Method for dynamic multi-level pricing for wireless communications according to quality of service

• US 7,463,604 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2005
• Issued: 12/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Enzmann, Mark J., Zellner, Samuel N.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, MAN U
• Application Number:
  US11/248,858
• Publication Number:
  US 20060023665A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,154 Days
• Field of Search: 370229-236, 370326-331, 370342-349, 370412-418, 455450-454, 455512-517
• US Class Current: 370/329
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/15 in relation to multipoint traffic arrangements for broadcast or multicast in data networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/70 Admission control; Resource allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/745 Reaction in network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/805 QOS or priority aware
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/824 Applicable to portable or mobile terminals
• 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 15/745 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 15/8016 based on quality of service [QoS]
• 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 2215/2026 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 28/02 Traffic management, e.g. flow control or congestion control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/56 based on priority criteria
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/566 of the information or information source or recipient
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/30 Connection release
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/36 for reassigning the resources associated with the released connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/04 : Registration at HLR or HSS [Home Subscriber Server]

Abstract

A method for pricing wireless communications services on a wireless network is described. A selection of a plurality of priorities available for transmitting a wireless communication transaction on a wireless network is provided, wherein the priority to be selected corresponds to the speed and allowable delay by which the transaction is to be transmitted. Transactions of lower priority are temporarily discontinued in favor of higher priority transactions when network capacity reaches a predetermined level. An amount is charged for the wireless communication transaction at a price corresponding to the priority and duration to be selected.

Claims

1. A method for accessing a network, the method comprising:

transmitting a communication associated with a first priority level to the network;

receiving a discontinue notification indicating that transmission of the communication associated with the first priority level is discontinued in favor of transmission of another communication associated with a priority level higher than the first priority level of the communication;

receiving an indication of a status of the network;

providing a suggestion of a second priority level to associate with a remaining portion of the communication to be transmitted based on the received indication so that transmission of the communication will continue;

receiving a selection of the second priority level; and

transmitting the remaining portion of the communication at the second priority level upon receiving the selection, wherein transmission of the communication associated with the first priority level is charged a first amount corresponding with the first priority level, and wherein transmission of the remaining portion of the communication associated with the second priority level is charged a second amount corresponding with the second priority level.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting an acknowledgement to the network upon completion of transmission of the communication; and

receiving a charge associated with the communication after transmission of the acknowledgement.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein transmission of the communication is associated with no charge while the communication is discontinued.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication describes a highest priority level currently not accepted for transmission by the network.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second priority levels are preconfigured based on the communication.

6. A communications device for accessing a network, the communications device comprising:

means for transmitting a communication associated with a first priority level to the network;

means for receiving a discontinue notification indicating that transmission of the communication associated with the first priority level is discontinued in favor of transmission of another communication associated with a priority level higher than the first priority level of the communication;

means for receiving an indication of a status of the network;

means for providing a suggestion of a second priority level to associate with a remaining portion of the communication to be transmitted based on the received indication so that transmission of the communication will continue;

means for receiving a selection of the second priority level; and

means for transmitting the remaining portion of the communication at the second priority level upon receiving the selection, wherein transmission of the communication associated with the first priority level is charged a first amount corresponding with the first priority level, and wherein transmission of the remaining portion of the communication associated with the second priority level is charged a second amount corresponding with the second priority level.

7. The communications device of claim 6, further comprising:

transmitting an acknowledgement to the network upon completion of transmission of the communication; and

receiving a charge associated with the communication after transmission of the acknowledgement.

8. The communications device of claim 6, wherein transmission of the communication is associated with no charge while the communication is discontinued.

9. The communications device of claim 6, wherein the indication describes a highest priority level currently not accepted for transmission by the network.

10. The communications device of claim 6, wherein the first and second priority levels are preconfigured based on the communication.

11. A method of accessing a network, the method comprising:

transmitting a communication associated with a first priority level to the network;

receiving a discontinue notification indicating that transmission of the communication associated with the first priority level is discontinued in favor of transmission of another communication associated with a priority level higher than the first priority level of the communication;

receiving an indication of a status of the network;

automatically selecting and associating a remaining portion of the communication to be transmitted with a second priority level based on the received indication so that transmission of the communication will continue; and

transmitting the remaining portion of the communication at the second priority level, wherein transmission of the communication associated with the first priority level is charged a first amount corresponding with the first priority level, and wherein transmission of the remaining portion of the communication associated with the second priority level is charged a second amount corresponding with the second priority level.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

transmitting an acknowledgement to the network upon completion of transmission of the communication; and

receiving a charge associated with the communication after transmission of the acknowledgement.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein transmission of the communication is associated with no charge while the communication is discontinued.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the indication describes a highest priority level currently not accepted for transmission by the network.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the first and second priorities are preconfigured based on the communication.