Method and system for multimedia messaging service (MMS) rating and billing

• US 20040252657A1
• Filed: 06/16/2003
• Published: 12/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Redknee Inc.
• Original Assignee: Redknee Inc.
• Inventors: Chan, Jacky, Lakhani, Shailesh
• Granted Patent: US 7,440,441 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/08 Metering calls to called party , i.e. B-party charged for the communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/53 using mediation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/57 for integrated multimedia messaging subsystem [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/7655 shared by technologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/77 involving multiple accounts per user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/772 per service, e.g. prepay or post-pay
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/80 Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/00 Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems using a coded card to authorise calls from a telephone set H04M1/675
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/10 Account details or usage
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0152 General billing plans, rate plans, e.g. charge rates, numbering plans, rate centers, customer accounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0172 Mediation, i.e. device or program to reformat CDRS from one or more switches in order to adapt to one or more billing programs formats
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2073 Multipoint, e.g. messaging, broadcast or group SMS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/208 IMS, i.e. Integrated Multimedia messaging Subsystem
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/22 Bandwidth or usage-sensitve billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/725 Shared by technologies, e.g. one account for different access technologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7254 Multiple accounts per user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7263 per service, e.g. prepay and post-pay
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0025 : Provisions for signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 : Accounting or billing

Abstract

The advances disclosed herewith delimit an improved method and system for smoothly rating and billing Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS). Implemented as part of a computer program product, the solution seeking the protection of Letters Patent, represents a comprehensive real-time solution for rating incoming and outgoing MMS messages which, with a view towards simplicity and efficacy of purpose, enables wireless/mobile subscribers to maintain a single account for both voice and messaging (MMS) services.

Claims

1. An improved method and system for Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) rating and billing.

2. The method of claim 1, whereby the invention interfaces with a Multimedia Messaging Service Center (MMSC) to permit real-time Mobile Originated (MO) MMS rating and charging before they are submitted to the relevant Service Control Point (SCP) as the per the ordinary routing of telecommunications in a GSM network.

3. The method of claim 2, whereby the invention disclosed makes a request to an Open Charging (OC) middleware platform and gateway system or similar type of method, system and/or apparatus designed to ensure prepaid subscribers have sufficient funds in their account which duly entitles them to the requested Multimedia Messaging Service(s).

4. The method of claim 1, whereby an improved and integrated series of rules are invoked and designed to sort, classify and/or rate MMS traffic.

5. The method of claim 4, where said rules are implemented as part of a computer program product, comprising:

a) a computer readable memory medium; and

b) a computer program including the logic required to implement the rules as such.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein such rules remain highly configurable and flexible given the dependencies and requirements in determining the MMS tariff for a given subscriber.

7. The method of claim 6, where such rules may include messaging type, origination/termination type, on/off-Net differentiation, content, size, quantity, duration, time of day/buckets/free transactions, configured promotions, inter alia.

8. The method of claims 3 and 4, whereby the given MMS traffic is rated accordingly as against the subscriber balance.

9. An improved method and system for Group Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) rating and billing.

10. The method claim 9, where Group Multimedia Messaging Service is defined as an MMS messages addressed to multiple recipients.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein in the logic of the invention determines the MMS delivery to be a Group Message by examining the number of recipients thereof.

12. The method of claim 9, whereby the invention interfaces with a Multimedia Messaging Service Center (MMSC) to permit real-time Mobile Originated (MO) MMS rating and charging before they are submitted to the relevant Service Control Point (SCP) as the per the ordinary routing of telecommunications in a GSM network.

13. The method of claim 12, whereby the invention disclosed makes a request to an Open Charging (OC) middleware platform and gateway system or similar type of method, system and/or apparatus designed to ensure prepaid subscribers have sufficient funds in their account to facilitate the requested Group Multimedia Messaging Service.

14. The method of claim 9, whereby an improved and integrated series of rules are invoked and designed to sort, classify and/or rate MMS traffic.

15. The method of claim 14, where said rules are implemented as part of a computer program product, comprising:

a) a computer readable memory medium; and

b) a computer program including the logic required to implement the rules as such.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein such rules remain highly configurable and flexible given the dependencies and requirements in determining the MMS tariff for a given subscriber.

17. The method of claim 16, where such rules may include messaging type, origination/termination type, on/off-Net differentiation, content, size, quantity, duration, time of day/buckets/free transactions, configured promotions, inter alia.

18. The method of claims 13 and 14, whereby the given Group MMS traffic is rated accordingly as against the MO subscriber balance.

19. The method of claim 18, where given the rating criteria and initiating (MO) subscriber balance (and so forth) the Group MMS is either delivered or barred in an all-or-none fashion.

20. The method of claim 19, where either a positive or negative acknowledgment is accordingly returned to the initiating (MO) subscriber.