WO2005064909A1

WO2005064909A1 - System and method for telecommunication

Info

Publication number: WO2005064909A1
Application number: PCT/SE2004/002008
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Frank; Urban Modig; Jasminko Mulahusic; Sören NYCKELGÅRD; Krister TÖRNQVUST
Original assignee: TeliaSonera AB
Current assignee: Telia Co AB
Priority date: 2003-12-30
Filing date: 2004-12-22
Publication date: 2005-07-14
Anticipated expiration: 2006-06-30
Also published as: SE526026C2; EP1700466A1; SE0303587D0; NO20062706L; SE0303587L

Abstract

Procedure and system for telecommunication where subscribers in a first group (1) of subscribers can be called by subscribers in a second group (2) of subscribers, where the cost of the communication between a calling subscriber in the second group (2) and a called subscriber in the first group (1) is debited the called subscriber, and that bonus from the called subscriber is allocated to the calling subscriber at this communication.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TELECOMMUNICATION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a system and method for telecommunication where subscribers in a first group of subscribers can be called by subscribers in a second group of subscribers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In many situations in the society of today there are occasions when a first person needs to call a second person, via the fixed telephone network or the mobile telephone network, without the first person wanting to be charged for the cost of the call. This can, for instance, be due to that the first person is lacking money to utilize a pay-phone, is calling from a third person's telephone and does not want to charge this person"s telephone bill, or is calling from a mobile telephone utilizing cash card with used up call resources.

There also are cases when, a first person wants to encourage a second person to make a call. This can, for instance, be the case when parents want to hear from their children via the telephone network without the children from an economic point of view being charged for this, when companies want their customers to call to, for instance, the customer service of the company without being charged, or when grandparents want to encourage their grandchildren to hear from them more often. One incentive for a first person to call a second person is to some extent that the cost of the call is debited the telephone bill of the called person or organization.

US 6 483 910 Bl describes a procedure and device to determine whether a calling party is on a list associated with and approved by the called party. If the calling party is not on said list, the calling party is charged for the call .

WO 98/54914 Al describes a system where a subscriber can order a specific number, which is free of charge for others to call, by calling a telephone server and being allocated such a number. The possibility for others to call this specific number and from which regions this can be made is determined by the ordering subscriber.

US 6 373 931 Bl describes a method which provides a subscriber with the possibility to determine whether the calling party shall be charged for the call or if the subscriber himself/herself shall be charged.

In the above, however, is not described how a first subscriber in addition to the offer that a second subscriber shall be charged for the cost of the communication, further shall be encouraged to call the second subscriber, for instance in the case when a grandmother wants to encourage her grandchild to call her more often.

AIM OF THE INVENTION The aim of the present invention thus is to provide a system and a method for telecommunication which improves a first subscriber's possibility to encourage a second subscriber to make calls. The aim of the present invention consequently also is to provide a system and a method for telecommunication which enhances the incentive for a second subscriber to call a first subscriber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The solution of the present invention to above described problem is to provide a system for telecommunication of the in the preamble of the patent claim 1 specified kind, where the system includes devices arranged to charge a called subscriber in the first group for the communication with a calling subscriber in the second group, and that said devices at this communication are arranged to allocate to the calling subscriber bonus from the called subscriber.

The system according to the invention can be realized by means of known technology or, for instance, by means of a 3GPP IM CN Subsystem which is a new untried technology.

According to one advantageous embodiment of the system according to the present invention, said devices are arranged to, from a subscriber in the first group, receive list of subscribers in the second group, whose communication/the communication of which with said subscriber in the first group shall be paid by said subscriber in the first group, and to which said devices shall allocate bonus; besides said devices are arranged to operate on basis of this list. The bonus can, for instance, be arranged as a remuneration for the length of time of the communication, or as a non-recurrent amount at the establishing of the communication. With advantage the bonus is transferred to the calling subscriber's account in form of extra resources, that is money, to be used for calls.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the system according to the present invention, said devices include a first and a second unit, which first unit is arranged to pick up and analyze the signaling which is used to set up the communication between a called subscriber and a calling subscriber, arranged to determine if the by the calling subscriber specified/indicated address is associated with a subscriber in the first group, and if that is the case, is arranged to forward the signaling to the second unit, and which second unit is arranged to handle the service logic, arranged to analyze the address of the called subscriber and of the calling subscriber and the with the called subscriber associated list, and arranged to transfer bonus from the called subscriber to the calling subscriber. It is in addition of advantage that said devices also include a third unit arranged to handle the balance of account, and utilization of resources, of the subscribers. Said units are with advantage constituted by logical reference points . The first logical reference point, which constitutes the first unit, can be a classic IN-node (SSF) , an S-CSCF (3GPP TS24.228) or SIP-server IETF RFC 3261. The second logical reference point which constitutes the second unit can be a classic IN-node (SCF) or an application server which is arranged to handle SIP-messages .

According to another embodiment of the system according to the present invention, the system is arranged to, to the address of a subscriber in the first group, add data, in order to simplify the analysis in the first unit.

According to yet another embodiment of the system according to the present invention, the address of a subscriber in the first group can be constituted by one for the system specific address, which can be stored on a SIM-card or in a main memory of a mobile unit and associated with the identity of a subscriber in the first group, in order to simplify the analysis in the first unit.

The present invention in addition provides a procedure of the in the preamble of the patent claim 9 indicated kind, at which the cost for the communication between a calling subscriber in the second group and a called subscriber in the first group is debited the called subscriber, and bonus from the called subscriber is allocated to the calling subscriber at this communication. According to one embodiment of the procedure according to the present invention, a subscriber in the first group specifies/indicates a list of subscribers in the second group, whose communication/the communication of which between said subscriber in the first group shall be paid by said subscriber in the first group and to whom/which bonus shall be allocated. The bonus can, for instance, be calculated on basis of the length of time of the communication, or be allocated as a non-recurrent amount at the establishing of the communication.

According to yet another embodiment of the procedure according to the present invention, the procedure includes the steps : picking up the signaling which is used to establish the communication between a called subscriber in the first group and a calling subscriber in the second group, analysis of the signaling and determining if the by the calling subscriber specified/indicated address is associated with a subscriber in the first group, analysis of the address of the called subscriber and of the calling subscriber and the with the called subscriber associated list, and • if said analysis of the address shows that the calling subscriber is one the called subscriber's list, debiting the called subscriber for the cost of the communication with the calling subscriber, and transfer of bonus from the called subscriber to the calling subscriber. According to another embodiment of the procedure according to the present invention, data are added to the address of a subscriber in the first group, in order to simplify the analysis of said signaling, or are each of the subscribers in the first group allocated a specific address, which is stored on a SIM-card or in a main memory of a mobile unit and is associated with the identity of a subscriber in the first group, in order to simplify the analysis of said signaling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention now, for the purpose of exemplifying, will be described in more details by means of examples of embodiment and with reference to the enclosed drawings, at which:

Figure 1 schematically shows one embodiment of the system according to the present invention, and

Figure 2 shows a schematic flow chart of one embodiment of the procedure according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 schematically shows one embodiment of the system according to the invention where subscribers in a first group 1 of subscribers, henceforth called B-subscribers , can be called by subscribers in a second group 2 of subscribers, henceforth called A-subscribers . The system includes a first logical reference point 3, which is arranged to pick up and analyze the signaling which is used to establish a communication. At this analysis is found out whether the address which an A-subscriber specifies/ indicates is associated with any B-subscriber in the first group 1. If that is the case, the first logical reference point 3 is arranged to forward the signaling to a second, logical reference point 4 which is arranged to handle service logic. The second logical reference point 4 is arranged to analyze the address or the number of the calling A-subscriber and the called B-subscriber. If the result of this analysis implies that the called B- subscriber accepts to pay the communication with the calling A-subscriber and to transfer bonus to the A- subscriber, the second logical reference point 4 is arranged to stop the normal generation of charging data and initiate an alternative generation of charging data, which indicates the resources for which the B-subscriber shall be charged. The second logical reference point 4 is arranged to transfer bonus from the B-subscriber to the A-subscriber via an interface to a third logical reference point 5, which is arranged to handle the balance of account, and utilization of resources, of the A- and B-subscribers .

Fig. 2 shows a schematic flow chart of one embodiment of the procedure according to the invention which describes the different steps, 2.1 to 2.5, which the procedure includes .

2.1 An A-subscriber in the second group of subscribers calls a B-subscriber in the first group of subscribers by specifying/indicating the address, for instance the telephone number, of the B-subscriber.

2.2 Picking up the signaling which is used to establish the communication between a called B-subscriber and a calling A-subscriber.

2.3 Analysis of the signaling and determination of whether the specified/indicated address belongs to a B-subscriber. In order to facilitate said analysis, data can be added to the original B-subscriber's address. In that way the determination to forward the signal message to the second logical reference point is rendered more effective, since only a small part of the address needs to be analyzed in this step. Alternatively, a specific address can be used when a calling A-subscriber calls, or in any other way is addressing, a B-subscriber. The specific address facilitates the analysis of the signaling. The specific address can be stored on a SIM-card or main memory of a mobile telephone, associated with the identity of a. B- subscriber .

2.3 If the address belongs to a B-subscriber, analysis of said A- and B-subscriber's address.

2.4 If the analysis results in that the B-subscriber accepts to pay the communication with the calling A- subscriber and to transfer bonus to the A-subscriber, stopping of the normal generation of charging data and initiation of an alternative generation of charging- data which indicates the resources for which the B-subscriber shall pay.

In the case with IN-nodes, this can be achieved by INAP- signaling between SCP and SSF, and for IMS, DIAMETER can be used together with a 3GPP-defined DIAMETER-application (TS 32.225) in order to generate adequate charging information. The second logical reference point then generates charging data for the third logical reference point. Charging-data from other nodes, for instance P-CSCF, which generate charging-data associated with the A-subscriber, then can be correlated with charging data which are generated ^"by the second logical reference point, via, for instance, IMS- charging-Identifier . In that way information/basic data is created for the B-subscriber to pay the call.

2.5 Transfer of bonus from the called A-subscriber to the calling B-subscriber, via an interface to the third, logical reference point, for instance by use of DIAMETER-protocol . Grandparents, for instance grandmother, often has a need to communicate with their grandchildren, and also the grandchildren sometimes want to get into contact with their grandmother. An interesting offer to grandmother which is made possible by the present invention implies that the grandchildren will have a subscription in which calls to grandmother from respective grandchild are paid by the receiver. In order to further encourage the children to get into contact with grandmother, the present invention in addition makes possible that the children can get bonus for calls to grandmother, that is, extra money, to be used for calling, which is added to their account. The present invention also improves the possibility of parents to encourage their children to make call home, or to the mobile telephone of their parents, and makes possible for companies to, in an efficient way, offer and tempt specific customers to call certain functions at the company.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. System for telecommunication, in which system subscribers in a first group (1) of subscribers can be called by subscribers in a second group (2) of subscribers, including devices arranged to charge a called, subscriber in the first group (1) for the cost of the communication with a calling subscriber in the second group (2) , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said devices at this communication are arranged to allocate to the calling subscriber bonus from the called subscriber in form of resources which are transferred from the called subscriber to an account of the calling subscriber.

2. System as claimed in patent claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said devices at said communication are arranged to allocate to the calling subscriber bonus from the called subscriber in form of resources for communication.

3. System as claimed in patent claim 1 or 2 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said devices at said communication are arranged to allocate to the calling subscriber resources from the called subscriber in form of money.

4. System as claimed in any of the patent claims 1 to 3 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said devices are arranged to, from a subscriber in the first group (1) , receive list of subscribers in the second group (2) , whose communication with said subscriber in the first group (1) shall be paid by said subscriber in the first group (1) and to which said devices shall allocate bonus, and that said devices are arranged to operate on basis of this list.

5. System as claimed in any of the patent claims 1 to 4 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the bonus is arranged as payment/compensation for the length of time of the communication or as a non-recurrent amount at the establishing of the communication.

6. System as claimed in any of the patent claims 1 to 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said devices include a first and a second unit, which first unit is arranged to pick up and analyze the signaling which is used to establish the communication between a called subscriber and a calling subscriber, arranged to determine whether the by the calling subscriber specified/indicated address is associated with a subscriber in the first group (1) , and if that is the case, arranged to forward the signaling to the second unit, and which second unit is arranged to handle the service logic, arranged to analyze the address of the called subscriber and of the calling subscriber, and the with the called subscriber associated list, and arranged to transfer bonus from the called subscriber to the calling subscriber.

7. System as claimed in patent claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said devices include a third unit arranged to handle the balance of account, and utilization of resources, of the subscribers.

8. System as claimed in patent claim 6 or 7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said units are constituted by logical reference points (3,4,5).

9. System as claimed in any of the patent claims 6 to 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the system is arranged to, to the address of a subscriber in the first group (1) , add data in order to simplify the analysis in the first unit .

10. System as claimed in any of the patent claims 6 to 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the address of a subscriber in the first group (1) can. be constituted by one for the system specific address, which can be stored on a SIM-card or in a main memory of a mobile unit and associated with the identity of a subscriber in the first group (1) , in order to simplify the a.nalysis in the first unit .

11. Procedure for telecommunication where subscribers in a first group (1) of subscribers can be called by subscribers in a second group (2) of subscribers, at which the cost of the communication between a calling subscriber in the second group (2) and called subscriber in the first group (1) is debited the called subscriber, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that bonus from the called subscriber is allocated to the calling subscriber at this communication by resources being transferred from the called subscriber to an account of the calling subscriber.

12. Procedure as claimed in patent claim 11, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that bonus from the called subscriber in form of resources for communication is allocated to the calling subscriber at said communication.

13. Procedure as claimed in patent claim 11 or 12, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that resources from the called subscriber in form of money are allocated to the calling subscriber at said communication.

14. Procedure as claimed in any of the patent claims 11 to 13, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a subscriber in the first group (1) specifies/indicates a list of subscribers in the second group (2) , whose communication with said subscriber in the first group (1) shall be paid by said subscriber in the first group (1) and to whom bonus shall be allocated.

15. Procedure as claimed in any of the patent claims 11 to 14, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the bonus is calculated on basis of the length of time of the communication or is allocated as a non-recurrent amount at the establishing of the communication.

16. Procedure as claimed in any of the patent claims 11 to 15, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the procedure includes the steps :

• picking up the signaling which is used to establish the communication between a called subscriber in the first group (1) and a calling subscriber in the second group (2) ,

• analysis of the signaling and determination of whether the by the calling subscriber specified/indicated address is associated with a subscriber in the first group (1) ,

• analysis of the address of the called subscriber and of the calling subscriber and the with the called subscriber associated list, and

• if said analysis of the address shows that the calling subscriber is on the called subscriber's list, debiting the called subscriber for the cost of the communication with the calling subscriber, and transfer of bonus from the called subscriber to the calling subscriber.

17. Procedure as claimed in patent claim 16, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that data are added to the address of a subscriber in the first group (1) , in order to simplify the analysis of said signaling.

18. Procedure as claimed in patent claim 16 or 17, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the subscribers in the first group (1) each are allocated a specific address, which is stored on a SIM-card or in a main memory of a mobile unit and is associated with the identity of a subscriber in the first group (1) , in order to simplify said signaling.