EP1042906A2 - A system having tariff information features - Google Patents

A system having tariff information features

Info

Publication number
EP1042906A2
EP1042906A2 EP99923818A EP99923818A EP1042906A2 EP 1042906 A2 EP1042906 A2 EP 1042906A2 EP 99923818 A EP99923818 A EP 99923818A EP 99923818 A EP99923818 A EP 99923818A EP 1042906 A2 EP1042906 A2 EP 1042906A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
user
tariff
tariff information
downloading
communication
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP99923818A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Yvan D. A. L. Guilbaud
Eric Fablet
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Cellon France SAS
Original Assignee
Cellon France SAS
Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Cellon France SAS, Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV filed Critical Cellon France SAS
Priority to EP99923818A priority Critical patent/EP1042906A2/en
Publication of EP1042906A2 publication Critical patent/EP1042906A2/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/88—Provision for limiting connection, or expenditure
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/28—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP with meter at substation or with calculation of charges at terminal
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/24—Accounting or billing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
    • H04M2215/01—Details of billing arrangements
    • H04M2215/0116—Provision for limiting expenditure, e.g. limit on call expenses or account
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
    • H04M2215/20—Technology dependant metering
    • H04M2215/2026—Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
    • H04M2215/32—Involving wireless systems

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for providing tariff information to a user in a communication network, the method comprising a downloading of the tariff information from the communication network to the user.
  • the present invention also relates to a system comprising one of more base stations and one or more mobile stations for mutual communication between the stations, and means for downloading tariff information from the base station to the mobile station, and to a mobile station and base station for application in the system.
  • EP-A-0 647 055 particularly disclosing a cellular telephone billing management system.
  • the known system is capable of downloading and displaying at the user location cumulative billing information during a call set up-period signalling period, so that the user knows how high the costs are that he can expect at the end of a billing period. Also billing information for a current call can be displayed. The user can be provided with billing information about past and current costs, which information is being downloaded during the setting up of the actual call.
  • the present invention aims at extending the billing features of the known method and system for opening possibilities for achieving a reduction of telephone costs at the side of the user.
  • the method according to the present invention is characterised in that the downloading of the tariff information takes place before the making of a regular call by the user.
  • the system and mobile station according to the invention are characterised in that they are provided with means for calling a tariff service, which tariff calling means are activated prior to a making of a regular call by the user.
  • the base station according to the invention is characterised in that it is provided with means for providing tariff information, which tariff information providing means are activated prior to a making of a regular call by the user.
  • the downloading of the tariff information takes place during a session wherein a service number is being called, which calling is, either or not initiated by the user. If not initiated by the user the calling of the service number can be advantageously be automated so that it may take place in the background.
  • the downloading of billing information is activated only if at least the identity of the user is known to the provider of the billing service, which will be the network provider, network manager or network administrator.
  • the downloaded information can in a further embodiment of the method and system according to the invention be used to update billing information, which may be present in a table in a memory in a mobile station or communication device, such as a mobile telephone.
  • the system in particular the mobile station, comprises selection means, so that the user may select his preferred network manager or network administrator, which may be chosen to be the cheapest for that particular phone call and/or for that time of the day or week, in order to cope with his preference.
  • Fig. 1 shows a schematically illustrated embodiment of the system according to the invention
  • Fig. 2 shows a possible format of a tariff information request for application in the method according to the invention.
  • Fig. 1 shows a system 1 comprising one or more base stations 2-1, 2-2 and mobile stations 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3. These stations 2 and 3 are capable of communicating with one another either through the air, satellites and/or cables. The whole forms a communication network with network providers, and network managers or network administrators commercially exploiting the network or parts thereof.
  • Fig. 1 The system 1 in Fig. 1 is shown to have cells 4-1, 4-2, wherein respective base stations 2-1, 2-2 are capable to communicate with mobile stations present therein. Both base station and mobile station have mutually communicating downloading means 5 comprising the tariff providing means and tariff calling means 6 respectively.
  • a contact is made between the mobile station, in this case 3-1, and the base station, in this case 2-1.
  • the tariff calling means 6 start, either automatically or imtiated by the user a session to send a request to the downloading means 6 to perform a tariff service in order to provide adequate information about a current tariff for local telephone calls.
  • a possible format of such a request is shown in Fig. 2.
  • Fig. 2 shows information fields referenced by A, B, and C.
  • A is an information field, which identifies the type of request
  • B contains user identification information
  • C contains information about future calls which can be made, such as local, international, time or specific telephone number etcetera.
  • a user identification is usually sufficient for the base station 2-1 to establish who made the request, so that the costs for the tariff service can be charged to the user. If the user wants more detailed tariff information he can prepare and send a request from the tariff calling means 6 to the downloading means of the tariff service asking for e.g. the costs of the making of a telephone call to a number, which may be specified as
  • the downloading means 5 in the base station 2-1 provide the wanted tariff information to the mobile station 3-1.
  • the mobile station comprises a display means 7, such as a LCD screen, displaying the wanted tariff information.
  • the downloaded information can be used to update a memory or table 8 to contain updated tariff information for possible future use.
  • processors such as microprocessors identified with 9 and 10, in the stations 2-1 and 3-1 respectively control the commonly known set up of a telephone connection in the communication system 1.
  • the microprocessors 9 and 10 if properly programmed provide a menu driven tariff information service to enable the user to have the disposal of tariff information about future calls to be made.
  • the system 1 contains selection means 11 to input the choice, usually comprising keys, or a keyboard.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • Meter Arrangements (AREA)
  • Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)

Abstract

A method and system for providing tariff information to a user in a communication network, comprising a downloading of the tariff information from the communication network to the user, such that the downloading of the tariff information takes place before the making of a regular call by the user. This gives the user tariff information about a telephone call he wants to make prior to the actual making of the call, so that he can plan the call in advance and plan and make it during a period of time telephone charges are at their lowest.

Description

A system having tariff information features.
The present invention relates to a method for providing tariff information to a user in a communication network, the method comprising a downloading of the tariff information from the communication network to the user.
The present invention also relates to a system comprising one of more base stations and one or more mobile stations for mutual communication between the stations, and means for downloading tariff information from the base station to the mobile station, and to a mobile station and base station for application in the system.
Such a method, system, base station and mobile station are known from
EP-A-0 647 055, particularly disclosing a cellular telephone billing management system. The known system is capable of downloading and displaying at the user location cumulative billing information during a call set up-period signalling period, so that the user knows how high the costs are that he can expect at the end of a billing period. Also billing information for a current call can be displayed. The user can be provided with billing information about past and current costs, which information is being downloaded during the setting up of the actual call.
The present invention aims at extending the billing features of the known method and system for opening possibilities for achieving a reduction of telephone costs at the side of the user.
Thereto the method according to the present invention is characterised in that the downloading of the tariff information takes place before the making of a regular call by the user. Similarly the system and mobile station according to the invention are characterised in that they are provided with means for calling a tariff service, which tariff calling means are activated prior to a making of a regular call by the user. And the base station according to the invention is characterised in that it is provided with means for providing tariff information, which tariff information providing means are activated prior to a making of a regular call by the user. It is an advantage of the present invention that prior to the making of a regular call the user can advantageously be provided with billing information so that he knows in advance which costs are to be expected when he actually makes the phone call, which can either be a local, a national or an international call. He can then decide at which point in time and in which billing period to plan and make the call. This provides the user with additional possibilities of reducing telephone costs by making the call in a cheaper billing period.
In an embodiment of the present invention the downloading of the tariff information takes place during a session wherein a service number is being called, which calling is, either or not initiated by the user. If not initiated by the user the calling of the service number can be advantageously be automated so that it may take place in the background.
Generally the downloading of billing information is activated only if at least the identity of the user is known to the provider of the billing service, which will be the network provider, network manager or network administrator.
The downloaded information can in a further embodiment of the method and system according to the invention be used to update billing information, which may be present in a table in a memory in a mobile station or communication device, such as a mobile telephone. Preferably the system, in particular the mobile station, comprises selection means, so that the user may select his preferred network manager or network administrator, which may be chosen to be the cheapest for that particular phone call and/or for that time of the day or week, in order to cope with his preference.
At present the invention will be elucidated further together with its additional advantages while reference is being made to the appended drawing. In the drawing:
Fig. 1 shows a schematically illustrated embodiment of the system according to the invention, and
Fig. 2 shows a possible format of a tariff information request for application in the method according to the invention. Fig. 1 shows a system 1 comprising one or more base stations 2-1, 2-2 and mobile stations 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3. These stations 2 and 3 are capable of communicating with one another either through the air, satellites and/or cables. The whole forms a communication network with network providers, and network managers or network administrators commercially exploiting the network or parts thereof. Users of the network are being provided with mobile stations, such as pagers, mobile telephones etcetera and they are allowed to use network facilities, such as telephone facilities against payment of a certain tariff, which tariff may vary dependent on the required services, data transmission rate, time of the day, distance between communicating parties, types of calls, such as local, national, international etcetera. The system 1 in Fig. 1 is shown to have cells 4-1, 4-2, wherein respective base stations 2-1, 2-2 are capable to communicate with mobile stations present therein. Both base station and mobile station have mutually communicating downloading means 5 comprising the tariff providing means and tariff calling means 6 respectively. If a user such as illustrated by the mobile station 3-1 wants to set up a communication with some other subscriber user of the communication network a contact is made between the mobile station, in this case 3-1, and the base station, in this case 2-1. The tariff calling means 6 start, either automatically or imtiated by the user a session to send a request to the downloading means 6 to perform a tariff service in order to provide adequate information about a current tariff for local telephone calls. A possible format of such a request is shown in Fig. 2.
Fig. 2 shows information fields referenced by A, B, and C. A is an information field, which identifies the type of request, B contains user identification information, and C contains information about future calls which can be made, such as local, international, time or specific telephone number etcetera. The initial request asks for tariff information about local calls if made from the location where the user is at that moment, in which case C= LOCAL. A user identification is usually sufficient for the base station 2-1 to establish who made the request, so that the costs for the tariff service can be charged to the user. If the user wants more detailed tariff information he can prepare and send a request from the tariff calling means 6 to the downloading means of the tariff service asking for e.g. the costs of the making of a telephone call to a number, which may be specified as
C= NUMBER. Consequently the downloading means 5 in the base station 2-1 provide the wanted tariff information to the mobile station 3-1. The mobile station comprises a display means 7, such as a LCD screen, displaying the wanted tariff information. The downloaded information can be used to update a memory or table 8 to contain updated tariff information for possible future use. Generally processors, such as microprocessors identified with 9 and 10, in the stations 2-1 and 3-1 respectively control the commonly known set up of a telephone connection in the communication system 1. The microprocessors 9 and 10 if properly programmed provide a menu driven tariff information service to enable the user to have the disposal of tariff information about future calls to be made. Off course the format exemplified in fig. 2 can be varied at wish, so that more and/or other types of information can be exchanged at wish simultaneously between the stations 2-1 and 3-1. For example a listing can be made of available time periods, network administrators and charges for calls made during said periods such that the user can select his particular choice of possible calls, such as telephone calls. The system 1 contains selection means 11 to input the choice, usually comprising keys, or a keyboard.
In view of the foregoing it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the spirit and the scope of the present invention as hereinafter defined by the appended claims and that the present invention is thus not limited to the examples provided.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A method for providing tariff information to a user in a communication network, the method comprising a downloading of the tariff information from the communication network to the user, characterised in that the downloading of the tariff information takes place before the making of a regular call by the user.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the downloading of the tariff information takes place during a session wherein a service is being called for.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the service or service number is called for during a session which is, either or not initiated by the user.
4. The method according to one of the claims 1-3, wherein the tariff information is used to update a user tariff information table.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the content of the user tariff information table is dependent on the actual location of the user in the communication network.
6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the updated content of the tariff information table is being made available at the premises of the user upon request.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the content of the tariff information table is being made available visually to the user.
8. The method according to one of the claims 1-7, wherein a selection is being made respecting the cheapest tariff available to the user.
9. A system comprising one of more base stations and one or more mobile stations set up for mutual communication between the stations, and means for downloading o tariff information from the base station to the mobile station, characterised in that the system is provided with means for calling a tariff service, which tariff calling means are activated prior to a making of a regular call by the user.
10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the means for downloading tariff information are activated once the users' identity is known to the base station.
11. The system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the system comprises selection means whereto downloaded updated tariff information is inputted for selection of a most economical network administrator.
12. A mobile station, for example a mobile communication device, such as a mobile telephone provided with communication means for communication with other stations and means for downloading tariff information, characterised in that the mobile station is provided with means for calling a tariff service, which tariff calling means are activated prior to a making of a regular call by the user.
13. A base station provided with communication means for communication with other stations and means for downloading tariff information, characterised in that the base station is provided with tariff information providing means, which tariff information providing means are activated prior to a making of a regular call by the user.
EP99923818A 1998-07-03 1999-06-17 A system having tariff information features Withdrawn EP1042906A2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP99923818A EP1042906A2 (en) 1998-07-03 1999-06-17 A system having tariff information features

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP98401685 1998-07-03
EP98401685 1998-07-03
EP99923818A EP1042906A2 (en) 1998-07-03 1999-06-17 A system having tariff information features
PCT/IB1999/001135 WO2000002373A2 (en) 1998-07-03 1999-06-17 A system having tariff information features

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1042906A2 true EP1042906A2 (en) 2000-10-11

Family

ID=8235429

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99923818A Withdrawn EP1042906A2 (en) 1998-07-03 1999-06-17 A system having tariff information features

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1042906A2 (en)
JP (1) JP2002520913A (en)
KR (1) KR20010023594A (en)
CN (1) CN1292970A (en)
WO (1) WO2000002373A2 (en)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10135425A1 (en) * 2001-07-20 2003-01-30 Siemens Ag Displaying costs of information exchange between first and second radio devices involves determining costs of information exchange depending on cost parameter using cost information and indicating
KR100469410B1 (en) * 2001-08-04 2005-02-02 엘지전자 주식회사 Optimum fee pattern decision method for mobile communication terminal equipment
US7885654B2 (en) * 2006-10-10 2011-02-08 Apple Inc. Dynamic carrier selection
EP2066106A1 (en) * 2007-11-27 2009-06-03 Gemplus Method for supplying, on request, the updated list of rates for a service provided and associated device
KR102028568B1 (en) 2013-07-23 2019-10-04 삼성전자주식회사 Wide-band patch antenna having double feeding technique and method of manufacturing the same

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2660348B2 (en) * 1988-10-21 1997-10-08 株式会社大興電機製作所 Cordless telephone equipment
EP0647055A1 (en) * 1993-10-04 1995-04-05 AT&T Corp. Cellular telephone billing management system
EP0724371A1 (en) * 1995-01-30 1996-07-31 CABLE & WIRELESS PLC Wireless communication terminal
DE19522988A1 (en) * 1995-06-28 1997-01-02 Sel Alcatel Ag Procedure for charge information as well as service control device, subscriber exchange, terminal and communication network
US6408174B1 (en) * 1997-05-13 2002-06-18 Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) Communication method, system, and device for reducing processor load at tariff switch
US6101379A (en) * 1997-08-29 2000-08-08 Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson Mobile terminal based tariff acquisition system for wireless services

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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Title
See references of WO0002373A2 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2002520913A (en) 2002-07-09
KR20010023594A (en) 2001-03-26
CN1292970A (en) 2001-04-25
WO2000002373A2 (en) 2000-01-13
WO2000002373A3 (en) 2000-03-30

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