GB2386505A

GB2386505A - Call logging at a mobile communication device

Info

Publication number: GB2386505A
Application number: GB0205934A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kevin Tilbury
Original assignee: NEC Technologies UK Ltd
Current assignee: NEC Technologies UK Ltd
Priority date: 2002-03-13
Filing date: 2002-03-13
Publication date: 2003-09-17
Also published as: GB0205934D0

Abstract

A communication device includes a memory 4 for storing tariff data for a subscription to a communication service. Means 6 for logging calls are provided and for deriving the duration and cost of each call using the stored tariff data. The cost data can then be displayed.

Description

1 - MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE WITH CALL LOGGING

This invention relates to a mobile communication device with a call logging feature and in particular, a 5 call logging feature which is able to provide the user with a breakdown of different types of calls made.

Mobile telephone services operate on a subscription basis. A user selects a particular type of subscription. This typically includes a number of lo free call minutes per month, and rates specific to that subscription for calls made during the peak and off-

peak time periods.

This may also include specific tariffs for calls to specific telephone codes, e.g. to land lines or to 15 other mobile telephones.

Because there are a number of different mobile phone, service providers and each of these has different subscription services, it has not so far been possible to provide users with a record of all charges incurred 20 over a specific period.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a mobile phone with apparatus which enables an estimate of calls made using each tariff in a user subscription service and thus enables an estimate of 25 total charges incurred to date.

The invention is defined with more precision in the appended claims to which reference should now be made. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be 30 described in detail by way of example with reference to the diagrams in which: Figure 1 shows schematically the architecture of an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a flow chart showing how an embodiment 35 of the invention works.

- 2 An embodiment of the invention is provided in a mobile telephone which has a user-interface which will allow a user to set up different call categories.

These can be defined by a range of times and dates or s according to groups of phone numbers. A facility to specify the tariff for each call category is also included. Examples of the types of categories used are shown below: 1. premium 00:00- Monday- 09?0898? lOOp/min 23:59 Sunday lO 2. my network 08:00- Monday- 078?077? lOp/min 18:59 Friday 3. peak 08:00- Monday- 35p/min 19:00 Friday 4. included 19:00- Monday- 01?02?08? Op/min 07:59 Friday 078?077? 5. included 00:00- Saturda 01?02?08? Op/min 23:59 y-Sunday 078?077? These categories can be edited by the user in 5 dependence of the particular type of subscription the user has. In Figure 1 there is shown the basic architecture required in an embodiment of the invention. This comprises a call meter user interface set up, control and display component 2. This is JO coupled to a non-volatile data storage device 4 which is used to used to store data such as that listed above and which is input via the call meter user interface 2.

The non-volatile data storage 4 is linked to a call logging component 6 which is in turn linked to a 25 call timer component 8. The call logging and call timer components are used to log and time calls made on the mobile phone. This information is then passed to

- 3 the non volatile data storage 4 where the call category can be determined and the total times and costs calculated and subsequently provided to the call meter user interface 2 for display when selected by a user.

5 Figure 2 shows what happens when a call is made by a user. First of all, the call is logged at 10. The highest priority category of call which is stored in the non-volatile data storage 4 is then retrieved at 12. Following this, a determination is made as to 10 whether the number dialled is applicable to the highest priority category. This is done at 14. If the number is not applicable to the highest priority category, a loop is entered in which the next highest priority category is retrieved at 16, before returning to the 15 determination as to whether or not the number is applicable to the category at 14. This continues until a suitable category is retrieved.

Once a suitable category has been retrieved, a start time is derived at 18, and a determination made 20 as to whether the start time is applicable for the category currently being used (same categories are time dependent). If it is not, the loop included in box 16 is re-entered and the next highest priority category derived. The number applicable and start time 25 applicable determinations are then made again. This continues until a suitable category is retrieved.

Following this, at 20, a determination is made as to whether the end time of the call is applicable to the category selected. If it is, then all the minutes So covered by the call are added to the category at 20 by adding them to the totals already stored in the non volatile data storage.

If the end time is not applicable to the category of calls selected then after the end time applicable 35 derivation step 20, the applicable minutes are added to

the category at 24 i.e. the minutes spent on the call in that category. The remaining minutes are then calculated at 26 before the unit re-enters the loop 16 for retrieving the next highest category. This occurs, 5 if the call crosses the time division between two different categories, e.g. the calls starts in peak time but finishes in off peak time. The loop 16 returns to the highest priority category after it has reached the lowest priority category. This ensures that when a call starts in a lower priority category and finishes in a higher priority category that the system still works properly. Once a category applicable to the end time has been selected, the minutes spent on the call in that category are added to the total stored in non-volatile data storage.

The call meter setup component 2 when activated enables a user to input all the category data required for the tariff. This is usually done via the keypad on the mobile phone. If a touch sensitive screen were 20 used then the input could be via this. Once all the data has been input, the various types of call categories can be displayed for checking. When used, a user can select via his mobile phone details of the calls made in each category. These can be displayed individually or simultaneously on the display of the mobile phone. The user is then able to determine what charges he is likely to incur for the calls in each category and furthermore what charges he is likely to incur in total.

30 Some tariffs provide users with a predetermined number of free connection minutes per month. In order to deal with this situation, the user sets up a category with a limit to the number of minutes which can be added to it. Once this limit is reached, the

- 5 calls will be logged against the appropriate category which carries a charge.

The embodiment also enables a user to re-set the call logs via the keypad on the mobile phone. This is s necessary at the end of each charging period. A reminder feature can be programmed into the phone to automatically remind the user to clear the logs after a set date.

Another feature which can be implemented with this lo invention when provided in a mobile phone is a display of the current tariff in the mobile phone display.

In a further embodiment, a network transmission can be provided by the service provider to automatically reset the logs in a user's phone when a bill is issued.

Claims

- 6 - CLAIMS

1. A communication device comprising a memory for storing tariff data for a subscription to a communication service in which the communication device comprises, means 5 for logging calls made from the communication device, means for deriving the duration and cost of each call using the stored tariff data, and means for displaying the cost data.

2. A communication device according to claim 1 in which lo the tariff data comprises a plurality of different categories of call charge.

3. A communication device according to claim l or 2 in which the means for logging calls comprises means for determining the start and finish times of a call.

15

4. A communication device according to any preceding claim in which the call logging means comprises means for recording an address called by the col,..unication device.

5. A communication device according to claims 2 and 3 or 4 including means for determining which of the different so categories of call charge apply to a logged call, and for determining cost data therefrom.

6. A communication device according to claim 5 including means for determining whether a call falls in more than one category of call charge and deriving cost therefrom.

7. A communication device according to any preceding claim in which the means for displaying the cost data comprises means for displaying the total cost of calls in each category of call charge.

- 7 -

8. A communication device according to any preceding claim in which the means for displaying the cost data comprises means for displaying a cumulative cost total.

9. A communication device substantially as herein 5 described with reference to the drawings.