Methods and systems to substantially prevent fraudulent use of a wireless unit roaming in a visited system

Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatus that substantially prevent the fraudulent use of wireless units roaming in visited systems. A visited mobile switching center (MSC-V) registers a wireless unit that is roaming in the visited system, but denies originating communication service to the unit. To make a call, the unit provides a code and identification information. The MSC-V routes the code and identification information to a verification entity. The entity determines whether the wireless unit is a verified or authentic unit. If the wireless unit is a verified unit, the verification entity responds positively to the MSC-V. Based on the verification, the MSC-V removes the denial of originating communication service from the wireless unit. Advantageously, the home system need not be consulted by the MSC-V with respect to the authenticity of the wireless unit.

1. A method to prevent fraudulent use of a wireless unit that is roaming in a visited system, the method comprising:
 as a part of registration of the wireless unit with a visited mobile switching center (MSC-V) of the visited system, causing the MSC-V to implement denial of originating communication service with respect to the wireless unit;  
 after the registration of the wireless unit with the MSC-V and the denial of the originating communication service with respect to the wireless unit, receiving at the MSC-V a code and identification information from the wireless unit;  
 in response to the receipt of the code, causing the MSC-V to transmit a message including the identification information to a verification element functionally connected to the visited system and a home system of the wireless unit;  
 in response to receipt of the message, causing the verification element to carry out a verification of the identificatino information;  
 in response to making a positive verification, causing the verification element to transit a response to the MSC-V, the response including the positive verification; and  
 based on the positive verification received in the response, causing the MSC-V to remove the denial of the originating communication service with respect to the wireless unit, thereby initiating the communication service with respect to the wireless unit,  
 wherein prior to receiving at the MSC-V the code and the identification information from the wireless unit, the method further comprises: 
 receiving at the MSC-V a call attempt from the wireless unit; and  
 causing the MSC-V in response to the call attempt to provide the wireless unit with an announcement.  
 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the response including the positive verification comprises origination/termination service information; and
 wherein the method further comprises: 
 causing the MSC-V to update information the MSC-V retains in a visitor location resister (VLR) relating to the wireless unit with the origination/termination service information; and  
 after removal of the denial of the originating communication service with respect to the wireless unit, causing the MSC-V to provide communication services to the wireless unit based on the origination/termination service information.  
 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the message including the identification information comprises a feature request message, and wherein the identification information comprises a personal identification number (PIN); and
 wherein causing the MSC-V to transmit a message comprises causing the MSC-V to transmit the feature request message including the PIN to the verification element.  
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the response comprises a feature request response; and
 wherein causing the verification element to transmit a response to the MSC-V comprises causing the verification element to transmit a feature request response to the MSC-V.  
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the announcement comprises an instruction to the wireless unit to dial the code and provide the identification information. 
     
     
       6. A system to prevent fraudulent use of a wireless unit that is roaming in a visited system, the system comprising:
 a visited mobile switching center (MSC-V) operative 
 to carry out a registration of the wireless unit in the visited system,  
 to implement, after the registration, denial of originating communication service with respect to the wireless unit;  
 to receive after the denial, a code and identification information in a call from the wireless unit;  
 
 to recognize the code as a feature request with respect to a network element, and 
 to route a feature request message including the identification information to the network element;  
 
 the network element operative in response to receipt of the identification information to provide a verification in a feature request response to the MSC-V, the network element being functionally connected to the visited system and a home system of the wireless unit; and  
 the MSC-V also operative to remove the denial if the verification comprises a positive verification,  
 wherein, after the registration of the wireless unit with the visited system and prior to the denial of originating communication service to the wireless unit the MSC-V is operative to receive a call attempt from the wireless unit, and in response to the call attempt, is operative to provide an instruction to the wireless unit to dial the code and provide the identification information.  
 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 6  wherein the feature request response from the network element comprises origination/termination service information with respect to the wireless unit;
 wherein the MSSC-V comprises a visitor location register (VLR) including information relating to the wireless unit; and  
 wherein the MSC-V is operative to update the information in the VLR with the origination/termination service information.  
 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 7 , wherein, after the removal of the denial, the MSC-V is operative to provide communication services to the wireless unit based on the origination/termination service information. 
     
     
       9. A storage device, readable by a machine of a wireless system, tangibly embodying instructions executable by the machine to cause the machine to perform operations comprising:
   registering a wireless unit visiting a current wireless system, and initially denying originating communication by the wireless unit on the current wireless system;        receiving a call attempt from the wireless unit;        responding to the wireless unit with an announcement in response to the call attempt;        receiving identifying information from the wireless unit;        transmitting the identifying information to a verification entity, the verification entity being capable of determining authenticity of the wireless unit;        receiving an authentication response from the verification entity; and        in the event the authentication response is positive, initiating communication service with respect to the wireless unit on the current wireless system.     
     
     
       10. The storage device according to  claim 9 , wherein, if positive, the authentication response includes origination/termination service information, and wherein the instructions are executable by the machine to cause the machine to further perform operations comprising:
   updating information relating to the wireless unit based on said origination/termination service information; and        providing communication services to the wireless unit based on the origination/termination service information.     
     
     
       11. The storage device according to  claim 9 , wherein the identifying information comprises a personal identification number ( PIN ) , and wherein said transmitting the identifying information to a verification node includes transmitting the PIN to the verification node.   
     
     
       12. The storage device according to  claim 9 , wherein said receiving identifying information from the wireless unit comprises receiving a feature request message including the identification information, wherein said transmitting the identifying information to a verification node comprises transmitting at least a portion of said feature request message to the verification node, and wherein said receiving an authentication response comprises receiving a feature request response. 
     
     
       13. The storage device according to  claim 9 , wherein said announcement comprises a request for identification information. 
     
     
       14. The storage device according to  claim 9 , wherein at least said receiving identifying information, said transmitting the identifying information, and said receiving an authentication response are required to be performed within a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
       15. The storage device according to  claim 9 , wherein the instructions are executable by the machine to cause the machine to further perform operations comprising:
   periodically repeating at least said receiving identifying information, said transmitting the identifying information, and said receiving an authentication response.     
     
     
       16. The storage device according to  claim 9 , wherein the instructions are executable by the machine to cause the machine to further perform operations comprising:
   causing said wireless unit to be locked prior to said registering; and        requiring an authentication procedure prior to said registering.     
     
     
       17. The storage device according to  claim 16 , wherein said authentication procedure comprises entering a personal identification number into said wireless unit. 
     
     
       18. An apparatus of a wireless communication system, said apparatus adapted to perform a method comprising:
   registering a wireless unit visiting said wireless communication system, while initially denying originating communication by the wireless unit on said wireless communication system;        receiving a call attempt from the wireless unit;        responding to the wireless unit with an announcement in response to the call attempt;        receiving identifying information from the wireless unit;        transmitting the identifying information to a verification entity, the verification entity being capable of determining authenticity of the wireless unit;        receiving an authentication response from the verification entity; and        in the event the authentication response is positive, initiating communication service with respect to the wireless unit on said wireless communication system.     
     
     
       19. The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein said apparatus is contained at least in part within a switching center associated with said wireless communication system. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus according to  claim 18 , further comprising a base station. 
     
     
       21. The apparatus according to  claim 18 , further comprising a register in which to record information about at least one wireless unit. 
     
     
       22. The apparatus according to  claim 21 , further comprising a table containing wireless unit identification information. 
     
     
       23. A method comprising:
   registering a wireless unit following an initial authentication process, while initially denying originating communication by the wireless unit on the current wireless system;        in response to a call attempt by the wireless unit, providing an announcement to the wireless unit;        receiving identifying information from the wireless unit;        transmitting the identifying information to a verification node, the verification node being capable of determining authenticity of the wireless unit;        receiving an authentication response from the verification node; and        in the event the authentication response is positive, initiating communication service with respect to the wireless unit on the current wireless system.     
     
     
       24. The method according to  claim 23 , wherein said initial authentication process comprises requiring entry of a personal identification number. 
     
     
       25. The method according to  claim 23 , wherein at least said receiving identifying information, said transmitting the identifying information, and said receiving an authentication response are required to be performed within a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
       26. The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising:
   periodically repeating at least said receiving identifying information, said transmitting the identifying information, and said receiving an authentication response.     
     
     
       27. The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the wireless unit is initially locked, and wherein said initial authentication process is to cause the wireless unit to become unlocked. 
     
     
       28. The method according to  claim 23 , wherein said announcement comprises a request for identification information.