Use of distinctive ringing in a wireless communication system to inform a called party of an increased billing rate

• US 6,332,075 B1
• Filed: 03/29/1999
• Issued: 12/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Verdonk, Timothy C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bost, Dwayne
• Assistant Examiner(s): CONTEE, JOY KIMBERLY
• Application Number:
  US09/280,261
• Time in Patent Office: 995 Days
• Field of Search: 455/406, 455/407, 455/408, 455/411, 455/414, 455/415, 455/418, 455/421, 455/422, 455/425, 455/432, 455/433, 455/550, 455/560, 455/561, 455/567, 455/575, 455/456, 455/457, 455/445, 379/373, 379/88.26, 379/142, 379/112
• 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 15/8038 Roaming or handoff
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/81 Dynamic pricing, e.g. change of tariff during call
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/041 Encoding the ringing signal, i.e. providing distinctive or selective ringing capability
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0112 Dynamic pricing, e.g. change of tariff during call
• 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 2215/34 Roaming
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7442 Roaming
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing

Abstract

A wireless communication system determines whether an increased billing rate will be applied for an incoming call by comparing an Originating Rate Center ID for the call with a current location of a mobile unit. Based upon this determination, the wireless communication center provides a distinctive ringing alert to a serviced mobile unit when an increased billing rate will be applied. An increased billing rate may be applied when the mobile unit terminates a call outside of its Home Zone and/or outside of the Orginating rate Center of the call. The user of the mobile unit may then elect to receive the call based upon the knowledge that the call is a increased billing rate call or a regular billing rate call.

Claims

1. A method of operating a wireless communication system, the method comprising:

receiving a call intended for a mobile unit serviced by the wireless communication system;

determining whether the call is an increased billing rate call or a regular billing rate call based upon a comparison between an Originating Rate Center ID for the call and a current location of the mobile unit;

completing the call to the mobile unit;

if the call is an increased billing rate call, providing a distinctive ringing alert signal to the mobile unit; and

if the mobile unit accepts the call, servicing the call to completion.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the call is an increased billing rate call or a regular billing rate call includes comparing the Originating Rate Center ID for the call and the identification of a base station serving the current location of the mobile unit.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the Originating Rate Center ID comprises:

a numbering plan area; and

an office code.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the call is an increased billing rate call or a regular billing rate call is determined using a Local Call Area Screening Table contained in a mobile switching center servicing the call.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

a first ring cadence is provided to the mobile unit if the call is an increased billing rate call;

a second ring cadence is provided to the mobile unit if the call is a regular billing rate call; and

the first ring cadence and the second ring cadence are stored in the mobile unit'"'"'s subscriber profile and downloaded to a mobile switching center servicing the call.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the call is an increased billing rate call or a regular rate call is also based upon a comparison between the current location of the mobile unit and a Home Zone of the mobile unit.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein determining whether the call is an increased billing rate call or a regular billing rate call is determined based upon an access of a Local Call Area Screening Table.

12. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein the serving mobile switching center determines whether the call is an increased billing rate call or a regular billing rate call based upon an access of a Local Call Area Screening Table.

8. A wireless communication system comprising:

an originating mobile switching center and a respective supporting infrastructure, the originating mobile switching center receiving a call intended for a mobile unit serviced by the wireless communication system, the originating mobile switching center determining an Originating Rate Center ID for the call;

a home location register that stores location information for the mobile unit; and

a serving mobile switching center and a respective supporting infrastructure;

the originating mobile switching center and the serving mobile switching center completing the call to the mobile unit;

the serving mobile switching center determining whether the call is an increased billing rate call based upon a comparison between the Originating Rate Center ID for the call and a current location of the mobile unit; and

if the call is an increased billing rate call, the serving mobile switching center providing a distinctive ringing alert signal to the mobile unit to indicate that the call is an increased billing rate call.

9. The wireless communication system of claim 8, wherein the serving mobile switching center determines whether the call is an increased billing rate call or a regular billing rate call by comparing the Originating Rate Center ID for the call and the identification of a base station serving a current location of the mobile unit.

10. The wireless communication system of claim 9, wherein the Originating Rate Center ID comprises:

a numbering plan area; and

an office code.

11. The wireless communication system of claim 10, wherein the serving mobile switching center determines whether the call is an increased billing rate call or a regular billing rate call based upon an access of a Local Call Area Screening Table.

13. The wireless communication system of claim 8, wherein the serving mobile switching center determines whether the call is an increased billing rate call or a regular rate call also based upon a comparison between the current location of the mobile unit and a Home Zone of the mobile unit.

14. The wireless communication system of claim 13, wherein the mobile switching center determines whether the call is an increased billing rate call or a regular billing rate call based upon an access of a Local Call Area Screening Table.

15. The wireless communication system of claim 8, wherein when the Originating Rate Center ID for the call indicates that the call originates from another mobile unit, the call is charged at a regular billing rate.

16. The wireless communication system of claim 8, further comprising a visitor location register coupled to the serving mobile switching center that stores subscriber information for the mobile unit.

17. The wireless communication system of claim 16, wherein the subscriber information identifies a Home Zone ID for the mobile unit.

18. The wireless communication system of claim 16, wherein the subscriber information indicates whether a distinctive ringing alert should be applied for increased billing rate calls.

19. The wireless communication system of claim 16, wherein the subscriber information indicates a ringing cadence to be applied for increased billing rate calls.

20. The wireless communication system of claim 19, wherein the subscriber information indicates a ringing cadence to be applied for regular billing rate calls.