Controlling setup or continuation of a call charged from a prepaid group account

Control the making or continuation of a call

Background of the Invention

The invention relates to controlling the making or continuation of a call from a prepaid group account, in particular when at least two ongoing calls are charged to the prepaid group account.

With the prepaid service, each prepaid subscription has its own account, the balance of which will be deducted when a call is made to the subscription. In intelligent network solutions, a prepayment for a pre-paid subscription is phased in and usually at least two network nodes participate in the charge. The Intelligent Network Service Control Point (SCP) monitors the account balance, which is the current claim, that is, the maximum amount of money in the account, and the reserved claim, which is the amount reserved for the current claim for this call for a specific time period. The amount of the reserved claim depends on the threshold, which is usually a network parameter expressed during the time, and the price per unit time of this call. The SCP sends the threshold to the service switching point (SSP). The service switching point is a network node that controls the call, for example, a mobile switching center. When the time indicated by the threshold has elapsed, the SSP reports it to the SCP and simultaneously requests another threshold. In response to the receipt of the report, the SCP updates the current claim by subtracting the reserved claim from the current claim. SCP updates the reserved claim in the same way. After the update, SCP checks to see if the current receivable minus the booked receivable exceeds zero. (The result can also be called a temporary balance.) If, the SSP is given a new threshold for this call and the reserved claim is updated. Otherwise, SCP will advise you to release the call. If the subscriber terminates the call before the threshold has elapsed, the SSP reports the time used to the SCP. In that case, the SCP updates the current claim by deducting the cost of the time spent from the current claim and the reserved claim is updated by subtracting the reserved claim (that is, the threshold cost).

A prepaid subscription can also be a prepaid group subscription, where subscribers within the same group share one common prepaid subscription account. In that case, there is one current receivable and each ongoing call reserves its own receivable portion of the current receivable, and the booked receivable is the sum of the receivable parts of 110656 reserved for ongoing calls. When there is more than one call to be charged from the subscription account, there is a risk that the call requesting a new threshold will be discharged because the current receivable minus the reserved claim will be zero even if, for example, one second later, another active call is released. In other words, after the last call was terminated, the present claim less the reserved claim is greater than zero and the first call was terminated unnecessarily. It is also possible that, when other calls are in progress, the subscriber who would like to make a call will not succeed because the current claim minus the reserved claim is (at the end of space 10) zero. This can happen to any group, regardless of its size or the amount of its current claim, as any number of calls to the group account can be made at the same time.

One way to reduce the problem is to use low thresholds. However, this solution increases the signaling between the SSP and the SCP, and thus also

The load on the SSP and the SCP, especially when subscribers change location (roaming).

Brief Description of the Invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus implementing the method so as to minimize the above problem. Ta20 gains are achieved by a method and a network node characterized by what is stated in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are claimed in the dependent claims.

The invention is based on detecting a problem and minimizing it by defining a negative limit for a group interface. The negative limit is defined by at least one parameter. Thus, the negative boundaries of different groups may be different. It is even possible that the negative boundary of one group varies over time or that different group members have different negative boundaries. A negative limit indicates how much your account balance may be below a preset minimum balance. Thus, the negative boundary can also be called undercut. The main advantage of the invention is that the risk of false call termination is minimized and, by using at least one parameter, potential losses to the service provider can also be minimized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described in connection with preferred embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

₃ 110656

Graph illustrates basic elements of prepaid group service accounting;

Figures 2, 3 and 4 are flowcharts illustrating SCP functionality in the first, second and third preferred embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a communication system S provided with an arrangement according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The telecommunications network is assumed to be a public mobile network PLMN, without however limiting the kek10 invention to this particular type of network. The invention can be used in any telecommunication system where the prepaid group information is stored in the system. A prepaid group refers to a group of one or more subscribers using one prepaid group subscription, that is, users of a prepaid subscription who share one common prepaid subscription account. Subscribers to a group are also called members. The member can be a mobile subscriber, a fixed network subscriber, or a PBX (Private Branch Exchange) subscriber. The mobile subscriber may be a roaming subscriber or a non-roaming subscriber. Thus, a group interface may include several different subscribers. The group may also have one or more external parties that can reload the group subscription account. However, the external party is not a member of the group. The external party can be seen as an Internet-enabled group administrator. The external party can view all group information, reload the group subscription account, and activate the subscription as described below.

In other words, the external party is an Internet-enabled user with management tools, not a member of the group (using the phone).

The embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 utilizes intelligent network technology. The intelligent network IN can provide a variety of services to a subscriber of a telecommunications network, such as a wired network or a cellular network. The invention and its background will be described using the CorelNAP terminology of Recommendation ETS 300 374-1, but the invention may be utilized in intelligent networks or other intelligent networking platforms (such as ANSI, AIN, WIN, or CAMEL) in accordance with other intelligent network standards. Intelligent Network Platforms include execution platforms that use intelligent network control principles. In this application, intelligent network control principles refer to triggering or triggering the control function using a state model. The controlled entity can also operate only on external impulses from which triggers are triggered, in which case a state model is not required. In principle, these platforms differ from an intelligent network only in that, for example, the SC protocol and the SSP are not using the IN protocol, but, for example, the IP protocol. In addition, they may differ in trigger triggering: in the intelligent network, triggering occurs when a certain phase of a call is encountered, but in other protocols, triggering can be triggered by an external or internal trigger. The invention can also be applied to call control protocols such as the Parlay Application Protocol (API) or Open System Architecture (OSA) being developed.

Thus, in this application, the term call refers not only to a conventional call but also to other, possibly virtual, communication states involving user data transmission, such as a data session or packet data transmission. Examples include a packet radio session (such as a GPRS session), a VoIP session (Voice IP), and

H.323 multimedia session.

Figure 1 illustrates some elements of an intelligent network IN that are relevant to understanding the invention, such as a Service Switching Point (SSP), which is an element performing an intelligent network switching function (SSF). The SSP may be a mobile services switching center MSC containing an SSF. The SSF is the interface between the conventional speech control function CCF and the intelligent network service control function SCF. In a prepaid service, the SSP requests a new threshold value from the SCP and monitors the use of the threshold value. When the caller has used the threshold, the SSP sends a report indicating that the threshold has been used and requesting a new threshold. When the caller (or caller) terminates the call, the SSP sends a report that at least identifies the portion of the threshold used and the fact that the call has been dropped.

The network element that executes the SCF is called the service control point SCP. The intelligent network service is produced such that the service switching point SSP requests instructions from the service control point SCP with messages transmitted

Through the SSP / SCP interface when service-related observational points are encountered. In connection with the intelligent network service, at the service control point SCP, a service program is executed, the operation of which defines the messages that the SCP sends to the SSP at each stage of the call. Prepaid service is an intelligent network service. Usually, the debiting of an account is handled in the SCP using the fields of the current receivable CC and the reserved receivable RC, in fields M of the SCP database. The current receivable CC contains the current receivable amount of the subscriber, either in time or money1010656 units. The reserved claim RC is the sum of the reserved portions of the current claim, each portion preferably being equal to the cost of the current call threshold. In order for the SCP to charge according to the invention, the database M comprises at least one new field L. This field L directly or indirectly indicates the amount of negative balance allowed for this group and / or this group member. The accounting according to the invention is described in more detail in Figures 2, 3 and 4.

The Service Management Access Point (SMAP) provides certain users, such as service providers or network 10 operators, to connect to a service control point SMP service data in a public telephone network such as PSTN or ISDN, a cellular radio network (such as GSM) or a public data network (X.25, through an open interface. SMAP interacts directly with SMP. Additionally, SMAP may provide an interface to a network element in another telecommunications network, such as a home location register.

HLR comprising data related to subscriber data and telecommunications services. Functionally, SMAP comprises a service management interface function.

In the example illustrated in Figure 1, group-specific information is stored in a database within the SMP. Group information is related to a prepaid group subscription. Alternatively, the information may be located in different databases20 and / or in another network element, such as the home location register HLR.

The group-specific information according to the invention comprises at least the total amount available on the subscription account (it is current receivable) and at least one parameter that directly or indirectly indicates to the group or group members how large a negative limit can be or how a negative 25 limit is defined. This information, or current receivable and parameter derived information, is preferably transmitted to the SCP when the prepaid service logic is started for this group. The parameter can indicate what type of group is involved and thus indicate a negative boundary. There may be different negative boundaries for different groups, such as family group, group of companies or club group. The number of members of the group may also influence the negative threshold. The service used can also have a negative impact. It is also possible that each member of the group has its own negative threshold value, for example, for fixed members, the negative threshold value is lower than for roaming mobile members. The true negative limit can be estimated, for example, by a statistical analysis of the call lengths of typical group members. The parameter can be a memory address of a dynamically changing value of the negative limit. The invention thus does not ra110656 which the freedom of the operator to select and determine, and the parameters and the way to calculate the negative limit. It is to be understood that the examples set forth herein are for illustrative purposes only.

The negative threshold is preferably based on monetary value as the cost of the threshold can vary greatly. For example, a 90-second threshold can cost FIM 1 for a local call, or FIM 4 for a long distance call abroad.

The present invention may be implemented on existing network nodes. They all have processors and memory to implement the inventive functionality described below. All modifications required to implement the invention may be effected as added or updated software routines and / or application circuits (ASICs). The functions described below may reside in one network node, or some may reside in other nodes, regardless of how they are located in the examples illustrating the invention.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 illustrate the operation of a service control point SCP in preferred embodiments assuming that the current access CC received is transferred from the SMP database to the SCP database. Any change in the receivable is then transferred from the SCP database to the SMP database.

This communication is not shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4. Also, the decision on threshold size or the calculation of threshold cost is not shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4. In addition, it is assumed that the SSP controls the call and informs the SCP when the threshold is used or the caller (or called) will end the call. The embodiments illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 4 further assume that the present claim is in monetary units and that the negative limit does not depend on the characteristics of one member of the group. Figures 2, 3 and 4 further assume that the pre-set minimum account balance is zero. The minimum balance is the 'limit' that limits the subscriber's ability to make, continue or receive calls from the account.

Figure 2 illustrates the functionality of the SCP in a first preferred embodiment of the invention. In the first preferred embodiment of the invention, it is assumed that the amount of the negative boundary L varies dynamically and that the parameters in the group-specific data and the SCP field are both memory addresses.

A message is received from the SSPJ at step 201. Step 202 checks whether the message is a report. If the message is not a report, it is a call110656 setup, and step 203 checks if at least one group account call is already in progress. If not, step 204 checks whether the current receivable CC exceeds zero. If, at step 205, the SCP retrieves the memory address of the negative limit for this group. The group-specific information may directly include a memory address. Group-specific information can also indirectly express a memory address by having, for example, a parameter indicating that the family group's memory address is used for this group. Then, at step 206, a threshold value is transmitted for this call, and at step 207, the reserved claim RC is updated by adding the cost of the threshold value transmitted at step 206 to the reserved claim.

If the current claim does not exceed zero (step 204), the call is terminated at step 208.

If at least one call is in progress (step 203), the negatives limit is retrieved at step 209 using the memory address retrieved at step 205. Then, at step 210, it is checked whether the current claim CC minus the reserved claim RC exceeds the negative limit L. If, the process continues at step 206, where the threshold is transmitted. If not, the process continues at step 208 where the call is dropped.

If the message is a report (step 202), the current claim is updated in step 211 by subtracting the current claim from the current claim in the CC report. The booked receivable RC is also updated in step 212 by subtracting from the booked receivable the cost of the threshold reserved for this call, expressed in the received report (regardless of how much of the threshold was used). Next, in step 213, it is checked whether the report is also a threshold request. If, the process continues at step 209, where a negative limit L is sought.

If the report is not a threshold request (step 213), it indicates that the caller or called party has dropped the call, and the process continues according to prior art (step 214).

Figure 3 illustrates the operation of a service control point SCP in another preferred embodiment of the invention. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, it is assumed that the amount of the negative limit L is constant for the group.

The message is received from the SSP at step 301. In step 302, it is checked whether the message is a report. If the message is not a report, it is a call set-up, and step 303 checks if at least one group account call is already in progress. If not, step 304 checks whether the current receivable CC exceeds zero. If, at step 305, the SCP defines a negative limit for this group. Group-specific information may comprise a negative boundary L directly. Group-specific information can also express a negative boundary L indirectly by having, for example, a parameter indicating that the group boundary negative boundary L is used for this group. It is also possible that the parameter indicates how many members are in the group and threshold cost. The parameter can also be a negative limit for this group

L memory address. Thus, the constant negative limit L can be defined in many different ways. The above methods are only examples. Once a negative limit has been determined, the threshold value is transmitted at 306 for this call and the reserved claim RC is updated at 307 by adding the cost of the threshold sent at 306 to the reserved claim.

If the current claim does not exceed zero (step 304), the call is terminated at step 308.

If there is at least one call in progress (step 303), step 309 checks whether the current claim CC minus the reserved claim RC exceeds the negative limit L. If, the process continues at step 306 where the threshold is transmitted. If not, the process continues at step 308 where the call is dropped.

If the message is a report (step 302), the current claim is updated in step 310 by subtracting the current claim from the current claim in the CC report. The booked receivable RC is also updated at 311 by subtracting from the booked receivable the cost of the threshold reserved for this call, as reported in the received report (regardless of how much of the threshold was used). Next, in step 312, it is checked whether the report is also a threshold request. If, the process continues at step 309, where it is checked whether the current claim less the reserved claim exceeds the negative limit L.

If the report is not a threshold request (step 312), it indicates that the caller or called party has dropped the call and the process continues according to prior art (step 313).

Figure 4 illustrates the functionality of the SCP in a third preferred embodiment of the invention. In a third preferred embodiment of the invention, it is assumed that the amount of the negative limit L depends on the number of calls in progress and the negative limit L is calculated by multiplying the number of calls in progress by the negative basic limit (base L). The negative baseline is the value represented by a parameter known to the group. For example, it may be a single threshold value for a subscription type on a home network.

A message is received from the SSPJ at step 401. At step 402, it is checked whether the message is a report. If the message is not a report, it is a call set-up, and step 403 checks if at least one group account call is already in progress. If not, step 404 checks whether the current receivable CC exceeds zero. If, at step 405, the SCP defines a negative baseline L, a basic L, for this group. Group-specific information can directly include basic L. Group-specific information can also express base L indirectly by having, for example, a parameter indicating that base group L is used for this group. Once the base L is defined, the negative limit L is set to the base L at 406 and the number of ongoing calls to NOC is set to one at 407. Then at

408 sending a threshold value for this call and updating the reserved claim RC at 409 by adding the cost of the threshold transmitted at 408 to the reserved claim.

If the current claim does not exceed zero (step 404), the call is terminated at step 410.

If there is at least one call in progress (step 403), step 411 checks whether the current claim CC minus the reserved claim RC exceeds the negative limit L. If, the number of ongoing calls in the NOC is updated by adding one in step 412. The negative limit L is also updated at 413 by adding a base L to it (or multiplying the base L by the number of calls in progress). The process then continues at step 408 where the threshold value is transmitted.

If the current claim CC minus the reserved claim RC does not exceed the negative limit L (step 411), the process continues at step 410 where the call is terminated.

If the message is a report (step 402), the current claim CC is updated in step 414 by subtracting the current claim CC from the amount used in the report. The reserved claim RC is also updated at 415 by subtracting from the reserved claim the cost of the threshold reserved for this call (regardless of how much of the threshold was used). Next, in step 416, it is checked whether the report is also a threshold request. If, step 417 checks if more than one call is in progress. In other words, it is checked whether the number of ongoing calls exceeds one NOC. If, at step 418, it is checked whether the current claim minus the reserved claim exceeds the negative limit L. If, the process continues at step 408, where the threshold is transmitted. If not, the call is terminated at step 419.

If the number of ongoing calls in the NOC does not exceed one (step 417), there is only one ongoing call and the negative limit need not be checked. Therefore, at step 420, it is checked whether the current claim CC minus the reserved claim RC exceeds zero. If exceeded, the process continues at step 408 where the threshold value is transmitted. If not, the call is terminated at step 419. Since the provisioned claim should be zero in this case, it is possible to check at 420 whether the current claim exceeds zero.

If the report is not a threshold request (step 416), it indicates that the caller or called party has dropped the call and in step 421 the number of ongoing calls in the NOC is updated by subtracting one from the NOC. The negative boundary L is also updated at 422 by subtracting the base L from the negative boundary L. (Alternatively, the negative limit can be updated by multiplying the basic L by the updated NOCJ.)

In another embodiment based on the third embodiment, the number of ongoing calls need not be checked (step 417). In an embodiment, steps 407, 412, 420 and 421 can be skipped.

The positions depicted in Figures 2, 3 and 4 are not in absolute chronological order and some of the depicted positions may occur simultaneously or in the other order. For example, step 206 may be performed concurrently with step 207. Other functions can also be performed between points. Some sections may be omitted.

It should be emphasized that the above is merely illustrative examples of how the invention may be implemented and a negative limit defined. Other implementation and configuration solutions may also be used.

It is essential that when there are at least two simultaneous calls charged to the account, a negative limit is defined and the current claim minus the booked claim is compared to the negative limit.

Although the invention has been described above, for the sake of clarity, that the negative limit does not depend on what kind of group members call, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art how the invention applies when the negative limit depends on what kind of group members call. For example, in an embodiment based on a koi 110656 mantle embodiment, the base L is defined for each caller such that between points 411 and 412 there is a point where the base L is defined for that caller.

Although the invention has been described above assuming that the SSP controls a threshold value, the invention is not limited to such a solution, but it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention may be applied to systems in which the SCP also monitors thresholds, e.g.

Although the invention has been described above, assuming that if the current mode is zero, no call can be made if there are no ongoing calls, the invention is not limited to this solution, but it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention another quantity, positive or negative, is used instead of zero as a preset minimum balance.

While supposing that the reserved claim is deducted from the current claim only after it has been exhausted, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art how the invention will be applied to systems that do not have a separate booked claim, but the call portion when deducted from the current claim and the part is not fully used, the unused part is added to the current receivable. In these schemes, current claims are compared to a negative threshold.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and the accompanying figures are intended to illustrate the invention. Various variations and modifications of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the appended claims.