Abstract:
A method of relating a dialed number to a new mobile station in a wireless network is provided. The dialed number is associated with a first mobile switching center, the new mobile station is associated with a second mobile switching center, and wireless service to the first and second mobile switching centers is provided by a common wireless service provider. The method includes: receiving a return result from a first home location register without location information, querying a second home location register, receiving a return result from the second home location register including location information, and communicating temporary routing and location information to a switch associated with the calling party. In another embodiment, the method also includes: pausing an inter-service number portability query process within the first mobile switching center. In another embodiment, a wireless network for relating the dialed number to the new mobile station is provided.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
   The invention generally relates to intra-service number portability (NP) in a wireless network and associated methods for delaying, and potentially avoiding, an inter-service NP query while one or more intra-service queries are performed to return routing and location information for a mobile called party in response to a telephone call and will be described with particular reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that the invention is also amenable to other applications. 
   As referred to herein, intra-service or intra-network NP refers to certain NP features provided within a wireless network infrastructure serviced by a single wireless service provider. In contrast, inter-service or inter-network NP refers to certain NP features provided across multiple wireless network infrastructures, where each wireless network infrastructure may be serviced by different wireless service providers. 
   As is commonly known, NP exists in landline telephone networks. Separately, home location register (HLR) query support exists in wireless networks. Currently, in one standard implementation of wireless NP, when a network home location register (HLR) is queried and returns an error in the query response, NP logic will proceed to launch an inter-service NP query to locate the subscriber for routing information identifying a ported MSC. Then, the ported MSC must perform an HLR query to determine location information associated with the subscriber&#39;s mobile station (MS). In another standard implementation, the home HLR query is bypassed and the NP query is launched directly. 
   In today&#39;s environment, wireless service providers may incorporate 2G (e.g., time division multiple access (TDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA)) and 3G (e.g., global system for mobile communications (GSM), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS)) subscribers and corresponding infrastructure (e.g., 2G and 3G MSCs, 2G and 3G HLRs, etc.) in the same wireless network as they migrate from 2G to 3G wireless communication architecture. However, when a subscriber upgrades from 2G to 3G, a new 3G MS is typically required and the new 3G MS typically requires wireless service through 3G MSCs and HLRs. In November 2003, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandated that all wireless carriers support wireless NP. This opened the door for many 2G subscribers to reap the benefits of new and advanced 3G MSs, while keeping their same directory number (DN) by activating the NP feature associated with their wireless service. The problem is that if intra-network or intra-service porting has occurred, the service provider may have to query an NP database for routing information only to find out that the subscriber, while not recognized by the 2G HLR, is still in their network or service, but on a different (i.e., 3G) HLR. Currently, if the 2G HLR query fails, NP logic will launch a query to the NP database, usually costing the wireless service provider additional money for processing the call. 
   As can be appreciated from the foregoing, NP capabilities in wireless networks require repetitive NP queries for incoming calls to a ported subscriber. These repeated NP queries create an undesirable cost burden on wireless service providers associated with a ported subscriber&#39;s original DN. Thus, there is motivation for mechanisms addressing the above-referenced problems and others. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
   In one aspect of the invention, a method of relating a dialed number to a new mobile station in a wireless network for an incoming call from a calling party using a calling party device to a called party using the new mobile station is provided. The dialed number is associated with a first mobile switching center, the new mobile station is associated with a second mobile switching center, and wireless service to the first and second mobile switching centers is provided by a common wireless service provider. The method includes: a) receiving a return result from a first home location register associated with the first mobile switching center in response to querying the first home location register for location information associated with the dialed number, wherein the return result does not include the location information, b) querying a second home location register associated with the second mobile switching center for location information associated with the dialed number, c) receiving a return result from the second home location register, wherein the return result includes the location information, wherein the location information is associated with the new mobile station, and d) communicating temporary routing and location information associated with the new mobile station to a switch associated with the calling party. In another embodiment, the method also includes: e) pausing an inter-service number portability query process within the first mobile switching center. 
   In another aspect of the invention, a method of relating a dialed number to a new mobile station in a wireless network for an incoming call from a calling party using a calling party device to a called party using the new mobile station is provided. The dialed number is associated with a first mobile switching center, the new mobile station is associated with a second mobile switching center, and wireless service to the first and second mobile switching centers is provided by a common wireless service provider. The method includes: a) pausing an inter-service number portability query process within the first mobile switching center, b) querying a home location register associated with the second mobile switching center for location information associated with the dialed number, c) receiving a return result from the home location register, wherein the return result includes the location information, wherein the location information is associated with the new mobile station, and d) communicating temporary routing and location information associated with the new mobile station to a switch associated with the calling party. 
   In still another aspect of the invention, a wireless network for relating a dialed number to a new mobile station for an incoming call from a calling party using a calling party device to a called party using the new mobile station is provided. Wireless service to the dialed number and the new mobile station is provided by a common wireless service provider. The wireless network includes: a first mobile switching center receiving the incoming call and including a location query logic and an intra-service number portability query logic, wherein the first mobile switching center is associated with the dialed number, a first home location register in communication with the location query logic, wherein the first home location register is associated with the dialed number, a second mobile switching center associated with the new mobile station, and a second home location register in communication with the intra-service number portability query logic, wherein the second home location register is associated with the new mobile station and the second mobile switching center. The intra-service number portability query logic queries the second home location register for location information associated with the dialed number. The second home location register provides a return result to the first mobile switching center, wherein the return result includes the location information and the location information is associated with the new mobile station. The first mobile switching center communicates temporary routing and location information to a switch associated with the calling party. 
   In another embodiment, the first mobile switching center also includes: an inter-service number portability query logic in communication with the intra-service number portability query logic and the wireless network also includes: a number portability database in communication with the inter-service number portability query logic. The inter-service number portability query logic is paused until the first and second home location registers provide return results in response to queries for location information associated with the dialed number that do not include the location information. 
   In yet another aspect of the invention, a wireless network for relating a dialed number to a new mobile station for an incoming call from a calling party using calling party device to a called party using the new mobile station is provided. Wireless service to the dialed number and the new mobile station is provided by a common wireless service provider. The wireless network includes: means for receiving a return result from a first home location register in response to querying the first home location register for location information associated with the dialed number, wherein the return result does not include the location information, means for querying a second home location register for location information associated with the mobile station, wherein the second home location register is associated with the dialed number and the new mobile station, means for receiving a return result from the second home location register, wherein the return result includes the location information, wherein the location information is associated with the new mobile station, and means for communicating temporary routing and location information associated with the mobile station to a switch associated with the calling party. In another embodiment, the wireless network also includes: means for pausing an inter-service number portability query process within the first mobile switching center. 
   Benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the description of the invention provided herein. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     The invention is described in more detail in conjunction with a set of accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an exemplary telecommunication system providing an intra-service NP query feature. 
       FIG. 2  is a flowchart of an exemplary process for a wireless service provider to avoid NP queries for subscribers ported within the service provider&#39;s wireless network. 
       FIG. 3  is a call flow diagram of an exemplary process for a wireless service provider to avoid NP queries for subscribers ported within the service provider&#39;s wireless network. 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart of another exemplary process for a wireless service provider to avoid NP queries for subscribers ported within the service provider&#39;s wireless network. 
       FIG. 5  is a call flow diagram of another exemplary process for a wireless service provider to avoid NP queries for subscribers ported within the service provider&#39;s wireless network. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   While the invention is described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the drawings are for purposes of illustrating exemplary embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention to such embodiments. It is understood that the invention may take form in various components and arrangement of components and in various steps and arrangement of steps beyond those provided in the drawings and associated description. In the drawings, like reference numerals denote like elements and similar reference numerals denote similar elements. 
   As can be appreciated from the foregoing, a mechanism is needed in an MSC to put NP logic in a hold state so that an NP database query is not launched until multiple HLRs associated with the wireless service provider have been queried. The wireless service provider avoids NP database query charges when an intra-service ported subscriber is located by one of these intra-network HLR queries. In general, an exemplary embodiment of one aspect of the invention provides routing query logic in a home MSC that enables two or more HLRs to be queried for routing information in response to a call to a mobile called party before an NP query to the NP database is executed. The NP query to the NP database may be put in a hold state or may simply be delayed until the two or more HLRs both return error messages in response to the queries requesting routing information. 
   An exemplary scenario implementing this process begins with an incoming call to mobile station A arriving at home MSC A. When the call arrives, call processing may enter into digit analysis and the routing query logic will be checked to determine if the NP feature is active. If the NP feature is active and set to launch NP queries after an initial HLR query for routing information has failed, a normal HLR query will be performed to a first HLR to locate the subscriber. 
   If the first HLR query fails, the routing query logic will check to see if the home MSC supports a dual HLR query option (i.e., an intra-service type of NP query). If the home MSC supports the dual HLR query option, the routing query logic will allow call processing to query the second HLR that is provisioned for routing information. This may also be referred to an intra-service NP query. The routing query logic, for example, may be required to simultaneously support dual HLR query responses as well (say from TDMA or GSM). The routing query logic may put a query to the NP database in a hold state or simply delay it until the first and second HLR queries both fail. 
   If the second HLR query fails, then the routing query logic will proceed with the query to the NP database to identify a ported MSC associated with the subscriber. However, if the second HLR query produces the routing information (i.e., temporary local directory number (TLDN)), then call processing will continue through normal handling without having to perform the query to the NP database. Thus, wireless service providers will be able to allow subscribers to port within their own network without having to incur additional costs associated with querying the NP database to identify the ported MSC. 
   With reference to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary telecommunication system  10  includes a first mobile station (MS)  12 , a first base station (BS)  14 , a first MSC  16 , a home MSC  18 , a home HLR  20 , an intra-service ported number database  22 , one or more ported HLRs  24 , an NP database  26 , a serving MSC  28 , a second BS  30 , and a second MS  32 . The first MS  12 , first BS  14 , and first MSC  16  are associated with a calling party leg of a call from a wireless network. Alternatively, if the call is from a landline network, a landline telephone device  34  and a local exchange  36  are associated with the calling party leg of the call. In varying capacities, the other components identified are associated with a called party leg of the call. Note that the serving MSC  28  may be the new home or ported MSC if the second MS  32  is not roaming. If the second MS  32  is roaming the serving MSC  28  may be within the service provider&#39;s wireless network or in another wireless network served by another wireless service provider. 
   The home MSC  18  includes a call processing logic module  38  and an NP logic module  40 . The call processing logic module  38  includes a location query logic  42 , an intra-service ported number monitor  44 , and an intra-service NP query logic  46 . The NP logic module  40  includes an inter-service NP query logic  48 . The voice trunk  49  provides a voice channel between the first MSC  16  or local exchange  36  and the serving MSC  28 . It is understood that the above components may be implemented in hardware, software, or various combinations of hardware and software. Additionally, it is understood that the above components may be combined in any suitable manner in actual implementation. 
   In a first exemplary scenario, a call is initiated by a calling party using the first MS  12  or landline telephone device  34  to a called party using the second MS  32 . The called party initially subscribed to wireless service from a wireless service provider for an original MS. The wireless service provider provided wireless service to the original MS via the home MSC  18 . However, now the called party has subscribed to wireless service from the same wireless service provider for the second MS  32  (which, for example, is different from the original MS in that the original MS was a TDMA device and the second MS is a GSM device). In providing wireless service to the second MS  32 , the wireless service provider associates the second MS  32  with a different home MSC than the original home MSC  18  in order to support, for example, GSM service. However, the subscriber has elected to retain the same DN and has activated an NP feature so that the original DN is ported to the second MS  32 . Thus, wireless service provider must now port incoming calls to the called party from the original home MSC  18  to the new home MSC. 
   Under these circumstances, the new home MSC may be referred to as a ported MSC with respect to the original home MSC. The wireless service provider has stored information identifying the called party&#39;s activation of NP features to port incoming calls for the original DN to the second MS  32  in the intra-service ported number database  22 . The stored information may simply identify the DN as a number that is ported to another MSC within the wireless service provider&#39;s network. Additionally, the stored information may include routing information identifying the ported MSC or any type of information identifying one or more HLRs that may be associated with the ported MSC. In other words, the database may associate the called party&#39;s DN and corresponding home MSC  18  with the ported MSC or an HLR associated with the ported MSC. The database may be a centralized database accessible to multiple MSCs in the service area supported by the wireless service provider. Alternatively, the database may be co-located within one or more MSCs. Even with co-located databases, sharing database information with MSCs not having a local database is contemplated. 
   The scenario being described is common in wireless service providers that provide two or more of TDMA, CDMA, GSM, and UMTS wireless services and offer subscribers the option of keeping the same DN if they switch to a different wireless communication protocol. A common example of this is where a subscriber with a TDMA MS switches to a GSM MS and elects to keep the same DN. The wireless service provider must port incoming calls from a TDMA MSC associated with the original TDMA MS to a GSM MSC supporting the GSM MS. 
   Given the initial conditions described above, the scenario begins when the call is routed by the incoming call leg to the home MSC  18 . The location query logic  42  communicates with the home HLR  20  to request a location for the original MS. However, since the subscriber is now using the second MS  32  instead of the original MS, for example, because the subscriber has upgraded from TDMA service to GSM service, an error message is returned by the home HLR  20 . At this point, the traditional NP query process is delayed, paused, or placed in a hold state by the call processing logic  38 . The intra-service ported number monitor  44  queries the intra-service ported number database  22  to determine if the called party has ported to another MSC within the wireless service provider&#39;s network. The intra-service ported number database  22  returns a message to the intra-service ported number monitor  44  identifying the incoming call as an intra-service ported number and routing information to the ported MSC. The intra-service ported number monitor  44  communicates this information to the intra-service NP query logic  46 . 
   The intra-service NP query logic  46  uses the ported MSC routing information to identify a ported HLR  24  associated with the ported MSC and queries the ported HLR for location information associated with the second MS  32 . The ported HLR  24  returns location and routing information based on the current geographic location of the second MS  32 . The home MSC  18  uses the location and routing information to forward the incoming call to the second MS  32  and returns temporary routing information (e.g., temporary location DN (TLDN)) to the calling party switch (i.e., the first MSC  16  or the local exchange  36 , depending on whether the first MS  12  or the landline telephone device  34  was used to originate the call). 
   The first scenario may be adapted if the intra-service ported number database  22  does not include routing information to the ported MSC and the wireless service provider may know one or more HLRs that support intra-service NP. Thus, the intra-service NP query logic  46  would simply use a query loop to query each HLR that may have location information associated with the second MS  32  until location information is returned in a response message. Otherwise, the intra-service NP query logic  46  may use a query loop to query each HLR (other than the home HLR) within wireless service provider&#39;s wireless network until location information is returned in a response message. 
   In a second exemplary scenario, the same initial conditions as described for the first scenario apply except that the wireless network knows that the called party&#39;s telephone number is ported without checking the home HLR  20 . In this scenario, the call is routed by the incoming call leg to the home MSC  18  and the traditional NP query process is delayed, paused, or placed in a hold state by the NP routing and location logic  42 . Then, the intra-service ported number monitor  44 , intra-service ported number database  22 , intra-service NP query logic  46 , and ported HLR(s)  24  operate in the same manner as described for the first scenario. 
   The second scenario may be adapted if the wireless service provider does not know the called party&#39;s telephone number is ported by simply including the home HLR  20  in the query loop operated by the intra-service NP query logic  46  as discussed above in the adapted version of the first scenario. Of course in this adapted second scenario, the intra-service NP query logic  46  is also in communication with the home HLR  20 . 
   As shown in the drawing, the inter-service NP query logic  48  is in communication with the intra-service NP query logic  46  and the NP database  26 . If the intra-service NP query logic  46  does not receive location information for the second MS  32  from its intra-service queries, the traditional NP query process is initiated by the intra-service NP query logic  46  communicating with the inter-service NP query logic  48 . 
   Ultimately, if the subscriber&#39;s account is active, if the second MS  32  is currently powered on, and if location information for the second MS  32  is obtained, the incoming call is forwarded to the second MS  32  and, when the second MS  32  answers the call, the voice trunk  49  is connected from the incoming call leg to the second MS  32  via the serving MSC  28  and second BS  30 . 
   With reference to  FIG. 2 , an exemplary process  50  for a wireless service provider to avoid NP queries for subscribers ported within the service provider&#39;s wireless network begins at step  52  when a home MSC receives an incoming call from a calling party to a mobile called party. At step  54 , the home MSC queries a home HLR for location information. Next, the process determines whether location information is returned by the home HLR (step  56 ). If location information is not returned by the home HLR, at step  58  the traditional inter-service NP query process is paused. Next, the process determines if the incoming call is to an intra-service ported number (step  60 ). If the call is to an intra-service ported number, at step  62  the home MSC performs an intra-service NP query to one or more ported HLRs within the wireless service provider&#39;s network. Next, the process determines whether location and routing information is returned by one of the ported HLR (step  64 ). If location and routing information is returned, at step  66 , the home MSC forwards the incoming call to an MS associated with the mobile called party and returns temporary routing information (e.g., TLDN) to a switch (e.g., MSC or local exchange) associated with the calling party. 
   At step  56 , if location information is returned by the home HLR, the process advances to step  66  and the home MSC forwards the incoming call to the MS associated with the mobile called party and returns temporary routing information to the switch associated with the calling party. 
   At step  60 , if the call is not to an intra-service ported number, the process advances to step  68  and the home MSC performs an inter-service NP query to the NP database. Similarly, at step  64 , if location and routing information is not returned by one of the ported HLRs, the process advances to step  68  and the home MSC performs an inter-service NP query to the NP database. 
   With reference to  FIG. 3 , a call flow diagram  70  provides another view of the scenario described above in conjunction with  FIG. 2  where the wireless service provider avoids an NP query for a subscriber ported within the service provider&#39;s wireless network. The call flow begins at line a, where the calling party switch (i.e., first MSC  16  or local exchange  36 ) communicates an incoming call to the DN associated with the second MS  32  to the home MSC  18 . At line b, the home MSC  18  sends a location query message to the home HLR  20  for location information associated with the DN. In response, the home HLR  20  returns an error message to the home MSC  18  (line c). At line d, the home MSC  18  sends an intra-service NP query message to the intra-service ported number database  22 . In response, the intra-service ported number database  22  returns an NP information message to the home MSC  18  (line e). The NP information message identifies the DN as an intra-service ported number and provides routing and other information to identify the ported HLR. At line f, the home MSC  18  sends a location query message to the ported HLR  24  for location information associated with the DN. In response, the ported HLR  24  returns a location information message to the home MSC  18  (line g). 
   Having located the second MS  32 , the home MSC  18  forwards the incoming call to the serving MSC  28  (line h). This rings the second MS  32 . When the incoming call is answered, the call is connected between the calling party switch and the serving MSC  28  via the voice trunk  49  (line i). 
   With reference to  FIG. 4 , another exemplary process  80  for a wireless service provider to avoid NP queries for subscribers ported within the service provider&#39;s wireless network begins at step  82  when a home MSC receives an incoming call from a calling party to a mobile called party. At step  84 , the traditional inter-service NP query process is paused. Next, the process determines if the incoming call is to an intra-service ported number (step  86 ). If the call is to an intra-service ported number, at step  88  the home MSC performs an intra-service NP query to one or more ported HLRs within the wireless service provider&#39;s network. Next, the process determines whether location and routing information is returned by one of the ported HLR (step  90 ). If location and routing information is returned, at step  92 , the home MSC forwards the incoming call to an MS associated with the mobile called party and returns temporary routing information (e.g., TLDN) to a switch (e.g., MSC or local exchange) associated with the calling party. 
   At step  86 , if the call is not to an intra-service ported number, the process advances to step  94  and the home MSC queries a home HLR for location information. Similarly, at step  90 , if location and routing information is not returned by one of the ported HLRs, the process advances to step  96  and the home MSC performs an inter-service NP query to the NP database. 
   With reference to  FIG. 5 , a call flow diagram provides another view of the scenario described above in conjunction with  FIG. 4  where the wireless service provider avoids an NP query for a subscriber ported within the service provider&#39;s wireless network. The call flow begins at line a, where the calling party switch (i.e., first MSC  16  or local exchange  36 ) communicates an incoming call to the DN associated with the second MS  32  to the home MSC  18 . At line b, the home MSC  18  sends an intra-service NP query message to the intra-service ported number database  22 . In response, the intra-service ported number database  22  returns an NP information message to the home MSC  18  (line c). The NP information message identifies the DN as an intra-service ported number and provides routing and other information to identify the ported HLR. At line d, the home MSC  18  sends a location query message to the ported HLR  24  for location information associated with the DN. In response, the ported HLR  24  returns a location information message to the home MSC  18  (line e). 
   Having located the second MS  32 , the home MSC  18  forwards the incoming call to the serving MSC  28  (line f). This rings the second MS  32 . When the incoming call is answered, the call is connected between the calling party switch and the serving MSC  28  via the voice trunk  49  (line g). 
   While the invention is described herein in conjunction with exemplary embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the embodiments of the invention in the preceding description are intended to be illustrative, rather than limiting, of the spirit and scope of the invention. More specifically, it is intended that the invention embrace all alternatives, modifications, and variations of the exemplary embodiments described herein that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.