification code (IMSI1) of the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) is in this example also associated with at least one telephone number known as a fax number. In this example this fax number belongs to the collection (C) of telephone numbers. Thus, for example, the user 20 identification code (IMSI 1) which is associated with the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) is also associated with a fax number (FAX 1), in this example 010-7777888 (see figure 4). Furthermore in this example the user identification code (IMSI 1) is also associated with an e-mail address. The e-mail address is stored in the fax server together with the associated fax 25 number. Thus in the HR register the collection of telephone numbers (C) and the user identification code (IMSI 1) are stored in such a way that they are associated (coupled) to each other. Furthermore the fax -number is marked in the HR register in such a way that the network can recognise this number as a fax number. The communication network is arranged such that if the number 30 known as a fax number is called for submitting a fax message (in this example 34 the fax number 010-7777888 is called), the fax message is automatically stored in the fax server. In figure 4 the functionality of the network according to the example is shown. Subsequently the fax server (MoIP) automatically submits the fax via a medium such as internet to the e-mail address. The e-mail 5 address is selected by means of the fax server by finding the e-mail address which is stored in the fax server in association with the received fax number 010-7777888. The fax can be submitted from the fax-server to a mail server (MS-1) by means of an e-mail message. The mail server (MS-1) comprises the e-mail box associated with the e-mail address associated with the user 10 identification code (IMSI1). The fax may for example be an attachment of the e-mail message. The user of the mobile communication unit can now check his e-mail box for reading the fax in a well known manner. Please note that the mail server (MS-1) is an already existing mail server which is used by the user of the mobile communication unit (MSE 1). More generally, it may for example 15 be that if a fax is submitted to a fax number comprised by a collection of telephone numbers associated with a user identification code which is stored in the mobile communication unit (MSE 2), the fax is forwarded by the fax server (MoIP) to a mail server (MS 1) comprising an e-mail box associated with an e-mail address which is associated with a user identification code stored in the 20 mobile communication unit (MSE 2). As explained, this mail server may be an existing mail server which is not part of the network but can be reached by the network.

For such a service, the user of for example the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) contacts the server provider of the network such 25 that a fax number is being associated with the user identification code (IMSI 1) of the network (GSM/UMTS) (by adding the fax number to the collection of telephone numbers which is associated with the user identification code (IMSI 1), and such that his -mail address is associated with the fax number and thereby with the user identification code (IMSI 1) so that the network knows 30 that if this fax number is called, the fax should be submitted to the associated 35 e-mail address. The same holds for other fax numbers which are associated with other identification codes and which other fax numbers are associated with other e-mail addresses. It is however also possible that a mail server forms part of the network. In that case the service provider can also arrange 5 access for a user of the mobile communication unit towards this mail server. Preferably, the system is arranged such that if for example the fax number 010-7777888 is called for submitting a fax, an info message is submitted to the mobile communication unit (MSE 1) associated with the user identification code which is associated with the fax number, wherein said info message 10 indicates that a fax message is or has been received. In that case the user gets a message on his mobile communication unit (MSE 1) that, in this example, there is a or will be a fax message submitted to his e-mail address. The user can than check his e-mail box by means of a computer or for example by means of the mobile communication unit (MSE 1). In this example, the e-mail address 15 is associated with the fax number (and thereby (indirectly) with the user identification code (IMSI 1)) This provides the possibility that the collection can comprise a plurality of fax numbers wherein each fax number is associated with its own unique e-mail address. Faxes submitted to different fax numbers associated with one and the same user identification code (IMSI 1) will, in that 20 case, be submitted to different e-mail addresses respectively.

Furthermore, in this example, the network is provided with means for diverting a call to a telephone number of the collection (C) of telephone numbers towards at least one selected destination (Any Allowed Destination) wherein the network is arranged such that each telephone number of the 25 collection of telephone numbers can be marked as "divert call to at least one selected destination’ and can be unmarked to "divert call to a selected destination” by a user of a mobile communication unit having a memory module wherein an identification code is stored which is associated with the collection of telephone numbers, wherein said marking and unmarking can for 30 example be carried out by means of the mobile communication unit having the 36 memory module wherein the identification code is stored which is associated with the collection of telephone numbers. The status of the marked telephone numbers may be stored in the HLR register. The network is arranged such that if any one of the telephone numbers of the collection of telephone numbers 5 is called and this telephone number is marked as ‘divert call to at least one selected destination , the call is diverted to the at least one selected destination and if any one of the telephone numbers of the collection of telephone numbers is called and this telephone number is unmarked to divert call to at least one selected destination, the call is not diverted to the at least 10 one selected destination.

This is schematically shown in figure 5. So, if for example, telephone number 010-8765432 is called and in this example the user of the mobile communication unit (MSE-1) has for example by means of his mobile communication unit (MSE-1) marked telephone number 010-8765432 to be 15 diverted to a selected destination (said destination is also determined by the user), the call is diverted to the selected destination as Dl. It is noted that in this example the call is not routed to the selected destination via the mobile communication unit, but routed directly to the selected destination. The marking including the activation of the diverting means and the selection of 20 the destination as well as the unmarking can also be carried out by the user by means of a computer connected, for example, via Internet to the network or the user may contact a service desk of the network. In this application, marking also understood to comprise selecting the at least one destination. In this application, deactivation of the diverting means is also understood to be 25 comprised in unmarking. Thus unmarking may comprise that the selected destination is not deleted. Unmarking may also comprise both deactivation of the diverting means and deleting the selected destination.

The marking and unmarking can be carried out independently for each individual telephone number of the collection. Marking and/or unmarking 30 can also be carried for each of the telephone numbers of the connection in the 37 same way. If in this case telephone number 085-01234567 is called, the call will not be diverted because this telephone number is not marked to be diverted to a selected destination.

In this example, the network is further arranged such that the costs 5 for diverting the call to a selected destination are billed to the user of the mobile communication unit (MSE 1). This is shown in figure 5 by a bill as indicated “bill”.

As shown in figure 1, in this example, the network is further provided with a voice mail server (VM). The network is arranged such that a 10 telephone number belonging to said collection of telephone numbers can be marked as a ‘divert to voicemail server’ telephone number. If a telephone number of the collection of telephone numbers is called which is marked as ‘divert to voicemail server’, the call is automatically diverted to the voicemail server (VM). This diversion occurs unconditionally so that such call can not be 15 answered upon being called.

So if for example the telephone number 010-8765432 is marked as ‘divert call to voicemail server’ a call to this telephone number will always be diverted to the voicemail server. The marking of this telephone number can be carried out by the user of the mobile communication unit which is associated 20 with this telephone number. The status of the marking of the telephone number can be stored in for example the HLR register (on the same position wherein the collection of telephone numbers is stored).

Preferably it holds that the network is arranged such that if the call is diverted to the voicemail server an answer message is submitted to a 25 communication unit, such as a telephone, used for calling the telephone number of the collection of telephone numbers wherein this telephone number is marked a ‘divert to voicemail server’ telephone number. The marking of a telephone number (MS-ISDN, PSTN-n) within the network can for example be carried out by a user of the mobile communication unit having the telephone 30 number which is to be marked as ‘divert to voicemail server’ via internet. Such 38 telephone number can also be changed to become unmarked by said user if it were previously marked as ‘divert to voicemail server’. This can be done is a similar manner as marking a telephone number as ‘divert to voicemail server’. In that case if such unmarked telephone number is called and the call is not 5 answered the network may respond in a similar way as if a regular mobile telephone number (MS-ISDN) of the network not belonging to the collection of telephone numbers is called and not answered. For example if such regular mobile telephone number is called and not answered the call may or may not be diverted to a voice mail server, depending on the settings within the system. 10 Thus if in this case an unmarked telephone number is called and not answered the call will be diverted to the voice mail server, because the settings within the system are such that such diversion would also take place if the regular mobile telephone number 06 12345678 not belonging to the collection is called and not answered. If the call to an unmarked telephone number is answered it 15 will not be diverted to the voice mail server.

If the settings for the regular mobile telephone number (MS-ISDN) 06 12345678 not belonging to the collection but associated with the user identification code are such that diversion should take place, for example if a call to this number is not answered such diversion will also take place if an 20 unmarked telephone number (MS-ISDN, PSTN-n) of the collection which is associated with a user identification code which is also associated with the regular mobile telephone is called and not answered.

In this case the network is arranged such that the call to the telephone number of the collection wherein said telephone number is not 25 marked as ‘divert to voicemail server’ can be diverted to the voicemail server via the mobile communication unit which is called. The mobile communication unit will receive this call to the unmarked telephone number of the collection and divert the call to the voicemail server if the call is not answered.

Thus the network is in this example arranged such that a call is 30 diverted directly via the mobile network and excluding the called mobile 39 communication unit towards the voicemail server if the called telephone number is marked as ‘direct to voicemail server’ and that the call is diverted via the called mobile communication unit to the voicemail server if the called telephone number is not marked as ‘direct to voicemail server ’ and if the 5 network is set such that such diversion would also take place if the called mobile communication unit would be called via the regular mobile telephone number 06- 2345678 associated to the user identification code and not belonging to the collection of telephone numbers.

In this example the network is also arranged such that at least one 10 answer message from a plurality of predetermined answer messages stored in the network can be submitted to the communication unit used for calling a telephone number which was marked as ‘divert to voicemail server’. The selection of answer messages which will be submitted depends on which telephone number associated with the at least one identification code and 15 marked as ‘divert to voice mail4 is called. For example the telephone number 010 8765432 is called and is marked as ‘divert to voicemail’ a first type of message can be submitted if this telephone number is called. If however the telephone number 085 1234321 is called and is marked as ‘divert to voicemail’ a second type of message can be submitted when this telephone number is 20 called. The first message can be a special message ("this is the answering machine from company X”) whereas the second message can be another special message ("this is the answering machine from company Y”). After that a message is submitted to a calling party a message can be left by the calling party on the voice mail server.

25 This would in that case be an addition to the well-known GSM

network. In this GSM network, it may well be that the at least one identification code is also associated with a mobile telephone number 06 12345678 not belonging to the collection. In that case, for the mobile telephone number, the usual voice mail answering service is available if a call is not 30 answered. The first type is message and the second type of message can be 40 entered in the mobile communication network is a similar manner as is known for entering messages associated with a regular mobile telephone number in a GSM network. This in this example the network is arranged such that at least one answer message from a plurality of predetermined answer messages can 5 be submitted to the communication unit used for calling a telephone number which is marked as ‘divert to voicemail server’ wherein an answer message is selected by means of the network from the plurality of messages which selections depends on which telephone number marked as ‘divert to voicemail server’ is called.

10 In this example the network is further arranged such that a user of the mobile unit can for example by means of the mobile unit, determine whether or not a telephone number belongs to the collection of telephone numbers, whether or not a call to which telephone number of the collection should be diverted to another destination and if so to which destination, 15 whether or not a call to which telephone number should be diverted to the voice mail server and if so which voice mail message should be returned to the caller etc. If a telephone number belongs to the collection of telephone numbers, specific features may apply such as indicating a line number, providing an answer message by voice mail depending on which line is called 20 etc. Also specific information which in the above examples were stored in the HLR register, may also be stored in other memories of the mobile communication network. The invention is not limited to the above referred to examples.

25

Claims

A mobile communication network such as a GSM network provided with at least one mobile service switching center (MSC) and a radio network system, which is communicatively connected to the at least one mobile service switching center (MSC), the network further being provided with a plurality of mobile communication units (MSE) such as mobile telephones which are each provided with a memory module (SIM) in which a user identification code (IMSI) is stored and which are each equipped to communicate wirelessly with the radio network system, wherein the network is further provided with register means, in which information is provided stored over 10 users of the network, such as user identification codes (IMSI) and telephone numbers (MS-ISDN), each user identification code in the register being associated with a telephone number (MS-ISDN), characterized in that at least one user identification code is associated with a collection telephone numbers is associated at least one telephone number (MS-ISDN, PSTN), the network being equipped such that when any of the telephone numbers of the set of telephone numbers is called, the call is connected to the mobile communication unit that has a memory module in which the user identification code has been associated with the set of telephone numbers.

2. A mobile communication network according to claim 1, characterized in that the set of telephone numbers comprises at least one telephone number (PSTN-n) which is recognized as a telephone number belonging to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).

A mobile communication network according to claim 2, characterized in that the set of telephone numbers comprises at least a plurality of telephone numbers (PSTN-n), each of which is recognized as a telephone number belonging to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). 5

A mobile communication network according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the set of telephone numbers comprises a plurality of telephone numbers, each of which is recognized as belonging to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or a mobile telephone network. 10

5. Mobile communication network as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the network is equipped such that if any of the telephone numbers of the collection of telephone numbers are called, the call is connected to the mobile communication unit which comprises a memory module has stored the user identification code associated with the set of telephone numbers and wherein the mobile communication unit provides a user of the mobile communication unit with information about which telephone number of the set of telephone numbers is being called. 20

A mobile communication network according to claim 5, characterized in that said information is in visible form.

7. Mobile communication network according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said information is in audible form.

Mobile communication network according to claim 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that said information is in tangible form.

A mobile communication network according to any one of claims 5-8, characterized in that said information cannot be discovered by the calling party.

10. Mobile communication network according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one user identification code associated with the collection of telephone numbers is also associated with at least one additional telephone number associated with the mobile communication network, the mobile communication network being thus equipped is that when the at least one additional telephone number is called, the call is connected to the mobile communication unit that has the memory module in which the user identification code is stored associated with the called at least one additional telephone number. 15

11. Mobile communication network according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one user identification code associated with the collection of telephone numbers is also associated with at least one additional telephone number associated with another mobile communication network, the mobile communication network thus it is provided that when the at least one additional telephone number is called, the call is connected to the mobile communication unit having the memory module in which the user identification code is stored associated with the called at least one additional telephone number. 25

A mobile communication network according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the mobile communication unit can provide the user of the mobile communication unit with information about which at least one telephone number is being called. 30

A mobile communication network according to claim 12, characterized in that said information is in visible form.

A mobile communication network according to any one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the said information is in audible form.

A mobile communication network according to any one of claims 12, 13 or 14, characterized in that said information is in tangible form.

A mobile communication network according to any one of claims 12-15, characterized in that this information cannot be discovered by the calling party.

17. Mobile communication network according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the mobile communication unit cannot provide the user of the mobile communication unit with information about which at least one telephone number is being called.

A mobile communication network according to any one of claims 5-17, characterized in that the network is equipped such that the mobile communication unit 20 makes the visible information available on a screen of the mobile communication unit.

19. A mobile communication network according to claim 18, characterized in that the information displayed on the screen comprises at least one letter or number indicating a line number associated with the called telephone number.

20. A mobile communication network according to claim 19, characterized in that the network is equipped such that when a telephone number of the set of telephone numbers is called, information about the identity of the caller is also displayed on the screen.

21. A mobile communication network according to claim 20, characterized in that the at least one letter or number indicating the line number is displayed on the screen as a prefix of the information about the caller's identity.

22. A mobile communication network according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the network is equipped such that when a telephone number of the set of telephone numbers is called, the call is connected to the mobile communication unit which has a memory module in which the stored is a user identification code associated with the set of telephone numbers, wherein, before the call is connected, the mobile communication unit being called indicates to a user of the mobile communication unit that there is an incoming call, wherein, if the user of the mobile communication unit accepts the call, the user is offered an audible announcement by means of his mobile communication unit, said audible announcement indicating the information about which telephone number of the set of telephone numbers is being called.

23. Mobile communication network according to one of the preceding claims 1-21, characterized in that the network is equipped such that when a telephone number of the set of telephone numbers is called, the call is connected to the mobile communication unit which has a memory module wherein the user identification code is stored associated with the set of telephone numbers, wherein, before the call is connected, the mobile communication unit being called to a user of the mobile communication unit indicates that there is an incoming call, before the user of the mobile communication unit accepts the call, the user is presented with an audible announcement by means of his mobile communication unit, said audible announcement indicating the information about which telephone number of the set of telephone numbers is being called. 5

A mobile communication network according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that this announcement is preferably not audible by the calling party.

A mobile communication network according to claim 22, 23 or 24, characterized in that the mobile communication unit that is called to a user of the mobile communication unit indicates by means of a ringing tone that there is an incoming call.

A mobile communication network according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the network is equipped such that, if any telephone number of the set of telephone numbers is called, the call is connected to the mobile communication unit which has a memory module in which the user identification code is stored, which is associated with the set of telephone numbers, wherein a telephone number from which the call originates is automatically stored in the mobile communication unit, and wherein the network is further equipped such that when the stored telephone number is called back by means of of the mobile communication unit in which the information about the telephone number from which the call originates is stored, after selection by the user, information about the called telephone number of the collection of telephone numbers or information of a selected telephone number belonging to the collection, or information from a mobile phone n number associated with the user identification code associated with the set of telephone numbers is presented to a communication unit that is called back and associated with the stored telephone number.

A mobile communication network according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the network is equipped such that, if a user of a mobile communication unit calls another communication unit, the user uses the mobile communication unit to call the telephone number can select to be presented to the mobile communication unit being called, said selection being made from the set of telephone numbers associated with the user identification code.

28. A mobile communication network according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the network is equipped such that, if a user of a mobile communication unit calls another communication unit, the user uses the mobile communication unit to call the telephone number can select to be presented to the mobile communication unit being called, said selection being made from telephone numbers associated with the user identification code 20 and not belonging to the set of telephone numbers associated with the user identification code.

29. A mobile communication network according to a preceding claim, characterized in that the set of telephone numbers also comprises at least one telephone number known as a fax number, the communication network being equipped such that the at least one telephone number known as a fax number is called For presenting a fax message, the fax message is automatically presented over a medium such as the Internet to an e-mail address associated with the at least one telephone number known as a fax number.

30. Mobile communication network according to claim 29, characterized in that the mobile communication network is equipped such that, if the at least one telephone number known as a fax number is called for offering a fax message, an info message is presented to the mobile communication unit associated with the at least one user identification code associated with the set of telephone numbers, said info message indicating that a fax message is being received.

A mobile communication network according to claim 29, characterized in that the mobile communication network is equipped such that, if the at least one telephone number known as a fax number is called for presenting a fax message, an info message is presented to the mobile communication network. unit associated with the at least one user identification code associated with the set of telephone numbers, said info message indicating that a fax message has been received.

A mobile communication unit according to a preceding claim, characterized in that the network is further provided with a voicemail server, the network being equipped such that a telephone number belonging to said collection of telephone numbers can be marked as a redirect to voicemail server 'telephone number within the network, wherein if a telephone number is called from the set of telephone numbers that is marked as' redirect to voicemail server', the call is automatically routed to a voicemail server.

A mobile communication network according to claim 32, characterized in that the network is equipped such that when the call is routed to voicemail server 30, a response message is presented to the communication unit, such as a telephone, which is used to telephone number of the collection of telephone numbers that is marked as a 'redirect to voicemail server' telephone number.

A mobile communication network according to claim 33, characterized in that the network is equipped such that at least one reply message from a plurality of recorded reply messages can be presented to the communication unit used to route a telephone number marked as a to call to voicemail server, wherein a reply message 10 is selected from the plurality of messages by means of the network, which selection depends on the telephone number that is called as "redirect to voicemail server".

A mobile communication network according to any one of the preceding claims 32-34, characterized in that the network is equipped such that a call is routed directly via the mobile network and to the exclusion of the called mobile communication unit to the voicemail server as the called number is marked as "lead to voicemail server" and that the call is routed via the called mobile communication unit to the voicemail server if the called telephone number is not marked as "lead to voicemail server" and if the network is like this set that such a diversion would also take place if the called mobile communication unit were called via a regular mobile telephone number, which is associated with the user identification code and which does not belong to the set of telephone numbers.

36. A mobile communication network according to a preceding claim, characterized in that the network is further provided with a means for diverting a call to a telephone number from the set of telephone numbers to at least one selected destination, the network being equipped such that each telephone number of the collection of telephone numbers can be marked as "divert call to at least one selected destination" and can be denied to divert a call to a selected destination where the marking and unmarking can be performed by a mobile user communication unit having a memory module in which an identification code is stored associated with the set of telephone numbers, the network being equipped such that if any of the telephone numbers of the set of telephone numbers is called and this telephone number is marked as 'redirect the call to at least one ss elected destination ', the call is diverted to the at least one selected destination and if one of the telephone numbers of the set of telephone numbers is called and this telephone number is not marked to divert the call to at least one selected destination, the call is not sent to the at least one selected destination is redirected.

37. A mobile communication network according to claim 36, characterized in that the marking and the marking can be carried out by means of the mobile communication unit which has the memory module in which the identification code is stored.

38. Mobile communication network according to claim 36 or 37, characterized in that the network is equipped such that the costs of diverting the call to a selected destination are charged to the user of the mobile communication unit.

39. Mobile communication network according to claim 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the telephone numbers recognized as geographic numbers or 085 numbers belonging to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) are as known in the Netherlands.

A mobile communication network according to a preceding claim, characterized in that the network is equipped so that a user of the mobile unit can determine whether or not a telephone number belongs to the collection of telephone numbers. 5

A mobile communication network according to claim 40, characterized in that the network is equipped such that a user of the mobile unit can determine by means of his mobile communication unit whether or not a telephone number belongs to the collection of telephone numbers. 10

42. A mobile communication network according to claim 40 or 41, characterized in that the network is equipped so that a user of the mobile communication unit can determine whether or not a telephone number belongs to the collection of telephone numbers, depending on the number selected by the user. parameters such as a time of day, a day of the week and / or a geographical location of the communication unit.

43. Mobile communication network according to claim 42, characterized in that the network is equipped such that a user of the mobile communication unit can determine by means of his mobile communication unit whether or not a telephone number belongs to the collection of telephone numbers , depending on parameters selected by the user such as a time of day, a day of the week and / or a geographical location of the communication unit. 25

A mobile communication network according to claim 42 or 43, characterized in that the parameters comprise a time of the day.

45. Mobile communication network according to claim 42, 43 or 44, characterized in that the parameters comprise a day of the week.

A mobile communication network according to any one of claims 42-45, characterized in that the parameters comprise a geographical location of the communication unit.

47. A method for using a Mobile communication network such as a GSM network provided with at least one mobile service switching center (MSC) and a radio network system, which is communicatively connected to the at least one mobile service switching center (MSC), the network being further provided of a plurality of mobile communication units (MSE) such as mobile telephones which are each provided with a memory module (SIM) in which a user identification code (IMSI) is stored and which are each equipped to communicate wirelessly with the radio network system, the network further is provided with register means in which information about users of the network is stored, such as the user identification codes (IMSI) and telephone numbers (MS-ISDN), wherein each user identification code in the register is associated with a telephone number (MS-ISDN) having the characteristic , that at least one user identification code with a collection of telephone numbers associated with at least one telephone number (MS-ISDN), wherein, if any of the telephone numbers of the set is called, the call is connected to the mobile communication unit that has a memory module in which the user identification code is on beaten that is associated with the collection of telephone numbers.

A method according to claim 47, characterized in that the set of telephone numbers comprises at least one telephone number that is recognized as a telephone number belonging to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).

A method according to claim 48, characterized in that the set of telephone numbers preferably comprises at least a plurality of telephone numbers, each of which is recognized as telephone numbers belonging to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). 5

A method according to claim 48 or 49, characterized in that the set of telephone numbers comprises a plurality of telephone numbers, each of which is recognized as being a telephone number that belongs to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or a mobile telephone network. 10

A method according to any one of claims 47-50, characterized in that if one of the telephone numbers of the collection of telephone numbers is called, the call is connected to the mobile communication unit which has a memory module in which the user identification code is stored. which is associated with the set of telephone numbers and wherein the mobile communication unit provides a user of the mobile communication unit with information about which telephone number of the set of telephone numbers is being called.

A method according to claim 51, characterized in that said information is in visible form.

A method according to claim 51 or 52, characterized in that said information is in audible form. 25

A method according to claim 51, 52 or 53, characterized in that said information is in palpable form.

55. A method according to any one of claims 51-54, characterized in that this information cannot be discovered by the calling party.

A method according to any of the preceding claims 47-55, characterized in that the at least one user identification code associated with the set of telephone numbers is also associated with at least one additional telephone number associated with the mobile communication network, wherein, if the at least one additional telephone number is called, the call is connected to the mobile communication unit that has the memory module in which the user identification code is stored associated with the called at least one additional telephone number. 10

57. Method according to any of the preceding claims 47-56, characterized in that the at least one user identification code associated with the set of telephone numbers is also associated with at least one additional telephone number associated with another mobile communication network, wherein, if the at least one additional telephone number is called, the call is connected to the mobile communication unit that has the memory module in which the user identification code is stored which is connected to the called at least one additional telephone number

A method according to claim 56 or 57, characterized in that the mobile communication unit can provide the user of the mobile communication unit with information about which at least one telephone number is being called. 25

The method of claim 58, characterized in that said information is in visible form.

60. A method according to claim 58 or 59, characterized in that said information is in audible form.

A method according to claim 58, 59 or 60, characterized in that said information is in tangible form.

62. A method according to any one of the preceding claims 58-61, characterized in that this information cannot be discovered by the calling party.

63. Method according to claim 56 or 57, characterized in that the mobile communication unit cannot provide the user of the mobile communication unit with information about which at least one telephone number is being called.

A method according to any of claims 51-63, characterized in that if a telephone number of the set of telephone numbers is called, the call is connected to the mobile communication unit which has a memory module in which the user identification code is stored, which is associated is with the called telephone number, wherein on a screen of the mobile communication unit the information is displayed which indicates which telephone number of the set of telephone numbers is being called. 20

The method of claim 64, characterized in that the information displayed on the screen comprises at least one letter or number indicating a line number associated with the called telephone number.

A method according to claim 65, characterized in that if a telephone number of the set of telephone numbers is called, information about the identity of the caller is also displayed on the screen.

A method according to claim 66, characterized in that the at least one letter or number designating the line number is displayed on the screen as a prefix of the information about the caller's identity.

A method according to any preceding claim 47-62, characterized in that, if a telephone number of the set of telephone numbers is called, the call is connected to the mobile communication unit which has a memory module in which the user identification code is stored which is connected to the called telephone number is associated, wherein before the call 10 is connected, the mobile communication unit indicates that there is an incoming call, wherein, when the user of the mobile communication unit accepts the call, an audible announcement is presented, which informs the information indicates which telephone number of the collection of telephone numbers is being called. 15

69. A method according to any preceding claim 47-67, characterized in that, if a telephone number of the set of telephone numbers is called, the call is connected to the mobile communication unit which has a memory module in which the user identification code is stored which is associated with the called telephone number is associated, wherein, before the call is connected, the mobile communication unit indicates that there is an incoming call, wherein, before the user of the mobile communication unit accepts the call, an audible announcement is provided that indicates the information which telephone number of the 25 collection of telephone numbers is called.

A method according to claim 68 or 69, characterized in that this announcement is preferably not discoverable by the calling party.

A method according to claim 68, 69 or 70, characterized in that the mobile communication unit that is called to a user of the mobile communication unit indicates by means of a ringing tone that there is an incoming call. 5

A method according to any of the preceding claims 47-71, characterized in that, if any telephone number of the set of telephone numbers is called, the call is connected to the mobile communication unit that has a memory module in which the user identification code is stored which is associated with the set of telephone numbers, wherein, in this mobile communication unit, a telephone number from which the call originates is automatically stored, and wherein, if the stored telephone number is called back by means of the mobile communication unit in which the information about the telephone number from which the call originates is stored, after selection by the user, information about the called telephone number of the collection of telephone numbers or information of a selected telephone number that belongs to the collection, or information of a mobile telephone number associated with the user identification code 20 associated is associated with the set of telephone numbers to a communication unit that is called back and associated with the stored telephone number.

73. Method as claimed in any of the claims 47-72, characterized in that if a user of the mobile communication unit calls another communication unit, the user can select the telephone number to be presented by means of the mobile communication unit to the mobile communication unit being called, said selection being made from the set of telephone numbers associated with the user identification code.

74. A method according to any one of the preceding claims 47-73, characterized in that if a user of the mobile communication unit calls another communication unit, the user can select the telephone number that is offered by means of the mobile communication unit must be made to the mobile communication unit being called, whereby said selection can be made from telephone numbers associated with the user identification code.

75. Method according to any of the preceding claims 47-74, characterized in that the set of telephone numbers also comprises at least one telephone number known as a fax number, wherein if the at least one telephone number known as a fax number is called for offering a fax message, the fax message is automatically offered over a medium such as the internet to an e-mail address associated with the at least one telephone number known as a fax number.

A method according to claim 75, characterized in that if the at least one telephone number known as a fax number is called for presenting a fax message, an info message is presented to the mobile communication unit associated with the at least one user identification code , which is associated with the telephone number known as a fax number, said info message indicating that a fax message is being received.

A method according to claim 73, characterized in that if the at least one telephone number known as a fax number is called to present a fax message, an info message is presented to the mobile communication unit associated with the at least one user identification code, which is associated with the telephone number known as a fax number, said info message indicating that a fax message has been received.

78. A method according to any preceding claim 47-77, characterized in that the network is further provided with a voicemail server, wherein a telephone number within said collection of telephone numbers can be marked as a 'redirect to voicemail server' telephone number within the network wherein said telephone number (PSTN-n) is associated with a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and wherein, if a telephone number 10 of the set of telephone numbers is called which is marked as "redirect to voicemail server", the call is automatically sent to voicemail server is redirected.

A method according to claim 78, characterized in that if the call 15 is diverted to the voicemail server, a reply message is presented to a communication unit, such as a telephone, which is used to call the telephone number of the set of telephone numbers, that is marked as a 'redirect to voicemail server' telephone number.

A method according to claim 79, characterized in that at least one reply message from a plurality of recorded reply messages is presented to the mobile communication unit used to direct a telephone number marked as "leading to call to voicemail server", wherein the at least one offered reply message is selected from the plurality of messages, which selection depends on which telephone number is marked as "redirect to voicemail server".

81. A method according to any preceding claim 78-80, characterized in that a call is routed directly via the mobile network and to the exclusion of the called mobile communication unit to the voicemail server if the called number is marked as "lead to voicemail server 'and that the call is routed via the called mobile communication unit to the voicemail server if the called telephone number is not marked as' lead to voicemail server' and if the network is set up in such a way that such a diversion would also take place if the called mobile communication unit would be called via a regular mobile telephone number, which is associated with the user identification code and does not belong to the collection of telephone numbers.

A method according to any preceding claim 47-81, characterized in that each telephone number of the set of telephone numbers can be marked as "divert call to at least one selected destination" and be denied to direct a call to a selected destination wherein the marking and denying can be performed by a user of a mobile communication unit having a memory module in which an identification code is stored associated with the set of telephone numbers, wherein, if any of the telephone numbers of the set telephone numbers are called and this telephone number is marked as 'divert the call to at least one selected destination', the call is diverted to the at least one selected destination and if any of the telephone numbers of the collection of telephone numbers are called and this telephone number is not marked to call at least one selected to divert the destination, the call not to the at least one selected destination is diverted.

A method according to claim 82, characterized in that the marking and the unmarking can be performed by means of the mobile communication unit having the memory module in which the identification code is stored 30 associated with the set of telephone numbers

A method according to claim 82 or 83, characterized in that the cost of diverting the call to a selected destination is charged to the user of the mobile communication unit.

A method according to any of claims 48, 49 or 50, characterized in that the telephone numbers recognized as geographic numbers or 085 numbers belonging to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) are known in the Netherlands.

A method according to any preceding claim 47-85, characterized in that a user of the mobile unit determines whether or not a telephone number belongs to the collection of telephone numbers.

87. A method according to claim 86, characterized in that a user of the mobile unit determines, by means of his mobile communication unit, whether or not a telephone number belongs to the collection of telephone numbers.

88. Method as claimed in claim 86 or 87, characterized in that a user of the mobile unit determines whether or not a telephone number belongs to the collection of telephone numbers, depending on parameters selected by the user such as a time of the day, a day of the week and / or a geographic location of the communication unit.

A method according to claim 88, characterized in that a user of the mobile unit, by means of his mobile communication unit, determines whether or not a telephone number belongs to the collection of telephone numbers, depending on parameters selected by the user such as a time of day, a day of the week and / or a geographical location of the communication unit.

A method according to claim 88 or 89, characterized in that the parameters comprise a time of day.

A method according to claim 88, 89 or 90, characterized in that the 5 parameters comprise a day of the week.

92. A method according to any one of claims 88-91, characterized in that the parameters comprise a geographical location of the communication unit. 10