WO2000002372A2 - A communication system providing call tariff information about network operators - Google Patents

A communication system providing call tariff information about network operators Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2000002372A2
WO2000002372A2 PCT/IB1999/001131 IB9901131W WO0002372A2 WO 2000002372 A2 WO2000002372 A2 WO 2000002372A2 IB 9901131 W IB9901131 W IB 9901131W WO 0002372 A2 WO0002372 A2 WO 0002372A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
communication system
data
network operators
call
communication
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB1999/001131
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2000002372A3 (en
Inventor
Eloi Ricordel
Original Assignee
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Philips Ab
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 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., Philips Ab filed Critical Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Publication of WO2000002372A2 publication Critical patent/WO2000002372A2/en
Publication of WO2000002372A3 publication Critical patent/WO2000002372A3/en

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
    • H04M15/80—Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects
    • H04M15/8044—Least cost routing
    • 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
    • H04M2215/20—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
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
    • H04M2215/42—Least cost routing, i.e. provision for selecting the lowest cost tariff
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
    • H04M2215/74—Rating aspects, e.g. rating parameters or tariff determination apects
    • H04M2215/745—Least cost routing, e.g. Automatic or manual, call by call or by preselection

Definitions

  • a communication system providing call tariff information about network operators.
  • the present invention relates to a communication system, comprising one or more base stations and one or more mobile stations set up for mutual communication through a network operated by several network operators, the mobile station having memory means comprising data about said network operators.
  • the present invention also relates to a mobile station and to a base station provided with communication means for communication with other stations, as well as to a method for generating user aided data in such a communication system.
  • Such a system, stations and method is known from WO 97/03514, disclosing in particular a telecommunications enhancement user interface system and method.
  • the known system is provided with a memory device comprising a preprogrammed list of data, which is representative for long distance telecommunication providers.
  • the data is used for providing enhanced telephone operations by reducing the number of push-buttons or keys that a user must push on a dial pad or keypad when dialling long distance numbers from customer premises equipment.
  • the present invention aims at extending the number of application possibilities of operator listings.
  • the memory means comprises additional data representing call tariff information about the network operators.
  • the base station according to the invention is characterised in that the base station comprises means for downloading the additional data in the memory means, which data represents call tariff information about the network operators.
  • the method according to the invention is, characterised in that the data generated represents a listing of call charges of network operators during specified periods of time. It is an advantage of the present invention that the listing of call charges of network operators can be used by the user of in particular the mobile station to minimise the charges he has to pay when considering to make a call, such as a telephone call. The listing can be used as an aid to decide which operator to take depending on the time of the day and the type of call, such as for example a local, a national or an international call, when it comes to minimise the charges for such a call.
  • selection means are provided for in order to effect the selection of the wanted operator.
  • the selection by the selection means is based on input selection parameters such as day, time and number of the call to be made.
  • the user can choose for automated selection of a wanted network operator or the network operator who has the lowest charges for a call given that particular moment, that particular place where the mobile station is situated and given the type of call, such as local, national, or international.
  • the system according to the invention is provided with means for updating and/or amending the data and additional data stored in the memory means, so that at any time actual information about tariffs of several network operators is available.
  • the updating and/or amending means comprises downloading means included in the base station, and/or input means, such as a keyboard, included in the mobile station for downloading and inputting respectively data of present interest related to call charges of operators.
  • Advantageously updating can take place automatically through the network and/or manually for inserting personal changes in the listed operators.
  • the data in the memory means is used to shorten the number of digits to be keyed in during number dialling by automatically including an operating code of a selected operator in the number to be keyed in. This is an advantage in particular in those cases, wherein the number of digits to be keyed in upon preparing a telephone call is large.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematically illustrated embodiment of the system according to the invention
  • Fig. 2 shows a list of operator information stored in the memory means of the mobile station in the system of fig. l.
  • 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 operators, network providers, 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, operator, types of calls, such as local, national, international etcetera.
  • the mobile stations 3-1,... , 3-3 are provided with memory means 5 containing data representing call tariff information about the network operators.
  • both the base station 2-1 and the mobile station 3-1 are provided with a respective processor 6 and 7, such as a microprocessor for control of the various functions to be performed by the communication system 1.
  • the mobile station 3-1 comprises selection means 8 coupled to the memory means 5 for selection of an available network operator in the list such that the call charges become mmimal.
  • the selection is usually menu driven and programmable, while use is being made of a keyboard 9 coupled to the processor 7.
  • the list shown in fig. 2 contains the days of the week and/or the dates, columns with several time periods, her indicated in hours, the type of call viz. local, national, international, and operator information: "operator 1... ", including call charges.
  • the selection in the list can be effected manually or automatically, whereto the communication system 1 comprises control means 10 for automatically optimising selecting for minimal call charges.
  • the control means 10 then simply look for minimum charges in the list for a specified call concerned.
  • the control means 10 are provided with an selection parameter input 11, whereto a selection signal can be applied as the selection in the list is based on input selection parameters, such as day, time and number of the call to be made. Day and time are generally already available in the mobile station 3-1, whereas the number to be called can provide information about the distance the call has to cover, which distance is also a measure for the actual amount charged.
  • the communication system 1 is provided with means for updating and/or amending the data and additional data stored in the memory means.
  • the updating and/ or amending means comprises downloading means 12 included in the base station 2-1, and/or input means, such as said keyboard 9, included in the mobile station 3-1 for downloading and inputting respectively data of present interest in the memory means 5 related to call charges of operators.
  • the downloading means 12 cooperate with an updating circuit 13 coupled between the processor 7 and the memory means 5 in the mobile station 3-1. Because information, in particular operating codes, about the available operators is part of the data stored in the memory means 5, this data can be used to shorten the number of digits to be keyed in during number dialling. The operating code of a selected operator is then automatically inserted in the number to be keyed in, instead of being inputted separately and generally manually.

Landscapes

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

Abstract

A communication system comprising one or more base stations and one or more mobile stations set up for mutual communication through a network operated by several network operators, the mobile station having memory means comprising data about said network operators, which data also comprises additional data representing call tariff information about the network operators. The operators data can advantageously be used for minimising charges for a telephone call to be made.

Description

A communication system providing call tariff information about network operators.
The present invention relates to a communication system, comprising one or more base stations and one or more mobile stations set up for mutual communication through a network operated by several network operators, the mobile station having memory means comprising data about said network operators.
The present invention also relates to a mobile station and to a base station provided with communication means for communication with other stations, as well as to a method for generating user aided data in such a communication system.
Such a system, stations and method is known from WO 97/03514, disclosing in particular a telecommunications enhancement user interface system and method. The known system is provided with a memory device comprising a preprogrammed list of data, which is representative for long distance telecommunication providers. The data is used for providing enhanced telephone operations by reducing the number of push-buttons or keys that a user must push on a dial pad or keypad when dialling long distance numbers from customer premises equipment.
The present invention aims at extending the number of application possibilities of operator listings.
Thereto the communication system and mobile station according to the present invention are characterised in that the memory means comprises additional data representing call tariff information about the network operators. Similarly the base station according to the invention is characterised in that the base station comprises means for downloading the additional data in the memory means, which data represents call tariff information about the network operators. And the method according to the invention is, characterised in that the data generated represents a listing of call charges of network operators during specified periods of time. It is an advantage of the present invention that the listing of call charges of network operators can be used by the user of in particular the mobile station to minimise the charges he has to pay when considering to make a call, such as a telephone call. The listing can be used as an aid to decide which operator to take depending on the time of the day and the type of call, such as for example a local, a national or an international call, when it comes to minimise the charges for such a call.
In an embodiment of the system according to the invention selection means are provided for in order to effect the selection of the wanted operator.
In a further embodiment the selection by the selection means is based on input selection parameters such as day, time and number of the call to be made. At wish the user can choose for automated selection of a wanted network operator or the network operator who has the lowest charges for a call given that particular moment, that particular place where the mobile station is situated and given the type of call, such as local, national, or international. Preferably in a further embodiment the system according to the invention is provided with means for updating and/or amending the data and additional data stored in the memory means, so that at any time actual information about tariffs of several network operators is available.
In still a further embodiment of the system according to the invention the updating and/or amending means comprises downloading means included in the base station, and/or input means, such as a keyboard, included in the mobile station for downloading and inputting respectively data of present interest related to call charges of operators. Advantageously updating can take place automatically through the network and/or manually for inserting personal changes in the listed operators. Furthermore in another embodiment of the system according to the invention the data in the memory means is used to shorten the number of digits to be keyed in during number dialling by automatically including an operating code of a selected operator in the number to be keyed in. This is an advantage in particular in those cases, wherein the number of digits to be keyed in upon preparing a telephone call is large.
At present the system, method, mobile station and base station according to the invention will be elucidated further together with their 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 list of operator information stored in the memory means of the mobile station in the system of fig. l.
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 operators, network providers, 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, operator, 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 in a way generally known. The mobile stations 3-1,... , 3-3 are provided with memory means 5 containing data representing call tariff information about the network operators.
A possible listing of operator related data stored in the memory means 5 is shown in figure 2 and will be explained later. In general both the base station 2-1 and the mobile station 3-1 are provided with a respective processor 6 and 7, such as a microprocessor for control of the various functions to be performed by the communication system 1. The mobile station 3-1 comprises selection means 8 coupled to the memory means 5 for selection of an available network operator in the list such that the call charges become mmimal. The selection is usually menu driven and programmable, while use is being made of a keyboard 9 coupled to the processor 7. The list shown in fig. 2 contains the days of the week and/or the dates, columns with several time periods, her indicated in hours, the type of call viz. local, national, international, and operator information: "operator 1... ", including call charges. The selection in the list can be effected manually or automatically, whereto the communication system 1 comprises control means 10 for automatically optimising selecting for minimal call charges. The control means 10 then simply look for minimum charges in the list for a specified call concerned. The control means 10 are provided with an selection parameter input 11, whereto a selection signal can be applied as the selection in the list is based on input selection parameters, such as day, time and number of the call to be made. Day and time are generally already available in the mobile station 3-1, whereas the number to be called can provide information about the distance the call has to cover, which distance is also a measure for the actual amount charged.
The communication system 1 is provided with means for updating and/or amending the data and additional data stored in the memory means. The updating and/ or amending means comprises downloading means 12 included in the base station 2-1, and/or input means, such as said keyboard 9, included in the mobile station 3-1 for downloading and inputting respectively data of present interest in the memory means 5 related to call charges of operators. The downloading means 12 cooperate with an updating circuit 13 coupled between the processor 7 and the memory means 5 in the mobile station 3-1. Because information, in particular operating codes, about the available operators is part of the data stored in the memory means 5, this data can be used to shorten the number of digits to be keyed in during number dialling. The operating code of a selected operator is then automatically inserted in the number to be keyed in, instead of being inputted separately and generally manually.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A communication system comprising one or more base stations and one or more mobile stations set up for mutual communication through a network operated by several network operators, the mobile station having memory means comprising data about said network operators, characterised in that the memory means comprises additional data representing call tariff information about the network operators.
2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the system contains selection means coupled to the memory means for selection of an available network operator such that the call charges become minimal.
3. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the selection by the selection means is based on input selection parameters such as day, time and number of the call to be made.
4. The communication system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the system comprises control means for automatically optimising selecting for minimal call charges.
5. The communication system according to one of the claims 1-4, wherein the system is provided with means for updating and/or amending the data and additional data stored in the memory means.
6. The communication system according to claim 5, wherein the updating and/or amending means comprises downloading means included in the base station, and/or input means, such as a keyboard, included in the mobile station for downloading and inputting respectively data of present interest related to call charges of operators.
7. The communication system according to one of the claims 1-6, whereby the data in the memory means is used to shorten the number of digits to be keyed in during number dialling by automatically including an operating code of a selected operator in the O number to be keyed in.
8. A mobile station, for example a mobile communication device, such as a mobile telephone provided with communication means for communication with other stations, the mobile station having memory means comprising information about said network operators, characterised in that the memory means comprises additional data representing call tariff information about the network operators.
9. A base station provided with communication means for communication with other stations, characterised in that the base station comprises means for downloading the additional data in the memory means, which data represents call tariff information about the network operators.
10. A method for generating user aided data in a communication system, characterised in that the data generated represents a listing of call charges of network operators during specified periods of time.
PCT/IB1999/001131 1998-07-03 1999-06-17 A communication system providing call tariff information about network operators WO2000002372A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP98401686 1998-07-03
EP98401686.5 1998-07-03

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000002372A2 true WO2000002372A2 (en) 2000-01-13
WO2000002372A3 WO2000002372A3 (en) 2000-03-30

Family

ID=8235430

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB1999/001131 WO2000002372A2 (en) 1998-07-03 1999-06-17 A communication system providing call tariff information about network operators

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2000002372A2 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001063890A1 (en) * 2000-02-24 2001-08-30 Kreatel Communications Ab Method and apparatus for ascertaining time and date in a telecommunication system
WO2002067563A1 (en) * 2001-02-16 2002-08-29 Pathfinder Technical Resources Limited Network selection in a mobile telecommunications system

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0724371A1 (en) * 1995-01-30 1996-07-31 CABLE & WIRELESS PLC Wireless communication terminal
WO1997005749A2 (en) * 1995-07-21 1997-02-13 Call Manage Ltd. Telecommunications call management system
DE29804209U1 (en) * 1998-03-10 1998-05-20 Wiederseiner, Claus-A., Dipl.-Betriebsw. (FH), 90607 Rückersdorf Electronic device for telephone tariff selection with an audible tariff structure database
DE29801686U1 (en) * 1998-01-23 1998-07-02 Mang, Tobias, Dipl.-Ing., 12105 Berlin Telephone with a function for automatic selection of the cheapest telephone network operator
WO1998058512A1 (en) * 1997-06-17 1998-12-23 Siemens Information And Communication Networks, Inc. Mobile station having a cost-efficient call management method and system
WO1999003256A1 (en) * 1997-07-13 1999-01-21 Amir Rosenheimer Device for selecting a carrier according to tariff data supplied by the carrier
US5915214A (en) * 1995-02-23 1999-06-22 Reece; Richard W. Mobile communication service provider selection system

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0724371A1 (en) * 1995-01-30 1996-07-31 CABLE & WIRELESS PLC Wireless communication terminal
US5915214A (en) * 1995-02-23 1999-06-22 Reece; Richard W. Mobile communication service provider selection system
WO1997005749A2 (en) * 1995-07-21 1997-02-13 Call Manage Ltd. Telecommunications call management system
WO1998058512A1 (en) * 1997-06-17 1998-12-23 Siemens Information And Communication Networks, Inc. Mobile station having a cost-efficient call management method and system
WO1999003256A1 (en) * 1997-07-13 1999-01-21 Amir Rosenheimer Device for selecting a carrier according to tariff data supplied by the carrier
DE29801686U1 (en) * 1998-01-23 1998-07-02 Mang, Tobias, Dipl.-Ing., 12105 Berlin Telephone with a function for automatic selection of the cheapest telephone network operator
DE29804209U1 (en) * 1998-03-10 1998-05-20 Wiederseiner, Claus-A., Dipl.-Betriebsw. (FH), 90607 Rückersdorf Electronic device for telephone tariff selection with an audible tariff structure database

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001063890A1 (en) * 2000-02-24 2001-08-30 Kreatel Communications Ab Method and apparatus for ascertaining time and date in a telecommunication system
WO2002067563A1 (en) * 2001-02-16 2002-08-29 Pathfinder Technical Resources Limited Network selection in a mobile telecommunications system
EP1830551A2 (en) * 2001-02-16 2007-09-05 Interoute Communications Limited Updating the preferred routing information in a mobile telecommunication apparatus
EP1830551A3 (en) * 2001-02-16 2007-09-19 Interoute Communications Limited Updating the preferred routing information in a mobile telecommunication apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2000002372A3 (en) 2000-03-30

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5790643A (en) Pricing method for telecommunication system
EP1042900B1 (en) Announcing advertisements to users of a telecommunications system
US6104793A (en) Facility modem-to-modem application
US7835731B2 (en) Telephone with dynamically programmable push buttons for access to advanced applications
US6065673A (en) Method and apparatus for performing currency conversions
US6356541B1 (en) Device for transmitting communications data of a computer via a communication network
EP1257133A2 (en) A cellular phone and a base station thereof
US6246757B1 (en) Telephone calling card system with abbreviated code destination number capability
JPH08506221A (en) Computer controlled telecommunications system
SE469960B (en) Methods and systems for enabling a subscriber with a radio terminal to use another terminal that does not belong to the subscriber's radio terminal subscription
WO2000022800A1 (en) System and method for controlling personal telephone number dialing lists and dialing capabilities
US6445783B1 (en) System and method that provides specialized processing of communications based on automatically generated identifiers
KR100545112B1 (en) Methods for limiting phone call durations, and phones implementing such methods
KR20060049620A (en) Network support for customized call forwarding
WO2000002372A2 (en) A communication system providing call tariff information about network operators
WO2000002373A2 (en) A system having tariff information features
US20060246873A1 (en) Method for making calling card telephone calls using a mobile telephone
KR20010010552A (en) Method for providing charging information in potable phone
EP1594294B1 (en) Handheld electronic device and method of making dialed calls therefrom
KR19980045248A (en) How to Reduce Call Rates
EP0815696B1 (en) Intelligent node in telecommunications system
MXPA99011539A (en) Method for dynamic management of a prepaid terminal subscription
JPH03108990A (en) Optimum route selecting method for key telephone system
KR19990055988A (en) How to Restrict Calling by Time Zone in Telephone Device
KR20000018126A (en) control method for connection of card payment telephone

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): CN JP KR

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): CN JP KR

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase