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WO2001037537A1 - Message service in a telecommunication system - Google Patents

Message service in a telecommunication system Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001037537A1
WO2001037537A1 PCT/FI2000/000999 FI0000999W WO0137537A1 WO 2001037537 A1 WO2001037537 A1 WO 2001037537A1 FI 0000999 W FI0000999 W FI 0000999W WO 0137537 A1 WO0137537 A1 WO 0137537A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
subscriber
message
plmn
answer message
telecommunication network
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FI2000/000999
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Niklas Wallenius
Original Assignee
Sonera Oyj
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sonera Oyj filed Critical Sonera Oyj
Priority to AU15276/01A priority Critical patent/AU1527601A/en
Publication of WO2001037537A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001037537A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/24—Accounting or billing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/08—Metering calls to called party, i.e. B-party charged for the communication
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/70—Administration or customization aspects; Counter-checking correct charges
    • H04M15/745—Customizing according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. friends or family
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/80—Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects
    • H04M15/8083—Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects involving reduced rates or discounts, e.g. time-of-day reductions or volume discounts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
    • H04M2215/01—Details of billing arrangements
    • H04M2215/0108—Customization according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. customer preferences, friends and family, selecting services or billing options, Personal Communication Systems [PCS]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
    • H04M2215/01—Details of billing arrangements
    • H04M2215/0184—Details of billing arrangements involving reduced rates or discounts, e.g. time-of-day reductions, volume discounts, cell discounts, group billing, frequent calling destination(s) or user history list
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
    • H04M2215/20—Technology dependant metering
    • H04M2215/2026—Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
    • H04M2215/28—SMS billing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
    • H04M2215/32—Involving wireless systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
    • H04M2215/62—Called party billing, e.g. reverse billing, freephone, collect call, 0800 or 0900
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/12—Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
    • H04W4/14—Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to telecommunication systems.
  • the invention relates to a method and a system for offering a free answer message in a telecommunication system comprising a telecommunication network, " a first terminal device which is connected to the telecommunication network and which the first subscriber uses, a second terminal device which is connected to the telecommunication network and which the second subscriber uses, and a server which has been connected to the telecommunication network.
  • a message created using the first terminal device and pro- vided with an identifier meant for the second subscriber is sent via the telecommunication network to the server, the type of the message is identified by the server and the message is directed via the telecommunication network further to the second sub- scriber.
  • a mobile communication network e.g. a GSM system (GSM, Global System for Mobile communications) as compared with a public switched telephone network (PSTN, Public Switched Telephone Network) is the mobility management.
  • GSM Global System for Mobile communications
  • PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network
  • a mobile communication network is advantageously used to mean a digital mobile network.
  • the mobile communication network enables one to establish and receive phone calls anywhere in the coverage area of the network. Since the introduction of the digital mobile networks the services provided have included a short message service (SMS, Short Message Service) .
  • SMS Short Message Service
  • the mobile subscriber may send text messages that contain up to 160 characters from his or her terminal device to another subscriber who has got a terminal device capable of receiving short messages at his or her disposal.
  • the technical specification of the short message service concerning the GSM system has been presented in the standard GTS GSM 03.40 V5.3.0 (1996-07) of ETSI (ETSI, European Telecommunications and Standard Institute) .
  • the sender of the short message usually pays for the short message.
  • some people have better financial preconditions than others to send even a large number of short messages. This is due to the financial status or benefits provided by the employer.
  • the problem with the above-mentioned examples is that the sender is debited for the transmission of the short message.
  • the objective of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks referred to above.
  • One specific objective of the invention is to disclose a new type of message service in which the recipient of the message has the possibility of sending to the original sender a message free of charge.
  • the message is advan- tageously used to mean a short message of the mobile communication network.
  • the invention gives to the parents a possibility to pay, in addition to the short message sent to the child, also for the answer message sent by the child. In this way, the costs caused by the short messages may be transferred altogether to the party that has better financial preconditions to get rid of them.
  • the method in accordance with the invention relates to the offering of a free answer message in a telecommunication system which comprises a telecommu- nication network, a first terminal device which is connected to the telecommunication network and which the first subscriber uses, a second terminal device which is connected to the telecommunication network and which the second subscriber uses, a server which has been connected to the telecommunication network.
  • the telecommunication network is preferably a mobile communication network.
  • the first and second terminal device are preferably mobile stations.
  • the message is preferably a short message of the mobile communication network.
  • a message created using the first terminal device and provided with an identifier meant for the second subscriber is sent via the telecommunication network to the server, the type of the message is identified by the server and the message is directed via the telecommunication network further to the second subscriber.
  • the identifier is, e.g. a certain combination of numbers or letters.
  • information is saved on the server that relates to the fact that the second subscriber has got the possibility to send a free answer message to the first subscriber.
  • the first subscriber is debited for the message sent by him or her and for the answer message sent by the second subscriber.
  • information is saved about the sender of the message, recipient and the point of time the service request was received.
  • the answer message created by the second subscriber is directed to the server.
  • the server checks whether the second sub- scriber is entitled to send a free answer message to the first subscriber.
  • the answer message is sent to the first subscriber, if the sending of the answer message to the first subscriber is allowed. If the sending of the free answer message to the first subscriber is not allowed, then the sending of the answer message is prevented.
  • information of the number of answer messages is saved on the server.
  • a time limit is set within which the second subscriber can send the answer message to the first subscriber.
  • the system in accordance with the invention comprises a data recorder for saving information on the server, said information comprising information of the fact that the second subscriber has got the possibility to send a free answer message to the first subscriber, and a means for billing for debiting the first sub- scriber for the message sent by him or her and for the answer message sent by the second subscriber.
  • the system comprises a checker for checking whether the second subscriber has got the right to send a free answer message to the first subscriber, a transmitter for sending the answer message to the first subscriber, if the sending of the answer message to the first subscriber is allowed and for preventing the sending of the answer message, if the second subscriber is not entitled to send an answer message to the first subscriber .
  • the system comprises a limiter which defines the time limit within which the second subscriber can send an answer message to the first subscriber. Thanks to the invention, the billing of short messages may be transferred to the party who has got better preconditions for it.
  • Fig. 1 represents one advantageous system in accordance with the invention
  • Fig. 2 represents one advantageous example of a flow chart in accordance with the invention
  • Fig. 3 represents one advantageous signaling example of the function of the invention.
  • the system in accordance with the invention comprises a public land mobile network PLMN (PLMN, Public Land Mobile Network) .
  • PLMN Public Land Mobile Network
  • con- nected to the public land mobile network are two terminal devices TEl and TE2.
  • the first subscriber uses the terminal device TEl and the second subscriber uses the terminal device TE2.
  • the terminal devices are, e.g. mobile stations.
  • the public land mobile network refers, e.g. to the GSM network.
  • SMSC Short Message Service Center
  • the short message service center transmits and receives short messages sent in the public land mobile network.
  • Connected to the short message service center is the server NG.
  • the tasks of the server include implementing of different message services.
  • the server comprises a data recorder 1 for saving information, said information comprising infor- mation of the fact that the second subscriber has got the possibility to send a free answer message to the first subscriber.
  • the data recorder is preferably a database.
  • the means for billing 2 is used to debit the first subscriber for the message sent by him or her as well as for the possible answer message sent by the second subscriber.
  • the checker 3 is used to check whether the second subscriber is entitled to send a free answer message to the first subscriber.
  • the server NG comprises also a transmitter 4 for sending the answer message to the first subscriber or for preventing the sending of the answer message. The sending of the answer message is prevented, if the second subscriber is not entitled to send a free answer message to the first subscriber.
  • the limiter 5 is used to define the time limit within which the second subscriber can send the answer message to the first subscriber.
  • the means for billing 2, checker 3, transmitter 4 and limiter 5 are advantageously used to mean a program block that has been implemented by the aid of the computer.
  • Fig 2 represents one flow chart in accordance with the invention.
  • a message is written by means of the first terminal device.
  • the first terminal device is preferably a mobile station.
  • the message includes, e.g. the identifying part of the message in question, information about the recipient and the actual message part.
  • the message is sent via the telecommunication network to the server, block 21.
  • the telecommunication network is, e.g. a public land mobile network.
  • the type of the message is identified based on the identifying part.
  • a message is saved to the database of the server that informs about the fact that the recipient of the message has got the possibility to send a free answer message to the sender of the original message.
  • the edited message is sent from the server to the recipient defined in the message, block 23.
  • the edited message is herein used to mean that the message received by the server may be modified before sending it to the actual recipient.
  • the message sent by the server is received on the second terminal device.
  • the second terminal device is preferably a mobile station.
  • An answer message of a fixed form is written by means of the second terminal device, block 25.
  • the answer message of a fixed form is herein used to mean that the message includes both the necessary identification information of the service and the actual message part.
  • the written answer message is sent by means of the second terminal device to the server via the telecommunication network, block 26.
  • the type of the mes- sage is identified on the server, block 27.
  • Fig. 3 is one advantageous signaling example illustrating the function of the present invention.
  • the example as shown in Fig. 3 comprises a first mo- bile station MS-A, a short message service center SMSC, a Netgate server and a second mobile station MS- B.
  • the combination Netgate server is hereinafter used to mean the same as Netgate.
  • a message is created with the mobile station
  • the message in this example means, e.g. the short message of a mobile station.
  • the telephone number of the subscriber offering the answer message is marked with A and the number of the recipient of the free answer message is marked with B.
  • A When subscriber A wishes to send a short message to subscriber B and to offer a free possibility of answering at the same time, A writes a short message, e.g. of the following form: FREE#B#ACTUAL MESSAGE.
  • FREE is needed in identifying the service.
  • B stands for the subscription of the recipient and the # sign functions as a separator of the fields.
  • the AC- TUAL_MESSAGE includes a normal message part.
  • the message sent by A could be, e.g.
  • the short message service center is able to direct the message based on the aforementioned number to the Netgate, arrow 30b.
  • the rhombus at the end of the arrow describes the measures going on in the Netgate.
  • the Netgate receives the short message, it finds out based on the identifier FREE that it is a question about a free answer message service.
  • the Netgate saves to its database a notification about the fact that B it entitled to send a free answer message to A. It is possible that B could have the right to send more than just one free answer message to A.
  • To the database e.g. the following information is saved: who is entitled to send a free answer mes- sage to whom a free answer message can be sent, and time at which the service request was received.
  • the Netgate sends to B a short message, e.g.
  • FREE NUMBERJDF THE SENDER ACTUAL JYIESSAGE.
  • FREE is the identifier of the service
  • the NUMBER_OF THE SENDER gives one the number from which the short message originally was sent
  • the AC- TUAL_MESSAGE includes the message part written by the sender.
  • the short message is, e.g. of the following kind: FREE 0405432121 Hi, where are you?
  • the Netgate sends the edited message to the short message service center SMSC, arrow 31a.
  • a billing ticket is generated that is used to debit the sender of the short message for the short message. In the billing ticket, also a separate service fee may be included that concerns the answer message service.
  • the short message service center sends the edited short message further to the mobile station MS-B, arrow 31b.
  • the rhombus in conjunction with the arrow 31b means that the recipient of the short message may choose whether to send a free answer message. In this example, the free answer message is sent.
  • B wishes to answer to A, he or she creates a short mes- sage, e.g. of the following form: RES#A#ACTUAL_ANSWER
  • RES is the identifier of the service.
  • A refers to the number which has offered the free answer message.
  • the ACTUAL_ANSWER MESSAGE is the message part .
  • the length of the message part may have the maximum length of 140 characters.
  • the free answer message is, e.g. of the following kind: RES#0405432232# Working until 6 p.m.
  • B sends with the mobile station 33 a short message as described above, e.g. to the number 400 to the short message service center SMSC, arrow 32a.
  • the short message service center is able direct the short message based on the aforementioned number to the Netgate, arrow 32b.
  • the Netgate When the Netgate receives the short message, it identifies the service based on the RES identifier. By means of a database query, it is found out whether
  • a billing ticket is generated based on the answer message sent by B, when the Netgate receives the answer message and sends an edited message to A. Since it is a question about a short message in accordance with the answer message service, the billing is concentrated on A. If B does not send any answer message, A is naturally not debited.
  • the Netgate may send to B a notification informing that the limit has been expired and because of this the answer message cannot be sent any longer.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)

Abstract

A method for the offering of a free answer message in a telecommunication system comprising a telecommunication network (PLMN); a first terminal device (TE1) which has been connected to the telecommunication network (PLMN) and which the first subscriber uses; a second terminal device (TE2) which has been connected to the telecommunication network (PLMN) and which the second subscriber uses; a server (NG) which has been connected to the telecommunication network (PLMN). In the telecommunication system, a message created with the first terminal device and provided with an identifier meant for the second subscriber is sent via the telecommunication network (PLMN) to the server (NG); the type of the message is identified by the server engine; and the message is directed via the telecommunication network (PLMN) further to the second subscriber. According to the invention, information is saved on the server (NG) relating to the fact that the second subscriber has got a possibility to send a free answer message to the first subscriber, and the first subscriber is debited for the message sent by him or her as well as for the answer message sent by the second subscriber. The message is advantageously used to mean a short message of the mobile communication network.

Description

MESSAGE SERVICE IN A TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to telecommunication systems. In particular, the invention relates to a method and a system for offering a free answer message in a telecommunication system comprising a telecommunication network, "a first terminal device which is connected to the telecommunication network and which the first subscriber uses, a second terminal device which is connected to the telecommunication network and which the second subscriber uses, and a server which has been connected to the telecommunication network. In the telecommunication system, a message created using the first terminal device and pro- vided with an identifier meant for the second subscriber is sent via the telecommunication network to the server, the type of the message is identified by the server and the message is directed via the telecommunication network further to the second sub- scriber.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The undeniable advantage of a mobile communication network, e.g. a GSM system (GSM, Global System for Mobile communications) as compared with a public switched telephone network (PSTN, Public Switched Telephone Network) is the mobility management. In this application, a mobile communication network is advantageously used to mean a digital mobile network. The mobile communication network enables one to establish and receive phone calls anywhere in the coverage area of the network. Since the introduction of the digital mobile networks the services provided have included a short message service (SMS, Short Message Service) . In the short message service, the mobile subscriber may send text messages that contain up to 160 characters from his or her terminal device to another subscriber who has got a terminal device capable of receiving short messages at his or her disposal. The technical specification of the short message service concerning the GSM system has been presented in the standard GTS GSM 03.40 V5.3.0 (1996-07) of ETSI (ETSI, European Telecommunications and Standard Institute) .
In the short message service, the sender of the short message usually pays for the short message. However, it must be noticed that some people have better financial preconditions than others to send even a large number of short messages. This is due to the financial status or benefits provided by the employer. The problem with the above-mentioned examples is that the sender is debited for the transmission of the short message.
OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION
The objective of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks referred to above. One specific objective of the invention is to disclose a new type of message service in which the recipient of the message has the possibility of sending to the original sender a message free of charge. The message is advan- tageously used to mean a short message of the mobile communication network. The invention gives to the parents a possibility to pay, in addition to the short message sent to the child, also for the answer message sent by the child. In this way, the costs caused by the short messages may be transferred altogether to the party that has better financial preconditions to get rid of them.
As for the features characteristic of invention, reference is made to them in the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The method in accordance with the invention relates to the offering of a free answer message in a telecommunication system which comprises a telecommu- nication network, a first terminal device which is connected to the telecommunication network and which the first subscriber uses, a second terminal device which is connected to the telecommunication network and which the second subscriber uses, a server which has been connected to the telecommunication network. The telecommunication network is preferably a mobile communication network. The first and second terminal device are preferably mobile stations. The message is preferably a short message of the mobile communication network.
In the method, a message created using the first terminal device and provided with an identifier meant for the second subscriber is sent via the telecommunication network to the server, the type of the message is identified by the server and the message is directed via the telecommunication network further to the second subscriber. The identifier is, e.g. a certain combination of numbers or letters.
According to the invention, based on the type of the message, information is saved on the server that relates to the fact that the second subscriber has got the possibility to send a free answer message to the first subscriber. The first subscriber is debited for the message sent by him or her and for the answer message sent by the second subscriber. On the server, information is saved about the sender of the message, recipient and the point of time the service request was received.
When the second subscriber answers to the message sent by the first subscriber, the answer message created by the second subscriber is directed to the server. The server checks whether the second sub- scriber is entitled to send a free answer message to the first subscriber. The answer message is sent to the first subscriber, if the sending of the answer message to the first subscriber is allowed. If the sending of the free answer message to the first subscriber is not allowed, then the sending of the answer message is prevented.
In an embodiment of the invention, information of the number of answer messages is saved on the server.
In an embodiment of the invention, a time limit is set within which the second subscriber can send the answer message to the first subscriber.
The system in accordance with the invention comprises a data recorder for saving information on the server, said information comprising information of the fact that the second subscriber has got the possibility to send a free answer message to the first subscriber, and a means for billing for debiting the first sub- scriber for the message sent by him or her and for the answer message sent by the second subscriber.
In an embodiment of the invention, the system comprises a checker for checking whether the second subscriber has got the right to send a free answer message to the first subscriber, a transmitter for sending the answer message to the first subscriber, if the sending of the answer message to the first subscriber is allowed and for preventing the sending of the answer message, if the second subscriber is not entitled to send an answer message to the first subscriber .
In another embodiment, the system comprises a limiter which defines the time limit within which the second subscriber can send an answer message to the first subscriber. Thanks to the invention, the billing of short messages may be transferred to the party who has got better preconditions for it.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the following section, the invention will be described in detail by the aid of a few examples of its embodiments, in which
Fig. 1 represents one advantageous system in accordance with the invention,
Fig. 2 represents one advantageous example of a flow chart in accordance with the invention,
Fig. 3 represents one advantageous signaling example of the function of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The system in accordance with the invention comprises a public land mobile network PLMN (PLMN, Public Land Mobile Network) . In this example, con- nected to the public land mobile network are two terminal devices TEl and TE2. The first subscriber uses the terminal device TEl and the second subscriber uses the terminal device TE2. The terminal devices are, e.g. mobile stations. The public land mobile network refers, e.g. to the GSM network. Connected to the public land mobile network is the short message service center SMSC (SMSC, Short Message Service Center) . The short message service center transmits and receives short messages sent in the public land mobile network. Connected to the short message service center is the server NG. The tasks of the server include implementing of different message services.
The server comprises a data recorder 1 for saving information, said information comprising infor- mation of the fact that the second subscriber has got the possibility to send a free answer message to the first subscriber. The data recorder is preferably a database. The means for billing 2 is used to debit the first subscriber for the message sent by him or her as well as for the possible answer message sent by the second subscriber.
The checker 3 is used to check whether the second subscriber is entitled to send a free answer message to the first subscriber. The server NG comprises also a transmitter 4 for sending the answer message to the first subscriber or for preventing the sending of the answer message. The sending of the answer message is prevented, if the second subscriber is not entitled to send a free answer message to the first subscriber. The limiter 5 is used to define the time limit within which the second subscriber can send the answer message to the first subscriber.
The means for billing 2, checker 3, transmitter 4 and limiter 5 are advantageously used to mean a program block that has been implemented by the aid of the computer.
Fig 2 represents one flow chart in accordance with the invention. As shown in block 20, a message is written by means of the first terminal device. The first terminal device is preferably a mobile station. The message includes, e.g. the identifying part of the message in question, information about the recipient and the actual message part. The message is sent via the telecommunication network to the server, block 21. The telecommunication network is, e.g. a public land mobile network. As shown in block 22, the type of the message is identified based on the identifying part. At the same time a message is saved to the database of the server that informs about the fact that the recipient of the message has got the possibility to send a free answer message to the sender of the original message. The edited message is sent from the server to the recipient defined in the message, block 23. The edited message is herein used to mean that the message received by the server may be modified before sending it to the actual recipient.
As shown in block 24, the message sent by the server is received on the second terminal device. The second terminal device is preferably a mobile station. An answer message of a fixed form is written by means of the second terminal device, block 25. The answer message of a fixed form is herein used to mean that the message includes both the necessary identification information of the service and the actual message part. The written answer message is sent by means of the second terminal device to the server via the telecommunication network, block 26. The type of the mes- sage is identified on the server, block 27.
At the following step it is clarified whether the free answer message is allowed to the first terminal device, block 28. There is an entry in the database of the server concerning the fact of whether the writer of the answer message is entitled to send an answer message to the first terminal device. The edited answer message is sent to the first terminal device, if the answer message is allowed, block 29a. If there is no marking in the database about the free an- swer message, the sending of the answer message is prevented, block 29b.
Fig. 3 is one advantageous signaling example illustrating the function of the present invention. The example as shown in Fig. 3 comprises a first mo- bile station MS-A, a short message service center SMSC, a Netgate server and a second mobile station MS- B. When speaking about the example as shown in Fig. 3, the combination Netgate server is hereinafter used to mean the same as Netgate. A message is created with the mobile station
MS-A and it is sent to the short message service center SMSC, arrow 30a. The message in this example means, e.g. the short message of a mobile station. The telephone number of the subscriber offering the answer message is marked with A and the number of the recipient of the free answer message is marked with B. When subscriber A wishes to send a short message to subscriber B and to offer a free possibility of answering at the same time, A writes a short message, e.g. of the following form: FREE#B#ACTUAL MESSAGE. The field FREE is needed in identifying the service. B stands for the subscription of the recipient and the # sign functions as a separator of the fields. The AC- TUAL_MESSAGE includes a normal message part. The message sent by A could be, e.g. of the following kind: FREE#0405432121#Hi, where are you?. A sends a short message with the mobile station, e.g. to the number 400. The short message service center is able to direct the message based on the aforementioned number to the Netgate, arrow 30b.
The rhombus at the end of the arrow describes the measures going on in the Netgate. When the Netgate receives the short message, it finds out based on the identifier FREE that it is a question about a free answer message service. The Netgate saves to its database a notification about the fact that B it entitled to send a free answer message to A. It is possible that B could have the right to send more than just one free answer message to A. To the database, e.g. the following information is saved: who is entitled to send a free answer mes- sage to whom a free answer message can be sent, and time at which the service request was received. When the information has been saved to the database, the Netgate sends to B a short message, e.g. of the following form: FREE NUMBERJDF THE SENDER: ACTUAL JYIESSAGE. FREE is the identifier of the service, the NUMBER_OF THE SENDER gives one the number from which the short message originally was sent and the AC- TUAL_MESSAGE includes the message part written by the sender. The short message is, e.g. of the following kind: FREE 0405432121 Hi, where are you? The Netgate sends the edited message to the short message service center SMSC, arrow 31a. At the same time, a billing ticket is generated that is used to debit the sender of the short message for the short message. In the billing ticket, also a separate service fee may be included that concerns the answer message service. The short message service center sends the edited short message further to the mobile station MS-B, arrow 31b. The rhombus in conjunction with the arrow 31b means that the recipient of the short message may choose whether to send a free answer message. In this example, the free answer message is sent. When B wishes to answer to A, he or she creates a short mes- sage, e.g. of the following form: RES#A#ACTUAL_ANSWER
MESSAGE. RES is the identifier of the service. A refers to the number which has offered the free answer message. The ACTUAL_ANSWER MESSAGE is the message part . The length of the message part may have the maximum length of 140 characters. The free answer message is, e.g. of the following kind: RES#0405432232# Working until 6 p.m. B sends with the mobile station 33 a short message as described above, e.g. to the number 400 to the short message service center SMSC, arrow 32a. The short message service center is able direct the short message based on the aforementioned number to the Netgate, arrow 32b.
When the Netgate receives the short message, it identifies the service based on the RES identifier. By means of a database query, it is found out whether
B is entitled to send a free answer message to A. If there is a right, the entry about the free answer mes- sage is eliminated from the database, and the Netget sends the edited short message via the short message service center SMSC to A to the mobile station MS-A, arrow 33. The short message sent by the Netgate to A is of the form: RES NUMBER OF _B : ACTUAL_ANSWER . The short message is, e.g.: RES 0405432232 Working until 6 p.m. A billing ticket is generated based on the answer message sent by B, when the Netgate receives the answer message and sends an edited message to A. Since it is a question about a short message in accordance with the answer message service, the billing is concentrated on A. If B does not send any answer message, A is naturally not debited.
In the answer message service, it is possible to include a time limit within which B can answer to A. If B tries to answer to A after a certain time limit has been expired, the answer message is no longer sent to A. In such a case, the Netgate may send to B a notification informing that the limit has been expired and because of this the answer message cannot be sent any longer.
The invention is not restricted merely to examples of its embodiments referred to above, instead many variations are possible within the scope of the inventive idea defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A method for the offering of a free answer message in a telecommunication system comprising a telecommunication network (PLMN) ; a first terminal device (TEl) which has been connected to the telecommunication network (PLMN) and which the first subscriber uses; a second terminal device (TE2) which has been connected to the telecommunication network (PLMN) and which the second subscriber uses; and a server (NG) which has been connected to the telecommunication network (PLMN) , in which telecommunication system: a message created with the first terminal device and provided with an identifier meant for the second subscriber is sent via the telecommunication network (PLMN) to the server (NG) ; the type of the message is identified by the server (NG) ; the message is directed via the telecommunication network (PLMN) further to the second subscriber, charac t e ri s ed in that the method further comprises the steps of: saving, based on the type of the message, to the server (NG) information of the fact that the second subscriber has got the right to send a free answer message to the first subscriber; and debiting the first subscriber for the message sent by him or her and for the answer message sent by the second subscriber.
2. A method as defined in claim 1, in which method: charac t e ri s ed in that it is checked whether the second subscriber is en- titled to send a free answer message to the first subscriber; and the answer message is sent to the first subscriber, if the sending of an answer message to the first subscriber is allowed; or the sending of the answer message to the first subscriber is prevented, if the subscriber is not entitled to send the answer message.
3. A method as defined in claim 1 or 2, charac t e ri s ed in that information of the number of the answer messages is saved to the server (NG) .
4. A method as defined in any one of the preceding claims 1 - 3, charac t e r i s ed in that a time limit is set within which the second subscriber can send the answer message to the first subscriber.
5. A method as defined in any one of the preceding claims 1 - 4, charact e ri s ed in that the telecommunication network (PLMN) is a mobile communication network.
6. A method as defined in any one of the pre- ceding claims 1 - 5, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the message is a short message of the mobile communication network.
7. A method as defined in any one of the preceding claims 1 - 6, charac t e r i s ed in that the first terminal device (TEl) and the second terminal device (TE2) is a mobile station.
8. A system for the offering of a free answer message in a telecommunication system comprising: a telecommunication network (PLMN) ; a first terminal device (TEl) which has been connected to the telecommunication network (PLMN) and which the first subscriber uses; a second terminal device (TE2) which has been connected to the telecommunication network (PLMN) and which the second subscriber uses; and a server (NG) which has been connected to the telecommunication network (PLMN) ; in which telecommunication system it is possible to create and receive messages on terminal devices and to transmit the messages to the right recipient via the telecommunication network (PLMN) and the server (NG) , c ha r a c t e r i s e d in that the system comprises : a data recorder (1) for saving information on the server (NG) , said information comprising information of the fact that the second subscriber has got the possibility to send a free answer message to the frist subscriber; and a means for billing (2) for debiting the first subscriber for the message sent by him or her as well as for the answer message sent by the second subscriber .
9. A system as defined in claim 8, char ac t e ri s ed in that the system comprises: a checker (3) for checking whether the second sub- scriber is entitled to send a free answer message to the first subscriber; and a transmitter (4) for sending an answer message and/or for preventing the transmission to the first subscriber.
10. A system as defined in claim 8 or 9, charac t e r i s ed in that the system comprises a limiter (5) which defines a time limit within which the second subscriber can send an answer message to the first subscriber.
11. A system as defined in any one of the preceding claims 8 - 10, charac t eri s ed in that the telecommunication network (PLMN) is a mobile communication network.
12. A system as defined in any one of the pre- ceding claims 8 - 11, charac t eri s e d in that the message is a short message of the mobile communication network.
13. A system as defined in any one of the preceding claims 8 - 12, c ha r a c t e r i s e d in that the first terminal device (TEl) and/or the second terminal device (TE2) of the system is a mobile sta- tion.
PCT/FI2000/000999 1999-11-16 2000-11-15 Message service in a telecommunication system WO2001037537A1 (en)

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WO2001093558A1 (en) * 2000-05-30 2001-12-06 Nokia Corporation Billing for replies in a communication system
US6980792B2 (en) 2000-05-30 2005-12-27 Nokia Corporation Billing for replies in a communication system
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EP1283636A3 (en) * 2001-08-10 2005-07-13 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Multimedia Messaging with reply-charging between different service environments
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WO2004049690A1 (en) * 2002-11-22 2004-06-10 Tim Italia S.P.A. Method for sending a short message and debiting the recipient
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EP1747685A4 (en) * 2004-05-03 2011-12-21 Chikka Pte Ltd System and method for facilitating communications between two parties
CN100444669C (en) * 2004-09-08 2008-12-17 乐金电子(中国)研究开发中心有限公司 Text message receipt confirmation method in mobile communication system
EP1838033A1 (en) 2006-03-24 2007-09-26 Intellprop Limited Telecommunications services apparatus and method
WO2011020121A1 (en) * 2009-08-14 2011-02-17 Ari Kahn Methods and systems for billing communication
RU2543611C2 (en) * 2009-08-14 2015-03-10 Ари КАН Methods and systems for exchanging billing data
NL1037852C2 (en) * 2010-04-02 2011-10-04 Martijn Kruize A METHOD FOR RESPONDING TO RECEIVED SMS MESSAGES AND VOICE MESSAGES, AND A SYSTEM FOR THE APPLICATION OF THIS METHOD.

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AU1527601A (en) 2001-05-30
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