U.S. patent application number 11/017063 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-11 for host-sponsored data transmission billing system and method.
Invention is credited to Rissanen, Jussi.
Application Number | 20050177506 11/017063 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23808039 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050177506 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rissanen, Jussi |
August 11, 2005 |
Host-sponsored data transmission billing system and method
Abstract
A host-sponsored data transmission billing system and method is
provided to permit reduced costs to a mobile user for internet
access through an internet gateway. An operator billing system is
provided (either in the internet gateway itself or coupled to the
internet gateway) to generate billing data for payment by the
mobile user for connection requests by the mobile user through the
internet gateway to private sites on the internet. However, to
reduce the costs to the mobile user to encourage access to
host-sponsored commercial sites, the operator billing system bills
data for payment by host-sponsors for connection requests by the
mobile user to the host-sponsored sites. A General Packet Radio
System (GPRS) can be utilized in this arrangement as the internet
gateway.
Inventors: |
Rissanen, Jussi; (Hilsinki,
FI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ANTONELLI, TERRY, STOUT & KRAUS, LLP
1300 NORTH SEVENTEENTH STREET
SUITE 1800
ARLINGTON
VA
22209-3873
US
|
Family ID: |
23808039 |
Appl. No.: |
11/017063 |
Filed: |
December 21, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11017063 |
Dec 21, 2004 |
|
|
|
09455250 |
Dec 6, 1999 |
|
|
|
6839684 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/40 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 2215/2026 20130101;
G06Q 20/102 20130101; H04M 15/8207 20130101; H04M 2215/22 20130101;
H04M 2215/0192 20130101; H04W 4/24 20130101; H04M 2215/32 20130101;
H04M 2215/7813 20130101; G06Q 30/04 20130101; H04M 15/00
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/040 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A network entity for billing for Internet connections between a
mobile terminal user and an Internet site, comprising: a database
storing a list of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses for
host-sponsored sites; a log file tracer to provide an output
indicative of the IP addresses accessed by the mobile terminal
user; and a comparator for comparing the output of the log file
tracer with the IP addresses stored in the database for determining
whether the IP addresses accessed by the mobile terminal user
includes host-sponsored sites.
2. The network entity of claim 1, comprising: means for generating
billing data for payment by a host-sponsor of said site for
connecting the mobile terminal user with said site when the
determination indicates that an IP address accessed by the mobile
terminal users is a host-sponsored site.
3. The network entity of claim 1, comprising: means for generating
billing data for payment by the mobile terminal user for connecting
with said site when the determination indicates that an IP address
accessed by the mobile terminal users is a private site.
4. The network entity of claim 1, comprising: a cellular
telecommunications interface for providing wireless connection with
the mobile terminal users; and a network interface connecting with
the Internet.
5. In a system comprising at least one mobile device operated by at
least one user which is wirelessly coupled to a billing system
operated by a wireless operator providing connectivity to a packet
data network including at least one host operated server offering
data transmission to the at least one user when accessed by a user
of the at least one mobile device, a method comprising: the at
least one user requesting connectivity to a server coupled to the
packet data network; determining if the at least one user requested
connectivity is to at least one of the at least one host operated
server; and in response to the requested connectivity being
determined to be to at least one of the at least one host operated
server which has not agreed to accept full charges assigned by the
billing system to the user for connectivity to the at least one
host operated server, the at least one host operated server to
which connectivity is requested by the at least one user provides
the at least one user with free access to only a portion of the
data which may be provided by the at least one host operated server
to which connectivity is requested upon request from the users.
6. A method in accordance with claim 5 wherein: the free access is
to predetermined pages of a website operated by the at least one
host operated server to which connectivity is requested.
7. A method in accordance with claim 5 wherein: the free access is
provided upon the purchase by the at least one user of items or
services.
8. A method in accordance with claim 6 wherein: the free access is
provided upon the purchase by the at least one user of items or
services.
9. A method in accordance with claim 5 wherein: the free access is
a specified amount of free time or a specified amount of free data
provided from the at least one host operated server to the at least
one user.
10. A method in accordance with claim 6 wherein: the free access is
a specified amount of free time or a specified amount of free data
provided from the at least one host operated server to the at least
one user.
11. A method in accordance with claim 7 wherein: the free access is
a specified amount of free time or a specified amount of free data
provided from the at least one host operated server to the at least
one user.
12. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein: the free access is
a specified amount of free time or a specified amount of free data
provided from the at least one host operated server to the at least
one user.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 09/455,250,
filed Dec. 6, 1999 which application is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of
telecommunications/mobile phones, and more specifically to an
improved system and method for mobile internet access and
billing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Recently, substantial development has occurred in systems
and methods for mobile internet access. In particular, increased
data transmission rates have been brought about by the Global
System for Mobile Communications (GSM) evolution with systems such
as General Packet Radio System (GPRS) and Enhanced Data Rates for
Global Evolution (EDGE). The GPRS and EDGE systems allow for higher
bit rates in wireless access enabling mobile internet. In short,
the technology has now been developed to make mobile internet
access readily available.
[0004] Unfortunately, an emerging problem has developed with regard
to the question of who will pay for the wireless data traffic in a
telecom operator's cellular network for such mobile internet
access. In general, customers are accustomed to low price or free
internet access. On the other hand, current systems which permit
mobile internet access charge the customer for wireless access to
the same internet sites which they could access either for free or
at a much lower cost if they were not using mobile access.
Therefore, it has become a serious concern that users will view
mobile internet access as too expensive for casual web browsing.
This could seriously stunt the development of mobile internet
access. On the other hand, E-commerce via mobile internet access
could be significantly enhanced if free or low cost access could be
provided to catalogs and marketing materials.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved billing system and method for mobile internet access.
[0006] To achieve this and other objects, the present invention
provides a host-sponsored data transmission billing system and
method for mobile users. An internet gateway is provided to
establish wireless connection between a mobile user and the
internet. The internet gateway generates billing data for payment
by the mobile user for connection requests by the mobile user
through the internet gateway to private sites on the internet. On
the other hand, the internet gateway also generates billing data
for payment by host-sponsors for connection requests by the mobile
user to host-sponsored sites on the internet. In other words, some
or all of the data traffic billing that is incurred in accessing a
host-sponsored site is incurred by the host that operates the site
in question.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall view of a
host-sponsored data transmission billing system in accordance with
the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the
present invention using a GPRS network and a charging gateway
connecting to an external billing system for a host-sponsored data
transmission billing system in accordance with the present
invention.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a log file tracing process to
implement a host-sponsored data transmission billing system in
accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] FIG. 1 provides an overall view of a host-sponsored data
transmission billing system in accordance with the present
invention. In particular, FIG. 1 shows an arrangement using a GPRS
network 10 and a GPRS operator billing system 12 to permit
connection of a mobile user 14 to the internet 16. As shown in FIG.
1, the mobile user can be connected via the GPRS network 10, the
GPRS operator billing system 12 and the internet 16 to either a
host-sponsored commercial website 18 or a private website 20. The
commercial website 18 offers free data transmission (or at least
reduced cost transmission) to customers when it is accessed by a
mobile user. In accordance with the present invention, the GPRS
operator billing system 12 will directly bill the commercial
website 18 (or the company sponsoring the commercial website 18)
for the access and data transmission of the mobile user 14.
[0011] When the mobile user 14 accesses the private site 20, on the
other hand, the GPRS operator billing system 12 will bill the
mobile user 14 directly. As such, the GPRS operator billing system
12 will generate two types of invoices, one directly to the mobile
user 14 and the other to the commercial websites 18 or companies
sponsoring the commercial websites 18.
[0012] It is noted at this point that packet switched radio
connections such as GPRS permit for billing per use or billing per
amount of data transmitted via the radio network while the
connection may remain open continuously. In accordance with the
arrangement shown in FIG. 1, the GPRS billing system 12 is designed
in such a manner that the billing incurred will be earmarked
according to whether it belongs to the host-sponsor or to the
consumer. Invoices are generated accordingly. It is envisioned that
this will substantially increase the mobile access to commercial
sites since customers will enjoy the same low cost or free access
when they use mobile internet access that they obtain using
conventional telephone internet access.
[0013] FIG. 2 provides a more detailed illustration of a
host-sponsored data transmission billing system using a GPRS
network 10 in conjunction with an operator billing system 22 which
is external to the GPRS network 10. In order to provide a single
access point from the GPRS network 10 to the external operator
billing system 22, a charging gateway 24 is provided. For example,
this can be the currently available stand alone Nokia charging
gateway, specifically modified for operation with external billing
systems to generate separate invoices to mobile users and
host-sponsors in accordance with the present invention.
[0014] In order to interface between the GPRS network 10 and the
internet, a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) 26 is provided. A
security firewall 28 can also be located between the GGSN 26 and
the internet. On the other hand, a Service GPRS Support Node (SGSN)
30 can be provided between the GPRS network 10 and a Base
Transceiver Station (BTS) 32, and a Base Station Controller (BSC)
34. A GPRS terminal 36 is coupled to the BTS 32. The BCS 34 is
coupled to a Mobile Services Switching Center (MSC) 38. The MSC 38
is, in turn, coupled to a Public Switching Telephone Network (PSTN)
network 40. It is noted that these elements form part of the
overall network structure already manufactured by Nokia as part of
the GPRS core solution.
[0015] Other elements of the Nokia GPRS network include a data
network 42 which can be coupled to the GGSN 26 by way of a firewall
44. This arrangement is typically used in conjunction with a router
46 for coupling to a corporate LAN 48.
[0016] In accordance with the present invention, the standard Nokia
GPRS structure noted above is modified in accordance with the
present invention to generate separate billing for user access to
private sites and host-sponsored sites. FIG. 2 shows operations
carried out by the billing system 22 in order to generate separate
invoices for the mobile user and the host-sponsor. As a first step
50, it is determined whether the access is non-price
differentiated. If so, the present invention is not utilized. On
the other hand, if step 52 determines that the access is price
differentiated, the next step is to determine whether it is a free,
host-sponsored access (step 54) or a cost incurring access for the
mobile user (step 56). If it is determined in step 54 that the
access is a free host-sponsored access, an invoice is generated to
the host-sponsor (step 58). On the other hand, if it is determined
in step 56 that the access is a cost incurring one for the mobile
user, an invoice is generated to the mobile user (step 60).
[0017] FIG. 3 shows a log file tracing process which can be used to
carry out the steps 54, 56, 58 and 60. In this process, a database
62 is provided of IP addresses for host-sponsored sites. In step
64, log file tracing of client (mobile user) accessed IP addresses
is carried out. In the comparison step 66, a "seeking match"
process is carried out to determine whether the IP addresses
accessed by the client during the log file tracing operation are
the same as any IP addresses stored in the database 62 of
host-sponsored sites.
[0018] If a match is determined in step 68, this means that the
client accessed IP address in question is to a host-sponsored site.
In this case, charges are incurred to the sponsoring host (step
70). Accordingly, in step 72, an invoice is generated to the
host-sponsor.
[0019] On the other hand, if no match is found between the client
accessed IP address and the database 62 (as per step 74), the
charging and billing is carried out in a traditional manner in step
76. In this case, an invoice is generated to the customer (step 78)
in the conventional manner.
[0020] The above description assumes that the host-sponsor has
agreed to cover the entire costs for mobile users to access their
host-sponsored sites. However, in accordance with the present
invention, the host-sponsor could agree to cover only part of the
charge. In addition, different levels of sponsorship and
sponsorship agreements could be provided. Thus, FIG. 3 also shows a
database of the level of sponsorship and sponsorship agreements
(database 80). This information is taken into account in step 70 to
adjust the invoice to the host-sponsor accordingly in step 72. Of
course, in this case, the remaining charges would be charged to the
mobile user through steps 76 and 78.
[0021] As one example of an alternative to completely free access,
the host-sponsor might agree to provide a certain amount of access
(in other words, providing a limited number of bits). For example,
one megabit of free access could be provided. In this case, the
billing system 22 would contain a record of the number of used bits
and the available bits remaining to be used by the mobile user.
[0022] Another possibility for less than complete sponsorship would
be free access to predetermined pages of the website.
Alternatively, when the mobile user buys something, a billing
system 22 can provide a certain amount of free time or bits to be
added to the presently available number of bits for the user. The
amount of free time or bits could be made dependent upon the items
or services purchased. For example, purchasing from a particular
website page could generate bonus points.
[0023] In the event that less than complete sponsorship is
provided, the step 54 in FIG. 2 will provide the user terminal ID
number, the number of used bits to date (so that a determination
can be made of available bits), and any purchase information which
might reflect in an increase of the total number of available
bits.
[0024] By virtue of the arrangements discussed above for
implementing the present invention, access to commercial
host-sponsored websites will be much more attractive to mobile
users since they will be free to browse and download from such
websites either for free or at substantially reduced costs. As
such, the present invention removes, or at least reduces, the cost
impediments presently faced in mobile internet access.
[0025] While the present invention has been described in detail and
pictorially in the accompanying drawings, it is not limited to such
details since many changes and modifications recognizable to those
of ordinary skill in the art may be made to the invention without
departing from the spirit and the scope thereof.
* * * * *