Mobile station having a cost-efficient call management method and system

• US 6,185,413 B1
• Filed: 06/17/1997
• Issued: 02/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Unify GmbH & Co. KG (Atos SE)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG, Siemens Information And Communication Networks, Inc.
• Inventors: Sassin, Michael, Mueller, Wilhelm, King, Neal J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hunter, Daniel S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WYCHE, MYRON
• Application Number:
  US08/877,192
• Time in Patent Office: 1,330 Days
• Field of Search: 455/405, 455/414, 455/432, 455/419, 379/114
• US Class Current: 455/405
• 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: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A mobile station for transmitting a mobile radio signal to a base station has a memory device in which a number of available applications are stored which can relate to different “carriers,” i.e., mobile radio network systems or service providers within a single mobile radio network. A selection device of the mobile station calculates expected charges for a desired connection for each of these applications which are being considered for the transmission connection. Based upon the calculations, the most cost-efficient application for the desired transmission is selected. The actual transmission of the communication data for the base station is then carried out on the basis of this application.

Claims

1. A mobile station for transmitting communication data to a base station in accordance with at least one communication standard comprising:

memory means for storing charge data which correspond to at least two different applications, each application authorizing a user of the mobile station to transmit the communication data in accordance with the communication standard corresponding to the application with the aid of the mobile station;

a selection device for selecting a most cost-efficient application for a certain transmission connection depending on the charge data provided for each application and on the basis of a predetermined transmission duration to be expected, and

at least one transmitting and receiving unit for transmitting the communication data in accordance with the most cost-efficient application selected by the selection device

such that, after a destination code corresponding to the certain transmission connection has been entered and the most cost-effective application for the certain transmission connection has been selected, the entered destination code is correctable depending on the selected application when the selected application relates to a private branch exchange, in order to be able to carry out the transmission from the private branch exchange to the external base station.

2. The mobile station as recited in claim 1 wherein said mobile station is provided for transmitting the communication data according to at least two different communication standards, wherein each communication standard has a dedicated transmitting and receiving unit.

3. The mobile station as recited in claim 2 wherein said charge data stored in the memory means corresponds to at least two different service providers.

4. The mobile station as recited in claim 1 wherein said memory means in removable and interchangeable.

5. The mobile station as recited in claim 1 wherein said mobile station further comprises a receiving means for receiving the externally provided charge data for the individual applications stored in the memory means and for storing the received charge data in the memory means.

6. A method of selecting among a plurality of applications available to a mobile phone for establishing connectivity for outgoing calls comprising the steps of:

storing charge data in memory at said mobile phone such that said memory includes charge information for each of said applications;

receiving input of first call information at said mobile phone, said first call information being indicative of a first outgoing call to a destination phone;

accessing said charge data within said memory to determine costs relevant to utilizing said applications to establish connectivity for said first outgoing call;

selecting one of said applications based upon cost-efficiency in conducting said first outgoing call;

correcting, if necessary, the first call information in order to be able to carry out the transmission from a private branch exchange;

initiating said first outgoing call to said destination phone via said selected application.

7. The method as recited in claim 6 wherein said step of receiving input further comprises receiving identification of a phone number of a remote site that is to be called.

8. The method as recited in claim 7 wherein said step of initiating said first outgoing call further comprises forwarding said identification of said phone number to a service provider uniquely associated with said selected application.

9. The method as recited in claim 6 wherein said step of selecting one of said applications further comprises utilizing an estimate of a duration of said first outgoing call as a criterion for said selection based on cost-efficiency.

10. The method as recited in claim 6 wherein said step of selecting one of said applications further comprises utilizing distance between a base station serving said mobile phone and said destination phone as a criterion for said selection based on cost-efficiency.

11. The method as recited in claim 6 wherein said step of storing charge data further comprises storing charge information specific to a location of said mobile phone and to costs of conducting all sessions from said location via each of said applications.

12. The method as recited in claim 6 wherein said method further comprises the step of updating said charge data periodically by wireless reception of said charge data.