US 6,192,237 B1 · Call set-up process

Abstract

The arrangement disclosed allows a user of a mobile telephone 11 to use intelligent network (IN) services specific to his home network, regardless of whether the network 12, 13, 14 to which he is currently connected can support the service. When the user makes an outgoing call attempt (step 1) the associated signalling is transmitted over a signalling channel. The mobile switching centre (MSC) 13 recognises a customer identity (encoded electronically in the call set-up signals ) and accesses the data relating to the user which is stored in a register 14. The data in the register 14 relating to the user 11 includes a marking identifying him as an IN served customer, causing the MSC 13 to halt the call process and send a signal (2), protocol, to the service control point (SCP) 15 in the user's home network. The SCP 15 then activates the user's service profile and as part of that profile recognises the need to retrieve additional information from the user 11, e.g. a PIN (personal identity number) or some other information. Having identified the information needed, the SCP initiates a message 3 to the mobile station, for example requesting an authorisation code, which is passed back to the MS 11 by way of the switching centre MSC 13 and base station BSS 12, using a signalling protocol. The user, having received the message 3, responds such that the mobile station 11 sends a second signal 4 by way of the host network back to the SCP 15. The SCP 15 acts on the message received and returns a response 5 to the MSC 13, whereby the MSC 13 will then act on that information for example to set up a call, including a full speech channel if required (6). This system allows data to be transmitted directly between the SCP 15 and the user 11, the host network not requiring to be compatible with the signalling protocols except for the initial and final states 1, 5. Moreover, since signalling channels are used, traffic (speech) channels, which have a larger bandwidth, are not used unless and until the call set-up process is completed.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A method of initiating a telecommunications transaction with associated at least first, second, third and fourth signals, the method comprising the steps of:

setting up a low-bandwidth initial signalling path interconnecting a transmitting, over the initial signalling path, said first, transaction request, signal from the switching centre to the service control system, according to a first signalling protocol;
transmitting, over the initial signalling path, said second signal in response to the first signal, from the service control system to the terminal, according to a signalling protocol different from the first signalling protocol, to request information for said initiation of said transaction,
transmitting, over the initial signalling path said third signal, in reply to the second signal, from the terminal to the service control system, also according to a signalling protocol different from the first signalling protocol, to provide said information,
in response to the said third signal, generating said fourth, transaction control, signal for transmission from the service control system to the switching centre to control said transaction.

1 more element

A service control system for a telecommunications network, the service control system being capable of initiating a telecommunications transaction with at least associated first, second, third and fourth signals, said system comprising:

means for receiving said first, transaction request, signal according to a first signalling protocol, the transaction request relating to a specified terminal,
transmitting means for transmitting, in response to the first signal, said second signal, to the specified terminal in relation to which the transaction request is received, for requesting information for said initiation of said transaction, the second signal being according to a signalling protocol other than the first signalling protocol;
means for receiving from the said terminal said third signal in response to the transmitted second signal, for providing said information, the third signal being according to a signalling protocol other than the first signalling protocol;
processing means for processing the third signal to generate an instruction to initiate the required transaction;
and
means controlled by the processing means for transmitting said fourth, transaction control, signal to a switching means of the telecommunications system instructing the switching means to initiate the transaction to be performed,
the signalling protocols used the first, second, third and fourth signals all being suitable for carrying over a low bandwidth initial signalling path.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Call set-up process

Life of this patent

Call set-up process

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26