Third-party Call Control Server for Mobile Service Restriction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current telecommunications systems lack the capability to control call-related services for a mobile station in a stealthy and coordinated manner, particularly for law enforcement to restrict services of targeted individuals without alerting them or their service providers.
Innovation Solution
A call control server acquires mobile station identifiers, poses as the serving Visitor Location Register (VLR) to the Home Location Register (HLR), and modifies subscriber data to restrict services, using standardized GSM MAP messages to control call permissions without modifying the HLR's software or coordinating with the service provider.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If law enforcement restricts services by coordinating with the service provider and modifying the HLR's software, then the restriction is reliable and authorized, but the process is time-consuming and detectable by the user and service provider
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third-party control system that acts as an intermediary between law enforcement and the telecommunications network. This system can directly modify subscriber data parameters in the VLR without requiring service provider coordination or HLR software modification, enabling rapid service restriction while maintaining operational secrecy. The intermediary system communicates with the VLR to implement restrictions on targeted mobile stations within seconds of receiving authorization.
2Reliability
If law enforcement restricts services by coordinating with the service provider and modifying the HLR's software, then the restriction is reliable and authorized, but the complexity of coordination and modification increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the service restriction capability from the traditional coordinated process and implements it through a standalone third-party control system. This system directly interfaces with the VLR to modify subscriber data parameters, eliminating the need for complex coordination between multiple entities and HLR software modification. The extraction of this function to an independent system reduces operational complexity while maintaining restriction reliability.
3Ease of operation
If the system modifies subscriber data to restrict services, then call-related services are effectively controlled, but the user and service provider can detect the modification
Solution Approach 1:
The third-party control system acts as an intermediary that modifies subscriber data parameters in the VLR without triggering detection mechanisms. By operating through the existing VLR interface and using standardized GSM MAP messages, the system implements service restrictions invisibly to both the user and service provider. The intermediary nature allows the system to control services effectively while maintaining operational secrecy.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are disclosed that provide for the control, by a third party, of call-related services that are provided to a wireless subscriber. For each mobile station whose calls and other communications are to be controlled, the server interposes itself between the serving Visitor Location Register (VLR) of the mobile station and the subscriber's Home Location Register (HLR). Through a sequence of standardized messages, the server represents itself to the unsuspecting HLR as the mobile station's new serving VLR. The server receives from the subscriber's HLR a first set of subscriber data that comprises data related to call-service permissions. The server then modifies a parameter from the first set, restricting an end-user service to the mobile station. The server then transmits the modified parameter to the serving VLR, which is used to block one or more types of calls that involve the mobile station.