WO2000016543A1 - Updating billing rate according to mobile movings in prepaid phones - Google Patents
Updating billing rate according to mobile movings in prepaid phones Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2000016543A1 WO2000016543A1 PCT/EP1999/006547 EP9906547W WO0016543A1 WO 2000016543 A1 WO2000016543 A1 WO 2000016543A1 EP 9906547 W EP9906547 W EP 9906547W WO 0016543 A1 WO0016543 A1 WO 0016543A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- billing rate
- mobile
- updating
- mobile station
- station
- Prior art date
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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
- H04M15/83—Notification aspects
-
- 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
- H04M15/81—Dynamic pricing, e.g. change of tariff during call
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M17/00—Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
- H04M2215/01—Details of billing arrangements
- H04M2215/0112—Dynamic pricing, e.g. change of tariff during call
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
- H04M2215/82—Advice-of-Charge [AOC], i.e. notify subscriber of charges/cumulative charge; meter at the substation
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
- H04W88/02—Terminal devices
Definitions
- the present invention deals with a mobile telecommunication system comprising base stations and at least one mobile station, said mobile station having a prepayment account and means for updating said prepayment account according to a billing rate.
- a mobile communication system with prepayment capabilities is described in French Patent Application n°0790587.
- the mobile station calculates the cost of a communication through call charge rate data transmitted by the network at the beginning of the communication, or through pre -initialized data in the form of table. It means that the billing rate used to charge the communication is fixed at the initialization of this communication.
- base stations have means for sending billing rate updating information to a mobile station depending on the current location of said mobile station. And in a particularly simple embodiment, said billing rate updating information are sent when the mobile station moves from one traffic area to another, each traffic area being served by one base station.
- This billing rate updating information is a personal information sent to a specific mobile station.
- the invention is particularly advantageous because it allows to implement prepayment method using mobiles as prepayment account managers in mobile telecommunication systems in which the billing rate depends on the current location of the mobile station (for example the (E)TACS or (N)AMPS standards).
- Prepayment method using mobiles as prepayment account managers are advantageous because it doesn't require additional network resources and because it is flexible (in particular the number of prepaid phones used in the network is not limited).
- the invention also allows operator roaming (operation via an operator which is different from the user's operator) with prepayment because updating billing rate information are transmitted in real time.
- figure 1 shows a mobile telecommunication system according to the invention
- figure 2 is a schematic representation of a prepaid mobile phone according to the invention
- figure 3 shows the structure of a "Local Control" message used in the (E)TACS and (N)AMPS standards
- figure 4 shows a flow chart describing the steps of a method for updating the billing rate stored in mobile station.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a mobile telecommunication system according to the invention.
- This system comprises two Public Land Mobile Network 10 and 20 interconnected via a Public Switched Telephone Network 30.
- Each Public Land Mobile Network 10 and 20 interconnected via a Public Switched Telephone Network 30.
- Each Public Land Mobile Network 10 and 20 interconnected via a Public Switched Telephone Network 30.
- Network 10 and 20 comprises Base Stations 40. Each base station 40 is covering a specific cell 45 and is intended to communicate via radio links 46 with mobile stations 50 located in this specific cell 45. Each base station 40 is connected through a base station controller 60 to a mobile telephone exchange 70 (one base station controller 60 may connect several base stations 40 and one mobile telephone exchange may connect several base station controllers 60). Mobile telephone exchanges 70 are interconnected together via the Public Switched Telephone Network 30.
- prepaid mobile phones have a prepayment account 100 stored in a memory 101 and means 102 for updating said prepayment account according to a billing rate which is stored in a memory 103 and which may change during the communication when the mobile phone is moving.
- memories 101 and 103 and prepayment account updating means 102 are for example implemented in a smart card 104 intended to be introduced in a classical mobile telephone including a smart card reader.
- prepayment data are transferred to the phone either by an external computer through a serial link, or by entering an encrypted string via the keyboard of the phone.
- communications billing may depend on the following criteria: - the duration of the communication,
- This last criteria may change during the communication if the mobile station is moving.
- the home area of the mobile is the area in which the subscription is made: the area covering the home of the subscriber or his office in case of business subscription
- billing rate updating information is sent to the phone when it moves from one area to another.
- handoff is the term used in (E)TACS and N(AMPS) standards to name the procedure of transferring a communication in progress from one voice channel to another).
- handoff is the term used in (E)TACS and N(AMPS) standards to name the procedure of transferring a communication in progress from one voice channel to another).
- handoff is sent after a successful handoff message has been sent to the mobile.
- this billing rate updating information is sent only when the category of the new area is different from the previous one.
- This information is advantageously sent in a "Local Control” message forwarded on the forward voice channel.
- Such “Local Control” messages are defined in paragraph 3.7.2.1 of the "Mobile Station - Base Station compatibility specification” part of both standards: what we call here "Local Control” message is a "Mobile station control message word 1" in which the "Order” field is set to “Local Control” (such "Mobile station control message word 1" is represented in figure 3).
- the "Local” field of such message is intended to contain network/operator dependent commands. It comprises 5 bits.
- the billing rate updating information can for example be coded in the following manner in order to be sent in this "Local” field: - 00000 for home area billing rate,
- the forward voice channel is used because it allows to address mobile phones on an individual basis (on the contrary the forward control channel defined in paragraph 3.7.1 of both standards is used to broadcast messages to all mobile stations located in the cell covered by a base station).
- a method for updating billing rate stored in a mobile station is described in figure 4.
- a mobile station 50a moves from a first cell 45a covered by a first base station 40a to a second cell 45b covered by a second base station 40b.
- the mobile station decide to start an handoff procedure. This handoff procedure is handled at step 220.
- base station 40b sends a successful handoff message M H to the mobile indicating the new voice channel to be used.
- it sends a "Local Control" message M ⁇ containing the billing rate updating information.
- the mobile station saves the received billing rate in memory 103.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
- Meter Arrangements (AREA)
- Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
Abstract
The invention deals with mobile telecommunication systems allowing prepayment. In such systems mobile stations can have a prepayment account and means for updating said prepayment account according to a billing rate. The invention deals with the case where the billing rate may change when these mobile is moving (in ETACS and AMPS standards notably the billing rate is different in the home area and in the non-home area). According to the invention base stations have means for sending billing rate updating information to mobile station depending on the current location of said mobile station.
Description
Updating billing rate according to mobile movings in prepaid phones.
DESCRIPTION
Field of the invention
The present invention deals with a mobile telecommunication system comprising base stations and at least one mobile station, said mobile station having a prepayment account and means for updating said prepayment account according to a billing rate.
It also deals with a mobile station and a base station intended to be used in such system, and with a method for updating prepayment account of a mobile telecommunication station according to a billing rate stored in said station.
Background of the invention
A mobile communication system with prepayment capabilities is described in French Patent Application n°0790587. In this system the mobile station calculates the cost of a communication through call charge rate data transmitted by the network at the beginning of the communication, or through pre -initialized data in the form of table. It means that the billing rate used to charge the communication is fixed at the initialization of this communication.
Summary of the invention
According to the invention, base stations have means for sending billing rate updating information to a mobile station depending on the current location of said mobile station. And in a particularly simple embodiment, said billing rate updating information are sent when the mobile station moves from one traffic area to another, each traffic area being served by one base station.
This billing rate updating information is a personal information sent to a specific mobile station.
The invention is particularly advantageous because it allows to implement prepayment method using mobiles as prepayment account managers in mobile
telecommunication systems in which the billing rate depends on the current location of the mobile station (for example the (E)TACS or (N)AMPS standards).
Prepayment method using mobiles as prepayment account managers are advantageous because it doesn't require additional network resources and because it is flexible (in particular the number of prepaid phones used in the network is not limited).
The invention also allows operator roaming (operation via an operator which is different from the user's operator) with prepayment because updating billing rate information are transmitted in real time.
These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will be elucidated with reference to the embodiment described hereinafter.
Brief description of the drawings In the drawings: figure 1 shows a mobile telecommunication system according to the invention, figure 2 is a schematic representation of a prepaid mobile phone according to the invention, figure 3 shows the structure of a "Local Control" message used in the (E)TACS and (N)AMPS standards, figure 4 shows a flow chart describing the steps of a method for updating the billing rate stored in mobile station.
Description of preferred embodiment
Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a mobile telecommunication system according to the invention. This system comprises two Public Land Mobile Network 10 and 20 interconnected via a Public Switched Telephone Network 30. Each Public Land Mobile
Network 10 and 20 comprises Base Stations 40. Each base station 40 is covering a specific cell 45 and is intended to communicate via radio links 46 with mobile stations 50 located in this specific cell 45. Each base station 40 is connected through a base station controller 60 to a mobile telephone exchange 70 (one base station controller 60 may connect several base stations 40 and one mobile telephone exchange may connect several base station controllers 60). Mobile telephone exchanges 70 are interconnected together via the Public Switched Telephone Network 30.
As shown in figure 2, prepaid mobile phones according to the invention have a prepayment account 100 stored in a memory 101 and means 102 for updating said prepayment
account according to a billing rate which is stored in a memory 103 and which may change during the communication when the mobile phone is moving. As shown in figure 2, memories 101 and 103 and prepayment account updating means 102 are for example implemented in a smart card 104 intended to be introduced in a classical mobile telephone including a smart card reader.
In an other embodiment, especially when the phone does not include a smart card reader, prepayment data are transferred to the phone either by an external computer through a serial link, or by entering an encrypted string via the keyboard of the phone. In a general way communications billing may depend on the following criteria: - the duration of the communication,
- the day and time of the communication (evening, week, week-end...),
- the telephone number which is called (local call, long distance call, emergency call...),
- the type of area from which the user is calling.
This last criteria may change during the communication if the mobile station is moving.
The invention will be now further described by reference to the (N)AMPS and (E)TACS standards. In (N)AMPS and (E)TACS networks three different billing rates are applied depending on the area where the mobile is located:
- the home area of the mobile (the home area of the mobile is the area in which the subscription is made: the area covering the home of the subscriber or his office in case of business subscription),
- a non-home area with the user's operator,
- a non-home area with another operator.
In order to calculate the current billing rate it must use to decrease its prepayment account the mobile has to know in which category of area it is currently located. According to the invention this information (called billing rate updating information) is sent to the phone when it moves from one area to another.
Advantageously it is sent by the base station which covers the new area at the end of the "handoff" procedure ("handoff" is the term used in (E)TACS and N(AMPS) standards to name the procedure of transferring a communication in progress from one voice channel to another). For example it is sent after a successful handoff message has been sent to the mobile.
In another embodiment this billing rate updating information is sent only when the category of the new area is different from the previous one.
This information is advantageously sent in a "Local Control" message forwarded on the forward voice channel. Such "Local Control" messages are defined in paragraph 3.7.2.1 of the "Mobile Station - Base Station compatibility specification" part of both standards: what we call here "Local Control" message is a "Mobile station control message word 1" in which the "Order" field is set to "Local Control" (such "Mobile station control message word 1" is represented in figure 3). The "Local" field of such message is intended to contain network/operator dependent commands. It comprises 5 bits. The billing rate updating information can for example be coded in the following manner in order to be sent in this "Local" field: - 00000 for home area billing rate,
- 00001 for non home area - same operator billing rate,
- 00010 for non home area - different operator billing rate.
The forward voice channel is used because it allows to address mobile phones on an individual basis (on the contrary the forward control channel defined in paragraph 3.7.1 of both standards is used to broadcast messages to all mobile stations located in the cell covered by a base station).
This way of transmitting the billing rate updating information is not restrictive: other messages or field may be used. For example in the ETACS standard it is possible to use the so called "Charge Rate" order. In this case, the "Order" field of the "Mobile station control message word 1" must be set to "Charge Rate" (see table 3.7.1-1 of the ETACS standard) and the billing rate updating information must be sent in the "Local" field.
A method for updating billing rate stored in a mobile station is described in figure 4. At step 200 a mobile station 50a moves from a first cell 45a covered by a first base station 40a to a second cell 45b covered by a second base station 40b. At step 210, on the basis of the power levels received from both base stations, the mobile station decide to start an handoff procedure. This handoff procedure is handled at step 220. At 230 base station 40b sends a successful handoff message MH to the mobile indicating the new voice channel to be used. At step 240 it sends a "Local Control" message Mιχ containing the billing rate updating information. When receiving this information (step 250) the mobile station saves the received billing rate in memory 103.
The invention has been described in relation with (E)TACS and (N)AMPS standards but it is applicable to other mobile telecommunication standards. For example, in the GSM standard the distinction between home and non-home traffic area doesn't exist. But the invention is still applicable for allowing operator roaming with prepaid phones.
Claims
1. A mobile telecommunication system comprising base stations and at least one mobile station, said mobile station having a prepayment account and means for updating said prepayment account according to a billing rate, characterized in that at least one base station has means for sending billing rate updating information to said mobile station depending on the current location of said mobile station.
2. A mobile telecommunication system as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of traffic areas served by one base station each, characterized in that said billing rate updating information are sent when the mobile station moves from one traffic area to another.
3. Base station for use in a mobile telecommunication system in order to communicate by radio links with at least one mobile station which comprises a prepayment account and means for updating said prepayment account according to a billing rate, characterized in that it has means for sending billing rate updating information to said mobile station depending on the current location of said mobile station.
4. Mobile station intended to communicate by radio links with a base station of a mobile telecommunication system said mobile station having a prepayment account and means for updating said prepayment account according to a billing rate, characterized in that it has means for receiving updating billing rate information sent by a base station and depending on said mobile station current location, and means for updating said billing rate according to said updating billing rate information.
5. Method for updating prepayment account of a mobile telecommunication station according to a billing rate stored in said station, characterized in that it comprises the steps of:
- sending to said mobile station billing rate updating information depending on the current location of said mobile station,
- updating said stored billing rate according to said received information.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP98402270 | 1998-09-15 | ||
| EP98402270.7 | 1998-09-15 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2000016543A1 true WO2000016543A1 (en) | 2000-03-23 |
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Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP1999/006547 WO2000016543A1 (en) | 1998-09-15 | 1999-09-03 | Updating billing rate according to mobile movings in prepaid phones |
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| Country | Link |
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| WO (1) | WO2000016543A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2004071012A1 (en) * | 2003-02-10 | 2004-08-19 | Ktfreetel Co. Ltd | Prepaid wise network service |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0597638A1 (en) * | 1992-11-11 | 1994-05-18 | Vodafone Limited | Radio telecommunication systems and methods |
| WO1995028062A2 (en) * | 1994-04-07 | 1995-10-19 | Nokia Telecommunications Oy | A removable subscriber identification module for a mobile radio terminal and a call control method |
| WO1997048245A1 (en) * | 1996-06-07 | 1997-12-18 | Nokia Telecommunications Oy | Improving charging criteria for a call in a cellular mobile network |
| WO1998028903A1 (en) * | 1996-12-23 | 1998-07-02 | Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) | Methods for cellular pay phone/debit phone support |
-
1999
- 1999-09-03 WO PCT/EP1999/006547 patent/WO2000016543A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0597638A1 (en) * | 1992-11-11 | 1994-05-18 | Vodafone Limited | Radio telecommunication systems and methods |
| WO1995028062A2 (en) * | 1994-04-07 | 1995-10-19 | Nokia Telecommunications Oy | A removable subscriber identification module for a mobile radio terminal and a call control method |
| WO1997048245A1 (en) * | 1996-06-07 | 1997-12-18 | Nokia Telecommunications Oy | Improving charging criteria for a call in a cellular mobile network |
| WO1998028903A1 (en) * | 1996-12-23 | 1998-07-02 | Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) | Methods for cellular pay phone/debit phone support |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2004071012A1 (en) * | 2003-02-10 | 2004-08-19 | Ktfreetel Co. Ltd | Prepaid wise network service |
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