Abstract:
A computer-implemented method of managing telecommunications between telephone line subscribers is provided. The method includes at a first telecommunications operator, receiving from a first telecommunications terminal associated with a first subscriber a connection or message request to connect or send a message to a second subscriber. The connection or message request contains a portable extension number associated with the second subscriber. The method includes resolving the portable extension number to discover information regarding a telephone number and second telecommunications operator used by the second subscriber, routing the connection or message request to the second subscriber via the second telecommunications operator using at least the telephone number, and including an identifier so that the second telecommunications operator knows that the connection or message request originated for a portable extension number.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to GB1203949.1 filed on Mar. 6, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to communication systems and methods that allow telecommunications operators to provide special services for borderless voice, video and messaging connectivity. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    According to the invention, there is provided a method and systems are set forth in the appended claims. Optional features will be apparent from the description which follows. The invention is a Multi-Level Interconnection Management System (MIMS) and Portable Extension Number (PEN) management system for a global neutral hub which enables telecom operators to offer users a portable extension number, register and make and receive calls and messages with any other operator&#39;s users interconnected to a MIMS Hub without bilateral billing or clearance processes. 
         [0004]    The MIMS Hub simplifies interconnection and interoperability and eliminates billing between operators. 
         [0005]    The MIMS Hub contains a dynamic database for registration management and routing. 
         [0006]    Users are able to obtain a PEN and Personal Identification Number (PIN) from any operator connected to the hub, and can port from one operator and telephone number to another operator and telephone number using a simple registration process. 
         [0007]    The PEN may consist of 12 digits and the Security PIN code may consist of 4 digits. 
         [0008]    The telecom operators allow member subscribers to call any other member subscriber by offering an access code, or special service access short number, for the service, so that a subscriber member may make a call or send a message by dialing the access code followed by the PEN of the other subscriber member. 
         [0009]    Advantageously, the invention will enable operators to connect customers, that is, subscriber members, regardless of their location or the particular operators involved. 
         [0010]    The MIMS Hub may map, via a database, any telephone number that is assigned to the PEN and forward the call or message to the telephone number. 
         [0011]    Each operator will have full access to the database to trace any call or text message, also known as an SMS, to know the destination and origination full details. 
         [0012]    As a summary, the MIMS Hub allows operators to offer a special service for specific subscribers and connect them to other same service network subscribers with any other operators around the world, and users will be free to port their service number PEN between operators. 
         [0013]    Operators have the option to join and offer any subscriber the ability to get a Portable Extension Number (PEN) and to register and use the services. Operators can determine independently their own billing plan for the subscriber since they have a fixed cost for their connection capacity regardless of where the service will be rerouted and terminated. This is achieved by charging subscriptions to both calling and receiving parties, so that operators can dispense with their usual termination charges. 
         [0014]    The advantage of the invention for operators, that they will send the traffic of calls and messages of the special services users without paying other operators for this traffic, their cost will be only for hub interconnection. 
         [0015]    Users will be connected with each other regardless the operator they are using, they will be able to port their PEN between operators using a relatively simple process. 
         [0016]    Users will have the freedom to get a PEN from any operator that is a member of the MIMS HUB and register, use and port their PEN between the MIMS Hub&#39;s operators members. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a swim lane diagram showing a method of obtaining a new PEN and PIN Code from a system in accordance with the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a system for implementing the method of obtaining a new PEN and PIN Code shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a swim lane diagram showing a method of registering or porting a PEN. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of a system for implementing the method of registering or porting a PEN shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a swim lane diagram showing a method of making and receiving calls using a PEN. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram showing a system for implementing the method of making and receiving calls using the PEN shown in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a swim lane diagram showing a method of sending and receiving messages using a PEN. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram showing a system for implementing the method of sending and receiving messages using the PEN shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a swim lane diagram showing a method of deactivating a PEN. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram showing a system for implementing the method of deactivating the PEN shown in  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    Exemplary embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the Figures. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are diagrams showing a method of obtaining a new PEN and PIN Code from a system according to the invention. 
         [0029]    Steps to obtain a PEN and PIN Code:
       User (X) device  100  sends an SMS to a certain short service access number to be assigned by a mobile or telecommunications operator (A)  105  to which the user&#39;s line belongs, e.g. (333), the message may only include the word “PEN”.   The mobile operator  105  receives the request message and forwards it to a Multi-Level Interconnection Management System (MIMS)  110  over IP with caller ID number.   The Multi-Level Interconnection Management System (MIMS)  110  forwards the information to a database  115 .   The database  115  generates a new PEN and PIN Code and sends them to the operator  105  to deliver them to the user (X) device  100  which sent the request via SMS.   The database  115  saves the Calling Line Identity (CLI) and current operator ID with the PEN and PIN to be retrieved per service request.       
 
       Example 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
             Mobile user (X) would like to get a new PEN and PIN code from the Multi-Level Interconnection Management System (MIMS)  110 . 
             Mobile user (X) device  100  uses a SIM with the number 078000000 from mobile operator (A)  105 . 
             The user (X) uses device  100  to send an SMS containing the word “PEN” to the number “333” which has been assigned by the operator  105  for their special services. 
             The user (X) will receive a confirmation SMS including:
           PEN: 123456789012   PIN Code: 6543   To register with (A) send a Message to the number 333 containing your Account PEN and PIN separated with * as follows:   123456789012*6543   
         
           
         
       
     
         [0043]      FIGS. 3 and 4  are diagrams showing a method of registering or porting a PEN. 
         [0044]    A PEN can only be used to make or receive calls and messages once it is registered and associated with an active mobile number. 
         [0045]    Steps to register a PEN (if new or deactivated) or port it to another operator:
       User (X) device  100  sends an SMS to a certain short service access number to be assigned by the operator  105  to which the user&#39;s line belongs, e.g. (333), the message contains PEN and PIN Code separated with * e.g. 123456789012*6543.   The mobile operator (A)  105  receives the request message and forwards it to the Multi-Level Interconnection Management System (MIMS)  110  over an IP-based network and includes the Calling Line Identity (CLI).   The Multi-Level Interconnection Management System (MIMS)  110  forwards the information to the database  115 .   The database  115  attempts to match the PEN and PIN Code, and if matching confirmed, will save the PEN associated with the CLI for mapping purposes.   The MIMS  110  will send a registration confirmation SMS to the operator  105  to deliver it to the user (X) device  100  which sent the request.       
 
       Example 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
             Mobile user (X) would like to register or port a PEN in the Multi-Level Interconnection Management System (MIMS)  110  with a new mobile number. 
             Mobile user (X) device  100  uses a SIM with the mobile number 078000000 from the Mobile Operator (A)  105 . 
             The user (X)  300  will send SMS to the number “333” which assigned by the operator (A)  305  for their special services, SMS contains: 123456789012*6543 
             The user (X) via device  100  will receive a registration confirmation SMS contains
           Thanks for registration   To call or send a Message to any same service network member around the world, dial the number 333 followed by the PEN of the person you like to call e.g. 333123456789012   
         
           
         
       
     
         [0057]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are diagrams showing a method of making and receiving calls using a PEN. 
         [0058]    Anyone can join, register and use the interconnectivity facilities of the MIMS system but only through an operator that interconnected to the “MIMS” HUB. 
         [0059]    Every operator connected to the “MIMS” HUB provides a short access number for the service so as to allow people to register, subscribe and use the service.
       Operator&#39;s subscribers are able to make calls to any subscriber in the same service network and with any operator around the world by dialing the short access number followed by the called party PEN.   Calls will hit the operator  105  switch as normal.   The operator  105  will identify the service access number and route the call to the MIMS HUB  110 .   Once a call hits the MIMS HUB  110  it will send a request to a routing proxy  515  to get information about which operator the called number of the called party  530  is registered with, and what is the mobile number associated with his PEN.   The routing proxy  515  will send a query to a main database  520 , which is the same as database  115  used to generate, register and port PENs, to get the information.   The main database  520  contains data for all registered users include users PEN and the latest phone number associated with the PEN, the operator name and their service access short number (SASN).   The database  520  will respond to the routing proxy  515  with the operator&#39;s name and the called party&#39;s  530  registered phone number.   The routing proxy  515  will send this information to the MIMS acting as Session Border Controller (SBC)  510 .   The SBC  510  will change the Caller ID and replace it with the caller “PEN”   The SBC  510  will send the call to the called party operator  525  as a normal call to deliver to the called party  530 .   The called party  530  will know this call is coming for the “MIMS” Hub service member.       
 
       Example 
       [0071]    Calling party Mobile user (X) device  100 :
       Mobile user (X) uses Mobile operator (A) network  105     Mobile user (X) has a phone number: 078000000   Mobile user (X) has a “PEN”: 123456789012   Mobile operator (A) has assigned the Service Access Short Number “333”       
 
         [0076]    Call receiving party (Z) device  530 :
       Mobile user (Z) use Mobile operator (B) network   Mobile user (Z) has a phone number: 095222222   Mobile user (Z) has a “PEN”: 432156789123   Mobile operator (B) has assigned the Service Access Short Number “252”       
 
         [0081]    Mobile user (X) would like to call Mobile user (Z) with operator (B)  525 :
       Mobile user (X) device  500  dials the service access short number followed by the PEN of the call receiving party (Z) as the following: 333 432156789123.   Local Operator (A)  105  sends the number 432156789123 to the MIMS  110  with the caller ID CLI 078000000.   The MIMS  110  gets the call receiving party information that showing that the PEN 432156789123 is currently registered and associated with the mobile number 095222222 which is located with operator (B)  525 .   The SBC in the MIMS  110  routes the call to operator (B)  525  and replaces the calling party CLI 078000000 with the calling party PEN 123456789012 and adds the service access number of the operator (B)  252  prior to the number.   The call receiving party  530  receives the call and the caller ID he will see will be his current operator  525  access service number followed by the caller PEN  252  123456789012.   The call receiving party  530  can save the number in his phone book as it is and call back the user (A)  500  at any time without changing anything.       
 
         [0088]      FIGS. 7 &amp; 8  are diagrams showing a method of sending and receiving messages using a PEN. 
         [0089]    Anyone can join, register and use the interconnectivity facilities of the MIMS but only through an operator that is interconnected to the MIMS HUB  110 . 
         [0090]    Every operator connected to the MIMS HUB  110  provides a short access number for the service so as to allow people to register, subscribe and use the service.
       Operator&#39;s subscribers will be able to send and receive messages (SMS, MMS) to and from any subscriber in the same service network and with any operator around the world by using the short access number followed by the other party PEN.   Messages (SMS, MMS) will be received by the operator  105  system as normal.   The Operator  105  will identify the service access number and route the Messages (SMS, MMS) to the MIMS HUB  110 .   Once the Message (SMS, MMS) is received by the MIMS HUB  110  it will send a request to the routing proxy  515  to get information about which operator the receiving party  530  is registered with, and what is the mobile number associated with his PEN.   The routing proxy  515  will send a query to the main database  520  to get the information.   The main database  520  contains data for all registered users and include user&#39;s PEN and the latest phone number associated with the PEN, the associated operators name and their service access short number (SASN).   The database  520  will respond to the routing proxy  515  with the operator&#39;s name and the other party  530  registered phone number.   The routing proxy  515  will send this information to the MIMS Hub  510  acting as Session Border Controller (SBC).   The SBC  510  will change the Caller ID and replace it with the caller PEN.   The SBC  510  will send the Message (SMS, MMS) to the operator  525  as a normal Message (SMS, MMS) to deliver to the receiving party  530 .   The receiving party  530  will know this Message (SMS, MMS) is coming for the MIMS Hub service member  510 .       
 
       Example 
       [0102]    Message (SMS, MMS) sending party Mobile user (X) device  100 :
       Mobile user (X) device  100  uses Mobile operator (A) network   Mobile user (X) device  100  has a phone number: 078000000   Mobile user (X) device  100  has a PEN: 123456789012   Mobile operator (A) has assigned the Service Access Short Number “333”       
 
         [0107]    Message (SMS, MMS) receiving party (Z) device  530 :
       Mobile user (Z) device  530  uses Mobile operator (B) network   Mobile user (Z) device  530  has a phone number: 095222222   Mobile user (Z) device  530  has a PEN: 432156789123   Mobile operator (B) has assigned the Service Access Short Number “252”       
 
         [0112]    Mobile user (X) would like to send a Message (SMS, MMS) to Mobile user (Z) with operator (B)  525 .
       Mobile user (X) via device  100  uses the services access short number followed by the PEN of the Message (SMS, MMS) receiving party as the following: 333 432156789123.   Local Operator  105  sends the number 432156789123 to the MIMS  510  with the caller ID CLI 078000000.   The MIMS  110  gets the Message (SMS, MMS) receiving party information that showing the PEN 432156789123 is currently registered and associated with the mobile number 095222222 which located with operator (B)  525 .   The SBC  510  routes the Message (SMS, MMS) to operator (B)  525  and replaces the sender CLI 078000000 with the sender PEN 123456789012 and adds the service access number of the operator (B)  252  prior to the number.   The Message (SMS, MMS) receiving party  530  receives the Message (SMS, MMS) and the caller ID he will see will be his current operator access service number followed by the caller “PEN”  252  123456789012.   The Message (SMS, MMS) receiving party  530  can save the number in his phone book as it is and reply the Message (SMS, MMS) to the user (A)  100  at any time without changing anything.       
 
         [0119]      FIGS. 9 &amp; 10  show diagrams for a method of deactivating the PEN. 
         [0120]    A PEN can only be used to make or receive calls and messages once and if it is registered and associated with a mobile number in the MIMS. 
         [0121]    Any user will be able to deactivate his PEN, so that the PEN may not to be used to make or receive calls and messages. 
         [0122]    Steps to deactivate a PEN:
       User (X) via device  100  sends an SMS to a certain short service access number to be assigned by the operator  105  to which the user&#39;s line belongs, e.g. (333), and the message contains the letter “D” and PEN and PIN Code separated with * e.g. D*123456789012*6543   The mobile operator  105  receives the request message and forwards it to the Multi-Level Interconnection Management System (MIMS)  110  over IP and includes the Calling Line Identity (CLI).   The Multi-Level Interconnection Management System (MIMS)  110  forwards the information to the Database server  115 .   The database  115  matches the “PEN” and PIN Code, and, if matching confirmed, will remove the CLI which associated with the PEN, with this step, the PEN will not be active.   The MIMS  110  sends a deactivation confirmation SMS to the operator  105  to deliver it to the user  100  who sent the request.   If the user (X) wishes to re-activate his PEN, he may use the same registration steps shown in  FIG. 3  &amp;  FIG. 4         
 
       Example 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
             Mobile user (X) would like to deactivate a “PEN” in the Multi-Level Interconnection Management System (MIMS). 
             Mobile user (X) via device  100  uses a SIM with the mobile number 078000000 from the Mobile Operator (A)  105 . 
             The user (X) via device  100  sends SMS to the number “333” which is assigned by the operator (A)  105  for their special services, SMS contains: D*123456789012*6543 
             The user (X) device  100  receives a registration confirmation SMS contains
           Your “PEN” is deactivated   
         
           
         
       
     
         [0134]    A portable extension number (PEN) is used here in place of a telephone number and may be resolved to a telephone number. The telephone number associated with the PEN may change. The PEN is globally unique within the MIMS. The MIMS spans at least two network operators. 
         [0135]    Of course, a skilled person would see that alternatives to the above implementation features are available, where appropriate. 
         [0136]    A skilled person would also understand that the method described herein would be implemented on any suitable computer architecture. 
       ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS 
       [0137]    A telecommunication system for managing portable Extension numbers across telecom operators comprising 2 levels: a first level for interconnection between telecom operators across one central system module comprising:
       A—a session border controller (SBC) for interconnection between operators;   B—a routing proxy for getting right path between two extensions; and   C—a database for saving a current portable extension number and location; and
 
a second level for connecting extensions across their local operators which interconnect to each other by the central system.
       
 
         [0141]    Preferably wherein porting extension numbers every Extension is associated temporarily with one regular phone number according to location and current operator. 
         [0142]    Preferably wherein SBC interconnecting module comprising: receiving calls from operators and route them to the right destination (other operator) by requesting the routing proxy module for the current Extension location which is the current operator. 
         [0143]    Preferably wherein routing proxy module comprising: getting the current Extension operator by requesting the database module for the record belongs to this Extension using the regular phone number as a database key. 
         [0144]    Preferably wherein database module comprising: one database record for each portable Extension to join the Extension with the current operator and location, the record will consist of 3 fields:
       A—Operator name of ID.   B—Extension number.   C—Regular phone number.       
 
         [0148]    Preferably wherein regular phone number comprising; replacing this field value when user moving from one operator to another the modules involved in this are (SBC), routing proxy (RP), and database. 
         [0149]    Preferably wherein user need to register one time to use the system features, comprising:
       A—Sending text message containing the word “PEN”.   B—Receiving text message containing his PEN and PIN code.       
 
         [0152]    Preferably wherein receiving text message comprising:
       A—Generating a new PEN number and PIN Code.   B—Saving PEN and PIN code and Operator name and user regular phone number in new database record.   C—Sending the PEN and PIN Code to the user phone.       
 
         [0156]    When the user would like to make a call or send SMS, the process will include:
       A—Dialing the service access short number SASN of his local operator followed by the other party PEN number.   B—Other party will receive the call or message as originating from the number of the format (SASN) of the local operator+caller PEN number.       
 
         [0159]    Preferably wherein replacing SASN of local operator of the caller with (SASN) of local operator of other party, comprising: Modules involving in this process are, (SBC), (RP) and the database. 
         [0160]    Preferably wherein the local operator omits his SASN from the number that dialed by the user and forwards it to the Multi-Level Interconnection Management System (MIMS) over IP. 
         [0161]    Preferably wherein (MIMS) replacing the (SASN), comprising:
       A—(SBC) request (RP) to get the current operator of the other party.   B—(RP) querying the database for the operator name using the user CLI or regular phone number as a record key and the database will respond with operator name (SASN) value.   C—(SBC) will replace the (SASN) of the caller with the value retuned by the (RP) before forwarding the call to the other party operator.