EP1377944A2

EP1377944A2 - Differentiated threshold value behaviour in prepaid services

Info

Publication number: EP1377944A2
Application number: EP02716625A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Rüdiger HAUSMANN; Peter Moritz
Original assignee: Siemens AG; Nokia Siemens Networks GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Nokia Solutions and Networks GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2001-04-12
Filing date: 2002-02-27
Publication date: 2004-01-07
Also published as: EP1249801A1; US20040114739A1; WO2002084613A3; US7123703B2; CN1518727A; WO2002084613A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for threshold value relates control of at least one service in a data or telecommunication system, comprising the following steps: a) defining at least one threshold value for a prepaid credit for the payment of said service; b) defining at least one action, especially control of the scope of said service, in the framework of said service, said action being able to be triggered at said threshold value; c) signalling if the threshold value(s) is/are exceeded or not respected; and d) triggering the action in response to the signal.

Description

description

Differentiated threshold behavior of prepaid services

The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1.

Prepaid services, especially services in a data or Telecommunications system, are also known under the name prepaid services. An electronic credit z. B. by cashless transfer or by cash purchase of a phone card (prepaid card) at a service provider. The services of the service provider booked can then be dialed by the user without cash from any tone-capable telephone, from a telephone booth, in a hotel etc. via a free service number and z. B. can be used by entering a user identification. Such services can also be used from a mobile phone, with the service operators being able to make attractive tariff arrangements by paying the service charges in advance. Customized tariff models are usually tailored to the needs of the user, e.g. B. for the preferred use of international or domestic connections, local or long distance calls, etc., offered.

The scope of the services offered extends not only to voice transmission via a fixed or mobile phone, but also to text-based communication services such as e-mail or SMS (Short Message Service). In addition, services such as voice mail (answering machine function), Internet access (WAP mobile phone, Internet computer) or discounted services such as travel information, telephone information and the like. a., offered.

The advantages of using such a service offer have so far led to an increasing number of users. A disadvantage of the previous system is, however, that when the credit is exhausted while the service is still in use, the connection is blocked, so that the user was no longer able to top up his electronic credit in good time. This is all the less acceptable for a user since the blockage during an important service, e.g. B. an urgent international call, can occur and have serious consequences.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a method which allows a flexible reaction to the credit development in the case of services paid for in advance.

This task is accomplished by a method of the type in question with the method steps a) setting at least one threshold value for a prepaid credit for remuneration of the service; b) setting at least one action, in particular a control of the scope of service, as part of the service, which is to be triggered at this threshold value; c) signaling the exceeding or falling below the or a threshold value; and d) triggering the action in response to the signal.

A key idea of the method according to the invention is to make a differentiated decision when reaching one

Realize (especially lower) credit threshold of an electronic credit in favor of a flexible reaction of the user.

A flexible reaction is made possible in particular if a threshold value is resolved in favor of a number of threshold values, to which at least one action is ultimately assigned. The possibilities of making the threshold behavior of a prepaid service more flexible allow the user to recharge his electronic credit in good time and in accordance with his special needs. men or can terminate the use of a service in an orderly manner.

Advantageous further developments of the method are specified in subclaims 2 to 12.

The action triggered when a threshold value is reached preferably comprises the activation or deactivation of the or an associated service. So z. For example, when an upper threshold value is reached, particularly cost-intensive services are first switched off in order to ensure that cheaper services can be provided for as long as possible. The connection is finally blocked only when a lower credit threshold is reached.

A particular advantage is achieved in that the action triggered when a threshold value is reached comprises changing service parameters, in particular charging, tariffing or the quality of the service. As a result, the mere activation or deactivation of a service is resolved in favor of a much more differentiated handling of the compensation modalities. So would be B. the use of a service when reaching an upper threshold is still possible with low monthly fees and a relatively cheap tariff, while if this threshold is not reached, this tariff is no longer offered or the good, e.g. B. the possibility of making international calls is restricted. Such a restriction of service parameters via a number of threshold values in the direction of a lower threshold value leads to the user being motivated in time to replenish his electronic credit.

When at least one threshold value is set for a credit, the threshold value is preferably selected as a function of the user data, in particular the scope of service booked by the user and / or the amount of the prepaid credit. So z. B. for a user with a high prepaid credit and a booked service scope, which includes not only telephone but also internet services, an upper threshold for triggering service-restricting actions is much lower than for a user with a low prepaid credit and one from the outset the very limited range of services booked in the form of a pure telephone service.

The choice is preferably also made when one is reached

Threshold value triggered action m depending on user data, in particular the scope of service booked by the user and / or the prepaid credit. Thus, when setting at least one action as part of the service, which is to be triggered at a threshold value, a deactivation for a user with a small prepaid credit can already be deactivated at this threshold value. B. the booked Internet service and the limitation of the memory size for SMS messages, while for a user with a significantly higher prepaid credit when the same threshold value only a change in the service parameters, z. B. the underlying long-distance tariff. Here, the user is motivated at an early stage to build up an electronic credit sufficient for high-quality services and a "moderate" response if the threshold is undershot.

A further advantage is achieved in that after setting at least one action within the scope of the service which is to be triggered at a threshold value, an additional condition is set, the fulfillment of which is required to trigger the action. The signaling of the occurrence or non-occurrence of the condition is carried out after the signaling of the exceeding or falling below a threshold value. By assigning a condition to at least one threshold value, the influencing of the response behavior of other parameters and thus the targeted adjustment to the needs of a user is possible.

This applies in particular if the amount of the prepaid credit of the user and / or the scope of service booked and / or the service currently being used is part of a condition. Is z. For example, with a prepaid credit of DM 100.00 and a range of services booked by telephone service (abroad, inland), voice mail (answering machine function) and SMS as well as a call that has just been used, an upper threshold of DM 15 , 00 below, the action of changing service parameters, z. B. the restriction of the voice mail capacity. If, on the other hand, the user only uses a local connection when this threshold value is undershot, no action is initially drawn.

The user is preferably notified of the status of the credit and / or the scope of service currently valid for him when a threshold value is undershot and an action signaled thereby is triggered in response to the signal. In the example described above, the user of the long-distance call can additionally be advised that his electronic credit is now DM 15.00 and the scope of services has been limited in favor of the connection he is using, that is, the capacity of his voice mail. This will give the user timely information about recharging their electronic credit.

It is open for the administration of such a procedure

On the part of the service provider, it is advantageous that all threshold values, actions and conditions for a plurality of users are managed at a central point in a computer network. Such central administration of the service data is not very personnel-intensive and enables a correspondingly good overview of the economy and status of the company, as well as statistical surveys of user behavior. To the Using the method according to the invention, software operated on a central server of a data and communication network is particularly suitable.

The threshold behavior of prepaid services can be further differentiated by setting a number of threshold values, each of which triggers at least one action. It is possible to stagger the threshold values in such a way that the actions triggered when these threshold values are undershot or exceeded step by step restrict the scope of service and the service parameters or expand them again when the user increases the electronic credit. The actions triggered with staggered threshold values can e.g. B. Restriction of possible telephone connections to the local network, simultaneous deactivation of the SMS function and simultaneous change of the basic charges.

In addition, it is also possible to assign at least one condition to a plurality of threshold values. The threshold values can also be staggered in such a way that the at least one condition assigned to them enables a gradual restriction or expansion when individual threshold values are undershot or exceeded. So z. B. Internet access via a WAP mobile phone can be deactivated when the threshold falls below DM 10, 00, but an SMS service can be activated by means of a further condition assigned to this threshold depending on the originally prepaid credit and when the Internet access is deactivated.

The staggering mentioned can be carried out, in particular, from the point of view that the user is informed in good time of the current scope of the services which can be used by him and of his available credit, without the connection being blocked completely. This enables him to increase his credit balance in a timely and differentiated manner, which also Average credit available on the user's account increased. For the service provider, this can further increase the quality of the offer while at the same time lower prices.

The present invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of some graphics. Show it:

1 shows the functional relationship between the threshold values of an electronic credit and the services triggered when these threshold values are undershot or exceeded,

2 shows the functional relationship between the threshold values of an electronic credit and the services triggered when these threshold values are undershot or exceeded on the basis of a service example and the assigned service server and

3 shows a fee table for a tariff for a telephone card (prepaid card) according to the prior art.

In FIG. 1, a scale of threshold values for an electronic credit can be seen on the left-hand side. In principle, each threshold value can be assigned benefits in the form of a corresponding fee and / or tariffing and / or service goods. If there are any corresponding discounts, these are set by the fee service listed on the right and notified to the user in a further step.

At the same time, the threshold values can be assigned special conditions for the charging or tariffing of communication services. An assigned condition could e.g. B. look so that depending on a prepaid credit of DM 50.00 and falling below the threshold, the activation of the fee- service is triggered, which triggers the basis of an increased fee for billing a service. In contrast, if a prepaid credit of DM 100.00 was paid, no action will be triggered if the value falls below the same threshold. Thus, the assignment of conditions to individual threshold values, for. B. targeted tariffing by triggering or not triggering actions.

Furthermore, special conditions for the occurrence of special services or service grades can be formulated, which trigger the activation or deactivation of a service when a threshold value is undershot or exceeded. Thus, if the value falls below the highest threshold and a prepaid credit of DM 100.00, the quality of service, e.g. B. the possibility of international connections can be deactivated, with a prepaid credit of DM 50.00 but the telephone service can be completely blocked at the same threshold. In the functional context shown here, the user is e.g. B. notified of the status of the credit and the scope of the services currently available for him.

FIG. 2 shows the functional relationship between a threshold value scale of an electronic credit and the services activated or deactivated in the process on the basis of service examples and the assigned service servers.

For example, B. the electronic credit below the highest threshold, a previously active and location-dependent service C is switched to an active and location-independent state. In the present example, this is done by setting a call block while simultaneously offering a location-independent supplementary service. Both services run on the service server HLR (Home Location Register). If the next following threshold is undershot, a previously activated service B is set to inactive. In the In this example, a voice-guided menu dialog is replaced by self-entry of the corresponding digits. This affects the Service Management Access Point server.

If the electronic credit drops further below the next threshold, a fee service is activated, which sets the tariff for SMS messages (Short Message Services) from a discount level II to a discount level I. There is a less favorable discount for SMS in

The meaning of a discount scale for prepaid services. This service is activated on the Prepaid Service Center service server. If the credit finally falls below the lowest threshold value, a service A is activated, which changes a good I to a good II, whereby the memory size of the voice mail (answering machine function) is reduced. Service A is started on the voice mail server service server.

3 shows a fee table for telephone connections according to a special tariff offer for card values of DM 10.00 and DM 25.00 as well as DM 50.00 and DM 75.00. At the same time, the call credit is listed in minutes for the corresponding card values depending on the connection. With lower card values (prepaid card) of z. For example, DM 10.00 and DM 25.00 are charged correspondingly higher charges for the minutes of the call than for card values of DM 50.00 and DM 75.00. The connection times to the corresponding countries are correspondingly shorter for the card values of DM 10.00 and DM 25.00. With this tariff, threshold values for a differentiated reaction to the achievement of a minimum credit balance are not provided in the prior art.

At this point, it should be pointed out that all of the steps of the method described above are taken on their own and in any combination, in particular the details shown in the drawings, are essential to the invention. be spoken. Modifications to this are familiar to the person skilled in the art.

Claims

claims

1. Method for the threshold-related control of at least one service in a data or telecommunications system, with the following method steps: a) setting at least one threshold value for a prepaid credit for remuneration of the service; b) setting at least one action, in particular a control of the scope of service, as part of the service, which is to be triggered at this threshold value; c) signaling the exceeding or falling below the or a threshold value; and d) triggering the action in response to the signal.

2. The method of claim 1, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t, d a ß the action of activating or deactivating the or

Service includes.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t, d a ß the action of changing service parameters, in particular the

Billing, tariffing or the service good, includes.

4. The method according to one of the preceding claims, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e, d a ß m step a) the threshold value is selected depending on user data, in particular the scope of service booked by the user and / or the amount of the prepaid credit.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in step b) the action is selected as a function of user data, in particular the scope of service booked by the user and / or the prepaid credit.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, g e k e n n z e i c h n e t d u r c h another step b) to be carried out after step b) setting an additional condition for the action; and a further method step cl) to be carried out after step c) signaling the occurrence or non-occurrence of the condition.

7. The method according to claim 7, which also means that the amount of prepaid credit of the user and / or the amount of service booked and / or the service currently being used is part of a condition.

8. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, a further step e) to be carried out after step d) notifying the user of the status of the credit and / or of the scope of service currently valid for him.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t, d a ß all threshold values, actions and conditions for a plurality of users are managed at a central point of a computer network.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, g e k e n n z e i c h n e t d u r c h a plurality of threshold values, each triggering at least one action.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a plurality of threshold values, each of which is assigned at least one condition.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, g e k e n n z e i c h n e t d u r c h an assignment of the actions and / or the conditions to the threshold values such that if the successive threshold values are exceeded or undershot, a gradual restriction or expansion of the scope of service takes place.