Flexible rating rules and calender rules implemented in a real-time charging system for a telecommunications network
First Claim
1. A real-time charging system for use in a telecommunications system having one or more subscribers, comprising:
- service logic for processing a service request from a requesting subscriber of the one or more subscribers;
a rating rules database having one or more rating rules;
a tag based on network provided data, configuration data, and subscriber data of the requesting subscriber;
a rating engine in communication with the service logic for determining a charge for the requested service based on the tag and one of the one or more rating rules from the rating rules database; and
one or more balance buckets for tracking a balance of the requested service, and one or more usage buckets for tracking a usage of the requested service, each of said one or more balance buckets and one or more usage buckets created by the rating engine based on the one of the one or more rating rules.
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Accused Products
Abstract
By coupling a rating engine with call processing, rating rules are generated that enable a flexible interface between call process and call rating without necessitating that fixed data be passed between them. The real time charging system (RCS) provides a process that creates a generic entity, called a bucket, and uses it to keep track of account information and/or to count types of usage. The bucket allows an operator to define accounts and usage counters and how they are used as part of the rating rules. Use of these buckets is defined in rating rules, thus turning control over subscriber account and usage counters to the network operator. Further, the RCS provides a calendar option for limiting times during which calls to general telephone numbers can be made or received.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A real-time charging system for use in a telecommunications system having one or more subscribers, comprising:
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service logic for processing a service request from a requesting subscriber of the one or more subscribers;
a rating rules database having one or more rating rules;
a tag based on network provided data, configuration data, and subscriber data of the requesting subscriber;
a rating engine in communication with the service logic for determining a charge for the requested service based on the tag and one of the one or more rating rules from the rating rules database; and
one or more balance buckets for tracking a balance of the requested service, and one or more usage buckets for tracking a usage of the requested service, each of said one or more balance buckets and one or more usage buckets created by the rating engine based on the one of the one or more rating rules. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of real-time charging for services in a telecommunications system having one or more subscribers, said method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a service request from a requesting subscriber;
creating a tag based on network information, configuration data, and subscriber data of the requesting subscriber;
passing the tag and the service request to a rating engine having one or more rating rules;
determining a charge for the requested service based on one of the one or more rating rules and the tag; and
using the rating engine and the one of the one or more rating rules to create one or more balance buckets for tracking a balance of the requested service and one or more usage buckets for tracking a usage of the requested service. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification