Dynamic allocation of roamer routing numbers system and method

Claim 1

A communications system comprising: at least one mobile transceiver; at least one mobile switching center, said at least one mobile switching center comprising: optionally selectable means for allocating a routing number for said at least one mobile transceiver to facilitate routing of an incoming call to said mobile transceiver, and means operative upon the optional selection of said allocation means for releasing said routing number to make it available for reuse immediately after said incoming call to said mobile transceiver is routed to said at least one mobile switching center.

Claim 5

A method of routing a call to at least one mobile transceiver in a communications system including at least one mobile switching center (MSC), having means for optionally assigning either a temporary routing number or a fixed registered visitor subscriber number to a visiting mobile transceiver present within its coverage area as a number to be used for routing calls to the transceiver from outside its coverage area, said method comprising the steps of: selecting within said at least one MSC said optionally assignable temporary routing number over said fixed registered visitor subscriber number; allocating a temporary routing number to said at least one mobile subscriber to facilitate routing an incoming call to said at least one mobile transceiver; and releasing said allocated temporary routing number for reuse after said incoming call is routed to said at least one MSC.

Claim 6

A method of routing a call to at least one mobile transceiver in a communications system including at least one mobile switching center (MSC), having means for optionally assigning either a temporary routing number or a fixed registered visitor subscriber number to a visiting mobile transceiver present within its coverage area as a number to be used for routing calls to the transceiver from outside its coverage area, said method comprising the steps of: selecting within said at least one MSC said optionally assignable temporary routing number over said fixed registered visitor subscriber number; allocating a temporary routing number to said at least one mobile subscriber to facilitate routing an incoming call to said at least one mobile transceiver; and releasing said allocated temporary routing number for reuse after said incoming call is routed to said at least one MSC.

Claim 7

A method of providing telecommunications service within a network of exchanges to a mobile subscriber located in a foreign service exchange having means for optionally assigning either a temporary routing number or a fixed registered visitor subscriber number to a visiting mobile transceiver present within its coverage area as a number to be used for routing calls to the transceiver from outside its coverage area, comprising the steps of: a) selecting within said foreign service exchange said optionally assignable temporary routing number over said fixed registered visitor subscriber number; b) assigning to said mobile subscriber an intra foreign service exchange recognized number for addressing a call to said mobile subscriber; c) searching through a group of public switched telephone network accessible numbers within said foreign exchange for a number which is not in use; d) returning a congestion signal to said network in response to a failure to locate a public switched telephone network accessible number; e) assigning to said mobile subscriber a public switched telephone network accessible number in response to locating an idle number within said group for routing a call to said mobile subscriber; f) associating said intra foreign service exchange number and said public switched telephone network accessible number with one another to enable completion of a call from outside said foreign service exchange to said mobile subscriber; and g) disassociating said intra foreign service exchange number and said public switched telephone network accessible number from one another and de-assigning said public switched telephone network accessible number from said mobile subscriber in response to the completion of a call from said network outside said foreign service exchange to said mobile subscriber.

Claim 8

A method of providing telecommunications service within a network of exchanges to a mobile subscriber located in a foreign service exchange having means for optionally assigning either a temporary routing number or a fixed registered visitor subscriber number to a visiting mobile transceiver present within its coverage area as a number to be used for routing calls to the transceiver from outside its coverage area, comprising the steps of: a) selecting within said foreign service exchange said optionally assignable temporary routing number over said fixed registered visitor subscriber number; b) assigning to said mobile subscriber an intra foreign service exchange recognized number for addressing a call to said mobile subscriber; c) searching through a group of public switched telephone network accessible numbers within said foreign exchange for a number which is not in use; d) returning a congestion signal to said network in response to a failure to locate a public switched telephone network accessible number; e) assigning to said mobile subscriber a public switched telephone network accessible number in response to locating an idle number within said group for routing a call to said mobile subscriber; f) associating said intra foreign service exchange number and said public switched telephone network accessible number with one another to enable completion of a call from outside said foreign service exchange to said mobile subscriber; and g) disassociating said intra foreign service exchange number and said public switched telephone network accessible number from one another and de-assigning said public switched telephone network accessible number from said mobile subscriber in response to the completion of a call from said network outside said foreign service exchange to said mobile subscriber.

Claim 9

A method of providing telecommunications service to a mobile subscriber located in a foreign service exchange having means for optionally assigning either a temporary routing number or a fixed registered visitor subscriber number to a visiting mobile transceiver present within its coverage area as a number to be used for routing calls to the transceiver from outside its coverage area, comprising the steps of: a) selecting within said foreign service exchange said optionally assignable temporary routing number over said fixed registered visitor subscriber number; b) assigning to said mobile subscriber an intra foreign service exchange recognized number; c) assigning to said mobile subscriber a public switched telephone network accessible number for routing upon detection of an incoming call to said mobile; d) releasing said public switched telephone network accessible number for routing immediately upon routing of said incoming call to said intra foreign service exchange recognized number; and e) thereafter using said intra foreign service exchange recognized number to set up said call to said mobile in said foreign service exchange.

Claim 10

A method of providing telecommunications service to a mobile subscriber located in a foreign service exchange having means for optionally assigning either a temporary routing number or a fixed registered visitor subscriber number to a visiting mobile transceiver present within its coverage area as a number to be used for routing calls to the transceiver from outside its coverage area, comprising the steps of: a) selecting within said foreign service exchange said optionally assignable temporary routing number over said fixed registered visitor subscriber number; b) assigning to said mobile subscriber an intra foreign service exchange recognized number; c) assigning to said mobile subscriber a public switched telephone network accessible number for routing upon detection of an incoming call to said mobile; d) releasing said public switched telephone network accessible number for routing immediately upon routing of said incoming call to said intra foreign service exchange recognized number; and e) thereafter using said intra foreign service exchange recognized number to set up said call to said mobile in said foreign service exchange.

Claim 11

A method of setting up calls to a mobile subscriber located in a foreign service exchange area wherein said foreign service exchange contains a group of available public switched telephone network accessible numbers and a near congestion alarm, said mobile subscriber having a home exchange that tracks its location and can store a routing number for said mobile subscriber, said method comprising the steps of: selecting within said foreign service exchange an optional temporary routing number assignment mode over a fixed registered visitor subscriber number mode; detecting that said mobile is within said foreign service exchange area; assigning to said mobile an intra foreign service exchange recognized number for addressing; detecting an incoming call to said mobile; assigning a public switched telephone network accessible number to said mobile upon detection of said incoming call to said mobile, said assigned number having been selected from said group of available public switched telephone network accessible numbers; using said public switched telephone network accessible number to route said incoming call to said foreign service exchange and to identify said mobile within said exchange; releasing said public switched telephone accessible number immediately after said routing and identification; thereafter using said intra foreign service exchange recognized number to set up said incoming call to said mobile in said foreign service exchange; and triggering said near congestion alarm when less than a predetermined number of available public switched telephone network accessible numbers are available for use.

Claim 12

A method of setting up calls to a mobile subscriber located in a foreign service exchange area wherein said foreign service exchange contains a group of available public switched telephone network accessible numbers and a near congestion alarm, said mobile subscriber having a home exchange that tracks its location and can store a routing number for said mobile subscriber, said method comprising the steps of: selecting within said foreign service exchange an optional temporary routing number assignment mode over a fixed registered visitor subscriber number mode; detecting that said mobile is within said foreign service exchange area; assigning to said mobile an intra foreign service exchange recognized number for addressing; detecting an incoming call to said mobile; assigning a public switched telephone network accessible number to said mobile upon detection of said incoming call to said mobile, said assigned number having been selected from said group of available public switched telephone network accessible numbers; using said public switched telephone network accessible number to route said incoming call to said foreign service exchange and to identify said mobile within said exchange; releasing said public switched telephone accessible number immediately after said routing and identification; thereafter using said intra foreign service exchange recognized number to set up said incoming call to said mobile in said foreign service exchange; and triggering said near congestion alarm when less than a predetermined number of available public switched telephone network accessible numbers are available for use.

Claim 13

A system for setting up calls to a mobile subscriber located in a foreign service exchange area wherein said foreign service exchange contains a group of available public switched telephone network accessible numbers and a near congestion alarm, said mobile subscriber having a home exchange that tracks its location and can store a routing number for said mobile subscriber, said system comprising: means within said foreign service exchange for selecting an optional temporary routing number assignment mode over a fixed registered visitor subscriber number mode; means for detecting that said mobile is within said foreign service exchange area; means for assigning to said mobile an intra foreign service exchange recognized number for addressing; means for detecting an incoming call to said mobile; means for assigning a public switched telephone network accessible number to said mobile upon detection of said incoming call to said mobile, said assigned number having been selected from said group of available public switched telephone network accessible numbers; means for using said public switched telephone network accessible number to route said incoming call to said foreign service exchange and to identify said mobile within said exchange; means for releasing said public switched telephone accessible number immediately after said routing and identification; means for using said intra foreign service exchange recognized number to set up said incoming call to said mobile in said foreign service exchange; and means for triggering said near congestion alarm when less than a predetermined number of available public switched telephone network accessible numbers are available for use.

Claim 14

A system for setting up calls to a mobile subscriber located in a foreign service exchange area wherein said foreign service exchange contains a group of available public switched telephone network accessible numbers and a near congestion alarm, said mobile subscriber having a home exchange that tracks its location and can store a routing number for said mobile subscriber, said system comprising: means within said foreign service exchange for selecting an optional temporary routing number assignment mode over a fixed registered visitor subscriber number mode; means for detecting that said mobile is within said foreign service exchange area; means for assigning to said mobile an intra foreign service exchange recognized number for addressing; means for detecting an incoming call to said mobile; means for assigning a public switched telephone network accessible number to said mobile upon detection of said incoming call to said mobile, said assigned number having been selected from said group of available public switched telephone network accessible numbers; means for using said public switched telephone network accessible number to route said incoming call to said foreign service exchange and to identify said mobile within said exchange; means for releasing said public switched telephone accessible number immediately after said routing and identification; means for using said intra foreign service exchange recognized number to set up said incoming call to said mobile in said foreign service exchange; and means for triggering said near congestion alarm when less than a predetermined number of available public switched telephone network accessible numbers are available for use.

Claim 22

A method of setting up calls to a mobile subscriber located in a foreign service exchange area, including an exchange having means for optionally assigning either a temporary routing number or a fixed registered visitor number to a visiting mobile transceiver present within its coverage area as a number to be used for routing calls to the transceiver from outside its coverage area, said mobile subscriber having a home exchange that tracks its location and can store a routing number for said mobile subscriber, said method comprising the steps of: selecting within said foreign service exchange said optionally assignable temporary routing number over said fixed registered visitor subscriber number; detecting that said mobile is within said foreign service exchange area; assigning to said mobile is within said foregin service exchange recognized number for addressing; detecting an incoming call to said mobile; assigning a public switched telephone network accessible number to said mobile upon detection of said incoming call to said mobile; using said public switched telephone network accessible number to route said incoming call to said foreign service exchange and to identify said mobile within said exchange; releasing said public switched telephone accessible number immediately after said routing and identification; and thereafter using said intra foreign service exchange recognized number to set up said incoming call to said mobile in said foreign service exchange.

Claim 23

A method of setting up calls to a mobile subscriber located in a foreign service exchange area, including an exchange having means for optionally assigning either a temporary routing number or a fixed registered visitor number to a visiting mobile transceiver present within its coverage area as a number to be used for routing calls to the transceiver from outside its coverage area, said mobile subscriber having a home exchange that tracks its location and can store a routing number for said mobile subscriber, said method comprising the steps of: selecting within said foreign service exchange said optionally assignable temporary routing number over said fixed registered visitor subscriber number; detecting that said mobile is within said foreign service exchange area; assigning to said mobile is within said foregin service exchange recognized number for addressing; detecting an incoming call to said mobile; assigning a public switched telephone network accessible number to said mobile upon detection of said incoming call to said mobile; using said public switched telephone network accessible number to route said incoming call to said foreign service exchange and to identify said mobile within said exchange; releasing said public switched telephone accessible number immediately after said routing and identification; and thereafter using said intra foreign service exchange recognized number to set up said incoming call to said mobile in said foreign service exchange.

Claim 30

A system for setting up calls to a mobile subscriber located in a foreign service exchange area, including an exchange having means for assigning either a temporary routing number or a fixed registered visitor subscriber number to a visiting mobile transceiver present within its coverage area as a number to be used for routing calls to the transceiver from outside its coverage area, said mobile subscriber having a home exchange that tracks its location and can store a routing number for said mobile subscriber, said system comprising: means within said foreign service exchange for selecting said optional temporary routing number assignment mode over said fixed registered visitor subscriber number mode; means for detecting that said mobile is within said foreign service exchange area; means for assigning to said mobile an intra foreign service exchange recognized number for addressing; means for detecting an incoming call to said mobile; means for assigning a public switched telephone network accessible number to said mobile upon detection of said incoming call to said mobile; means for using said public switched telephone network accessible number to route said incoming call to said foreign service exchange and to identify said mobile within said exchange; means for releasing said public switched telephone accessible number immediately after said routing and identification; and means for using said intra foreign service exchange recognized number to set up said incoming call to said mobile in said foreign service exchange.

Claim 31

A system for setting up calls to a mobile subscriber located in a foreign service exchange area, including an exchange having means for assigning either a temporary routing number or a fixed registered visitor subscriber number to a visiting mobile transceiver present within its coverage area as a number to be used for routing calls to the transceiver from outside its coverage area, said mobile subscriber having a home exchange that tracks its location and can store a routing number for said mobile subscriber, said system comprising: means within said foreign service exchange for selecting said optional temporary routing number assignment mode over said fixed registered visitor subscriber number mode; means for detecting that said mobile is within said foreign service exchange area; means for assigning to said mobile an intra foreign service exchange recognized number for addressing; means for detecting an incoming call to said mobile; means for assigning a public switched telephone network accessible number to said mobile upon detection of said incoming call to said mobile; means for using said public switched telephone network accessible number to route said incoming call to said foreign service exchange and to identify said mobile within said exchange; means for releasing said public switched telephone accessible number immediately after said routing and identification; and means for using said intra foreign service exchange recognized number to set up said incoming call to said mobile in said foreign service exchange.