Method and system for data rating for wireless devices

• US 7,373,136 B2
• Filed: 07/23/2001
• Issued: 05/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Telemac Corporation
• Original Assignee: Telemac Corporation
• Inventors: Watler, Theodore W., Hanley, Jerry
• Primary Examiner(s): Ly, Nghi H.
• Application Number:
  US09/911,868
• Publication Number:
  US 20020022471A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,486 Days
• Field of Search: 455/405, 455/406, 455/407, 379/112.01, 379/114.01, 379/114.21, 379/115.01, 379/112.03, 379/126, 379/127.01
• US Class Current: 455/405
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/14 Charging , metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1403 Architecture for metering, charging or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1439 time-based
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1467 involving prepayment
• 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 15/28 with meter at substation or with calculation of charges at terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/30 the meter or calculation of charges not being controlled from an exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/56 for VoIP communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/58 based on statistics of usage or network monitoring
• 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 15/82 Criteria or parameters used for performing billing operations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8207 Time based data metric aspects, e.g. VoIP or circuit switched packet data
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8214 Data or packet based
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8228 Session based
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8278 Event based
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/83 Notification aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/85 characterised by the type of condition triggering a notification
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/851 : Determined tariff
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/853 : Calculate maximum communication time or volume
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/854 : Available credit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/00 : Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems using a coded card to authorise calls from a telephone set H04M1/675
• 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 2215/0188 : Network monitoring; statistics on usage on called/calling number
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/202 : VoIP; Packet switched telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/22 : Bandwidth or usage-sensitve billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/28 : SMS billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 : Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7414 : QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/78 : Metric aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7813 : Time based data, e.g. VoIP or circuit switched packet data
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/782 : Data or packet based
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7833 : Session based
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/788 : Event based
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/815 : Notification when a specific condition, service or event is met
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/8162 : Calculate maximum communication time or volume
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/825 : Select from different charging routines or algorithms or formulas

Abstract

A method and system for rating a data communication session between a network and a wireless device is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method monitors a series of events, namely, a setup event, a begin event and an end event, which take place during a communication session. The monitoring of such events is accomplished by a data rating application which resides on the wireless device. By monitoring such events, the data rating application is then able to rate the communication session using a number of rating options. The rating option selected includes both how to meter the data transmitted during a data communication session and determine the rate to be applied to each metered increment. Examples of methods used to meter the data include time and volume. Different rating options which can be used to rate the communication session include, for example, application, data utilization, source of data, class of service, quality of service and transmission efficiency.

Claims

1. A system for determining a charge in connection with a data communication session, comprising:

a wireless device capable of communicating data within a network during a data communication session;

a multi-factor data rating algorithm residing within said wireless device;

wherein said data rating algorithm selects an applicable rate based on one or more of the following factors;

type of data, source of the data, service level selected, and/or service level achieved;

wherein said selected rate is a quantity of money per unit of measure;

wherein available units of measure include quantity of bytes, quantity of data packets and/or other denomination of data quantity involved in a data communication session;

wherein a charge is determined within said wireless device by applying said selected rate to a number of units of measure as metered by said wireless device for said data communication session; and

wherein said charge is deducted from an account related to the wireless device.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the wireless device is a mobile phone.

3. The system according to claim 1 wherein said algorithm selects an applicable rate based on only one of the following factors:

type of data, source of the data, service level selected, and/or service level achieved.

4. The system according to claim 1 wherein the data rating algorithm is configured to detect one or more of a plurality of events which takes place during the course of setting up the data communication session;

wherein the one or more events is indicative of type of data, source of the data, and/or service level selected; and

wherein the origin of the event is either the network or the wireless device.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein the data rating algorithm is configured to begin determining the charge in connection with the data communication session after detecting a begin event which takes place during the course of the data communication session;

and

wherein the begin event is originated by either the network or the wireless device to indicate that the data communication session has begun.

6. The system according to claim 1 wherein the data rating algorithm is configured to end determining the charge in connection with the data communication session after detecting an end event which takes place during the course of the data communication session;

and

wherein the end event is originated by either the network or the wireless device to indicate that the data communication session has ended.

7. The system according to claim 1 wherein the data rating algorithm resides on a smart card which is attachable to the wireless device.

8. The system according to claim 1 wherein the wireless device includes a plurality of applications residing therein;

and wherein the data rating algorithm is configured to determine the rate based on which one of the plurality of applications residing in the wireless device will be using data received by the wireless device during the data communication session.

9. The system according to claim 1 wherein the charge is based on source of data received by the wireless device during the data communication session.

10. The system according to claim 1 wherein the charge is based on service level achieved during the data communication session.

11. The system according to claim 1 wherein the charge is based on the type of data communicated during the data communication session.

12. The system according to claim 11 wherein the data received during the data communication session is a downloaded application;

and

wherein the charge is determined based on the number of times the downloaded application is subsequently run and/or the duration of time it is subsequently run.

13. The system according to claim 1 wherein the charge is based on service level selected for the data communication session.

14. The system according to claim 13 wherein the service level selected relates to speed and/or accuracy of data transmission during the data communication session.

15. The system according to claim 1 wherein the data rating algorithm is configured to deduct from a prepaid account relating to the wireless device.

16. The system according to claim 15 wherein the account resides in the wireless device.

17. The system according to claim 15 wherein the account resides at a location external to the wireless device.

18. A wireless device for determining a charge in connection with a data communication session, comprising:

a multi-factor data rating algorithm residing on said wireless device which determines the charge in connection with the data communication session by applying a rate to a number of units of measure as metered by said wireless device;

wherein said data rating algorithm selects said rate based on one or more of the following factors;

type of data, source of the data, service level selected, and/or service level achieved; and

wherein said selected rate is quantity of money per unit of measure;

wherein the available units of measure include the quantity of bytes, quantity of data packets and/or other denomination of data quantity involved in said data communication;

wherein said charge is deducted from an account related to the wireless device; and

wherein the wireless device is configured to communicate within a network.

19. The wireless device according to claim 18 wherein the wireless device is a mobile phone.

20. The wireless device according to claim 18 wherein said algorithm selects an applicable rate based on only one of the following factors:

type of data, source of the data, service level selected, and/or service level achieved.

21. The wireless device according to claim 18 wherein the data rating algorithm is configured to detect one or more of a plurality of events which takes place during the course of setting up the data communication session;

wherein the one or more events is indicative of type of data, source of data, and/or service level selected; and

wherein the origin of the event is either the network or the wireless device.

22. The wireless device according to claim 18 wherein the data rating algorithm is configured to begin determining the charge in connection with the data communication session after detecting a begin event which takes place during the course of the data communication session;

and

wherein the begin event is originated by either the network or the wireless device to indicate that the data communication session has begun.

23. The wireless device according to claim 18 wherein the data rating algorithm is configured to end determining the charge in connection with the data communication session after detecting an end event which takes place during the course of the data communication session;

and

wherein the end event is originated by either the network or the wireless device to indicate that the data communication session has ended.

24. The wireless device according to claim 18 wherein the data rating algorithm resides on a smart card which is attachable to the wireless device.

25. The wireless device according to claim 18 wherein the wireless device includes a plurality of applications residing therein;

and wherein the data rating algorithm is configured to determine the rate based on which one of the plurality of applications residing in the wireless device will be using data received by the wireless device during the data communication session.

26. The wireless device according to claim 18 wherein the charge is based on source of data received by the wireless device during the data communication session.

27. The wireless device according to claim 18 wherein the charge is based on service level achieved during the data communication session.

28. The wireless device according to claim 18 wherein the charge is based on type of data transmitted during the data communication session.

29. The wireless device according to claim 28 wherein the data received during the data communication session is a downloaded application;

and

wherein the charge is determined based on the number of times the downloaded application is subsequently run and/or the duration of time it is subsequently run.

30. The wireless device according to claim 18 wherein the charge is based on service level selected for the data communication session.

31. The wireless device according to claim 30 wherein the service level selected relates to speed and/or accuracy of data transmission during the data communication session.

32. The wireless device according to claim 18 wherein the data rating algorithm is configured to deduct from a prepaid account relating to the wireless device.

33. The wireless device according to claim 32 wherein the account resides in the wireless device.

34. The wireless device according to claim 32 wherein the account resides at a location external to the wireless device.

35. A smart card configured to cooperate with a wireless device capable of communicating within a network to determine a charge in connection with a data communication session, comprising:

a multi-factor data rating algorithm residing on said smart card which determines the charge in connection with the data communication session by applying a rate to a number of units of measure as metered by said wireless device;

wherein said data rating algorithm selects said rate based on one or more of the following factors;

type of data, source of the data, service level selected, and/or service level achieved;

wherein said selected rate is a quantity of money per unit of measure;

wherein the available units of measure include the quantity of bytes, quantity of data packets and/or other denomination of data quantity involved in said data communication;

wherein said charge is deducted from an account related to the wireless device or smart card; and

an interface configured to allow the smart card to communicate with the wireless device.

36. The smart card according to claim 35 wherein the wireless device is a mobile phone.

37. The smart card according to claim 35 wherein said algorithm selects an applicable rate based on only one of the following factors:

type of data, source of data, service level selected and/or service level achieved.

38. The smart card according to claim 35 wherein the data rating algorithm is configured to detect one or more of a plurality of events which takes place during the course of setting up the data communication session;

wherein the one or more events is indicative of the type of data, the source of the data, and/or the service level selected; and

wherein the origin of the event is either the network or the wireless device.

39. The smart card according to claim 35 wherein the data rating algorithm is configured to begin determining the charge in connection with the data communication session after detecting a begin event which takes place during the course of the data communication session;

and

wherein the begin event is originated by either the network or the wireless device to indicate that the data communication session has begun.

40. The smart card according to claim 35 wherein the data rating algorithm is configured to end determining the charge in connection with the data communication session after detecting an end event which takes place during the course of the data communication session;

and

wherein the end event is originated by either the network or the wireless device to indicate that the data communication session has ended.

41. The smart card according to claim 35 wherein the wireless device and/or the smart cart include a plurality of applications residing therein;

and wherein the data rating algorithm is configured to determine the rate based on which one of the plurality of applications residing in the wireless device and/or the smart card will be using data received by the wireless device during the data communication session.

42. The smart card according to claim 35 wherein the charge is based on source of data received by the wireless device during the data communication session.

43. The smart card according to claim 35 wherein the charge is based on service level achieved during the data communication session.

44. The smart card according to claim 35 wherein the charge is based on the type of data transmitted during the data communication session.

45. The smart card according to claim 44 wherein the data received during the data communication session is a downloaded application;

and

wherein the charge is determined based on the number of times the downloaded application is subsequently run and/or the duration of time it is subsequently run.

46. The smart card according to claim 35 wherein the charge is based on service level selected for the data communication session.

47. The smart card according to claim 46 wherein the service level selected relates to speed and/or accuracy of data transmission during the data communication session.

48. The smart card according to claim 35 wherein the data rating algorithm is configured to deduct from a prepaid account relating to the wireless device.

49. The smart card according to claim 48 wherein the account resides in the smart card.

50. The smart card according to claim 48 wherein the account resides at a location external to the smart card.

51. A method for determining a charge in connection with a data communication session, comprising:

installing a multi-factor data rating algorithm in a wireless device capable of communicating within a network;

causing the data rating application to determine the charge in connection with the data communication session by applying a rate to a number of units of measure as metered by said wireless device;

wherein the data rating algorithm selects said rate based upon one or more of the following factors;

type of data, source of the data, service level selected, and/or service level achieved;

wherein said selected rate is a quantity of money per unit of measure;

wherein the available units of measure include the quantity of bytes, quantity of data packets and/or other denomination of data quantity involved in said data communication; and

wherein said charge is deducted from an account related to the wireless device.

52. The method of claim 51 wherein the wireless device is a mobile phone.

53. The method of claim 51 wherein said algorithm selects an applicable rate based on only one of the following factors:

type of data, source of data, service level selected and/or service level achieved.

54. The method of claim 51 further comprising:

prior to causing the data rating algorithm to determine the charge, causing the data rating algorithm to detect one or more of a plurality of events which takes place during the course of setting up the data communication session;

wherein the one or more events is indicative of the type of data, source of the data, and/or service level selected; and

wherein the origin of the event is either the network or the wireless device.

55. The method of claim 51 further comprising:

causing the data rating algorithm to begin determining the charge after detecting a begin event which takes place during the course of the data communication session;

wherein the begin event is originated by either the network or the wireless device to indicate that the data communication session has begun.

56. The method of claim 51 further comprising:

causing the data rating algorithm to end determining the charge after detecting an end event which takes place during the course of the data communication session;

wherein the end event is originated by either the network or the wireless device to indicate that the data communication session has ended.

57. The method of claim 51 wherein the data rating algorithm resides in a smart card which is attachable to the wireless device.

58. The method of claim 51, wherein the wireless device includes a plurality of applications residing therein, further comprising:

selecting the applicable rates based on which one of the plurality of applications residing in the wireless device will be using data received by the wireless device during the data communication session.

59. The method of claim 51 further comprising:

determining the charge based on source of data received by the wireless device during the data communication session.

60. The method of claim 51 further comprising:

determining the charge based on service level achieved during the data communication session.

61. The method of claim 51 further comprising:

determining the charge based on type of data transmitted during the data communication session.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the data received during the data communication session is a downloaded application, further comprising:

determining the charge based on the number of times the downloaded application is subsequently run and/or the duration of time it is subsequently run.

63. The method of claim 51 further comprising:

determining the charge based on service level selected for the data communication session.

64. The method of claim 63 wherein the service level selected relates to speed and/or accuracy of data transmission during the data communication session.

65. The method of claim 51 wherein said charge is deducted from a prepaid account relating to the wireless device.

66. The method of claim 65 wherein the account resides in the wireless device.

67. The method of claim 65 wherein the account resides at a location external to the wireless device.