WO2000021273A9

WO2000021273A9 - Systems and methods for prerating costs for a communication event

Info

Publication number: WO2000021273A9
Application number: PCT/US1999/018200
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Senn; Richard J Walker
Original assignee: Boston Communication Group Inc
Priority date: 1998-08-11
Filing date: 1999-08-11
Publication date: 2000-10-12
Also published as: EP1104621A2; CA2625696A1; WO2000021273A2; CA2340187A1; CA2340187C; BR9912941A; MXPA01001498A; WO2000021273A3

Abstract

Sytems and methods for prerating communication events, such as telephone calls, for prepaying customers are described. The systems and methods permit, at the beginning of a communication event, the determination of a time limit for the event based on the available balance in a prepayment account associated with the event.

Description

SYSTEMS 4.ND METHODS FOR PRER4TI G COSTS FOR A COMMUNICATION EVENT

Background of the Invention

As cellular communication ser ices have become increasingly available and common, traditional methods of receiving payment for cellular services have been found lacking Commonly, services are rendered to a customer and at the end of a set peπod, a bill is sent to the customer for the services rendered during that period This essentially amounts to extending credit to the customer For traditional, residential telephone customers, service can easily be terminated for non-payment of such bills because the offender is easily identified and is in a fixed location Cellular communication customers, however, have been able to evade payment of such bills by seeking service from a new provider when pπor service has been terminated The cycle can continue in this fashion, with each successive provider losing money to such customers

Prepayment for cellular services is being widely embraced as a solution to this problem Using this system, a customer provides money to a service provider in advance of the rendeπng of communication services Service charges are then deducted from the customer's balance until the prepayment is depleted Unlike many services, though, the costs of telephone communication are often a complex conglomeration of fees based on a wide array of factors, such as connection charges, surcharges, taxes, and other charges Furthermore, many of these factors can vary widely, even duπng a single connection, based on conditions such as the time of day, the locations of the calling parties, volume discounts, and other vaπables For example, a cellular communication device may move from one calling area to another resulting in a substantial change in the rate Such factors make determining the quantity of service available for a fixed, prepaid amount a complex endeavor

One solution currently in use is to determine, on a minute-by-minute basis, the accumulated service charge and compare this amount to the amount of prepayment as described in U S Patent No 5,722,067, incorporated herein by reference This technique, however, requires a considerable amount of processing support for the repeated calculations, because once each minute, the cost ot the previous minute must be calculated, deducted from the available balance Furthermore, the depletion of the balance must be monitored in order to notify the caller when the call will be terminated A method for reducing the processing necessary to meter service would greatly reduce the costs associated with providing communication ser ices to prepaid callers

Summary of the Invention

The systems and methods descnbed herein may be used to meter communications services under a prepayment plan, for example, by determining, upon initiation of a communication event, a duration for that event for which the cost will be approximately equal to a prepaid balance In this ay, services can be terminated at the end of the duration, thereby preventing charges in excess of the prepaid balance without requiπng repeated calculations duπng the communication e\ ent

In one aspect, the s> stems and methods described herein relate to a process for metering a communication ev ent by identifying an initiation of a communication event, identifying an account balance associated with the communication event, determining a duration of the communication event for which an accrued cost of the communication event is approximately equal to the account balance

A signal for identifying an initiation of a communication event may include information representatn e of the identity of the user initiating the communication event, such as the oπgmatmg phone number, an automated number identification code (ANI), equipment identification number (EIN), or mobile identification number (MIN), the time at which the event was initiated, the location from which the event was initiated, the recipient of the event, such as a dialed number identification system code (DNIS), the location of the recipient of the event, the distance between the user and the recipient, the service provider handling the event, or any other information Such information may be used to identify an associated account balance, or an additional input, such as a calling card number or coupon number may be received An account balance, as the term is used herein, refers to a prepaid amount of money which may be applied to defray the cost of a communication event

In one practice, determining a duration includes identifying, upon initiation of the communication event, a rate schedule for the communication event A rate schedule, as the term is used herein, refers to an aggregate charge representative of the total cost of a communication event, and may include fixed amounts, rates per unit time, or any other type of fee In one practice, identifying a rate schedule includes determining a connection charge rate and a tax charge rate In certain practices, identifying a rate schedule further includes determining a factor selected from available free time, endpoints of the communication event, distance of the communication ev ent, and time of day In one practice, identifying a rate schedule for the communication event includes determining a cost per second rate

In one practice, the process includes terminating the communication event at the end of the determined duration In another practice, the process includes deducting a cost of the communication event from the available balance upon termination of the communication ev ent

In one practice, identifying an initiation of a communication event includes identifying an initiation of a telephone call, such as a cellular telephone call In certain practices, identifying an account balance includes an act selected from receiving an account code from a user, receiving an account code from a recipient, identifying a device receiving the communication event, and identifying a device initiating the communication event

The systems and methods descπbed herein also provide a system for meteπng a communication event, including a communication interface to receive information representative of initiation of a communication event, a database coupled to the communication interface to store information associated with a plurality of accounts, and a processor coupled to the database to identify an account balance associated with the communication event and to determine a duration of the communication event for which an accrued cost of the communication event is approximately equal to the account balance

In one embodiment, the processor includes a rate mechanism to determine a duration, upon initiation of the event by identifying and employing a rate schedule for the communication event A rate mechanism may be any calculation or strategy for determining the rate scehdule or aggregate charge on the basis of a plurality of individual charges, which may include fixed fees, rate-per-time charges, or other fees In one embodiment, the rate mechanism includes means for identifying a rate schedule by determining at least a connection charge rate and a tax charge rate In certain embodiments, the rate mechanism further includes means for determining at least one factor selected from available tree time, endpoints of the communication event, distance of the communication event, and time of day In one embodiment, the rate schedule for the communication event includes a cost per second rate

In certain embodiments, the system further compπses a transmitter to send a signal for terminating the communication event at the end of the determined duration In certain embodiments, the communication event is a telephone call In one embodiment, the telephone call is initiated by a cellular telephone

In certain embodiments, the processor includes means for identifying an account balance by a method selected from receiving an account code from a user, receiving an account code from a recipient, identifying a device initiating the communication event, and identifying a device receiving the communication event

In yet another embodiment, the systems and methods disclosed herein relate to a system for regulating prepayment for a mobile communication event, including a first database to store information representative of rate plans for a plurality of communication service providers, a second database to store information associated with a plurality of accounts, a communication interface to receive information representative of initiation of a communication event, a processor coupled to the first database, the second database, and the communication interface to identify an account balance associated with the communication event and to determine, upon initiation of the communication event, a duration of the communication event for which an accrued cost of the communication event is approximately equal to the account balance

In certain embodiments, the rate plans include cost per second rates In one embodiment, the processor includes a rate mechanism to determine a duration, upon initiation of the event by identifying and employing a rate schedule for the communication event In one such embodiment, the rate mechanism includes means for identifying a rate schedule by determining at least a connection charge rate and a tax charge rate In certain embodiments, the rate mechanism further includes means for identifying a rate schedule by determining at least one factor selected from available tree time, endpoints of the communication event, distance of the communication event, and time of day

In certain embodiments, the system further includes a transmitter to send a signal for terminating the communication event at the end of the determined duration In certain embodiments, the communication event is a telephone call In one embodiment, the telephone call is initiated by a cellular telephone

In certain embodiments, the processor includes means for identifying an account balance associated with the user In certain embodiments, the processor includes means for identifying an account balance associated with the recipient

In another practice, the systems and methods described herein pro\ ide a method for regulating prepayment for a mobile communication event by storing information representative of rate plans for a plurality of communication service providers, storing information associated with a plurality of user accounts, identifying an initiation of a communication event, identifying an account balance associated with the communication event, and determining, upon initiation of the communication event, a duration of the communication event for which an accrued cost of the communication event is approximately equal to the account balance, as a function of the ser ice provider handling the communication event

In certain embodiments, storing information representative of rate plans includes stoπng cost per second rates

In certain embodiments, the method further includes identifying a transfer of service from a first service provider to a second service provider, and determining a duration of the communication event for which an accrued cost of the communication event is approximately equal to the account balance, as a function of the second service provider handling the communication event

In certain embodiments, determining a duration includes identifying, upon initiation of the communication event, a rate schedule for the communication event. In one embodiment, identifying a rate schedule includes determining a connection charge rate and a tax charge rate.

In certain embodiments, identifying a rate schedule further includes determining a factor selected from available free time, endpoints of the communication event, distance of the communication event, and time of day

In certain embodiments, the method includes terminating the communication event at the end of the determined duration In other embodiments, the method includes compπsmg deducting a cost of the communication event from the available balance upon termination of the communication event

In certain embodiments, identifying an initiation of a communication event includes identifying an initiation of a telephone call In one embodiment, identifying an initiation of a communication ev ent includes identifying an initiation of a cellular telephone call

In certain embodiments, identifying an account balance includes an act selected from receiving an account code from a user, and identifying a dev ice initiating the communication event

In certain embodiments, identifying an account balance includes an act selected from receiving an account code from a recipient, and identifying a device receiving the communication event

Bnef Summary of the Figures

The following figures depict certain illustrative embodiments of the invention in which like reference numerals refer to like elements These depicted embodiments are to be understood as illustrative of the invention and not as limiting in any way

Figure 1 depicts a centralized system for meteπng communication services Figure 2 shows a decentralized system where separate service providers employ separate prepayment systems

Figure 3 presents an embodiment of a prepayment system capable of servicing communication events on a network

Figure 4 depicts a flowchart of a method for metering communication services. Description of the Illustrated Embodiments

The descπption below pertains to several illustrative embodiments of the invention. Although many variations of the systems and methods may be envisioned by one skilled in the art from a review of the illustrative embodiments, such variations and improvements are intended to fall within the compass of this disclosure Thus, the scope of the invention is not to be limited in any way by the disclosure below

The systems and methods descπbed herein are useful for meteπng communications services provided under a prepayment plan, for example, by determining, upon initiation of a communication event, a duration for that event which results in a cost for that event approximately equal to a prepaid balance In this way, services can be terminated at the end of the duration to pre ent charges in excess of the prepaid balance without requiring repeated calculations during the communication event

Figure 1 depicts an overview of one system according to the invention for regulating the prepayment of a mobile cellular telephone call over a cellular network. Specifically, Figure 1 depicts a prepayment system 100 that communicates with a communications network 102, such as a cellular communications network The cellular network 102 may include cellulai antenna 108 linked to cellular switch 120 Cellular switch 120 further may be connected to cellular service provider 150A connected to the local exchange earner (LEC) 180 A second cellular antenna 106 may be linked to a cellular switch 125 of a second cellular service provider 150C connected to the LEC 180

The depicted prepayment system 100 can include a data processing platform, or processor, 110, databases 160 and 170 and a communication interface 130 As illustrated in Figure 1, the prepayment system 100, including processor 110, databases 160 and 170, and communication interface 130 may be connected to cellular switches 120 and 125 or to any other component suitable for executing the functions descπbed below The depicted data processor 110 can be a conventional data processing platform such as an IBM PC- compatible computer running the Windows NT operating systems, or a SUN workstation running a Unix operating system Alternatively, the data processor 110 can comprise a dedicated processing system that includes an embedded programmable data processing system For example, the data processor 110 can comprise a single board computer system that has been integrated into the cellular switch 125 of the communications network 102 The single board computer (SBC) system can be any suitable SBC, including the SBCs sold by the Micro/Sys Company, which include microprocessors, data memory and program memory, as well as expandable bus configurations and an on- board operating system

The depicted databases 160 and 170 may store information associated with a plurality of accounts, such as account balances, and information representative of rate plans for a plurality of communication service providers, respectively It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the depicted databases can be any suitable database systems, including the commercially available Microsoft Access database The databases 160 and 170 can be implemented as local or distπbuted database systems, and the design and development of suitable database systems follows from pπnciples well known in the are including those set forth in McGovern et al , 4 Guide To Sybase and SOL Sen'er, Addison- Wesley (1993) The databases 160 and 170 can be supported by any suitable data memory device, such as a hard disk dπve, RAID system, tape dπve system, floppy diskette, or any other suitable system The system depicted in Figure 1 includes database devices that are separate from the processor 1 10, however, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that in other embodiments the database devices 160 and 170 can be integrated into the processor 110, or into another component of the system

The communication interface 130 can be any suitable interface, including those of the type capable of receiving and dehveπng a call over a communication network The communication interface 130 can interface with the PSTN, Tl lines, optical transmission lines, IP lines, cellular transmission stations or any other medium employed for carrying communications over a network In the embodiment depicted in Figure 1 the communication interface is depicted as separate from the processor 110, however, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill that the interface 130 can be integrated into the processor 110

To initiate a call, the cellular telephone 105 may transmit a signal including an identification code, such as a mobile identification number (MIN) or automated number identification code (ANI), of the cellular telephone 105 and a dialed number identification system code (DNIS) to antenna 108, which transmits the signal to cellular switch 120 Cellular switch 120 may forward the call or the signal to prepayment system 100, or may identify, for example, on the basis of the MIN or DNIS, those calls associated with a prepayment plan and forward those calls to prepayment system 100 Calls may be directed to prepayment system 100, e g , via Tl land lines or cellular retransmission

A signal received by communication interface 130, such as an IP or Tl line, may be sent to processor 110 Processor 110 may execute a process that can authenticate the MIN and DNIS This process can be a software program executing on the processor 110, which configures the processor to operate as a system according to the invention Such a process can be implemented as a C language computer program, or a computer program written in any high level language including C + + , Fortran, Java or Basic Additionally, in an embodiment where the processor is a single board computer or a microcontroller, the process can be realized as a computer program written in microcode or written in a high level language and compiled down to microcode that can be executed on the target platform The implementation of a system or process as described herein follows from principles well known in the art and these general principles for high level programming are known, and set forth in, for example, Stephen G Kochan, Programming in C, Hayden Publishing (1983)

Upon recognition of the MIN, the processor may connect to a database 160 to identify an account associated with the MIN The user account may indicate a rate plan selected by the user For example, a service provider may offer two rate plans, one of which offers high rates, and the other of which offers low rates, but charges a fixed monthly fee The selected rate plan thus assists in determining the cost of the communication event Similarly, the user account may indicate that the user receives ten free minutes of connection, which again may affect the determination of the cost of the communication event

A user account may also indicate an available balance associated therewith, representative of an amount of money paid by the user to a service provider m advance of a request for service Thus, the user account may be used to identify an available balance associated with the communication event. In certain embodiments, a signal may be received that is indicative of a separate account having an available balance. For example, a user initiating a telephone call may also dial the number of a prepaid phone card or coupon. This number may be associated, for example, with an account having an available balance of an amount, e.g., $10, for which the phone card was purchased. In certain embodiments, charges may accrue, additionally or alternatively, to the recipient of the communication event, e.g., for a collect call, or for a recipient using a cellular telephone. In such embodiments, an available balance associated with the recipient may also be considered by the systems and methods described herein. Additional techniques for identifying an available balance associated with a communication event are known in the art and may be employed in the systems and methods described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the systems and methods described herein.

Upon recognizing that the available balance is sufficient to fund a communication event, the processor 110 may outpulse the DNIS to the public service telephone network (PSTN) through LEC 180. Additional systems for implementing the above process or variants thereof, e.g., using analogous telecommunications systems, will be known to those of skill in the art and are intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Additional information, such as the service provider handling the communication event, may be useful in determining the rate schedule associated with the communication event. For example, in one embodiment, antenna 108 may be associated with service provider 150A. Thus, a signal may be received by system 100 indicating that service provider 150A is handling the communication event. Processor 1 10 may then consult database 170, which may include information for a plurality of service providers including information relating to rate plans and other relevant data, to retrieve information useful for determining a rate schedule for the communication event.

The process executing on processor 1 10 may then determine a rate schedule for the communication event. A number of variables and conditions may be considered and analyzed in order to determine a rate schedule. For example, a connection rate may be determined, e.g., a charge per unit time for maintaining the communication event. The connection rate may be an aggregate of multiple charges, e.g., a fixed amount or rate for an initial period and a rate for time after the initial period. For example, a connection rate may include an amount of one dollar for the first minute and a rate of one cent per second thereafter The rate mav be dependent on the time of dav and/or dav of the week For example, a rate may be ten cents per minute from midnight to noon, fifteen cents per minute from noon to midnight, and five cents per minute on Saturday Furthermore, a rate may change during a connection, for example, as a function of the time of day, day of the week, or other factor Thus a call placed at 1 1 30 pm mav begin at a rate of ten cents per mmute changing to twelve cents per mmute at midnight The connection rate may further be influenced by the distance between the user and the receiver For example, a rate may be one cent per second between Pans, France and Athens, Gieece and two cents per second between Pans. France and Sydney, Australia

Furthermore cellular or mobile communication systems may charge an additional fee or rate for a connection in addition to charges for a non-w ireless connection Such rates or fees may be affected bv variables such as those discussed above

Additional charges that may be included in the rate schedule include taxes, fixed fees, or other charges Fixed fees may include serv ice fees, for example, for using a special feature such as automatic redial or callback, a fee for establishing a connection, or any other fee associated with the communication event Taxes may include fixed fees, a tax rate, or both

The rate schedule mav further be affected by a rate plan provided to the user For example, the user may subscribe to a rate plan which offers a fixed connection rate for all times and distances instead of a plan which charges variable rates based on such conditions The rate plan may provide additional conditions For instance, the user may be allotted ten free minutes each month or may receive a discount on calls excess of thirty minutes per month

The rate schedule mav be used by processor 1 10 to determine, upon initiation of the communication event, a duration of the communication ev ent for which the accrued charges w ill be approximately equal to an available balance m an account associated with the communication ev ent In one exemplary embodiment, a time t may be determined for the following equation such that the equation is satisfied [available balance] = /[connection rate] + [fixed fees] + /[wireless connection rate] + [taxes]

In another exemplary embodiment, time / may be divided into periods .Y, y, and z, for example, wherein x represents an amount of time at an initial rate, y represents an amount of time at a first rate, and z represents an amount of time at a second rate. For example, y may represent an amount of time at an 'evening' rate, and z may represent an amount of time at a 'night' rate. Thus, an equation such as the following may be used to determine a time t = .x +y + z for which the cost of the communication event is approximately equal to an available balance in an account associated with the communication event:

[Available balance] = .v[InitRate] ^ _v[EveRate] -t- r[Nigh.Rate] + /[W'irelessRate] ÷[Fixed Fees] -r [Taxes]

In certain embodiments, time / may be increased by a number n representative of a number of free minutes available to the user.

In certain embodiments, the taxes may be variable based on the cost of the communication event as a whole. For example, a communication event may be taxed at a 5% rate. Thus, an appropriate equation for determining / may be represented by the following exemplary formula:

[available balance] = 1.05*(/[connection rate] + [fixed fees] + /[wireless connection rate])

Many variations on the above schemes suited to particular circumstances, rate schedules, and other conditions can be developed to suit a particular application and such variations will be apparent to those of skill in the art and may be employed in the systems and methods described herein.

The duration may be reevaluated by process running on processor 110 during the course of the communication event, such as upon the change of a factor which influences the cost of the communication event. For example, the user may, during the course of the communication event, add an additional party to the communication event, such as in a conference call Because charges associated with the additional party were not evaluated in earlier determinations, the determined duration does not reflect these additional charges Reevaluation of the duration may result in a shortened maximum duration of the communication event m light of the additional party Furthermore, a user employing a mobile communication system may travel to a different area, for example, which is serviced by a different service provider operating under a different rate plan, or which results in a shorter distance between the user and the recipient, possibly resulting in an decreased connection rate Reevaluation may include deducting accrued charges from the available balance prior to determining a new duration for the communication event.

Furthermore, system 100 may terminate a communication event when the determined duration is reached, thereby prev enting the communication event from incurring fees m excess of the funds available in the available balance System 100 may send signals, such as voice messages or beeps, to the user, the recipient, or both pπor to termination, e g , one mmute before termination, as a warning that the available balance is nearly consumed.

In one embodiment, mobile cellular telephone 105 may travel from a location served by antenna 108 to a region served by antenna 106, associated with a second cellular switch 125 and a second service provider 150C. As the transfer occurs, a signal may be sent to system 100 indicative of the change service provider. Processor 110 may then consult database 170 as described above and determine an updated rate schedule for the call. Processor 110 may then reevaluate the duration of the communication event for which the accrued cost of the communication event will be approximately equal to the available balance.

As descπbed above, prepayment system 100 may provide a centralized service to a plurality of service providers. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 2, each service provider offering a prepayment plan, e g., 150A and 150C, may have a prepayment system 100 associated with it, rather than using a centralized metering service In such embodiments, calls routed to a particular service provider 150A may be regulated, as descnbed above, by a prepayment system 100A particular to that service provider. Upon transfer to a second service provider 150C, the first prepayment system 100A may deduct accrued charges from the available balance and provide the updated available balance to the second prepayment system 100C anations and modifications of these systems will be apparent to those of skill in the art and are intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure

For example, with reference to Figure 2, a communication event involving cellular telephone 105 may be received by antenna 108 and directed to cellular switch 120 and corresponding service provider 150A Service provider 150A may use prepayment system 100A to regulate the duration of calls handled by service provider 150A, terminating calls when an available balance is depleted When cellular telephone 105 travels to a region serviced by antenna 106, which directs transmissions to cellular switch 125 and corresponding service provider 150C, service provider 150A may transfer the communication event to service provider 150C, which uses prepayment system 100C to regulate the duration of calls

To facilitate the transfer, prepayment system 100A may determine the accrued cost of the communication event, deduct this amount from the available balance, and transmit the updated available balance to service provider 150C and prepayment system 100C Alternatively, prepayment system 100A may transmit the accrued cost of the communication event and the original available balance to service provider 150C and prepayment system 100C, thereby permitting prepayment system 100C to reevaluate the duration of the communication event

Another embodiment of the instant system which services communication events over a network, such as the Internet, a PSTN, or any other suitable network, is descπbed by Figure 3 Such a system 200 may include a processor 210 coupled to databases 260 and 270 and a communication interface 230 The communication interface may be coupled through a network 220 to a plurality of communication devices 240A-C and one or more service providers 250A-C Othei configurations of the above components which permit a system to perform the functions descπbed herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and are considered to fall within the scope of the present disclosure

In this embodiment, communication device 240A, such as a fax machine, telephone, modem, or any other communication device, may initiate a communication event with device 240B A signal representative of the initiation of the communication event may be received bv communication interface 230 and transmitted to processor 210 The signal, or a subsequent associated signal, may include information associated with the communication event For example, the signal may include a code representative of device 240A or 240B, such as phone numbers, an account code, or any other code useful for associating an account with the communication event Processor 210 may then search a database 260 containing information associated ith a plurality of accounts to identify an account associated with the communication event The account may be associated with an available balance representing a sum of money provided in advance of requesting or receiving communication services

Processor 210 may then determine a rate schedule for the communication event by any method in the art, for example, by using techniques outlined above In one embodiment, a signal is receiv ed by system 200 indicative of a service provider 250A handling the communication event Processor 210 may then consult database 270, which may include information for a plurality of service providers including information relating to rate plans and other suitable data, to retneve information useful for determining a rate schedule for the communication event

Processor 210 may then determine, for example, as descπbed above, based on the rate schedule and the available balance, a duration for the communication event such that the accrued cost of the communication event will be approximately equal to the available balance The duration may be reevaluated duπng the course of the communication event, such as upon the change of a factor which influences the cost of the communication event, as descnbed above The change of a factor may be detected, for example, by receiving a signal, e g , a signal indicating a change in service provider, or by querying a system, such as a service provider or a cellular switch, to determine the current conditions and compaπng these conditions to previously determined conditions Furthermore, system 200 may terminate a communication event when the determined duration is reached, thereby preventing the communication event from incurring fees in excess of the funds m the available balance

A method for metering communication services is shown in Figure 4 The method 300 may comprise identifying the initiation of a communication event 310, identifying an account balance associated with the communication event 320, determining a rate schedule for the communication event 330, and determining a time limit for the event 340. The time limit may be determined by calculating a duration of the communication event for which the accrued cost will be approximately equal to the account balance.

Identifying the initiation of a communication event 310 may include receiving a signal indicating the initiation of a communication event. Such a signal may include information representative of the identity of the user initiating the communication event, such as the originating phone number, an automated number identification code (A ), equipment identification number (EIN), or mobile identification number (MIN), the time at which the event was initiated, the location from which the event was initiated, the recipient of the event, such as a dialed number identification system code (DNIS), the location of the recipient of the event, the distance between the user and the recipient, the service provider handling the event, or any other information. Such information may be used to determine a number of parameters of the communication event.

For example, information representative of the time at which the event was initiated may be useful in determining the cost of the communication event, because certain rate plans may offer decreased rates at certain times, e.g., at night or on weekends. The time of initiation may alternatively be determined by recording the time at which an initiation signal is received. The distance of the communication event, or the locations of the user and the receiver, may also affect the cost of the communication event, because rates may, for example, be higher for events taking place over longer distances.

The information may be used to identify an account and an available balance associated therewith 320. The account may be a user account, may be associated with a phone card or coupon, or may be any other prepaid account balance, as will be apparent to one of skill in the art.

In certain embodiments, charges may accrue to the recipient of the communication event, e.g., alternatively or additionally. For example, a recipient receiving a telephone call on a cellular telephone may be charged at a certain rate for the duration of the connection. Similarly, the recipient may receive a collect call, and thus assume responsibility for the charges associated with the call. Thus, upon identification of the initiation of a communication event, an account balance may be identified for the recipient, a rate schedule may be determined for the recipient, and a duration of the communication may be determined, upon initiation of the communication event, for which the accrued charges will be approximately equal to an available balance in an account associated with the communication event The communication event may be terminated at the end of the determmed duration These functions may be performed as descnbed above

Determining a rate schedule for the communication event 330 may be accomplished by the techniques outlined above, for example, by considering the location of the communication parties, the time of day, the rate plan, or other relevant information Additional methods for determining a rate schedule for particular situations and conditions will be apparent to those of skill in the art and may be employed in the systems and methods descnbed herein without departing from the scope and spiπt thereof The rate schedule may then be used to determine a time limit for the communication event 340, for example, by using techniques outlined above to determine a duration of the communication event for which the accrued cost will be approximately equal to the available balance

In certain embodiments, the duration of the communication event may be reevaluated because of a change in one or more of the factors which influence the cost of the communication event Thus, the method may include identifying a change in the service provider handling the communication event and reevaluatmg the duration of the communication event to reflect the change m these conditions and to more accurately determine the time at which the cost of the communication event will be approximately equal to the available balance

The communication event may continue for the determined duration, at which point the communication event may be terminated to avoid mcumng charges in excess of the available balance Pπor to termmatron, the user, the recipient, or both, may be notified of the impending termination, e g , one minute before termination Alternatively, if the user terminates the communication event pπor to the determined duration, an accrued charge may be determined for the services rendered and this charge may be deducted from the available balance

While the invention has been disclosed in connection with the embodiments shown and descπbed in detail, vanous equivalents, modifications, and improvements will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the above description. For example, the systems and methods described above may be modified for use with different networks, such as ISDN, PBX, or the Internet, may be configured into integrated systems, or may be applied to related fields where analogous metering may be advantageous. Such equivalents, modifications, and improvements are intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

Claims

We claim:

1. A process for metering a communication event, comprising identifying an initiation of a communication event, identifying an account balance associated with the communication event, determining a duration of the communication event for which an accrued cost of the communication event is approximately equal to the account balance.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein determining a duration includes identifying, upon initiation of the communication event, a rate schedule for the communication event.

3. The process of claim 2, wherein identifying a rate schedule includes determining a connection charge rate and a tax charge rate.

4. The process of claim 3, wherein identifying a rate schedule further includes determining a factor selected from available free time, endpoints of the communication event, distance of the communication event, and time of day.

5. The process of claim 2, wherein identifying a rate schedule for the communication event includes determining a cost per second rate.

6. The process of claim 1, further comprising terminating the communication event at the end of the determined duration.

7. The process of claim 1, further comprising deducting a cost of the communication event from the available balance upon termination of the communication event.

8. The process of claim 1, wherein identifying an initiation of a communication event includes identifying an initiation of a telephone call.

9. The process of claim 1, wherein identifying an initiation of a communication event includes identifying an initiation of a cellular telephone call.

10. The process of claim 1, wherein identifying an account balance includes an act selected from receiving an account code from a user, receiving an account code from a recipient, identifying a device receiving the communication event, and identifying a device initiating the communication event.

11. A system for metering a communication event, comprising a communication interface to receive information representative of initiation of a communication event, a database coupled to the communication interface to store information associated with a plurality of accounts, and a processor coupled to the database to identify an account balance associated with the communication event and to determine a duration of the communication event for which an accrued cost of the communication event is approximately equal to the account balance.

12. The system of claim 1 1, wherein the processor includes a rate mechanism to determine a duration, upon initiation of the event, by identifying and employing a rate schedule for the communication event.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the rate mechanism includes means for identifying a rate schedule by determining at least a connection charge rate and a tax charge rate.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the rate mechanism further includes means for determining at least one factor selected from available free time, endpoints of the communication event, distance of the communication event, and time of day.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the rate schedule for the communication event includes a cost per second rate.

16. The system of claim 1 1, further comprising a transmitter to send a signal for terminating the communication event at the end of the determined duration.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the communication event is a telephone call.

18 The system of claim 18, wherein the telephone call is initiated by a cellular telephone

19 The system of claim 11, wherein the processor includes means for identifying an account balance by a method selected from receiving an account code from a user, receiving an account code from a recipient, identifying a device initiating the communication event, and identifying a device receiving the communication event

20 A system for regulating prepayment for a mobile communication event, compnsing a first database to store information representative of rate plans for a plurality of communication service providers, a second database to store information associated with a plurality of accounts, a communication interface to receive information representative of initiation of a communication event, a processor coupled to the first database, the second database, and the communication interface to identify an account balance associated with the communication event and to determine, upon initiation of the communication event, a duration of the communication event for which an accrued cost of the communication event is approximately equal to the account balance

21 The system of claim 20, wherein the rate plans include cost per second rates

22 The system of claim 20, wherein the processor includes a rate mechanism to determine a duration, upon initiation of the event, by identifying and employing a rate schedule for the communication event

23 The system of claim 22, wherein the rate mechanism includes means for identifying a rate schedule by determining at least a connection charge rate and a tax charge rate

24 The system of claim 23, wherein the rate mechanism further includes means for identifying a rate schedule by determining at least one factor selected from available free time, endpoints of the communication event, distance of the communication event, and time of day

25. The system of claim 20, further comprising a transmitter to send a signal for terminating the communication event at the end of the determined duration.

26. The system of claim 20, wherein the communication event is a telephone call.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the telephone call is initiated by a cellular telephone.

28. The system of claim 20, wherein the processor includes means for identifying an account balance associated with the user.

29. The system of claim 20, wherein the processor includes means for identifying an account balance associated with the recipient.

30. A method for regulating prepayment for a mobile communication event, comprising storing information representative of rate plans for a plurality of communication service providers, storing information associated with a plurality of user accounts, identifying an initiation of a communication event, identifying an account balance associated with the communication event, and determining, upon initiation of the communication event, a duration of the communication event for which an accrued cost of the communication event is approximately equal to the account balance, as a function of the service provider handling the communication event.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein storing information representative of rate plans includes storing cost per second rates.

32. The method of claim 30, further comprising identifying a transfer of service from a first service provider to a second service provider, and determining a duration of the communication event for which an accrued cost of the communication event is approximately equal to the account balance, as a function of the second service provider handling the communication event

33. The method of claim 30, wherein determining a duration includes identifying, upon initiation of the communication event, a rate schedule for the communication event.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein identifying a rate schedule includes determining a connection charge rate and a tax charge rate.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein identifying a rate schedule further includes determining a factor selected from available free time, endpoints of the communication event, distance of the communication event, and time of day.

36. The method of claim 30, further comprising terminating the communication event at the end of the determined duration.

37. The method of claim 30, further comprising deducting a cost of the communication event from the available balance upon termination of the communication event.

38. The method of claim 30, wherein identifying an initiation of a communication event includes identifying an initiation of a telephone call.

39. The method of claim 30, wherein identifying an initiation of a communication event includes identifying an initiation of a cellular telephone call.

40. The method of claim 30, wherein identifying an account balance includes an act selected from receiving an account code from a user, and identifying a device initiating the communication event.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein identifying an account balance includes an act selected

receiving an account code from a recipient, and identifying a device receiving the communication event.