WO2009082787A2

WO2009082787A2 - Method for using mobile services

Info

Publication number: WO2009082787A2
Application number: PCT/BG2008/000026
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kloyan Lyubomrov Georgiev; Victor Eli Francess
Original assignee: All Telecoms Jsc
Priority date: 2007-12-28
Filing date: 2008-12-22
Publication date: 2009-07-09
Also published as: BG110028A; WO2009082787A3

Abstract

If an outgoing call RnR (1) intercepts the call and checks if it is connected to the best roaming. If "no", it chooses and connects to the best roaming as RnR gives the command. If an incoming call, RnR intercepts it, determines the operator, checks if terminal (4) is connected to the best roaming. If outgoing call is not better, RnR shows conditions information and the call is accepted. If it is better, RnR informs the user, asks him if he wants it. If "yes", RnR rejects the incoming call, switches to the best roaming, dials the calling number. If "no", the dialog is closed and the call is accepted. When sending a message, if the operator is not the best for the operation, RnR intercepts the message, checks for the best operator, connects to it and sends the message.

Description

Method for using mobile services

Field of the invention

The invention is in the area of telecommunication, more specific in mobile technologies and presents a solution for mobile phones that gives the GSM network subscribers the opportunity to use the most profitable operator and tariff while in roaming.

Background of the technology

There is a solution [1], in which is described a method for giving tariff information for the call of a user, connected to a telecommunication network, where the tariff information of a call refer to a call from the user's terminal to a B-number. The method embraces a request initiated by the user via terminal to the telecommunication network through a signaling channel, which request includes at least a part of the B-number or the identification of the B-number. The tariff information concerning the specified call is predefined in a network and is sent by the same network to the user's terminal through the specified signaling channel. Then the tariff information for a call is shown on the user's terminal's display.

The disadvantages of this solution are that the information is predefined in the network and there have to be used signaling channels to deliver the needed information.

Technical summary of the invention

The mission of the invention is to offer a method to optimize and reduce the cost price of the placed incoming and outgoing calls and the short messages sent, while the user is outside of range of his own network and in the presence of roaming with other mobile operators.

The mission is accomplished by a method for using mobile services, which delivers the tariff information for using mobile services by a user connected to a mobile telecommunication network in which he is in roaming. These tariffs refer to a call from a user's terminal to a number from any telecommunication network. The request embraces a equest initiated by the user, which request includes at least a part of the called number, identifying its network.

The tariff information about the specified call is predefined in the memory of the user's mobile equipment which is in roaming. When an outgoing call is made while in roaming RnR intercepts the call and checks if the roaming operator, to which the mobile terminal is connected is the most appropriate. If that is so then is proceeded to the initiation of the call. If the current roaming operator is not the most appropriate then is proceeded to choosing and switching to the most appropriate roaming operator. Then RnR gives the command to dial the called telephone number and gives the information for the conditions of the call that is about to be placed. When it is impossible to connect to the most appropriate roaming operator, RnR tries to connect to the next most appropriate roaming operator in the list by checking the prices of the calls in the database and connects to the next most appropriate operator.

If the connection succeeds, RnR continues with dialing the telephone number of the called party, giving the information for the conditions, under which the call is being placed. During the call RnR constantly shows information about the call conditions. RnR calculates and records the cost price of the call after it is finished. Also RnR calculates the cost price of the call in case it had been made using the roaming operator with the strongest signal and records them in the statistic for further use. When there is an incoming call, RnR intercepts the call and according to the incoming number determines the mobile operator from which the call is made. From the list with present operators is being checked if the mobile terminal is connected to the most appropriate mobile operator at the moment in relation to the calling mobile operator and if the price given by the most appropriate roaming operator for initiating a call is more advantageous then the price for accepting the same call. In case, that the initiation of an outgoing call is not more advantageous then accepting the current incoming call, RnR shows information for the conditions of the call while the mobile terminal continues to function in the common way. accepting the call. In this case during the call RnR shows information about the conditions of the call. After finishing the call RnR calculates the cost price of the call and records it in the statistic for further use.

In case that the initiation of an outgoing call is more advantageous then accepting the current incoming call, RnR enters a dialog with the user by showing information for the presence of a cheaper option for a call and, gives the user the opportunity to choose whether to take advantage of this. In case the choice is "yes" RnR rejects the current incoming call, switches to the chosen most appropriate roaming operator and calls back the calling number. During the call RnR shows information about the duration and the cost price of the call until this moment. RnR calculates and records the cost price of the call after it is finished. RnR calculates the cost price of the call in case it had been made using the roaming operator with the strongest signal and records them in the statistic for further use. If the user chooses "no", then the dialog is suspended and the telephone continues to function in the common way, accepting the call. During the call RnR shows information about the conditions of the call. After the call is finished RnR calculates the cost price of the call and records it in the statistic for further use.

In case of sending a short message RnR intercepts the short message and checks the current roaming operator. In case the current operator is not the most advantageous for the sending of this short message, RnR intercepts the short message, checks its database which is the most advantageous operator and connects to it, after which sends the short message. The advantages of the proposed solution are that the invention automatically changes the network operator when building an outgoing call or sending a short message or when accepting an incoming call, that all the information needed for optimizing the calls and short messages is in the memory of the terminal equipment by which there is no need to make connection with another system or network, that it audits the roaming bill and keeps statistical data for the made expenses and savings.

Description of the attached figures

On Figure 1 is shown the general architecture of the solution, where 1 is a program RnR, which applies the logic and makes the decisions in which way and by which operator the calls to be made and the short messages (SMS) to be sent; 2 is a database, containing the prices of the home mobile operator of the user for calls and short messages (SMS) while in roaming; 3 is the display of the mobile terminal 4 of the user in roaming. RnR is realized as a program, which is installed on. the mobile device and functions in background mode. While in roaming RnR intercepts every call (outgoing or incoming) or short message (SMS) and in real time, depending on the present GSM mobile networks at the moment, holds the process of calling/sending until it is determined on which network it is most advantageous for the user to make the call or send the short message (SMS). The simplified database 2 contains the prices of the calls and short messages of the home mobile operator of the user, in case that the user is in roaming. Based on the information in database 2 RnR makes the decision which of the present networks is most advantageous for making a call or sending a short message (SMS).

Cases of implementation of the invention

The invention functions in possible several basic cases in which it is expected to initiate action - switching to roaming mode, outgoing call, incoming call and sending a short message (SMS). When switching to roaming mode the mobile terminal 4 looses connection with the home mobile network and connects with another mobile operator. Then in case of an outgoing call the mobile terminal 4 chooses a number or contact from the address book and initiates a call.

Then RnR 1 intercepts the call and checks if the current roaming operator is the most appropriate and if that is so it is continued with initiating the call.

If the current roaming operator is not the most appropriate, it is continued with choosing and switching to the most appropriate roaming operator. Then RnR 1 gives the command to dial the called telephone number and shows the information for the approximate cost price of the call which is about to be placed. In case a physical impossibility for connecting to the most appropriate roaming operator, RnR 1 tries to connect to the next most appropriate roaming operator in the list by checking the prices of the calls in database 2 and connects to the most advantageous operator. If the connection is successful RnR 1 proceeds with dialing the telephone number of the called party, showing information for the conditions of the call that is about to be placed.

During the call RnR 1 constantly shows information about the current price and the duration of the call.

RnR 1 calculates and records the cost price of the call after it is finished. Also RnR 1 calculates the cost price of the call in case it had been made using the roaming operator with the strongest signal and records them in the statistic for further use. When there is an incoming call, RnR intercepts the call and according to the incoming number determines the mobile operator from which the call is made. From the list with present operators is being checked if the mobile terminal 4 is connected to the most appropriate mobile operator at the moment in relation to the calling mobile operator and if the price given by the most appropriate roaming operator for initiating a call is more advantageous then the price for accepting the same call. In case, that the initiation of an outgoing call is not more advantageous then accepting the current incoming call, RnR 1 shows information for the price per minute and eventual connection fee, while the mobile terminal 4 continues to function in the common way, accepting the call. In this case during the call RnR shows information about the current price and duration of the call. After finishing the call RnR 1 calculates the cost price of the call and records it in the statistic for further use. In case that the initiation of an outgoing call is more advantageous then accepting the current incoming call, RnR 1 enters a dialog with the user by showing information for the presence of a cheaper option for a call and gives the user the opportunity to choose whether to take advantage of this. In case the choice is "y^es" RnR 1 rejects the current incoming call, switches to the chosen most appropriate roaming operator and calls back the calling number. During the call RnR 1 shows information about the duration and the cost price of the call until this moment. RnR 1 calculates and records the cost price of the call after it is finished. RnR 1 calculates the cost price of the call in case it had been made using the roaming operator with the strongest signal and records them in the statistic for further use. If the user chooses "no", then the dialog is suspended and the telephone continues to function in the common way, accepting the call. During the call RnR 1 shows information about the duration and current price of the call. After the call is finished RnR calculates the cost price of the call and records it in the statistic for further use.

In case of sending a short message (SMS) RnR 1 intercepts the short message (SMS) and checks the current roaming operator. In case the current operator is not the most advantageous for the sending of this short^'message (SMS), RnR 1 intercepts the short message (SMS)₅ checks its database which is the most advantageous operator and connects to it, after which sends the short message (SMS).

Application (use) of the invention

The invention is realized and works in the following way. When the mobile terminal 4 is in its own network or in a network, which is part of a list with forbidden networks, all the outgoing calls are made without the use of the invention, and then the invention doesn't change in any way the general established functionality of the mobile terminal 4 and only tracks for an eventual switch to roaming mode.

In case of an outgoing call, when user A is in roaming and calls user B by choosing a number or contact from the address book and initiates a call, the invention intercepts the call and checks if the current roaming operator is the most appropriate. If that is so it is continued with initiating a call. If the current roaming operator is not the most appropriate it is continued with choosing and connecting to another more appropriate roaming operator. At this point there are two possibilities:

Successful connection to the best roaming operator. In this case the invention proceeds with dialing the telephone number, showing information about the price per minute and starting connection fee, if there is one. During the call constant information is shown for the call price and duration.

If impossible to connect to the best roaming operator, the system must try to connect to the next most appropriate roaming operator in the list. If the connection is successful the application continues with dialing the telephone number, showing information for the price per minute and starting connection fee, if there is one. During the call constant information is shown for the call price and duration.

After the invention has made the choice of operator for the current call, on the telephone's display appears a message, which informs the user how much approximately the call, he is about to make will cost. During the call the invention shows in a window the information about the duration and current price of the call. After the call is finished the invention calculates the cost price of the call made using the operator chosen by the user. In case of an incoming call the invention intercepts the call and according to the incoming number determines the mobile operator from which the call is made. From the list with present operators a check is made if the telephone is currently connected to the best roaming operator in relation with the calling mobile operator and if the given price from the best roaming operator for initiating a call is more advantageous then the price to accept the same call. In case that the initiation of an outgoing call is not more advantageous then accepting the current call on the display is shown information about the price per minute of the call and an eventual connection fee as the phone continues to work in the common way, accepting the call. In this case during the call the invention shows information about the duration of the call and its price. After the call is finished the invention calculates the cost price of the call and records it in the statistic for further use. In case that the initiation of an outgoing call is more advantageous then accepting the current call, then on the display is shown a dialog window, by which the user is being informed for the presence of an option for a cheaper call, and gives the user an opportunity to choose whether he wants to take advantage of that. In case the choice is "yes" the invention rejects the current call, switches to the chosen best roaming operator and immediately calls back the calling number. During the call the invention shows in a window, information about the duration and current price of the call. This window doesn't stand in the way for eventual usage of the phone during the call. After the call is finished the invention calculates the cost price of the call made using the operator chosen by the user. If the user chooses "No", then the dialog window is closed and the telephone continues to function in the common way, accepting the call. In this case during the call the invention shows information about the duration and current price of the call. After the call is finished the invention calculates the cost price of the call and records it in the statistics for further use.

When sending a short message (SMS) the invention intercepts the short message (SMS), checks the current roaming operator and only if it is not the most appropriate one it is continued to choosing and switching to another, more appropriate roaming operator. In case that the current operator is not the most advantageous for the sending of this short message (SMS), the invention intercepts the sort message (SMS), checks in its database which is the most advantageous operator and connects to it, after which it sends the sort message (SMS).

Literature: GB 2 349 541

Claims

Patent claims

1. A method for using mobile services in which is being shown tariff information for using mobile services by a user connected to a mobile telecommunication network in which he is in roaming, as these tariffs apply to a call from the users terminal to a number from any telecommunication network and the request embraces sending a request initiated by the user, which request includes at least a part from the called number identifying his network, characterized by that, that in case of an outgoing call in roaming mode RnR (1) intercepts the call and checks if the roaming operator, to which the mobile terminal is connected is the most appropriate, if that is so it is continued with initiation of a call, if the current roaming operator is not the most appropriate it is continued with a choice and switch to the most appropriate roaming operator - then RnR (1 ) gives command to dial the called number and shows information about the conditions of the call, that is about to be made, if it is impossible to connect to the best roaming operator, RnR (1) tries to connect to the next best roaming operator in the list, checking the prices of the calls in the database and connects to the next most advantageous operator, if the connection is successful, RnR (1) proceeds with dialing the telephone number of the called user, showing information about the conditions, in which the call will take place, and during the call RnR (1) constantly shows information about the conditions of the call, calculates and records the cost price of the call after it is finished and calculates the cost price of the call in case it was made using the roaming operator with the strongest signal and records them in the statistics for further use, in case of an incoming call RnR (1) intercepts the call and according to the incoming number determines the mobile operator, from which the call comes as in the list with present operators a check is made if at the moment the mobile terminal (4) is connected to the most appropriate roaming operator in relation to the calling mobile operator and if the price offered by the most appropriate roaming operator for initiating a call is more advantageous than the price for accepting the same call, in case the initiation of an outgoing call is not more advantageous than accepting the current call, RnR (1) shows information for the conditions of the call as the mobile terminal continues to function in the common way, accepting the call, as during the call RnR (1) shows information for the conditions of the call, and after the call is finished RnR (1) calculates the cost price of the call and records it in the statistic for further use, in case that the initiation of an outgoing call is more advantageous than accepting the current call, then RnR (1) enters a dialog with the user by sending information for the existence of an option for a cheaper call and gives the user the opportunity to choose whether he wants to take advantage of this, in case the choice is "yes" RnR (1 ) rejects the incoming call, switches to the chosen best roaming operator and calls back the calling number and during the call RnR (1) shows information about the duration and current price of the call, calculates and records the cost price of the call after it is finished, calculates also the cost price of the call in case it was made using the roaming operator with the strongest signal and records this value in the statistics for further use, in case the choice is "no" the dialog is closed and the telephone continues to function in the common way accepting the call, as during the call RnR (1) shows information about the conditions of the call and after the call is finished RnR (1) calculates the cost price of the call and records it in the statistics for further use, in case of sending a short message, RnR (1 ) intercepts the short message, checking the current roaming operator, as in case the current operator is not the most advantageous for sending this short message, RnR (1) intercepts the short message, checks in its database which is the most advantageous operator and connects to it, after which sends the short message.

2. A method according to claim 1 , characterized with that, that the tariff information is stored in the memory of the user's mobile terminal (4), which is in roaming.