Mobile terminal based tariff acquisition system for wireless services

• US 6,101,379 A
• Filed: 08/29/1997
• Issued: 08/08/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Optis Wireless Technology, LLC (Brevet Capital)
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Rahman, Tariq, McDonald, Laurence
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost, William G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GELIN, JEAN ALLAND
• Application Number:
  US08/921,030
• Time in Patent Office: 1,075 Days
• Field of Search: 455/405, 455/406, 455/407, 455/408, 455/414, 455/432, 455/435, 455/445, 455/433, 455/444, 379/114, 379/115, 379/121, 379/144, 379/59
• US Class Current: 455/406
• 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 15/8044 Least cost routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/42 Least cost routing, i.e. provision for selecting the lowest cost tariff
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/745 Least cost routing, e.g. Automatic or manual, call by call or by preselection
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0045 involving hybrid, i.e. a mixture of public and private, or multi-vendor systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service

Abstract

A method of acquiring potential tariff charges assessed by wireless service providers to a mobile subscriber prior to registration is disclosed herein. The method includes transmitting a request for tariff information by the mobile terminal over a control channel to a candidate service provider. The candidate service provider determines an applicable tariff charge based on various factors such as roaming status, compulsory fees etc. The ensuing tariff charge is then transmitted back to the mobile terminal via the control channel. Subsequent tariff inquiries are made to other potential candidate service providers accessible by the mobile terminal. Once tariff information from all candidate service providers has been received, the mobile terminal may initiate registration e.g. with the cheapest service provider. The tariff information is able to be obtained prior to registering with a service provider, thus costs associated with registration are eliminated.

Claims

1. A method of acquiring tariff charges assessed by a plurality of wireless services providers by a mobile terminal prior to registration, said method comprising the steps of:

transmitting a request for tariff information by said mobile terminal to said plurality of service providers, said request including subscriber identification information;

determining a tariff charge applicable to said mobile terminal based on a status of a subscriber identified by said subscriber identification information by each of said plurality of service providers;

transmitting said applicable tariff charge for each of said plurality of service providers to said mobile terminal; and

selectively registering said mobile terminal with one of said plurality of service providers based on said applicable tariff charge.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said transmitting request step includes sending said tariff request message over a control channel.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said subscriber identification information is the mobile identification number (MIN) of the mobile terminal.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said determining step includes ascertaining the existence of a roaming agreement with the home service provider of the mobile terminal.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein said second transmitting step includes sending said applicable tariff charge over a control channel to the mobile terminal.

6. A method of obtaining wireless telecommunication service with a service provider from at least two candidate service providers that are accessible by a mobile terminal, said method comprising the steps of:

transmitting a request for tariff information from a mobile terminal to a first service provider, said request including subscriber identification information;

determining a first tariff charge for said mobile terminal by said first service provider based on a status of a subscriber associated with said subscriber identification information;

transmitting said first tariff charge from said first service provider to said mobile terminal;

transmitting a request for tariff information from said mobile terminal to a second service provider, said request including subscriber identification information;

determining a second tariff charge for said mobile terminal by said second service provider based on a status of a subscriber associated with said subscriber identification information;

transmitting said second tariff charge from said second service provider to said mobile terminal;

evaluating said first tariff charge and said second tariff charge;

selecting one of said service providers based on said transmitted tariff charges; and

registering with said selected service provider.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein said transmitting steps occurs over an appropriate control channel.

8. A method according to claim 6 wherein said determining step includes ascertaining the terms of a roaming agreement with the home service provider of said mobile terminal.

9. A method according to claim 6 wherein said selecting step includes selecting the service provider associated with the lowest tariff charge.

10. A method according to claim 6 wherein said registering step is automatically performed by said mobile terminal.

11. A method according to claim 6 wherein said registering step is manually performed by the subscriber after said charges are displayed on said mobile terminal.

12. A method according to claim 6 wherein said registering step proceeds in accordance with registration procedures defined in the current operating standard.

13. A tariff acquisition system for receiving tariff information by a mobile terminal from at least one wireless service provider comprising;

a mobile terminal which transmits a request for tariff information including subscriber identification information to said service provider;

a tariff calculation function for determining a tariff charge for said mobile terminal based on a status of a subscriber associated with said subscriber identification information; and

a control channel for conveying said tariff information request from said mobile terminal to said service provider and wherein said tariff charge is conveyed from said service provider to said mobile terminal, wherein following receipt of said tariff charge, said mobile terminal initiates a registration procedure with a preferred service provider.

14. A tariff acquisition system according to claim 13 wherein said tariff charge is displayed on said mobile terminal.