Patent ID: 6236853
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: H04M,H04W

Abstract:
A method for providing information about a called Subscriber B's status in a mobile communication system, wherein Subscriber B is a subscriber to said mobile communication system and Subscriber A, being a subscriber in any communication system, first dials Subscriber B's number which is translated by a Home Location Register into an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), said method comprising the steps of:assigning a parameter to said IMSI;assigning to said parameter one of three values, a first value indicating the status of Subscriber B as ready to receive a call, a second value indicating Subscriber B powered off and IMSI Detached, or a third value indicating that Subscriber B has moved out of the coverage area of said mobile system and is Implicitly Detached;completing a call set-up from Subscriber A to Subscriber B if said parameter equals said first value;providing a first message to Subscriber A indicating that Subscriber B is unavailable for calls if said parameter equals said second value;providing a second message to Subscriber A indicating that Subscriber B is unavailable for calls if said parameter equals said third value; andproviding a third message to Subscriber A, offering an Interrogation Facility to Subscriber A which provides further information about the unavailability of Subscriber B, if said parameter equals said second value or said third value.