Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
  • H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
  • H04M3/38—Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections
  • H04M3/382—Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections using authorisation codes or passwords

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a method, an arrangement and a network for providing a service, preferably within IN.
• An IN network comprises a number of SSPs (Service Switching Point) , a number of SCPs (Service Control Point) as well as some kind of management system, for example an SMS (Service Management System) node.
• SSP and an SCP may also be combined in one node, a so called SSCP.
• SDPs Service Data Point
• IPs Intelligent Peripheral
• SCE Service Creation Environment
• a call which will use an IN functionality is incoming to an SSP.
• the SSP checks the call and reacts on different so called triggers. These may be provided in the beginning of, in the middle of, or at the end of a call.
• triggers may be provided in the beginning of, in the middle of, or at the end of a call.
• the SSP detects a trigger, it contacts an SCP with a query.
• the SCP handles the query, possibly with the help of data from an SDP and sends an order to SSP.
• the words may for example consist in connection to some kind of a resource, such as an IP, to forward the call to some particular function or an amount of other alternatives.
• SMS Short Message Service
• the present invention attacks the above mentioned problerr. of handling non-registered services for a subscriber.
• One object of the present invention is thus to, in a simple and direct way, give a subscriber permanent or temporary access to a service which he, consciously or unconsciously, is in need of.
• 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 functionality.
• the registration function uses resources available in the network to inform the subscriber that he, in order to be able to get access to the desired service, has to register and possibly pay a fee and also asks the subscriber if he is willing to do so.
• An advantage of the present invention is that the subscriber can use services immediately or at least shortly and without having to bother about whether he is registered or not. to the desired service, has to register and possibly pay a fee and also asks the subscriber if he is willing to do so.
• An advantage of the present invention is that the subscriber can use services immediately or at least shortly and without having to bother about whether he is registered or not.
• Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a network according to the state of the art .
• Fig. 2 illustrates more in detail functions implemented in the network .
• Fig. 3 illustrates more in detail further functionalities implemented in the network.
• Fig. 4 shows a flow diagram for one embodiment of the invention.
• Fig. 5 shows a signalling diagram according to one embodiment of the invention.
• Fig. 6 shows a flow diagram for a further embodiment of the invention.
• Fig. 7 shows a signalling diagram for one embodiment of the invention.
• Fig. 1 shows a network 101 according to known technology.
• 102 denotes a first subscriber A and 103 denotes a second subscriber both of which are connected to the network 101.
• the network 101 there is at least one exchange 104, at least one SSP 105 and in addition thereto at least one SCP 106.
• the nodes 104, 105 and 106 a large number of services are implemented which makes it difficult for the subscriber 102 to know which services are available to subscriber 103.
• subscribers 102 and 103 may have access to alternative networks 107 operated by other operators than the traditional public network operators.
• I figures 2 and 3 some of the functionalities which are necessary to be able to register the subscriber at the moment when he needs the service .
• Fig. 2 shows some functions which may be implemented in a switching node or in a node for network intelligence.
• 201 denotes the exchange. In the exchange 201 there is at least ' one service
• the screening function 203 includes a detection function 204.
• the detection function 204 detects that a subscriber who is not registered tries to use the service and then handles over the call control to a detection handling function implemented in a network intelligence node, for example an SCP.
• the node 201 also is comprised by a charging system 205.
• the detection handling function is further described with reference to Fig. 3.
• the 301 denotes a node for network intelligence in Fig. 3.
• the node 301 is advantageously an SCP.
• the node 301 includes the services
• the node 301 further comprises a detection handling function 305 hereinafter called DHF.
• DHF 305 connects a message machine 306 which replays a message to the subscriber.
• the message machine 306 also comprises means to detect a response from the subscriber either in the form of DTMF (Dual Tone Multiple
• the message that is replayed may for example be "At the moment you can not use this service . Press 1 if you want to register. Press 2 if you do not want to register but if you want information about the service sent to you . Press 3 to talk to an operator. " If voice recognition is used the message may for example be "You are still not registered as a customer wi th us and you can therefore not use this service . If you want to, we can register you automatically and the cost for using the service will then be 4 , 80 SEK per minute . Do you want to register?"
• the message machine 306 detects the response from the subscriber and forwards it to DHF 305.
• DHF 305 registers the choice of the subscriber and if the choice is positive, DHF 305 instructs the message machine 306 and the service is available immediately or shortly. If the service is available immediately the message machine for example 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 wai t . " And if the service will be available only after a while: "Welcome as a customer of ACME Inc . The service will be available wi thin 14 days . Please make hook on " .
• DHF 305 feeds out a call data post 307 to a registration handling system 308.
• the registration handling system 308 includes an RHF 309 and a table 310 wherein the call data post 307 of subscribers subscribing to a specific service are stored and a table 311 wherein the call data post 307 for subscribers who have attempted to use the service but who did not want to subscribe to it, are stored. There is one table 310 and 311 each for each service with automatic registration. The tables 310 and 311 sometimes among others store the A-number.
• RHF 309 also derives the name and address from the A-number and store them in the right table. RHF 309 also contacts a credit evaluation function 312 to evaluate if the subscriber is creditworthy. If the subscriber is not creditworthy, the handling is finished and the service is blocked to the subscriber. If however the credit evaluation is positive, a subscription is opened in the screening function 203, 303 and in the charging system 205. RHF 309 generates a PIN code which is stored in DHF 305 and sent to the subscriber.
• FIG. 4 a flow diagram according to what was described above is illustrated.
• a call from a subscriber directed to a service which has automatic registration is detected.
• the subscriber is already registered. Request and detect the PIN code of the subscriber.
• the subscriber is not registered since earlier. Ask the subscriber if the subscriber wants to register for the service .
• the subscriber does not want to register. Generate a call data post and store it .
• the subscriber wants to register. Perform a credit rating.
• Fig. 5 a signalling scheme is illustrated according what has been described above.
• the node 201 is an SSP
• node 301 is an SCP
• the message function 306 is an IP.
• REQUEST Subscriber A requests to use a service with automatic registration.
• the SSP detects it through the signal REQUEST .
• PROMPTANDCOLLECT The SCP orders an IP to send a message to the subscriber and to detect an answer.
• PROMPT The IP sends a message to the subscriber according to one of the suggestions as given in connection with Fig. 3.
• a ⁇ S The IP informs the SCP about the answer from the subscriber.
• the subscriber is supposed to answer positively. If the subscriber answers negatively another signalling flow will result which is not further described herein but which can be understood through the description referring to Fig. 3.
• QUEST The SCP checks with a credit rating function whether the subscriber is creditworthy.
• the credit rating function answers to the SCP. In this embodiment the answer is supposed to be positive. If the answer is negative, another signalling flow will result which is not further described here but which can be understood through the description of Fig. 3.
• the SCP informs the SSP that the subscriber is given access to the service and asks the SSP to update the screening function 203, 303 and the charging function 205.
• a first subscriber 102 presupposes that a second subscriber 103 has access to a particular service, for example voice mail with fax.
• the subscriber 102 thus sends a voice message by fax to the subscriber 103.
• the subscriber 103 normally can not receive the message and does not even notice that a message has arrived. Again through referring to Fig. 3 and through using the invention the problem can be handled.
• the detection function 304 detects that the second subscriber 103 needs a service to which he so far has no access. The detection function then forwards the call control to DHF 305.
• DHF 305 sets up a temporary storing area for storing the voice message and the fax.
• DHF examines which services that are available to the second subscriber 103 and uses one of them to make the second subscriber 103 aware of the ensued situation.
• DHF 305 instructs the message machine 306 to contact the second subscriber with a message, for example "This is an automatic service . You have a message which you are not enti tled to receive according to your current service profile .
• Fig. 6 shows a flow diagram according to the embodiment as described above . 2001.
• a message machine 306 is used.
• the message machine also detects if the subscriber wants to register.
• a message can be sent to the first subscriber 102 containing the information that the second subscriber 103 did not receive the message.
• the subscriber wants to register. Further information from the subscriber may be necessary to complete registration. In this embodiment the subscriber has to give a fax number to where the fax can be sent.
• Fig. 7 a signalling scheme according to the above embodiment is illustrated.
• node 201 is an SSP
• node 301 is an SCP
• the message function 306 is an IP.
• a first subscriber A sends a voice message by fax to a second subscriber B.
• the message is received by SSP 201.
• the SSP 201 forwards the control to the SCP 301.
• the SCP 301 detects that the second subscriber B does not have access to the needed service.
• PROMPTANDCOLLECT The SCP 301 instructs the IP 306 to send a message to the second subscriber B and to detect the answer from the subscriber B.
• the IP 306 sends a message to the subscriber B.
• the IP 306 detects the answer from the subscriber B.
• the IP 306 informs the SCP 301 about the answer of the subscriber B. In this embodiment the subscriber is supposed to answer positively.
• the signal A ⁇ S furthermore contains the additional information that may be necessary for registration of the service such as for example the fax number of the B- subscriber .
• the SCP registers the service in agreement with the preceding embodiment .

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
• Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)
• Meter Arrangements (AREA)

Priority Applications (4)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=20406801

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Cited By (3)

Citations (4)

• 1997
  • 1997-04-30 SE SE9701645A patent/SE517270C2/sv not_active IP Right Cessation
• 1998
  • 1998-04-29 EP EP98921955A patent/EP0986888A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 1998-04-29 AU AU74602/98A patent/AU738568B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 1998-04-29 WO PCT/SE1998/000796 patent/WO1998049817A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
• 1999
  • 1999-10-29 NO NO995306A patent/NO995306L/no not_active Application Discontinuation

Patent Citations (4)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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