Title of Invention | A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM FOR PRE-LIMITING SERVICE CHARGES ON A SUBSCRIBER'S ACCOUNT DURING A COMMUNICATIONS SET-UP |
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Abstract | The invention relates to a wireless communications system for pre-limiting service charges on a subscriber's account during communication set-up between two subscribers. The system comprising a Switching center/service provider (SC/SP); a processor operable in a network, and configured to: communicate a parameter adaptable by the network to specify an intended maximum service charges thereby initiating an user session; store said parameters in the network; store in a subscriber profile the subscriber's maximum service charge information, in respect of said parameter; monitor the charges incurred by the subscriber's ,switching centre/service provider (SC/SP); compare the maximum possible service charge information with the users available balance; convert said maximum possible service charge to a granted time limit for said service; transmit said message to the SC/SP by the network in an apply charging (AC) message; monitor the time of service by the SC/SP for the granted time limit; and terminate said service forcibly in case of exceeding the granted time limit. |
Full Text | FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to optimum utilization of resource parameters used in a network for pre-limiting the service charges for a resource utilization / services of a network. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for setting up a transmission wireless link and charging for the link on the basis of location. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for setting up a wireless link between a first subscriber and a second subscriber in a wireless network wherein the basis of charging includes the budgetary provision pre-selected by the first subscriber being converted to time information. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The wireless networks (mobile telecommunications networks, mobile data communications networks their combinations or other wireless networks) are having a growing impact on the communications industry. In addition, to enable provisions of communication services by the service providers, operators of networks, they provide Network Services / facilities, for example, prepaid charging for services, for their subscribers as well. There are several types of networks, including several types of network elements, technologies and configurations. The fast-moving wireless communications market is characterized by regular changes. At the same time, increasing competition in the field of consumer goods results in an ever-increasing need to distinguish oneself from one's competitors. Heretobefore, the telecommunications market and consumer goods (outside of mobile telephones) have little of any relationship. That is, use of, for example, a mobile telephone does not affect consumer goods, and vice versa. Bringing these two markets together could be favorable to both the consumer and the market. The need to support and provide different services has led to the development of several types of telecommunication networks. Fujimoto Kazuhiko of NEC corp, and NEC mobiling limited in a Japanese specification JP2003224881 discloses a method for minimizing call charges in a transmission terminal, for example in a mobile communication terminal. The method comprises limiting communication charge in a communication terminal capable of facilitating management by discriminating limit of use by a useage time so as to limit a changeable parameter as well as browsing of user information when the use limit is reached. When a call request comes, a control section of a communication terminal performs communication limit time calculation processing, and sets a result of calculated communication limit time as a speech limit time in the speech. The control section measures the speech time by using a timer incorporated in the mobile communication terminal at the start of the speech after that and discriminates whether or not the measured speech time exceeds the speech limit time. When the measured speech time exceeds the speech limit time, the communication terminal forcibly terminates the speech. After the execution of the call termination, the communication terminal transmits to a dial lock state. Nguyen Viet Anh of Ericsson Telefon AM L M (SE) in a PCT publication W09844716 discloses a method in a radio telecommunication system of limiting charges on a subscriber's account to an available balance. The method begins by storing the available resources in the subscriber's home location register (HLR) and storing, in a subscriber profile in the subscriber's HLR, an instruction to monitor charges incurred by the subscriber's terminal. The instruction includes the available resources in the subscriber's account. The HLR determines the charge rate for any useage of the resources to or from the subscriber's terminal, and converts the available balance to a time limit for the useage by dividing the available balance by the charge rate. If the subscriber originates an user's session, the HLR instructs an Originating User terminal to time the useage in an Origination Request Return Result message. If a terminating message is received for the subscriber, the HLR instructs a Gateway SC to time the useage in a Location Request Return Result message. The SC (Gateway or Originating) then times the useage. If the useage exceeds the time limit, the SC sends a Notification Invoke message to the HLR with an indication that the time limit expired. The HLR sends a Notification Return Result message to the SC instructing the SC to disconnect the call. Mizutani Koichi of Canon KK in a Japanese specification JP9046401 discloses a radio telephone set in which the operability with respect to a call transmission/call reception operation of a mobile set is improved while being conducted under the condition where the mobile set is placed on a base of a charging means without imposing a limit onto miniaturization of the mobile set. The radio telephone set is provided with a charging base to charge a mobile set. The charging base has a key entry means and a control section, which controls the mobile set so as to conduct a call transmission/call reception operation in response to the operation of an on-hook key of the key entry means conducted while the mobile set is placed on the base. Kori Takeji; Hattori Takeshi; Sekiguchi Hideo of Nippon Telegraph & Telephone in a Japanese specification JP4057496 discloses a method to apply a charge to a caller by storing a caller ID in a switchboard, and corresponding to this information at the time of a call from a mobile radio terminal to limit the caller. A caller calls a party to be called who has a mobile radio terminal from a terminal, which the caller has. In this case, the caller ID being the identification number of the terminal is transmitted to the back of the terminal number of the party to be called. A pocket bell switchboard receives this call, calls the terminal by radio, and transfers the caller ID. The terminal calls the party to be called by a buzzer or the like, calls to the switchboard of a network simultaneously and transfers the above-mentioned caller ID by providing radio channel. The switchboard calls the terminal of the caller based on the caller ID received from the terminal, and provides the line between the terminal and the switchboard. Then, the charge is applied to the caller who has the caller ID. To describe a method for minimizing call charges in a user session in any network, an example will be pertinent in respect of a mobile communication network as illustrated hereinabove. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Therefore it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a method for setting up and charging for a wireless communications link, between a first communications subscriber in a location and a second communications subscriber in a communications network, which eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art. Another object of the invention is to propose a method for setting up and charging for a service link, between a first subscriber in a location and a second subscriber in a wireless communication network in which the network is not involved whole-time for monitoring the services which is accomplished by the switching center / service provider. A further object of the invention is to propose a method for setting up and charging for a service link, between a first subscriber in a location and a second subscriber in a wireless communication network which provides a subscriber the facility of pre-budgeting monetary value of individual service so that the subscriber does not exceed his budgeted amount and/or can use full value of his due amount. A still further object of the invention is to propose a method for setting up and charging for a service link, between a first subscriber in a location and a second subscriber in a wireless communication network which allows a subscriber to increase his pre-budgeted monetary value of a service during the pendency of the communications. A yet another object of the invention is to propose a method for setting up and charging for a service link, between a first subscriber in a location and a second subscriber in a wireless communication network which ensures that a service is terminated immediately on exhausting the pre-budgeted amount selected by a subscriber unless increased during the service. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a wireless telecommunications system, such as herein described, a method of pre-limiting charges for a service on a subscriber's account to an available balance, said method comprising the steps of: communicating a parameter useable in the network to specify an intended maximum service charge; storing the parameters in the network; storing in a subscriber profile the subscriber's maximum intended useage information; monitoring parametric charges incurred by the subscriber's service provider / network station; comparing with the intended useage information with the available balance; converting said maximum charge to a granted time limit for said service; transmitting said message to a switching center; monitoring the time / amount / quality of service by the Switching center / service provider for the granted time limit; releasing / disconnecting said service forcibly in case of exceeding the granted time limit. The wireless communication system may be, but is not limited to, a radiotelephone such as a cellular phone or two way radio, a paging device, a personal digital assistant ("PDA"), a hand held computer, an audio-video device such as television or an MP3-MP4 Player, a Set top box, a network browsing device, virtual pen or any type of computing or communicating device etc. In another aspect of the invention, if the location of the first communications subscriber belongs to a selection of locations, where an network controls set-up of the wireless communications link, the network provides information required for location-based charging to the communications network from an external service logic unit via an open network interface. In yet another aspect of the invention, a preferential charge tariff is used for charging if one or more other selected conditions are satisfied. In a still another aspect of the invention the budgetary provisions made / selected by the subscriber for a particular service can be increased or decreased during the service period. In a further aspect of the invention, the method includes retrieval of the stored data associated with the external service logic unit to determine the number, tariff, time of all such services executed under limit service providers provisions. In a still further aspect of the invention, the method includes all the subscribers in pre-paid, post-paid and other services. In a yet further aspect of the invention, the method includes a warning notation / warning audio signal before the end of such service. In another aspect of the invention, the method includes all the subscribers irrespective of their location i.e. including roaming provisions. In yet another aspect of the invention, the method includes all the subscribers of a fixed communication network. In a further aspect of the invention, the Switching center (SC) / service provider (SP) and network interact with each other using SS7 (INAP/CAP) protocol, the SC/SP continuously monitoring the service duration and passes the information to the network. With the above and other objects in view, our invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts presently described and pointed out in the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a message signaling diagram illustrating the flow of messages between the affected nodes of a wireless communications network as per the prior art for services terminating at a node operating in the network; FIG. 2 is a message signaling diagram illustrating the flow of messages between the affected nodes of a wireless communications network in which the present invention is implemented for calls originating at a node operating in the network. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring now in more detail to the drawings, which illustrate the flowchart of the charging procedure. FIG. 1 shows the function sequence for monitoring the charges incurred in a switching center / service provider (prior art) given a service departing a network station (SC) exchange, (mobile originated service). The service is initiated by a switching center subscriber by actuation of the network station, is forwarded via a wireless transmission channel to a base station and from the latter to a switching center /SP via a trunk. During a service!, the switch center (popularly known as "Exchange") routes the service to the called party subscriber, i.e. example - for any A-Party calling any B-Party, a SC (switching centre) is involved in the routing. Fig 2 shows the function sequence for monitoring the incurred in a switching center /SP as per the aspect of the present invention. For charging the pre-paid subscribers, SC/SP contacts "network", which is owned by the same operator. The network maintains the balance of the subscriber and has the software logic to charge the outgoing calls. The SC/SP and network interact with each other using SS7 (INAP/CAP) protocol. SC/SP continuously monitors the servicel duration and passes the information to the network. The network has the corresponding software logic to convert this time data to monetary data. The amount is deducted by the network on a continuously basis. To ensure that a pre-paid service subscriber can access services when enough money is on his account, the On-line charging procedure is used. The principle of the On-line charging algorithm is the following:- a) The prepaid account is held on the network system. b) SC/SP and network communicates by means of the CAP or INAP operations. The CAMEL (Customized Application of Mobile Enhanced Logic) Application Part, or CAP enabler, allows for the implementation of carrier-grade, value added services such as unified messaging, prepaid, fraud control and Freephone in both the GSM voice and GPRS data networks. CAMEL is a means of adding intelligent applications to mobile networks. It builds upon established practices in the fixed line telephony business that are generally classed under the heading of INAP (Intelligent Network Application Part). The INAP (Intelligent Network Application Part) allows for the implementation of carrier-grade, signaling infrastructure targeted to the world wide fixed telephony market. INAP is a signaling protocol between a service switching point (SSP), network media resources (intelligent peripherals), and a centralized network database called a service control point (SCP). The SCP consists of operator or 3rd party derived service logic programs and data. The Intelligent Network (IN) is a telephone network architecture that separates service logic from switching equipment, allowing new services to be added without having to redesign switch software to support new services. With IN, the operators are able to implement differentiating, value added services thereby acquiring competitive advantages in the market since it makes it easier for a provider to add services and offer customers more service choices. IN is application independent, meaning that it provides generic, reusable functionalities that can be integrated and recombined to offer a host of revenue generating services. c) Apply charging (AC) and Apply charging report (ACR) The facility of charging on basis of the budgetary provisions made by the subscriber for a particular service can be extended to post-paid and fixed line subscribers also. In this case the limit value charged will be stored in the subscribers records of the network and can be produced in the bills. As per the principle objective of the present invention, for obtaining a charging process which, is not done purely on the basis of the time information only, but on the basis of the budgetary provisions made by the subscriber for a particular service, the subscriber sends an users initiated session string to the SC/SP with his intended maximum possible service charge. The network connected with the SC/SP stores this data "Service charge" for that subscriber under the interaction with the users string generating apparatus. The network also stores, in a subscriber profile, the subscriber's maximum possible service charge information and then instructs to monitor charges incurred by the subscriber's network comparing with the maximum service charge information with the available balance. The network having the node monitors, controls the operations in the network to determine and decode the users session string and then uses the same parameter of the service duration. Thus the network converts said maximum service charge to a granted time limit for said service. The billing / charging data are composed, for example, of a plurality of parameters that are operated according to a formula defined for the service for the service to form a result about the charges incurred. The network then sends said message to the MSC in the form of AC message thereafter SC/SP monitors the time of service for the granted time limit and then releases / disconnects said service forcibly in case of the service exceeding the granted time limit. The major advantage of this principle is that the network is not involved for the whole time during the call because the time supervision is done by the SC/SP. The subscribers account information (balance etc) is kept in the network database. Using CAP/INAP protocol messages; network sends an Apply Charging (AC) message to MSC. This will "grant" a certain amount of time for SC/SP to continue the service. As soon as this granted time is elapsed, SC/SP will inform the network with an Apply Charging Report (ACR) message. As the service continues, AC/ACR message pairs are exchanged between the network and the SC/SP. After every ACR message is received, network deducts the charge for that service segment and decides if subscriber can continue with the service. If the balance is sufficient, one more AC message is sent, else service is disconnected. In this approach the granted time is calculated by network based on the subscribers balance. As soon as the granted time is near completion / ending, the network can be programmed for issuance of a prior information by giving a warning note or a sound signal and the time limit can be extended in multiples of the granted time or can be extended in multiples of minutes or seconds or the prescribed pulses by the network. The system of the invention allows many different applications. One such application comprises provisions for retrieval of the stored data associated with the external service logic unit to determine the number, tariff, time of all such calls executed under pre-limit call provisions. The method used by the system also allows the preferential charge tariff, used for charging if one or more other selected conditions are satisfied. Moreover the facility can be extended to all the subscribers in pre-paid, post-paid and the subscribers of a fixed networks. Example.. In a mobile communication network, to initiate a pre-limit calling facility, MSC initiates a call for a subscriber who intends to talk Rs 10, then IN calculates the time which can be granted by considering the amount of money. The IN will send this "granted time" in an AC message to the MSC. The MSC will monitor the call for that duration. If the call proceeds beyond the granted duration, MSC will release the call forcibly. If the call is released before the "granted time", MSC will send the ACR to the IN with the "used time" information. IN will then calculate the money to be deducted and reduces the subscribers balance. The IN can also send "Granted Time" information in smaller chunks and manage the balance information with its software intelligence. Thus, there has been illustrated and described a unique and novel method for setting up a wireless communications link between a first communications subscriber at a particular location and a second communications subscriber in a communications network wherein the charging process is not done purely on the basis of the time information only, but on the basis of the budgetary provisions made by the subscriber for a particular service and which therefore fulfills all of the objects and advantages sought therefor. It should be understood that many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the quiz apparatus will become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this specification and the accompanying drawings. Therefore, any and all such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the nature and spirit of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the following claims. We Claim 1. A wireless communications system for pre-limiting service charges on a subscriber's account during communication set-up between two subscribers, the system comprising : a Switching center/service provider (SC/SP); a network characterized by a processor configured to: -communicate a parameter adaptable by the network to specify an intended maximum service charges thereby initiating an user session; -store said parameters in the network; -store in a subscriber profile the subscriber's maximum service charge information, in respect of said parameter; -monitor the charges incurred by the subscriber's, switching centre/service provider (SC/SP); -compare the maximum possible service charge information with the users available balance; -convert said maximum possible service charge to a granted time limit for said service; -transmit said message to the SC/SP by the network in an apply charging (AC) message; -monitor the time of service by the SC/SP for the granted time limit; and -terminate said service forcibly in case of exceeding the granted time limit. 2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein when one or more other selected conditions are satisfied, the system allows charging the user a preferential tariff. 3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system is enabled to increase or decrease during a service, the budgetary provisions initially made /selected by the subscriber for a particular call. 4. The system as claimed in claim 1, comprising means for retrieval of the stored data associated with an external service logic unit to determine the number, tariff, time of all such calls executed under pre-limit service provisions. 5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system is enabled to cover all the subscribers in pre-paid, post-paid and the subscribers of a fixed telephone network including the subscribers from all locations with roaming provisions. 6. The system as claimed in claim 1, comprising means for issuing a warning notation/warning audio signal before the end of such service. 7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switching centre/service provider (SC/SP) and network are enabled to interact with each other using SS7 (INAP/CAP) protocol, and wherein the SC/SP is provided with means for continuously monitor the service duration and pass the information to the network. 8. A wireless communications system for pre-limiting service charges on a subscriber's account during communication set-up between two subscribers, the system as substantially described and illustrated herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. |
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00892-kol-2006-correspondence-1.1.pdf
0892-kol-2006 correspondence others.pdf
0892-kol-2006 description (complete).pdf
892-KOL-2006-AMANDED CLAIMS.pdf
892-KOL-2006-AMANDED PAGES OF SPECIFICATION.pdf
892-kol-2006-CORRESPONDENCE 1.1.pdf
892-kol-2006-correspondence.pdf
892-KOL-2006-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE) 1.1.pdf
892-KOL-2006-EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECIEVED.pdf
892-kol-2006-granted-abstract.pdf
892-kol-2006-granted-claims.pdf
892-kol-2006-granted-description (complete).pdf
892-kol-2006-granted-drawings.pdf
892-kol-2006-granted-form 1.pdf
892-kol-2006-granted-form 2.pdf
892-kol-2006-granted-specification.pdf
892-KOL-2006-PETITION UNDER RULE 137.pdf
892-kol-2006-reply to examination report.pdf
Patent Number | 247355 | ||||||||||||
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Indian Patent Application Number | 892/KOL/2006 | ||||||||||||
PG Journal Number | 13/2011 | ||||||||||||
Publication Date | 01-Apr-2011 | ||||||||||||
Grant Date | 31-Mar-2011 | ||||||||||||
Date of Filing | 04-Sep-2006 | ||||||||||||
Name of Patentee | NOKIA SIEMENS NETWORKS GMBH & CO. KG. | ||||||||||||
Applicant Address | ST.-MARTIN-STR. 76, D-81541, MUNCHEN | ||||||||||||
Inventors:
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PCT International Classification Number | G07G1/12; G06Q50/00; G07G1/14 | ||||||||||||
PCT International Application Number | N/A | ||||||||||||
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PCT Conventions:
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