Dynamic charging for telecommunications services in accordance with the load condition of the network

• US 5,991,378 A
• Filed: 08/13/1997
• Issued: 11/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alcatel SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Alcatel SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Apel, Ulrich
• Primary Examiner(s): LOOMIS, PAUL A
• Application Number:
  US08/910,180
• Time in Patent Office: 832 Days
• Field of Search: 379/114, 379/115, 379/119, 379/120, 379/121, 379/130, 379/111, 379/112, 379/116, 455/406, 455/407, 455/408
• US Class Current: 379/114.06
• 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 15/81 Dynamic pricing, e.g. change of tariff during call
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0112 Dynamic pricing, e.g. change of tariff during call
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1313 Metering, billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13164 Traffic (registration, measurement,...)
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13166 Fault prevention
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1338 Inter-exchange connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0016 Arrangements providing connection between exchanges

Abstract

Method and system for setting a charge in a telecommunication network The present invention relates to a method and a system (TZ) for setting a charge for a communication service in a telecommunication network (T). It is proposed to dynamically change the charge in accordance with a presettable criterion. It is further proposed that the traffic load of the telecommunication network T preferably represents such a presettable criterion.

Claims

1. A method for setting the charge for using a communication service in a telecommunication network (T), wherein the charge for using the communication service is set dynamically by the network in accordance with at least one criterion of the network and wherein the communication service is used by a subscriber (A) dependent on at least one charge limit preset by the subscriber (A) and on the charges set dynamically for using communication service, characterized in that subscriber (A) is offered a selection of several communication services differently configured for the subscriber (A) in accordance with the charge limit preset by the subscriber (A).

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that a presettable criterion is the traffic load of the telecommunication network (T).

3. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that there is defined a timing pulse which is used for regularly updating the information relating to the traffic load of the telecommunication network (T), that a first information relating to the traffic load of the telecommunication network (T) is determined, that a second information relating to the additional traffic load of the telecommunication network (T) caused by the proposed use of the communication service is determined, and that the charge for using the communication service is set dependent on the first and second information.

4. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that an information relating to the charge for using the communication service is made available to a subscriber (A) who intends to use the communication service.

5. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that a minimum and/or maximum charge is set for using the communication service.

6. A method according to claim 5, characterized in that the charge for using the communication service is also changed during the time period when the subscriber (A) uses the communication service.

7. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that an information relating to the charge for using the communication service is made available to a subscriber (A) who intends to use the communication service.

8. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that a minimum and/or maximum charge is set for using the communication service.

9. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the charge for using the communication service is also changed during the time period when the subscriber (A) uses the communication service.

10. A system (TZ) for setting a charge to a subscriber (A) for using a communication service in a telecommunication network (T), the system comprising means (GM) for having the charge for using the communication service set dynamically by the network in accordance with at least one presetable criterion and means for offering a selection of differently configured communication services, characterized in that means for having the charge for using the communication service set (GM) are constructed in such a way as to offer the selection of communication services configured differently for subscriber in accordance with a charge limit preset by the subscriber (A).