WO2007013785A1

WO2007013785A1 - Method for calculating a usage index using a usage record of the user terminal and apparatus thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2007013785A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/002989
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dong-Kyoon Kim; Yoon-Kyu Kim; Chang-Rae Roh; Nak-Young Woo
Original assignee: Ktfreetel Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2005-07-29
Filing date: 2006-07-28
Publication date: 2007-02-01
Also published as: WO2007013785B1; KR20070014894A; KR100692640B1; CN101223706A

Abstract

A method for calculating a usage index using a usage record of a user terminal by measuring voice or data calls used by the user terminal is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: (a) receiving a usage record of voice or data calls communicated between the user terminal and a terminal of another predetermined user, wherein the usage record of voice or data calls comprises at least one from a group consisting of a voice call volume, the number of voice calls, the number of short messages and the number of multimedia messages; (b) storing the received usage record of voice or data calls in an analysis database; (c) extracting the stored usage record of voice or data calls; and (d) calculating the usage index of the user terminal in accordance with a predetermined equation using the extracted usage record of voice or data calls. The method for calculating the usage index using the usage record of the user terminal and the device thereof in accordance with the present invention can display the usage index by extracting data communicated between particular users using the user terminal and by processing the data through a predetermined method.

Description

[DESCRIPTION]

[Invention Title]

METHOD FOR CALCULATING A USAGE INDEX USING A USAGE RECORD OF

THE USER TERMINAL AND APPARATUS THEREOF

[Technical Field]

The present invention is related to communication, particularly to a method for

calculating a usage index using a usage record of a user terminal and an apparatus thereof.

[Background Art]

With the advancement in telecommunications technology, a variety of

communication terminals, such as mobile phones, internet phones, IMT-2000 terminals,

PDA phones, general wireless phones and regular telephones, are widely used. These

terminals have data communication functionalities, such as text messaging and display

device functions, as well as voice communication functionalities. Communication

terminals are going beyond their simple function of telephone to provide various

functions and services, such as on/off-line games, e-mail, text messaging services, stock

portfolio management, schedule management and on-line payment.

These functions and services, added to these communication terminals, not only

provide convenience to the user but also improve the user' s time management and quality of life. It is also expected that these functions and services will continue to improve in

quantity and quality.

The data communicated by these communication terminals pass through the

base station, switch and message server, and thus the data can be analyzed by storing the

data.

By analyzing and presenting the voice or data calls communicated between

couples or partners, the relationship between these couples or partners can be stronger.

Therefore, a service that can analyze and present the voice or data calls communicated

between these couples and partners is needed.

[Disclosure]

[Technical Problem]

The present invention provides a method for calculating a usage index using a

usage record of a user terminal and a device thereof that can display the usage index by

extracting data communicated between particular users using the user terminal and by

processing the data through a predetermined method.

The present invention also provides a method for calculating a usage index using

a usage record of a user terminal and a device thereof that can display an affection index

by extracting data communicated between couples and partners using the user terminal

and by processing the data through a predetermined method. The present invention also provides a method for calculating a usage index using

a usage record of a user terminal and a device thereof that can encourage the

communication of the user and contribute to the growth of the telecommunications

industry by outputting data communicated between couples and partners using the user

terminal in accordance with a predetermined method.

Moreover, the present invention provides a method for calculating a usage index

using a usage record of a user terminal and a device thereof that can intrigue the user and

encourage the communication by sending the usage index, determined by the usage

record of the user terminal, in various formats to the user terminal through the wireless

Internet.

[Technical Solution]

An aspect of the present invention features a method for calculating a usage

index using a usage record of a user terminal by measuring voice or data calls used by the

user terminal. The method can comprise the steps of: (a) receiving a usage record of voice

or data calls communicated between the user terminal and a terminal of another

predetermined user, wherein the usage record of voice or data calls comprises at least one

from a group consisting of a voice call volume, the number of voice calls, the number of

short messages and the number of multimedia messages; (b) storing the received usage

record of voice or data calls in an analysis database; (c) extracting the stored usage record of voice or data calls; and (d) calculating the usage index of the user terminal in

accordance with a predetermined equation using the extracted usage record of voice or

data calls.

The usage index can comprise at least one from a group consisting of a call

volume index, a number of calls index, an SMS index and an MMS index.

The method can further comprise the step of (e) transmitting the calculated

usage index to the user terminal through the SMS or MMS.

Another aspect of the present invention features a device for calculating a usage

user terminal. The device can comprise: a communication unit, the communication unit

receiving a usage record of voice or data calls communicated between the user terminal

and a terminal of another predetermined user, wherein the usage record of voice or data

calls comprises at least one from a group consisting of a voice call volume, the number of

voice calls, the number of short messages and the number of multimedia messages; a

storage unit, the storage unit storing the received usage record of voice or data calls and

an equation for calculating a usage index using the received usage record; an extracting

unit, the extracting unit extracting the stored usage record of voice or data calls; and a

usage index calculation unit, the usage index calculation unit calculating a usage index of

the user terminal using the extracted usage record of voice or data calls and the equation.

The storage unit can store at least one from a group consisting of the voice call volume, the number of voice calls, the number of short messages and the number of

multimedia messages per predetermined interval. The predetermined period can be a

week, a month or a year.

The usage index can comprise at least one from a group consisting of a call

volume index, a number of calls index, an SMS index and an MMS index.

The usage record of voice or data calls can further comprise a sign-up status, and

the usage index further comprises a sign-up index and a number of calls bonus index.

The call volume index, the number of calls index, the SMS index and the MMS

index can be determined by the following equations:

. . . .. . . , ,.... , __ CaI I Volume _v „„ v

Cal l Vol ume I ndex = MI N ( 30, X 30 ) Cal l Vol ume Threshold

Number of CaI Is Index = MIN ( 30, Number of Cal ls _{χ 3Q }}

Number of Cal ls Threshold

SMS I ndex = MI N ( 30, ^{Number of SMS} X 30 )

SMS Threshold

MMS I ndex = MIN ( 10, ^{Number of MS} X 10 )

MMS Threshold

whereas, MESf is an operator choosing a smaller of two numbers.

The communication unit can transmit the calculated usage index to the user

terminal through the SMS or MMS.

The communication unit can transmit the calculated usage index to the user

terminal through a web browser using the wireless Internet. The communication unit can transmit the calculated usage index to the user

terminal in accordance with a download request of an application using the wireless

Internet.

The communication unit can transmit the calculated usage index to an

application activated on a stand-by screen of the user terminal.

The usage index can be represented on the user terminal by one from a group

consisting of a number, a graph, a growing character and a growing avatar.

[Description of Drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a system performing a method for calculating a

usage index using a usage record of a user terminal in accordance with a preferred

embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a device for calculating a usage index using a

usage record of a user terminal in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present

invention;

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a method for calculating a usage index using a usage

record of a user terminal in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present

invention; and

FIGS. 4-9 show illustrations of an output screen received from a device for

calculating a usage index using a usage record of a user terminal in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[Best Mode]

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a method for calculating a usage index

using a usage record of a user terminal in accordance with the present invention will be

described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In referencing the

accompanying drawings, identical elements are given the same reference numerals,

regardless of their figure numbers, and any redundant description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system performing the method for calculating the

usage index using the usage record of the user terminal in accordance with a preferred

embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the system comprises a first

wireless user terminal 110, a first wired user terminal 115, base stations 120 and 160, base

station controllers 125 and 155, a switch 130, a message processing system 135, a PDSN

(Packet Data Serving Node) 140, the Internet 145, an index calculation server 150, a

second wireless user terminal 170 and a second wired user terminal 175.

Data communicated between the first wireless user terminal 110 and the second

wireless user terminal 170 can be roughly classified into a voice call and a data call. Here,

the voice call is a call communicated through a voice communication channel between

the users, the data call is a call related to a message service, such as SMS (Short Message Service, including a Long Message Service, hereinafter) and MMS (Multimedia Message

Service) between the users. When a voice call is originated from the first wireless user

terminal 110, the voice call is transmitted to the second wireless user terminal 170 via the

base station 120, the base station controller 125, the switch 130, the base station

controller 155 and the base station 160. When a data call is originated from the first

wireless user terminal 110, the data call is transmitted to the second wireless user terminal

170 via the base station 120, the base station controller 125, the switch 130, the message

processing system 135, the switch 130, the base station controller 155 and the base station

160. Here, it is possible that the first wireless user terminal 110 and the second wireless

user terminal 170 are registered that these terminals are used by couples or partners, who

are in special relationship. The above registration can be stored in a home location

register (HLR), an index calculation server of the present invention or a database coupled

to the switch. The couples or partners of the present invention can be the couples or

partners who signed up for a couple rate plan.

The user can also communicate the voice call or data call with another terminal

by use of a wired system (e.g. a personal computer). For example, when a voice call is

originated from the first wired user terminal 115, the voice call is transmitted to the

second wireless user terminal 170 via the Internet 145, the PDSN 140, the base station

controller 155 and the base station 160. When a data call, such as a short message or a

multimedia message, is originated from the second wired user terminal 115, the data call can be transmitted to the second wireless user terminal 170 via the Internet 145, the

PDSN 140, the base station controller 125, the switch 130, the message processing

system 135, the switch 130, the base station controller 155 and the base station 160. Here,

depending on the operating system, the message processing system 135, which processes

the short message or multimedia message, may be directly connected to the PDSN 140. In

addition, the first wired user terminal 115 can receive a confirmation message of a short

message or a multimedia message transmitted from the second wired user terminal 175.

The index calculation server 150 receives the usage record of voice or data calls

communicated between the first wireless user terminal 110 or the firs wired user terminal

115 and the second wireless user terminal 170 or the second wired user terminal 175.

Here, the usage record of voice or data calls can comprise the voice call volume, the

number of voice calls, the number of short messages and the number of multimedia

messages. The usage record of voice or data calls is transmitted from at least one of the

base station controllers 125 and 155, the switch 130 and the message processing system

135.

Then, the index calculation server 150 stores the received usage record of voice

or data calls, extracts the stored usage record of voice or data calls periodically if

requested by the user and calculates the usage index of the first wireless user terminal 110

and the second wireless user terminal 170 in accordance with a predetermined equation.

Here, the equation for calculating the usage index can be defined as follows: Usage Index=Call Volume Index+Number of Calls Index+SMS Index+IS Index

CaI I Volume Index = MIN ( 30, ^{CaM Volume} X 30 )

CaI I Volume Threshold <₂₎

Number of CaI Is Index = MIN ( 30, ^{NutIlber of Cal ls} X 30 )

Number of Cal ls Threshold n_>)

S _mM_mS I i ndjex = M _HI_IN_M ( i 3 o0_n, Number of SMS X _w 3 _0„ ) x

SMS Threshol d ^

MMS I ndex = MIN ( 10, ^{Number of MMS} X 10 ) MMS Threshold ₍₅₎

Here, MIN is an operator that selects the smaller of two numbers, and the call

volume threshold, number of calls threshold, SMS threshold and MMS threshold are the

values that make the call volume index, number of calls index, SMS index and MMS

index a maximum value, respectively. Here, the values 30 and 10 are arbitrarily set to

give a weighted value to each index, and can be changed. According to the above

equations, the maximum value of the usage index is 100, which can be also changed at

discretion.

In Eq. (1), the usage index comprises the call volume index, number of calls

index, SMS index and MMS index, and can further comprise a sign-up index and a

number of calls bonus index. The sign-up index is added when the user signs up for a

service, such as the present invention, related to the calculation of the usage index, and

the usage record of voice or data calls can further comprise information on the sign-up status. For example, the user who requests the calculation of the usage index after signing

up for the membership may be given additional 5 points. The number of calls bonus index

is an additional point given to a user terminal that makes a certain number of calls during

a predetermined period. For example, additional 5 points may be given when the monthly

calls exceed 60. The size of bonus can be determined at the discretion of the service

provider.

These kinds of usage indices may be dubbed in various names, such as affection

index and love index. The usage index can be calculated per predetermined period, for

example, per day, month, quarter or year.

The usage index of the couples or partners and the average usage index of the

entire users can be sent to the couples or partners, who signed up for the service, in the

form of a short message or multimedia message at predetermined periods, for example,

every month or every week.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the usage index of

the couples or partners and the average usage index of the entire users can be downloaded

or popped up in the form of a number, a graph or a character/avatar, which grows in

accordance with the index, using a web browser or a wireless internet platform connected

to the wireless Internet.

The wireless Internet platform is not restricted to a certain form, and thus can be,

for example, WIPI (Wireless Internet Platform for Interoperability) or BREW (Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless). Using the web browser of the wireless Internet, the

user can check the usage index through the user terminal 110, 115, 170 and 175, or can

download the usage index by running an exclusive application on the wireless Internet

platform. The exclusive application is run on the user terminal 110, 115, 170 and 175 and

can download the usage index by generating a download request signal, which is

transmitted to a usage index calculation device.

The usage index can be displayed at particular intervals or in real time on the

display screen of the user terminal 110, 115, 170 and 175, using a predetermined pop-up

window. That is, the transmitted usage index can be displayed through the activated

application on the user terminal. For example, the activated application (e.g. a pop-up

window) can be displayed on the screen of the user terminal 110, 115, 170 and 175 to

show the changed usage index every time the usage index of the user terminal 110, 115,

170 and 175 changes, or the activated application can be displayed at the intervals

predetermined by the user or by default to show the changed usage index. The

predetermined interval can be in a unit of seconds or in real time whenever the usage

index changes.

The activated application displaying the usage index can receive the usage index

through the use of a pull method or push method between the user terminal 110, 115, 170

and 175 and the usage index calculation device. In other words, the usage index

calculation device may transmit the usage index to the application by responding to the request by the activated application of the user terminal 110, 115, 170 and 175 or transmit

the usage index to the application without any particular request.

The usage index displayed on the user terminal 110, 115, 170 and 175 may be

simply a number or a character, which grows as the usage index gets larger. The character

can be, for example, an animal, a cartoon character or a celebrity. It is also possible that

an avatar, representing the user or the user's lover, is displayed on the user terminal 110,

115, 170 and 175 and changes according to the usage index. The method of linking the

character or avatar with a particular index is well-known to those of ordinary skill in the

art, and thus further description will not be necessary.

Hereinafter, the method for checking a graph, representing the usage index,

through a web browser using the wireless Internet will be described.

It is possible to manage a database containing more details for users who signed

up for a special service. For example, when both parties of the couple or partner signs up

for a service related to the usage index of the present invention, their usage indices can be

managed by dividing into a love starting stage, love developing stage, love maturing stage

and love fruiting stage. That is, when the usage index is below a certain level, the usage

index can be defined as the love starting stage, and when the usage index is above the

level, the usage index can be defined as the love developing stage. The love maturing

stage and love fruiting stage can be defined in a similar manner. Each level can be

determined by accumulating the usage index from the moment the users signed up for the service or by averaging the usage index during a predetermined period, for example, a

week or a month.

[Mode for Invention]

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the usage index calculation device using the

usage record of the user terminal in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the

present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, the index calculation server 150 can comprise a

communication unit 151, a data extracting unit 153, a storage unit 155 and a usage index

calculation unit 157.

The communication unit 151 gets connected to the Internet 145 to receive the

usage record of voice or data calls communicated between the first wireless user terminal

110 or first wired user terminal 115 and the second wireless user terminal 170 or second

wired user terminal 175. The received usage record of voice or data calls comprises the

voice call volume, the number of voice calls, the number of short messages and the

number of multimedia messages. Upon the request by the user, the communication unit

151 also transmits the usage index, calculated in accordance with a predetermined

equation, to the first wireless user terminal 110, the first wired user terminal 115, the

second wireless user terminal 170 or the second wired user terminal 175.

The storage unit 155 stores the usage record of voice and data calls and the

equations for calculating the usage index using the usage record. The usage record may be stored in the storage unit 155 as raw data or as the usage index calculated by the

predetermined equations.

The data extracting unit 153 extracts the usage record of voice or data calls to

calculate the usage index, using the usage record. By extracting the equations for

calculating the usage index also, the data extracting unit 153 allows the usage index

calculation unit 157 to calculate the usage index.

The usage index calculation unit 157 calculates the usage index of the first

wireless user terminal 110 or the second wireless user terminal 170, using the usage

record of extracted voice or data calls and the equations.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the method for calculating the usage index using

the usage record of the user terminal in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the

present invention.

In step S310, voice or data calls are communicated between the user terminals

(the first wireless user terminal 110, the first wired user terminal 115, the second wireless

user terminal 170 and the second wired user terminal 175). These data are sent to the

index calculation server 150, which stores the received usage record of voice or data calls

in the storage unit. The usage record of voice or data calls comprises the voice call

volume, the number of voice calls, the number of short messages and the number of

multimedia messages. In step S320, the data extracting unit 153 of the index calculation server 150

extracts the usage record of voice or data calls stored in the storage unit 155. In step S330,

the usage index calculation unit 157 calculates the usage index of the user terminal, using

the extracted usage record of voice or data calls, in accordance with the predetermined

equations. In step S340, the usage index, calculated in various forms, is stored in an

analysis database.

If the communication unit 151 later receives a signal from the user terminal (the

first wireless user terminal 110, the first wired user terminal 115, the second wireless user

terminal 170 and the second wired user terminal 175) requesting to read the usage index,

the index calculation server 150 can output the usage index in various graphs and figures

to the user terminal.

FIGS. 4-9 are diagrams showing an output screen, received from the usage index

calculation device, of the usage record of the user terminal in accordance with a preferred

embodiment of the present invention. The output screen of the present invention can be

any one of the first wireless user terminal 110, the first wired user terminal 115, the

second wireless user terminal 170 and the second wired user terminal 175.

Referring to FIG. 4, average points 410 and couple points 420, relative to a

perfect score of 100, of each day are illustrated. The user can compare his or her usage

index and the average usage index of the couples using the service. Thus, the user can

check his or her level of affection. Referring to FIG. 5, average points 510 and couple points 520, based on the total

call volume, of each day are shown. The total call volume may be in units of seconds, and

the user may choose predetermined intervals, for example, hourly, daily or monthly, to

check the total call volume.

Referring to FIGS. 6-8, average points 610, 710 and 810 and couple points 620,

720 and 820, based on the number of calls, number of short messages and number of

multimedia messages, of each day are illustrated. The number of calls, short messages

and multimedia messages can be in units of calls or messages, and the user can choose

predetermined intervals, for example, hourly, daily or monthly, to check the number of

calls or messages.

FIG. 9 illustrates a screen that can show each of the screens of FIGS. 4-8 under a

tab. Each graph can show the daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly trends, as well

as the statistics of the usage index, total call volume, number of calls, number of short

messages and number of multimedia messages.

According to another embodiment, the usage index can be represented by an

avatar, which can be outputted on a computer, connected to the Internet, or the user

terminal, connected to a mobile communication network. That is, expressions and actions

of the avatar can be predetermined to correspond to the usage index such that the avatar

corresponding to the usage index can be outputted when the user outputs the usage index. For example, if the usage index of the user terminal is high, the avatar may be smiling; if

the usage index is low, the avatar may be crying or have no expression.

The present invention is not restricted to what is described in the above

embodiments, and it should be apparent that a very large number of permutations are

possible within the scope and spirit of the present invention by anyone of ordinary skill in

the art to which the invention pertains.

[Industrial Applicability]

As described above, the method for calculating the usage index using the usage

record of the user terminal and the device thereof in accordance with the present

invention can display the usage index by extracting data communicated between

particular users using the user terminal and by processing the data through a

predetermined method.

The method for calculating the usage index using the usage record of the user

terminal and the device thereof in accordance with the present invention can display an

affection index by extracting data communicated between couples and partners using the

user terminal and by processing the data through a predetermined method.

The method for calculating the usage index using the usage record of the user

terminal and the device thereof in accordance with the present invention can encourage the communication of the user and contribute to the growth of the telecommunications

terminal in accordance with a predetermined method.

Claims

[CLAIMS]

[Claim 1 ]

A method for calculating a usage index using a usage record of a user terminal

by measuring voice or data calls used by the user terminal, the method comprising the

steps of:

(a) receiving a usage record of voice or data calls communicated between the

user terminal and a terminal of another predetermined user, wherein the usage record of

voice or data calls comprises at least one from a group consisting of a voice call volume,

the number of voice calls, the number of short messages and the number of multimedia

messages;

(b) storing the received usage record of voice or data calls in an analysis

database;

(c) extracting the stored usage record of voice or data calls; and

(d) calculating the usage index of the user terminal in accordance with a

predetermined equation using the extracted usage record of voice or data calls.

[Claim 2]

The method of Claim 1 , wherein the usage index comprises at least one from a

group consisting of a call volume index, a number of calls index, an SMS index and an

MMS index.

[Claim 3]

The method of Claim 2, wherein the usage record of voice or data calls further

comprises a sign-up status, and the usage index further comprises a sign-up index and a

number of calls bonus index.

[Claim 4]

The method of Claim 2, wherein the call volume index, the number of calls

index, the SMS index and the MMS index are determined by the following equations:

_ .. .. . . , ..... , „. CaI I Volume _{v or}. _N

CaI I Volume Index = MIN ( 30, X 30 ) Call Volume Threshold

.. . _* „ _I, , , ,,|_M / _OΛ Number of Calls _{v OΛ *}

Number of CaI Is Index = MIN ( 30, X 30 )

Number of Calls Threshold

niio i j _{H I M I} on Number of SMS _v ^„„ ,

SMS Index = MIN ( 30, X 30 )

SMS Threshold

MMS Index = MIN ( 10, ^{Nufπber θf MMS} X 10 )

MMS Threshold

whereas, MIN is an operator choosing a smaller of two numbers.

[Claim 5]

The method of Claim 1, further comprising, after the step (d), the step of (e)

transmitting the calculated usage index to the user terminal through the SMS or MMS.

[Claim 6]

The method of Claim 1, further comprising, after the step (d), the step of (f)

transmitting the calculated usage index to the user terminal through a web browser using

the wireless Internet.

[Claim 7]

The method of Claim 1, further comprising, after the step (d), the step of (g)

transmitting the calculated usage index to the user terminal in accordance with a

download request of an application using the wireless Internet.

[Claim 8]

The method of Claim 1, further comprising, after the step (d), the step of (h)

transmitting the calculated usage index to an application activated on a stand-by screen of

the user terminal.

[Claim 9]

The method of any of Claims 5-8, wherein the usage index is represented on the

user terminal by one from a group consisting of a number, a graph, a growing character

and a growing avatar.

[Claim 10]

A device for calculating a usage index using a usage record of a user terminal by

measuring voice or data calls used by the user terminal, the device comprising:

a communication unit, the communication unit receiving a usage record of voice

or data calls communicated between the user terminal and a terminal of another

short messages and the number of multimedia messages;

a storage unit, the storage unit storing the received usage record of voice or data

calls and an equation for calculating a usage index using the received usage record;

an extracting unit, the extracting unit extracting the stored usage record of voice

or data calls; and

a usage index calculation unit, the usage index calculation unit calculating a

usage index of the user terminal using the extracted usage record of voice or data calls and

the equation.

[Claim 11 ]

The device of Claim 10, wherein the storage unit stores at least one from a group

consisting of the voice call volume, the number of voice calls, the number of short messages and the number of multimedia messages per predetermined interval.

[Claim 12]

The device of Claim 10, wherein the usage index comprises at least one from a

MMS index.

[Claim 13]

The device of Claim 10, wherein the usage record of voice or data calls further

number of calls bonus index.

[Claim 14]

The device of Claim 10, wherein the call volume index, the number of calls

Cal l Vol ume I ndex = MI N ( 30, ^{Ca l} ' ^{Vθ l urπe} X 30 )

CaI I Volume Threshold

_M Numuber o *f n Ca _Ml ls i Ind _Λex = _M MiI_MN I ( 3 on0, Number of Cal ls _v X 3 _on0 » )

Number of Cal ls Threshold

S ouMSn . I nd_Jex = _H M_II _MN _/ ( 3 _on0, Number of SMS _v X 3 _OA0 _x )

SMS Threshol d MMS I ndex = MI N ( 10, ^{Nufnber θf MMS} X 10 )

MMS Threshold

whereas, MIN is an operator choosing a smaller of two numbers.

[Claim 15]

The device of Claim 10, wherein the communication unit transmits the

calculated usage index to the user terminal through the SMS or MMS.

[Claim 16]

The device of Claim 10, wherein the communication unit transmits the

calculated usage index to the user terminal through a web browser using the wireless

Internet.

[Claim 17]

The device of Claim 10, wherein the communication unit transmits the

calculated usage index to the user terminal in accordance with a download request of an

application using the wireless Internet.

[Claim 18]

The device of Claim 10, wherein the communication unit transmits the calculated usage index to an application activated on a stand-by screen of the user

terminal.

[Claim 19]

The device of Claim 15 or Claim 18, wherein the usage index is represented on

the user terminal by one from a group consisting of a number, a graph, a growing

character and a growing avatar.