JP3389922B2 - Variable call charges for mobile terminals - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a call charge variable system for a mobile terminal, and more particularly to a call charge variable system for a mobile terminal that changes a charge rate according to the place of use or the date and time of use of the mobile terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, mobile phones and PHS (Personal)
Call charges for using mobile terminals such as Handyphone System) are generally time zone (daytime, nighttime, etc.)
And the distance to the other party's mobile phone or the area where the other party's mobile phone is located (in the same prefecture as the originating mobile phone, adjacent prefecture, other areas, etc.), the charging rate is determined in advance. Call charges are calculated and charged. JP-A-2000-32
The call charge notification method and the telephone terminal shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 174 have a technology of transmitting such charging information from a communication system such as a base station to a mobile phone and displaying the current call charge on the mobile phone during a call. Have been described.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned conventional technique, the charging rate depends on the first factor of the time zone and the second factor of the distance from the partner mobile phone or the area where the partner mobile phone is located. It has been decided. The first element, the time zone, is fixed every day, and once set by the telephone service provider, the same time zone is applied every day regardless of the date, and it is applied uniformly to all mobile phones in all regions. ing. The second factor, distance and area, is also applied once it has been decided.

On the other hand, in places such as event venues where concerts are held, where people are crowded, it is often found that it is difficult to make and receive calls due to the communication line capacity with the base station. In such a case, the call line with the base station is used on a first-come-first-served basis, and it becomes impossible to make a call when the call line capacity is reached.
Therefore, even if there is a person who wants to make an emergency call from such an event venue or to the event venue with an important matter,
I had no choice but to wait until the call line became available.

[0005] Such a situation occurs when the demand for making a call exceeds the supply of the number of communication lines, but in the conventional technology, the communication line capacity is fixed and the charging rate is called event holding. Since it is fixed regardless of the temporary high traffic situation, there is room for improvement in that no measures are taken to give priority to those who want to make a phone call quickly due to important matters. . In addition, there is a problem that even a telephone service provider is limited to the call charge revenue by the normal fixed billing rate, no matter how much the demand is, and the revenue cannot be further increased by the billing rate increase.

An object of the present invention is to provide a call charge variable system for mobile terminals, which addresses the above-mentioned improvements and problems.

[0007]

[0008]

[0009]

[0010]

[0011]

A first mobile terminal communication charge variable system of the present invention comprises a base station accommodating a plurality of mobile terminals by radio and a switching network connecting a plurality of base stations. A call charge variable system for a mobile terminal in a mobile communication system, wherein a call line between the mobile terminal and the base station is divided into a normal connection frame line and a priority connection frame line, and the number of each line is set as a base. A line utilization information storage device for registering for each station and for registering and updating the number of currently used lines of each of the normal connection frame line and the priority connection frame line by a control device, and the normal connection frame
The normal billing rate applied to the line and the priority connection
Applied to the line and is an increase of the normal billing rate
A calendar information registration device that registers a preferential billing rate for each base station by designating a period, and when the mobile terminal makes a call origination request, detects position information of the caller side terminal and the callee side terminal. A position information detection device that notifies a control device of a base station that manages an area in which a terminal exists, and a base station notified from the position information detection device searches the line utilization information storage device to search for the normal connection frame line and A means for judging the use status of the priority connection frame line , an originating side, an incoming side
If there is a vacancy in the normal connection frame line at both base stations on the same side, the normal connection frame line is connected at the normal billing rate
And the base station of either the sender or the receiver.
There is no space in the normal connection frame line and the priority connection frame line
If there is free space, the normal billing rate
Calculate the first premium charge rate with the gold rate added,
The normal connection frame at both the originating and terminating base stations
If there is no space on the line and there is a space on the priority connection line
If you want to add both priority billing rates to the normal billing rate,
The calculated second surcharge rate is calculated, and the
Notify the mobile terminal of the surcharge rate of 2 and pay the surcharge.
A means for seeking approval for money,
A means to connect with consent, and the normal connection line
According to the usage status of the priority connection frame line, the first or the first
And a controller for calculating and charging a call charge based on the premium charge rate of 2 .

[0012]

[0013]

A second mobile terminal communication charge variable system of the present invention is a mobile communication system comprising a base station accommodating a plurality of mobile terminals wirelessly and a switching network connecting the plurality of base stations. A call charge variable system for mobile terminals, wherein the call line between the mobile terminal and the base station is divided into a normal connection frame line and a priority connection frame line, and the number of each line is registered for each base station. A line utilization information storage device that stores and updates the number of currently used lines of each of the normal connection frame line and the priority connection frame line by a control device, and is applied to the normal connection frame line
The normal billing rate and the multiple charges applied to the priority connection line
A calendar information registration device for registering a number surcharge plan for each base station by designating a period, and when the mobile terminal makes a call request, it detects the position information of the calling side terminal and the called side terminal. A location information detection device that notifies a control device of a base station that manages an area in which each terminal exists, and a base station notified from the location information detection device to search the line usage information storage device for the normal connection frame Means for determining the usage status of the line and the priority connection line, and the calling side,
A means for connecting to the normal connection frame line at the normal billing rate when there is a vacancy in the normal connection frame line at both the receiving side base stations, and the normal connection in the base station of at least one of the transmitting side and the receiving side. If empty there is no free space in the priority connection frame line to the connection frame line receiving means for determining a select previous SL plurality of rate plans are presented to the mobile terminal, a selection from the mobile terminal And a controller for calculating and charging a call charge based on the selected charge plan.

A third mobile terminal communication charge variable system of the present invention is a mobile communication system comprising a base station for accommodating a plurality of mobile terminals wirelessly and a switching network for connecting the plurality of base stations. A call charge variable system for mobile terminals, wherein the call line between the mobile terminal and the base station is divided into a normal connection frame line and a priority connection frame line, and the number of each line is registered for each base station. A line utilization information storage device that stores and updates the number of currently used lines of each of the normal connection frame line and the priority connection frame line by a control device, and is applied to the normal connection frame line
The normal billing rate and applied to the priority connection line
Priority billing rate, which is an increase over the normal billing rate,
And a calendar information registration device that registers for each base station by specifying a period, and when the mobile terminal makes a call origination request, detects position information of the caller side terminal and the callee side terminal, and each terminal exists. A location information detection device that notifies the control device of the base station that controls the area, and a call-out priority connection dial number and a call-out terminal for performing connection between the caller-side terminal and the controllable base station by specifying the priority connection frame line. And a jurisdiction base station, by specifying the priority connection frame line, the incoming priority connection dial number, and the connection between the originating terminal and the jurisdiction base station, and between the termination terminal and the jurisdiction base station. priority connection frame advance incoming and outgoing priority connection dial number for performing specifying the line registered in advance, and means for determining the priority connection dial number received at the originating request from the mobile terminal, prior to
Means for searching the line utilization information storage device by the priority connection dial number and the base station notified from the position information detection device to determine the use status of the priority connection frame line
And, in the case where there is a vacancy in the previous Symbol priority connection frame line, the calling
When receiving the dial priority connection dial number,
Despite the availability of lines, the
Means for connecting to the priority connection frame line and the incoming priority connection
When receiving the ial number, the above-mentioned normal connection line is available.
Regardless of whether or not there is a priority connection frame
Means for connecting to the line, and the dialing number for priority call originating and terminating
At the time of reception, regardless of the availability of the normal connection frame line
Without the priority connection frame at the originating and terminating base stations
A means for connecting to the line and the dialing number for priority connection
In connection by receiving, originating Yu normal charging rate
The first surcharge to add to the preferential billing rate of the destination connection line
A means for calculating the charging rate and the incoming call priority connection diagram
When connecting by receiving the
Second with additional priority billing rate for receiver side priority connection line
Means for calculating the extra charge rate of the
When connecting by receiving a continuous dial number, normal charging
Priority of both calling side and called side priority connection line
Calculate the 3rd premium charging rate that is added to the charging rate
Means for connecting the normal connection frame line and the priority connection frame line
The first, second or third extra charge depending on the usage status
And a control device having means for calculating and charging a call charge based on the rate .

[0016]

[0017]

[0018]

[0019]

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention. A mobile communication system according to the present invention includes a mobile terminal 1 such as a mobile phone and a PHS, and a plurality of mobile terminals. A base station 2 accommodating the terminal 1 by radio, an exchange station 3 accommodating a plurality of base stations 2 for exchange connection, a connection / charging control device 4 for performing connection control and charging control of the mobile terminal 1, and exchange An exchange network 5 for connecting the stations 3 to each other and the connection / charging control device 4 is provided.

The connection / billing control device 4 is provided in the switching network 5, detects the current position of each mobile terminal 1, and controls the base station 2 that controls the area in which each terminal exists.
6, a position information detection device 41, a line usage information storage device 42 that stores the line usage status of each base station,
A calendar information registration device 43 that stores a charging rate that changes depending on the date and time, a calendar clock 44 that generates the current date and time in real time, a charging device 45 that accumulates the call charge of each mobile terminal, and the mobile terminal 1 Control device 4 which controls the connection of each mobile phone, calculates the call charge of each call, and causes the charging device 45 to accumulate the call charge of each mobile terminal.
6 and.

The position information detecting device 41 detects the identification information of the base station 2 to which each mobile terminal 1 is wirelessly connected, from the identification information of each mobile terminal 1 on the calling side and the receiving side. This base station identification information is detected by the normal location registration process of the mobile communication system.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the line connection information for each base station managed by the line utilization information storage device 42. For all base stations, the communication line frame with the mobile terminal for each base station is shown. It manages the upper limit and the current number of users. This call line has a normal connection frame and a priority connection frame, which are set for each base station. Normally, all call lines are set as normal connection frames, but if an event, etc. is held in a specific base station area and demand for call demand is expected to increase, a part of the call line of that base station Will be set as the priority connection frame for the duration of the event. For example, in the base station C, all 200 lines are set as normal connection frames, but in the base station A, 100 lines out of 200 lines are set as priority connection frames.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing calendar information stored in the calendar information registration device 43, which is set in advance in accordance with the holding period of an event or the like. For example, in the base station A, 20 yen / minute is added to the call charge rate of the normal connection as the priority connection additional charge rate only between the start date and time and the end date and time shown in FIG. Although a normal charging rate is not shown, it is assumed that the calendar information registration device 43 is provided with a normal charging table according to a time zone, a distance, and the like. It is not necessary to set the calendar information in FIG. 4 for base stations that are not scheduled for events, and FIG.
In the case of the base station C as well, there is no preferential connection frame, and all the communication lines are used as normal connection frames. The base station N may be set to collect not only the priority connection additional charging rate but also the normal connection charging rate (10 yen / minute in FIG. 4). Similarly, in a base station that does not take the priority connection frame and has only the normal connection frame, the normal connection charging rate may be increased only between the start date and time and the end date and time.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a charging rate calculation method for normal connection and priority connection. For example, when priority connection is selected for both the originating terminal of the base station A and the receiving terminal of the base station B, if the charging rate for normal connection is 10 yen / minute, 10 yen / minute + 20 yen / minute ( The caller side additional charge rate of the base station A + 20 yen / min (the callee side additional charge rate of the base station B) = 50 yen / min. In addition,
Here, the charging rates of the normal connections of the base stations A and B are the same, but if they are different, the charging rate of the calling side may be used, or the charging rate of the higher side of the calling side and the called side. May be used.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation seen from the user of the mobile terminal 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

First, when the base station 1 receives a call origination request from the mobile terminal 1, the base station 1 notifies the control device 46 via the exchange 3 and the exchange network 5 together with the identification information of the caller side terminal and the callee side terminal. Then, the control device 46 starts the processing (step A1 in FIG. 2).

Next, the control device 46 controls the position information detecting device 4
The identification information of the terminal on the calling side and the terminal on the receiving side are sent to 1 to inquire about the respective position information. The position information detecting device 41 detects the position information of the originating side terminal and the terminating side terminal, and responds to the control device 46 about the base station which controls the area in which each terminal exists (step A2).

Thereafter, the control device 46 controls the calendar clock 4
4, the current date and time information is retrieved, the calendar information registration device 43 is searched with the current date and time and the base station as keys, and the corresponding charging rate information (normal connection charging rate and priority connection additional charging rate) is obtained (step A3). In addition,
The calendar information is a table set in advance by a service provider such as a telephone service provider in the form shown in FIG. Although FIG. 4 is described as an image of registering difference information from the normal billing rate, the billing rate itself may be stored in the calendar information.

Next, the control unit 46 uses the line connection information of FIG. 3 stored in the line use information storage unit 42 to determine the normal connection frame and the current number of normal connection frames used by the base stations on the sending side and the receiving side, respectively. It is read and compared to determine whether or not the line frame for normal connection is free, and to determine the type of connection frame to be assigned. When the line frame for normal connection on the calling side is not empty, the calling side is given priority connection, and when it is free, the calling side is made normal connection. Similarly, when the line frame for normal connection on the called side is not empty, the called side is given priority connection, and when it is free, the called side is made normal connection (step A).
4).

Next, the control unit 46 calculates the charging rate to be actually applied according to the rule shown in FIG. 5, based on the type of connection frame to be assigned, which is determined in step A4. The billing rate used in the calculation uses the billing rate information calculated in step A3 (step A5).

Next, if a preferential connection occurs on the originating side or the terminating side and the charge is increased, the control device 46 controls the base station 2
Notify the caller's mobile terminal 1 of the charging rate via
An inquiry is made to the user as to whether or not the user can connect (step A6).

When there is a reply from the user's mobile terminal 1 that the preferential connection is not accepted, the base station 2 notifies the control device 46 without connecting the telephone, and the control device 46 ends the process. (Step A7).

If the user replies to the inquiry in step A6 that he / she will connect, or if the surcharge is not incurred as a result of step A5, the control device 46 sends the call stored in the line usage information storage device 42. It updates the current number of connections used by both base stations on the receiving side and the receiving side, and provides communication services. The number of connections used is updated in Fig. 3.
Step A4 in the column of each base station of the calling side and the called side
Based on the type of connection frame to be allocated determined in step 1, add 1 to the current number of normal connection frame use
increase. At this time, the control device 46 stores the identification information of the originating mobile terminal and the type of connection frame used by both the originating and terminating base stations (step A8).

Next, after the call ends, the control device 46 calculates the call charge based on the charge rate and the call time calculated in step A5 and notifies the charge device 45 of the call charge, and based on the information stored in step A8, The current normal connection frame utilization number or the current priority connection frame utilization number of both base stations is reduced by 1, respectively. The billing device 45 adds the call charge to the integrated value of the charges of the user (step A9).

Next, the first view from the user of the mobile terminal 1
The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the mobile terminal 1 accepts an input of a dial transmission operation performed by a user in a usual manner (step B1).

When the normal connection frame is open on both the calling side and the receiving side, that is, when the premium charge due to the priority connection does not occur in FIG. 2, the mobile terminal 1 starts the connection at the normal charge and the user Makes a call in the same procedure as in the past (steps B2, B3, B4).

When the normal connection frame is not available on either or both of the calling side and the called side, that is, when the premium charge is generated by the priority connection in FIG.
The mobile terminal 1 is displayed as "The line is busy and cannot be connected", displays the preferential connection charge to the user, and inquires whether or not to preferentially connect (step B5).

When the user selects the preferential connection, the portable terminal 1 starts the connection at the preferential connection charge, and the user receives the call service at the surcharge (steps B6 and B).
7, B8, B9).

When the user rejects the preferential connection, the portable terminal 1 is disconnected (steps B6 and B10).

In the embodiment described above, the additional charging rate when using the priority connection is one type, but a plurality of types of rate plans as described below are set and used from a plurality of selection branches. It is possible to encourage the person to make a choice. In this case, instead of the additional billing rate, a plurality of billing plans as described below are registered in FIG. 4, and the billing plan selected by the user is stored in the control device 9 and used for billing processing.

For example, a plan for increasing / decreasing the additional billing rate depending on the call time, such as +30 yen / min within 3 minutes, +20 yen / min within 3 minutes and +10 yen / min over 10 minutes. Then, instead of imposing a fixed additional charge for each call, a plan for reducing the additional charge rate can be considered. These pieces of information are set in advance as the calendar information in FIG.

In addition, instead of limiting the maximum call time and forcing the call to be cut off when the limit is exceeded, it is possible to present a plan for lowering the charging rate.

Further, it is possible to present a plan in which the charge rate is set as usual during the first fixed time of the call, and the charge rate is increased when the preset fixed time is exceeded.

Further, in the present embodiment described above, a charging rate of 20 yen / minute is used for convenience of description, but a charging rate such as X seconds / 10 yen may be used.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the description has been made on the premise that the calling side and the called side are mobile terminals of the same telephone service company, but the called side may be a fixed telephone such as a general home. , Mobile terminals of other telephone service providers may be used. However, in these cases, in the operation shown in FIG. 2, the priority connection processing is limited to the originating mobile terminal.

In the embodiment described above, the position information detecting device 41 and the line usage information storage device 4 are also included.
2, calendar information registration device 43, calendar clock 4
4, the billing device 45 and the control device 46 are explained as being present in the switching network 5 only one, but it is also possible to disperse them to optimize the processing. In that case, although the processing procedure and the information to be exchanged naturally change, the usual method of changing the design of the centralized system to the distributed system can be used.

For example, when distributedly arranged in all base stations, the role of each processing device changes as follows, but the processing procedure is the same.

The control device 46 processes the request for call origination within the own base station, and the position information detection device 41 responds if the mobile terminal 1 to be detected is found within the own base station, and if not found. A search request is made to a higher position information detecting device. Here, it is assumed that the position information detecting devices are arranged in a hierarchical structure such as a terminal base station, a small area, a medium area, a large area, and the whole country. The line utilization information storage device 42 replies if the search target is the own base station,
In the case of another base station, inquire to the line utilization information registration device of that station. The calendar information registration device 43 is distributed to each base station, and the calendar clock 44 is arranged to each base station. Clocks are synchronized by other means.
The billing device 45 calculates and stores the own base station.

All of the above may be dispersed, or only a part thereof may be dispersed.

Further, among the connection / billing control devices 4, only a plurality of control devices 46 may be provided to distribute the load on the control device 46.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

In the above-described first embodiment, when the telephone line in the normal connection frame is insufficient and connection cannot be established, the priority connection is selected by the dialogue with the user. However, in the present embodiment, The difference is that the user specified the priority connection and dialed from the beginning. This is effective when the user himself / herself can infer that the normal connection frame is insufficient from the situation such as crowded people. In the present embodiment, the base station 2 and the control device 46 shown in FIG.
, A calling priority connection dial number for connecting the calling terminal and a jurisdiction base station by designating the priority connection frame line,
The incoming priority connection dial number for connecting the called terminal and the jurisdiction base station by specifying the priority connection frame line, and between the calling terminal and the jurisdiction base station and between the called terminal and the jurisdiction base station There is newly provided means for preliminarily registering outgoing / incoming priority connection dial numbers for performing the connection by designating the priority connection frame line, and collating and discriminating when the user dials these numbers.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the operation on the mobile terminal side according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The user selects the outgoing priority connection dial number. ，
Incoming priority connection dial No. or outgoing / incoming priority connection dial No. Either of the above is dialed from the mobile terminal 1 (step C1).

When the user dials the caller side priority connection designation, but the normal connection frame on the callee side is insufficient, the user is asked whether or not to accept the extra charge (step C2).

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the operation on the mobile communication network side in the second embodiment of the present invention.

When the call origination request is accepted by any of the priority connection dial numbers (step D1), the control device 46
Uses the priority connection frame regardless of whether or not the normal connection frame is free, and forcibly applies the charging rate of the priority connection (step D2).

In the above description, the normal connection frame information on both the calling side and the called side is referred to, but the priority connection may be adopted only on the calling side. In this case, only one priority connection dial number or priority connection button is required for the calling side priority connection, and the operation is simplified.

Similarly, priority connection can be adopted only on the receiving side. In this case, only one priority connection dial number or priority connection button is required for the receiving side priority connection, and the operation is simplified.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

In the above-described second embodiment, since the user dials directly with the priority connection designation, the user lacks a means for knowing the charging fee. In order to solve this problem, the present embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the user specifies the charging rate and dials.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the operation on the mobile terminal side according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

The user dials by designating the charging rate (step E1).

On the mobile communication network side, the calculated charging rate is compared with the charging rate input by the user to the mobile terminal 1, and if connection is possible within the charging rate specified by the user, connection is made. If not, refuse the connection.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the operation on the mobile communication network side in the third embodiment of the present invention.

The control device 46 accepts the billing rate designated at the time of the call origination request from the mobile terminal 1 via the base station 2 (step F1).

When the control device 46 calculates the call charge, it may be used in the case where the billing rate presented by the user in step F1 is used as it is, or when only the surcharge for the actually applied priority connection is charged. (Step F2).

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the above-described first embodiment, a premium connection frame is provided in addition to the normal connection frame to set the premium charge. The purpose of this was to add high-value-added service items to the communication services that are already in operation under the existing fee system, and to balance call charges and line demand. However, there are cases where a premium fee is allowed inside a specific facility such as a movie theater even without adding value such as priority connection. For example, when a base station of a mobile terminal is installed inside a concert hall, it is possible to significantly increase the extra charge only during a time when a show is actually being held inside the concert.

In this case, the normal connection charging rate in FIG. 4 may be changed.

In the present embodiment, it is possible to omit the logic for securing the priority connection frame and the service quality (priority connection or normal connection) from the system, and maintain the function of changing the call charge depending on the date and time. The system can be simplified as it is.

Although the system configuration is not particularly different from that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, since the priority connection frame is not required, if the line use information is obtained from the base station 2, the line use information shown in FIG. The storage device 42 can be deleted. Regarding the operation, steps A4, A6 and A7 are deleted from the flowchart of FIG.

Next explained is the fifth embodiment of the invention.

In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the priority connection frame and the additional charging rate are set in advance, but this need not be fixed. That is, the control device dynamically adjusts the priority connection frame and the additional charging rate according to the usage status of the communication line, so that the connection demand and the communication charge can be balanced.

For example, if the number of priority connection frames is too small or the charging rate for priority connection is too low, many users may make a call and all the communication lines may be used. As a result, the next user will not be able to make a call, and user satisfaction will be reduced.

On the other hand, if there are too many priority connection frames or the charging rate of the priority connection is too high, many users will be inquired whether to accept the premium charge for the priority connection, and a high charge rate is presented. So many will give up on the call.

As a result, the usage rate of the telephone line becomes extremely low, the profit of the telephone service provider decreases, and the satisfaction of the user who gives up the telephone call also decreases. Therefore, it is important to adjust the normal connection frame, the priority connection frame, and the billing rate so that many lines are used and never overflowed.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and is a traffic model that takes into consideration the occurrence of priority connection on the caller side.

In the first place, the preset number of connection frames and the additional charging rate in FIGS. 3 and 4 are optimally calculated based on the predicted average arrival rate (number of calls), the target call loss rate and the target giving up call loss rate. It is the result value.

The actual average arrival rate (the number of calls), the call loss rate, and the giving up call loss rate are measured and optimized according to the following policy.

1. If the average arrival rate is high and the call loss rate increases: Give up the call loss rate (increase) and adjust to improve the call loss rate (decrease). That is, the normal connection frame N1 is reduced and the surcharge Y2 is increased.

2. If the average arrival rate is low and the call loss rate is improved: Give up and adjust the goal of the call loss rate to be higher (decreased). That is, the normal connection frame N1 is increased and the extra charge is added.
Lower Y2.

The degree to which the parameter is changed (that is,
The new parameter) is determined by the queuing theory or the simulation method based on the correspondence table of the average arrival rate, the blocking rate, and the giving up blocking rate. This correspondence table is generally set by a telephone service provider as a goal of service quality.

However, since it is dangerous to make unlimited changes by automatic calculation, measures such as predefining the limits of each parameter adjustment range are generally performed. (Model explanation of the effect of the present embodiment) In a normal system, when the actual number of calls exceeds the predicted value of the number of calls, the call loss rate increases and the service quality deteriorates. However, in the present invention, the call loss rate is given up. The feature is that it can be transferred to the call loss rate. As a result, it is an advantage that the user's request to call can be answered even if the user pays a high fee.

Next, the model will be described in detail. In addition,
The explanation of each symbol is as shown in FIG. Definition / Theorem λ = λ1 + λp + λs = λ1 + λ2 + λr + λs (Observed values and expected values exist) r = λr / λ (Observed values and target values exist) s = λs / λ (Observed values, Target value exists) Total connection frame: N = N1 + N2 (indicates the line capacity of the base station and is a fixed value) γ = λr / λp = γ (Y2) (Refusal rate γ is a positive correlation with the surcharge. Related, the function is empirically obtained).

Next, as an example, an example of a target setting method for maximizing profit in consideration of the call loss rate and the giving up call loss rate will be described.

The parameters are set so as to maximize the profit ratio P P (λ) = Y1 * N1 * ρ1 + Y2 * N2 * ρ2 for a certain number of calls λ. However, under this condition, the result will be that all are assigned to the priority connection frame, so
Add the following constraints.

Call loss rate s (λ) <λ for a certain number of calls λ
Target call loss rate target value at γ The target call loss rate target value at r (λ) <λ.

Next, the operation of the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 46 is provided with a measuring means for measuring the actual average arrival rate (number of calls), call loss rate, giving up call loss rate, etc., and the measurement values and the information shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. And a calculation means for performing an optimization calculation based on

First, the background processing for dynamically changing the optimum value such as the charging rate is called by the OS or the like periodically or at a necessary timing (step G).
1).

In the case of performing the background processing periodically, for example, the background processing is performed every 1/10 of the setting unit of the calendar date and time (6 minutes if the calendar is set in units of 60 minutes).

The necessary timing is the timing at which it is necessary to review the number of priority connection frames. For example, if it is designed that about 50% of the priority connection frames are always used for telephone calls, the actual It is called at the timing when the number of usage exceeds the threshold value by more than the assumption.

For example, the priority connection frame X Assumed frame utilization rate U Utilization threshold: positive threshold U1, negative threshold U2 Actual number of normal connection frames used Xa Then, when calling: When X = 100, U = 0.5, U1 = 0.8, U2 = 0.3 Xa> X * U1 (Xa> 100 * 0.8) Or Xa <X * U2 (Xa <100 * 0.2) It becomes when.

Next, the control unit 46 controls the calendar clock 4
4, the normal connection frame, the priority connection frame, and the charging rate are read from the line utilization information storage device 42 and the calendar information registration device 43 (step G2).

Next, the control device 46 calculates the normal connection frame, the priority connection frame, and the value at which the charging rate becomes optimum (step G3).

Next, the control unit 46 stores the calculated new normal connection frame and new calculated connection frame in the table shown in FIG. 3 (step G4). Further, the calculated new charging rate is created in the table format shown in FIG. 13 (a diagram showing the charging rate information in the fifth embodiment of the present invention) and stored in the calendar information registration device 43 (step G5).

In calculating the billing rate for each call in the present embodiment, the table shown in FIG. 13 is referred to instead of FIG. In the present embodiment, the processing procedure in the case where the control device 46 calculates the charging rate for each call by maintaining the table in FIG. 13 in the background from the calendar information and the current date and time information shown in FIG. It also has the effect of reducing That is, in step A3 of FIG. 2, it was necessary to search the calendar information by using the current date and time as a key, but in the present embodiment, it is only necessary to refer to the table of FIG.

[0104]

According to the present invention, the telephone service provider can provide a flexible charge plan according to the place, schedule, and priority, and can control the charge according to the line demand. In addition, for a mobile terminal user, even if it is difficult to make a call in a high traffic situation such as an event site, there is an effect that a call can be made by paying a surcharge.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing line connection information for each base station managed by a line utilization information storage device 42.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing calendar information stored in a calendar information registration device 43.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a charging rate calculation method for normal connection and priority connection.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation seen from a user of the mobile terminal 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation on the mobile terminal side according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation on the mobile communication network side according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation on the mobile terminal side according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation on the mobile communication network side according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing billing rate information according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Mobile terminal 2 base stations 3 exchanges 4 Connection / billing control device 41 Position information detector 42 Line usage information storage device 43 Calendar information registration device 44 calendar clock 45 Billing device 46 Control device 5 switching network

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04M 15/00 H04Q 7/38

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of mobile terminals are accommodated wirelessly.
A base station and a switching network that connects multiple base stations
Charges for mobile terminals in the mobile communication system
It is a variable gold system, Normally, a call line between the mobile terminal and the base station is connected.
Divide into continuous connection line and priority connection line
Register for each base station, and use the normal connection line
Controls the number of currently used lines of each priority connection frame line.
Line usage information storage device that is registered and updated by the device
And The normal billing rate applied to the normal connection line, and
It applies to the priority connection frame line and corresponds to the normal charging rate
The base is specified by specifying the period and the preferential billing rate
A calendar information registration device that registers for each station, When there is a call request from the mobile terminal, the calling end
The location information of the end terminal and the called terminal is detected, and each terminal exists.
Location information that notifies the control device of the base station that controls the area
A detection device, By the base station notified from the position information detecting device,
Search the line usage information storage device to find the normal connection line
And means for determining the usage status of the priority connection frame line,
In both the originating and terminating side base stations, the normal connection frame line
If there is space, the normal connection rate will be applied at the normal billing rate.
The means for connecting to the line and either the calling side or the called side
There is no vacancy in the normal connection line at the base station
If there is a vacancy in the destination connection line, the normal billing rate will be applied.
The first premium charging rate with one priority charging rate added
Calculated and forwarded at both the originating and terminating base stations.
Note There is no vacancy in the normal connection frame line, and there is no space in the priority connection frame line.
If there is a discrepancy, the normal billing rate will be applied to both parties' priority billing rate.
The second extra charge rate is calculated by adding
The first or second premium charging rate is passed to the mobile terminal.
Means to know and seek consent for extra charge, and the transfer
Means to connect after receiving consent from the body terminal and the normal connection
Depending on the usage status of the connection frame line and the priority connection frame line,
Call charges are calculated based on the first or second premium charge rate
And a control device having means for charging
A feature is a variable call rate system for mobile terminals. 2. A plurality of mobile terminals are accommodated wirelessly.
Base stations and multiple bases With the switching network connecting the stations
Charges for mobile terminals in the mobile communication system
It is a variable gold system, Normally, a call line between the mobile terminal and the base station is connected.
Divide into continuous connection line and priority connection line
Register for each base station, and use the normal connection line
Controls the number of currently used lines of each priority connection frame line.
Line usage information storage device that is registered and updated by the device
And The normal billing rate applied to the normal connection line, and
Multiple premium rate plans applied to priority connection line
Specify the period and register for each base station.
Recording device, When there is a call request from the mobile terminal, the calling end
The location information of the end terminal and the called terminal is detected, and each terminal exists.
Location information that notifies the control device of the base station that controls the area
A detection device, By the base station notified from the position information detecting device,
Search the line usage information storage device to find the normal connection line
And means for determining the usage status of the priority connection frame line,
In both the originating and terminating side base stations, the normal connection frame line
If there is space, the normal connection rate will be applied at the normal billing rate.
A means to connect to the line and at least one of the sender and the receiver
There is no vacancy in the normal connection frame line at some base station
If there is a vacancy in the priority connection frame line,
Hands presenting the rate plan to the mobile terminal and requesting selection
And the mobile terminal is selected and connected after receiving the selection from the mobile terminal.
To calculate and charge the call charge based on the specified charge plan
And a control device including
Variable call rate for terminals. 3. A plurality of mobile terminals are accommodated wirelessly.
A base station and a switching network that connects multiple base stations
Charges for mobile terminals in the mobile communication system
It is a variable gold system, Normally, a call line between the mobile terminal and the base station is connected.
Divide into continuous connection line and priority connection line
Register for each base station, and use the normal connection line
Controls the number of currently used lines of each priority connection frame line.
Line usage information storage device that is registered and updated by the device
And The normal billing rate applied to the normal connection line, and
Suitable for priority connection line Used for the normal billing rate
The base is specified by specifying the period and the preferential billing rate
A calendar information registration device that registers for each station, When there is a call request from the mobile terminal, the calling end
The location information of the end terminal and the called terminal is detected, and each terminal exists.
Location information that notifies the control device of the base station that controls the area
A detection device, The connection between the calling terminal and the jurisdiction base station is the priority connection line
Priority connection dial number and incoming call to specify
The connection between the side terminal and the jurisdiction base station refers to the priority connection line.
Incoming call priority dialing number and calling
Between the receiving terminal and the controlling base station, and between the receiving terminal and the controlling base station
To connect both sides by specifying the priority connection frame line
Call / call priority connection dial number is registered in advance, and
Priority connection diagram received when making a call request from a mobile terminal
And the priority connection dial number.
And by the base station notified from the position information detecting device
Search the line usage information storage device to access the priority connection
A means to judge the usage status of the line and the priority connection line
If there is a vacancy, the dialing priority connection dial number
At the time of delivery, regardless of the availability of the normal connection line
Connect to the priority connection line at the originating base station
Means and when receiving the dialed number for priority connection
The base of the receiving side regardless of the availability of the normal connection frame line
Means for connecting to the priority connection frame line at the station,
Calling and receiving priority connection When receiving a dial number, the normal connection is made
Regardless of the availability of the frame line,
A means for connecting to the priority connection line at the ground station,
Priority outgoing connection In connection by receiving dial number
Is the normal billing rate, and the preferential billing of the calling side priority connection line
A method to calculate the first surcharge rate that adds the rate
Dan and the connection by receiving the dial number for priority call
In addition, the normal billing rate will be
Calculated the second premium charging rate that added the pre-charge rate
Means and by receiving the dial number for priority call connection
Connection, the caller and the caller will be charged at the normal billing rate.
Added priority billing rates for both side priority connection line
Means for calculating a third surcharge rate and the normal connection
According to the usage status of the frame line and the priority connection frame line,
Call charges based on the first, second or third premium charging rate
And a control device having means for calculating and charging.
Of mobile terminals characterized by Variable talk rate.