Apparatus and method for providing dynamic communications network traffic control

• US 7,006,831 B2
• Filed: 09/27/2002
• Issued: 02/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Meadows, Vernon, Matz, William R., O'Neil, Douglas R., Bacon, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): BEAMER, TEMICA M
• Application Number:
  US10/261,132
• Publication Number:
  US 20040072574A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,250 Days
• Field of Search: 455/453, 455/450, 455/451, 455/452.1, 455/414, 455/405, 455/406, 455/408
• US Class Current: 455/453
• 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 15/80 Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8016 based on quality of service [QoS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8083 involving reduced rates or discounts, e.g. time-of-day reductions or volume discounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/81 Dynamic pricing, e.g. change of tariff during call
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0112 Dynamic pricing, e.g. change of tariff during call
• 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 2215/0184 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 2215/7414 QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0247 based on conditions of the access network or the infrastructure network central resource management H04W28/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/06 based on traffic conditions

Abstract

Systems and methods for controlling traffic on a communications network include dynamic and flexible control plans that enable service providers to control or influence customer access to communications facilities. Communications facilities are monitored to identify network elements, such as cell sites, that are overloaded. When the traffic intensity on a particular facility exceeds a predetermined level, either active or passive control is imposed on subscribers that are in the geographic area of the facility. Active control involves blocking, delaying or disrupting subscriber calls during the critical time period. Passive control involves providing cost incentives or disincentives during low or peak periods of traffic intensity. Customers are notified of the commencement and/or termination of active or passive control preferably via SMS. When implemented with stationary cellular service, the systems and methods aid in traffic engineering and provide opportunities for customers to reduce the cost and increase the accessibility of telephone service.

Claims

1. A traffic control system for controlling traffic on a communications network, the system comprising:

a network control center that receives traffic data associated with at least one element of the communications network, and relays the traffic data to a traffic engineering database;

a traffic engineering database that stores the traffic data; and

a traffic control application that, for each of the network elements;

extracts traffic data corresponding to the network element from the traffic engineering database;

determines a traffic control measure to be imposed in a geographic location associated with the network element, based upon the traffic data corresponding to the network element wherein the traffic control measure includes;

altering a cost of placing calls from communications devices associated with a subscriber identifier to be controlled and the geographic location; and

preventing each of the communications devices from exceeding maximums for at least one of a number of calls placed or a duration of calls placed; and

retrieves a list containing each communications device associated with a subscriber identifier to be controlled and the geographic location, wherein each subscriber identifier associated with a communications device indicates a degree of control the traffic control measure exerts on that communications device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the traffic control application further implements the traffic control measure with respect to the communications devices retrieved on the list.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the traffic data indicates that a traffic intensity at the network element is outside of a predetermined range.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the network control center sends a message to the communications devices when the traffic control measure is implemented.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the network control center sends a message to the communications devices when the traffic control measure is terminated.

6. The system of claim 4 or 5, wherein the message is an SMS message.

7. The system of claim 4 or 5, wherein the message is a call.

8. The system of claim 4 or 5, wherein the message causes the communications devices to vibrate.

9. The system of claim 4 or 5, wherein the message causes the communications devices to emit a tone.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the communications devices is a telephone.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the communications devices is a wireless device.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the communications devices is a stationary cellular device.

13. A method for implementing rates based on traffic on a communications network, comprising:

monitoring traffic intensity of a plurality of network elements;

if the traffic intensity at a selected network element is outside a predetermined range, retrieving a list of affected communications devices wherein the affected communications devices comprise all communications devices that are associated with the network element; and

implementing a traffic control measure according to a control plan associated with each affected communications device wherein the control plan varies among the affected communications devices according to a degree of control exerted by the traffic control measure on each affected communications device;

wherein the traffic control measure includes preventing each of the affected communications devices from exceeding maximums for at least one of a number of calls placed or a duration of calls placed.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the traffic control measure further includes altering a cost of placing a call from each of the affected communications devices.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising sending a message to each of the affected communications devices to indicate that the traffic control measure is in effect.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein sending the message comprises sending an SMS message to each of the affected communications devices.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein sending the message comprises placing a call.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein sending the message comprises causing the affected communications devices to vibrate.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein sending the message comprises causing the affected communications devices to emit a tone.

20. A traffic control system for controlling traffic on a communications network, the system comprising:

a network control center that receives traffic data associated with at least one element of the communications network, and relays the traffic data to a traffic engineering database;

a traffic engineering database that stores the traffic data; and

a traffic control application that, for each of the network elements;

extracts traffic data corresponding to the network element from the traffic engineering database;

determines at least one traffic control measure to be imposed in a geographic location associated with the network element, based upon the traffic data corresponding to the network element wherein the traffic control measure includes preventing each of the affected communications devices from exceeding maximums for at least one of a number of calls placed or a duration of calls placed;

retrieves a list of the affected communications devices wherein the affected communications devices comprise each communication device associated with a subscriber identifier to be controlled and associated with the geographic location, and wherein the subscriber identifier associated with each affected communications device indicates a degree of control the traffic control measure exerts on that affected communications device; and

implements the traffic control measure with respect to the affected communications devices.

21. A traffic control system for controlling traffic on a communications network, the system comprising:

a network control center that receives traffic data associated with at least one element of the communications network, and relays the traffic data to a traffic engineering database;

a traffic engineering database that stores the traffic data; and

a traffic control application that, for each of the network elements;

extracts traffic data corresponding to the network element from the traffic engineering database;

determines at least one traffic control measure to be imposed in a geographic location associated with the network element, based upon the traffic data corresponding to the network element;

retrieves a list of affected communications devices wherein the affected communications devices comprise each communication device associated with a subscriber identifier to be controlled and associated with the geographic location, and wherein the subscriber identifier associated with each affected communications device indicates a degree of control the traffic control measure exerts on that affected communications device; and

implements the traffic control measure with respect to the affected communications devices wherein the traffic control measure prevents the affected communications devices from placing calls.

22. A traffic control system for controlling traffic on a communications network, the system comprising:

a network control center that receives traffic data associated with at least one element of the communications network, and relays the traffic data to a traffic engineering database;

a traffic engineering database that stores the traffic data; and

a traffic control application that, for each of the network elements;

extracts traffic data corresponding o the network element from the traffic engineering database;

determines at least one traffic control measure to be imposed in a geographic location associated with the network element, based upon the traffic data corresponding to the network element;

retrieves a list of affected communications devices wherein the affected communications devices comprise each communication device associated with a subscriber identifier to be controlled and associated with the geographic location, and wherein the subscriber identifier associated with each affected communications device indicates a degree of control the traffic control measure exerts on that affected communications device; and

implements the traffic control measure with respect to the affected communications devices wherein the traffic control measure alters a cost of placing calls from the affected communications devices and prevents each of the affected communications devices from exceeding maximums for at least one of a number of calls placed or a duration of calls placed.

23. A traffic control system for controlling traffic on a communications network, the system comprising:

a network control center that receives traffic data associated with at least one element of the communications network, and relays the traffic data to a traffic engineering database;

a traffic engineering database that stores the traffic data; and

a traffic control application that, for each of the network elements;

extracts traffic data corresponding to the network element from the traffic engineering database; and

determines at least one traffic control measure to be imposed in a geographic location associated with the network element, based upon the traffic data corresponding to the network element;

retrieves a list of affected communications devices wherein the affected communications devices comprise each communication device associated with a subscriber identifier to be controlled and associated with the geographic location, and wherein the subscriber identifier associated with each affected communications device indicates a degree of control the traffic control measure exerts on that affected communications device; and

implements the traffic control measure with respect to the affected communications devices wherein the traffic control measure prevents each of the affected communications devices from exceeding maximums for at least one of a number of calls placed or a duration of calls placed and wherein the network control center sends a message to the affected communications devices when the traffic control measure is implemented.

24. A traffic control system for controlling traffic on a communications network, the system comprising:

a network control center that receives traffic data associated with at least one element of the communications network, and relays the traffic data to a traffic engineering database;

a traffic engineering database that stores the traffic data; and

a traffic control application that, for each of the network elements;

extracts traffic data corresponding to the network element from the traffic engineering database;

determines at least one traffic control measure to be imposed in a geographic location associated with the network element, based upon the traffic data corresponding to the network element;

retrieves a list of affected communications devices wherein the affected communications devices comprise each communication device associated with a subscriber identifier to be controlled and associated with the geographic location, and wherein the subscriber identifier associated with each affected communications device indicates a degree of control the traffic control measure exerts on that affected communications device; and

implements the traffic control measure with respect to the affected communications devices wherein the traffic control measure prevents each of the affected communications devices from exceeding maximums for at least one of a number of calls placed or a duration of calls placed and wherein the network control center sends a message to the affected communications devices when the traffic control measure is terminated.

25. A traffic control system for controlling traffic on a cellular network, the system comprising:

a plurality of cellular facilities;

a network control center that;

receives occupancy data associated with each cellular facility;

determines traffic intensity at each cellular facility; and

relays the traffic intensity to a traffic engineering database;

a traffic engineering database that stores traffic intensity; and

a traffic control application that;

extracts the traffic intensity corresponding to a selected cellular facility from the traffic engineering database;

determines at least one traffic control measure to be imposed in a geographic location associated with the selected cellular facility, based upon the traffic intensity corresponding to the selected cellular facility;

retrieves a list of affected cellular devices wherein the affected cellular devices include all cellular devices having a subscriber identifier to be controlled and associated with the geographic location associated with the selected cellular facility; and

implements the traffic control measure with respect to the affected cellular devices wherein the traffic control measure prevents each of the affected cellular devices from exceeding maximums for at least one of a number of calls placed or a duration of calls placed.

26. A traffic control system for controlling traffic on a cellular network, the system comprising:

a plurality of cellular facilities;

a network control center that;

receives occupancy data associated with each cellular facility;

determines traffic intensity at each cellular facility; and

relays the traffic intensity to a traffic engineering database;

a traffic engineering database that stores traffic intensity; and

a traffic control application that;

extracts the traffic intensity corresponding to a selected cellular facility from the traffic engineering database;

determines at least one traffic control measure to be imposed in a geographic location associated with the selected cellular facility, based upon the traffic intensity corresponding to the selected cellular facility;

retrieves a list of affected cellular devices wherein the affected cellular devices include all cellular devices having a subscriber identifier to be controlled and associated with the geographic location associated with the selected cellular facility; and

implements the traffic control measure with respect to the affected cellular devices wherein the traffic control measure prevents the affected cellular devices from placing calls.

27. A traffic control system for controlling traffic on a cellular network, the system comprising:

a plurality of cellular facilities;

a network control center that;

receives occupancy data associated with each cellular facility;

determines traffic intensity at each cellular facility; and

relays the traffic intensity to a traffic engineering database;

a traffic engineering database that stores traffic intensity; and

a traffic control application that;

extracts the traffic intensity corresponding to a selected cellular facility from the traffic engineering database;

determines at least one traffic control measure to be imposed in a geographic location associated with the selected cellular facility, based upon the traffic intensity corresponding to the selected cellular facility;

retrieves a list of affected cellular devices wherein the affected cellular devices include all cellular devices having a subscriber identifier to be controlled and associated with the geographic location associated with the selected cellular facility; and

implements the traffic control measure with respect to the affected cellular devices wherein the traffic control measure prevents placing calls from the affected cellular devices.

28. A traffic control system for controlling traffic on a cellular network, the system comprising:

a plurality of cellular facilities;

a network control center that;

receives occupancy data associated with each cellular facility;

determines traffic intensity at each cellular facility; and

relays the traffic intensity to a traffic engineering database;

a traffic engineering database that stores traffic intensity; and

a traffic control application that;

extracts the traffic intensity corresponding to a selected cellular facility from the traffic engineering database;

determines at least one traffic control measure to be imposed in a geographic location associated with the selected cellular facility, based upon the traffic intensity corresponding to the selected cellular facility;

retrieves a list of affected cellular devices wherein the affected cellular devices include all cellular devices having a subscriber identifier to be controlled and associated with the geographic location associated with the selected cellular facility; and

implements the traffic control measure with respect to the affected cellular devices wherein the traffic control measure prevents each of the affected cellular devices from exceeding maximums for at least one of a number of calls placed or a duration of calls placed and wherein the network control center sends a message to the affected cellular devices, the message indicating that the traffic control measure is in effect.

29. A method for alerting communications devices of a temporary altered cost for using a communications network, comprising:

monitoring traffic intensity of a plurality of network elements;

when the traffic intensity at a selected network element is outside a predetermined range, retrieving a list of affected communications devices wherein the affected communications devices include each communications devices associated with a subscriber identifier to be controlled and associated with the network element;

implementing a traffic control measure according to a control plan associated with each affected communications device wherein the traffic control measure includes altering a cost of placing a call from each of the affected communications devices and preventing each of the affected communications devices from exceeding maximums for at least one of a number of calls placed or a duration of calls placed; and

sending a message to each of the affected communications devices to indicate that the traffic control measure is in effect wherein the cost altered varies between the affected communication devices based on a degree of control the traffic control measure exerts on each affected communication device.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein sending the message comprises sending an SMS message to each of the affected communications devices.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein sending the message comprises placing a call.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein sending the message comprises causing the affected communications devices to vibrate.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein sending the message comprises causing the affected communications devices to emit a tone.