Method and apparatus for billing a neighborhood cordless service

• US 6,243,572 B1
• Filed: 12/30/1998
• Issued: 06/05/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Russell, Jesse Eugene, Ying, Wenchu, Chow, Albert, Wang, Spencer
• Primary Examiner(s): Tsang, Fan
• Assistant Examiner(s): PEREZ GUTIERREZ, RAFAEL
• Application Number:
  US09/223,317
• Time in Patent Office: 888 Days
• Field of Search: 455/406, 455/408, 455/407, 455/410, 455/411, 455/432, 455/435, 455/462, 455/465, 455/463
• US Class Current: 455/408
• 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 15/8033 location-dependent, e.g. business or home
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8083 involving reduced rates or discounts, e.g. time-of-day reductions or volume discounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0184 involving reduced rates or discounts, e.g. time-of-day reductions, volume discounts, cell discounts, group billing, frequent calling destination(s) or user history list
• 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: H04M 2215/7435 Location dependent, e.g. Bussiness or home
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/04 using triggered events
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/28 Number portability ; Network address portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B

Abstract

A method for providing a local cordless service comprises the steps of receiving subscriber neighborhood zone selection input so that a mobile telephone equipped subscriber may place or receive calls for a fixed rate, for example, per month without having to pay radio frequency air time charges any time they are located within their selected subscribed-to zones. If the subscribed-to zones are adjacent to one another and the mobile subscriber roams from one zone to another, the subscriber may continue their free call uninterrupted and without paying air time charges. However, when the subscriber roams outside their subscribed-to zones they may be switched from the present local cordless services to conventional personal communications services and pay air time charges. However for an active call, no air-time charges are incurred as the user transitions between the cellular/DPCS environment and the local cordless service environment. Associated apparatus comprises an IBS for automatically changing radio frequency channels as the subscriber roams within a subscribed-to neighborhood zone, roams to another subscribed-to zone or roams outside a subscribed-to zone. Subscribers may choose to use their mobile identification number, their current directory telephone number for wired public switched telephone service or obtain a new directory number. Subscribers can actuate their service over-the-air automatically without service personnel assistance from their home neighborhood zone.

Claims

1. A method of billing a local cordless service to a subscriber having a mobile wireless station for communicating with a radio base station serving a plurality of said subscriber to said service comprising the steps of:

collecting subscriber profile data at a network server platform and associated database, said subscriber profile data including their selection of one of their current directory number, a new mobile identification number, and their current mobile identification number;

generating a feature code comprising a unique data word;

providing said subscriber with said feature code;

receiving subscriber selection criteria of at least one selected zone, said radio base station for radiating and receiving radio frequencies for communication with said mobile wireless station;

responsive to receiving a wireless communication including said provided feature code from said subscriber from said one selected zone, actuating said local cordless service over-the-air if said provided feature code matches said generated feature code; and

billing for said services periodically at one flat rate for calls from said at least one selected zone regardless of air time used.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

receiving subscriber selection criteria of a selected second zone, said selected second zone overlapping said at least one selected zone; and

billing at said one flat rate for calls regardless of air time used per service period for using said mobile wireless station when said mobile wireless station is located within one of said one selected zone and said overlapping selected second zone.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

receiving subscriber selection criteria of at least one of a selected second zone, said selected second zone being located remote from said at least one selected zone; and

billing an additional flat rate for calls regardless of air time used per service period for using said mobile wireless station when said mobile wireless station is located within said selected second zone being located remote from said at least one selected zone.

4. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein said at least one remote second zone being one of a plurality of remote second zones.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein said mobile wireless station communicating with said radio base station having a communications radius of one of;

one half mile to one mile, one mile to one and a one half mile, one and one half mile to two miles, two miles to four miles, four miles to seven miles, and seven miles to ten miles.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, further comprising the step of:

collecting point-of-sale data at said network server platform at the time of purchase by said subscriber of said mobile wireless station including a unique electronic serial identification number.

7. The method as recited in claim 6, further comprising the steps of:

establishing a personal identification number during a registration process; and

actuating said local cordless service only if an entered personal identification number matches said established personal identification number.

8. The method as recited in claim 7, further comprising the step of:

downloading a number assignment module responsive to said subscriber profile data prior to actuating local cordless service.

9. A method of billing a local cordless service to a subscriber having a mobile wireless station for communicating with a radio base station serving a plurality of said subscriber to said service comprising the steps of:

collecting subscriber profile data at a server and associated database, said subscriber profile data including their selection of one of their current directory number, a new mobile identification number and their current mobile identification number;

generating a feature code comprising a unique data word;

providing said subscriber with said feature code;

receiving subscriber selection criteria of at least one selected zone, said radio base station for radiating and receiving radio frequencies for communication with said mobile wireless station;

responsive to receiving a wireless communication including said provided feature code from said subscriber from said one selected zone, actuating said local cordless service over-the-air if said provided feature code matches said generated feature code; and

billing for said services periodically at one flat rate for calls from said at least one selected zone regardless of air time used.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the server is at least one of a network server platform and an intelligent server.