CN1153438C

CN1153438C - Communications system and method therefor

Info

Publication number: CN1153438C
Application number: CNB988098504A
Authority: CN
Inventors: K・奥拉; K·奥拉
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Current assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Priority date: 1997-10-03
Filing date: 1998-10-01
Publication date: 2004-06-09
Anticipated expiration: 2018-10-01
Also published as: EP1021913A1; AU9442998A; AU753871B2; WO1999018713A1; CN1273736A; FI973884A; CO4810281A1; TR200000826T2; CA2305217A1; FI973884A0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a communications system and a method for the same. The invention relates further to a method and an arrangement for paying calls and/or service, and an intelligent network. The method for paying calls in a telecommunications network is used in an intelligent network environment provided with user accounts for individual users. Said user accounts enableprepaid calls and/or an access to various services. The method comprises steps for accessing a loading service through a user interface operationally connected to the intelligent network, accomplishing a loading of a requested amount of balance into a user account of an individual user by means of the user interface and the loading service. The loading stage comprises steps of decreasing the requested amount from a record in the intelligent network indicating an amount of prepaid balance which said user has paid beforehand by buying a voucher or similar, said record being dedicated to said voucher or similar, and loading a corresponding amount of balance into the user account of the individual authorized user requesting the loading operation.

Description

Communication system and method thereof

Technical field

The present invention especially but be not exclusively to relate to by using the IN business realizing to call out and/or a kind of method of professional payment in communication.The invention still further relates to by communication equipment makes calling and/or professional payment be easy to a configuration.

Background technology

Telephone service and calling can be chargeed by various optional modes.Usually charge or charging are according to carrying out the call time of using.In many examples, preferably can collect the price of calling in advance, so that the operator avoids the credit loss of outstanding bill, not that specific operator's actual user (does not promptly carry out any agreement with this operator especially the calling subscriber.

The mode of calling out the routine of prepaid is public inserting coins (perhaps bank note) phone.But these require many maintenances and service.In addition, some users may feel to carry the coin inconvenience.Needing the quantity of coin may be high basically also, for example when carrying out international call or insert some service numbers with business.Public currency telephone set also is common robbery target easily.

Call charge possibility recently is so in advance, and the operator sells the prepaid call card, and this card comprises the currency of packing in advance (being used for the specific call time) of a desired amt that is used to call out.Usually these clamp magnetic stripe fully, and perhaps in some cases even have the intelligence (so-called smart card) of some kinds, so the caller must use the suitable magnetic stripe reader of equipment or the telephone set of intelligent card reading.Amount of money reduces from this card continuously and after all money has been used up, calls out termination during calling out.

Another possibility is to use not equip and is used for magnetic stripe or the similar this prepaid call card that installs that machine is read purpose, but it for example notifies specific (individual's) number series to give this user, and he need dial in when beginning to call out then.This user must call out a special service, and he has other user account of branch, and he is in order to call out the currency of packing in advance.These cards for example can be so-called PPMA (pre-post-pay paystation moves access) service cards or be used for common telephone set or be used for the surperficial call card of wiping of mobile phone.Consider these prepaid cards, application reference people's U.S. Patent Application Serial Number No.08/836,371 (corresponding to WO 96/15633), with particular reference to its Fig. 5, this application is quoted for reference herein.Almost each telephone set can use these cards, because they do not require any specific arrangement for reading.

During superincumbent prior art is open, can reserves by phone or utilize specific prepaid card to realize calling out by predetermined.Utilize prepaid card to allow this user will this user's account to be charged from any telephone set calling and this calling, it has the some remaining sums that sets in advance by this card expression.This professional user has an account codes and people's identifier PIN one by one.Use account codes and A number or B number to trigger the service control point (SCP) of user's call signal to IN (intelligent network) as triggering key.At the A number, can check authority on the basis of Mobile Directory Number MSISDN or this user's personal identity number PIN.At the A number, can check authority on the basis of Mobile Directory Number MSISDN or this user's personal identity number PIN.SCP checks that customer data base is looked at this user's current remaining sum and with speech information or notify the state of this user account on the display of user terminal.

If this account is empty, calling procedure is disengaged, and if remaining sum is positive, begin to the connection on call intent ground.If the callee answers, on the basis of pay imformation, begin charge and receive pulse, so that upgrade the remaining sum of blocking relevant account with this from this switch.In addition, can monitor about other condition of in user record, representing this calling.During calling out and at end of calling, user's account represents real-time balance, and if the account is empty, then further processing.

In addition, know to have this SIM (subscriber identification module) card that is used for mobile phone previously, utilize this card to limit call time.This is achieved in that this card allows access to comprise database of information call time of the maximum that allows about outgoing call, send then this information to and utilize this mobile network appliance for example to handle with the publicity pattern above being similar to.

Therefore, during calling out prior art telephone network equipment monitor at card or the amount of money that in the account relevant, is left with some prepaid call cards.If not remaining remaining sum, calling can not continue or new calling can not begin.But the operator may reinstall new currency in the account of data-base recording, and a cartoon that therefore comprises this user profile is crossed the new currency of packing into and can be used several times in this account.

From the viewpoint of telephone operator, top card solution is safe basically, because call out charge in advance always.The distribution of this card with sell can also be basically easily with effectively from different outlets such as from the workshop, phonebooth, newsstand, arrange in tobacco workshop or the like.

But, top prior art arrangement still has some shortcomings, for example consider and pack into easily or " filling with again " transaction, pack currency into to this user account, for example utilize and call out specific service number because they are not provided for his device of user.The relevant user account of card become empty after, in most of the cases delete this account, for example the time becomes invalid or expires and this user must buy the new card of the account with new special use.This requires the many capacity from this account management system, because account's quantity may become very high in essence easily and constantly have a large amount of accounts to begin (for new card) and deletion (to the card that has used).In addition, a kind of improved solution that needs managing prepaid calling and/or business function.

Summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to overcome the shortcoming of prior art solution and provide to pack into and be used to call out and/or a kind of novel solution of professional currency by communication network.

Another object of the present invention provides a kind of method and a kind of equipment, utilizes its fixing telephone set or the user of mobile radio station to reinstall other currency on his existing user account.

Another object of the present invention provides a kind of method and a kind of equipment, utilize telephone terminal that its user may utilize him in real time he/reinstall other currency on her the existing user account, so that the calling that can proceed.

Another object of the present invention provides a kind of method and a kind of equipment, utilizes its this user may use all possible data-base recordings as prepayment service and without any need for the back billing operation.

Another object of the present invention provides a kind of method and a kind of equipment, utilizes it may manage user-dependent data all in the database of intelligent network.

Another object of the present invention provides a kind of method and a kind of equipment, utilize its this user to provide to use the pre-payment voucher or the analog of be used to pack into more currency or unit to his/her PCC (prepaid call card) account.Another purpose again of the present invention provides a kind of method and a kind of arrangement, if this PCC account be empty or be ready becoming under the empty situation, utilize its prompting end user to pack more currency or unit into to this PCC account.

Another object of the present invention provides the voucher of the prepayment that is used to have the predetermined end of a period date or similar device.

Other purpose of the present invention and advantages the accompanying drawing part of specification are below said.

This purpose has reached by the method that is used for pay phone in comprising the communication network of intelligent network, wherein said intelligent network equipment is used for each user's of this communication network user account, said user account allows prepayment to call out and/or insert said user's different business, comprise that the user interface that is connected to this intelligent network by operation inserts the intelligent network business of packing into, utilize this user interface and intelligent network pack into business realizing pack into the request balance amount in each user's user account, wherein this is packed into and comprises step: the request quantity of successively decreasing in the record from the intelligent network of expression prepaid balance amount, said each user is by buying voucher or the pre-post-pay paystation of analog, wherein the said record in this intelligent network is exclusively used in said voucher or analog, during the corresponding balance amount of packing into is packed each privileged user's the user account of operation into to request.

The device of the invention of a kind of pay phone and/or business comprises a communication network, an intelligent network that provides is provided with this communication network, each user's of the communication network that the said user prepayment of wherein said intelligent network equipment permission is called out user account, a user interface, insert this intelligent network services by this communication network, a record in the intelligent network of expression prepaid balance amount, each user is by buying voucher or analog post-pay paystation in advance, wherein the said record in the intelligent network is exclusively used in said voucher or analog, the service apparatus of in intelligent network, realizing of packing into, be used for realizing having packing into from described each user's of the unit that said record is deducted user account and further communicate by letter by communication network with allowing to, wherein said packing into is by described each user's user interface request.

The present invention also provides a kind of intelligent network, and it is to utilize the communication user interface that is connected at least one communication network to insert.Said intelligent network comprises each user's of said at least one communication network user account, wherein each described account allows each user's of pre-payment calling, an account is exclusively used in an independent user, a kind of record, represent that each user is by buying the prepaid balance amount that voucher or analog have been paid in advance, wherein said record is exclusively used in said voucher or analog, the service apparatus of packing into, be used to realize to have from said each user's of the unit of said record deduction packing into of user account and further communicate by letter by this communication network with allowing, wherein said packing into is user interface request by said each user.

According to a kind of optional embodiment, the invention provides a kind of communication system, comprise the communication network that communication service is provided, comprise computer, be used for being assigned to the user's of this communication network record in the database storage.Said data-base recording comprises a reservation number record and a prepaid call card number sign indicating number record, the latter comprises the user account of the immediate payment pre-payment currency values of closing calling and/or business, with a voucher record, arrange said voucher record that given quantity is added to said user account or this user's this gathering account, it is intended for other purpose rather than is used for this calling.This system also comprises a plurality of communication terminals, has a access to this communication network, the communication service of expectation can insert by at least one terminal, wherein when Computer Processing asks communication service in the calling of communication network so that detect the communication terminal that inserts this communication network, it requires to use the pre-payment currency values relevant with this user account, if the pre-payment currency values in the described user account is the expenditure that enough covers the communication service of request, the communication service that this computer mandate should be asked.

A kind of method of access communications business in communication network, comprise step: the account number that has this user of at least one record that comprises a currency values with appointment is created data-base recording, said record is divided into the reservation number record and the prepaid call card number sign indicating number record of calling needs, with be divided into a voucher number record, said voucher number record is used for given quantity is added in the account of this user account or the non-calling accounts of conversion of calling, at least one intelligent node by this communication network provides the account relevant with the value of pre-payment currency that this user is provided an access code, request is realized that by Network quantity realizes by this Network calling by the business that this Network realizes, response request connects this user to the call business of this network or the payment business of this network, be chosen in the access of this user between the record of desired data storehouse, change the quantity of calling party account or converting users account's currency values by privileged user's expectation.

Utilize the present invention to obtain several advantages and since this solution provide one simple, reliable and controllable mode is by using the voucher currency of packing into, these voucher data storehouse records are associated such as user account, are used for calling out and other telecommunication service.Pack into and can also during calling out, carry out.This solution also allows this user's reception in fact to carry out the direct confirmation of transaction.Actual user account's life-span becomes longer, and it reduces to manage needs continuous and that the short-term user account of opening and closing prior art often occurs.When setting up calling, allow this user to use identical identiflication number continuously, PIN code or the like is because this actual user account is still identical.He adds by oneself/packs into that more currency or similar unit are to this user account to allow this user.The qualification of single voucher also provides an advantage service time, especially to the network operator, can automatically delete because only have " always " account of remaining smallest number, therefore makes management further easily.When traffic reduced, when for example being used for holiday, the possibility that be set effective period allowed the operator to sell " low price " voucher of such time cycle.Can also use this voucher as the device that is used for dissimilar advertisements, because sale and its life cycle are short.

To describe the present invention and other purpose and advantage referring to accompanying drawing in illustrative mode below, similar label is meant similar feature among the wherein different figure.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is an example schematic diagram of representing the general structure of the telecommunication system that comprises intelligent network;

Fig. 2 is the schematic diagram of representative according to an outfit of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is the schematic diagram of the outfit of a representative table according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 discloses general flow chart of the present invention; With

The flow chart that the open pulse account of Fig. 5 packs into.

Embodiment

At first, comprise an intelligent network (IN), allow the general structure that is equipped with of communicating by letter of exchange and the fee collection of calling out to illustrate, so that provide the better understanding on basis of the present invention with reference to Fig. 1.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of representing the physical architecture of public switch telephone network (PSTN), and communicating to connect between this user or its user is provided.PSTN comprises a plurality of

local exchanges

100 and 102 and a plurality of transit exchange 120.Local exchange and transit exchange are interconnected mutually by trunk line 110.Trunk line 110 also provides between the different local exchange and between the different local exchanges and interconnects.User 104 is connected to local exchange 100,102 by subscribers feeder 106, is connected to this PSTN though only represent the user terminal of limited quantity, should understand that each local exchange can support more user to connect.When being issued to another user's calling by first user, the calling of being set up by PSTN connects through local exchange and perhaps by one or several transit exchanges.

Local exchange 100,102 or transit exchange 120 for example can be based on known AXE digital exchange system, and it is provided by the applicant.

The telephone system of Fig. 1 also comprises a mobile network, for example based on the mobile network (PLMN) of public land, is connected to PSTN or similar facility, for example is connected to comprehensive system digital net network (ISDN).The link of the necessity between the system is known in the art.In the example of Fig. 1, PLMN comprises a Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC) 138, and it is connected to several mobile services switching centres (MSC) 136, and mobile services switching centre 136 is connected to many, individual base station controller (BSC) 130 again.Each BSC 130 is connected to a plurality of base stations (BS) 132, and each base station monitoring is called a predetermined geographic area of Serving cell.The geographic area can be divided into a plurality of radio coverage area arbitrarily, that is, and and said Serving cell (not shown).This configuration is such, mobile radio station 150,152,154 by with near the air interface communication of base station 132, it is connected to mobile switching centre (MSC) again, mobile switching centre also is connected to PSTN by suitable linked set.

PLMN also comprises a central database, so-called attaching position register (HLR) 134, and it is connected to gateway or center mobile phone ESC exchange servicing center 138, is also connected to all local Mobile Telephone Switching Centers among the PLMN.Subscribing mobile radio station or the unit 150,152,154 of PLMN registers in HLR 134.Each local MSC 136 also comprises the local data base 146 that is called visitor's location register (VLR), wherein registers all such mobile radio stations, and it is arranged in the relevant Serving cell of given MSC in the given moment.Belong to given PLMN and be registered in VLR 146 temporarily and for good and all be registered in said HLR 134 simultaneously at these those mobile radio stations that are arranged in constantly by the Serving cell zone of VLR 146 controls.HLR 134 always notifies the specific VLR of the relevant registration of mobile radio station at that time.

Each mobile radio station reservation has information and the said positional information (VLR number) about IMSI (international mobile subscriber identification) and MSISDN (mobile subscriber's International ISDN), basic telecommunication service user profile, traffic limits and auxiliary activities in HLR 134.

Notice that Fig. 1 only represents MSC 136, BSC 130, and HLR 134, one of VLR 146 and BS132, and omit a plurality of unit for reason clearly.

Communication network comprises one or more intelligent network nodes 102.Intelligent network nodes (IN node) 102 and traditional communication network be PSTN or PLMN interface for example.IN node 102 comprises an operation exchange processor, in this area it to be referred to as business switchover point (SSP) 160.SSP 160 sometimes be the local exchange 102 that equipment is used for the other software that identification intelligent network (IN) calls out in essence.SSP 160 is connected to a service control processor again, and it is called Service Control Point 162 sometimes.

Also referring to Fig. 2, SSP and SCP are disclosed in more detail now.SSP 160 comprises 170, one intellectual peripheral equipments 176 of a computer, and it carries out many advanced persons' function, such as speech recognition, triggers function 172, and function of exchange 174 and traffic are handled and CCF 178.Communicate to connect 190 SS7 that for example know and connect (signaling system No.7, it is by ccitt standardization) connection SSP to SCP 162.A computer 180 and the different advanced professional service logic that is used to realize provided by intelligent network IN are provided SCP 162.Integrated SSP and SCP become single operation exchange and control point processor (SSCP) also is possible.In any was realized, service logic 182 was irrelevant with the realization of network insertion and transmission.

The prepayment Network that SSP 160 provides access to be provided by SCP 162 by communication network to the user.Signaling information sends SSP 160 usually to simultaneously, should understand that such signaling information sends exchange and the CCF 178 of SSP to.SSP 160 sends the request of prepaid services to SCP 162, so that set up for example terminal 104,150 of Fig. 1 of prepayment Network and calling party/communication equipment, the reciprocation between 152,154.Therefore SSP 160 is by the different calling in its digital function of exchange 174 interface networks 162.

Trigger point in the exchange of business switchover point SSP 160 detection of call is handled.The example of a basic trigger point is the call attempt to specific number.As application in the present invention, the detection of Network telephone number can be prepay in such trigger point, for example specific " 800 " number or have the user group of the preliminary election of predetermined quantity string in their subscriber directory number.When triggering the such trigger point of Function detection, SSP computer 170 notifies SCP 162 about triggering situation with transport the different callings of being correlated with and be connected data immediately, such as calling terminal telephone number and destination number.According to service logic 182, SCP 162 replys and returns control command by the information in the process computer 180 and gives SSP computer 170, it is translated those orders and is appropriate command, is used for exchange and traffic and handles and call control process, makes control figure exchange.

SSP 160 detects the triggering state, be those relevant signals of identification services, with these signals of processing, service control processor 162 is called out in feasible transmission, further receive this response, whether certain conditions will occur according to the request verification of service control processor, if such from service control processor 162, transmit corresponding message to service control processor 162, order set up and remove transmit in the network be connected and with intellectual peripheral equipment (TP) 176 reciprocations.Intellectual peripheral equipment 176 for example can be used to provide different phonetic the synthetic numeral that is notified to user and reception/decoding from the Dual Tone Multifrequency telephone set.In addition, intellectual peripheral equipment 176 can also receive speech input (rather than only dtmf signal sound) and use suitable voice recognition software decode users to respond, and intellectual peripheral equipment 176 can be included among the SSP 160, and it also can provide the node that separates that can be inserted by business switchover point SSP 160 as the function of exchange 174 by it.

Just as described, the mobile radio station 150,152,154 of Fig. 1 is communicated by letter with this base station 132 by air interface, and it is connected to mobile switching centre (MSC) through BSC operation again.But, should understand, mobile radio station can with the base station communication of heterogeneous networks, different networks can and have by the operation of the network operater of different competitions again.Mobile radio station in addition can with the base station communication of operator's network of foreign country, (illustrate Finland with mobile network Sweden as an example) as shown in Figure 1.In addition, the connection between the telecommunication system of country variant can provide in a known way.The independent equipment that the operator can have them is used for reaching I N business (as Finland and Sweden in the present example) in each country.Each operator can have themselves intelligent network, and the fixing and/or mobile network with base station, base station controller and mobile switching centre and other necessary network element.

MSC can send calling with predetermined suffix and call out directly also being that the skilled known mode of personnel sends to other station address to intelligent network nodes and other.Should understand that preferably arrange like this, all callings automatically send to IN, perhaps send other the process that part is called out IN, such as when relating to when being fixedly coupled, so-called hot line service can use in this connection.

In intelligent network, this user is used for the database (i.e. this user account below) of different accounts and realizes at SCP usually.SCP can be defined as an electronic control unit, and it utilizes INAP (intelligent network application component) agreement control SSP.SCP supervising connections for calling and the fee collection of realization from this user's relevant debit account.As seen from Figure 1, SSP and SCP can be connected to one of PSTN switch, perhaps they can also be or directly be connected among mobile network's the MSC and realize.

This account can be so-called pulse account.Therefore these are to know from the prepaid card arrangement of having consulted, and needn't mention and are described further, and the electronic impulse among the account equals certain amount of money of some currency, for example 1 pulse=10 penny.The operation of packing into is by the number of pulses in the minimizing voucher record, and correspondingly this user's account packs into by the pulse that increases respective numbers therein.According to an embodiment, this arrangement also comprises switch speed range or other suitable converting means, is used for the identical calculating pulse of conversion and equals different currency, and this allows to call out in different country's prepayment.

The ISP play a part this user's " bank ".The ISP sells pulse by voucher or the similar instrument that is used to prepay and gives the user.Each voucher has the pulse account of a special use, such as pack into data-base recording in the business of intelligent network.This pulse can send the user account of each user's uniqueness as requested to from voucher account.Utilize the prepayment voucher flow chart of this user account by Fig. 4 of packing into to illustrate in greater detail.

During calling out, PCC (prepayment call card) service scenario of the IN of standard control adds that the currency facility that loads program can be used to the present invention.The user discloses the pulse account of a professional operator's who is used for certain telephone number IN.The user equals certain amount of money from the pulse that the ISP so buys, and for example is worth 100FIM.This can be realized in known manner, for example by said prepayment voucher (be hidden in this and block an eliminable subsurface security code).

Fig. 3 discloses an example that use, that be stored in the possible data-base recording table in the service control point database 184 when realizing according to payment business of the present invention in more detail.These data-base recordings comprise dissimilar records, as what will illustrate below.Note, in a database, may having the record of bigger quantity (perhaps less), depend on that general IN arranges even only disclose four different records.

First record of database is according to the A number information.Its field comprises A number field 202, is used for the field 204 of PIN (personal identity number), currency values field 208, the quantity of the currency that corresponding in field 206 " bloated number " is remaining, expiry date in the field 210, the possible obstruction instruction in field 212, or the like.Have A number to the access of this business by first digital sort, for example number field 2400 to 2600 is left this sign indicating number for.First number is used to represent the IN classification so that payment business is called out in instruction.

Second record 220 is the information that has in the prepayment call card that he buys in advance according to this user.This call card record 220 comprises an information field 222 of this card number sign indicating number, the field 224 of corresponding PIN, a field 228 of remaining currency values quantity in this card, a field 226 of expiry date, a field 239 and an obstruction field 232 of use number of pulses.During possible talk (calling) upgrade this recorded information.

The 3rd data-base recording 240 is included in a voucher record of the voucher number in the field 242, a voucher password in field 244 and be stored in amount of money in the given voucher in field 248.This record also can comprise some other fields, and for example a field 250 for example be used to block this voucher under the stolen situation of a voucher (perhaps several voucher) and be used, so the operator is wished to block the use of voucher.

This voucher only can be used for increasing the field 208 of currency of currency to the first record 200 or the currency fields 228 of second record 220, perhaps is added to another voucher record (not shown) or the similar currency fields of record.

Record 240 is exclusively used in this voucher, or rather, and the information that this voucher is relevant.Voucher record comprises by the different outlets information of news-stand and newspaper station each voucher necessity of selling for example.For example wish in record 200 or 220 that as the user who buys voucher some other unit of packing into are to his/her user account, the quantity of expectation sends this user account conduct to such request responding from suitable voucher field.This voucher only comprises about the information of this database with in the predefine in this database of the real credit on this voucher.In fact this user is so confirm the credit that this voucher is relevant on the basis of this information in this database, such as number series sign indicating number or similar sign indicating number, by voucher or similarly device expression.

The 4th record 260 that this user can insert comprises payment account field 262.The A number field 202 of first record 200 replaces with this actual account number field 262.This record also comprises the field that is similar to 240 descriptions of top voucher record.

The payment business of utilizing record 260 to realize can be used for paying and gives this user's account from the quantity of account's field record 240 collections, and account is specified by field 262.The user who has contacted this database is used for inquiry the number of identifying purpose.When discerning in order, this user can inquire relevant this amount of money, and promptly he wishes the currency values that transmits.After receiving this quantity, this information via INAP connection is sent to service data point (SDP), and IN has the data connections (for example tcp/ip) to banking data base.IN has the data connections (for example tcp/ip) to banking data base.If that facility of voucher and subscriber's installation, transmitting currency values also is possible to voucher record.For example the similar PIN code of using in bank card or credit card can be added to the bank account zone.The quantity that transmits can be restricted to certain predefined maximum quantity.Permission such transaction between the user account of this among the IN and " actual " account in bank.

IN equipment above allowing to realize for example applicant is available.But, should understand that the details of different realizations can change in different equipment.

The A number of the telephone number or first record 200 can be divided between the user of user who uses mobile communication and the communication of use fixed network.In addition, the mobile communication subscriber number can be divided into group, for example sets up the user of only interim some countries of visit or network, and/or has the currency values of limited quantity and/or have the only effective account's of short-term number sets in their account.Provide an example, utilize this, when wishing to use his telephone set abroad, allow the user to use this telephone set and needn't note roaming agreement, because this user may use the mobile phone of a new SIM card with that national local operator or operating area.SIM card has the Subscriber Number that can use as the special use of interim Subscriber Number.

Referring now to Figure 4 and 5, flow chart discussion utilizes the present invention to prepay calling and/or professional exemplary procedure.

This user for example imports the prepayment call business of I N by specific suffix of dialing, so that SSP can send this calling to this business.Because begin to the calling of prepayment call business, the caller can utilize the A number to discern (Fig. 5 step 101), so IN knows the right user account who debts from this calling.

Remaining sum in the IN verification A number user account.If the remaining sum among the account surpasses some threshold values, allow this caller to be established to B number user's calling.If the remaining sum of this user account is empty, perhaps lower than said threshold value, send message to this caller, for example require him to pack other currency into to this user account, step 102.This message can only be having used up and this user should pack into more unit or currency with the notice remaining sum of information, perhaps will become under the condition of termination request pack into more unit or currency in the calling that does not allow to call out or carry out.

When the party A-subscriber decision other unit (such as currency or pulse) of packing into begins operations according to the instant invention during to his/her user account, his/her user account promptly when calling is carried out, for example can be used for directly paying account (steps 104 in the Figure 4 and 5) of real-time calling or business.

If wish to pack more currency into to this user account from voucher account step 104 caller, his make a phone call to pack into business of IN.Press suitable key and for example inquire the current calling of carrying out so that keeping, step 107,108 and 109 this user of this stage in the operating time of packing into.This calling for example utilizes mobile radio station and/or fixing line unit to send to this IN, as above-described, and sends to this business of packing into subsequently in IN, should business inquire this voucher account number then.In this step 110, this business also can be inquired secret sign indicating number and/or PIN number (personal identity number), perhaps and/or the identification of A number.Also can carry out some other measurements so that improve the safety of transaction, for example identification of calling telephone number and/or user interface.

If present invalid or non-existing voucher number by this user, if perhaps for example the A number information do not match, provide a notice, inform that this number or other yard are incorrect or inform that the other guide in the data is incorrect.Point out this user to redial necessary number series and/or sign indicating number.Certain predefine number of attempt can be set, if so that still dial improperly this number series or some out of Memory of this user still do not match, the calling to the business of packing into after last (for example for the third time) attempted is terminated.Provide a suitable notice in this stage.Also can define the professional new call number of packing into, even so that owing to suspect that swindling the PCC user account is for example becoming obstruction after two unsuccessful calls subsequently.

According to certain embodiments, the quantity of this business conversion expectation is the unit that is used by prepaid service such as arteries and veins string.Equal to use the quantity of unit such as the number in the pulse from voucher account, to deduct and correspondingly be added to actual user account, therefore at this moment finish the transaction itself of packing in the step 114 of Fig. 5.Successfully be sent to after the appropriate users account who allows to call out in the unit, blocked voucher account immediately from this voucher account.

If requirement can be given this user some notices, such as the success of this transaction and finish now, the new remaining sum of this user account and the affirmation of the expiry date of remaining remaining sum and this voucher in voucher account.Therefore possibility of this subscriber's installation is so that these user's accounts of real-time ensuring have in fact been received this payment.Be used for text message (such as SMS at mobile radio station or equipment, be short message service message) under the situation of the fixing wire telephone of display unit, this user does not need to obtain any other device, because realize that equipment of all necessity and the software among this network and the IN are possible.Confirm that notice can also provide as speech information, it can automatically be produced by the speech synthesizer device.

This calling can continue or new calling can be sent in common mode then.In calling is under the situation long or that consume many unit, may carry out the new operation of packing into during same calling, as shown in Figure 5.

May change in this order that it should be noted that disclosed step, and about password, the program of PIN code or the like can be omitted, perhaps subsequently even may some other steps be used for obtaining more improved fail safe.In addition, the notice that provides can be automatically, and perhaps this user can only ask this notice under the situation that he need to feel.The flow chart that it should be noted that Fig. 5 in addition relates to above-described pulse account, and if to use account's device of other type, the step that pulse transmits be unnecessary and/or can replace with other measure.

This voucher may have predetermined expiry date.This can inform on this voucher and the management of this expiry date is to realize in the IN database by writing on.Utilize this, the circulation of voucher has been accelerated and this " almost empty " and/or " forgetting " account may be deleted without any this user of other warning, otherwise even during writing time these accounts will enter sleep mode.

According to an additional embodiments, the present invention can also be used by the mobile subscriber of visit foreign country, he can not use his mobile radio station these countries, perhaps use by the user in the zone that can not roam into such mobile network operator, this user and this user oneself the operator without any roaming agreement.Have the operator under the situation of prepayment call business, this user may allow him to use that particular traffic zone/operator's business by buying interim voucher or interim SIM card access prepayment service under these circumstances.Therefore currency will will allow charge and interim that operator's of use business from this voucher interim user account of packing into.

Therefore, the invention provides a kind of method and a kind of configuration, in the zone of currency transaction, can obtain significant improvement by it.By known parts arrangement according to the present invention itself is easy and economic realization, and the fail safe of the enhancing of transaction is provided.Should understand, the description of giving an example above is not to limit the invention in the specific forms that is proposed, and the present invention that would rather say so will cover all modifications that are included in the spirit and scope of the present invention, and analog and alternative is as what defined by appending claims.

Claims

One kind in comprising the communication network of intelligent network to phone and/or professional payment methods, wherein said intelligent network is furnished with each user's who is used for communication network user account, said user account allows prepayment to call out and/or be linked into the expense of said user's different business, comprising:

Insert the intelligent network business of packing into by the user interface that is operably connected to this intelligent network,

Utilize this user interface and this intelligent network pack into business realizing pack into ask quantity remaining sum in each user's user account,

Wherein this is packed into and comprises step:

The quantity of from the record of expression prepaid balance quantity this intelligent network, successively decreasing and asking, said each user has paid this prepaid balance by buying voucher or similar in advance, said record in this intelligent network is exclusively used in said voucher or similar

In this user account of the remaining sum of the respective numbers of packing into each privileged user of this operation of packing into to request.
2. according to the method for claim 1, it is characterized in that packing into of said user account comprise:

Provide by the prepayment voucher or be similar to pack into each number series of professional expression of intelligent network by said user interface, the said business of packing into comprise the said record that limits prepaid balance's quantity specific database and

The remaining sum of requested number from the record of this database, pack into to this user account, wherein utilize number series to represent the correct record of this database.
3. according to the method for claim 1, it is characterized in that this user account is the pulse account, it determines this remaining sum by the pulse item,

The number of pulses of the quantity that corresponding requirements is packed into from the database relevant, deduct with this voucher or similar and

Pack into this user's pulse account of the pulse of respective numbers.
4. according to the method for claim 1, it is characterized in that utilizing mobile radio station to realize this request of packing into.
5. according to the method for claim 1, it is characterized in that by this user interface by this user of notice prompting more unit of packing into.
6. according to the method for claim 1, it is characterized in that it also comprises step:

Utilize the incoming call in this user's the call number information Recognition intelligent network services,

The security code that provides each user is to this business of packing into,

Provide the quantity that will be encased in this user interface and send indication about said quantity to this business of packing into,

Provide from the business of packing into of this intelligent network and to be notified to this user interface, inform that this transaction finished the new remaining sum with relevant this user account.
7. according to the method for claim 5, it is characterized in that providing for this user's notice as text message or as speech information by this user interface.
8. according to the method for any one claim of the claim of front, it is characterized in that it also comprises:

In this voucher or similar, be provided with prepaid balance validity time restriction and

Delete overdue voucher or similar from the record family of the special use of this database.
9. be used for pay phone and/or professional a kind of equipment, comprise

A communication network,

An intelligent network that is connected with this communication network, each user's of this communication network of the said user's of wherein said intelligent network equipment permission prepayment calling user account,

A user interface inserts this intelligent network services by this communication network,

A record of indication prepaid balance quantity in this intelligent network, each user pays this prepaid balance in advance by buying a voucher or similar, and wherein the said record in this intelligent network is exclusively used in said voucher or similar,

The service apparatus of in this intelligent network, realizing of packing into, be used for realizing to reduce pack into said each user's user account of unit from said record, also allow by this communication network communication, wherein this equipment is like this: said packing into can be by this user interface request of said each user.
10. according to the equipment of claim 9, the database that it is characterized in that this record realization becoming service apparatus of packing into, wherein this equipment is like this, and as the request responding to being provided to this user interface by this user, the remaining sum of desired amt can send this user account to from this database.
11., it is characterized in that this user account is the pulse account according to the equipment of claim 9.
12. according to the equipment of any one claim of claim 9 to 11, this user interface that it is characterized in that each user is a mobile radio station.
13. utilization is connected to the intelligent network that the telecommunication user interface of at least one communication network can insert, and comprises

Each user's of said at least one communication network user account, wherein each said account allows to prepay each user's calling, and an account is exclusively used in an independent user,

A kind of record is represented each user by buying the prepaid balance amount that voucher or analog have been paid in advance, and wherein said record is to be exclusively used in said voucher or analog,

The service apparatus of packing into, be used to realize to have from said each user's of the unit of said record deduction packing into of user account and further communicate by letter by this communication network with allowing, wherein this equipment is such, and said packing into is user interface request by said each user.
14. the communication system in communication network comprises:

The intelligent network that communication service is provided; Comprise for a computer giving the user of this communication network in its database memory allocation; Said data-base recording comprises a reservation number record and comprises a prepayment call card number record of the user account of a payment in advance value of money; Be used in real time expenditure calling and/or professional; With a voucher record; Arrange said voucher record that given quantity is added to said user account or be added to this user's this conversion account; It is intended for other purpose rather than is used for calling out

A plurality of communication terminals have by a user interface to the professional access of packing into of this intelligent network, and said user interface selectively is connected to this intelligent network, and the communication service of expectation can insert by at least one terminal,

Wherein the intelligent network service computer of packing into handles in the calling of communication network when ask communication service so that detect the communication terminal that inserts this intelligent network, it requires to use the pre-payment currency values relevant with this user account, if the pre-payment currency values in the described user account is the expenditure that enough covers the communication service of request, pack into the communication service of this request of computer mandate of this intelligent network

The quantity of from the record of expression prepaid balance quantity this intelligent network, successively decreasing and asking,

In this user account of the remaining sum of the respective numbers of packing into each privileged user of this operation of packing into to request.
15. communication system according to claim 14, the database that wherein comprises this user record is produced by this computer, this Computer Processing is in the calling of this communication network, when ask in this database, to give this user account or increase currency values for account in order to detect the communication terminal that inserts this communication network by this user's appointment, with response prompting therein, the amount of money of said user account or said other account is given in caller's input transfer.
16. according to the communication system of claim 15, wherein the terminal that inserts this database by it is a public telephone set, a mobile phone or a data communicator.
17. according to the communication system of claim 16, wherein this call number is at the access code to this intelligent network.
18. according to the communication system of claim 16, wherein this access code is selected the data-base recording of the business of this user expectation access.
19. in communication network, be used for a kind of method of access communications business, comprise step:

Establishment has the data-base recording of account number, illustrate that such user has at least one record that comprises currency values, said record is divided into a reservation number record and calls out a prepayment call card number record of needs, and be divided into a voucher number record, said voucher number record is to be used for and will to be added to the conversion account of the user account or the non-calling accounts of calling to determined number

The access code of this account to this account is provided, and this account is relevant with the payment in advance value of money by at least one intelligent node of communication network,

Call out a Network number, be used to ask the business that realizes by this Network,

Between the data-base recording that requires, select the user to insert,

Response request connects this user to the call business of this network or the payment business of this network,

Change this calling party account or converting users account's currency values with the quantity of this privileged user's requirement.
20. according to the method for claim 19, wherein it also comprises the step of determining the prepayment account number relevant with this request and this prepayment account number of checking.