WO2003034760A1 - Method of and device for operating a wireless telecommunication terminal in a wireless communication system providing a number of distinct service levels - Google Patents

Method of and device for operating a wireless telecommunication terminal in a wireless communication system providing a number of distinct service levels Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2003034760A1
WO2003034760A1 PCT/EP2001/011728 EP0111728W WO03034760A1 WO 2003034760 A1 WO2003034760 A1 WO 2003034760A1 EP 0111728 W EP0111728 W EP 0111728W WO 03034760 A1 WO03034760 A1 WO 03034760A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
wireless telecommunication
service
telecommunication terminal
services
service level
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2001/011728
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Bart Trip
Freek Ebeling
Eddy Vermeer
Original Assignee
Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) filed Critical Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority to PCT/EP2001/011728 priority Critical patent/WO2003034760A1/en
Publication of WO2003034760A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003034760A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L63/00—Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security
    • H04L63/08—Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security for authentication of entities
    • H04L63/083—Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security for authentication of entities using passwords
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L63/00—Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security
    • H04L63/10—Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security for controlling access to devices or network resources
    • H04L63/105—Multiple levels of security
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W12/00—Security arrangements; Authentication; Protecting privacy or anonymity
    • H04W12/06—Authentication
    • H04W12/068—Authentication using credential vaults, e.g. password manager applications or one time password [OTP] applications
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W12/00—Security arrangements; Authentication; Protecting privacy or anonymity
    • H04W12/08—Access security
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W8/00—Network data management
    • H04W8/18—Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data

Definitions

  • Method of and device for operating a wireless telecommunication terminal in a wireless communication system providing a number of distinct service levels.
  • the present invention relates generally to wireless communications systems and, more specifically, to wireless telecommunication equipment arranged for wireless communication in several wireless telecommunication environments such as at home, in the office or outdoors, for example.
  • PCS Personal Communication Systems
  • WLAN Wireless Local Area Networks
  • DECT Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications
  • GSM Global System for Mobile communication
  • UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunication System
  • Wireless telecommunication systems offer users mobility and generally a wide variety of services that contribute to the ease of getting contacted or getting into contact with other users or for retrieving information.
  • These wireless telecommunication systems nowadays replace many of the conventional wire line telecommunication systems, because wireless systems contribute to the need of being able to use the features of a telecommunication system independent of the users vicinity and availability of a fixed wire line telecommunication terminal.
  • Wireless telecommunication raised new control issues compared to wire line telecommunication systems, among others related to the mobility of the wireless telecommunication terminals, such as costs, security, availability, quality and abuse.
  • the degree of freedom of usage (or misuse) of a system is more limited than for the wireless telecommunication systems, where users can be at any place, can loose or lend out their wireless telecommunication terminal, and may change subscriptions or roam to other wireless telecommunication networks.
  • the roles of owner, administrator and user of a wireless telecommunication terminal can occur in several combinations. These combinations depend on the actual usage. Where a subscriber to a global network is generally the owner of the wireless telecommunication terminal and user at the same time, a user of a wireless telecommunication terminal in an office environment is merely a user. The owner is, for example, the employer or company.
  • An administrator of a telecommunication system performs tasks for offering the required level of services at a certain price.
  • the administrators task is to control and administrate the usage of the telecommunications service by the fixed telephone sets, located at the users premises or office, and where costs of usage can be related to a certain registered user, for example.
  • the administrator has less control on whom is actually using a certain wireless telecommunication terminal, as these telecommunication terminals easily tend to be used by other persons.
  • the control of costs in relation to a certain user in a wireless telecommunication system is mainly provided by a pre-agreed set of services.
  • the owner of a wireless telecommunication terminal agrees with the administrator, i.e. the provider of the network services, a certain level of services for a certain price.
  • the services, available at the wireless telecommunication terminal are more or less fixed and not easily adapted whenever a wireless telecommunication terminal is used by person other than the owner, hence the intended user.
  • the costs are usually accumulated and charged to the owner after a certain period of time has passed, which weakens the effect of controlling the costs.
  • wireless telecommunication terminals tend to move around with the intended user, wireless telecommunication terminals are subject to loss and theft.
  • services available at the wireless telecommunication terminal can be used to the full extent, causing unwanted costs and an unpredictable hazard in case of confidential services.
  • state of the art systems use authentication procedures in to order to achieve, at least at startup of the wireless telecommunication terminal, some acknowledgment that the user is the intended user of the wireless telecommunication terminal, before full access to the available services is provided.
  • authentication procedures in order to achieve, at least at startup of the wireless telecommunication terminal, some acknowledgment that the user is the intended user of the wireless telecommunication terminal, before full access to the available services is provided.
  • administrators provide a procedure to block all services in case the user reports loss or theft of his or hers wireless telecommunication terminal.
  • the time to have a blockage of all services in place can last from several minutes to several hours, in most cases due to the fact that the intended user has to get the awareness that theft or loss took place. In this time period severe damage with respect to costs or usage of confidential services can occur.
  • a wireless telecommunication system arranged for providing a plurality of services to a wireless telecommunication terminal, wherein the wireless telecommunication terminal comprises means for selecting a subset of the plurality of services to be provided to the wireless telecommunication terminal, characterized in that the wireless telecommunication system comprises means for arranging available services of a subset of the plurality of services into a number of distinct levels, wherein each distinct level comprises at least one service, according to policies of an owner of the telecommunication system.
  • the telecommunication system comprises means for assigning and storing a selection of the distinct levels of services, related to a certain wireless telecommunication terminal, and the user of the telecommunication terminal can select one or more of the assigned levels of services.
  • the system can be arranged for an authentication procedure, to have the user selecting the levels of services. All static and dynamic information is stored into a database, organized into user accounts, wherein each user account is related to a certain wireless telecommunication terminal.
  • the database is arranged for storing unique passwords for each distinct level or levels of services that a user can select and the system comprises means for verifying the stored passwords against user supplied passwords.
  • the system may comprise means to have, for example, an administrator set and store a level of services if a wireless telecommunication terminal starts up, i.e. when it is switched on.
  • the system may have means to control the level of services where the wireless telecommunication terminal operates in.
  • the current level of service in an environment where the service-area of the system comprises several cells i.e. a cellular telecommunication system
  • the system may be equipped with detection arrangements and storage of a cell identifier as a location designator of the cell and the corresponding selected level of services.
  • the system may comprise a timing arrangement.
  • a wireless telecommunication terminal for accessing a plurality of services provided by a wireless telecommunication system, the wireless telecommunication terminal being designed for selecting a subset of the plurality of services to be provided to the wireless telecommunication terminal, and characterized in that the wireless telecommunication terminal comprises means for offering, by means of an authentication procedure, an option for selecting a distinct level or levels of services, to be provided by the wireless telecommunication system.
  • the wireless telecommunication terminal may comprise means to perform an authentication procedure to have a user select a certain level of services, whenever a password is entered by the user. Further, the wireless telecommunication terminal may be provided with means to notify the user of a current level of services.
  • telecommunication terminal means are provided to initiate a pre-defined level of services at startup of the wireless telecommunication terminal.
  • a wireless telecommunication terminal such as a handheld or cordless phone, or a wireless data communication device, is physically independent of the number of levels of service that can be selected.
  • the invention further relates to a method of providing a plurality of services by a wireless telecommunication system to a wireless telecommunication terminal, characterized in that the services of the wireless telecommunication system are arranged into a predefined number of distinct levels of services, wherein each level comprises at least one service, according to policies of the owner of the system.
  • policies relate to deployment of the services in any combination of, but not limited to, hazard on use or misuse of the services, costs of usage of the services, required quality in relation to the user of the services, availability of the services and capacity or suitability of the used wireless telecommunication terminal for use of the services, where each service is classified into a range from a low effect to a high effect, considered with respect to said combinations.
  • the method according to the present invention is based on the recognition of a difference in level of e.g. security, costs, availability, capacities of used telecommunication terminals, quality, etcetera, of the provided services of the wireless telecommunication system.
  • level of e.g. security, costs, availability, capacities of used telecommunication terminals, quality, etcetera of the provided services of the wireless telecommunication system.
  • PABX Private Automatic Branch Exchange
  • service levels The pre-assumption of a set of levels of services, hereafter referred to as service levels, where each service level comprises one or more services offered by the wireless telecommunication system where any combination of, among others, costs and confidentiality is considered, is deployed in a selection procedure where a user can select up to a certain service level, where all the service levels below this certain service level are included as well, or where just that certain service level is deployed.
  • an administrator of a wireless telecommunication system compiles a number of appropriate service levels, according to the possibilities of the wi eless telecommunication system and adapted to the needs of a certain user, and generates for this user passwords for each service level, where each service level has a unique password for deployment of a specific service level as well as a unique password for deployment of that specific service level, including all levels below this specific service level.
  • the administrator submits the generated passwords in a secure way to the intended user.
  • a user of a wireless telecommunication terminal operating in a wireless telecommunication system, executes an option at the wireless telecommunication terminal as to select a service level by starting an authentication procedure where a password, supplied by the administrator as stated above, is used.
  • the wireless telecommunication system provides the service level or levels to the particular wireless telecommunication terminal if the authentication procedure succeeds successfully.
  • a wireless telecommunication system provides the user of a wireless telecommunication terminal an option to enable degrading of the service level after a predetermined time, if there was no usage detected of the specific service level during this predetermined time.
  • a predetermined time if there was no usage detected of the specific service level during this predetermined time.
  • a wireless telecommunication system provides a certain maximum service level for an intended user, related to the physical position of a wireless telecommunication terminal, operating in the wireless telecommunication system.
  • An intended user may have a service level profile that is related to a certain area, describing the service levels that the intended user of a wireless telecommunication terminal is able to select, regarding to the area where the user currently resides.
  • the invention further provides for a wireless telecommunication terminal, operating in a wireless telecommunication system designed for operation in a residential environment, an office environment, or in a global environment, wherein one or more of services arranged in certain levels, offered by the wireless telecommunication system, can be enabled by a selection procedure where authentication based on a pre-defined password occurs.
  • the invention further relates to a wireless telecommunication system, designed for operation in a residential environment, an office environment, or in a global environment, wherein certain services, arranged in certain levels, are available to a specific wireless telecommunication terminal, according to a predefined selection procedure where authentication based on passwords defines which services are available to the wireless telecommunication terminal.
  • Figure 1 shows, in a schematic and illustrative manner, an overview of a wireless PABX environment.
  • Figure 2 shows, in an abstract schematic and illustrative manner, a flowchart of a selection procedure according to the present invention.
  • Figure 3 shows, in an abstract schematic and illustrative manner, an example of a complete set of available services provided by a
  • Figure 4 shows, in an abstract schematic and illustrative manner, an operational subset of the complete set of the available services provided by the PABX of figure 3 for a certain user, where a certain service level as well as the service level (s) below this certain service level are depicted.
  • Figure 5 shows, in an abstract schematic and illustrative manner, an operational subset of the complete set of the available services provided by the PABX of figure 3 for a certain user, where a certain service level is depicted.
  • Figure 6 shows, in a schematic and illustrative manner, a flowchart of service level changes due to moving around a premises where the intended user has not the same service level profile for all areas.
  • PABX Private Automatic Branch Exchange
  • PCS Personal Communication Systems
  • WLAN Wireless Local Area Networks
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a typical example of a PABX operating in a wireless environment, comprising a PABX switching system 1 hereafter referred to as PABX 1, with a connected database 2, an input/output device 3 operated by an administrator, a radio exchange 4, that has connections 5 to the base stations 6 which service a service area or cell 7 and wireless telecommunication terminals 8.
  • the services of a PABX 1 are classified into several levels, according to the knowledge of the administrator of the PABX 1, based on the needs of its users and the policies provided by the owner of the PABX
  • Level #0 Low level services
  • Level #2 High level services:
  • Figure 3 depicts the information of the list above into a comprehensive format, to be used for the explanation of the present invention.
  • the administrator assigns, according to the invention, one or more service levels.
  • a list with the assigned service levels for an intended user is referred to hereafter as a service level profile.
  • Figures 4 and 5 depict the same elements as in figure 3, where as an example, for a certain intended user the available service levels, hence the service level profile, are marked by a dotted pattern.
  • the intended user has a service level profile where the highest available service level for this intended user is service level #1 and where all service levels below are included.
  • An intended user with this service level profile may select service levels #0 and #1 exclusively, or service level #1 inclusively where service level #0 is included.
  • the intended user has a service level profile where the highest available service level for this intended user is service level #1 only.
  • An intended user with this service level profile can only select this service level. Other service levels are not provided.
  • the administrator generates for each assigned service level for the intended user, a unique password, that is to be used for selecting a specified service level by the intended user. For service level #0 a special case exists; for intended users whom may only select service level #0, the administrator has the option to omit a password.
  • wireless telecommunication terminals 8 operating with basic services according to service level #0 only are handed over to e.g. guests, it is convenient to provide these wireless telecommunication terminals 8 without any password as to reduce administrative overhead.
  • the administrator provides for each service level, higher than #0, a second unique password, valid for the specified service level, including all the service levels below this specified service level.
  • the administrator stores these passwords into a database 2, connected to the PABX 1, where this database 2 has at least a part of its records organized into user accounts, where each user account holds information on a certain user, such as a call history, generated costs, the service level profile, the current service level and the passwords, described above.
  • the list of services for an intended user i.e.
  • the service level profile, provided by the PABX 1, accompanied with the generated password list, is then handed over or submitted to the intended user in a secure way in case the intended user has at least one service level where a password is involved. If a user of the PABX 1 switches on his or hers wireless telecommunication terminal 8, the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 will generally subscribe itself to the PABX 1 and starts-up in service level #0, where there is generally no password needed, as explained above.
  • the PABX 1 updates the current service level within the account of the intended user in the database 2, to service level #0, denoting that this wireless telecommunication terminal 8, related to the intended user, is operational and services according to service level #0 should be provided to this specific wireless telecommunication terminal 8 where the related intended user is assumed.
  • GSM Global System for Mobile communication
  • the administrator has the option to define a service level where the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 starts when this telecommunication terminal is switched on and additionally if a password for selection of this service level is required at start-up.
  • a wireless telecommunication terminal 8 starts, after completing a subscription procedure within a wireless telecommunication system, in service level #0 without a password. It is up to a user and depending on the available service levels for the intended user, to select a higher service level. If the user wants to select a higher service level than the current service level, the user initiates a selection procedure at the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 by e.g. pressing the appropriate key-sequence or any other pre-defined procedure for selecting a service level on this specific PABX 1.
  • Figure 2 illustrates a flow of steps, processed by the PABX 1 when this PABX 1 receives a request from a user of a wireless device for a change in provided service level for the intended user.
  • a check 11 if the intended user is allowed to have other service levels than service level #0 is executed. If the check results in that the intended user is only allowed for service level #0, the current service level will be (re) established 23 to service level #0 and an appropriate signaling to the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 will be executed in that the user notifies a message that the current service level is #0 and ends 16 the selection procedure.
  • the PABX 1 executes appropriate signaling to the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 as to notify the user to enter a password 12 and 13. If the user enters a password, the PABX 1 verifies 14, 18 or 20 the password against the stored password in the intended users account at the database 2, where the passwords refer to a specific service level (depicted as excl . for exclusive) or a specific service level, including all service level below this specific service level (depicted as incl. for inclusive). In figure 2, not all possible passwords verifications and appropriate actions are depicted whereas those skilled in the art understand that the dotted lines represent those omitted statements.
  • the current service level will be changed, or re-established, to the service level 15, 19 or 21 where the supplied password relates to and the PABX 1 executes appropriate signaling in order to notify the user of the current service level and ends the selection procedure.
  • the PABX 1 performs the appropriate signaling to notify 22 the user on a not succeeded service selection attempt as well as the current service level and ends 16 the selection procedure.
  • a requested service whether user-initialized or PABX-initialized, is allowed according to a current service level versus classification into service levels of the requested service
  • the PABX 1 will perform the appropriate signaling to execute the requested service.
  • a user-initialized requested service such as a call set-up to an international telephone number
  • the PABX 1 executes the appropriate signaling to the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 to notify the user that the requested service is not available.
  • a PABX-initialized requested service such as answering an incoming external call, is e.g.
  • the PABX 1 will execute the appropriate signaling in that the incoming call will be transferred to the operator or some other location.
  • the invention supports the feature to relate provision of services to the actual location of the user. As users move around in the area, covered by a wireless PABX 1, normally the premises of the office environment, the position of the wireless telecommunication terminal 8, hence the user, can be detected in case the wireless service of the PABX 1 is supported by multiple base stations 6 and where the PABX 1 has the ability to record the specific base station cell 7, hereafter referred as service- area, where the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 is momentarily resides in.
  • the actual service-area has to be recorded into the intended user's account in the database 2.
  • the administrator does not only assign the available service level or levels for a certain users, but as well the service-area designator, where a certain service level will be offered by the PABX 1. In this way there is a provision to have a specific service level for each service-area where the intended user has e.g. in one service-area full access to all service levels supplied by the PABX 1 and in another restricted service-area only service level #0 services.
  • the PABX 1 has, in case of a system where there is a continues wireless connection between the PABX 1 and the wireless telecommunication terminal, as in PABX environments based on Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) technology, to store the current service-area designator into the user's account in the database 2 when the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 is switched on and to store the new service- area designator into the user's account in the database 2 whenever the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 is moved out of the current cell and gets connected to a neighbor cell.
  • the current service level is checked against the available service level for the current service-area when there is a user-telecommunication terminal or system initialized request for a service.
  • Figure 6 illustrates a flow of steps, processed by the PABX 1 when this PABX 1 receives a signal that a wireless telecommunication terminal 8 changes its connection to a base station, which is generally caused by a user of a wireless telecommunication terminal 8, moving across a hypothetical border between two service-areas 7 of base stations 6.
  • the current service level is equal to #2, it will be lowered to #1, as service level #1 is the maximum allowed service level at this service- area for this intended user.
  • the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 has moved to a service-area where the maximum allowed service level of the intended user is higher or equal 31 than the current service level, and where the current service level is lower 34 than the last known, stored service level that was active when the user resides in this service-area, the current service level will be set 35 to this last known stored service level.
  • Suggest that the current service level is equal to #0, it will raised to #1, as service level #1 was the service level when the user left this specific service-area.
  • the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 has moved to a service-area where the current service level is higher than or equal to the last known stored service level that was active when the user resides in this service area, the current service level will be maintained. Assuming that the current service level is equal to #1, it will remain #1, as service level #1 was the service level when the user left this specific service-area.
  • the new service level will be stored 33 in the users account at the database 2.
  • the three possible situations referred to as A, B and C, are depicted where the dashed arrows in the service level profile indicate the service level changes according to the explanation above.
  • the numbers of level can be any number, higher than one.
  • This sequence is applied as to have as well the least number of service level changes, as well as to offer the user a recognizable service level, related to the service-area where he or she resides.
  • the invention provides in a solution where the user can enable an option to have a current service level operational for a predetermined time-period only. When there was no service, belonging to the current service level, used within the passed time-period, the current service level degrades into a next lower level. In case the current service level is lowered to or was already equal to service level #0, degrading the service level has two alternatives where the administrator has the predetermined option to settle to service level #0 or to shut down services for the specific wireless telecommunication terminal 8
  • This service level degrading feature as described above is enabled by a password-authenticated procedure by the user at a wireless telecommunication terminal 8 where the PABX 1 offers the users an option at the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 to enable or disable this option.
  • the PABX 1 degrades the current service level for the intended user to the next lower service level when there was no service, belonging to the current service level, used or requested by this user during a predefined time-period.
  • service level degrading feature there is an option to degrade to service level #0 from any current service level, and an option to apply service level #0 in the same way of the other service levels. So if service level #0 is degraded, the PABX 1 will refuse any service to the specific wireless telecommunication terminal 8, until a successful selection procedure will re-enable the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 again into service. For the usage of a wireless telecommunication terminal 8 that is deployed as a guest telecommunication terminal, operating in service level #0, such as a wireless telecommunication terminal 8 handed over to a consultant who will use the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 only for a limited time-period, the guest receives the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 together with a password.
  • service level #0 such as a wireless telecommunication terminal 8 handed over to a consultant who will use the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 only for a limited time-period
  • the password is generated by an administrator of the PABX 1 and is valid for service level #0 with the extension that, when this wireless telecommunication terminal is switched on and subscribing itself to a wireless telecommunication system and the guest supplies the password to select and enable services, the PABX 1 starts a timer, that at time-out instructs the PABX 1 to shut down services to this wireless telecommunication terminal 8.
  • the administrator provides a password for this service level, where the same applies as stated above.

Abstract

A method of and a device for operating in a wireless telecommunication system wherein a user selects one or more services, provided by the wireless telecommunication system. The services are classified into a number of distinct service levels (#0, #1, #2) and wherein a subset of these service levels is assigned to a wireless telecommunication terminal. A user of the wireless telecommunication terminal is able to select and enable one or more of the assigned services levels (#0, #1, #2) according to an authentication procedure using predefined passwords for a certain service level (#0, #1, #2) or group of service levels (#0, #1, #2).

Description

Title
Method of and device for operating a wireless telecommunication terminal in a wireless communication system providing a number of distinct service levels.
Field of the invention
The present invention relates generally to wireless communications systems and, more specifically, to wireless telecommunication equipment arranged for wireless communication in several wireless telecommunication environments such as at home, in the office or outdoors, for example.
The application areas that can be addressed by this invention include, among others: Personal Communication Systems (PCS), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) , such as devices incorporating the Bluetooth technology, home and office communication systems, such as systems based on the Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) technology, and global telecommunication systems, such as systems based on the Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) and Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) technologies.
Background of the Invention
The use of wireless telecommunication has exponentially increased. Wireless telecommunication systems offer users mobility and generally a wide variety of services that contribute to the ease of getting contacted or getting into contact with other users or for retrieving information. These wireless telecommunication systems nowadays replace many of the conventional wire line telecommunication systems, because wireless systems contribute to the need of being able to use the features of a telecommunication system independent of the users vicinity and availability of a fixed wire line telecommunication terminal.
Wireless telecommunication raised new control issues compared to wire line telecommunication systems, among others related to the mobility of the wireless telecommunication terminals, such as costs, security, availability, quality and abuse.
As wireless telecommunication evolves rapidly into a valuable asset to human life, the issues indicated above are clearly recognized as concerning, among others, the owner, the administrator and the user of the wireless telecommunication terminal.
In wire line telecommunication systems the degree of freedom of usage (or misuse) of a system is more limited than for the wireless telecommunication systems, where users can be at any place, can loose or lend out their wireless telecommunication terminal, and may change subscriptions or roam to other wireless telecommunication networks.
The roles of owner, administrator and user of a wireless telecommunication terminal can occur in several combinations. These combinations depend on the actual usage. Where a subscriber to a global network is generally the owner of the wireless telecommunication terminal and user at the same time, a user of a wireless telecommunication terminal in an office environment is merely a user. The owner is, for example, the employer or company.
An administrator of a telecommunication system performs tasks for offering the required level of services at a certain price. In wire line telecommunication systems, the administrators task is to control and administrate the usage of the telecommunications service by the fixed telephone sets, located at the users premises or office, and where costs of usage can be related to a certain registered user, for example. Although it can be clear whom is the cost taker in a wireless telecommunication system, the administrator has less control on whom is actually using a certain wireless telecommunication terminal, as these telecommunication terminals easily tend to be used by other persons.
The control of costs in relation to a certain user in a wireless telecommunication system is mainly provided by a pre-agreed set of services. In a global wireless telecommunication system, for example, the owner of a wireless telecommunication terminal agrees with the administrator, i.e. the provider of the network services, a certain level of services for a certain price. The services, available at the wireless telecommunication terminal, are more or less fixed and not easily adapted whenever a wireless telecommunication terminal is used by person other than the owner, hence the intended user. Further, the costs are usually accumulated and charged to the owner after a certain period of time has passed, which weakens the effect of controlling the costs.
It can be as well of interest to control in detail the use of certain services available at a wireless telecommunication terminal. In case of a wireless office telecommunication system, where as a service the local phone book of a confidential or security- or intelligence department is available at the wireless telecommunication terminal, it can cause a security hazard for the organization when this service is available to a person not being the intended user but, for example, a consultant using this wireless telecommunication terminal that was quite unintentionally passed to this consultant for making a call.
As wireless telecommunication terminals tend to move around with the intended user, wireless telecommunication terminals are subject to loss and theft. In case of unexpected abuse, services available at the wireless telecommunication terminal can be used to the full extent, causing unwanted costs and an unpredictable hazard in case of confidential services.
In order to cope with, among others, the adverse costs and security issues of wireless telecommunication terminals in wireless telecommunication systems as disclosed above, state of the art systems use authentication procedures in to order to achieve, at least at startup of the wireless telecommunication terminal, some acknowledgment that the user is the intended user of the wireless telecommunication terminal, before full access to the available services is provided. Besides an authentication procedure at start-up of a wireless telecommunication terminal, administrators provide a procedure to block all services in case the user reports loss or theft of his or hers wireless telecommunication terminal. The time to have a blockage of all services in place can last from several minutes to several hours, in most cases due to the fact that the intended user has to get the awareness that theft or loss took place. In this time period severe damage with respect to costs or usage of confidential services can occur.
Summary of the invention
It is an object of the present invention to provide a user of a wireless telecommunication terminal access to services provided by a wireless telecommunication system in a restricted number of telecommunication environments such as, but not limited to, residential environments, office environments and global environments, in such a manner that a selection of services out of a plurality of the services available at the wireless telecommunication system is accessible to the user, and wherein the user may select a subset of the selection of services. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a manner to reduce the adverse results of loss or theft of a wireless telecommunication terminal operating in a wireless telecommunication system and to provide means for controlling the services provided by a wireless telecommunication system, available at wireless telecommunication terminal intentionally handed-over to a guest.
It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide a unit that can operate as a wireless telecommunication terminal in a wireless telecommunication system and a system being part of the wireless telecommunication system, able to control the services, organized in distinct levels, to the wireless telecommunication terminal. These and other objects and advantages are achieved by the present invention in a wireless telecommunication system arranged for providing a plurality of services to a wireless telecommunication terminal, wherein the wireless telecommunication terminal comprises means for selecting a subset of the plurality of services to be provided to the wireless telecommunication terminal, characterized in that the wireless telecommunication system comprises means for arranging available services of a subset of the plurality of services into a number of distinct levels, wherein each distinct level comprises at least one service, according to policies of an owner of the telecommunication system. In accordance with the invention, the telecommunication system comprises means for assigning and storing a selection of the distinct levels of services, related to a certain wireless telecommunication terminal, and the user of the telecommunication terminal can select one or more of the assigned levels of services. The system can be arranged for an authentication procedure, to have the user selecting the levels of services. All static and dynamic information is stored into a database, organized into user accounts, wherein each user account is related to a certain wireless telecommunication terminal. The database is arranged for storing unique passwords for each distinct level or levels of services that a user can select and the system comprises means for verifying the stored passwords against user supplied passwords.
The system may comprise means to have, for example, an administrator set and store a level of services if a wireless telecommunication terminal starts up, i.e. when it is switched on.
The system may have means to control the level of services where the wireless telecommunication terminal operates in. In this manner the current level of service in an environment where the service-area of the system comprises several cells, i.e. a cellular telecommunication system, can be made dependent of the actual cell where the wireless telecommunication terminal resides. As to detect the cell where the wireless telecommunication terminal resides, the system , may be equipped with detection arrangements and storage of a cell identifier as a location designator of the cell and the corresponding selected level of services. For time dependent provision of services the system may comprise a timing arrangement.
In a further embodiment of the invention, there is provided a wireless telecommunication terminal for accessing a plurality of services provided by a wireless telecommunication system, the wireless telecommunication terminal being designed for selecting a subset of the plurality of services to be provided to the wireless telecommunication terminal, and characterized in that the wireless telecommunication terminal comprises means for offering, by means of an authentication procedure, an option for selecting a distinct level or levels of services, to be provided by the wireless telecommunication system.
The wireless telecommunication terminal may comprise means to perform an authentication procedure to have a user select a certain level of services, whenever a password is entered by the user. Further, the wireless telecommunication terminal may be provided with means to notify the user of a current level of services.
In a yet further embodiment of the telecommunication terminal means are provided to initiate a pre-defined level of services at startup of the wireless telecommunication terminal. An advantage of this embodiment is that a wireless telecommunication terminal, such as a handheld or cordless phone, or a wireless data communication device, is physically independent of the number of levels of service that can be selected.
The invention further relates to a method of providing a plurality of services by a wireless telecommunication system to a wireless telecommunication terminal, characterized in that the services of the wireless telecommunication system are arranged into a predefined number of distinct levels of services, wherein each level comprises at least one service, according to policies of the owner of the system. These policies, among others, relate to deployment of the services in any combination of, but not limited to, hazard on use or misuse of the services, costs of usage of the services, required quality in relation to the user of the services, availability of the services and capacity or suitability of the used wireless telecommunication terminal for use of the services, where each service is classified into a range from a low effect to a high effect, considered with respect to said combinations. The method according to the present invention is based on the recognition of a difference in level of e.g. security, costs, availability, capacities of used telecommunication terminals, quality, etcetera, of the provided services of the wireless telecommunication system. As an example, one can define a level of costs, involved with using these services where costs for e.g. internal calls in a Private Automatic Branch Exchange (PABX) environment are low compared to the costs of an international call, which may be relatively high.
As another example, one can define the level of security involved with using these services where the level of confidentiality of, for example, access to a personal or corporate phonebook is high compared to answering an internal call, which is considered as being a low level.
The pre-assumption of a set of levels of services, hereafter referred to as service levels, where each service level comprises one or more services offered by the wireless telecommunication system where any combination of, among others, costs and confidentiality is considered, is deployed in a selection procedure where a user can select up to a certain service level, where all the service levels below this certain service level are included as well, or where just that certain service level is deployed. In a yet further embodiment of the method according to the invention an administrator of a wireless telecommunication system compiles a number of appropriate service levels, according to the possibilities of the wi eless telecommunication system and adapted to the needs of a certain user, and generates for this user passwords for each service level, where each service level has a unique password for deployment of a specific service level as well as a unique password for deployment of that specific service level, including all levels below this specific service level. The administrator submits the generated passwords in a secure way to the intended user. In a still further embodiment of the method according to the invention, a user of a wireless telecommunication terminal, operating in a wireless telecommunication system, executes an option at the wireless telecommunication terminal as to select a service level by starting an authentication procedure where a password, supplied by the administrator as stated above, is used. The wireless telecommunication system provides the service level or levels to the particular wireless telecommunication terminal if the authentication procedure succeeds successfully.
In a still further embodiment, a wireless telecommunication system provides the user of a wireless telecommunication terminal an option to enable degrading of the service level after a predetermined time, if there was no usage detected of the specific service level during this predetermined time. As an example, one may think of a current service level of setting up international calls, which degrades after a predetermined time to setting up national calls only, in case there were no international calls set up during this predetermined time.
In a still further embodiment of the invention, a wireless telecommunication system provides a certain maximum service level for an intended user, related to the physical position of a wireless telecommunication terminal, operating in the wireless telecommunication system. An intended user may have a service level profile that is related to a certain area, describing the service levels that the intended user of a wireless telecommunication terminal is able to select, regarding to the area where the user currently resides.
The invention further provides for a wireless telecommunication terminal, operating in a wireless telecommunication system designed for operation in a residential environment, an office environment, or in a global environment, wherein one or more of services arranged in certain levels, offered by the wireless telecommunication system, can be enabled by a selection procedure where authentication based on a pre-defined password occurs. The invention further relates to a wireless telecommunication system, designed for operation in a residential environment, an office environment, or in a global environment, wherein certain services, arranged in certain levels, are available to a specific wireless telecommunication terminal, according to a predefined selection procedure where authentication based on passwords defines which services are available to the wireless telecommunication terminal.
These and other embodiments of the method, system and terminal according to the present invention are now illustrated in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 shows, in a schematic and illustrative manner, an overview of a wireless PABX environment. Figure 2 shows, in an abstract schematic and illustrative manner, a flowchart of a selection procedure according to the present invention.
Figure 3 shows, in an abstract schematic and illustrative manner, an example of a complete set of available services provided by a
PABX. Figure 4 shows, in an abstract schematic and illustrative manner, an operational subset of the complete set of the available services provided by the PABX of figure 3 for a certain user, where a certain service level as well as the service level (s) below this certain service level are depicted. Figure 5 shows, in an abstract schematic and illustrative manner, an operational subset of the complete set of the available services provided by the PABX of figure 3 for a certain user, where a certain service level is depicted.
Figure 6 shows, in a schematic and illustrative manner, a flowchart of service level changes due to moving around a premises where the intended user has not the same service level profile for all areas.
Detailed Description of the Embodiments
Without the intention of limitation, the invention will now be explained by its application in a wireless telecommunication Private Automatic Branch Exchange (PABX) system within an office environment comprising a PABX with a number of wireless base stations covering an office premises. However, the invention is applicable in all other wireless telecommunication environments, including Personal Communication Systems (PCS), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), and residential and global environments.
Figure 1 illustrates a typical example of a PABX operating in a wireless environment, comprising a PABX switching system 1 hereafter referred to as PABX 1, with a connected database 2, an input/output device 3 operated by an administrator, a radio exchange 4, that has connections 5 to the base stations 6 which service a service area or cell 7 and wireless telecommunication terminals 8.
The services of a PABX 1 are classified into several levels, according to the knowledge of the administrator of the PABX 1, based on the needs of its users and the policies provided by the owner of the PABX
1. Policies to classify services will vary on the actual situation within the office environment.
As an example of the classification of PABX 1 offered services, related to costs, a simplified list presented below will be used to explain the application, where a number of services are comprised into one or more service levels: Level #0: Low level services:
• Internal call answering
• External call answering • Internal call set-up
• Call set-up to emergency services Level #1: Intermediate level services:
• External call answering
• External call set-up to local & national 20 phone numbers and emergency services
Level #2: High level services:
• External call set-up to international phone numbers.
• Call set-up to emergency services Figure 3 depicts the information of the list above into a comprehensive format, to be used for the explanation of the present invention.
For each user of the services of PABX 1, the administrator assigns, according to the invention, one or more service levels. A list with the assigned service levels for an intended user is referred to hereafter as a service level profile. Figures 4 and 5 depict the same elements as in figure 3, where as an example, for a certain intended user the available service levels, hence the service level profile, are marked by a dotted pattern. In figure 4, the intended user has a service level profile where the highest available service level for this intended user is service level #1 and where all service levels below are included. An intended user with this service level profile may select service levels #0 and #1 exclusively, or service level #1 inclusively where service level #0 is included. In figure 5, the intended user has a service level profile where the highest available service level for this intended user is service level #1 only. An intended user with this service level profile can only select this service level. Other service levels are not provided. The administrator generates for each assigned service level for the intended user, a unique password, that is to be used for selecting a specified service level by the intended user. For service level #0 a special case exists; for intended users whom may only select service level #0, the administrator has the option to omit a password. As wireless telecommunication terminals 8 operating with basic services according to service level #0 only, are handed over to e.g. guests, it is convenient to provide these wireless telecommunication terminals 8 without any password as to reduce administrative overhead.
In case an intended user has a service-profile to which all service levels from service level #0 up to a higher service level and all the service levels in between are assigned (as in figure 4), the administrator provides for each service level, higher than #0, a second unique password, valid for the specified service level, including all the service levels below this specified service level. The administrator stores these passwords into a database 2, connected to the PABX 1, where this database 2 has at least a part of its records organized into user accounts, where each user account holds information on a certain user, such as a call history, generated costs, the service level profile, the current service level and the passwords, described above. The list of services for an intended user, i.e. the service level profile, provided by the PABX 1, accompanied with the generated password list, is then handed over or submitted to the intended user in a secure way in case the intended user has at least one service level where a password is involved. If a user of the PABX 1 switches on his or hers wireless telecommunication terminal 8, the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 will generally subscribe itself to the PABX 1 and starts-up in service level #0, where there is generally no password needed, as explained above. As each wireless telecommunication terminal 8 is provided with an unique identification number that is related to a certain intended user, the PABX 1 updates the current service level within the account of the intended user in the database 2, to service level #0, denoting that this wireless telecommunication terminal 8, related to the intended user, is operational and services according to service level #0 should be provided to this specific wireless telecommunication terminal 8 where the related intended user is assumed.
One remark should be placed here; in many nowadays- operational wireless telecommunication terminals, such as Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) phones, a device password has to be supplied before the connection to the wireless telecommunication system initializes. This device-password is not part of- and should not be confused with the passwords, mentioned in the description of the invention.
The administrator has the option to define a service level where the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 starts when this telecommunication terminal is switched on and additionally if a password for selection of this service level is required at start-up. Generally a wireless telecommunication terminal 8 starts, after completing a subscription procedure within a wireless telecommunication system, in service level #0 without a password. It is up to a user and depending on the available service levels for the intended user, to select a higher service level. If the user wants to select a higher service level than the current service level, the user initiates a selection procedure at the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 by e.g. pressing the appropriate key-sequence or any other pre-defined procedure for selecting a service level on this specific PABX 1.
Figure 2 illustrates a flow of steps, processed by the PABX 1 when this PABX 1 receives a request from a user of a wireless device for a change in provided service level for the intended user. When the selection request is received 10, a check 11 if the intended user is allowed to have other service levels than service level #0 is executed. If the check results in that the intended user is only allowed for service level #0, the current service level will be (re) established 23 to service level #0 and an appropriate signaling to the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 will be executed in that the user notifies a message that the current service level is #0 and ends 16 the selection procedure.
In case the intended user is allowed to select other service levels than service level #0, the PABX 1 executes appropriate signaling to the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 as to notify the user to enter a password 12 and 13. If the user enters a password, the PABX 1 verifies 14, 18 or 20 the password against the stored password in the intended users account at the database 2, where the passwords refer to a specific service level (depicted as excl . for exclusive) or a specific service level, including all service level below this specific service level (depicted as incl. for inclusive). In figure 2, not all possible passwords verifications and appropriate actions are depicted whereas those skilled in the art understand that the dotted lines represent those omitted statements. If the user-supplied password matches with one, stored at the intended users account passwords, the current service level will be changed, or re-established, to the service level 15, 19 or 21 where the supplied password relates to and the PABX 1 executes appropriate signaling in order to notify the user of the current service level and ends the selection procedure.
In case the user supplied password does not match any stored password at the intended users account in the database 2, the current service level is maintained and the PABX 1 performs the appropriate signaling to notify 22 the user on a not succeeded service selection attempt as well as the current service level and ends 16 the selection procedure.
Any requested PABX-service on behalf of the intended user, initialized at the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 by the user is checked against the current service level at the intended users account in the database 2 versus the classification of the requested service.
In case a requested service, whether user-initialized or PABX-initialized, is allowed according to a current service level versus classification into service levels of the requested service, the PABX 1 will perform the appropriate signaling to execute the requested service. In case a user-initialized requested service, such as a call set-up to an international telephone number, is not allowed as the intended user has e.g. a current service level #1 whereas international call set-up resides in service level #2, the PABX 1 executes the appropriate signaling to the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 to notify the user that the requested service is not available. In case of a PABX-initialized requested service, such as answering an incoming external call, is e.g. not allowed according to the current service level of the intended user, the PABX 1 will execute the appropriate signaling in that the incoming call will be transferred to the operator or some other location. Additional to the provision of service levels, the invention supports the feature to relate provision of services to the actual location of the user. As users move around in the area, covered by a wireless PABX 1, normally the premises of the office environment, the position of the wireless telecommunication terminal 8, hence the user, can be detected in case the wireless service of the PABX 1 is supported by multiple base stations 6 and where the PABX 1 has the ability to record the specific base station cell 7, hereafter referred as service- area, where the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 is momentarily resides in.
In order to provide a certain service level, depending on the service-area where the wireless telecommunication terminal 8, hence the user resides, the actual service-area has to be recorded into the intended user's account in the database 2. Several techniques exist to locate a wireless telecommunication terminal 8 in a wireless telecommunication environment. For the explanation of the present invention it is assumed that the base stations 6 are mapped on the premises in such a way that, as long as a wireless telecommunication terminal 8 is present in the covered area of the base station cells 7, the physically closest base station to the wireless telecommunication terminal 8, is the connected base station and recorded in the intended user's account in the database 2 as an service-area designator.
The administrator does not only assign the available service level or levels for a certain users, but as well the service-area designator, where a certain service level will be offered by the PABX 1. In this way there is a provision to have a specific service level for each service-area where the intended user has e.g. in one service-area full access to all service levels supplied by the PABX 1 and in another restricted service-area only service level #0 services. To provide services according to the current service level the PABX 1 has, in case of a system where there is a continues wireless connection between the PABX 1 and the wireless telecommunication terminal, as in PABX environments based on Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) technology, to store the current service-area designator into the user's account in the database 2 when the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 is switched on and to store the new service- area designator into the user's account in the database 2 whenever the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 is moved out of the current cell and gets connected to a neighbor cell. For PABX systems where the wireless telecommunication terminals are not continuously connected, the current service level is checked against the available service level for the current service-area when there is a user-telecommunication terminal or system initialized request for a service.
Figure 6 illustrates a flow of steps, processed by the PABX 1 when this PABX 1 receives a signal that a wireless telecommunication terminal 8 changes its connection to a base station, which is generally caused by a user of a wireless telecommunication terminal 8, moving across a hypothetical border between two service-areas 7 of base stations 6.
For the explanation of this feature of the invention, it is assumed that a certain intended user has a service level profile for a certain service-area as depicted in figure 6, where this intended user was assigned to service levels #0 and #1, and where this user was operating at service level #1 before he or she left this certain service- area. At a signaled event 30 of the Radio Exchange 4, that a certain wireless telecommunication terminal 8 moves into another service- area 7, there will be checked 31, if the current service level is higher than the maximum allowed service level (= #1) of the intended user for this new service-area where the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 has moved to, the current service level is adapted 32 to the highest available service level for this new service-area. Suggest that the current service level is equal to #2, it will be lowered to #1, as service level #1 is the maximum allowed service level at this service- area for this intended user. In case the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 has moved to a service-area where the maximum allowed service level of the intended user is higher or equal 31 than the current service level, and where the current service level is lower 34 than the last known, stored service level that was active when the user resides in this service-area, the current service level will be set 35 to this last known stored service level. Suggest that the current service level is equal to #0, it will raised to #1, as service level #1 was the service level when the user left this specific service-area. In case the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 has moved to a service-area where the current service level is higher than or equal to the last known stored service level that was active when the user resides in this service area, the current service level will be maintained. Assuming that the current service level is equal to #1, it will remain #1, as service level #1 was the service level when the user left this specific service-area.
On any change in current service level, the new service level will be stored 33 in the users account at the database 2. At the service level profile and in the flow diagram of figure 6, the three possible situations, referred to as A, B and C, are depicted where the dashed arrows in the service level profile indicate the service level changes according to the explanation above.
Although this feature of the invention is explained in a service level profile with only three levels, the numbers of level can be any number, higher than one.
This sequence is applied as to have as well the least number of service level changes, as well as to offer the user a recognizable service level, related to the service-area where he or she resides. As a protection to abuse, in case of loss or theft, the invention provides in a solution where the user can enable an option to have a current service level operational for a predetermined time-period only. When there was no service, belonging to the current service level, used within the passed time-period, the current service level degrades into a next lower level. In case the current service level is lowered to or was already equal to service level #0, degrading the service level has two alternatives where the administrator has the predetermined option to settle to service level #0 or to shut down services for the specific wireless telecommunication terminal 8
This service level degrading feature as described above is enabled by a password-authenticated procedure by the user at a wireless telecommunication terminal 8 where the PABX 1 offers the users an option at the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 to enable or disable this option. In case of enabling this option and the current service level is higher than service level #0, the PABX 1 degrades the current service level for the intended user to the next lower service level when there was no service, belonging to the current service level, used or requested by this user during a predefined time-period.
As extended features to this service level degrading feature there is an option to degrade to service level #0 from any current service level, and an option to apply service level #0 in the same way of the other service levels. So if service level #0 is degraded, the PABX 1 will refuse any service to the specific wireless telecommunication terminal 8, until a successful selection procedure will re-enable the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 again into service. For the usage of a wireless telecommunication terminal 8 that is deployed as a guest telecommunication terminal, operating in service level #0, such as a wireless telecommunication terminal 8 handed over to a consultant who will use the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 only for a limited time-period, the guest receives the wireless telecommunication terminal 8 together with a password. The password is generated by an administrator of the PABX 1 and is valid for service level #0 with the extension that, when this wireless telecommunication terminal is switched on and subscribing itself to a wireless telecommunication system and the guest supplies the password to select and enable services, the PABX 1 starts a timer, that at time-out instructs the PABX 1 to shut down services to this wireless telecommunication terminal 8. When the guest telecommunication terminal is allowed to operate at a higher service level than service level #0, the administrator provides a password for this service level, where the same applies as stated above. Although the present invention is generally illustrated with respect to a PABX environment, it is not restricted thereto. The present invention can be used with other wireless telecommunication systems, such as in Personal Communication Systems (PCS), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), residential and global telecommunication systems.

Claims

Claims
1. A wireless telecommunication system arranged for providing a plurality of services to a wireless telecommunication terminal, said wireless telecommunication terminal comprises means for selecting a subset of said plurality of services to be provided to said wireless telecommunication terminal, characterized in that, said wireless telecommunication system comprises means for arranging available services of a subset of said plurality of services into a number of distinct levels, wherein each distinct level comprises at least one service, according to policies of an owner of said telecommunication system.
2. A wireless telecommunication system according to claim 1, wherein said wireless telecommunication system comprises means for assigning and storing a selection of distinct levels of services, related to a wireless telecommunication terminal, to be accessible by means of said wireless telecommunication terminal.
3. A wireless telecommunication system according to claims 2, wherein said wireless telecommunication system comprises means for selecting, by means of an authentication procedure, a distinct level or levels of services out of said selection of accessible distinct levels of services.
4. A wireless telecommunication system according to any of the previous claims, wherein said wireless telecommunication system comprises means for storing and retrieving in a database static and dynamic information, organized as user accounts, and wherein each user account is related to a wireless telecommunication terminal.
5. A wireless telecommunication system according to any of the previous claims, wherein said wireless telecommunication system comprises means for storing unique passwords for each distinct level or levels of services that can be selected by means of a wireless telecommunication terminal .
6. A wireless telecommunication system according to claim 5, wherein said wireless telecommunication system comprises means for providing an authentication procedure for verifying said unique stored password against a password supplied by means of a wireless telecommunication terminal.
7. A wireless telecommunication system according to any of the previous claims, wherein said wireless telecommunication system comprises means for setting, storing and selecting a distinct level or levels of services, to be deployed by a wireless telecommunication terminal that is switched-on in, or enters a service provision area of said wireless telecommunication system.
8. A wireless telecommunication system according to any of the previous claims, wherein said wireless telecommunication system comprises means for providing services to a wireless telecommunication terminal, according to the current selected level or levels of service for said wireless telecommunication terminal.
9. A wireless telecommunication system according to any of the previous claims, dependent on claim 6, wherein said wireless telecommunication system comprises means for providing services to be deployed on a wireless telecommunication terminal, and wherein said services are selected and enabled by means of said authentication procedure at said wireless telecommunication terminal.
10. A wireless telecommunication system according to any of the previous claims, wherein said wireless telecommunication system comprises means for assigning and storing in a database a selection of distinct levels of services related to a wireless telecommunication terminal for each distinct location within the service provision area of said wireless telecommunication system, to be accessible by means of said wireless tel ecommuni cation termi nal .
11. A wireless telecommunication system according to claim 10, arranged for servicing cellular provision areas, wherein said wireless telecommunication system comprises means for detecting and storing presence of said wireless telecommunication terminal in a distinct cell within a service provision area of said wireless telecommunication system.
12. A wireless telecommunication system according to claims 10 and 11, wherein said wireless telecommunication system comprises means for selecting a level of services, for a wireless telecommunication terminal, when a change of presence in a cell of said wireless telecommunication terminal is detected.
13. A wireless telecommunication system according to any of the previous claims, wherein said wireless telecommunication system comprises a timing arrangement as well as means for selecting a level of services for a wireless telecommunication terminal, controlled by said timing arrangement.
14. A wireless telecommunication terminal for accessing a plurality of services provided by a wireless telecommunication system, said wireless telecommunication terminal being designed for selecting a subset of said plurality of services to be provided to said wireless telecommunication terminal, characterized in that, said wireless telecommunication terminal comprises means for offering, by means of an authentication procedure, an option for selecting a distinct level or levels of services, to be provided by said wireless telecommunication system.
15. A wireless telecommunication terminal according to claim 14, wherein said wireless telecommunication terminal comprises means for performing said authentication procedure in cooperation with said wireless telecommunication system, wherein a password is entered by means of said wireless telecommunication terminal.
16. A wireless telecommunication terminal according to claim 14 or 15, wherein said wireless telecommunication terminal comprises means for notifying a current operational level of services.
17. A wireless telecommunication terminal according to claim 14, 15 or 16, wherein said wireless telecommunication terminal deploys services provided by a wireless telecommunication system, which services are comprised by a current level of services which is currently operational for said wireless telecommunication terminal.
18. A wireless telecommunication terminal according to claim 14,
15, 16 or 17, wherein said wireless telecommunication terminal comprises means to start operation in a predefined level of services in cooperation with said wireless telecommunication system, if said wireless telecommunication terminal is switched-on in, or enters a service provision area of said wireless telecommunication system.
19. A wireless telecommunication terminal according to claim 15,
16, 17 or 18, wherein said wireless telecommunication terminal is physically independent of the number of service levels that can be deployed according to a service level profile.
20. A wireless telecommunication terminal according to claim 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 or 19, wherein said wireless telecommunication terminal comprises one of a group consisting of a handheld telephone, a cordless telephone, a wireless data communication device or any other wireless communication device.
21. A method of providing a plurality of services by a wireless telecommunication system to a wireless telecommunication terminal, characterized in that, said services of said wireless telecommunication system are arranged into a predefined number of distinct levels of services, wherein each level comprises at least one service, according to policies of the owner of said system.
22. A method according to claim 21, wherein said policies relate to deployment of said services to effects on any combination of, but not limited to, hazard on use or misuse of the services, costs of usage of the services, required quality in relation to the user of the services, availability of the services and capacity or suitability of the used wireless telecommunication terminal for the services, wherein each service is classified into a range from a low effect to a high effect, considered with respect to said combinations.
23. A method according to claim 21 or 22, wherein each distinct level of services is classified into a climbing order range, from a level of service referred as a service level #0, that is considered as basic, up to and including a service level #N, wherein N = 1,2,3..., that is considered as advanced, and wherein these service levels comprise at least one service provided by said wireless telecommunication system.
24. A method according to claim 21, 22 or 23, wherein a wireless telecommunication terminal is related to a service level profile wherein a number of service levels is assigned to said wireless telecommunication terminal .
25. A method according to claim 24, wherein each service level comprises a service to dial and connects to an emergency service.
26. A method according to claim 21, 22, 23, 24 or 25, wherein a wireless telecommunication terminal is related to a number of service level profiles, wherein each service level profile is related to a location within the service area of a wireless telecommunication system.
27. A method according to claim 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 or 26, wherein selecting and enabling of one or more service levels according to said service level profile of said wireless telecommunication terminal is performed by means of said wireless telecommunication terminal.
28. A method according to claim 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 or 27, wherein an enabled service level or group of service levels provides services related to said service level or groups of service levels.
29. A method according to claim 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 or 28, wherein a service level or group of service levels is selected by means of an authentication procedure wherein a password, related to said service level or group of service levels, is supplied by means of a wireless telecommunication terminal.
30. A method according to claim 29, wherein said password is a unique password related to a service level or group of service levels to which a wireless telecommunication terminal is assigned to, said password being generated, stored and submitted to an owner of said wireless telecommunication terminal before operation of said wireless telecommunication terminal commences.
31. A method according to claim 30, wherein said unique password is submitted at any time when there occurs a change in said service level profile or when an owner of a wireless telecommunication terminal requests for a new password, or an administrator changes passwords for any reason.
32. A method according to claim 30 or 31, wherein said unique password relates to a service level to which a wireless telecommunication terminal is assigned to, according to a service level profile for said wireless telecommunication terminal.
33. A method according to claim 30 or 31, wherein said unique password relates to a group of service levels, referred to as a service level #N, N=l,2,3,..., wherein a range of service levels from service level #0 up to and including service level #N is included.
34. A method according to claim 33, wherein no password is related to service level #0.
35. A method according to claim 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 or 34, wherein said wireless telecommunication system selects a service level of a wireless telecommunication terminal and enables services according to said selected service level.
36. A method according to claim 35, wherein said wireless telecommunication system selects a service level for a wireless telecommunication terminal that becomes operational in a service provision area of said wireless telecommunication system.
37. A method according to claim 36, wherein said wireless telecommunication system selects a service level for a wireless telecommunication terminal that moves into another location in a service providing area of said wireless telecommunication system, according to a service level profile related to said wireless telecommunication terminal .
38. A method according to claim 37, wherein said wireless telecommunication system stores a current used distinct service level of said wireless telecommunication terminal.
39. A method according to claim 38, wherein said wireless telecommunication system selects and enables a highest service level of said service level profile for an area where the wireless telecommunication terminal is moved to, in case the current used service level is higher than said highest service level.
40. A method according to claim 39, wherein said wireless telecommunication system selects and enables a stored service level, that was operational when the wireless telecommunication terminal left an area, in case a current used service level is lower than said stored service level .
41. A method according to claim 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 or 36, wherein an option is enabled and by means of the wireless telecommunication terminal, wherein the currently deployed service level decreases to a next lower service level, when no services of the current service level are used during a predetermined time period.
42. A method according to claim 41, wherein a selected and enabled service level is operational for a certain predetermined time- period.
PCT/EP2001/011728 2001-10-10 2001-10-10 Method of and device for operating a wireless telecommunication terminal in a wireless communication system providing a number of distinct service levels WO2003034760A1 (en)

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