WO2001060092A2

WO2001060092A2 - Phone service provisioning

Info

Publication number: WO2001060092A2
Application number: PCT/US2001/004319
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eran Netanel; Serge Plotkin; Alon Segal
Original assignee: Telespree Communications
Priority date: 2000-02-10
Filing date: 2001-02-09
Publication date: 2001-08-16
Also published as: AU2001234985A1; WO2001060092A3

Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed which provides for the switching from service providers on dial-up connection. A user connection device like a cellular phone is programmed to receive command functions. The command functions allow the user to navigate across services provided through the dial-up connection. Once a first service is activated, a second service can be connected to automatically by selecting from a menu option. Navigation can also be performed by voice activation.

Description

PHONE SERVICE PROVISIONING

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to services accessible by wireless devices. More

particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus and to a family of methods

that provide for the installation, and use of various services that are

accessible by wireless devices, without integration of the services into the

system of the wireless service provider.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Voice messaging, online stock trading, voice mail, and web browsing are

examples of services currently offered to wireless subscribers. For a service

provider (SP) to enable such a service, he must contact a phone service

provider (PSP) i.e. AT&T, and obtain such information as a phone number

and a pricing plan. Once a service is enabled, a user can access such service

by calling the phone number.

SUBSTΓΠΠΈ SHEET (RULE 26) Currently, if a user wants to switch from one service to another, the service

must be tightly integrated into the PSP's system. Such tight integration

includes building protocols, messaging, modifying the billing system etc.

Alternatively, for a user to use multiple systems, he must hang up, look up

each service number, and dial it himself. The user must repeat this process to

move from service to service. Where the service is integrated, the switching is

performed internally by the PSP. For example, if a user is checking his voice

mail and then wants to do some online stock trading, the termination of the

voice mail and connection to the online stock trading is performed by the PSP.

This present system has many problems associated with it. For example, a

high turnaround time is required to bring a service into such an integrated

network. Sometimes this period may take as long as a year. There is also a

high cost to implement such services. Similarly, there is a high cost and

turnaround time to remove such a system. One reason for this is that there

exist several standards that define network architectures, such as TDMA,

CDMA and MAP for GSM.

U.S. Patent No. 5,960,072 ,Hird et al., Method and Apparatus for Altering the

Access Format of Telephone Calls, (September 28, 1999), discloses a pay telephone system having a telecommunication node that automatically

completes calls that would otherwise require the services of a live operator.

The pay telephone system does this by receiving the telephone number of the

user of the node. It then alters the access format of the number, from a format

that is billed directly to a remote location, to one that is billed to the local

station. While this invention teaches the tracking of a telephone number and

altering the access format, this invention does not teach a method or

apparatus for navigating through services.

U.S. Patent No. 5,862,475, Zicker, Communication System that Supports

Wireless Remote Programming Process, (January 19, 1999) discloses the

switching of dial-up calls from one system to another. A person using a

wireless communication product, such as a cellular phone, is automatically

switched from a standard cellular telephone mode to an enhanced cordless

mode when in close proximity to an enhanced cordless system. The goal of

this system is to provide high quality and continuous wireless connections for

a user. While Zicker does disclose the switching of a wireless connection, the

switching is done between carrier modes, not between services. What is needed is a way to provide services to a wireless customer that is not

overly cumbersome and costly to an SP. What is also needed is a way to

provide services that are seamless and easy to use by an end-user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method and apparatus is disclosed which provides for the switching from

service providers, on dial-up or data connection. A user connection device,

such as a cellular phone, is programmed to receive command functions and

lists. The command functions lists allow the user to navigate through and

across services provided through the dial-up connection. Once a first service

is connected, a second service can be connected to automatically, or by

selecting from a menu option. Command functions can also be performed and

stored by a network node. Navigation can also be performed by voice. The

cellular phone receives command functions by a navigator service, either

through a data transmission from a dial-up or data messaging connection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

SUBSTΓTLΠΈ SHEET (RULE 26) Figure 1 is a block schematic diagram showing an overall system view of a

service system according to the invention; and

Figure 2 is a flowchart, which illustrates connecting and switching services for

a navigator service according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Figure 1 is a block schematic diagram that illustrates the relationship between

several elements of the invention.

The mobile station (MS) 1 15 is the wireless device by which a user accesses

various services. Typically, the wireless device is a cell phone or personal

digital assistant. It is contemplated that a landline phone can also be used.

The MS is modified so that it can receive and store command function

(discussed infra). The modification can come in the form of modifying the

existing technology of the phone, or by adding a microchip capable of

receiving and storing the functions. Where an MS cannot receive command

functions, a service manager (discussed infra) is used to send and store

command functions. The MS 115 communicates through a base transmission station (BTS) 110.

The BTS 1 10 is a radio transmitter and receiver, and it facilitates

communication between the MS 115 and a base station controller (BSC) 120.

An example of such a BTS 1 10 is the QUANTAR produced by Motorola of

Schaumburg, IL

The BSC 120 interfaces one or more MS's to a dispatcher communications

network. The BSC helps transition communications systems from

conventional analog voice networks to state-of-the-art digital technologies. An

example of such a BSC 120 is the Universal Base Station Controller (UBSC),

A47720 produced by Safetran of Louisville, KY.

The mobile switching center (MSC) 130,140 is an automatic cellular mobile

system, providing the interface between the radio system and the public

switched telephone network. The MSC performs all signaling functions that

are necessary to establish calls to and from mobile stations. It also defines the

services that operators can offer to mobile phone users to differentiate

themselves. Also, the MSC may interface between the radio system and a prepay system (PPS) 170, a service manager 160, a service provider 150,

180, or another MSC.

A PPS 170 generally refers to calling plans where payment is made in

advance, and a certain amount of time is allotted for the use of calling

privileges. Such privileges include calling cards and wireless phones. Once a

user has spent his prepayment amount, he must renew or his privileges end.

As a user switches from plan to plan, the rate at which the user is charged is

also changed to reflect the current plan used. It is contemplated that a post

payment system would also function as a payment system.

The PPS tracks the time of use by the user, and makes charges based upon

a predetermined rate. The rate is calculated from many factors such as,

airtime, charge for first minute, bandwidth rate etc. Another factor is the

service used. Each service has its own rate. A service provider provides their

rate plan to the PPS so that the PPS can calculate the amount to charge a

user. For example, the voice mail rate may be two cents per minute, while the

checking email rate may be three cents a minute. The system tracks a

subscriber's use by the telephone number of the wireless device. A service manager 160 provides service management functions for one or

more MS's that want to navigate through a service but do not have command

list reception. The service manager does so through a command list

interpreter. The service manager is tightly integrated with the MSC and PPS

to drop and forward calls, without dropping the MS connection. A service

provider (SP) uploads the command function to the service manager, rather

than the MS. The service manager receives instructional input from the MS,

and the service manager then directs the MSC to connect the MS to the user

chosen SP.

For a cellular phone, one method of selecting options is by using the keypad.

The tone signals generated by the cell phone are used as the input signal to

indicate a selection. The service manager integration is done by standard

means for wireless networks, such as Customized Application for Mobile

network Enhanced Logic (CAMEL) for GSM. The method of integration is well

understood in the art, and is not disclosed in greater detail herein.

A SP 150,180, 195 is a company that offers their product or service,

accessible through an MS 1 15. Typical kinds of service offered are those that

can be implemented over a cell phone or PDA. Some examples are, voice messaging, online stock trading, voice mail, and web browsing. When a

service is accessed, a command list, typically a menu of options, allows

navigation through the services. Examples of commands are, dial number,

open data connection, connect for an x amount of time, query user for

selection, disconnect and exit.

A navigator service (SPN) 150 is a service offered by an SP (or by the PSP)

and provides directory service for other services offered by other SPs from

which a user can be forwarded to a selected service. When a user connects

to a SPN multiple service are offered from which the user can connect to,

using a command function list uploaded by the SPN to the MS. Depending on

the command list and the availability of the service manager this could be

done without having to terminate one connection, and reconnecting to

another. For example, a user connects to a SPN through his cellular phone.

The user is given a list on services from which he can connect. The selections

are, for keypad selection one, voice mail, keypad selection two, online trading,

etc. The user may switch between each of these choices without

disconnecting and dialing the next service. A public switched telephone network (PSTN) 190 is a landline access. An MS

115 can connect to the PSTN 190 and access a service provider (SPB) 195

that is available through the PSTN 195.

Figure 2 is a flowchart that illustrates how a user goes through the process of

connecting to a service, through a navigator service, and then subsequently

changing from one service to another service. The flowchart is also illustrative

of the similar process where switching is performed outside a navigator

service.

A user starts connecting to a service by first dialing the navigator service

S210. After the call connects, the user receives a descriptive greeting S215

letting him know which navigator service he has dialed.

Dual authentification occurs at this time. Authentification can occur at any

point where there is an exchange of data. For example, the SP authenticates

that the MS has proper authorization to access the system, and also checks

the services to which the MS has access. The MS also authenticates the SP

to ensure that it is properly authorized. The authentication is used to ensure that the proper user is billed, and that the user is billed correctly. Also, it

ensures that there is no unauthorized switching of services.

The user then requests a service S220. Selecting a service causes the

navigator service to send a command list, and command function to the MS

S225. The command functions in this example are, connect to a first service

provider (SPA), when SPA connection terminated, connect to a second

service provider (SPB), when connection to SPB is terminated, connect to

SPN.

The MS terminates the connection to the SPN S230 and connects to the SPA

S235. Examples of command functions are, terminate call, connect to SP,

etc. Command functions can also be uploaded while a SP is being used. This

usually occurs where the SPB was selected, but becomes unavailable while

the SPA is being used. The uploaded command functions can offer an

alternate mirror site, that the user can connect to or when SPB want to

forward the user to additional SPs. If for example, the SPA is voice mail, the user spends his desired amount of

time checking his voice mail S240. The command list can also be updated on

the fly as long as the user is connected to the system.

In another embodiment, the command list is sent through a data connection

band like short messaging service (SMS)..

Services can be offered to the user as links, while he is using the SPA. The

user can, for example, select a SPB, continue with the SPA, or terminate the

SPA. The new service is presented in a variety of ways, depending on the

type of MS. If the MS is a PDA then the interface can have a descriptive

button. To change to the SPB, the user need just highlight and select a

descriptive button. Similarly, if the MS is a cell phone, such as the Nokia

6190, the user selects the menu, then scrolls using the up and down pad until

he reaches the selection services. Selection of the service option brings the

user to a selection of services available.

When the user selects the SPB, the SPA connection is terminated S245. The

phone then connects to the SPB automatically S250. The user is then able to

navigate and use the SPB250. In another embodiment, after terminating the SPA, the MS downloads a

command list for the SPB while connected to the SPA, before connecting to

the SPB.

In another embodiment of the invention, voice commands can be used. The

voice command can be used to implement any function on the phone or PDA.

For example, if a user wishes to check his voice mail he could say "voice mail"

and the preprogrammed number is dialed. The dialing of the number gives the

user access to his voice mail service. The user can then navigate through the

service using voice commands. Some examples of navigational voice

commands for voice mail are, next message, previous message, delete, save,

and skip.

Voice commands can also be used to switch services. For example, if the

user now desires to switch from checking his voice mail to do some online

stock trading, he could then say "online stock trading." The phone then

disconnects and dials the online stock trading number. The voice recognition

ability can be embedded either in the MS, or as another service provided. Where a site does not have voice recognition, a voice translator may be used

to convert voice commands to DTMF tones.

The voice command ability also provides for a MS that has no keypad as

described in co-pending patent application Serial No. 09/337,050. In this

embodiment, a MS is programmed to dial a single number that connects a

user to the service provider system. The single number could be a number of

ways to connect to a service including a service navigator, service manager or

a SP.

In another embodiment, the MS does not terminate the first service before

connecting to the second service. An MS can have dual line features,

commonly referred to as call waiting. A user can use the second line to dial

and connect to a second service. The user can then switch back and forth

between both services without terminating either.

In another embodiment, a data transport layer, like SMS, can be used to

connect to a second service. In another embodiment, advertorial content is submitted to a user. The

advertorial content can be submitted through a dial-up connection, or through

a data connection. For example, a user selecting a service, is first dialed into

an advertiser to hear a commercial, before he is connected to the service. In

another example, the advertorial content is delivered as command functions

while a user is using a service. The command functions may give the user

additional, optional services.

In another embodiment, a SP can read the command functions of a MS to see

what other SP's a user has connected to, and will connect to. A SP can use

this information to offer substitute services or billing plans, for example if this

user heard a specific advertisement the service would be provided no charge.

Although the invention is described herein with reference to the preferred

embodiment, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that other

applications may be substituted for those set forth herein without departing

from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the invention

should only be limited by the Claims included below.

Claims

1. A method for switching telephone accessible services comprising:

connecting a service accessing means to a service provider; and

uploading command functions from said service provider, to said

sen/ice accessing means.

2. The method of Claim 1 , further comprising:

selecting a command.

The method of Claim 1 , further comprising:

connecting to a second service.

4. The method of Claim 3, wherein said second connection is made

through a second connection means.

5. The method of Claim 4, wherein said second connection means is a

second line of a dual line.

6. The method of Claim 4, wherein said second connection means is a

data connection band.

7. The method of Claims 1 or 3, wherein said connection is performed

through a wireless system.

8. The method of Claims 1 or 3, wherein said connection is performed

through a wired system.

9. The method of Claim 1 , wherein said service accessing means,

comprise any of:

a phone, cellular phone, personal digital assistant, computer, and

network node.

10. The method of Claim 9, wherein said network node is integrated with

said service manager using Customized Application for Mobile network

Enhanced Logic (CAMEL).

11. The method of Claim 9, wherein said network node is a navigator

service which provides a directory service to select between services.

12. The method of Claim 1 , wherein said service accessing means has a

menu system providing navigation through said service.

13. The method of Claim 1 , wherein said command functions comprise any

of:

dial number, open data connection, connect for an x amount of time,

query user for selection, disconnect and exit.

14. The method of Claim 1 , wherein said service provider comprise any of:

stock trading, voice mail, email, and web browsing.

15. The method of Claim 3, further comprising:

terminating said first service before connecting to said second service.

16. The method of Claim 1 , wherein said service accessing means has

voice command recognition capabilities.

17. The method of Claim 16, wherein said service accessing means has no

keypad.

18. The method of Claim 1 , wherein said uploading of command functions

is sent through a data transport band.

19. The method of Claim 1 , further comprising: authenticating said service accessing means.

20. The method of Claim 1 , further comprising:

authenticating said service provider.

21. An apparatus for switching telephone accessible services comprising:

means for connecting a service accessing means to a service provider;

and

means for uploading command functions from said service provider, to

said service accessing means.

22. The apparatus of Claim 21 , further comprising:

means for selecting a command.

23. The apparatus of Claim 21 , further comprising: means for connecting to a second service.

24. The apparatus of Claim 23, wherein said second connection is made

through a second connection means.

25. The apparatus of Claim 24, wherein said second connection means is

a second line of a dual line.

26. The apparatus of Claim 24, wherein said second connection means is

a data connection band.

27. The apparatus of Claims 21 or 23, wherein said connection is

performed through a wireless system.

28. The apparatus of Claims 21 or 23, wherein said connection is

performed through a wired system.

29. The apparatus of Claim 21 , wherein said service accessing means,

comprise any of: a phone, cellular phone, personal digital assistant, computer, and

network node.

30. The apparatus of Claim 29, wherein said network node is integrated

with said navigator service using Customized Application for Mobile network

Enhanced Logic (CAMEL).

31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said network node is a navigator

service that provides a portal between services.

32. The apparatus of Claim 21 , wherein said service accessing means has

a menu system providing navigation through said service.

33. The apparatus of Claim 21 , wherein said command functions comprise

any of:

dial number, open data connection, connect for an x amount of time,

query user for selection, disconnect, and exit.

34. The apparatus of Claim 21 , wherein said service provider comprise any

of: stock trading, voice mail, email, and web browsing.

35. The apparatus of Claim 23, further comprising:

means for terminating said first service before connecting to said

second service.

36. The apparatus of Claim 21 , wherein said service accessing means has

voice command recognition capabilities.

37. The apparatus of Claim 36, wherein said service accessing means has

no keypad.

38. The apparatus of Claim 21 , wherein said uploading of command

functions is sent through a data transport band.

39. The apparatus of Claim 21 , further comprising: means for authenticating said service accessing means.

40. The apparatus of Ciaim 21 , further comprising: means for authenticating said service provider.