U.S. patent application number 11/112923 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-01 for method and apparatus for generating billing data in a telecommunications system.
Invention is credited to Carr, Brian, Ferguson, Michael, Green, Shelaine, Plush, Christopher, Roat, David.
Application Number | 20050191989 11/112923 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 10812991 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050191989 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Plush, Christopher ; et
al. |
September 1, 2005 |
Method and apparatus for generating billing data in a
telecommunications system
Abstract
A billing center for a mobile communications system is described
which allows groups of subscribers sharing a single account to be
identified both during the call rating procedure, during which call
detail records are related to add a charge to the call detail
record, and/or to add a usage of a pre-paid usage allocation to be
added to the call detail records, and during the production of
billing details at the end of a billing period.
Inventors: |
Plush, Christopher;
(Kingston Bagpuze, GB) ; Green, Shelaine; (Ware,
GB) ; Roat, David; (St. Albans, GB) ;
Ferguson, Michael; (Bristol, GB) ; Carr, Brian;
(Solihull, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET
FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Family ID: |
10812991 |
Appl. No.: |
11/112923 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11112923 |
Apr 22, 2005 |
|
|
|
10023037 |
Dec 6, 2001 |
|
|
|
10023037 |
Dec 6, 2001 |
|
|
|
09721784 |
Nov 22, 2000 |
|
|
|
09721784 |
Nov 22, 2000 |
|
|
|
08966800 |
Nov 10, 1997 |
|
|
|
6173171 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/406 ;
379/114.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 15/44 20130101;
H04W 4/08 20130101; H04M 2215/32 20130101; H04M 17/00 20130101;
H04M 15/7652 20130101; H04W 4/24 20130101; H04M 15/765 20130101;
H04M 15/8083 20130101; H04M 15/00 20130101; H04M 2215/724 20130101;
H04M 2215/0104 20130101; H04M 2215/0184 20130101; H04M 2215/7245
20130101; H04M 2215/2026 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/406 ;
379/114.01 |
International
Class: |
H04M 015/00; H04M
011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 23, 1997 |
GB |
9710730.4 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of processing usage of telecommunications resources in
relation to subscribers in a telecommunications system, wherein the
telecommunications system stores data identifying a plurality of
groups of subscribers, wherein each group has data identifying a
subscription type and network resource usage criteria associated
therewith, the method comprising: allocating an amount of network
usage to at least one group, wherein the allocated network usage is
predetermined in accordance with the subscription type associated
with the group and is dedicated for use in offsetting actual usage
of network resources and is shared by subscribers in the group;
analysing data indicative of actual usage of network resources by
identifying a group associated with the actual usage, wherein the
analysis is based at least in part on network resource usage
criteria associated with the allocated network usage; and
offsetting the actual usage against the amount of allocated network
usage.
2. The method according to claim 1, including modifying the amount
of allocated network usage in dependence on the actual usage.
3. The method according to claim 1, including reducing the amount
of allocated network usage in dependence on the actual usage, so as
to modify the amount of allocated network usage.
4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the actual usage is
offset against the amount of allocated network usage as modified on
the basis of one or more previous instances of actual usage of
network resources.
5. The method according to claim 2, wherein, in the event that the
amount of allocated network usage is exhausted, the method includes
applying one of a plurality of predetermined call charging tariffs
in respect of the actual usage.
6. The method according to claim 1, including identifying a
magnitude associated with the actual usage and subtracting the
identified magnitude from the allocated network usage.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the amount of network
usage is allocated to a given group in dependence on the number of
subscribers associated with the given group.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the amount of network
usage is allocated in dependence on the associated network
service.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the network service is
a data service.
10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the network service is
one of a short message service, a facsimile service, and a voice
service.
11. The method according to claim 1, including identifying a
subscriber identity number associated with the actual usage of
network resources so as to identify the group.
12. A method of processing usage of telecommunications resources in
relation to subscribers in a telecommunications system, wherein the
telecommunications system stores data identifying a plurality of
groups of subscribers, and wherein each group has data identifying
a subscription type and network resource usage criteria associated
therewith, the method comprising: allocating an amount of network
usage to at least one group, wherein the allocated network usage is
predetermined in accordance with the subscription type held for the
group and is dedicated for use in offsetting actual usage of
network resources up to and including the amount, and wherein the
allocated network usage is shared by subscribers in the group;
analysing data indicative of actual usage of network resources by
identifying a group associated with the actual usage, wherein the
analysis is in accordance with network resource usage criteria
associated with the allocated network usage; and accounting for the
actual usage based at least in part on an amount associated with
the allocated network usage.
13. The method according to claim 12, including modifying the
amount of allocated network usage in dependence on the actual
usage.
14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the actual usage is
accounted for in relation to the amount of allocated network usage
as modified on the basis of previous instances of actual usage of
network resources.
15. A method of generating billing data for subscribers in a
telecommunications system, wherein the telecommunications system
stores data identifying a plurality of groups of subscribers,
wherein each group has data identifying a subscription type and
network resource usage criteria associated therewith, and an amount
of network usage allocated thereto, wherein the allocated network
usage is predetermined in accordance with the subscription type
held for the group and is dedicated for use in offsetting actual
usage of network resources up to and including the amount, and
wherein the allocated network usage is shared by subscribers in the
group, the method comprising: analysing data indicative of actual
usage of network resources by identifying a group associated with
the actual usage, wherein the analysis is based at least in part on
network resource usage criteria associated with the allocated
network usage; identifying a first charge for actual usage less
than an available amount of the amount of allocated network usage,
and a second charge for actual usage in excess of the available
amount of allocated network usage; and storing data indicative of
the identified first or second charge for use in generating billing
data.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the amount of
allocated network usage is modified in accordance with the actual
usage, and wherein the modified allocated network usage is
available for offsetting against subsequent actual usage of network
resources.
17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the second charge is
selected from one of a plurality of predetermined call charging
tariffs.
18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the first charge is
zero.
19. The method according to claim 15, wherein the amount of network
usage is allocated in dependence on the associated network
service.
20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the network service
is a data service.
21. The method according to claim 19, wherein the network service
is one of a short message service, a facsimile service, and a voice
service.
22. The method according to claim 20, including identifying a
subscriber identity number associated with the actual usage of
network resources so as to identify the group.
23. An apparatus for processing usage of telecommunications
resources in relation to subscribers in a telecommunications
system, the apparatus comprising: a storage system for storing data
identifying a plurality of groups of subscribers, wherein each
group has data identifying network resource usage criteria
associated therewith; an allocation system configured to allocate
an amount of network usage to at least one group and store data
indicative of the same, wherein the allocated network usage is
dedicated for use in offsetting actual usage of network resources
and is shared by subscribers in the group; a processing system
responsive to actual usage of network resources so as to identify a
group associated with the actual usage and configured to offset the
actual usage against the amount of allocated network usage based at
least in part on the network resource criteria associated with the
allocated network usage.
24. An apparatus for generating billing data for subscribers in a
mobile communications system, the apparatus comprising: a data
storage configured to store subscriber records and usage allocation
records, wherein the usage allocation records are shared by
respective groups of subscribers and correspond to a finite amount
of network usage, and wherein each group comprises a plurality of
subscribers; and a processor configured to analyze call data and
account for the usage allocation in a usage allocation record when
the call data indicates that a subscriber in a group sharing the
usage allocation record has made a call in the mobile
communications system, such that the usage allocation record
indicates the amount of usage allocation remaining after the
call.
25. An apparatus for generating billing data for groups of
subscribers in a mobile communications system, wherein each group
has data identifying individual subscribers and network resource
usage criteria associated therewith and a finite amount of network
usage allocation allocated thereto, wherein the apparatus includes
a data processing system configured to identify a group associated
with actual usage of network resources, and, based at least in part
on an amount available of the finite amount of allocated network
usage, to identify a first charge for actual usage less than the
amount available, and a second charge for actual usage in excess of
the available amount, wherein the billing system is configured to
store data indicative of the identified first or second charge for
use in generating billing data.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/023,037 entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
GENERATING BILLING DATA IN A TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM" and filed
on Dec. 6, 2001, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/721,784, filed on Nov. 22, 2000 (abandoned), which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/966,800, filed
on Nov. 10, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,171. The disclosures of
the above-described filed applications are hereby incorporated by
reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to telecommunications, and in
particular apparatus and methods for generating billing data for
subscribers in a telecommunications system.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Technology
[0005] In mobile communications systems, such as cellular telephone
networks, billing is conventionally carried out on a
subscriber-by-subscriber basis. Herein, the term "subscriber"
refers to the person authorised to access a mobile communications
system, using a mobile station or a fixed station.
[0006] In a GSM system, when a subscriber utilises a mobile
communications resource, such as conducting a voice call, sending a
fax, retrieving voicemail messages, sending text messages, etc, a
call detail record is produced in the network which is sent to a
billing centre.
[0007] At the billing centre, the call detail records are logged
on-line, and periodically transferred to an off-line billing
system, for example on magnetic tapes. The call detail records are
rated to attach a charge to each usage recorded in the call detail
records. This charge depends on the type of service utilised, the
length of a connection utilised, and may also depend on the
particular type of subscription which the subscriber holds.
[0008] At the end of a billing period, for example at the end of
each month, the rated call detail records are processed on a
subscriber-by-subscriber basis to produce an individual bill for
each subscriber.
[0009] However, this conventional method of billing implemented in
the billing centre is not particularly convenient for customers
having multiple subscribers utilising the mobile communications
system. It can be difficult to manage costings for a group of
subscribers when individual bills are separately received.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,207 proposes a cellular telephone
billing system which processes call detail records of calls made by
subscribers belonging to multiple-subscriber customers to produce
bills. The call detail records are processed to attach a key
identification number for each subscriber. The key identification
number and a chosen associated information format are used to
select a type of billing report required by the customer so that it
may be provided during billing. However, this only provides a way
to produce a desired format of billing report for a customer, and
does not affect the charge made to a customer.
[0011] It would be desirable to provide apparatus whereby charging
structures which are flexible, easy to understand, and logical, may
be implemented for associated groups of subscribers in a mobile
communications system.
SUMMARY OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0012] In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is
provided a method of processing usage of telecommunications
resources in relation to subscribers in a telecommunications
system, the telecommunications system holding data identifying a
plurality of groups of subscribers, each group having data
identifying network resource usage criteria associated therewith,
the method comprising:
[0013] allocating an amount of network usage to at least one group,
the allocated network usage being for use in offsetting actual
usage of network resources and being shared by subscribers in the
group;
[0014] analysing data indicative of actual usage of network
resources by identifying a group associated with the actual usage
and on the basis of network resource usage criteria associated with
the allocated network usage; and
[0015] offsetting the actual usage against the amount of allocated
network usage.
[0016] According to a further aspect of the invention there is
provided a method of processing usage of telecommunications
resources in relation to subscribers in a telecommunications
system, the telecommunications system holding data identifying a
plurality of groups of subscribers, each group having data
identifying network resource usage criteria associated therewith,
the method comprising:
[0017] allocating an amount of network usage to at least one group,
the allocated network usage being for use in offsetting actual
usage of network resources up to and including the amount and being
shared by subscribers in the group;
[0018] analysing data indicative of actual usage of network
resources by identifying a group associated with the actual usage
and in accordance with network resource usage criteria associated
with the allocated network usage; and
[0019] accounting for the actual usage on the basis of an amount
associated with the allocated network usage.
[0020] According to a yet further aspect of the invention there is
provided a method of generating billing data for subscribers in a
telecommunications system, the telecommunications system holding
data identifying a plurality of groups of subscribers, each group
having data identifying network resource usage criteria associated
therewith, and an amount of network usage allocated thereto, the
allocated network usage being for use in offsetting actual usage of
network resources up to and including the amount and being shared
by subscribers in the group, the method comprising:
[0021] analysing data indicative of actual usage of network
resources by identifying a group associated with the actual usage
and on the basis of network resource usage criteria associated with
the allocated network usage;
[0022] identifying a first charge for actual usage less than an
available amount of said amount of allocated network usage, and a
second charge for actual usage in excess of the available amount of
allocated network usage; and
[0023] storing data indicative of said identified first or second
charge for use in generating billing data.
[0024] According to a still further aspect of the present invention
there is provided apparatus for processing usage of
telecommunications resources in relation to subscribers in a
telecommunications system, apparatus comprising:
[0025] a storage system for storing data identifying a plurality of
groups of subscribers, each group having data identifying network
resource usage criteria associated therewith;
[0026] an allocation system arranged to allocate an amount of
network usage to at least one group and store data indicative of
the same, the allocated network usage being for use in offsetting
actual usage of network resources and being shared by subscribers
in the group;
[0027] a processing system responsive to actual usage of network
resources so as to identify a group associated with the actual
usage and, on the basis of network resource criteria associated
with the allocated network usage, to offset the actual usage
against the amount of allocated network usage.
[0028] Embodiments of the invention allows a common charging tariff
to be applied for each subscriber in a group for which a combined
subscription is held, for example by a business concern; a usage
allocation may be allocated not only to a single subscriber, but by
groups of subscribers of various sizes, thereby allowing
flexibility and the utilisation of usage allocations in accordance
with the requirements of different groups of subscribers.
Conveniently, by means of allocating an amount of network usage,
the current amount of usage allocation remaining may be readily
determined either during a billing period or at the end of a
billing period.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] Further features and advantages of the present invention
will be apparent from the following description of preferred
embodiments of the invention, wherein:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a
mobile communications network in accordance with an embodiment of
the invention;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a
billing centre in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating procedures carried out
by the call billing centre of FIG. 2;
[0033] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a call rating
procedure carried out by the billing centre of FIG. 2; and
[0034] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a billing procedure
carried out in the billing centre of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0035] FIG. 1 shows a cellular communications network, such as a
GSM network, which is in itself known and will now be described in
detail. A mobile switching centre (MSC) 2 is connected via
communications links to a number of base station controllers (BSCs)
4. The BSEs 4 are dispersed geographically across areas served by
the MSC 2. Each BSC 4 controls one or more base transceiver
stations (BTSs) 6 located remote from, and connected by further
communications links to, the BSC. Each BTS 6 transmits radio
signals to, and receives radio signals from, mobile stations 8
which are in an area served by that BTS. That area is referred to
as a "cell". A mobile communications network is provided with a
large number of such cells, which are ideally contiguous to provide
continuous coverage over the whole network territory.
[0036] The MSC 2 is also connected via communications links to
other MSCs in the remainder of the communications system 10, and to
a public services telephone network (PSTN), ISDN lines, etc, which
are not illustrated. The MSC is provided with a home location
register (HLR) 12 which is a database storing subscriber
authentication data, and a visitor location register (VLR) 14 which
is a database temporarily storing subscriber authentication data
for mobile stations active in its area.
[0037] When the user of the mobile station 8 utilises a
telecommunications service provided by the mobile communications
network, for example by initiating a voice call, sending a fax,
sending data, sending text messages, or retrieving voicemail, etc,
a call detail record is generated in the network, which is sent to
a billing centre 16.
[0038] The call detail records include, amongst other information,
the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) and the
telephone directory number (MSISDN) used for the call, along with
data allowing the computation of a charge for the call. This data
includes the date and time of the beginning of the call, its
duration, the nature of the service provided during the call
(voice, data, short messages, etc) the called party number, and in
the case of packet services, the volume of transmitted data.
[0039] Table 1 illustrates a set of subscription types and charging
structures which may be implemented in the billing centre 16 in
accordance with this embodiment of the
1 1.sup.st Monthy handset charge per Number Subscription monthly
additional of users Shared peak off-pk type charge handset allowed
bundle n/min n/min 1 N N/2 1-2 60 mins 10n 5n 2 2N N/2 1-3 200 mins
9n 4n 3 3N N/2 1-4 360 mins 8n 4n 4 4N N/2 1-5 540 mins 7n 3n 5 7N
N/2 1-10 1000 mins 7n 3n 6 18N N/2 1-25 2500 mins 7n 3n 7 36N N/2
1-50 5000 mins 7n 3n
[0040] As indicated, seven subscription types are provided having
varying charging details. The charges shown are in cost units N and
n for illustrative purposes.
[0041] Any number of subscribers (from a single subscriber to a
group of 50, or more if desired) may be allocated to a single
subscription, depending on the subscription type held. In each
subscription type, a "bundle" of pre-paid call time usage
allocation is provided for use during a single month. A monthly
subscription charge is levied for the first subscriber according to
the subscription type held, and a set monthly subscription charge
is charged for every further subscriber added to the subscription.
Subscribers pay call charges for non-bundle-time calls at peak
times, and off-peak times, according to the subscription held.
[0042] From table 1, it will be apparent that the choice of a
different subscription alters the characteristics of the
subscription type as follows:
[0043] 1. The monthly subscription charge for a single subscriber
subscription generally increases.
[0044] 2. The monthly subscription charge for a group subscription
generally increases.
[0045] 3. The number of subscribers allowed in a group subscription
generally increases (from 2 to 50).
[0046] 4. The bundle of pre-paid usage allocation (call time)
generally increases.
[0047] 5. The call charging tariffs, for both peak and off-peak
calls, generally decrease.
[0048] It is also a feature of this embodiment of the invention
that an account holder may have multiple subscriptions, including
group subscriptions and/or individual subscriptions, in a single
account managed by the billing centre 16.
[0049] FIG. 2 illustrates features of the billing centre
schematically. The billing centre includes a call detail record
logging store 18, a relational database software application 20 and
its associated data store 22, a call rating software application 24
and its associated tariff data store 26, a billing software
application 28 and its associated subscription data store 30, and a
billing report printing apparatus 32.
[0050] Each of the software applications 20, 24, 28 is implemented
in an appropriate data processing means, such as a mainframe
computer or a computer workstation. The data store 18 may consist
of magnetic tape data storage, and/or other suitable storage media,
such as hard disks.
[0051] Also connected to the relational database application 20 is
a set of customer service workstations 34, allowing for on-line
data input and retrieval of subscriber, group and account details
from the relational database.
[0052] FIG. 3 illustrates procedures carried out in the billing
centre 16. The call detail records are received continually, in
real time, from the MSC to which the billing centre is connected
and logged in logging store 18, step 40. These logged call detail
records are then periodically input in batches into the relational
database 20/22.
[0053] The call detail records, once in the relational database
20/22, are then rated in date and time order by the rating
application 24, referring to the tariff store 26 to attach an
appropriate charge to each call detail record. The attached charge
is stored in the relational database 20/22.
[0054] The relational database 20/22 holds not only call detail
records but also subscriber detail records, bundle records (to be
described below), group records and billing account records. The
relational database holds subscriber data for each subscriber
identifying the billing account to which the subscriber belongs,
and if the subscriber is an individual subscriber, details
identifying the subscription type which the subscriber holds, or if
the subscriber belongs to a group, data identifying the group to
which the subscriber belongs. The group records indicate the type
of subscription held for the group. The relational database is
configured so that any details relating to a billing account held
in the database may be retrieved by selecting the appropriate
billing account, any details relating to a group held on the
database may be retrieved by selecting the appropriate group, and
any details relating to a particular subscriber held in the
database may be retrieved by selecting the appropriate
subscriber.
[0055] Each bundle record is associated with a particular
subscription, whether that is an individual subscriber subscription
or a group subscription. Each bundle record holds data indicating
an amount of pre-paid allocated call-time usage (referred to as a
call time "bundle" herein) allowed for the subscription during each
billing period, and data indicating the amount of that usage
allocation remaining during a billing period. In this embodiment of
the invention, the usage allocation is a duration of call time. In
the case of a single-subscriber subscription, the bundle is related
to a single directory number (MSISDN) and may be used by that
subscriber only. In the case of a group subscription, the bundle is
related to a number of directory numbers (MSISDNs) and may be used
by any subscriber in the group in part or in whole.
[0056] In this embodiment no charges are made by the network
operator for usage of the bundle time, and therefore it is
desirable for subscribers to utilise all of their bundle time
during a billing period.
[0057] FIG. 4 illustrates the rating procedure carried out by the
rating application 24 for a single call detail record. The call
detail record is first analysed to determine whether the call made
is of a standard call type, step 50. For example, standard calls
may include national fixed-line terminating calls, whereas calls
made to other mobile stations, premium rate services or
international calls will be treated as non-standard, since they are
generally more costly.
[0058] If the call type indicated in the call detail record is
non-standard (step 51), the rating application 24 proceeds to
calculate a charge for the entire call, by retrieving non-standard
tariff charging details held in the tariff store 26, step 54. When
the charge has been calculated, data indicating the charge is added
to the call detail record, 56, to allow the call to be billed at a
later stage.
[0059] If in steps 50 and 51 the call is identified as a standard
call type, it is determined that the call duration may be
subtracted from any available bundle time, rather than being
charged for directly. In order to identify the bundle record
holding the appropriate usage allocation data, the rating
application 24 determines the directory number (MSISDN) from which
the call was conducted, whereby the bundle record is identified by
association in the relational database 20/22, step 52.
[0060] If the bundle record indicates that all of the bundle time
originally available at the start of the billing period has been
used already (step 53), the rating application 24 proceeds to
retrieve data indicating the subscription type of the subscriber
from the relational database 20/22 and standard tariff charges for
that subscription type from the tariff store 26, and thereby to
calculate the charge for the entire call, step 54. The calculated
charge is added to the call detail record, step 56.
[0061] If however there is bundle time remaining, it is checked
whether the bundle time remaining is greater than or equal to the
duration of the call (step 55). If so, the duration of the call is
subtracted from the remaining bundle time in the bundle record,
step 58, and data indicating the bundle time used is added to the
call detail record, step 60, for use in subsequent billing of the
call. No charge is attached to the call detail record.
[0062] If the bundle time remaining is less than the duration of
the call, the remaining bundle time is subtracted from the
remaining usage allocation in the bundle record (then no usage
allocation remains) and data is added to the call detail record
indicating the bundle time subtracted, steps 62 and 64.
[0063] Next, the charge for the remaining duration of the call is
calculated by retrieving the subscription type held in the
relational database 20/22, and the appropriate standard charging
tariff details held in the tariff store 26, step 66 billing
application stores data including the charge to be billed for that
subscriber and the amount of bundle time used by the
subscriber.
[0064] The billing application 28 then proceeds to perform step 74,
76 and 78 for each subscriber in the selected group (step 79),
until charging and bundle time data has been totalled for each
subscriber in the selected group. Then, the charges stored for each
subscriber in the group are totalled and data indicating the total
charge for the group is stored, step 80, and the bundle time used
by each subscriber is totalled and data indicating the total bundle
time used by subscribers in the group is stored, step 82. By means
of step 83 the procedure returns to step 72 if the account consists
of a number of groups, until there are no more groups remaining in
the account.
[0065] Next, the total group charges calculated in step 80 are
totalled and a total charge for the account is calculated and
stored, step 84.
[0066] In step 86, the billing details for the account are
compiled, using the charges and bundle times calculated by the
billing application 28, and using other data in the call detail
records retrieved by the billing application 28. The billing
details include the subscription charges levied, the usage charges
incurred, and the amount of the subscriber's group's allocation of
bundle time used, for each subscriber in the account, the total
subscription charges levied, the total usage charges incurred, and
the total usage allocation used by each group, the total charge to
be posted to the account, and individual call itemisation details
indicating the date, time, duration, cost and terminating point for
each call made by subscribers in the account during the preceding
billing period.
[0067] Once the billing details have been compiled for an account,
the billing details may be transmitted to the billing report
printing apparatus, 32. The billing report printing apparatus 32
formats the billing details to generate an invoice for the account
on one page, a group billing report on one or more further pages,
and an individual call itemisation report on one or more further
pages. The invoice specifies the total charges for the account to
be paid by the account holder. The group billing report indicates
for each group in the account the total subscription charges
incurred for the group and the total bundle time used by the group,
along with the total subscription charges and the total bundle time
used by each subscriber in the group. This allows the account
holder to readily understand the charges incurred by each group in
the account. The individual call itemisation report shows the date,
time, duration, charge and terminating point for each call made by
every subscriber in the account.
[0068] The embodiment of the present invention described provides a
billing apparatus, in the form of a billing centre, for example
similar to that shown in FIG. 2, whereby charging structures
allowing associated groups of subscribers belonging to the same
account, and consisting of various numbers of subscribers, to be
allocated collective charging tariffs, and/or a shared allocation
of pre-paid usage. Furthermore, by calculating the usage allocation
for each group actually used by each subscriber in a group, and by
the group as a whole, during a billing period, and indicating those
figures in the billing report generated for an account holder, the
account holder is readily able to monitor the usage of the pre-paid
allocations for groups in the account. In case the account holder
finds that one or more groups of subscribers in the account are not
using their subscription effectively, the account holder can ask
the network operator to transfer the group to a different
subscription type.
[0069] A billing centre for a mobile communications system is
provided which allows groups of subscribers sharing a single
account to be identified both during the call rating procedure,
during which call detail records are to add a charge to the call
detail record, and/or to add a usage of a pre-paid usage allocation
to the call detail records, and during the production of billing
details at the end of a billing period.
[0070] A relational database holds usage allocation records which
pertain either to a single subscriber, or to a group of
subscribers. The group of subscribers may consist of any of 2 to
50, or more, subscribers, depending on the subscription type held
by the group.
[0071] It is to be mentioned that the elements of the billing
centre illustrated in FIG. 2 need not be located at a single
centre. For example, the billing data produced by the billing
application 28 may be transferred to magnetic tapes and transported
to a printing centre for printing by the billing report printing
apparatus 32.
[0072] In the case of subscriptions being taken through a service
provider, rather than the network operator, the call detail records
held in the relational database 20/22 for the proceeding billing
period, once rated, may be sent to the service provider for
processing using a billing application belonging to the service
provider. Alternatively, the billing details may be generated by
the billing application 28, and the billing details transmitted to
the service provider for the production of billing reports by the
service provider.
[0073] In the embodiment described above, the usage allocation
consists of a call time bundle. However, other usage allocations
may be provided, such as a bundle consisting of a number of short
messages, a number of pages of fax transmission, an amount of data,
etc. Furthermore, the usage allocation need not be pre-paid in
entirety--the bundle resource used may for example be charged at a
reduced tariff.
[0074] It will also be appreciated that various other modifications
and variations may be employed in relation to the above-described
embodiment without departing from the spirit or scope of the
present invention.
[0075] While the above detailed description has shown, described,
and pointed out novel features of the invention as applied to
various embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions,
substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the device or
process illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art without
departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the
invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the
foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning
and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within
their scope.
* * * * *