Wireless Intelligent Network (WIN) Support for Centralized Service Control in an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) Network

Abstract

Feature control signaling can be transported from a handset to a network-based service platform when the handset is active on an existing call, using three-way calling and Intelligent Network (IN) capabilities to pass feature control information from the user device to a network-based service platform. Although Wireless Intelligent Network (WIN) standards do not support mid-call triggers, handset emulation of three-way-calling (3WC) behavior allows a handset to send a digit string (representing a particular feature-related event) to a network-based service platform (in the context of a pseudo-3WC). Mid-call communications can be accomplished in this manner, allowing a network-based service platform to interpret and take action based on the received digit string, prior to releasing the additional call leg associated with the pseudo-3WC attempt. WIN mechanisms can also be used to send feature control signals from a network-based service platform to a handset. These mechanisms can be used to promote consistent service offerings for users who are served by networks that are comprised of different technologies. These mechanisms can also be used to help operators transition their networks to support emerging network technologies.

1 . A method of using a first handset having an existing established communication session with a second handset, the method comprising:
 detecting in the first handset a feature-event to be reported to a network-based service platform;   selecting in the first handset a set of feature information to be sent in response to detecting the feature-event;   sending the feature information from the first handset to a network in response to detecting the feature-event to trigger communication with the network-based service platform for invoking intended feature actions;   re-establishing the communication session with the second handset.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising receiving a message from the network-based service platform via the network including feature information. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 establishing a connection from the first handset to a network-based service platform to establish a multi-party session among the first handset, the second handset, and the network-based service platform;   removing the network-based service platform from the established session, in response to completion of network-based service platform involvement.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the selecting in the first handset is based at least in part on predefined feature-control digit strings maintained in the first handset. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the first handset sending a Flash with Information message to the network to invoke a pseudo-three-way call. 
     
     
         6 . A communication device handset configured to use a network-based service platform for executing services on behalf of the handset having an existing established communication session with a second handset, the handset comprising:
 a processing device configured to cause the handset to:   detect a feature-event to be reported to a network-based service platform;   select a set of feature information to be sent in response to detecting the feature-event;   send a message containing the feature information to a network in response to detecting the feature-event for invoking intended feature actions;   re-establish the communication session with the second handset;   receive a message from the network-based service platform via the network including feature information.   
     
     
         7 . The handset of  claim 6  wherein the processing device is further configured to cause the handset to re-establish the communication session with the second handset. 
     
     
         8 . A method of using a network-based service platform for executing services on behalf of a first handset having an existing established communication session with a second handset, the method comprising:
 interpreting feature information from the first handset to determine intended feature actions;   invoking the intended feature actions via service logic execution at a network-based service platform;   instructing the network to pass feature information to the first handset by sending a message to the network-based service platform; and   re-establishing a communications session between the first handset and the second handset.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the detecting that a trigger condition has been satisfied in the network is based on an Intelligent Network (IN) trigger that is detected at a switching system in the network. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the trigger is based on a Wireless Intelligent Network (WIN) trigger that is detected at a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) in the network. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the message comprises feature information and the sending the message to the network-based service platform is based on the IN trigger. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the message comprises a WIN OriginationRequest (ORREQ) message that is sent from the MSC to the network-based service platform. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the feature information contains a feature-control digit string is populated in a Digits(Dialed) parameter of an associated WIN message. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the interpreting the feature information is based on the predefined feature-control digit strings. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the invoking the intended feature actions via service logic execution at the network-based service platform is based on centralized service control in an IMS-based network. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the instructing the network to pass feature information to the first handset is based on sending a response from the network-based service platform to the switching system via the corresponding response to the IN trigger. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the response from the network-based service platform to an MSC is a WIN OriginationRequest (ORREQ) response message. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the WIN ORREQ response message from the network-based service platform contains an AnnouncementList and/or DisplayText parameter for instructing the MSC to provide audible and/or visual indications to the first handset and/or a routing address for invoking processing elsewhere in the network. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the re-establishing a communications session between the first handset and the second handset is based on instructions from the network-based service platform that are conveyed to the switching system via parameters of the response from the network-based service platform. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the response from the network-based service platform contains an AccessDeniedReason or ActionCode parameter populated to release a pseudo-3WC call leg and reconnect the first handset and the second handset. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 receiving the feature information from the first handset;   detecting that a trigger condition has been satisfied in the network, in response to receiving the feature information from the first handset;   determining in the network the identification of a network-based service platform, in response to the detecting that the trigger condition has been satisfied;   sending feature information from the network to the network-based service platform, in response to detecting that the trigger condition has been satisfied.   
     
     
         22 . A network apparatus having a network-based service platform for executing services on behalf of a first handset having an existing established communication session with a second handset, the network apparatus comprising:
 means for receiving a message containing feature information from the first handset;   means for detecting that a trigger condition has been satisfied in response to receiving the message containing the feature information is received from the first handset;   means for determining the identification of a network-based service platform in response to the detecting that the trigger condition has been satisfied;   means for sending a message containing feature information to the network-based service platform in response to the detecting that the trigger condition has been satisfied;   means for interpreting the feature information contained in the message that is received by the network-based service platform to determine intended feature actions;   means for invoking the intended feature actions via service logic execution at the network-based service platform;   means for passing feature information to the first handset by sending a message from the network-based service platform.   
     
     
         23 . A network apparatus having a network-based service platform for executing services on behalf of a first handset having an existing established communication session with a second handset, the network apparatus comprising:
 a network-based element configured to receive a message containing feature information from the first handset, to detect that a trigger condition has been satisfied, and to send a message containing feature information to a network-based service platform in response to the detecting that the trigger condition has been satisfied; and   a centralized service control element in the network-based service platform configured to interpret the feature information contained in the message received by the network-based service platform to determine intended feature actions, to invoke the intended feature actions via service logic execution and to send a message including feature information to the network-based element;   wherein the network-based element is further configured to pass the feature information to the first handset.   
     
     
         24 . A network apparatus having a network-based service platform for executing services on behalf of a first handset having an existing established communication session with a second handset, the network apparatus comprising:
 a centralized service control element in the network-based service platform, the centralized service control element configured to detect an event and to determine that a feature-event needs to be reported to the first handset based on the event; and   a network-based element configured to receive a message containing feature information from the centralized service control element and to send a handset message containing feature information to the first handset;   wherein the centralized service control element is further configured to invoke intended feature actions based upon the feature information contained in the message that is sent to the network-based element.