IL148926A

IL148926A - System and method for sharing cellular communication services among mobile stations of different networks

Info

Publication number: IL148926A
Application number: IL148926A
Authority: IL
Original assignee: Cellcom Israel Ltd
Priority date: 2002-03-27
Filing date: 2002-03-27
Publication date: 2007-07-24
Also published as: CO5611230A2; US20030186676A1; IL148926A0; US7127239B2; AR039180A1; PA8569801A1

Description

nmytt System and method for sharing cellular communication services among mobile stations of different networks Cellcom Israel Limited C. 138444 SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SHARING CELLULAR COMMUNICATION SERVICES AMONG MOBILE STATIONS OF DIFFERENT NETWORKS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to cellular communication and, more particularly, to a system and method for simultaneously and transparently sharing a single telephone number and services associated therewith between two distinct telephones communicating over two distinct cellular networks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A result of the continuing evolution in technologies for cellular telephony is that it is possible for several different technologies to coexist and overlap to varying degrees within a given subscriber market. Because these different technologies and the networks based thereon have different characteristics and operational considerations, certain incompatibilities may arise between the networks that limit the abilities of Service Providers to offer associated services to the subscribers.

To illustrate the above concern, consider, as the non-limiting example shown conceptually in Figure 1, the case of a Subscriber who initially obtained two cellular telephones from a Service Provider operating a single TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) network 101. A telephone 103 set up for hands-free operation has been installed in the Subscriber's car, whereas another telephone 105 is a smaller and more compact unit which the Subscriber carries on his person. Both telephones 103 and 105 have been configured within TDMA network 101 to have a common telephone number 107, wherein telephone 105 is designated as the "primary" telephone. An incoming call 111 to common number 107 is thus routed first to telephone 105. If, however, telephone 105 is not reachable, is busy, or is not answered, incoming call 111 is then automatically routed to telephone 103, which is designated as the "secondary telephone". In this fashion, the Subscriber receives the call on the appropriate telephone regardless of his location. In addition, both telephone 103 and telephone 105 identify themselves in the same way to network 101, so the Subscriber can utilize them in a completely interchangeable fashion to access ancillary Subscriber services 109 (such as voice-mail). As far network 101 is concerned, both telephone 103 and telephone 105 are physically distinct at the device level, so that primary telephone 105 may be readily distinguished from secondary telephone 103 for the purpose of making cellular connections. At the service level, however, network 101 can treat telephone 103 as identical to telephone 105, because they have the same CLI (Calling Line Identity), so that from the Subscriber's viewpoint, it makes absolutely no difference whether he uses telephone 103 or telephone 105 to access Subscriber services 109, which are associated with common telephone number 107. Because both telephone 103 and telephone 105 communicate over the same TDM A network 101, the above arrangement, which is of benefit to the Subscriber, is relatively straightforward to implement, and is known in the prior art.

But suppose that, at a later time, the Service Provider begins operating a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) network in addition to the original TDMA network, which continues in operation to support the existing TDMA telephones. Although both TDMA and the GSM communication networks are considered to be at the same "second-generation" level, there may be various reasons for the Service Provider to desire to expand service into the GSM area. For example, the advanced GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) for higher-speed data communications is layered on GSM protocols. In addition, GSM is a de facto standard in the European and Asian markets, and Service Providers in other regions may wish to migrate in that direction as well. Furthermore, some newer cellular telephones for use with the GSM network are more compact and offer additional features over the older TDMA telephones, and thus have considerable consumer appeal in the subscriber market.

Figure 2 conceptually illustrates what happens when the Subscriber of this example wishes to obtain one of these newer GSM telephones to replace telephone 105 (Figure 1), which he carries on his person. TDMA telephone 103 installed in his car, however, is still perfectly suitable to the Subscriber, and to avoid the cost and inconvenience of having to obtain and install a new telephone in his car, the Subscriber also wishes to retain TDMA telephone 103, which is already installed therein. The Subscriber thus obtains a GSM telephone 205.

Unfortunately for the Subscriber, however, GSM telephone 205, which he now carries on his person, communicates over a network 201, which is distinct from network 101 within which communicates telephone 103. Even though network 101 and network 201 are both operated by the same Service Provider, they are not compatible with one another. The result is that the Subscriber cannot have the same arrangement he previously had, where telephone 103 and telephone 105 (Figure 1) both had telephone number 107 and where he could access Subscriber services 109 in an identical fashion from either telephone 103 or telephone 105. Instead, as shown in Figure 2, telephone 205 has a distinct telephone number 207 (052499035) and Subscriber services 209. Secondary telephone 103 has a telephone number 208 (064120123).

Ordinarily, public regulatory bodies that administer communications services assign blocks of telephone numbers to Service Providers for use in specific networks. Thus, the Service Provider cannot assign the same telephone number to a TDMA telephone and a GSM telephone. Although it may be possible, using prior art techniques, for the Service Provider to automatically perform a "call-forwarding" operation to re-route a call 211 originally directed to 064120123 (telephone number 207) via a call forward 213 to 052499035 (telephone number 208), it is not possible for telephone 103 and telephone 205 to be treated the same at the service level, because they communicate over separate and distinct networks. Neither is it possible for telephone 103 and telephone 205 to share a common telephone number, because the arrangement shown in Figure 1, which shares telephone number 107 between telephone 103 and telephone 105, is not applicable to separate networks. This limitation further restricts the Subscriber from accessing the same Subscriber services (such as his voice-mail box) from both telephones. From telephone 103 he can access Subscriber services 109 but not Subscriber services 209, whereas from telephone 205 he can access Subscriber services 209 but not Subscriber services 109.

In addition to the non-limiting example given above, there are other reasons to desire the capability of sharing a common telephone number and common Subscriber services between two telephones communicating over distinct networks. As noted previously, the GSM technology is a de facto standard in European and Asian markets, and Service Providers in other regions may wish to migrate their subscriber base to GSM. This can prove difficult in large markets, such as the North American market, where a substantial infrastructure investment is needed to duplicate the coverage of the existing TDMA network in a parallel GSM network. Accordingly, a Service Provider might prefer to introduce the new GSM network gradually into operation. Unfortunately, however, this means that the GSM network may be put into operation without full coverage of the subscriber area. In order to obtain full coverage, therefore, it may therefore be necessary for the Subscriber to continue to utilize an existing TDMA telephone in addition to a new GSM telephone (or, alternatively, a single telephone that can communicate with both a TDMA network and a GSM network). Thus, there are other cases where a Subscriber may have two different telephones communicating over two different networks, where the same telephone number may be desired for both telephones, and access to the same Subscriber services may be desired for both telephones as well.

Even in cases where the Subscriber has only a single telephone and wishes to move from a TDMA telephone to a GSM telephone, there are limitations of the prior art systems. In particular, and as noted above, the Service Provider cannot assign the Subscriber's original telephone number (which was associated with a TDMA network) to the new telephone (which is associated with a GSM network). As a result, the Subscriber cannot keep his original telephone number, and the need to make the change may incur considerable inconvenience to the Subscriber.

Not only do the limitations described above create a disadvantage to the Subscriber, but from a more general marketing standpoint it is noted that the Subscriber is not expected to be aware of the technical aspects of the different cellular telephone technologies and networks based thereon. To the Subscriber, the differences between one cellular telephone and another involve issues such as size, cost, and other tangible consumer features. The subscriber market is thus not to be expected to be understanding of the technical limitations created by incompatibilities between telephones in different networks. As a consequence, any limitations in technical compatibility between different cellular networks can result in marketing disadvantages to the Service Provider as well as inconvenience to the Subscribers.

As noted previously, the examples presented above are provided solely to illustrate the nature of consequences resulting from the technical incompatibilities of different networks that are in simultaneous use, and are not intended to imply that the limitations of current systems affect only such cases. In particular, the above examples of prior art limitations can be extended to any combination of several telephones installed in automobiles and carried on one's person (such as two different telephones installed in two different automobiles, two different telephones carried on one's person, and so forth), and can also be extended to a single telephone capable of communicating over several different networks. Furthermore, although the illustrations and examples presented herein are expressed in terms of TDMA and GSM networks, it is understood that the technical limitations of existing cellular communications systems are not restricted to such networks, but are encountered in cellular networks of all types. Moreover, the limitations of the prior art affect not only cellular telephones, but mobile stations in general, including, but not limited to cellular telephones and wireless data terminals.

There is thus a need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have, a method and system whereby different cellular networks can be utilized together to provide telephone number transparency and complete unity of Subscriber services to the Subscriber. These goals are met by the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an objective of the present invention to provide a method and system for allowing two cellular telephones communicating over distinct networks to share a common telephone number, such that one telephone may be designated as the primary telephone and that the other telephone may be designated as the secondary telephone, and such that identical Subscriber services are accessible from both telephones in the same manner. Another objective of the present invention is to allow the primary and secondary telephone to be able to access the same Subscriber services in an identical manner, and that Subscriber services which would otherwise be available on only one of the networks would be available to the subscriber on either telephone. It is also an objective of the present invention to provide a method and system for allowing a single multi-network mobile station (a mobile station which is capable of communicating over more than one network) to communicate in exactly the same manner (with respect to telephone number and Subscriber services), as far as the Subscriber is concerned, regardless of the network over which the multi-network mobile station communicates.

It is an additional objective of the present invention to provide telephone number transparency, such that a given telephone number may be assigned by a Service Provider to a given Subscriber telephone regardless of the specific network or networks over which that given Subscriber telephone communicates.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a means by which two telephones communicating over different networks and having a common telephone number may intercommunicate with one another via the networks.

It is a still further objective of the present invention to provide a means by which two telephones communicating over different networks and having a common telephone number may simultaneously engage in independent communications, and that in the event that coverage is not available for one of the networks, the telephone of the other network is capable of communicating in a normal fashion.

Definitions The foregoing and following descriptions of the present invention and the background thereof make reference to the terms below which herein denote Cell site — a portion of a specified network including a transceiver and an antenna at an allocated frequency band, and which is not shared with any other network.

Mobile Station ■ any mobile (wireless) device that can communicate with a network, including, but not limited to wireless telephones and wireless data terminals. A mobile station can be said to communicate "over" or "in" a network if that mobile station is capable of communicating and functioning with that network, Network ■ a communication system for which there is at least one mobile station that can communicate thereover, at least one cell site (unique to the network and not shared with any other network), and at least one switch (unique to the network and not shared with any other network).

Page an attempt by a network to place a call to a mobile station.

Primary telephone the principal telephone of a multiplicity of telephones for which a network, upon receiving an incoming call, initiates a page before initiating a page for any other telephone. Similarly, a primary mobile station.

Secondary telephone the telephone of a multiplicity of telephones for which a network, upon receiving an incoming call, initiates a page only upon a failure of the page (not reachable, busy, or no answer) of the primary telephone of that multiplicity. Similarly, a secondary mobile station.

Service Provider — a commercial entity which offers cellular telephony services and related Subscriber services to the public.

Subscriber — an individual who obtains cellular telephony services and related Subscriber services from a Service provider.

Subscriber services — services provided to the Subscriber by the Service Provider which include, but are not limited to: voice mail, voice mail notifications, e-mail, Internet access, caller ID, unified billing, and VPN (virtual private network).

As noted previously, the illustrations and examples herein are expressed in terms of TDMA networks and GSM networks. The present invention, however, is not limited to these particular networks, but can be applied to different cellular networks in general. It is further noted that although the present invention is illustrated herein as providing for the sharing of a common telephone number and Subscriber services between two distinct networks, the present invention is not limited to two distinct networks, but may also be extended to greater numbers of distinct networks. It is moreover noted that although the present invention is illustrated herein in terms of cellular telephones, the present invention is not limited to such devices, but also applies to other mobile devices as well, such as mobile data terminals.

It will also be understood that the system according to the present invention may be a suitably programmed computer. Thus, the invention contemplates a computer program being readable by a computer for executing the method of the invention. The present invention further contemplates a machine-readable memory tangibly embodying a program of instructions in data storage executable by a machine for performing the method of the invention. The present invention moreover contemplates a machine-readable memory tangibly embodying a computer program executable by a machine for emulating the system of the invention.

Therefore,, according to the present invention there is provided a cellular communications system for use by a subscriber, the system including: (a) a plurality of networks, each having at least one mobile station operative to communicating thereover; and (b) a common telephone number which is shared among at least one mobile station, wherein each of the mobile station is operative to communicating over at least one network of the plurality of networks; (c) wherein the subscriber can utilize any of the mobile station to conduct communications according to the common telephone number in an identical fashion.

Also, according to the present invention there is provided a cellular communications system for use by a subscriber, the system including: (a) a plurality of networks, each having at least one mobile station operative to communicating thereover; and (b) a common set of subscriber services which is shared among at least one mobile station each of which is operative to communicating in a network of the plurality of networks; (c) wherein the subscriber can utilize any of the plurality of mobile stations to access the common set of subscriber services in an identical fashion.

In addition, according to the present invention there is provided a method for terminating an incoming call to a common telephone number shared between a primary mobile station and a secondary mobile station; wherein the primary mobile station communicates over a first network having a first gateway and a first switching center connected to a mobile number portability platform; wherein the secondary mobile station communicates over a second network having a second gateway and a second switching center; wherein the primary mobile station has a first inherent telephone number and the secondary mobile station has a second inherent telephone number; and wherein a first call forwarding to the second inherent telephone number is associated with the primary mobile station; the method including the steps of: (a) upon receiving the incoming call to the common telephone number, directing the incoming call to the second gateway; (b) constructing a derivative telephone number which is an unambiguous function of the common telephone number; (c) issuing a call delivery to the first gateway using the derivative telephone number; (d) obtaining the recovered inherent telephone number of the primary mobile station from the derivative telephone number; (e) issuing a call delivery to the first switching center using the recovered inherent telephone number of the primary mobile station; (f) issuing a first page to the primary mobile station; (g) upon failure of the first page, performing the first call forward to the second inherent telephone number via the mobile number portability platform; (h) upon response from the mobile number portability platform that the second inherent telephone number does not exist within the first network, issuing a call delivery to the second gateway; and (i) issuing a second page to the secondary mobile station.

Furthermore, according to the present invention there is provided a method for registering a mobile station having an inherent telephone number with a network; wherein the network has a switching center with a visitor location register; wherein the network has a home location register; and wherein the registering associates a common telephone number with the mobile station distinct from the inherent telephone number; the method including the steps of: (a) issuing a registration of the mobile station with the visitor location register, using the inherent telephone number; (b) sending a registration notification to the home location register, using the inherent telephone number; and (c) returning a registration notification response to the visitor location register using the common telephone number.

Moreover, according to the present invention there is provided a method of accessing subscriber services associated with a common telephone number from a mobile station communicating over a network having a mobile switching center with a visitor location register; wherein the mobile station has an inherent telephone number distinct from the common telephone number; and wherein the network is operative to accessing a server providing such subscriber services; the method including the steps of: (a) requesting access of subscriber services and identifying the mobile station to the visitor location register according to the inherent telephone number; (b) relating the inherent telephone number to the common telephone number; (c) sending the common telephone number to the switching center; and (d) issuing a call delivery for the requested subscriber services to the server. - 12a - 148926/2 According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided a first single-protocol mobile station operative over a first wireless single-protocol network having a Home Location Register (HLR) accommodating a configuration that includes a Calling Line Identity (CLI) that is associated with said first mobile station, wherein said HLR is configured to provide said first mobile station a new CLI, said new Calling Line Identity is associated with a second single-protocol mobile station, and wherein said second single-protocol mobile station is operative over a second wireless single-protocol network incompatible with said first wireless single-protocol network.

According to another embodiment of the invention there is provided a method for wireless multi-protocol communication, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first single-protocol mobile station operative over a first wireless single-protocol network having a Home Location Register (HLR) accommodating a configuration that includes a Calling Line Identity (CLI) associated with said first mobile station; (b) configuring said first mobile station for accessing a common subscriber service; and (c) configuring a second single-protocol mobile station to be operable over a second wireless single-protocol network incompatible with said first wireless single-protocol network and to access said common subscriber service; and (d) configuring said HLR to provide said first mobile station a new CLI, said new CLI is associated with said second single-protocol mobile station.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention there is provided a wireless multi-protocol communications system for use by a subscriber, the system comprising: (a) a plurality of incompatible wireless single-protocol networks; (b) a plurality of single-protocol mobile stations, such that for each of said wireless single-protocol networks there is at least one of said single-protocol mobile stations operative to communicating thereover; and - 12b - 148926/2 (c) a common telephone number which is shared among at least two of said mobile stations which are operative to communicating over incompatible wireless single-protocol networks; wherein at least a first of said at least two mobile stations is operative over a first network having a Home Location Register (HLR) accommodating a configuration that includes a Calling Line Identity (CLI) associated with the first mobile station; said HLR is configured to comprise a new CLI, said CLI is associated with said common telephone number, thereby allowing the subscriber to utilize any of said at least two mobile stations to conduct communications according to said common telephone number.

According to another embodiment of the invention there is provided a wireless multi-protocol communications system for use by a subscriber, the system comprising: (a) a plurality of incompatible wireless single-protocol networks; (b) a plurality of single-protocol mobile stations, such that for each of said wireless single-protocol networks there is at least one of said single-protocol mobile stations operative to communicating thereover; and (c) common subscriber service which is shared among at least two of said mobile stations which are operative to communicating over incompatible wireless single-protocol networks, wherein at least a first of said at least two mobile stations is operative over a first network having a Home Location Register (HLR) accommodating a configuration that includes a Calling Line Identity (CLI) associated with the first mobile station; said HLR is configured to comprise a new CLI, said CLI is associated with a common telephone number, thereby allowing the subscriber to utilize any of said at least two mobile stations to access said common subscriber service in a substantially identical fashion.

According to another embodiment of the invention there is provided a method for accessing common subscriber services associated with a common telephone number from a single-protocol mobile station communicating over a - 12c - 148926/2 single-protocol network having a mobile switching center with a visitor location register; wherein the mobile station has an inherent telephone number distinct from the common telephone number; and wherein the network is operative to accessing a server providing such common subscriber services; the method comprising the steps of: (a) requesting access of common subscriber services and identifying the mobile station to the visitor location register according to the inherent telephone number; (b) relating the inherent telephone number to the common telephone number; (c) sending the common telephone number to the switching center; and (d) issuing a call delivery for the requested common subscriber services to the server, wherein said common telephone number is associated with a second single-protocol mobile station operating over a second wireless single-protocol network incompatible with said first single protocol network.

According to another embodiment of the invention there are provided computer programs operative to effecting the wireless multi-protocol communications systems and methods described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 conceptually illustrates a prior art scheme for assigning a primary and secondary telephone sharing a common telephone number and Subscriber services in a single network.

Figure 2 conceptually illustrates a prior art configuration of two different networks supporting call forwarding between two telephones which share neither a common telephone number nor common Subscriber services.

Figure 3 conceptually illustrates a configuration according to the present invention allowing two telephones in different networks to share a common telephone number and common Subscriber services.

Figure 4 is a block diagram of a configuration according to the present invention showing the principal communication elements involved and showing how two networks combine their calling records together for unified Subscriber billing.

Figure 5 shows the terminating call flow that takes place when a call is received and handled by the dual network configuration of the present invention.

Figure 6 shows registration call flow and the CLIDN feature downloaded to the Subscriber.

Figure 7 shows access-to-voice-mail call flow, wherein the Subscriber is identified via his real number while his telephone is identified with a virtual number.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The principles and operation of a system and method according to the present invention may be understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description. The following descriptions and the accompanying drawings are of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and solely for the purpose of illustrating the operation thereof, and do not limit the scope or applicability of the invention.

As previously noted, the present invention pertains to mobile stations in general (such as wireless data terminals), and is not limited to telephony. It is common in the art to refer to a wireless telephone as a "mobile station," abbreviated as "MS". Accordingly, and for consistency, the examples and drawings herein make reference to such an element of the present invention equivalently as a "telephone" or as an "MS" (Mobile Station). It is to be understood that such an element identified by a particular reference number in a drawing or description may be variously referred to by the term "telephone", "MS" (Mobile Station), or both. Furthermore, in keeping with the non-limiting examples of GSM and TDMA networks which are used for the purposes of illustrating the present invention, these elements may variously be associated with GSM or TDMA networks in the drawings and descriptions.

Figure 3 conceptually illustrates a configuration according to the present invention, having telephone 103 communicating over network 101, and telephone 205 communicating over network 201. The telephones and networks shown in Figure 3 are the same as those shown in Figure 2, to illustrate the similarities of the present invention with respect to the prior art, but unlike the prior art of Figure 2, the present invention provides a common telephone number 301 (052499035) which is used to access both telephone 103 and telephone 205, so that an incoming call 305 will be routed first to primary telephone 205, and thence to secondary telephone 103 if telephone 205 is not reachable, is busy, or does not answer. Also, unified Subscriber services 303 are accessible in exactly the same manner to both telephone 103 and telephone 205. Furthermore, telephone 103 and telephone 205 can simultaneously conduct independent communications, and, in particular, a communication link 307 can be established between telephone 103 and telephone 205.

As will be detailed below, at the device level, telephone 103 and telephone 205 do not have the same telephone number. The system according to the present invention, however, makes it look to the users as if telephone 103 and telephone 205 do in all practical ways have the same telephone number.

Descriptions and drawings that follow make reference to applicable industry standards, nomenclature, and terminology. For TDMA this includes IS-41 (Interim Standard 41), and for GSM this includes MAP (Mobile Application Protocol). The IS-41 standard is also referred to as TIA/EIA-41 (Telecommunications Industry Association / Electronics Industry Alliance). These standards are well-known in the art.

Figure 4 is a block diagram of a network configuration according to the present invention, showing the principal communication elements involved and how unified billing is accomplished. A primary GSM MS (such as a GSM telephone) 205 communicates with a GSM MSC (Mobile Switching Center) 405 which contains a VLR (Visitor Location Register) 407. Likewise, a secondary TDMA MS 103 (such as a TDMA telephone) communicates with a TDMA MSC 415 which contains a VLR 417. Also involved in communications are a GSM MSC-G (Gateway MSC) 411, an MNP (Mobile Number Portability) platform 420 accessible to GSM MSC-G 411, a TDMA MSC-G 413, a GSM HLR (Home Location Register) 409, and a TDMA HLR 419. A CDR (Call Detail Record) 431 is sent from GSM MSC 405 to a mediation device 421, which puts the data of the CDR into a uniform format for processing by a billing system 423. In a similar manner, GSM MSC-G 411, TDMA MSC-G 427, and TDMA MSC 415 send a CDR 429, CDR 427, and CDR 425, respectively, to mediation device 421 for formatting and sending to billing system 423 to prepare a unified billing statement to the Subscriber, which combines the Subscriber's billable activity on both telephone 205 and telephone 103.

It is to be noted that in Figure 4, primary telephone 205 is shown as a GSM MS with a telephone number 052499035, which is the same as the common telephone number 305 (Figure 3) that is to be associated with both primary telephone 205 and secondary telephone 103. In Figure 4, however, secondary telephone 103 is shown as a TDMA MS with a telephone number 064120123. The telephone numbers in Figure 4 are those which would normally be associated with the respective telephones. To avoid confusion between the numbers that are normally associated with the telephones and the common number that is to be shared by telephones in a system according to the present invention, the term "inherent telephone number" herein denotes the telephone number assigned at the device level to a mobile station, which is normally associated with that telephone in a prior art network. In contrast, the term "common telephone number" herein denotes the shared number which is associated with more than one telephone at the system level in a system according to the present invention. Thus, the telephone numbers in Figure 4 are inherent telephone numbers, whereas telephone number 305 in Figure 3 is a common telephone number. It is possible that a common telephone number can be the same as an inherent telephone number, as is the case illustrated in Figure 4, where the inherent telephone number of primary telephone GSM MS 205 is the same as common telephone number 305 in Figure 3.

Figure 5 (with reference also to Figure 4 regarding the indicated network components) illustrates the terminating call flow according to the present invention, showing how an incoming call 523 to the common number 052499035 (telephone number 305 of Figure 3) is routed first to primary MS 205, and then to secondary MS 103 when primary MS 205 does not respond (no answer, not reachable, or busy). TDMA MS-G 413 issues a locating request 525 for the called number to TDMA HLR 419, which sends back a return result of CFU (Call Forward Unconditional) 527 to the number 9952499035. The digits '99' are a prefix according to the present invention, which has been pre-configured during system provisioning to be affixed to the CFU, and signify that the call is to be forwarded to the GSM network (network 201 of Figure 3), in which primary MS 205 communicates, as detailed in the following actions. In general terms, the method of the present invention involves construction of a derivative telephone number which is an unambiguous function of common telephone number 301 (Figure 3) that can be unequivocally recognized by the system as being designated for routing to the primary telephone, and from which can be recovered the inherent telephone number of the primary telephone. In this example, such an unambiguous function is effected by using the inherent telephone number of primary telephone GSM MS 205 as common telephone number 301 and then affixing a prefix thereto; and the inversion of the function is effected by removing the prefix (where all such operations ignore the leading 0 in the telephone number of this example). The construction of a suitable derivative telephone number can be accomplished through other functions, however, and is not necessarily limited to the affixing of a prefix, nor does it necessarily involve using the inherent telephone number of the primary telephone as the common telephone number (although doing so clearly simplifies the process). A suitable unambiguous function could also be affected by utilizing a lookup table to map the common telephone number into a unique derivative number, and then recovering the inherent telephone number of the primary telephone by using another lookup table. Although such functions are feasible, however, they introduce considerable complexity.

Continuing with the call flow, TDMA MSC-G 413 then issues an ISUP (Integrated Services User Part) call delivery procedure 529 for the number 9952499035 to GSM MSC-G 411, which follows with an SRI (Send Routing Information) 531 to GSM HLR 409. GSM HLR 409 in turn sends a PRN (Provide Routing Number) 533 to VLR 407 incorporated into GSM MSC 405 (Figure 4). VLR 407 then sends back a PRN acknowledge 535, which GSM HLR 409 receives and uses to issue an SRI acknowledge 537 with an MSRN (Mobile Station Roaming Number) to GSM MSC-G 411. Then, GSM MSC-G 411 issues an ISUP call delivery procedure 539 to GSM MSC 405. Following this, GSM MSC 405 issues a page 541 to primary MS 205.

At this point, if primary MS 205 is answered, the terminating call flow is complete. However, if primary MS 205 is not reachable, is busy, or is not answered, a response 543 is made to GSM MSC 405, which then issues an OCCF (Operator-Controlled Call Forward) SRI 545 to telephone number 064120123 to MNP platform 420. This OCCF SRI has been pre-determined during system configuration to be the response when primary MS 205 fails to answer. OCCF SRI 545 arrives at MNP platform 420, which determines that telephone number 064120123 does not exist within the GSM network (network 201 of Figure 3). MNP platform 420 then returns SRI acknowledgment 547 to GSM MSC 405. Next, GSM MSC 405 initiates an ISUP call delivery procedure 549 to TDMA MSC-G 413, which then processes this as an incoming call by issuing a locate request 551 to TDMA HLR 419. TDMA HLR 419 then sends a router request 553 to TDMA MSC VLR 417, which answers with a router request return result TLDN (Temporary Local Directory Number) 557. After this, TDMA HLR 419 answers a locate request return result 555 to TDMA MSC-G 413, which issues an ISUP call delivery procedure 559 to TDMA MSC 415.

Finally, TDMA MSC 415 issues a page 561 to secondary telephone TDMA MS 103 to complete the termination.

It is noted that the terminating call flow of the present invention, as illustrated in Figure 5, is asymmetrical, in that incoming calls are always directed to TDMA MSC-G 413, and in that only GSM MSC-G 411 is associated with MNP capabilities (through MNP platform 420). This asymmetry determines which of the telephones is effectively the "primary" telephone, and which is effectively the "secondary" telephone. As shown in Figure 5, the telephone which communicates in the network whose gateway MSC receives the incoming calls is the "secondary" telephone, because the initial page (page 541) is directed to the telephone communicating over the other network.

Figure 6 illustrates the call flow for registration of secondary telephone TDMA MS 103 with network 101 (Figure 3), in order that secondary telephone TDMA MS 103 can be associated with the same CLI as primary telephone GSM MS 205 (Figure 4). TDMA MS 103 initiates a registration 601 to TDMA MSC-0 (Originating MSC) VLR 417 referencing the secondary telephone number 064120123, which is associated with TDMA MS 103. Then, TDMA MSC-0 VLR 417 sends a registration notification 603 to TDMA HLR 419, also referencing the secondary telephone number 064120123. Finally, TDMA HLR 419 responds with a registration notification return result 605, referencing the primary telephone number 052499035 as the CLIDN (Calling Line Identity Directory Number), which is associated with GSM MS 205 (Figure 4). Secondary telephone TDMA MS 103 is thus registered in such a manner as to be associated with common telephone number 301 (Figure 3). It is noted that a variant of this call flow could also be used to register a primary telephone, but doing so would require corresponding changes to the configuration of the networks as well as the terminating call flow illustrated in Figure 5.

Figure 7 illustrates the call flow by which secondary telephone TDMA MS 103, having the telephone number 064120123, accesses the voice mail box of primary telephone GSM MS 205 (Figure 2), which has the telephone number 052499035. This procedure is exemplary of the way in which secondary telephone TDMA MS 103 accesses Subscriber services 209 (Figure 2), which are associated with primary telephone 205. Along with a request for the desired Subscriber services, secondary telephone TDMA MS 103 identifies itself to TDMA MSC-S (Serving MSC) VLR 417 as being associated with telephone number 064120123 (secondary telephone number 208 in Figure 2) in a CLI 705. Following this, TDMA MSC-S VLR 417 relates secondary telephone TDMA MS 103 to a CLIDN 707 associated with telephone number 052499035 (primary telephone number 207 in Figure 2). TDMA MSC-S 415 then initiates an ISUP call delivery procedure 713 across a DMS (Digital Multiplex System) 701 to a voice mail server 703 for VM (Voice Mail) associated with primary telephone number 052499035. ISUP call delivery procedure 713 uses a DN (Directory Number) 980552499035, where the prefix 9805 is a standard prefix applied to a telephone number to access the associated voice mail. In a manner similar to that discussed above for registration, a variant of this call flow could also be used by a primary telephone to access Subscriber services associated with the secondary telephone.

It is noted that the call flow illustrated in Figure 7 may be extended in a straightforward way to handle Subscriber services in general provided by suitable servers, and is not limited to voice mail.

As noted previously, the illustrations and examples herein are expressed in terms of cellular telephones communicating over a TDMA network and on a GSM network. The present invention, however, is not limited to this particular configuration, but can be applied to general mobile stations communicating over an arbitrary multiplicity of different networks utilizing general wireless technologies.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.

Claims

- 22 - 148926/2 CLAIMS:

1. A first single-protocol mobile station operative over a first wireless single-protocol network having a Home Location Register (HLR) accommodating a configuration that includes a Calling Line Identity (CLI) that is associated with said first mobile station, wherein said HLR is configured to provide said first mobile station a new CLI, said new Calling Line Identity is associated with a second single-protocol mobile station, and wherein said second single-protocol mobile station is operative over a second wireless single-protocol network incompatible with said first wireless single-protocol network.

2. The first single-protocol mobile station according to claim 1, wherein said second single-protocol network is a GSM network and, wherein said first single-protocol is a TDMA network.

3. The first single-protocol mobile station according to claim 1 wherein said second mobile station has a configuration comprising an inherent telephone number, and wherein said new CLI is associated with the inherent telephone number of the second single-protocol mobile station.

4. The first single-protocol mobile station according to claim 3, wherein said first mobile station is a TDMA mobile station operating over a single protocol TDMA network and said second mobile station is a GSM mobile station operating over a single protocol GSM network.

5. The first single protocol mobile station of claim 1, wherein said second mobile station is further configured to have a CLI Directory Number and wherein said new Calling Line Identity (CLI) is associated with said second single-protocol mobile station by defining said new CLI as the CLI Directory Number of said second Mobile Station. - 23 - 148926/2

6. The first single-protocol mobile station according to claim 1 having a configuration for using said new CLI for accessing a common subscriber service, wherein said common subscriber service is accessible by said second single-protocol mobile station.

7. The first single-protocol mobile station according to claim 6 wherein said second single-protocol network is a GSM network and wherein said first single-protocol network is a TDMA network.

8. The first single-protocol mobile station of claim 6, wherein said second mobile station further has a configuration comprising a telephone number, and wherein said new CLI is associated with the telephone number of said second single-protocol mobile station.

9. The first single-protocol mobile station of claim 6, wherein said second mobile station further having a configuration comprising a CLI Directory Number and wherein said new Calling Line Identity (CLI) is associated with said second single-protocol mobile station by defining said CLI as the CLI Directory Number of said second Mobile Station.

10. The first single-protocol mobile station of claim 6, wherein said common subscriber service is selected from a group containing voice mail, voice mail notifications, e-mail, Internet access, caller ID, unified billing, voice-activated dialing, and virtual private network.

11. A method for wireless multi-protocol communication, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first single-protocol mobile station operative over a first wireless single-protocol network having a Home Location Register (HLR) - 24 - 148926/2 accommodating a configuration that includes a Calling Line Identity (CLI) associated with said first mobile station; (b) configuring said first mobile station for accessing a common subscriber service; and (c) configuring a second single-protocol mobile station to be operable over a second wireless single-protocol network incompatible with said first wireless single-protocol network and to access said common subscriber service; and (d) configuring said HLR to provide said first mobile station a new CLI, said new CLI is associated with said second single-protocol mobile station.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said second single-protocol mobile station is associated with a telephone number, and wherein said new CLI of said first single-protocol mobile station is also associated with said telephone number.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said second single-protocol mobile station further having a configuration comprising a CLI Directory Number and wherein said new Calling Line Identity, is associated with said second single-protocol mobile station by defining said CLI as the CLI Directory Number of said second Mobile Station.

14. The method of claim 1 1, wherein said common subscriber service is selected from a group containing voice mail, voice mail notifications, e-mail, Internet access, caller ID, unified billing, voice-activated dialing, and virtual private network.

15. A wireless multi -protocol communications system for use by a subscriber, the system comprising: (a) a plurality of incompatible wireless single-protocol networks; - 25 - 148926/2 (b) a plurality of single-protocol mobile stations, such that for each of said wireless single-protocol networks there is at least one of said single-protocol mobile stations operative to communicating thereover; and (c) a common telephone number which is shared among at least two of said mobile stations which are operative to communicating over incompatible wireless single-protocol networks; wherein at least a first of said at least two mobile stations is operative over a first network having a Home Location Register (HLR) accommodating a configuration that includes a Calling Line Identity (CLI) associated with the first mobile station; said HLR is configured to comprise a new CLI, said CLI is associated with said common telephone number, thereby allowing the subscriber to utilize any of said at least two mobile stations to conduct communications according to said common telephone number.

16. A computer program operative to effecting the system of claim 15.

17. The wireless multi-protocol communications system of claim 15, further comprising: (d) at least one common subscriber service which is shared among at least two of said mobile stations which are operative to communicating over incompatible wireless single-protocol networks; wherein the subscriber can utilize any of said at least two mobile stations to access said at least one common subscriber service in a substantially identical fashion.

18. A computer program operative to effecting the system of claim 17.

19. The wireless multi-protocol communications system of claim 15, wherein one mobile station of said plurality of mobile stations is a primary telephone, and wherein, upon receiving an incoming call, the communications system initiates a first page for said primary telephone before initiating a page for any other - 26 - 148926/2 telephone.

20. A computer program operative to effecting the system of claim 19.

21. The wireless multi-protocol communications system of claim 15, wherein one mobile station is a primary telephone, wherein another mobile station is a secondary telephone, and wherein, upon receiving an incoming call, the communications system initiates a first page for said primary telephone and simultaneously initiates a second page for said secondary telephone.

22. A computer program operative to effecting the system of claim 21.

23. The wireless multi-protocol communications system of claim 19, wherein one mobile station is a secondary telephone, wherein said secondary telephone is distinct from said primary telephone, and wherein upon receiving an incoming call, the communications system initiates a second page for said secondary telephone only upon failure of said first page.

24. A computer program operative to effecting the system of claim 23.

25. The wireless multi-protocol communications system of claim 15, wherein two mobile stations are operative to intercommunicating with one another.

26. A computer program operative to effecting the system of claim 25.

27. A wireless multi-protocol communications system for use by a subscriber, the system comprising: (a) a plurality of incompatible wireless single-protocol networks; - 27 - 148926/2 (b) a plurality of single-protocol mobile stations, such that for each of said wireless single-protocol networks there is at least one of said single-protocol mobile stations operative to communicating thereover; and (c) common subscriber service which is shared among at least two of said mobile stations which are operative to communicating over incompatible wireless single-protocol networks, wherein at least a first of said at least two mobile stations is operative over a first network having a Home Location Register (HLR) accommodating a configuration that includes a Calling Line Identity (CLI) associated with the first mobile station; said HLR is configured to comprise a new CLI, said CLI is associated with a common telephone number, thereby allowing the subscriber to utilize any of said at least two mobile stations to access said common subscriber service in a substantially identical fashion.

28. A computer program operative to effecting the system of claim 27.

29. The wireless multi-protocol communications system of claim 27, wherein said common subscriber service is selected from a group containing voice mail, voice mail notifications, e-mail, Internet access, caller ID, unified billing, voice-activated dialing, and virtual private network.

30. A computer program operative to effecting the system of claim 29.

31. The wireless multi-protocol communications system of claim 27, wherein said common subscriber service includes at least one service that is not available on all networks of said plurality of incompatible single-protocol networks.

32. A computer program operative to effecting the system of claim 31.

33. The wireless multi-protocol communications system of claim 27, wherein - 28 - 148926/2 said mobile stations are operative to intercommunicating with one another.

34. A computer program operative to effecting the system of claim 33.

35. A method for terminating an incoming call to a common telephone number shared between a primary single-protocol mobile station and a secondary single-protocol mobile station; wherein the primary mobile station communicates over a first single-protocol network having a first gateway and a first switching center connected to a mobile number portability platform; wherein the secondary mobile station communicates over a second single-protocol network having a second gateway and a second switching center; wherein the primary mobile station has a first inherent telephone number and the secondary mobile station has a second inherent telephone number; and wherein a first call forwarding to the second inherent telephone number is associated with the primary mobile station; the method comprising the steps of: (a) upon receiving the incoming call to the common telephone number, directing said incoming call to the second gateway; (b) constructing a derivative telephone number which is an unambiguous function of the common telephone number; (c) issuing a call delivery to the first gateway using said derivative telephone number; (d) obtaining the recovered inherent telephone number of the primary mobile station from said derivative telephone number; (e) issuing a call delivery to the first switching center using said recovered inherent telephone number of the primary mobile station; (f) issuing a first page to the primary mobile station; (g) upon failure of said first page, performing said first call forward to the second inherent telephone number via the mobile number portability platform; - 29 - 148926/2 (h) upon response from the mobile number portability platform that the second inherent telephone number does not exist within the first network, issuing a call delivery to the second gateway; and (i) issuing a second page to the secondary mobile station.

36. A computer program operative to performing the method of claim 35.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the common telephone number is the first inherent telephone number.

38. A computer program operative to performing the method of claim 37.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein said constructing a derivative telephone number affixes a prefix, and wherein said obtaining the recovered inherent telephone removes said prefix.

40. A computer program operative to performing the method of claim 39.

41. A method for registering a first single-protocol mobile station with a first single-protocol network; the mobile station having a Calling Line Identity (CLI) associated with an inherent telephone number; the network includes a switching center with a visitor location register and has a home location register configured to provide the mobile station with a new CLI associated with a common telephone number; said common telephone number is associated with a second single-protocol mobile station operative over a second wireless single-protocol network incompatible with said first single-protocol network; the method comprising the steps of: (a) issuing a registration of the mobile station with the visitor location register, using the inherent telephone number; - 30 - 148926/2 (b) sending a Registration Notification to the home location register, using the inherent telephone number; and (c) returning a Registration Notification response to the visitor location register using the common telephone number.

42. A computer program operative to performing the method of claim 41.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein the mobile station is a secondary mobile station.

44. A computer program operative to performing the method of claim 43.

45. The method of claim 41, wherein the mobile station is a primary mobile station.

46. A computer program operative to performing the method of claim 45.

47. The method of claim 45, wherein the common telephone number is associated with a secondary single-protocol mobile station that is incompatible with the network.

48. A computer program operative to performing the method of claim 47.

49. A method for accessing common subscriber services associated with a common telephone number from a single-protocol mobile station communicating over a single-protocol network having a mobile switching center with a visitor location register; wherein the mobile station has an inherent telephone number distinct from the common telephone number; and wherein the network is operative to accessing a server providing such common subscriber services; the method comprising the steps of: - 31 - 148926/2 (a) requesting access of common subscriber services and identifying the mobile station to the visitor location register according to the inherent telephone number; (b) relating the inherent telephone number to the common telephone number; (c) sending the common telephone number to the switching center; and (d) issuing a call delivery for the requested common subscriber services to the server, wherein said common telephone number is associated with a second single-protocol mobile station operating over a second wireless single-protocol network incompatible with said first single protocol network.

50. A computer program operative to performing the method of claim 49.

51. The method of claim 49, wherein the mobile station is a secondary mobile station.

52. A computer program operative to performing the method of claim 51.

53. The method of claim 51, wherein the common telephone number is associated with a primary single-protocol mobile station that is incompatible with the single-protocol network.

54. A computer program operative to performing the method of claim 53.

55. The method of claim 49, wherein the mobile station is a primary mobile station.

56. A computer program operative to performing the method of claim 55. - 32 - 148926/2

57. The method of claim 55, wherein the common telephone number is associated with a secondary single-protocol mobile station that is incompatible with the single-protocol network.

58. A computer program operative to performing the method of claim 57. For the Applicants, REINHOLD COHN AND PARTNERS