US5991378A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dynamic charging for telecommunications services in accordance with the load condition of the network
Assignee: Alcatel Lucent SAS
•
Filing: 1997-08-13
•
Granted: 1999-11-23
•
Expires: 2017-08-13
Abstract
Abstract Method and system for setting a charge in a telecommunication network The present invention relates to a method and a system (TZ) for setting a charge for a communication service in a telecommunication network (T). It is proposed to dynamically change the charge in accordance with a presettable criterion. It is further proposed that the traffic load of the telecommunication network T preferably represents such a presettable criterion.
Inventors
- 👤 Ulrich Apel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:04
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M15/00; H04M15/81; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/0016; H04M2215/00; H04M2215/01; H04M2215/0112; H04Q2213/00; H04Q2213/1313; H04Q2213/13164; H04Q2213/13166; H04Q2213/1338
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for setting the charge for using a communication service in a telecommunication network (T), wherein the charge for using the communication service is set dynamically by the network in accordance with at least one criterion of the network and wherein the communication service is used by a subscriber (A) dependent on at least one charge limit preset by the subscriber (A) and on the charges set dynamically for using communication service, characterized in that subscriber (A) is offered a selection of several communication services differently configured for the subscriber (A) in accordance with the charge limit preset by the subscriber (A).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for setting the charge for using a communication service in a telecommunication network (T), wherein the charge for using the communication service is set dynamically by the network in accordance with at least one criterion of the network and wherein the communication service is used by a subscriber (A) dependent on at least one charge limit preset by the subscriber (A) and on the charges set dynamically for using communication service, characterized in that subscriber (A) is offered a selection of several communication services differently configured for the subscriber (A) in accordance with the charge limit preset by the subscriber (A).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, characterized in that a presettable criterion is the traffic load of the telecommunication network (T).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
93 words
A method according to claim 2, characterized in that there is defined a timing pulse which is used for regularly updating the information relating to the traffic load of the telecommunication network (T), that a first information relating to the traffic load of the telecommunication network (T) is determined, that a second information relating to the additional traffic load of the telecommunication network (T) caused by the proposed use of the communication service is determined, and that the charge for using the communication service is set dependent on the first and second information.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 3, characterized in that an information relating to the charge for using the communication service is made available to a subscriber (A) who intends to use the communication service.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 4, characterized in that a minimum and/or maximum charge is set for using the communication service.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 5, characterized in that the charge for using the communication service is also changed during the time period when the subscriber (A) uses the communication service.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 1, characterized in that an information relating to the charge for using the communication service is made available to a subscriber (A) who intends to use the communication service.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, characterized in that a minimum and/or maximum charge is set for using the communication service.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the charge for using the communication service is also changed during the time period when the subscriber (A) uses the communication service.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
103 words
A system (TZ) for setting a charge to a subscriber (A) for using a communication service in a telecommunication network (T), the system comprising means (GM) for having the charge for using the communication service set dynamically by the network in accordance with at least one presetable criterion and means for offering a selection of differently configured communication services, characterized in that means for having the charge for using the communication service set (GM) are constructed in such a way as to offer the selection of communication services configured differently for subscriber in accordance with a charge limit preset by the subscriber (A).
Claim 12
Independent Claim
103 words
A system (TZ) for setting a charge to a subscriber (A) for using a communication service in a telecommunication network (T), the system comprising means (GM) for having the charge for using the communication service set dynamically by the network in accordance with at least one presetable criterion and means for offering a selection of differently configured communication services, characterized in that means for having the charge for using the communication service set (GM) are constructed in such a way as to offer the selection of communication services configured differently for subscriber in accordance with a charge limit preset by the subscriber (A).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE3305978A1
Cited
EP0491497A1
Cited
EP0526118A2
Cited
WO1993008661A1
Cited
JPH0685971A
Cited
DE4219416A1
Cited
DE4241434A1
Cited
WO1994028683A1
Cited
WO1995024093A1
Cited
DE19516364A1
Cited
US5488655A
Cited
US5793852A
Cited
US5790642A
Cited
US5794140A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-11-22 | 2003-05-24 | 2003-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-22 | 2007-05-24 | 2007-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-22 | 2011-05-24 | 2011-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |