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Patent 2157317 Summary

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Claims and Abstract availability

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(12) Patent: (11) CA 2157317
(54) English Title: CELLULAR TELEPHONE SYSTEM HAVING MOBILE CHARGING REGION AND AREA BASED PRICING METHOD AND APPARATUS
(54) French Title: SYSTEME DE TELEPHONIE CELLULAIRE A REGIONS DE FACTURATION ET METHODE ET APPAREIL DE FACTURATION PAR REGION
Status: Expired
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • H04W 4/24 (2018.01)
  • H04W 4/12 (2009.01)
  • H04W 64/00 (2009.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • FRAGER, HERVE (Canada)
  • HODKO, BERISLAV (Canada)
  • BELL, DAVID (Canada)
(73) Owners :
  • TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (Sweden)
(71) Applicants :
  • TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (Sweden)
(74) Agent: ERICSSON CANADA PATENT GROUP
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued: 2003-10-28
(22) Filed Date: 1995-08-31
(41) Open to Public Inspection: 1997-03-01
Examination requested: 2000-07-14
Availability of licence: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): No

(30) Application Priority Data: None

Abstracts

English Abstract

A number of charging regions and associated special charging rates are defined for a cellular telephone subscribers. The available charging regions are selectively assembled by subscribers to define charging areas within which that subscriber is entitled to special rates for cellular calls. When a subscriber is engaged in a cellular call and is located with the subscriber's charging area, the subscriber is charged the special charging rate granted to the charging region within which the subscriber is located. Otherwise, the subscriber is charged at conventional cellular charging rates. In instances where the subscriber is not given the special rate, or otherwise is to be charged at more than the lowest available rate, the system notifies the participating subscriber that the call is not subject to the special rate and gives the subscriber an opportunity to terminate without being charged.


French Abstract

Un certain nombre de régions de facturation et des tarifs de facturation spéciaux associés aux régions sont définis pour les abonnés d'un téléphone cellulaire. Les régions de facturation disponibles sont assemblées par les abonnés selon leurs préférences pour définir les régions de facturation au sein desquelles cet abonné bénéficie de tarifs spéciaux pour les appels cellulaires. Lorsqu'un abonné engage un appel cellulaire et se trouve dans la région de facturation de l'abonné, l'abonné est facturé conformément au tarif de facturation spécial attribué à la région de facturation où se trouve l'abonné. Dans le cas contraire, l'abonné est facturé conformément aux tarifs de facturation cellulaire conventionnels. Dans le cas où l'abonné ne bénéficie pas du tarif spécial, ou s'il doit être facturé à un tarif supérieur au tarif minimum disponible, le système avertit l'abonné participant que l'appel n'est pas assujetti au tarif spécial et donne à l'abonné la possibilité de l'interrompre sans être facturé.

Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.





What is claimed is:


1. A cellular communications system having a
charging rate service, comprising:
a plurality of cells;

a subscriber database defining at least one charging
region having a special charging rate for subscriber
cellular calls, each charging region being co-extensive with
at least one of the plurality of cells;

means responsive to a cellular telephone call with a
subscriber for determining which certain one of the
plurality of cells is currently serving the subscriber; and

means for accessing the subscriber database and for
charging the special rate for said call when the determined
certain cell is within the at least one charging region, and
for charging a different charging rate for said call when
the determined certain cell is not within the at least one
charging region.

2. The cellular communications system as in claim
1 further including means for determining the location of
the subscriber within the certain cell and in relation to
the at least one charging region.

3. The cellular communications system as in claim
1 further including means for notifying the subscriber of
the charging rate for said call.

4. The cellular communications system as in claim
3 wherein the means for notifying comprises means for



26


sending an audible message indicative of the charging rate
for the call, the audible message to be broadcast to the
subscriber via a mobile station carried by said subscriber.

5. The cellular communications system as in claim
3 wherein the means for notifying comprises means for
sending a data message indicative of the charging rate for
the call, the data message to be displayed to the subscriber
via a mobile station carried by said subscriber.

6. The cellular communications system as in claim
1 wherein the at least one of a plurality of cells being co-
extensive with the at least one charging region are selected
by a provider of the cellular communications system.

7. The cellular communications system as in claim
1 further including a charging area selected by the
subscriber to include at least one of the charging regions
and defined in the subscriber database, the means for
charging further operating to charge for said call the
special rate of the charging region provided the certain
cell is within the charging area selected by the subscriber,
and for charging the different rate for said call when the
certain cell is located outside of the charging area
selected by the subscriber.

8. A cellular communications system having a
charging rate service, comprising:
a plurality of cells;
a subscriber database defining a plurality of
charging regions each having a special charging rate for



27




subscriber cellular calls, each charging region being co-
extensive with at least one of the plurality of cells;

a charging area selected by a cellular subscriber to
include at least one of the charging regions;

means responsive to a cellular telephone call with a
subscriber for determining which certain one of the
plurality of cells is currently serving the subscriber; and

means for accessing the subscriber database and for
charging the special rate of that certain cell's charging
region for said call when the determined certain cell is
within the charging area selected by the subscriber, and for
charging a different rate for said call when the determined
certain cell is not within the charging area for the
subscriber.

9. The cellular communications system as in claim
8 further including means for determining location of the
subscriber within the certain cell and in relation to the
charging region.

10. The cellular communications system as in claim
8 wherein the at least one of a plurality of cells being co-
extensive with the charging region are selected by a
provider of the cellular communications system.

11. The cellular communications system as in claim
8 further including means for notifying the subscriber of
the rate for said call.

12. The cellular communications system as in claim
11 wherein the means for notifying comprises means for



28


sending an audible message indicative of the rate for the
call, the audible message to be broadcast to the subscriber
via a mobile station carried by said subscriber.

13. The cellular communications system as in claim
11 wherein the means for notifying comprises means for
sending a data message indicative of the rate for the call,
the data message to be displayed to the subscriber via a
mobile station carried by said subscriber.

14. The cellular communications system as in claim
11 wherein the means for notifying provides notice of the
rate for calls during call set-up before completion of call
connection or during hand-off.

15. The cellular communications system as in claim
11 wherein the means for charging further includes means for
recording for each call the cell location of the subscriber
as well as whether notification of the special rate was
given.

16. A cellular communications charging method,
comprising the steps of:

establishing a charging region, the charging region
being co-extensive with at least one of a plurality of
cells;

identifying in a subscriber database at least one
subscriber having a preferred rate in the charging region;

determining whether the subscriber involved in a call
has a preferred rate as identified in the subscriber
database and determining which certain one of the plurality



29





of cells is currently serving the subscriber;

determining whether the certain one of the cells
serving the subscriber is within the established charging
region; and

charging the subscriber a special rate for the call
if said subscriber is identified in the subscriber database
and the certain one of the cells within the established
charging region, and a different rate for the call if said
subscriber is not identified in the subscriber database or
the certain one of the cells is not within the subscriber
database within the established charging region.

17. The method as in claim 16, further including
the step of notifying the subscriber of the rate based on
subscriber definition in the subscriber database and
subscriber location in relation to the defined charging
region.

18. The method as in claim 16 wherein the step of
defining the charging region includes the step of selecting
a cellular service provider of each charging region.

19. The method as in claim 16 further including
the step of defining a charging area for each subscriber,
the charging area comprising at least one charging region,
the step of charging further comprising the step of charging
the subscriber the special rate of the charging region if
that charging region is included in the subscriber's
charging area.

20. The method as in claim 19 wherein the step of



30




defining the charging area includes the step of selecting by
the subscriber of the charging region or regions to be
included in the subscriber's charging area.

21. A cellular communications charging method,
comprising the steps of:

establishing by a cellular service provider of a
plurality of charging regions across a cellular service
area, each charging region being co-extensive with at least
one of a plurality of cells;

selecting by a subscriber of at least one of the
established charging regions along with the cells therein to
be included in a charging area for that subscriber;

keeping the charging area for that subscriber in a
subscriber database;

for each call, determining which certain one of the
plurality of cells is currently serving the subscriber
telephone call;

determining whether that subscriber has selected a
charging area and whether the certain one of the plurality
of cells serving the subscriber is within the selected
charging area; and

charging the participating subscriber a special
charging region rate for the call if the subscriber has
selected a charging area and the certain cell is within its
selected charging area, the special rate being the rate for
the determined charging region within which the subscriber
is located, and charging a different rate for the call if
the subscriber has not selected a charging area or has
selected a charging area and the certain one of the cells is



31



not within its selected charging area.

22. The method as in claim 21, further including
the step of notifying the subscriber of the rate to be
charged for the call.

23. The method as in claim 22 further including
the step of waiting for the expiration of a grace period
following notification to give the subscriber an opportunity
to handle the call in a manner other than to engage in a
communication.

24. A cellular communications system, comprising:
a plurality of mobile stations, each mobile station
assigned to a subscriber having selected a charging area
being co-extensive with certain cells within a plurality of
cells; and
a mobile switching center connected to each base
station and including:
means for storing a record of the each subscriber's
selected charging area;
means for determining for each call whether the
certain cell serving the subscriber is within its selected
charging area; and
means responsive to the means for determining for
charging the certain subscriber a special rate for calls
when the certain cell is within the selected charging area
for that certain subscriber and a different rate for calls
when the certain cell is not within the selected charging
area for that certain subscriber.

32



25. The cellular communications system as in claim
24 wherein the mobile switching center further includes
means for notifying the certain subscriber of the rate to be
applied to the call.

26. The cellular communications system as in claim
24 wherein the mobile switching center further includes
means for processing a received foreign charging are to
define a charging area for visiting subscriber use.

27. The cellular communications system as in claim
24 wherein the subscriber selected charging area comprises
subscriber selected ones of a plurality of cellular service
provider selected charging regions, each charging region
having its own special rate, the means for charging applying
the special rate of the charging region within which the
subscriber is located provided that charging region is
located within the subscriber's selected charging area.

33

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


21~7317




CELLULAR TELEPHONE SYSTEM HAVING
MOBILE CHARGING REGION AND AREA BASED
PRICING METHOD AND APPARATUS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Technical Fiel~ of the Inv~ntion
The present invention relates to cellular
telephone systems and, in particular, to a method and
apparatus for pricing cellular telephone calls based on
subscriber location.
DescriDt;on of Rel~ted Art
Conventional wire-line telephone service providers
price telephone calls by taking into account a number
of pricing structure parameters including call
duration, call distance, time of day and day of the

2157317


Docket #27950/00050
week. The generally fixed nature of the physical plant
used to provide telephone service, coupled with the
fact that calls are made from one known fixed
geographic location to another, allows for the charges
associated with providing the telephone service to be
easily calculated and published.
The nature of the cellular telephone network,
however, wherein system users have little or no
geographical restrictions on the locations from which
they may place or receive calls, makes the calculation
of call charges more difficult. Rates vary based not
only on some or all of the wire-line parameters
mentioned above, but also on factors such as: which of
several available cellular service providers carry the
call; and whether the subscriber is roaming outside its
own service area. Because the subscriber is generally
unaware of how the foregoing factors affect the
instantaneous rate calculation for each call, it is
unlikely that the subscriber c~n make anything more
than a best guess as to the charge incurred for the
call.
There is a need for a method and system for
providing cellular telephone subscribers with a


2157317


Docket #27950/00050
cellular service wherein reduced rates are offered for
calls originated from or terminated in certain
predefined regions or areas of the cellular service
area. Such a service should further provide cellular
telephone subscribers with information prior to
completion of a call connection concerning the charges
to be incurred for placing or receiving a cellular
telephone call.



SU~ARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one embodiment of the
invention, certain cellular cells are grouped together
to form a charging region within which special calling
rates are available to participating subscribers for
cellular calls. The cellular coverage area may contain
plural adjacent, overlapping or contiguous charging
regions. Preferably, the charging regions and the
special calling rates applicable thereto are defined by
the cellular provider.
The cellular com~11n-cations system processes
subscriber calls to determine whether the subscriber is
located within one of the defined charging regions. If
the subscriber participates in the benefits of this

21~7317


Docket #27950/00050
calling service but is not located within one of the
defined charging regions, the system notifies the
subscriber and gives the subscriber the option to
choose to terminate and/or reject the call without
incurring any fee or charge for the call. Calls made
from or received in a defined charging region by the
participating subscriber, on the other hand, are
charged at the special cellular charging rate for that

charglng reglon.
In a second embodiment of the present invention,
the cells are again grouped together as in the first
embodiment to form a plurality of charging regions
within which special calling rates are available for
cellular calls. In addition, certain ones of the
charging regions are then grouped together to form one
or more charging areas. Preferably, the charging
regions and the special calling rates applicable
thereto are defined by the cellular provider, while the
grouping of the regions into ch~rging areas is made by
individual participating cellular subscribers in
accordance with their common locations and calling
habits.


2157317


Docket #27950/00050
The cellular communications system processes
subscriber calls to determine wnether the participating
subscriber is located within its defined charging area.
Calls made from or received in the defined charging
area by the participating subscriber are then charged
at the special rate assigned to the charging region (of
that subscriber's charging area~ within which the
subscriber is currently located. If, on the other
hand, the participating subscriber is not located
within its defined charging area, or is otherwise not
receiving the lowest charging rate available, the
system notifies the subscriber and gives the subscriber
the option to choose to terminate and/or reject the
call without incurring any fee or charge for the call.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A more complete understanding of the method and
apparatus of the present invention may be obtained by
reference to the following Detailed Description when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings
wherein:


2157317

Docket #27950/00050
FIGURE lA illustrates the subdivision of a portion
of a cellular coverage area to include a plurality of
charging regions;
FIGURE lB illustrates the subdivision of a portion
of a cellular coverage area to include a plurality of
charging areas, wherein each charging area includes at
least one charging region;
FIGURE 2 illustrates the relationship between
cells, charging regions and charging areas;
FIGURE 3 is a block diagram illustrating the
cellular co~m-lnications system of the present
invention;
FIGURES 4A-4B are flow diagrams illustrating the
system operating method of the present invention; and
IS FIGURE 5 is a simplified block diagram of a mobile
station operable in the system of the present
invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to FIGURE lA, there is shown an
arbitrary geographic area 10 wherein cellular telephone
service is provided to a plurality of subscribers by at
least one, and perhaps many sellular service providers.

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Docket #27950/00050
The cellular service area 10 is subdivided to include a
plurality of charging regions 18, wherein one charging
region may, but need not necessarily, be adjacent to,
overlapping or contiguous with another charging region.
Furthermore, some portions of the area 10, although
included for purposes of providing cellular
communications coverage, may not be included within any
of the charging regions 18. The cell and/or coverage
area of each charging region 18 with the area 10 is
preferably selected by the cellular service provider.
The charging regions 18 facilitate the provision
of a special pricing service in accordance with the
present invention that entitles subscribers who
participate in the service to make and receive cellular
telephone calls at a special (i.e., non-standard and
perhaps reduced) cellular charging rate provided the
calls occur when the subscriber is located within an
authorized one of the predefined charging regions 18.
In this connection it should be recognized that each
charging region 18 has its own special charging rate,
and that the subscriber may be authorized to receive
the special rate of one of the charging regions 18
while simultaneously not be so authorized within


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Docket #27950/00050
another one of the charging regions within the area 10.
Calls occurring when the subscriber is located outside
an authorized one of its charging regions 18 are, on
the other hand, charged at the conventional (i.e.,
standard and perhaps higher than the special) cellular
charging rates.
Reference is now made to FIGURE lB wherein the
cellular service area 10 is shown subdivided to include
a plurality of predefined charging areas 16, wherein
one charging area may be adjacent to, overlapping or
contiguous with another charging area. The use of such
charging areas 16 provides one method for making the
authorization determination referred to with respect to
FIGURE lA. To accomplish this goal, each charging area
IS 16 includes at least one of the provider defined
charging regions 18. The cell and/or coverage area of,
and charging regions 18 within, each charging area 18
within the area 10 is preferably selected by the
subscriber to accommodate and complement the
subscriber's calling habits.
In accordance with the special pricing service of
the present invention, each participating subscriber
selects for himself or herself a unique charging area


21~7317


Docket #27950/00050
16 comprised of one or more of the provider defined
charging
regions 18. It will be understood that the charging
regions 18 selected for any given charging area 16 need
S not necessarily be contiguous, adjacent or overlapping
as generally indicated at 12. Furthermore, more than
one subscriber may share the same charging area 16.
The pricing service entitles participating subscribers
to make and receive cellular telephone calls at the
special cellular charging rate provided the calls occur
when the subscriber is located within one of the
charging regions 18 selected by the subscriber for
inclusion within its associated predefined charging
area 16. The special charging rate in effect for the
call is the charging rate for the charging region 18
within which the subscriber is located. Calls
occurring when the subscriber is located outside its
charging area 16 are, on the other hand, charged at the
conventional cellular charging rate.
Reference is now made to FIGURE 2 wherein a small
portion of the cellular coverage area 10 is shown to be
comprised of a plurality of cells 20 (represented by
hexagrams). An exemplary plurality of charging regions

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-

Docket #27950/00050
18 (outlined in bold to ease recognition) are shown in
the area 10, and are defined by the service provider to
each have a special cellular charging rate. Each
charging region 18 includes one or more of the cells
20, and a cell in the area 10 may reside in one, more
than one, or none of the charging regions 18. A single
charging area 16 (outlined in broken lines to ease
recognition) is shown in the area 10 assembled from two
of the charging regions 18. Although shown composed of
adjacent charging regions 18, the charging regions for
any given charging area 16 need not necessarily be
adjacent to each other (see, FIGURE .lB). It will
further be understood that a charging region 18 may
belong to more than one charging area 16 with each
charging area 16 being defined by and associated with a
participating subscriber. It should further be
understood that more than one participating subscriber
may be assigned or select the same charging area 16.
The cells 20 spread throughout the cellular
service area 10 may be serviced by different cellular
service providers. However, the charging regions 18
and charging areas 16 may include cells 20 serviced by
both service providers. Furthermore, for the portions




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Docket #27950/00050
of the area 10 assigned to a single provider, the
charging regions 18 and charging areas 16 may include
cells 20 serviced by different mobile switching
centers. Thus, in general, it should be recognized
S that the special pricing services provided in
_ accordance with the present invention is flexible in
its implementation, and not restricted to provision by
one service provider or by multiple uncooperative
providers or within the coverage responsibility of a
single mobile switching center. Agreements between
providers concerning the extent of charging regions 18
and charging areas 16, and the special rates available
to participating subscribers, will facilitate the
efficient offering of the service.
15Referring now to FIGURE 3, cellular telephone
service is provided within the cellular service area 10
by means of a cellular telephone system 28 comprising
mobile stations (MS) 30, base stations (BS) 32, and at
least one mobile switching center (MSC) 34. The mobile
stations 30 are carried by each subscriber, and
commtln;cate with the base stations 32 in a manner well
known to those skilled in the art by means of radio
frequency commllnlcations links. Each base station 32


a ~ 5~ 3 ~ i7
-




Docket #27950/00050
is located within a cell 20 (FIGURE 2), and is
connected to its associated mobile switching center 34
preferably through wire-lines or radio frequency links.
The mobile switching centers 34 are connected to the
public switched telephone network (PSTN) or other known
communications network, and function to process and
switch through the base stations 32 the cellular calls
originated or received by the subscribers using the
mobile stations 30. It will, of course, be understood
that multiple mobile switching centers 34 may be needed
to connect with the base stations 32 covering the area
10, and that the cells 20 in a charging region 18 for
one charging area 16 may be served by different mobile
switching centers 34. Furthermore, as discussed above,
multiple service providers may be involved in offering
the service to subscribers. To facilitate
implementation of the pricing system of the present
invention, however, it is preferred that the cells 20
in any given charging region 1~ be served by a single
mobile switching center 34 and controlled by a single
service provider.
Each of the cells 20 includes at least one base
station 32 configured to facilitate commlln;cations with


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Docket #27950/00050
proximately located mobile stations 30. Although not
shown in the drawings, the base stations 32 are
typically positioned at or near the center of each of
the cells. However, depending on geography and other
known factors, the base stations 32 may instead be
located at or near the periphery of, or otherwise away
from the centers of, each of the cells. In such
instances, the base stations 32 may broadcast and
csmm1lnicate with mobile stations 30 carried by
subscribers who are located within the cells using
directional rather than omni-directional antennas.
Each one of the base stations 32 includes a
transmitter, a receiver, and a base station controller
connected to the antenna in a manner and with a
configuration well known in the art.
The special pricing service implemented by the
cellular system 28 in accordance with the present
invention advantageously provides participating
subscribers with charging rates based on subscriber
location. Cellular calls originating from or received
by the participating subscriber while located in its
defined charging area l6 are charged at a special rate.
Calls made by or directed to the subscriber when at


21 S73I 7

Docket #27950/00050
other locations (i.e., outside the subscriber's
charging area 16) are billed at conventional rates
which may be more expensive than the special rates.
Subscriber location with respect to the charging area
16 is determined by which base station 32 (i.e., cell
20) is handling subscriber mobile station 30
co~l~n;cations at the time the call is either
originated, received or handed-off. The special rate
to be charged to the subscriber when located within its
predefined charging area 16 is the special rate
assigned to the particular charging region 18 (within
that charging area) wherein the subscriber is located.
Thus, the special rate charged to the participating
subscriber may change, even though the subscriber never
leaves its charging area 16 if the subscriber moves
amongst the included charging regions 18.
Reference is now made to FIGURES 4A-4B wherein
there are shown flow diagrams illustrating the
operation of the method of the.present invention for
providing flexible charging service based on charging
areas. As discussed above, to implement the method of
the present invention, a plurality of charging regions
18 are defined (preferably by the cellular service


21~7317
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Docket #27950/00050
provider) to have their own special cellular charging
rates. Each charging region 18 includes at least one
of the plurality of cells 20 in the cellular service
area 10. Next, each participating subscriber selects
at least one of the plurality of charging regions 18 to
define a charging area 16 for that subscriber. The
subscriber defined charging area 16 is stored in the
home location register (HLR) 74 of the cellular
telephone system 28 (see, FIGURE 3) as an associated
IO data to the subscriber.
Referring now in particular to FIGURE 4A, there
are illustrated the steps performed by the system in
processing incoming as well as outgoing calls. At call
set-up (i.e., when a call is either first instigated by
IS a subscriber mobile station 30 or first received in the
mobile switching center 34 destined for delivery to a
subscriber), a determination is made at step 36 as to
whether the subscriber is participating in the charging
service provided by the system of the present
invention. If not, set-up of the call continues in
step 38 in normal fashion known to those skilled in the
art and the conventional cellular charging rate will
apply to the call. If the subscriber is participating,


215731 7
`~.

Docket #27950/00050
however, the current location of the subscriber is next
identified in step 40 (perhaps by identifying which
cell base station 32 is being used to communicate with
the mobile station 30 of the subscriber). The
identified location is then compared with the stored
subscriber charging areas in step 42 to determine
whether the subscriber is located in that subscriber's
predefined charging area 16, and to identify from the
charging region 18 the cellular charging rate to be
IO applied to the call. This determination involves first
determining which charging regions 18 are associated
with the cell 20 then handling the call, followed by a
determination of whether any of the determined charging
regions 18 belong to the participating subscriber's
charging area 16.
If only one charging region is associated with the
cell, the special rate corresponding to that charging
region is applied to the call (provided that charging
region is located within the subscriber's charging area
16). However, for cells belonging to more than one
charging region, it is possible that different special
cellular charging rates will be implicated. In this
case, the lowest (i.e., most reduced) of the special


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Docket #27950/00050
cellular charging rates is preferably applied to the
call (again provided that charging region 18 is located
within the subscriber's charging area 16). If the
subscriber is not located within its predefined
charging area, the conventional cellular charging rate
is applied to the call.
A verification is then made at step 44 to confirm
that the participating subscriber is being charged at
the lowest cellular charging rate available to the
subscriber. If this test is satisfied, then the
participating subscriber is charged at the rate
determined in step 42 and the call continues in step 48
in normal fashion known to those skilled in the art,
with the subscriber being charged at that determined
rate.
If, however, the subscriber is not being charged
at the lowest available cellular charging rate (perhaps
because the subscriber is located outside its charging
area), the subscriber, if it desires, receives an alert
notification as to the rate. Thus, a determination is
made in step 46 as to whether the subscriber desires to
be notified when it fails to receive the lowest
available rate. If no notification is desired, the


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Docket #27950/00050
call continues in step 48 in normal fashion known to
those skilled in the art, and the subscriber is charged
for the call at the determined rate (see, step 42). If
notification is desired, however, an alert is given to
S the subscriber in step 50. In one embodiment, this
alert is made by sending a tone or voice message over
the voice channel from the mobile switching center to
the subscriber's mobile station 30. In an alternative
embodiment, a data message is sent to the mobile
station 30 for viewing by the participating subscriber
using the mobile station display panel.
In instances like the message display where the
mobile station 30 generates the alert for subscriber
perception, confirmation of the delivery of such
notification is returned to the system. In the event
more than one charging region per participating
subscriber is supported, different notifications in
step 50 are provided (i.e., different tones or
messages) to alert the subscriber as to the effective
charging rate for the call. Of course, other types of
notification or alert, known to those skilled in the
art, could be used as well.


2157317

Docket #27950/00050
With the alert notification in step 50, a grace
time period (a delay or pause) is started to give the
subscriber an opportunity to choose whether to
participate in the call. If the subscriber chooses not
to participate by entering an appropriate command in
step 51, the call is terminated in step 53 with no
calling charges being incurred. The command entered by
the subscriber may alternatively effectuate a
transferring of the call in step 54, or an acceptance
of the call in step 55 (with the call charged in step
48 at the determined rate of step 42). If the grace
period expires (step 52) without entry of a command,
the default position is acceptance of the call, and the
call continues in step 48 in normal fashion known to
IS those skilled in the art with the subscriber being
charged at the rate determined in step 42.
Whenever call set-up and connection is completed
(see, steps 38 and 48), a record of the completion of
the call is made in step 56 for billing purposes. The
record comprises a traffic ticket and includes an
indication of whether the participating subscriber was
located inside or outside one of the charging regions
included in its defined charging area, as well as an


21S7317

Docket #27950/00050
indication of whether notification was given to the
subscriber of the rate. Storage of this information in
the traffic ticket allows the service provider to prove
to participating subscribers that all completed calls
were processed and billed correctly.
There may exist instances where the participating
subscriber is physically located in a cell within its
charging area, but the call is handled (perhaps due to
congestion, overuse, or overcrowding) through an
adjacent cell not within the charging area. The
participating subscriber will, accordingly, be
incorrectly charged at a higher rate for the call. To
correct this problem, in instances where the mobile
station is ordered to perform a directed retry in an
adjacent cell, the call will be charged at the lower
rate applicable to the participating subscriber's
charging area. This is effectuated by including within
the subscriber's charging area the adjacent cells
surrounding the charging area, or by testing for
instances of directed retry when making the location
determination. Participating subscribers should not,
however, be informed that their charging area includes





2157317

Docket #27950/00050
adjacent cells as this will likely result in subscriber
misuse and a loss in revenue.
Reference is now made to FIGURE 4B for a
description of an enhancement to the charging service
of the present invention used when a subscriber moves
from one charging region to another charging region
while a call is in progress (i.e., changes the location
as determined in step 40). The charging rates (as
determined in step 42~ in such a situation might be
IO different, and a comparison is made in step 61 of the
old charging rate and new charging rate. If the new
charging rate is less than the old charging rate
(branch 63 from step 62), then call handling continues
and the call is thereafter automatically charged in
lS step 65 at the new charging rate. Processing of the
call continues as described in FIGURE 4A with the
generation of a traffic ticket reflecting the change in
step 56. If the old charging rate is less than the new
charging rate (branch 67 from step 62), processing of
the call continues as described in FIGURE 4A with the
subscriber being given notification if desired (steps
46 and 50), and the grace period for event selection
being given (steps 51, 52, 53, 54 and 55) to determine


21

2l573l7


Docket #27950/00050
how the call is to be handled. If the call is accepted
during the notification, or if the subscriber does not
desire notification, then the call is charged at the
new charging rate in step 48. In instances where the
participating subscriber is the calling party, it
should be noted that only the options of transfer,
termination or forwarding to voice mail as discussed
above would be available to insure that significant
additional costs would not be incurred.
Reference is now again made to FIGURE 3.
Information concerning subscriber charging areas 16,
charging regions 18 and cells 20 is stored by the
system 28 in the form of four different tables in the
visitor location register maintained in each mobile
switching center 34. A cell table 78 stores an
identification of all cells that are included within at
least one of the charging areas 16. A charging region
table 80 stores an identification of all charging
regions 18 that are included within at least one of the
charging areas 16. A cell-to-charging region table 82
stores an identification of which cells 20 belong to
which charging regions 18. Finally, a charging area-
to-charging region table 84 stores an identification of


2I~7317

Docket #27950/00050
which charging regions 18 belong to which charging
areas 16.
With additional reference again to FIGURES 4A and
4B, the cell table 78, charging region table 80, cell-

to-charging region table 82 and charging area-to-
charging region table 84 are used in making the step 40
determination as to whether the subscriber is located
in the subscriber's predefined charging area. In
particular, the cell table 78, charging region table 80
and cell-to-charging region table 82 are used to
determine which charging regions 18 are associated with
the cell 20 handling the call. The charging area-to-
charging region table 84 is then used to determine
whether any of the identified charging regions 18
belong to the participating subscriber's charging area
16.
In the event the participating subscriber roams to
a foreign cellular area 10, the mobile switching center
34 will request delivery of the subscriber's charging
area information from the home location register 74.
This information is then stored in the visitor location
register 76 of the currently serving mobile switching
center 34, and will be used by the mobile switching


2l573l7

Docket #27950/00050
center to determine and notify the subscriber of
applicable calling rates. Provision is also made for
the mobile switching center 34 to convert received
participating subscriber charging area information from
the home area 10 of the subscriber to determine a
comparable charging area 16 to be implemented for the
participating subscriber in the current-area 10. Thus,
the charging areas feature is supported as the
subscriber roams from area to area.
Referring now to FIGURE 5, there is shown a
simplified block diagram of the mobile station 30
including a processor 86 connected to a transceiver 88.
An antenna 90 is connected to the transceiver 88 for
transmitting and receiving commllnications over a
IS cellular telephone network. The mobile station 30
further includes a microphone 92 and a speaker 94
connected to the processor 86 for facilitating
telephonic voice comml~nications. A display panel 96
and a keypad 98 are also included in the mobile station
and connected to the processor 86.
With additional reference again to FIGURES 4A and
4B, the alert notification given in step 50 to the
subscriber of the rate applied to the call comprises


24

21~7317


Docket #27950/00050
the transmission from the mobile switching center 34
over the voice channel to the mobile station 30 of an
audio tone broadcast to the participating subscriber
via the speaker 94. Alternatively, the notification of
step 50 comprises the transmission from the mobile
switching center of a data message with the mobile
station displaying the message for participating
subscriber viewing on the display panel 96. In the
event wherein there is more than one charging region
per charging area is supported, different audio tones
or messages are broadcast from the speaker 94, or
different messages displayed on display panel 96, to
alert the subscriber as to the effective charging rate
for the call.
Although a preferred embodiment of the method and
apparatus of the present invention has been illustrated
in the accompanying Drawings and described in the
foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood
that the invention is not limited to the embodiment
disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements,
modifications and substitutions without departing from
the spirit of the invention as set forth and defined by
the following claims.


Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

For a clearer understanding of the status of the application/patent presented on this page, the site Disclaimer , as well as the definitions for Patent , Administrative Status , Maintenance Fee  and Payment History  should be consulted.

Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date 2003-10-28
(22) Filed 1995-08-31
(41) Open to Public Inspection 1997-03-01
Examination Requested 2000-07-14
(45) Issued 2003-10-28
Expired 2015-08-31

Abandonment History

There is no abandonment history.

Payment History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Amount Paid Paid Date
Application Fee $0.00 1995-08-31
Registration of a document - section 124 $0.00 1995-11-16
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 2 1997-09-02 $100.00 1997-07-24
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 3 1998-08-31 $100.00 1998-07-22
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 4 1999-08-31 $100.00 1999-07-22
Request for Examination $400.00 2000-07-14
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 5 2000-08-31 $150.00 2000-07-20
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 6 2001-08-31 $150.00 2001-07-26
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 7 2002-09-02 $150.00 2002-08-08
Final Fee $300.00 2003-07-31
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 8 2003-09-01 $150.00 2003-08-07
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 9 2004-08-31 $200.00 2004-08-11
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 10 2005-08-31 $250.00 2005-07-20
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 11 2006-08-31 $250.00 2006-07-12
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 12 2007-08-31 $250.00 2007-07-24
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 13 2008-09-01 $250.00 2008-07-09
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 14 2009-08-31 $250.00 2009-07-23
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 15 2010-08-31 $450.00 2010-07-26
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 16 2011-08-31 $450.00 2011-07-22
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 17 2012-08-31 $450.00 2012-07-23
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 18 2013-09-03 $450.00 2013-07-23
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 19 2014-09-02 $450.00 2014-07-28
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON
Past Owners on Record
BELL, DAVID
FRAGER, HERVE
HODKO, BERISLAV
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Representative Drawing 2003-04-16 1 8
Cover Page 2003-09-24 1 42
Cover Page 1996-10-24 1 19
Abstract 1996-10-24 1 26
Description 1996-10-24 25 759
Claims 1996-10-24 12 243
Drawings 1996-10-24 4 92
Claims 2000-08-10 8 286
Drawings 2000-08-10 4 73
Fees 1997-07-24 1 41
Assignment 1995-08-31 9 287
Prosecution-Amendment 2000-07-14 21 564
Correspondence 2003-07-31 1 32
Fees 2003-08-07 1 29
Fees 2000-07-20 1 34
Fees 2001-07-26 1 36
Fees 2002-08-08 1 34
Correspondence 2004-02-10 2 55
Fees 1998-07-22 1 36
Fees 1999-07-22 1 36
Fees 2001-02-23 1 25
Correspondence 2004-03-18 1 14
Correspondence 2004-03-18 1 17
Correspondence 2004-12-29 1 12
Correspondence 2005-03-07 1 12
Correspondence 2005-01-10 1 41