System and method for rating an IP-based wireless telecommunications based on access point
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for facilitating Call Detail Record (CDR) based billing in a converged cellular network and Internet Protocol (IP)-based wireless access network, the method comprising:
- receiving a registration request with a network controller from a mobile device via an IP-based wireless access network of a converged wireless network for which CDR based billing is used;
sending an access point identifier to the network controller, wherein the access point identifier is associated with a point of entry into the IP-based wireless access network for the mobile device;
querying a database with the access point identifier;
receiving a reply from the database in response to the query,wherein the reply includes a service zone identifier,wherein the service zone identifier is associated with the point of entry into the IP-based wireless access network,wherein the service zone identifier is identified, at least in part, using the access point identifier, andwherein the service zone identifier is associated with a billing rate for the mobile device on the IP-based wireless access network;
storing the service zone identifier at the network controller;
identifying a communication request from the mobile device over the IP-based wireless access network through the point of entry into the IP-based wireless access network; and
communicating the service zone identifier to a switch for the identified communication request from the mobile device.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A subscriber communicates over an IP-based wireless telecommunications network through an access point. Identifiers associated with the access point (e.g., MAC address IP address, FQDN . . . ) are stored in a database. Each access point is mapped into one or more service zones, where service zones are mapped to service types. The subscriber has a rate plan that is based on a selection of one or more service types. When a wireless connection between the subscriber and the IP-based wireless telecommunications network is established, the access point identifiers are used to retrieve a service zone ID from the database. Upon completion of the communication, a call detail record can be generated that includes the service zone ID for the communication. The billing system can then retrieve billing plan information to determine an appropriate rate for the subscriber based on the service zone ID.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for facilitating Call Detail Record (CDR) based billing in a converged cellular network and Internet Protocol (IP)-based wireless access network, the method comprising:
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receiving a registration request with a network controller from a mobile device via an IP-based wireless access network of a converged wireless network for which CDR based billing is used; sending an access point identifier to the network controller, wherein the access point identifier is associated with a point of entry into the IP-based wireless access network for the mobile device; querying a database with the access point identifier; receiving a reply from the database in response to the query, wherein the reply includes a service zone identifier, wherein the service zone identifier is associated with the point of entry into the IP-based wireless access network, wherein the service zone identifier is identified, at least in part, using the access point identifier, and wherein the service zone identifier is associated with a billing rate for the mobile device on the IP-based wireless access network; storing the service zone identifier at the network controller; identifying a communication request from the mobile device over the IP-based wireless access network through the point of entry into the IP-based wireless access network; and communicating the service zone identifier to a switch for the identified communication request from the mobile device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A network controller having computer-readable instructions for facilitating Call Detail Record (CDR) billing in a converged cellular network and IP-based wireless access network, the computer-readable instructions comprising:
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receiving a registration request associated with a mobile device that accesses an IP-based wireless network of a converged cellular network and IP-based wireless access network through an access point of the IP-based wireless network; authenticating the registration request; receiving an identifier associated with the access point; querying a service zones database with the identifier associated with the access point of the IP-based wireless network, wherein the service zones database includes a plurality of database entries, and, wherein each entry in the service zones database includes a unique zone key, a zone definition, and a service zone identifier; receiving a reply from the service zones database that includes a service zone identifier, wherein the service zone identifier is identified, at least in part, using the identifier associated with the access point of the IP-based wireless network; storing the service zone identifier; identifying a communication request from the mobile device over the IP-based wireless system; initiating the communication after the communication request; and communicating the service zone identifier to a billing system for billing a customer associated with the mobile device after the communication terminates. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification