Method and apparatus for comparing communication service plans based on usage statistics

• US 6,631,185 B1
• Filed: 06/22/2000
• Issued: 10/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ovonyx Memory Technology, LLC
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Fleming, Hoyt A. III
• Primary Examiner(s): TIEU, BINH KIEN
• Application Number:
  US09/602,204
• Time in Patent Office: 1,202 Days
• Field of Search: 379/111, 379/112.01, 379/112.07, 379/114.01, 379/114.02, 379/114.03, 379/114.05, 379/114.13, 379/121.02, 379/121.06, 379/114.1, 379/114.12, 379/124, 379/126
• US Class Current: 379/121.02
• 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 15/55 for hybrid networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/58 based on statistics of usage or network monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/745 Customizing according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. friends or family
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/80 Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8044 Least cost routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/805 Bidding
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8083 involving reduced rates or discounts, e.g. time-of-day reductions or volume discounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0108 Customization according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. customer preferences, friends and family, selecting services or billing options, Personal Communication Systems [PCS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0152 General billing plans, rate plans, e.g. charge rates, numbering plans, rate centers, customer accounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0168 On line or real-time flexible customization or negotiation according to wishes of subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0176 Billing arrangements using internet
• 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 2215/0188 Network monitoring; statistics on usage on called/calling number
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/42 Least cost routing, i.e. provision for selecting the lowest cost tariff
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/44 Charging/billing arrangements for connection made over different networks, e.g. wireless and PSTN, ISDN, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/745 Least cost routing, e.g. Automatic or manual, call by call or by preselection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7457 Biding

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that automatically determines which communication service plan is the most cost effective for a communication device. The system operates by receiving usage statistics for the communication device, as well as a set of available service plans for the communication device. The system uses the usage statistics to calculate charges for the available service plans in order to determine the most cost-effective service plan, and then communicates results of the determination to an interested party. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system charges the interested party a fee for providing the results of the determination. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system additionally receives a request to switch a current service plan to an alternate service plan, and then switches the current service plan to the alternate service plan. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system additionally displays an ad to the interested party and collects advertising revenue for the advertisement.

Claims

1. A method for comparing communication service plans for a communication device based on statistics on measured usage for the communication device, comprising:

receiving statistics on measured usage of the communication device during a time period;

receiving a set of available service plans for the communication device;

calculating periodic charges for each service plan from the set of available service plans based on the statistics on measured usage;

determining if staying with a current service plan from the set of available service plans results in a lower cost than switching from the current service plan;

communicating results of the determination to an interested party; and

charging the interested party for providing the results of the determination.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying an advertisement to the interested party; and

collecting a fee for displaying the advertisement.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining if staying with the current service plan results in a lower cost includes factoring in costs associated with switching the current service plan.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a request to switch the current service plan to an alternate service plan.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising switching the current service plan to the alternate service plan.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising charging the interested party if the current service plan is switched.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising charging a service provider a referral fee if the current service plan is switched to a plan provided by the service provider.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of available service plans is received from a database.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of available service plans includes service plans from the same service provider.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of available service plans includes service plans from a plurality of service providers.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the interested party is an account holder for the communication device.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the interested party is a third party other than an account holder for the communication device.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the statistics on measured usage of the communication device are received electronically.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the statistics on measured usage of the communication device are received through manual input.

15. A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for comparing communication service plans for a communication device based on statistics on measured usage for the communication device, the method comprising:

receiving statistics on measured usage of the communication device during a time period;

receiving a set of available service plans for the communication device;

calculating periodic charges for each service plan from the set of available service plans based on the statistics on measured usage;

determining if staying with a current service plan from the set of available service plans results in a lower cost than switching from the current service plan;

communicating results of the determination to an interested party; and

charging the interested party for providing the results of the determination.

16. The computer-readable storage medium of claims 15, wherein the method further comprises displaying an advertisement to the interested party and collecting a fee for displaying the advertisement.

17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein determining if staying with the current service plan results in a lower cost includes factoring in costs associated with switching the current service plan.

18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the method further comprises receiving a request to switch the current service plan to an alternate service plan.

19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the method further comprises switching the current service plan to the alternate service plan.

20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the method further comprises charging the interested party if the current service plan is switched.

21. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the method further comprises charging a service provider a referral fee if the current service plan is switched to a plan provided by the service provider.

22. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the set of available service plans is received from a database.

23. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the set of available service plans includes service plans from the same service provider.

24. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the set of available service plans includes service plans from a plurality of service providers.

25. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the interested party is an account holder for the communication device.

26. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the interested party is a third party other than an account holder for the communication device.

27. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the statistics on measured usage of the communication device are received electronically.

28. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the statistics on measured usage of the communication device are received through manual input.

29. An apparatus that compares communication service plans for a communication device based on statistics on measured usage for the communication device, the apparatus comprising:

an input mechanism that is configured to receive statistics on measured usage of the communication device during a time period;

wherein the input mechanism is additionally configured to receive a set of available service plans for the communication device;

a calculation mechanism that calculates periodic charges for each service plan from the set of available service plans based on the statistics on measured usage;

a determination mechanism that determines if staying with a current service plan results in a lower cost than switching from the current service plan;

a communication mechanism that communicates results of the determination to an interested party; and

a billing mechanism that is configured to charge the interested party for providing the results of the determination.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising a display mechanism that is configured to display an advertisement to the interested party and to collect a fee for displaying the advertisement.

31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the determination mechanism is configured to factor in costs associated with switching the current service plan.

32. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the input mechanism is additionally configured to receive a request to switch the current service plan to an alternate service plan.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising a switching mechanism that is configured to switch the current service plan to the alternate service plan.

34. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising a billing mechanism that is configured to charge the interested party if the current service plan is switched.

35. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising a billing mechanism that is configured to charge a service provider a referral fee if the current service plan is switched to a plan provided by the service provider.

36. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the input mechanism is configured to receive the set of available service plans from a database.

37. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the set of available service plans includes service plans from the same service provider.

38. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the set of available service plans includes service plans from a plurality of service providers.

39. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the interested party is an account holder for the communication device.

40. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the interested party is a third party other than an account holder for the communication device.

41. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the input mechanism is configured to receive the statistics on measured usage of the communication device electronically.

42. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the input mechanism is configured to receive the statistics on measured usage of the communication device through manual input.