KR20100037297A - Method and system for providing prepaid service using subdivision of prepaid account - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A prepaid service offering method and a system thereof are provided to manage a communication service usage pattern by separately subdividing a communications service. CONSTITUTION: A call is made between a mobile terminal and a receiving terminal(S213). An ERB(Event Report BCSM) is reported according to the reception of the response call to an SCP(S215). A MSC transmits an ACR(Apply Charging Report) to the SCP(S217). An AC(Apply Charging) message is transmitted from SCP to the switch(S223).

Description

Method and system for providing prepaid service using prepaid account segmentation {METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING PREPAID SERVICE USING SUBDIVISION OF PREPAID ACCOUNT}

The present invention relates to a prepaid communication service, and more particularly, to a prepaid service providing method and system for providing a prepaid communication service by subdividing a prepaid subscriber's prepaid account.

With the development of mobile communication services, voice calls, video calls, text messaging services, and wireless Internet services are being provided at low cost. The billing method for the use of the communication service in the mobile communication service can be divided into prepaid billing (Prepaid) method and postpaid billing (Postpaid) method.

Prepaid billing is a form of depositing a certain amount of money to a mobile service provider before using a mobile communication service, and receiving a mobile communication service within a limit of the amount of the deposit. Postpaid billing is a method in which subscribers who have subscribed to mobile telecommunications service charge for the used service after using the telecommunication service for a certain period of time.

Among these, the prepaid billing method is a method in which a mobile communication service can be used within a deposit amount limit, and thus has an advantageous effect of preventing overbilling inadvertently using a communication service. In particular, users who are relatively weak in their ability to control communication rates, such as teenagers, can use the communication service within a given limit, and thus, they have gained much response.

However, the prepaid service takes a method of deducting a fee from one prepaid account regardless of the type of communication service used by the prepaid subscriber. That is, when a mobile subscriber subscribes to a prepaid service to charge a prepaid fee and then uses a communication service, the prepaid charged prepaid regardless of the type of communication service used by the subscriber, for example, a voice call or a text message. Deduction of charges is made collectively.

Therefore, the prepaid subscriber still cannot manage his or her communication service usage pattern like the postpaid billing method, and especially when the prepaid balance is exhausted, there is a problem in that the emergency call cannot be used when an emergency call is required. In addition, the prepaid service is one of various plans, and when a prepaid service of a single account is used, a special plan of each communication service type cannot be used. For example, a user who adopts a prepaid plan will not be able to use a text message discount plan that can use a large amount of text messages at a low monthly fee.

The present invention has been proposed to solve the above problems, and provides a method and system for providing a prepaid service using a prepaid account segmentation for subdividing a prepaid account of a communication subscriber to subtract service charges separately for each communication service type. There is this.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be understood by the following description, and will be more clearly understood by the embodiments of the present invention. Also, it will be readily appreciated that the objects and advantages of the present invention may be realized by the means and combinations thereof indicated in the claims.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method for providing a prepaid service in an intelligent network connected to a communication network includes assigning a prepaid account for each communication service type to a prepaid service subscriber and prepaid an account for each communication service type. Charging a prepaid balance of; Receiving an intelligent network prepaid service request including type information of the requested communication service from the communication network according to a communication service use request of a prepaid service subscriber; Selecting a prepaid account corresponding to type information of the requested communication service from among prepaid accounts for each communication service type of the prepaid service subscriber; And subtracting the charge for the use of the requested communication service from the balance charged in the selected prepaid account.

According to a second aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, a prepaid service providing system for providing a prepaid service to a communication subscriber, allocates a prepaid account for each communication service type to a prepaid service subscriber and to a prepaid account for each communication service type An intelligent network for charging each prepaid balance; A communication system for providing a communication service according to a communication service use request of the prepaid service subscriber, and transmitting an intelligent network prepaid service request including information on the type of the requested communication service to the intelligent network, wherein the intelligent network includes: It is characterized by deducting the charge for the use of the requested communication service from the balance of the prepaid account corresponding to the type information of the requested communication service among the prepaid accounts of the communication service type of the prepaid service subscriber.

In the present invention as described above, the mobile communication subscriber to use the prepaid service to create a prepaid account for each communication service type separately to allow the balance to be deducted for each communication service type to manage their own communication service usage pattern. In addition, it is possible to schedule the mobile communication subscribers to receive as many communication services as they want. In addition, when the balance is exhausted, it can be recharged and used only for the service it wants to use.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: There will be. In addition, in describing the present invention, when it is determined that the detailed description of the known technology related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a prepaid service providing system using prepaid account segmentation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a mobile terminal 110, a wireless access network 130, an exchange 150, a home location register 170, and an SCP 190. .

The mobile terminal 110 is a terminal equipped with a voice call function, a function of transmitting and receiving text messages (including short messages and MMS messages).

The radio access network 130 includes a base station (Node-B) that manages radio resources and a base station controller (RNC) that controls the base station. The radio access network 130 allocates radio resources to the mobile terminal 110 and assigns the radio resources to the mobile terminal 110. It supports data transmission and reception between exchanges 150, and supports handover (or handoff) between base stations, between sectors within a base station, between base station controllers, or between exchanges.

The mobile switching center (MSC) 150 performs subscriber authentication processing, basic and additional service processing, incoming and outgoing call processing of subscribers, location registration procedure and handover procedure, and interworking with other networks. In the present embodiment, the exchange 150 downloads the service profile of the mobile terminal 110 from the home location register 170 and registers with the visited location register (VLR), and transmits voice or video from the mobile terminal 110. Upon receiving the call, the intelligent network service is requested to SCP (Service Control Point) 190, which is an intelligent network service controller, and various kinds of information related to call processing are reported to SCP 190 according to SCP 190's instructions.

In addition, the exchange 150 downloads and stores a list of events to be reported in relation to the voice or video call processing of the mobile terminal 110 from the SCP 190, and when the voice or video call of the mobile terminal 110 is processed, Whenever an event corresponding to the event list occurs, it is reported to SCP (190). The event list is shown in [Table 1].

Event type LegID Remarks Abandon One Call processing progress according to intelligent network control routeSelectFailure 2 Call processing progress according to intelligent network control CalledPartybusy 2 Call processing progress according to intelligent network control Answer 2 Call processing progress after notification to intelligent network NoAnswer 2 Call processing progress according to intelligent network control Disconnect One Call processing progress according to intelligent network control Disconnect 2 Call processing progress according to intelligent network control

In [Table 1], when Abandon hangs up before setting up a call, routeSelectFailure is on call routing failure, CalledPartyBusy is on the call, Answer is on the call, NoAnswer receives on the call If not, Disconnect means disconnection after call setup. On the other hand, LegID means the originator of the event, LegID 1 refers to the event for the originating party, LegID 2 refers to the event for the called party. For example, even when a call arrives at the mobile terminal 110 and the mobile terminal 110 answers the call (that is, receives a call) and the 'Answer' event occurs, the 'Answer' event is reported because the LegID 2 is set. It is not composed of SCP (190). This is because LegID 2 means when an event occurs on the called party. That is, when the 'Answer' event occurs when the called party answers the call after the mobile terminal 110 sends the call, an event corresponding to LegID 2, that is, an event occurs when the called party answers the call. Report 'Answer' event to SCP (190).

The home location register (HLR) 170 stores and manages subscriber information, subscriber location information, and additional service information for each subscriber. The home location register 170 registers and manages additional service information of the subscriber (including intelligent network prepaid service subscription information in the present invention) in association with a mobile communication company's customer information system, and the location of the mobile terminal 110 from the exchange 150. Upon registration request, the exchanger 150 drops the subscriber profile including additional service subscription information.

SCP (Service Control Point) 190 is an intelligent network equipment that enables a service provider to create and process a desired service by itself and performs intelligent network service logic. In this embodiment, SCP 190 allocates a prepaid account for each communication service type for each prepaid service subscriber, and registers and manages balance information, rate information, and the like in the prepaid account for each communication service type assigned thereto.

As described above, SCP 190 drops the list of events to be reported in connection with the call processing of the mobile terminal 110 to the exchange 150, and among the prepaid accounts of the subscriber based on the events reported from the exchange 150. The balance is deducted according to the rate information in the corresponding communication service type prepaid account (eg, voice call account or video call account). The SCP 190 sends various kinds of information to the exchange 150 to obtain information related to the use of the communication service of the mobile terminal 110, in addition to providing a list of events to the exchange 150 and reporting the occurrence of events from the exchange 150. Whenever necessary, a report request message is sent to report related information. This will be described later in detail.

2 is a signal flow diagram illustrating a method for subtracting a prepaid fee for a voice call according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, when a voice call is sent from the mobile terminal 110, the call is transmitted to the exchange 150 through the wireless access network 130 (S201). The exchange 150 receiving the outgoing call refers to the service profile (eg, Origin-Camel Subscription Information (O-CSI)) of the mobile terminal 110 registered in the Visited Location Register (VLR). Check that the user is a prepaid service subscriber, and accordingly transmits the service request message to the SCP 190 of the intelligent network (S203). The service request message includes an identification number of the mobile terminal 110 and call type information of the originating call (hereinafter, used interchangeably with the term 'call type').

The SCP 190 performs user authentication, balance check, validity check, status check (pause, etc.) based on the identification number and call type information of the mobile terminal 110 included in the service request message. If it does not exist, the initialization process for the prepaid service is performed.

Specifically, SCP 190 transmits a call-related information request message (CIRQ: CallInformationRequest) to the switch 150 to receive call-related information from the switch 150 (S205). The call related information is a call attempt time, a call end time, a call setup time, a call termination cause, and the like. In addition, the SCP 190 transmits a call management message (AC: ApplyCharging) for managing the call duration to the switch 150 (S207). The call management message includes information such as a call availability time, a response period for the call management message, whether the connection is terminated when the call availability time elapses, and whether or not a tone occurs 30 seconds ago. Among these, whether or not the connection is terminated when the available call time elapses and whether the tone occurs 30 seconds ago is included when the call management message is last sent. In addition, SCP 190 drops the event list (RRB: RequestReportBCSMEvent) to be reported in connection with the call processing to the exchange 150 (S209). The event list is shown in the example of [Table 1]. Thereafter, SCP 190 transmits a connection message to the exchange 150 for the continuous progress of the outgoing call (S211). In the above initialization process, steps S205 to S209 may be performed simultaneously or in a different order without being performed in the order shown in the drawings.

When the initialization process is completed, the exchange 150 performs an incoming call processing of the outgoing call of the mobile terminal 110 according to a conventional procedure to connect a call between the mobile terminal 110 and the called terminal (S213). In this process, a call answer (Answer) for call setup to the switch 150 is received from the called party, and the switch 150 refers to a call response event according to the reception of the call response by referring to the event list registered in the initialization process. ERB: EventReportBCSM) is reported to SCP 190 (S215).

In addition, the exchange 150 reports the call response event based on the response period T recorded in the call management message AC received from the SCP 190 in the initialization process (step S205), and then the response period T When the call arrives, the call management response message (ACR: ApplyChargingReport) is transmitted to the SCP 190 (S217).

The SCP 190 calculates the talk time of the mobile terminal 110 as it receives the call management response message (ACR). That is, since the call management response message is received for the first time after the call is set up, the transmission period T of the call management response message is calculated as the talk time. SCP 190 deducts the charge according to the call time based on the balance and the rate information recorded in the voice call prepaid account among the prepaid accounts of the mobile terminal 110, and returns the call management message (AC) to the exchange 150. ) Is transmitted to the exchange 150 (S219). And SCP 190 receives the call management response message (ACR) from the exchange 150 again according to the cycle recorded in the call management message (AC) and deducts the charge from the balance according to the above procedure (S221).

After the call management message (AC) is transmitted from the SCP 190 to the exchange 150 through the above process (S223), when the call of the mobile terminal 110 is terminated (S225), the exchange 150 The call termination event is reported to the SCP 190 (S227), and the exchange 150 also transmits a call management response message (ACR) to the SCP 190 (S229). In this case, the call management response message sent after the end of the call is not sent according to the transmission period, but is sent immediately after the end of the call to inform the end of the call. SCP 190 receives the call management response message (ACR) to confirm the end of the call and to deduct the final fee from the remaining balance in the user's voice call prepaid account.

On the other hand, SCP 190, in response to the call-related information request message (CIRQ) transmitted to the exchange 150 in the initialization process, call attempt time, call end time, call setup time, call termination cause from the exchange 150 A call related information response message CIRPT including the like is received (S231). The SCP 190 exchanges the FCI (Furnish Charging Information) including the information recorded in the call-related information response message and detailed information (e.g., calling number, called number, service type, and billing amount). To send). The exchanger 150 generates billing data based on the information included in the FCI and transmits the billing data to the billing server, and the billing server prepares a bill of contents and provides the same to the users.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of managing a talk time of a mobile terminal in an intelligent network (SCP) according to an embodiment of the present invention in detail.

As described with reference to FIG. 2, when a prepaid subscriber sends a voice call, SCP 190 transmits a call management message (AC) to exchange 150 in the initialization process (S301). After the call response is received from the called party, the exchange 150 transmits a call management response message (ACR) according to the response period set in the call management message (AC), and SCP 190 sends the call management response message (ACR). ) (S303).

Upon receiving the call management response message (ACR), SCP 190 checks the talk time based on the response period of the call management response message and charges according to the rate from the remaining balance of the subscriber's prepaid account in the voice call account. Subtract the (S305).

SCP 190 calculates the available call time using the remaining balance after subtracting the balance from the voice call account (S307). Subsequently, SCP 190 checks whether the calculated available time is less than twice the response period of call management response message (ACR) (S309).

If the available time exceeds two times the response period of the call management response message (ACR), SCP 190 sets the response period as before and sends the call management message (AC) to the exchange 150. Transmit and repeat the above process.

On the other hand, if the available time is less than twice the response period of the call management response message (ACR), SCP 190 subtracts the call management response message from the call management time minus the response period of the call management response message (ACR). The call management message AC set as the response period of the ACR is transmitted to the exchange 150 (S311). Therefore, the response period of the call management response message set in the call management message AC transmitted in this step is shorter than the response period of the call management response message ACR set in the general call management message AC.

When the response period set in the call management message AC arrives after the call management message AC is transmitted to the switch 150, the SCP 190 sends a call management response message (ACR) from the switch 150. Receives and the balance is subtracted from the subscriber's voice call account again in response to the received call management response message (S313).

Subsequently, SCP 190 receives a call management message including an existing response period, a tone flag for generating a tone to indicate that the balance is low, and a parameter instructing to terminate the connection when the available time and the available time have elapsed. AC) is transmitted to the exchange 150 (S315). The exchange 150 receiving the call management message (AC) transmits a tone signal 30 seconds before the end of the call to the mobile terminal 110 according to the tone flag included in the call management message (thus the existing signal). The response period must be longer than 30 seconds), and the call is forcibly terminated when the available time (same as the response period) has elapsed based on the connection termination parameter. Therefore, the mobile terminal 110 can use the voice call only as much as the amount prepaid in advance. After forcibly terminating the call, exchange 150 sends a call management response message (ACR) to SCP 190 and reports the call termination event to SCP 190.

4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a prepaid service provider system using prepaid account segmentation according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the system 400 according to the present embodiment includes a mobile terminal 110, a wireless access network 130, a switch 410, a home location register 430, and a short message service center (SMSC). 450, billing device (INBH) 470, and SCP 490. Here, the components having the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 are the same components and will not be described. However, the mobile terminal 110 is described as sending a text message unlike in FIG.

The exchange (MSC) 410 performs subscriber authentication processing, basic and additional service processing, incoming and outgoing call processing of subscribers, location registration procedure and handover procedure processing, interworking with other networks, and the like in this embodiment. When the service profile of the mobile terminal 110 is downloaded from the home location register 430 and registered in the visited location register (VLR), and a short message is received from the mobile terminal 110, SCP (Service Control Point), which is an intelligent network service controller, is received. (490) inquires whether the subscriber has the authority to use the intelligent network prepaid service, and performs the incoming processing of the short message according to the response of SCP (490). The service profile downloaded from the home location register 430 includes a parameter (SMS-CSI) indicating that a service request is made to the intelligent network when a text message is received.

The home location register (HLR) 430 stores and manages subscriber information, subscriber location information, and additional service information for each subscriber. The home location register 430 registers and manages additional service information (including intelligent network prepaid service subscription information in the present invention) of the subscriber in association with the mobile information service of the mobile carrier, and positions the mobile terminal 110 from the exchange 410. Upon registration request, the exchange 410 drops the subscriber profile including the additional service subscription information.

The short message service center 450 is a device for providing a transmission / reception service of a short message and performs a function of temporarily storing or transferring data for processing a short message. In addition, the short message service center 450 performs a terminal service MAP (Mobile Application Part) processing function for interworking with the exchange 410 and the home location register 430, and a protocol matching function for interworking with an external service provider. Perform.

In the present embodiment, the short message service center 450 receives the short message MO_FowardSM including the intelligent network service type parameter from the exchange 410, and processes the short message to the called party, and charges the service based on the intelligent network service type parameter. The billing request message (Billing Request Invoke) is transmitted to the billing processing device 470 in real time.

An intelligent billing host (INBH) 470 is connected to the short message service center 450 through a public network based on the TCP / IP protocol. This billing processing device 470 is a device for processing all billing data generated by the communication subscriber using the short message addition service. In the present embodiment, after the completion of the reception of the short message, the charging processing device 470 receives the charging request message including the intelligent network service type parameter from the short message service center 450 and accordingly to the intelligent network service type parameter. Based on this, the charging request message including the call type information (text message) is transmitted to SCP 490.

SCP (Service Control Point) 490 is an intelligent network equipment that enables a service provider to create and process a desired service by itself, and performs intelligent network service logic. In this embodiment, SCP 490 allocates a prepaid account for each communication service type for each prepaid service subscriber, and registers and manages balance information, rate information, and the like in the prepaid account for each communication service type assigned thereto. Upon receipt of a billing request message including call type information and subscriber information from the billing processing device 470, SCP 490 deducts the remaining balance or the number of possible text message transmissions registered in the subscriber's text message prepaid account and The processing result is transmitted to the charging processing apparatus 470.

FIG. 5 is a signal flow diagram illustrating a prepaid fee deduction method using a short message according to an embodiment of the present invention, which will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 5, when a short message is transmitted from the mobile terminal 110, the short message is received by the exchange 410 via the wireless access network 130 (S501). The exchange 410 receiving the short message checks the service profile of the mobile terminal 110 to confirm service information related to the short message of the mobile terminal 110. However, the calling subscriber is a text message prepaid subscriber, and the service profile of the calling subscriber includes a service key indicating an intelligent network prepaid service, and the exchange 410 sends the call to SCP 490 based on the service key. A message (InitialDP_SMS) requesting the subscriber's intelligent network service is sent (S503).

Accordingly, SCP 490 checks the intelligent network information database to confirm the authority to use the short message prepaid service of the calling subscriber, and transmits the result to the exchange 410 (S505). If the balance of the calling subscriber is sufficient and there is no pause or the like, the SCP 490 transmits a connection message (ConnectSMS) including intelligent network service type information to the exchange 410.

In response to the SCP 490, the exchange 410 transmits a short message (Forward_SM) including the intelligent network service type information to the short message service center (SMSC) 450 (S507), and the short message service center ( 450 transmits an ACK message to the exchange 410 (S509).

The short message service center 450 forwards the received short message to the called party according to a general procedure (S511), and requests the real-time billing processing to the charging processing device 470 after the incoming processing is normally completed (S513). . At this time, the short message service center 450 transmits the intelligent network service type information to the charging processing device 470.

The billing processing device 470 that receives the real time billing processing request from the short message service center 450 requests billing processing, that is, a prepaid balance deduction, to the SCP 490 based on the intelligent network service type information (S515). At this time, the charging processing device 470 transmits to SCP 490 call type information indicating that the prepaid balance deduction target is a short message.

Upon receiving a request to deduct the prepaid balance, SCP (490) will deduct the balance resulting from the short message being sent from the prepaid subscriber's prepaid account remaining in the short message prepaid account (including the number of possible short messages) and charge the result. The processor 470 responds (S517).

The charging processing device 470 that receives the balance subtraction result response from the SCP 490 transmits the balance subtraction result response to the short message service center 450 (S519). The short message service center 450 generates a billing data (CDR) based on the balance deduction result and stores the billing data in an internal database so that the short message service center 450 can be used for sending bills or checking subscribers' text messages.

6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a prepaid service providing system using prepaid account segmentation according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the system 600 according to the present embodiment includes a mobile terminal 110, a wireless access network 130, an SGSN 610, a GGSN 620, an application server (AS) 630, and a billing processing device. 640, DSCP 650, and SCP 660. Here, the components having the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 are the same components and will not be described. However, the mobile terminal 110 is described as using a data service, unlike FIG.

The Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) 610 is connected to several base station controllers (RNCs) of the radio access network 130 and is responsible for mobility and packet session management of the mobile terminal 110, and a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) ( 620 establishes a PDP context and performs a function of delivering a protocol data unit using tunneling. In addition, IP routing may be performed, and connected to the exchange, the interaction may be performed such as location registration of the mobile terminal 110. In particular, the SGSN 610 downloads and stores the subscriber's service profile when registering the location of the mobile terminal 110, and confirms the right to use the subscriber's intelligent network prepaid service with SCP 660 when the mobile terminal 110 accesses a data call. Call is allowed only if the access authority is available.

The GGSN 620 maintains routing information with the SGSN 610 and the external network as a gateway that directly connects to a packet network or the Internet network, and performs tunneling and IP routing functions.

The application server 630 is an application server connected to the GGSN 620 through a packet network or the Internet network to provide various data services to the mobile terminal 110.

An Internet Protocol Accounting Server (IPAS) 640 is a device that performs billing processing for a data service, and uses data services of subscribers by monitoring data transmitted and received between the SGSN 610 and the GGSN 620. Perform the billing processing according to In the present embodiment, the billing processing device 640, when the subscriber subscribed to the intelligent network prepaid service according to the present invention uses the data service, the intelligent network service information for the subscriber is sent to the data service control point (DSCP) 650. Request and receive information about it, and based on the intelligent network service information (for example, reporting period, data call prepaid balance information, etc.) checks the data usage of the subscriber in real time and periodically reports it to the DSCP (650).

The DSCP (Data Service Control Point) 650 is a part that performs real-time billing processing for the data service provided to the subscribers of the intelligent network prepaid service. The DSCP 650 uses the subscriber's billing rate delivered from SCP 660 and the subscriber's balance information (service availability time or usage) to determine the subscriber's balance according to the data usage received from the billing device 640. Deducts and delivers the actual balance deduction request to SCP 660 as billing information.

SCP (Service Control Point) 660 is a component that performs core functions in providing an intelligent network service, and is a data system in which programs and subscriber data necessary for service control are concentrated. SCP 660 may be configured as a dual stack SCP supporting both CDMA and WCDMA schemes, and analyzes a request signal of a data service received from SGSN 610.

In addition, SCP 660 allocates a prepaid account for each communication service type for each prepaid service subscriber, and registers and manages balance information, rate information, and the like in the prepaid account for each communication service type assigned thereto. When SCP 660 receives a prepaid information request message containing call type information (i.e., data call) and subscriber information from DSCP 650, the balance information (service availability time or data usage) in the subscriber's data call prepaid account is received. Or amount) and rate information. In addition, when the charging information is received from the DSCP 650 or the charging processing device 640 as a result of the settlement of the data call, SCP 660 updates the balance information by deducting the balance from the data call prepaid account accordingly. It serves to provide the charge deduction result to the DSCP 650 or the charging processing device 640.

FIG. 7 is a signal flowchart illustrating a prepaid fee reduction method according to data service use according to an embodiment of the present invention, which will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 7, the mobile terminal 110 to use the data service transmits an PDP context activation request message to the SGSN 610 (S701).

Upon receiving the PDP context activation request, the SGSN 610 checks the service profile of the mobile terminal 110 and transmits a service request message (CAP_Initial_DP_GPRS) to the SCP 660 with reference to the data service-related CSI registered in the service profile ( S703). The message (Initial_DP_GPRS) includes a Mobile Subscriber Integrated Services Digital Network (MSISDN), an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), a Service Area Identity (SAI), a service key, an Access Point Name (APN), and QoS. The SCP 660 checks the subscriber's prepaid balance, validity period, etc. using the identification information of the mobile terminal 110 and transmits a response message (CAP_Continue_GPRS) to the SGSN 610 (S705).

Upon receiving the response message, the SGSN 610 transmits a Create PDP Context Request message to the GGSN 620 (S707). Although not shown in the drawing, the GGSN 620 transmits an access request for subscriber authentication to the AAA server, and the AAA server authenticates the subscriber to receive a response (Access Accept) for successful authentication. ). In addition, upon successful authentication, the GGSN 620 transmits an Accounting Request (Start) to the AAA server, and the AAA server transmits a response to the account starting request to the GGSN 620. In this case, the account start request may include an intelligent network service type.

The GGSN 620 then performs a predetermined internal processing such as IP allocation, and then sends a Create PDP Context Response message to the SGSN 610 in response to the PDP context creation request (S707). . The SGSN 610 transmits an PDP Context Activation Response message to inform the mobile terminal 110 that the PDP context has been generated (S709), thus, between the mobile terminal 110 and the GGSN 620. The packet data may be serviced, and the mobile terminal 110 may transmit / receive data with the application server (AS) 630.

Meanwhile, the charging processing device 640 analyzes the data exchanged between the SGSN 610 and the GGSN 620 to confirm that the data service of the mobile terminal 110 has been started, and at this time, between the SGSN 610 and the GGSN 620. In step S713, the intelligent network service type included in the data transmitted and received is checked and the intelligent service information request message for the subscriber is transmitted to the DSCP 650. The intelligent network service information request message may include an identification number (eg, MSISDN) of the mobile terminal 110 and an intelligent network service type (ie, information indicating an intelligent network prepaid service of prepaid account segmentation).

The DSCP 650 receiving the request for the intelligent network service information of the subscriber transmits the prepaid information request message for the data call to the SCP 660 in order to confirm the subscriber's data call prepaid information (S715), and the SCP 660 internally. Inquiring the data call prepaid balance (which may include rate information) registered in the data call prepaid account among the subscriber's prepaid accounts in the database, and transmits a prepaid information response message including the balance information to the DSCP 650 (S717). ).

The DSCP 650 processes the intelligent network service information response including the subscriber's data call prepaid balance information included in the prepaid information response message and a period in which the charging processing device should report the subscriber's data usage. The apparatus 640 transmits the data to the device 640 (S719). In the period, a predetermined period may be set, and a usage amount based on data rate information for each service may be set. In the latter case, the minimum amount of data usage that can be used when using data for each service with the remaining balance is set periodically. For example, 100 bytes may be used when the A service is used as the remaining balance, and 80 bytes may be set as a cycle when 80 bytes are available when the B service is used.

The billing processing device 640 monitors data transmitted and received between the mobile terminal 110 and the application server AS to check data usage by category of the mobile terminal 110, and for each category included in the intelligent network service information response. The data usage is transmitted to the DSCP 650 (S721, S723). If the time is set as a cycle, the data usage is transmitted when the corresponding time arrives. If the data usage is set as the cycle, the data usage is transmitted when the user uses the data as much as the corresponding data usage.

The DSCP 650 subtracts the fee for using the data from the subscriber's balance using the category data usage rate and the rate information received from the billing processing device 640 and checks whether the balance is exhausted (S725). The DSCP 650 periodically receives data usage by category from the billing apparatus 640 and subtracts the subscriber's balance in real time to check whether the balance is exhausted in real time. When the balance is exhausted, the DSCP 650 transmits the balance exhaustion information to the billing processing unit 640, and the billing processing unit 640 transmits the service restriction request according to the exhaustion of the balance to the GGSN 620, thereby transmitting the mobile terminal ( Block the use of the data service of 110).

Meanwhile, when there is a call release request of the subscriber, the mobile terminal 110 transmits a PDP context deactivation request (Deactivate PDP Context Request) message to the SGSN 610 (S727), and the SGSN 610 requests a PDP context deletion request ( The Delete PDP Context Request) message is transmitted to the GGSN 620 (S729).

After the GGSN 620 deletes the PDP context, the GGSN 620 transmits a Delete PDP Context Response message to the SGSN 610 (S731), and the SGSN 610 sends the PDP context to the mobile terminal 110. The PDP context deactivation response (Deactivate PDP Context Accept) message indicating that the deactivation is transmitted (S733).

The charging processing device 640 stops data transmission and reception monitoring between the mobile terminal 110 and the application server (AS) 630 based on the deactivation of the PDP context performed between the SGSN 610 and the GGSN 620. The final data usage amount of 110 is transmitted to the DSCP (S735). The DSCP 650 deducts a fee from the subscriber's data call prepaid balance based on the final data usage, and sends the deduction information that has been deducted to the SCP 660 to request the balance deduction of the actual data call prepaid account (S737). . SCP 660 subtracts the charge for using the data service from the remaining balance of the subscriber's prepaid account in the data call prepaid account (S739). On the other hand, although not shown in the figure, the billing processing device 640 transmits the prepaid deduction information according to the subscriber's use of the data service to the AAA server to enable the subscriber's bill, or use history confirmation service.

According to the present invention as described above, the mobile subscriber can create a prepaid account separately for each communication service type in using the prepaid service, and the balance can be deducted for each communication service type to manage their own communication service usage pattern. Even if the balance of the prepaid account of one communication service type is exhausted, if the balance of the prepaid account of the other communication service type remains, the corresponding communication service can be used, so that the communication service can be utilized in an emergency situation. In particular, it is possible to use an additional service with a large discount, such as a text message plan that pays a flat fee and can use unlimited text messages.

While this specification contains many features, such features should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention or the claims. Also, the features described in the individual embodiments herein can be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in a single embodiment herein can be implemented individually in various embodiments or in combination as appropriate.

Although the operations are described in a particular order in the drawings, they should not be understood as being performed in a particular order as shown, or in a sequence of successive orders, or all described actions being performed to obtain a desired result. . In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. In addition, it should be understood that the division of various system components in the above-described embodiments does not require such division in all embodiments. The program components and systems described above may generally be packaged in a single software product or multiple software products.

The method of the present invention as described above may be implemented as a program and stored in a recording medium (CD-ROM, RAM, ROM, floppy disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, etc.) in a computer-readable form. Since this process can be easily implemented by those skilled in the art will not be described in more detail.

The present invention described above is capable of various substitutions, modifications, and changes without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention for those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is not limited by the drawings.

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a prepaid service providing system using prepaid account segmentation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a signal flow diagram illustrating a method for subtracting a prepaid fee for a voice call according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of managing a talk time of a mobile terminal in an intelligent network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a prepaid service provider system using prepaid account segmentation according to another embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a signal flow diagram illustrating a prepaid fee deduction method using a short message according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a prepaid service providing system using prepaid account segmentation according to another embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a signal flow diagram illustrating a prepaid fee reduction method according to data service usage according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (10)

A method for providing a prepaid service in an intelligent network connected to a communication network, (a) assigning a prepaid account for each type of communication service to a prepaid service subscriber and charging each prepaid balance to a prepaid account for each type of communication service; (b) receiving an intelligent network prepaid service request including type information of the requested communication service from the communication network according to a communication service use request of a prepaid service subscriber; (c) selecting a prepaid account corresponding to type information of the requested communication service among prepaid accounts for each communication service type of the prepaid service subscriber; And (d) subtracting the charge for the use of the requested communication service from the balance charged in the selected prepaid account; and providing a prepaid service using the prepaid account segmentation. The method of claim 1, If the requested communication service is a voice or video call service, After step (b), Transmitting to the exchange a list of events to be reported in association with call processing of the communication service and registering them; Sending a call management message including a response period to the exchange; And Receiving a response message from the switch in response to the call management message according to the response period; In step (d), Prepaid service providing method using a prepaid account segmentation characterized in that the balance is subtracted each time the response message is received. The method of claim 2, The step of transmitting the call management message, Calculating a talkable time based on a prepaid balance; Confirming that the talkable time is less than twice the response period; And If less than 2 times, transmitting a call management message that sets the difference from the available call time to the new answering period to the switch; prepaid service providing method using a prepaid account segment comprising a. The method of claim 3, wherein The call management message in which the new response period is set, the prepaid service providing method using a prepaid account segmentation, characterized in that a parameter indicating to send a tone indicating that the call is terminated after a predetermined time elapsed. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, If the requested communication service is a data service, After step (b), Receiving an intelligent network service information request for the prepaid subscriber from data charging processing means for monitoring data usage of the prepaid subscriber in real time in the communication network; Transmitting an intelligent network service information response including a data usage reporting period and data service balance information of the prepaid subscriber to the data charging processing means; And And receiving the data usage of the prepaid subscriber according to the reporting period from the data billing processing means. A prepaid service providing system for providing a prepaid service to a communication subscriber, An intelligent network for allocating a prepaid account for each communication service type to a subscriber of a prepaid service and charging a prepaid balance to a prepaid account for each communication service type; A communication system for providing a communication service according to a communication service use request of the prepaid service subscriber, and transmitting an intelligent network prepaid service request including information on the type of the requested communication service to the intelligent network; The intelligent network, the prepaid service characterized in subtracting the charge for the use of the requested communication service from the balance of the prepaid account corresponding to the type information of the requested communication service among the prepaid accounts for each communication service type of the prepaid service subscriber. Provide system. The method of claim 6, If the requested communication service is a voice or video call service, The intelligent network, Transmitting a call management message including a response period to an exchange of the communication system, and deducting the balance each time a response message for the call management message is received from the exchange according to the response period; system. The method of claim 7, wherein The intelligent network, If the available time calculated based on the prepaid balance of the prepaid subscriber is less than twice the response period, sending a call management message to the exchange that sets the difference from the available time to the new response period. A prepaid service providing system. The method of claim 8, The intelligent network, And a parameter instructing to transmit a tone indicating that the call is terminated after a predetermined time has elapsed, to the call management message that sets the new response period. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, The communication system, And data charging processing means for monitoring the data usage of the prepaid subscriber in real time when the prepaid subscriber uses the data service, and requesting the intelligent network service information for the prepaid subscriber from the intelligent network. The intelligent network, The prepaid service, characterized in that the intelligent network service information including the data usage reporting cycle and the data service balance information of the prepaid subscriber is transmitted to the data billing processing means and the data usage of the prepaid subscriber is reported according to the data usage reporting cycle. Provide system.

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