SE517270C2 - Procedure, network and node for automatically registering new users of a service in a telephone network - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method, a network and two nodes for giving a subscriber permanent or temporary access to a service which he, consciously or unconsciously is in need of. This is solved through introducing a method in the telephone network which registers the subscriber for the service he is in need of and thus gives him access to the service. In a more detailed manner the problem is solved in that the service which the subscriber has tried to use registers the attempt and that the subscriber does not have access to the service and activates a registration function. The registration function uses resources available in the network to inform the subscriber that he, in order to be able to perform the service wanted by him, has to register and possibly pay a fee and asks the subscriber if he is willing to do so.

Description

15 20 517 270 2 triggers. These can occur at the beginning, middle or end of a call. When the SSP detects a trigger, it contacts an SCP with a query. The SCP possibly handles the issue using data from an SDP and sending orders to the SSP.

The words can e.g. consist of connecting some form of resource e.g. an IP, to divert the call to a special function or a variety of other options.

The options taken are determined by the service that the SCP executes. This service is made up of a number of different building blocks which can be combined in a number of different ways. Thus, an incredible amount of different services can be constructed and each operator can get its own specific service which the operator can use to compete for subscribers.

Thus, as shown above, a large number of different services can be on the market at the same time. This creates a completely new problem for the subscriber, namely keeping track of which services are available and which services he is currently subscribing to. Of course, this need not only apply to IN services but may also include standard telephony services, e.g. long distance calls which are offered by alternative operators according to prior art.

Another related problem may be that it is difficult for a subscriber to know what types of services another subscriber has access to. A common example is when a subscriber tries to send a fax to a B-number which is usually used for voice telephony which results in an unpleasant howl in the ear of the responding party. Another example is that a subscriber sends an SMS (§hort gessage §ervice) to someone who cannot receive an SMS, or who is not willing to pay for the service.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention addresses the above-mentioned problem of handling unregistered services for a subscriber. The object of the present invention is thus to provide in a simple and immediate manner a subscriber, permanent or temporary access to a service which, he, consciously or unconsciously, is in need of.

The above-mentioned problem of giving a subscriber, permanent or temporary access to a service which he, consciously or unconsciously 'needs', is solved by introducing a procedure in the telephone network which registers the subscriber for the service he's in need of' and thus gives him. access to the service.

In more detail, the attempted problem is solved by the service which the subscriber uses registers the attempt and the subscriber does not have access to the service and activates a registration function. The registration function uses resources available in the network to inform the subscriber that in order to perform the service desired by him, he must be able to register and possibly pay a fee and ask the subscriber if he is willing to do so.

An advantage of the following invention is that the subscriber can use services immediately and without having to worry about whether he is registered or not.

For the operators, there is a great advantage in being able to sell a new service to a customer at the very moment he is in greatest need of it.

The invention will now be described in more detail by means of preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawing.

FIGURE DESCRIPTION 10 15 _ 20 1. ~> | 517 270; :: = 4 Figure 1 shows a schematic network according to the prior art.

Figure 2 shows in greater detail functions implemented in the network.

Figure 3 shows in greater detail additional functions implemented in the network.

Figure 4 shows a flow chart for an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 shows a signal diagram according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 shows a flow chart for a further embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 shows a signal diagram according to an embodiment of the invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT NETWORK 101 101 denotes a first, subscriber A and 103 a second subscriber. Figure 1 shows a prior art. both of which are connected to the network 101. In the network 101 there is at least one exchange 104, at least one SSP 105 and at least one SCP 106. In the nodes 104, 105 and 106 there are a large number of services implemented which makes it difficult for the subscriber 102 to know which services the subscriber 103 has available. Furthermore, subscribers 102 and 103 may have access to alternative networks 107 which are operated by operators other than the 101 rule first traditional public network operators. If the subscriber wants to use an alternative operator, he must dial an access number, an area code, to get in touch with the network 107 and furthermore he may need to have an account with the operator which operates the network 107. Figures 2 and 3 show some of the .. .. vv.- -vv. v »imo 10 15 20 25 30 - a - | u. 517 270 5 functions that are necessary to be able to register the subscriber at the same moment he is in need of the service.

Of course, the following invention is not only good for alternative operators but can be used to the same extent by traditional public operators. in a 201 In the exchange 201 there is at least one service 202 which 203 Figure 2 shows some functions which can be implemented exchange node or in a node for network intelligence. denoted by the switch. furthermore, a thinning function includes screening bad (English function) which has the task of thinning out e.g. formatted messages or other types of calls which cannot be accessed to 202. 203 includes a detection function 204. is provided with the service implemented in a network intelligence node, e.g. The node 201 is further comprised of a billing system 205. The detection management function is further described in connection with Figure 3. Although the word service is used above and in the following, no restrictions are meant on the types of services to which the invention applies but the word service is also considered to include such types. services such as call transfer. Thus, the service can be symbolically described with a connection of call channel function blocks in a switchboard.

301 denotes a node for network intelligence in Figure 3. Node 301 is advantageously an SCP. Node 301 comprises the services 302 and 303 which both utilize thinning functions 303 and detection functions 304 in a manner similar to that described in connection with Figure 2. Node 301 further comprises a detection management function 305 hereinafter referred to as DHF. -o-u »vv u mmu 10 15 20 25 5 1 7 2 7 0; :: =. The DHF 305 connects a messaging machine 306 which plays a message for the subscriber. The messaging machine 306 also includes means for detecting a response from the subscriber either in the form of DTMF (Dual Tone gultiple from Erequency) signaling to the subscriber or by voice recognition.

For example, the message sonx being played may be “You can not currently use this service. Press 1. mn you want to register. Press 2 cxn you do not want to register but want material if the service has been sent to your home. Press 3 to talk to a telephone operator. ” If voice recognition_ is used, the message can be, for example, “You are not yet registered as a customer with us and therefore cannot use this service. If you want, we can register you automatically and the cost of using the service is then SEK 4.80 per minute. Do you want to register? ” 306 detects it forwards to DHF 305.

The messaging response from the subscriber and DHF 305 registers the subscriber's DHF 305 messaging machine 306 The service is available immediately or selection and if the selection is positive instructs after a while. If the service is available immediately, for example, the messaging machine sends the following message: “Welcome as a customer of ACME Inc. You can use the service as soon as we have completed the registration. Please wait. "And if the service becomes available only after a while:" Welcome as a customer of ACME Inc. The service will be available within 14 days. Please hang up ".

Regardless of whether or not the subscriber has given a positive response, the DHF 305 outputs a call data record 307 to a registration management system 308.

If the subscriber was already registered with the operator, the DHF 305 instructs the messaging machine 306 to ask the subscriber for a PIN code. 305.

The PIN code is stored in. DHF For the registration management function 309, hereinafter referred to as RHF, the call data record 307 is fed. who tried to use the service but did not want to subscribe to it is stored.

Tables 310 and 311 are in a set for each service with automatic registration. Tables 310 and 311 store, among other things, the A-number. RHF 309 also deducts names and addresses from the A-number and stores these in the correct table. RHF 309 also contacts a credit rating function 312 to evaluate whether the subscriber is creditworthy. If the subscriber is not creditworthy, the handling is terminated and the subscriber is blocked for the service. If, on the other hand, the credit rating goes well, a subscription is opened in the thinning-out function 203, 303 and the debiting system 205.

RHF 309 generates a PIN code which is stored in DHF 305 and sent to the subscriber.

Figure 4 shows a flow chart. in accordance with what son1 described above. l.A call from a subscriber directed to a service which has automatic registration is detected. 2. Is the subscriber registered? 3.The subscriber is already registered. Request and detect PIN code from the subscriber. 4. Is the PIN code correct? The subscriber has three attempts. If all three attempts are incorrect, the verification is considered unsuccessful. 10 15 25 517 270 5.Verification failed. End the connection with the subscriber. 6. The verification was successful. Continue the connection with the subscriber in the usual way and let the subscriber use the service 7. The subscriber is not registered since before. Ask the subscriber if the subscriber wants to register for the service. 8.The subscriber does not want to register. Generate a call data record and store it. 9.The subscriber wants to register. Perform a credit rating. The credit rating was not approved. Block the subscriber from using the service. End the connection with the subscriber. ll.The credit rating was approved. Open a subscription in the thinning function 203, 303 and in the 205. debiting function l2.Generate PIN code and store in DHF 305.

Figure 5 'shows a signal diagram accordingly. with what soul described above. In Figure 5, it is further assumed that the node 201 is an SSP, that the node 301 is an SCP and that the message function 306 is an IP. ln REQUEST. Subscriber A requests to be allowed to use a service with automatic registration. The SSP perceives this through the signal REQUEST. 2.REQUEST. The SSP notes that the subscriber is not registered for the service and forwards the call control to the SCP. 3. PROMPTANDCOLLECT. The SCP commands an IP to send a message to the subscriber and detect a response. -.-.- ve- 10 15 20 25 517 270. 4. PROMPT. The IP sends a message to the subscriber according to one of the suggestions given in connection with Figure 3. 5.COLLECT. The IP detects the subscriber's response. 6.ANS. The IP informs the SCP what the subscriber has answered. In this embodiment, the subscriber is assumed to respond positively. If the subscriber answers negatively, another signal flow follows, which is not described in more detail here, but which can be understood through the description of figure 3. 7.QUEST. The SCP asks a credit rating function if the subscriber is creditworthy. 8.ANS. the credit rating function responds to the SCP. In this embodiment, the answer is assumed to be positive. If the answer should be negative, another signal flow follows which is not described in more detail here but which can be understood by the description of figure 3. 9. UPDATEOK. The SCP notifies the SSP that the subscriber has access to the service and asks the SSP to update the thinning function 203, 303 and the charging function 205.

In another embodiment of the invention, a first subscriber 102 assumes that a second subscriber 103 has access to a certain service, e.g. voicemail with fax. The subscriber 102 thus sends a voice message by fax to the subscriber 103. The subscriber 103 cannot normally receive the message and does not even notice that a message has arrived. By referring again to Figure 3 and by using the invention, the problem can be remedied.

In the same manner as described above, the detection function 304 detects that the second subscriber 103 is in need of a service to which he does not yet have access. 10 15 20 25 517 2 7 Û §ÉI = ÉÉɧ få. The detection function then hands over the call control to the DHF 305. The DHF 305 establishes a temporary storage area to store the voice message and fax. DHF examines which services the other subscriber 103 has available and uses one of these to make the other subscriber 103 aware of the resulting DHF 305 situation. In this embodiment, the messaging machine 306 instructs to contact the other subscriber with a message, e.g. “This is an automatic service. You have a message that your current service profile does not allow you to receive. Do you want to register for voicemail by fax? If the other temporary which gives you access to the message? ”. the subscriber 103 does not want this, the storage area is deleted. If, on the other hand, the subscriber 103 wishes to register, a registration takes place in accordance with what has been described above.

Figure 6 shows a flow chart in accordance with the embodiment above. l.A call to a subscriber using a service with automatic registration. 2. Is the subscriber registered for the said service? 3.The subscriber is already registered. Still normal handling. 4.The subscriber is not registered. Store relevant data, in this embodiment the voicemail and the fax. 5.Contact the subscriber using a service he has available, 306. in this embodiment a message machine wants to be used Message message machine also detects if the subscriber registers. 6.Does the subscriber want to register? 10 15 20 ø n n | now 517 270 ll 7. The subscriber did not want to register. Delete the stored data. 8. Depending on whether the first subscriber 102 so requests, a message may be sent to the first subscriber 102 containing information that the second subscriber 103 has not received the message. 9.The subscriber wants to register. Additional information from the subscriber may be required to complete the registration. in this embodiment, the subscriber must provide a fax number to which the fax can be sent. 10.The service is activated and the subscriber can receive the voicemail and fax.

Figure 7 shows a signal diagram in accordance with the above embodiment. that the node 301 is an SCP and that the message function 306 is an IP.

In Figure 7, it is further assumed that the node 201 is an SSP, 1.REQUEST. A first subscriber A sends a voice message by fax to a second subscriber B. The message is intercepted by the SSP 201. 2. REQUEST. The SSP 201 passes the control to the SCP 301.

SCP 301 notes that the other subscriber B does not have access to the required service. 3. PROMPTANDCOLLECT. The SCP 301 instructs the IP 306 to send a message to the other subscriber B and to detect the response of the subscriber Bz. 4. PROMPT. The IP 306 sends a message to the subscriber B. 5. COLLECT. The IP 306 detects the response from the subscriber B. 1.- ~ 10 517 270 = If§ 13 * 12 6.ANS. The IP 306 notifies the SCP 301 what the subscriber B has answered. In this embodiment, the subscriber is assumed to respond positively. The signal ANS also contains the extra information that may be necessary to be able to register the service, such as the fax number of the B-subscriber.

The SCP registers the service in accordance with the previous embodiment.

The invention is of course not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawing, but can be modified within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (6)

10 15 20 25 30 s17 270 ¿get 13 PATENT CLAIMS A method for automatically registering a new user of a service in a telephone network, wherein a subscriber tries to use a service to which he is not registered, and the attempt is registered by a detection function, CHARACTERIZED by the detection function. calls a registration function, that the registration function informs the subscriber that the subscriber is not registered for the service and gives the subscriber the opportunity to register and that the registration function registers, the subscriber registers depending on the subscriber's choice. Method according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that a resource is activated by said registration function, that the resource asks a question to said subscriber, that the resource communicates the answer to the question and that the registration function registers the subscriber for said service depending on the answer. KÅNNETEcmAT by acc Method according to claim 1, before the subscriber is registered for the service, a credit rating function is called and the subscriber. registered in dependence on the evaluation of the credit rating function. A method according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that a call data record is stored in the registration function for each subscriber. Method according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that a PIN code is generated by the registration function and that the PIN code is stored in the detection function. A method according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that said service is activated by said subscriber. * 10 15 20 25 10 11 12. Procedure “517 270 14. A method according to claim 1 CHARACTERIZED in that said service is activated by a second subscriber. . Method according to claim 1 CHARACTERIZED in that the registration function registers the subscriber for the service and that when the subscriber ends the call, the registration function unregisters said subscriber. CHARACTERIZED by ssP, that according to claim 2 the detection function is implemented in a registration function is implemented. in an SCP and that the resource is an IP. Network for automatically registering a new user of a service in a telephone network CHARACTERIZED by a first node 201 comprising a detection function 204 arranged to detect if a subscriber is trying to use a service for a second node 301 arranged to which he is not registered, at least one including a registration function 309 automatically register a subscriber for a service .Network. according to claim 10, characterized in that the second (301) is arranged to ask a question to the subscriber, (306) to detect the answer to the question and the node comprises a resource communicating the answer to the second node (301). .Network according to claim ll CHARACTERIZED in that the first (201) the second node an SCP and the resource (306) an IP. the node is an SSP, (301) 13. A node for automatically detecting a new user of a service in a telephone network CHARACTERIZED in that said node 301) (309) detects if a subscriber is trying to use (201, comprises a detection function arranged to service for which he is not registered.