Patent ID: 7328001
Filing Date: 2008-02-05
Classification: G06Q,H04M,H04W

Abstract:
1. A system for encouraging changes in user behavior of usage of wireless services in order to effect shaping of traffic and utilization patterns among a plurality of cells within a rate plan region, said system comprising: a rate plan defining at least one standard charge rate of service consumption for services consumed within a rate plan region; one or more shaping rules which define potential discounts from said standard charge rate under certain cell-specific utilization conditions, said shaping rules comprising at least a graduated comparative function of a percentage discount from said standard charge rate as a function of a ratio of utilization of a current cell and a geographically adjacent cell; a receiver for receiving utilization statistics for each of a plurality of cells within said rate plan region; an analyzer configured to, responsive to receipt of a service initiation request from a mobile device located within a rate plan region and within a given cell, consider one or more shaping rules with respect to said received utilization statistics, and to generate a discount value relative to said standard charge rate; and a user notifier settable by said analyzer for notifying a user of said mobile device of said discount value available for consuming a wireless service from said given cell in order to encourage said service consumption and to effect behavior modification of said user over a period of time.