US6006085A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for dynamic flexible marketing based on system utilization
Assignee: Ericsson Inc
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Filing: 1998-06-19
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Granted: 1999-12-21
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Expires: 2018-06-19
Abstract
Abstract A telecommunications system and method is disclosed for increasing the utilization of available bandwidth, which will simultaneously maximize revenue for wireless service providers. This can be accomplished through a flexible marketing mechanism based on system utilization, which will enable service providers to tailor the system charging rate based upon the current system utilization rate. For example, a mobile subscriber can subscribe to a flexible marketing service, which monitors the number of idle channels within a cell site that the mobile subscriber is currently located in, and sends a Short Message Service (SMS) message to the mobile subscriber offering the mobile subscriber a discounted rate for calls placed within a certain time period when the number of idle channels falls below a desired system utilization ratio.
Inventors
- 👤 Shridharan Balachandran
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 08:35
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W4/00; H04W4/24; H04M; H04M15/00; H04M15/28; H04M15/80; H04M15/8083; H04M2215/00; H04M2215/01; H04M2215/0184
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A telecommunications system for maximizing the utilization of available bandwidth within said telecommunications system, said telecommunications system comprising: a database for storing subscriber information associated with at least one subscriber within said telecommunications system; and a dynamic flexible marketing node in communication with said database and said subscriber, said dynamic flexible marketing node determining an optimum bandwidth utilization ratio and a current bandwidth utilization ratio, said dynamic flexible marketing node sending a message to said subscriber when said current bandwidth utilization ratio is lower than said optimum bandwidth utilization ratio, said message having discount information therein associated with a call to be placed by said subscriber, said discount information being determined by said dynamic flexible marketing node based upon said subscriber information.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A telecommunications system for maximizing the utilization of available bandwidth within said telecommunications system, said telecommunications system comprising: a database for storing subscriber information associated with at least one subscriber within said telecommunications system; and a dynamic flexible marketing node in communication with said database and said subscriber, said dynamic flexible marketing node determining an optimum bandwidth utilization ratio and a current bandwidth utilization ratio, said dynamic flexible marketing node sending a message to said subscriber when said current bandwidth utilization ratio is lower than said optimum bandwidth utilization ratio, said message having discount information therein associated with a call to be placed by said subscriber, said discount information being determined by said dynamic flexible marketing node based upon said subscriber information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The telecommunications system of claim 1, wherein said telecommunications system is a wireless telecommunications system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The telecommunications system of claim 2, further comprising a mobile switching center in communication with said dynamic flexible marketing node and in wireless communication with said subscriber, said mobile switching center connecting said call between said subscriber and an additional subscriber, using said discount information.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The telecommunications system of claim 3, wherein said dynamic flexible marketing node is co-located with said mobile switching center.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
The telecommunications system of claim 3, further comprising at least one base station in communication with said mobile switching center, said dynamic flexible marketing node sending a channel utilization information request to said base station, said base station sending a channel utilization information response to said dynamic flexible marketing node, said dynamic flexible marketing node determining said current bandwidth utilization ratio using said channel utilization information response.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
The telecommunications system of claim 5, wherein said dynamic flexible marketing node sends said message to a predetermined number of said subscribers, each said message having a unique one of said discount information associated therewith, said predetermined number of said subscribers corresponding to a predetermined number of channels needing to be allocated to have said current bandwidth utilization ratio equal said optimum bandwidth utilization ratio.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The telecommunications system of claim 5, wherein said channel utilization information response is a list of channels, each said channel having a corresponding status.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The telecommunications system of claim 5, wherein said channel utilization information response is selected from the group consisting of: a list of idle channels, a list of in use channels, or a number of assignable channels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The telecommunications system of claim 5, wherein said dynamic flexible marketing node has a plurality of processing slots associated therewith, said dynamic flexible marketing node sending said channel utilization information request to said base station during each said processing slot.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The telecommunications system of claim 2, wherein said database is a home location register.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The telecommunications system of claim 10, wherein said subscriber data comprises subscription information and location information associated with said at least one subscriber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The telecommunications system of claim 10, wherein said dynamic flexible marketing node is co-located with said home location register.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
The telecommunications system of claim 2, further comprising a charging database in communication with said dynamic flexible marketing node, said charging database providing pricing information associated with said at least one subscriber to said dynamic flexible marketing node, said dynamic flexible marketing node determining said discount information using said pricing information.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
55 words
The telecommunications system of claim 13, further comprising a marketing database in communication with said dynamic flexible marketing node, said marketing database providing marketing information associated with said at least one subscriber to said dynamic flexible marketing node, said dynamic flexible marketing node determining said discount information using said pricing information and said marketing information.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The telecommunications system of claim 14, wherein said marketing database and said charging database are located within said dynamic flexible marketing node.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
66 words
The telecommunications system of claim 3, wherein said at least one subscriber has a mobile terminal associated therewith, said mobile terminal being in wireless communication with said mobile switching center, said message being a Short Message Service message sent to said mobile terminal, said Short Message Service message having a code therein, said subscriber entering said code on said mobile terminal to avail said discount information.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The telecommunications system of claim 1, wherein said discount information is selected from the group consisting of: price discount, conference calling discount, speed dialing discount, fax calling discount, Internet discount, international calling discount, E-mail sending discount or roaming discount.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The telecommunications system of claim 1, wherein said telecommunications system is a wireline system.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The telecommunications system of claim 18, wherein said database is a switch connected to said at least one subscriber, said switch connecting said call between said at least one subscriber and an additional subscriber.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
The telecommunications system of claim 18, wherein said at least one subscriber sends a discount request to said dynamic flexible marketing node, said message being sent to said at least one subscriber when said discount information equals said discount request.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for maximizing the utilization of available bandwidth within a telecommunications system, said method comprising the steps of: sending, by a database having subscriber information associated with at least one subscriber within said telecommunications system stored therein, said subscriber information to a dynamic flexible marketing node; determining, by a dynamic flexible marketing node, an optimum bandwidth utilization ratio and a current bandwidth utilization ratio for said telecommunications system; and sending, by said dynamic flexible marketing node, a message to said subscriber when said current bandwidth utilization ratio is lower than said optimum bandwidth utilization ratio, said message having discount information therein associated with a call to be placed by said subscriber, said discount information being determined by said dynamic flexible marketing node based upon said subscriber information.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for maximizing the utilization of available bandwidth within a telecommunications system, said method comprising the steps of: sending, by a database having subscriber information associated with at least one subscriber within said telecommunications system stored therein, said subscriber information to a dynamic flexible marketing node; determining, by a dynamic flexible marketing node, an optimum bandwidth utilization ratio and a current bandwidth utilization ratio for said telecommunications system; and sending, by said dynamic flexible marketing node, a message to said subscriber when said current bandwidth utilization ratio is lower than said optimum bandwidth utilization ratio, said message having discount information therein associated with a call to be placed by said subscriber, said discount information being determined by said dynamic flexible marketing node based upon said subscriber information.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 21, wherein said telecommunications system is a wireless telecommunications system.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 22, further comprising, after said step of sending said message, the step of: connecting, by a mobile switching center in communication with said dynamic flexible marketing node and in wireless communication with said subscriber, said call between said subscriber and an additional subscriber, using said discount information.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 23, wherein said dynamic flexible marketing node is co-located with said mobile switching center.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 23, further comprising, before said step of determining, the steps of: sending, by said dynamic flexible marketing node, a channel utilization information request to at least one base station in communication with said mobile switching center; and sending, by said base station, a channel utilization information response to said dynamic flexible marketing node, said step of determining being performed using said channel utilization information response.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method of claim 25, wherein said step of sending said message is performed by said dynamic flexible marketing node sending said message to a predetermined number of said subscribers, each said message having a unique one of said discount information associated therewith, said predetermined number of said subscribers corresponding to a predetermined number of channels needing to be allocated to have said current bandwidth utilization ratio equal said optimum bandwidth utilization ratio.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 25, wherein said channel utilization information response is a list of channels, each said channel having a corresponding status.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 25, wherein said channel utilization information response is selected from the group consisting of: a list of idle channels, a list of in use channels, or a number of assignable channels.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 25, wherein said dynamic flexible marketing node has a plurality of processing slots associated therewith, said step of sending said channel utilization information request to said base station being performed during each said processing slot.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 22, wherein said database is a home location register.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 30, wherein said subscriber data comprises subscription information and location information associated with said at least one subscriber.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 30, wherein said dynamic flexible marketing node is co-located with said home location register.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 22, further comprising, before said step of sending said message, the step of: providing, by a charging database in communication with said dynamic flexible marketing node, pricing information associated with said at least one subscriber to said dynamic flexible marketing node, said dynamic flexible marketing node determining said discount information using said pricing information.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 33, further comprising, before said step of sending said message, the step of: providing, by a marketing database in communication with said dynamic flexible marketing node, marketing information associated with said at least one subscriber to said dynamic flexible marketing node, said dynamic flexible marketing node determining said discount information using said pricing information and said marketing information.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 34, wherein said marketing database and said charging database are located within said dynamic flexible marketing node.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
79 words
The method of claim 23, wherein said at least one subscriber has a mobile terminal associated therewith, said mobile terminal being in wireless communication with said mobile switching center, said message being a Short Message Service message sent to said mobile terminal, said Short Message Service message having a code therein; and further comprising, after said step of sending said message, the step of: entering, by said subscriber, said code on said mobile terminal to avail said discount information.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 21, wherein said discount information is selected from the group consisting of: price discount, conference calling discount, speed dialing discount, fax calling discount, Internet discount, international calling discount, E-mail sending discount or roaming discount.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 21, wherein said telecommunications system is a wireline system.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 38, wherein said database is a switch connected to said at least one subscriber, and further comprising, after said step of sending said message, the step of: connecting, by said switch, said call between said at least one subscriber and an additional subscriber.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 38, further comprising, before said step of sending said subscriber information, the step of: sending, by said at least one subscriber, a discount request to said dynamic flexible marketing node, said step of sending said message being performed when said discount information equals said discount request.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-12-20 | 2003-06-21 | 2003-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-12-20 | 2007-06-21 | 2007-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-12-20 | 2011-06-21 | 2011-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |