WO2001063959A1

WO2001063959A1 - Plus code dialing compatibility using win trigger

Info

Publication number: WO2001063959A1
Application number: PCT/SE2001/000205
Authority: WO
Inventors: Binh Nguyen; Akilan Tiburtius; Sreedevi Garigipati
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2000-02-23
Filing date: 2001-02-02
Publication date: 2001-08-30
Also published as: AU2001232530A1

Abstract

A mobile station (22) originates an outgoing international call (100) that is dialed to a B-number and includes a WIN service trigger but no international access code. A service switching point (10) that is currently providing service to that mobile station receives the call origination and detects (102) from the WIN service trigger a need to provide special services. Contact (104) is made with a service control point (12) where it is detected (106) that the call is international and a determination (108, 108') is made of the proper international access code. In one instance, the service control point prepends (110) the determined international access code to the B-number to form a properly formatted international dialing number that is returned (112) to the service switching point. In another instance, the international access code determined by the service control point is returned (112') to the service switching point where the properly formatted international dialing number is formed (110'). In either case, the service switching point uses the properly formatted international dialing number to complete (114) set-up of the outgoing call.

Description

PLUS CODE DIALING COMPATIBILITY USING WIN TRIGGER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a wireless intelligent network (WIN) and, in particular, to a new service triggered to assist international roamers in the making of outgoing international calls.

Description of Related Art It is well recognized that an international access code (IAC) must beprepended to a dialed B-number in order to properly initiate an international call. As an example, to make an international call from the United States, a caller must first dial the appropriate international access code (Oi l) followed by the called party's B-number consisting of a country code (CC) plus a network code (NC) plus a subscriber number (SN). For persons who do not roam outside of their own home country, the added complexity of international dialing is of little concern as you must only remember a single international access code, and in most cases the code can be pre-programmed into your stored directory list for frequently dialed international call numbers. However, a subscriber engaging in international roaming must, for each country visited, obtain and properly use the correct international access code when making outgoing international calls. For frequent travelers moving from country to country this can be quite inconvenient.

International telephone numbers are often written out in a short-hand format as "+(CC)(NC)(SN)" where the "+" symbol simply designates that the appropriate international access code for the country in which the caller is located must be prepended to the B-number. The advantage of using this format is that any document printed with a telephone number in that format is universally distributable regardless of destination country. This presumes, of course, that the recipient understands the significant of the "+" symbol and knows his own international access code.

In an effort to capitalize on the advantages and user acceptance of this shorthand formatting technique for international numbers, mobile cellular telecommunications service providers have plans to offer mobile telephones that include a "+" symbol key. A calling party with access to a short-hand formatted international number may simply dial the number in its short-hand format using the included "+" symbol key. The terminal or the network then recognizes the included "+" symbol as designating an international call and operates to properly complete the international call as dialed. The advantage here is that the calling party need not know or remember the appropriate international access code for a country while engaging international roaming.

While these technological calling service advancements certainly will make international dialing easier for persons having "+" symbol key configured mobile stations, the question remains of what to do for those subscribers retaining legacy mobile stations that lack a "+" symbol key. The present invention addresses this need to support a plus code-like dialing procedure for legacy mobile stations and thus simplify the outgoing dialing process for international roamers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An outgoing international call originated from a mobile station and dialed to a B-number includes a WIN service trigger (but no international access code). A service switching point providing service to that mobile station receives the call origination and detects from the WIN service trigger a need to provide special services. A service control point is then contacted to provide the needed services. The service control point detects that the outgoing call is an international call and determines the appropriate international access code. That international access code is then used in connection with the dialed B-number to form a properly formatted international dialing number.

In one embodiment, the service control point prepends the determined international access code to the B-number to form a properly formatted international dialing number that is returned to the service switching point. In another embodiment, the international access code determined by the service control point is returned to the service switching point where the properly formatted international dialing number is formed. In either case, the service switching point uses the properly formatted international dialing number to complete set-up of the outgoing call.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention may be acquired by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: FIGURE 1 is a simplified block diagram of a wireless intelligent network

(WEN); and

FIGURE 2 is a signal flow and nodal operation diagram for implementing a plus code-like dialing procedure for mobile stations in the network of FIGURE 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is now made to FIGURE 1 wherein there is shown a block diagram of a wireless intelligent network (WIN) in which the present invention, as will be disclosed herein, may be implemented. The telecommunications industry has adopted the term "intelligent network" (IN) to denote a concept and architecture to provide vendor-independent and network-independent interfaces between the service logic and the transmission and switching systems of a multi-enterprise telecommunications network. The goals of the intelligent network are to centralize in a control node the handling of service executions within a telecommunication network in order to provide rapid definition, testing and introduction of new services as well as modification of existing services. The intelligent network architecture also provides greater flexibility in the design and development of new services in a multi-vendor environment with shorter lead times, and standard network interfaces. The basic concept behind the intelligent network is to move the intelligence out of each local exchange or service switching point (SSP) 10 (also referred to as a mobile switching center (MSC)) and centralize the services providing the intelligence in a service control point (SCP) 12. By centralizing the special subscriber services in the service control point 12, a new service can be added in only one place and provided to all subscribers connected to the multiple SSPs 10. Accordingly, one service switching point 10 serves multiple telecommunications subscribers or terminals, and one service control point 12 serves multiple service switching points or local switches. The interfaces between service switching points 10 and the service control point 12 are made by links 14 utilizing the SS7 Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP) as the application layer protocol. More specifically,

Intelligent Network Application Protocols (MAP) sits on top of the TCAP protocols to establish a control dialogue between the service switching points 10 and the service control point 12.

Hardware resources required to execute intelligent network services are grouped and located separately from the service switching point 10 in an intelligent peripheral (P) 16. The purpose of such separation is to allow multiple service switching points 10 to share the same resources, to decrease processor load in the service switching point and the service control point 12, and to provide common functionality to all intelligent network services. The resources located in the intelligent peripheral 16 typically include, but are not limited to, audio announcements, speech synthesis, speech recognition, voice recognition, DTMF digit reception, audio conference bridges for conferencing, tone generators, storage of customer messages, modems, e-mail, fax, and operator resources. Accordingly, the intelligent peripheral 16 supports the ability for user interaction to allow collection of dialed digits or spoken input from users, as well as provisions of customized announcements to users. The interfaces between the intelligent peripheral 16 and the service switching points 10 via the links 20 are made through Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN) User Part (ISUP) connections which have the capability to transport voice data. These interfaces allow telecommunications subscriber mobile stations 22 connected to the service switching points 10 to hear and interact with resources located in the intelligent peripheral 16. The interface between the service control point 12 and the intelligent peripheral 16, on the other hand, is a link 18 utilizing the SS7 Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP) as the application layer protocol. The reason TCAP is used here instead of ISDN is because there is no need for a voice channel between the service control point 12 and the intelligent peripheral 16. The service control point 12 merely instructs the intelligent peripheral 16 to perform a certain specific function toward a specific subscriber, and the actual voice connection for providing special announcements or for collecting user voice for recognition is done via the links 20.

In one implementation, the service switching points 10 are further connected to at least one associated base station controller (BSC) 24 via a well known "A" interface 26 that provides not only a voice and data communications path used to carry subscriber communications, but also a signaling communications path to carry command signals, between the service switching point and its associated base station controller. The base station controller 24 is then connected to a plurality of base stations (BS) 28 which operate to effectuate radio frequency communications with proximately located mobile stations 22 over an air interface 30. The base station controller 24 functions in a well known manner to control this radio frequency communications operation. In another implementation, the service switching point 10 is connected directly to the plurality of base stations 28. The functionality provided by the base station controller 24 in controlling the radio frequency communications operation is then instead performed by the service switching point 10. The base stations 28 engage in simultaneous communications with plural subscriber mobile stations 22 operating roughly within the area of an associated cell 32. The control channel assigned to each cell 32 is used to carry system control signals between the base station 28 and proximately located mobile stations 22, and also to assist in the network with mobile station cell reselection. Such control signals include call originations, page signals, page response signals, location registration signals, traffic channel assignments, maintenance instructions, and cell selection or re- selection instructions. The traffic channels provided in each cell 32 are used to carry subscriber voice or data communications between the base station 28 and proximately located mobile stations 22 and also to assist in the hand-off operation.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 2 wherein there is shown a signal flow and nodal operation diagram for implementing a plus code-like dialing procedure for mobile stations in the network of FIGURE 1. A mobile station 22 subscriber desires to originate an international call. To that end, the subscriber keys in or otherwise dials (perhaps through a speed dialing process) the called party number in the following format: "(WIN SERVICE TRIGGER)(CC)(NC)(SN)", wherein the WIN SERVICE TRIGGER component comprises a WIN network recognized key sequence to trigger the provision of WLN services. In this instance, that key sequence triggers implementation of a WIN service in accordance with the present invention for implementing a plus code-like dialing procedure.

A call origination 100, including the dialed number in the above-recited format, is sent from the mobile station 22 to its currently serving service switching point 10. At the service switching point 10, the WLN SERVICE TRIGGER in the dialed number is recognized 102 as triggering the provision of a WLN service. The service switching point 10 then contacts its service control point 12 using an appropriate WIN message (such as, for example, an origination request (ORREQ) message) 104 that includes the subscriber dialed digits. It should be remembered here that the service switching point 10 only knows that a WIN service has been triggered, it does not have any knowledge of what the service is, or how the service request should be handled. That responsibility rests with the service control point 12. At the service control point 12, it is recognized 106 (in a manner to be described in more detail below) that a request is being made for application of the plus-code like dialing service.

Responsive thereto, and in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, the service control point 12 determines 108 the proper international access code (LAC) and then prepends 110 the code to the dialed B-number "(CC)(NC)(SN)" as provided in the message 104. An appropriate return result message 112 is then returned to the service switching point 10 including the properly formatted international number in the following format: "(IAC)(CC)(NC)(SN)". The service switching node 10 then uses the received properly formatted international number to complete 114 the outgoing call set-up.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, the service control point 12 determines 108' the proper international access code (LAC). An appropriate return result message 112' is then returned to the service switching point 10 including the determined international access code. The service switching node 10 recognizes the message 112' as an instruction to prepend 110' the international access code received in the message 112' to the dialed B-number "(CC)(NC)(SN)" as provided in the call origination 100. A properly formatted international number in the following format: "(IAC)(CC)(NC)(SN)" is thus generated by the service switching node 10. The service switching node 10 then uses the properly formatted international number to complete 114 the outgoing call set-up.

For calls originated from a mobile station 22 that is IS- 136 capable (with no "+" key) or is not IS-136 capable, the service control point 12 detects that the plus- code like dialing service is being requested by examining the specific WLN SERVICE TRIGGER identified in the origination message 100 and passed on in the WIN request message 104. In this context, the WLN SERVICE TRIGGER may further include (or be followed by) a special code ("WLN SERVICE TRLGGER(CODE)") designating either the plus-code like dialing service or simply identifying the fact that the trigger is being made in connection with an international call. The process for recognizing 106 that the plus-code like dialing service is being requested involves detecting the presence of the trigger and/or the special code. As an example, the special code

(CODE) may simply comprise the country code designation (CC). This detection prompts the service control point to determine 108 the proper international access code (IAC).

Although preferred embodiments of the method and apparatus of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for wireless intelligent network (WIN) handling of mobile station call originations, comprising the steps of: receiving at a service switching point of the wireless intelligent network of a mobile station call origination for an international call dialed to a B-number, the call origination including a WLN service trigger but no international access code with the dialed B-number; detecting at the service switching point a need to provide a WLN service in response to the WIN service trigger included in the call origination; contacting a service control point to provide the WIN service; detecting at the service control point that the call origination is for an international call and identifying the proper international access code needed to complete the call; and using the identified international access code in connection with the dialed B- number to form a properly formatted international dialing number.

2. The method as in claim 1 further including the step of completing by the service switching node of the call origination using the properly formatted international number.

3. The method as in claim 1 wherein the step of using comprises the steps of: prepending at the service control point of the identified international access code to the dialed B-number of the call origination to form the properly formatted international dialing number; and returning the properly formatted international dialing number to the service switching point for further call handling.

4. The method as in claim 1 wherein the step of using comprises the steps of: returning the identified international access code to the service switching point; and prepending at the service switching point of the identified international access code to the dialed B-number of the call origination to form the properly formatted international dialing number.

5. The method as in claim 1 wherein the step of detecting at the service switching point comprises the step of triggering the WIN service in response to the

WIN service trigger included with the dialed B-number.

6. The method as in claim 1 wherein the WIN service trigger includes a code designating the call as an international call and wherein the step of detecting at the service control point comprises the steps of: passing that code to the service control point when the WLN service is triggered; and recognizing the code to prompt the identification of the proper international access code.

7. A wireless intelligent network (WIN), comprising: a service switching point serving a mobile station that receives a mobile station call origination for an international call dialed to a B-number, the call origination including a WLN service trigger but no international access code with the dialed B- number, and detects a need to provide a WIN service in response to the WLN service trigger included in the call origination; a service control point contacted by the service switching point in response to the detected WIN service trigger, the service control point operating to detect that the call origination is for an international call, identify the proper international access code needed to complete the call, and use the identified international access code in connection with the dialed B-number to form a properly formatted international dialing number that is returned to the service switching point for further use in completing the international call.

8. The network as in claim 7 wherein the service control point receives the dialed B-number from the service switching point and prepends the identified proper international access code to the received B-number to form the properly formatted international dialing number.

9. The network as in claim 7 wherein the WIN service trigger includes a code designating the call as an international call, that code being passed to the service control point when the WIN service is triggered, and the service control point further operating to recognize the code to prompt the identification of the proper international access code.

10. A wireless intelligent network (WIN), comprising: a service switching point serving a mobile station that receives a mobile station call origination for an international call dialed to a B-number, the call origination including a WIN service trigger but no international access code with the dialed B- number, and detects a need to provide a WIN service in response to the WIN service trigger included in the call origination; a service control point contacted by the service switching point in response to the detected WIN service trigger, the service control point operating to detect that the call origination is for an international call, identify the proper international access code needed to complete the call, and return the identified international access code to the service switching point; wherein the service switching point further operates to use the B-number and the returned international access code to form a properly formatted international dialing number for use in completing the international call.

11. The network as in claim 10 wherein the service switching point receives the international access code from the service control point and prepends the identified proper international access code to the received B-number to form the properly formatted international dialing number.

12. The network as in claim 10 wherein the WLN service trigger includes a code designating the call as an international call, that code being passed to the service control point when the WIN service is triggered, and the service control point further operating to recognize the code to prompt the identification of the proper international access code.