Patent ID: 8094795
Filing Date: 2012-01-10
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method for operating a computer system to control service usage for a user in a communications network, wherein a particular amount of resources for service usage is represented by values in multiple accounts, comprising a charging rating of a session or event, selecting a first account from a set of accounts, to be used and rated with a charging interval of the first account; calculating the cost of a first charging interval for the first account; determining if the cost for the first charging interval is covered by a balance of the first account; if the cost for the first charging interval is not covered, selecting a second account to be used from the set of accounts; determining if the cost for a current charging interval minus residue units left on the first account is covered by the balance of at least the second account; and if so, continuing with the current charging interval, and using the residue units left on the first account before units of the selected second account are used, wherein the first account is emptied in order to prevent unusable residue to trigger account selections to reduce the number of access references to the first account.