Method for transmitting tariff data to a subscriber unit

• US 5,848,138 A
• Filed: 07/22/1996
• Issued: 12/08/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nokia Telecommunications Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Telecommunications Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Liinamaa, Olli, Vehmer, Seppo, Sarpola, Jussi, Asujamaa, Hannu, Pentikainen, Heimo, Heikkila, Vesa, Rusi, Pekka, Taskila, Ari-Pekka
• Primary Examiner(s): Isen, Forester W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, DUC MINH
• Application Number:
  US08/676,395
• Time in Patent Office: 869 Days
• Field of Search: 379/143-144, 379/146, 379/151, 379/154-155, 379/131-132, 379/124, 379/128, 379/111-114, 455/465, 455/407-408, 455/406-409
• US Class Current: 379/114.01
• 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 15/28 with meter at substation or with calculation of charges at terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/81 Dynamic pricing, e.g. change of tariff during call
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/88 Provision for limiting connection, or expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/02 Coin-freed or check-freed systems , e.g. mobile- or card-operated phones, public telephones or booths
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0112 Dynamic pricing, e.g. change of tariff during call
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0116 Provision for limiting expenditure, e.g. limit on call expenses or account
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/14 WLL [Wireless Local Loop]; RLL [Radio Local Loop]

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for transmitting tariff data via radio-frequency signals to a chargeable subscriber unit (1) communicating with a telecommunication network (7). In order to charge the user of the subscriber unit as fairly as possible, a tariff frame corresponding to a lump sum is transmitted to the subscriber unit (1), charge-metering signals received from the telecommunication network (7) are counted, and when the monetary value corresponding to the number of the counted charge-metering signals exceeds a predetermined threshold value, a new tariff frame corresponding to a lump sum is transmitted to the subscriber unit (1). The invention also relates to a system where the method according to the invention can be applied.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting tariff data via radio-frequency signals to a chargeable subscriber unit communicating with a telecommunication network, the method comprising:

transmitting a first tariff frame to the chargeable subscriber unit, the first tariff frame corresponding to a first tariff rate for at least a portion of a call;

counting charge-metering signals received from the telecommunication network; and

transmitting a second tariff frame to the chargeable subscriber unit when a monetary value, corresponding to a number of the counted charge-metering signals counted since the first tariff frame was transmitted to the chargeable subscriber unit exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the second tariff frame corresponding to a second tariff rate for at least a portion of the call.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined threshold value is a value corresponding to the first tariff rate.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

analyzing, before the first tariff frame is transmitted, a set of numbers dialed by the chargeable subscriber unit; and

selecting the first tariff frame, determined for the set of numbers for transmission, wherein

the telecommunication network is a public switched telephone network.

4. A radio system providing a wireless local loop, the radio system comprising:

at least one base station;

a chargeable subscriber unit connected to one of the at least one base station by radio frequency signals;

a subscriber network element transmitting calls between the chargeable subscriber unit and a telecommunication system through the one of the at least one base station, the subscriber network element comprising;

means for transmitting telecommunication signals between the telecommunication system and the chargeable subscriber unit;

a counter arranged in connection with the subscriber network element to count charge-metering signals transmitted by the telecommunication system; and

a memory device arranged in connection with the subscriber network element to indicate a tariff frame corresponding to a set of numbers dialed by the chargeable subscriber unit, the subscriber network element further comprising means, responsive to the counter, arranged to retrieve from the memory device the tariff frame to be transmitted to the chargeable subscriber unit when a connection is established and when a monetary value, corresponding to a number of the charge-metering signals counted by the counter exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

5. A radio system according to claim 4, wherein the telecommunication system is the public switched telephone network.

6. A radio system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the chargeable subscriber unit comprises:

a terminal equipment comprising

a signal generator responsive to the tariff frame transmitted to the chargeable subscriber unit, for generating metering signals and for feeding the metering signals to a user interface, a number of the metering signals to be generated depending on the transmitted tariff frame.

7. A radio system according to claim 6, wherein the user interface is a pay phone.

8. A radio system according to claim 6, wherein the pay phone is operated by at least one of a coin and a credit card.

9. A radio system according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined threshold value is an amount corresponding to a value represented by the tariff frame.

10. A radio system according to claim 6, wherein the user interface is a telefax terminal.

11. A radio system according to claim 10, wherein the telefax terminal is operated by at least one of a coin and a credit card.