Abstract:
An administratively optimized process and/or system for metering communication tariffs which—with the aid of a flat-rate-calculating computer, which is connected to an associated exchange for customer terminals—carries out automatic administratively optimized metering of communication tariffs. Such automatic, administratively optimized metering of communication tariffs is suitable both for digitized, as well as for analog communication networks, implemented as wire-bound, radio-based or laser-assisted, terrestrial or satellite networks. Each terminal is connected to a communication meter which is sealed or otherwise protected against manipulation and can be read off using telemetry or, when prompted, by the customer using a special meter-reading card. The flat-rate-calculating computer processes the information pertaining to consumed volumes of information in three ways. First, it compares the current values with the specified process breadths and, if process alarm limits have been exceeded, generates a process alarm; it checks the current consumption values for a possible trend development and generates an indicator alarm in response to a limit-value exceeding trend. It stores the charge information, process behavior and alarms in a system memory for documentation purposes. At a predetermined time or if there is a special need, it calculates a new flat-rate value which corresponds to the changed communication behavior of the particular customer or group of customers. For the purpose of control, the flat-rate-calculating computer is connected to an operator terminal having a record printer.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a process and device for metering communication tariffs in communication networks. 
     RELATED TECHNOLOGY 
     In analog communication, communication tariffing processes have been used. These processes offer the possibility of using prices to control the traffic in the network. Thus, for example, so-called “moonlight tariffs” were used in the eighties; these employ a rigid tariff structure subdivided into just a few tariff groups. Although, in principle, these processes provide the possibility of using prices to control the traffic, they only permit a very rudimentary form of traffic control, because the division into defined, time-dependent price groups does not take account of the actual line load. Recently, methods have become known which make it possible to measure the telephone habits of individuals or of groups of people in a relatively simple manner. For example, profiles of customers&#39; phoning habits can be produced. So-called call behavior analysis methods make it possible for such profiles to be determined using measuring techniques and to generate them by evaluating measuring results. In “telekom/praxis”, no. 9/96, vol. 73, a so-called call behavior analysis (CBA) system created by the firm Hewlett-Packard is described by John Taylor in an article entitled “Call Behavior Analysis” on pages 39 and 40. 
     British Patent Application No. GB-A-2 265 522 describes a system for registering hand-held cordless telephones used in mobile communications systems via an air interface. The system has an exchange, which is part of a PSTN-Public Switched Telephone Network, and, additionally, terminals of a communication network, and is linked via connections and lines to a computer unit for charge units. This system is intended to enable wireless telephones to handle prepaid communication connections. For this purpose, relevant data, together with the registration data, are transmitted to the hand-held unit. To calculate prices, the system measures the consumed charge units and subtracts them from the stored credit amount. Thus, this system is also based on conventional charge units and does not take into consideration the possibilities offered by digital technology for measuring transmitted volumes of information in a volume-specific manner. Moreover, no methods are given for calculating usage charges as flat rates. 
     In the system, each terminal is equipped via lines with a communication meter, which is read off either automatically using telemetry or, when prompted, by the customer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a process and a system and/or circuit arrangement for administratively optimized tariffing in analog and digitized communication networks, which will take into consideration information about communication behavior and render possible specific user-related average call times per unit time/transmitted data volumes per unit time, and calculate a flat-rate amount for the individual customer or for groups of customers, which then becomes the basis for billing over an extended period of time. 
     In a process according to the present invention, the actual data communication charges are continually recorded. In addition, all call data is generally documented and stored or archived for a defined period of time. The basis for the process for administratively optimized communication tariffing is the average specific volume of charges per unit of time for each individual telecommunication customer. This average charge is fixed as a specific flat-rate amount, and an adjustment is made, annually for example, with the aid of software, with respect to the actually incurred charges, and accounts are automatically reconciled. Each year, for example, the flat-rate amount is automatically checked for correctness and, when required, adapted by the system to the current conditions. The process and system described here make it possible to economize substantially in terms of materials and administrative effort and, at the same time, to improve customer service by providing an easily understood rendering of accounts. Specific user-related average call times per unit time can be derived from available long-term or easily obtainable information about the communication habits of both individual customers, as well as of groups of customers. As an alternative to determining the call duration, it is generally quite possible in digital networks to measure the data volume transferred per unit of time (such as in megabytes per day, or the like). Consequently, a volume-specific quantity is available to measure the customer&#39;s network usage. The individual volumetric values are directly available at the output of the particular A/D converter in the case of individual devices. By measuring the telephone habits of individuals or of groups of people, one is able to create profiles of customers&#39; phoning habits; and so-called telephone behavior analysis methods make it possible for such profiles to be determined using measuring techniques and to generate them by evaluating measuring results, as described, for example, by John Taylor in issue 9/96, vol. 73 of “telekom/praxis”, on pages 39 and 40. These individual communication profiles are used to automatically determine, with the aid of a computer, average, individual cost profiles which are converted, in turn, into invoice amounts, calculated at the flat rate, at bimonthly, monthly or quarterly intervals with a periodic fine adjustment or precise reconciliation to actually incurred charges. The individual usage data is stored as internal-system data and is used as the basis for precisely reconciling and for fixing the long-term average charge values calculated as flat-rates. These average values, calculated as flat rates, are invoiced to communication-service users, for example, as bimonthly invoices over a one-year period. Since any differential amounts derived from the fine adjustment may be credits or debits, these can be set directly off of future usage charges or debits. In the case of new customers, the fine adjustment is carried out for a defined introductory period to verify the initially calculated flat-rates. If the resulting differential amount remains within a target sector of x percent of the exact value of the usage charge, the flat rates calculated are classified as correct and are fixed over a long term, for example for one year. With this flat-rate billing method, no invoices whatsoever need to be sent, resulting in huge savings for service providers such as Deutsche Telekom AG, which issues more than 40 million invoices for telecommunication services every month. The only exact invoice is produced by calculating the difference between measured values and estimated values in the form of an annual settling of accounts, such calculation being used for the fine adjustment at the end of a flat-rate billing period. 
    
    
     Further advantages, features and possible applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the embodiments shown in the drawings. 
     In the following, the present invention is described in greater detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. 
     The terms and associated reference numerals in the appended list of reference numerals are used in the Specification, the Claims, the Abstract, and in the drawing. 
     In the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 shows a graph representing the relationship between usage charges, flat usage rates and exact consumption values; 
     FIG. 2 shows a graph depicting the flat-rate price corridor being exceeded by the actual monthly usage charges; 
     FIG. 3 shows a graph illustrating the exceeding of the flat-rate price corridor by the account balance being set off against the respective value of the previous month; 
     FIG. 4 shows a vector diagram representing the relationships between the monthly flat-rate payment, the actual usage charge and the actual monthly consumption; 
     FIG. 5 shows a graph representing the breadth of a process according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 shows a graph representing the trend deviations; 
     FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram; and 
     FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of a computer for calculating flat rates, including an operator terminal and printer according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The process described below makes it possible to achieve considerable savings in material and administrative effort, while at the same time improving customer service by providing an easily understood rendering of accounts for the individual customer&#39;s actual consumption. 
     The operating principle of the automated, administratively optimized tariffing is described in the following: 
     1. On the basis of available long-term or easily obtainable information about the communication habits both of individual customers and also of groups of customers, it is possible to derive specific user-related average call times per unit of time (call duration, day, week, month, year). 
     2. In digitized networks, as an alternative to determining the call duration, it is possible to measure data volumes transferred per unit of time, for example in megabytes per day or the like. Consequently, a precise, volume-specific quantity is available to measure the customer&#39;s network usage. The individual volumetric values are directly available at the output of the particular A/D converter in the case of terminal equipment/ individual devices. 
     3. The telephone habits of individuals or of groups of people are measured to create profiles of customers&#39; phoning habits. This is accomplished, as already indicated, by employing measuring techniques to apply so-called telephone behavior analysis methods, including both determination and evaluation methods. 
     4. The individualized method extends both to groups of users, who, in turn, can be subdivided into subgroups, and to private individuals as well, who, for example, can be divided up into infrequent users, normal users and frequent users. 
     5. From these individual communication profiles, one can determine average, individual cost profiles, which are able to be converted into invoice amounts, calculated at the flat rate, at quarterly, bimonthly, or monthly intervals, with a periodic fine adjustment to exact charges incurred. 
     6. The individual usage data is stored and processes as internal-system data. It is used as the basis for precisely reconciling and fixing the long-term average charge values calculated as flat-rates in a computer  1  for calculating flat rates. These average values, calculated as flat rates, are invoiced to communication-service users, for example, as bimonthly invoices over a one-year period. 
     7. The fine adjustment is carried out, for example, at the end of each of the customer&#39;s contract years. Thus, after each year of membership, it is possible to adapt the flat-rate amounts to the subscribers&#39; current, specific, average cost profiles. 
     8. Differential amounts from the fine adjustment are either credits or debits. The credits can, with the consent of the recipient of the invoice, be set directly off of future usage charges; debits are settled immediately. 
     9. New customers are assigned to an appropriate user class and thus put on an initial flat rate on the basis of customer data to be obtained from the customers. 
     10. In the case of new customers, the fine adjustment is carried out for a defined introductory period to verify the initially calculated flat rates. If the resulting differential amount remains within a target sector of x percent of the exact value of the usage charge, the flat rates calculated are classified as correct and are fixed over a long term, for example for one year. The graph in FIG. 1 illustrates the relationships between the flat usage rates and the exact consumption values. 
     11. When the flat-rate billing method is used, there is no longer a need to send any invoices whatsoever. The only exact invoice is produced by calculating the difference between measured values and estimated values, in other words between flat-rate amounts and exact usage charges, in the form of an annual settling of accounts. 
     FIG. 2 shows a graph demonstrating the fact that, in forming a trend, the deviations generally add up very quickly to amounts which exceed an alarm limit. As shown in FIG.  2  and as can be seen from the average-value curve, however, even after an alarm limit has been exceeded, there may be a return to the flat-rate corridor. In such a case, it would be premature for the system to intervene to fix a new flat-rate price. This can largely be resolved, for example, by necessitating that the upper process-alarm limit value P AGrU  or lower process alarm limit value P AGrU  be exceeded on at least two successive occasions before action is initiated by the flat-rate-calculating computer  1  according to FIG. 8 to fix a new flat-rate price. Thus, it is shown, for example, that, in the vacation months, the usage charges usually fall below the corridor, while, at certain times, they exceed the corridor. It can further be clearly seen from FIG. 2 that, at certain times, there may be a process alarm, shown at a. The arrow identified by b shows the usage flat rate, and the arrow identified by c shows the average monthly consumption. 
     FIG. 3 shows a further graph showing the exceeding of the flat-rate price corridor by the account balance charged with the respective value of the previous month. Once again, the arrow identified by a shows the point for the process alarm, the arrow identified by d indicating the difference with respect to the flat-rate amount. The respective account balance is equal to the usage charge minus the flat-rate price. The flexibility can be further increased by evaluating various instances of the flat-rate alarm limit being exceeded discontinuously. This can be achieved, for example, in that the amount by which the limit is exceeded and the time when it is exceeded are brought into relationship with each other. In any case, it is advisable to offset the instances when upper process-alarm limit value P AGrO  is exceeded against the instances when lower process-alarm limit value P AGrU  is exceeded within an assessment period or, for long-term stabilization of the flat-rate price, also beyond that. This is important, for example, to be able to get past vacation times and the months of special communication activity, without the alarm being triggered. 
     FIG. 4 shows the relationship between the monthly flat-rate payment, the actual usage charge and the actual monthly consumption. Arrow  1  shows the monthly flat-rate payment; arrow  2  shows the monthly difference between the actual usage charge and the monthly flat-rate payment; and arrow  3  shows the actual monthly consumption in Shannon hours, corresponding to the actually incurred usage charges. 
     It must once again be emphasized that, in a process according to the present invention, all actual communication charges are continually recorded. In addition, however, all call data is also generally to be documented and stored for a defined period of time. The basis of the automated administratively optimized communication tariffing VKT described herein is the average specific volume of charges per unit time of each individual telecommunication customer. This average charge is fixed as the specific flat-rate amount. Each year, an adjustment is made with the actually incurred charges and the account is reconciled. The flat-rate amount is checked annually for correctness and, if needed, adapted to the current conditions. It is also possible, of course, to introduce other periods of time. In this case, a communication consumption unit is defined, according to which it is possible to measure and tariff the transmitted volume of data as a measure of “consumed information” in the form of communication units. Proposed as the measure of consumption is the unit of the megabyte hour measured in Shannon (SHh). 
     The fluctuations in the monthly communication consumption, with the highest and lowest values omitted, form—over the period of time used—the process breadth within which the actual volume of charges is allowed to vary. To determine the process breadth, a monthly average-value curve is calculated from the measured daily values, as shown in the graph according to FIG.  5 . From these monthly average values, the idealized average value is calculated as the flat-rate value for one year at a time. Once again, arrow a in the graph according to FIG. 5 points to the process alarm point; arrow b points to the flat usage rate (shown by a broken line); arrow c points to the curve of the average monthly consumption; and arrow d points to the curve of the average quarterly consumption. Each measurement point (°) indicates an average quarterly value, formed from the measurement points of the average monthly values (□). The average quarterly value is the assessment criterion used to determine the level of the specific flat-rate amounts. The extent of the variations in the monthly average-value curve forms the upper and lower process limit values P GrO  and P GrU , ie., the greatest deviations from the flat-rate value towards higher and lower information consumption. A percentage increase in these process limit values, to be derived from the specific communication profile, forms the process alarm limit values a. If these limit values are exceeded, a system alarm is triggered, indicating that, at that point in time, the flat-rate amount can no longer be reconciled to the annual consumption. The process limit values P GrO  and P GrU  indicate the range covered by the algorithm used for calculating flat rates. In this algorithm, parameters can be selected to provide flexibility. P AGrO  and P AGrU  are the process alarm limit values, which, when exceeded, prompt an alarm message during the process control. Given an otherwise normal process, deviations of this magnitude are not merely balanced out within the one-year period—i.e., up to the next flat-rate calculation. The flat-rate-calculating computer  1  continually compares whether any existing deviations vary within a defined range, either on the basis of weekly average values calculated for this purpose or using the monthly average values. If the deviations are too great, for example due to intensive use of online services, then the flat-rate-calculating computer  1  outputs an indication alarm signal. This indicates that, given the current trend, calculated from the subscriber specific data, of, for example, the last three months, the new flat-rate price differs from the previous one by more than 15 percent, for example. The indication alarm is used, for example, to arrange for a discussion to advise the customer in question. 
     The graph shown in FIG. 6 shows the trend deviations as follows: in spite of only slight deviations (□) from the average process value (ideal value is flat-rate payment), the trend evaluation (°) shows that, with the selected flat rate, the process cannot be kept within the specified process breadth. The costs incurred can no longer be balanced out by the flat rate. In an inverse situation of low usage, it is likewise no longer possible to balance out the accumulating credit, i.e., a new flat rate must be calculated for the process. In FIG. 6, arrow b points to the flat usage-rate curve; arrow e points to the exact consumption-value curve; and arrow f points to the curve of the difference with respect to the flat-rate payment. 
     FIG. 7 shows an overview diagram of a system which operates in accordance with the process of the present invention. The system shown in FIG. 7 includes flat-rate-calculating computer  1 , an exchange  3 , a terminal  7  having a display  9 , and a meter  8  for measuring communication consumption, for example a Shannon meter. Exchange  3  is linked via lines  6 , both to terminal  7 , as well as to meter  8 . It receives the incoming information via line  2 . Via the connections, lines  4  or the like, the charge information is sent to the connected flat-rate-calculating computer  1 ; and via the connections, lines  5  or the like, the flat-rate-calculation information is sent from the flat-rate-calculating computer  1  to exchange  3 . In exchange  3 , responsible for a specific customer, the continuously measured charge information is fed to the flat-rate-calculating computer  1 , which, from this data, determines, at a defined specific date, the new flat-rate price for the next customer-specific account year. All data relevant to the settling of accounts, such as measured charges, estimated charges or flat-rate amount, are transmitted to terminal 7, where they can be logged automatically or manually, depending on the facility. Display  9  shows the consumed volume of information in the Shannon hours SHh units of measure. A Shannon hour is equal to the transferred volume of information, with allowance being made for the transmission capacity of the channel and the actual transmission speed on the channel. A communication meter  8  is connected to each terminal  7 . This communication meter is generally a Shannon meter, which is installed at the customer site as a device which is sealed or otherwise protected against manipulation. The meter is read either automatically using telemetry or, when prompted, by the customer using a double, or specialized meter-reading card, who then returns the meter-reading card with its entered, read-off information to his or her communication provider. The flat-rate-calculating computer  1  processes the information pertaining to consumed volumes of information in three ways: it compares the current values to the specified process breadths and, in response to exceeding of the process alarm limit, generates the process alarm; it checks the current consumption values for a possible trend development, and, in response to a limit-value exceeding trend, triggers an indication alarm; it stores the charge information, process behavior and alarms for documentation purposes. Finally, at predetermined times, or if there is a special need, flat-rate-calculating computer  1  calculates a new flat-rate value which better corresponds to the modified communication behavior of a particular customer. 
     FIG. 8 shows an overview diagram of a flat-rate-calculating computer  1 , including its external connections. In this example, an operator terminal  10 , which is linked via lines  19  and  24  through  26  to flat-rate calculating computer  1 , is used to control flat-rate calculating computer  1 . Moreover, operator terminal  10  is linked via a line  17  to a record, or status report printer  11 . Line  19  is used for sending the information on parameter settings to flat-rate-calculating computer  1 ; line  26  is used for sending the process alarm signals from flat-rate-calculating computer  1  to operator terminal  10 , line  25  is used for sending the indicator alarm signals from flat-rate-calculating computer  1  to the operator terminal  10 ; and line  24  is used for sending the flat-rate price indication information from the flat-rate calculating computer, likewise to operator terminal  10 . The information on the flat-rate price is also sent from flat-rate-calculating computer  1  via the connection, line  5  or the like to the corresponding exchange, as shown in FIG.  7 . Via a connection, line  4  or the like, flat-rate-calculating computer  1  receives from the aforementioned exchange the charge information, which, first, is supplied directly via a line  18  to system memory  14  and, second, is supplied to a circuit  12  for comparison of the process breadth. Via a line  20 , circuit  12  sends its output signals to a circuit  13  to check for trend development; the output of the circuit being connected via a line  21  to system memory  14  and the circuit likewise transmitting, via line  25 , an indicator alarm to operator terminal  10  at the appropriate time. On line  26 , circuit  12  sends, when necessary, the process alarm signal to operator terminal  10 . System memory  14  is linked via a line  22  to a comparison circuit  15  which performs the comparison between measured charges and flat rate minus estimated charges. The output of circuit  15  is linked via a line  23  to a circuit  16  for calculating the new flat-rate price, which is supplied to the outside via line  5  and via line  24  to operator terminal  10 . 
     All the consumption data supplied to flat-rate-calculating computer  1 , as well as all the data supplied from this computer to the customer&#39;s terminal (terminal  7  in FIG. 7) can be retrieved from operator terminal  10 , and displayed. The data can be printed out as a log at connected printer  11 . This system check can be performed both under operator control and also automatically, i.e., under system control. It should also be mentioned that the circuits  12  through  16  of flat-rate calculating computer  1  can also be implemented as system software in a single-processor or multiple-processor system. 
     Provided below are examples of calculating the flat-rate price for new customers, using parameter variations, such as those to be implemented in flat-rate-calculating computer  1 , either in terms of software or hardware. 
     The flat-rate price for the new customer is estimated using various parameters. These parameters may, for example, be: 
     a) The customer making the estimation himself/herself 
     b) The service provider performing the estimation on the basis of statistical data from anonymous customer profiles 
     social class 
     family circumstances 
     occupation 
     hobby/leisure activities 
     c) The service provider performing the estimation on the basis of the services ordered 
     POTS 
     ISDN 
     transmission channels 
     type of connection 
     number of call numbers 
     data services 
     online services 
     leased lines 
     mobile communication 
     broadband connections 
     d) The service provider performing the estimation on the basis of the connected communication devices 
     analog phones 
     digital phones 
     fax machine 
     private branch exchange 
     data terminals 
     computers 
     telematic devices 
     answering machines 
     From these and possibly additional estimated parameters, the flat-rate price is derived for the new customer as: 
     
       
           P   0 = G   1 * VSEK+G   2 * VTstat+G   3 * VTDLstg+G   4 * VTKGer   
       
     
     where Gn(n=1 . . . 4)=weighting factors for the estimated values 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 VSEK = 
                 consumption according to customer 
               
               
                   
                 estimate 
               
               
                 Vtstat = 
                 consumption according to service Provider 
               
               
                   
                 estimate 
               
               
                   
                 (criterion b)) 
               
               
                 VTDIstg = 
                 consumption according to service Provider 
               
               
                   
                 estimate 
               
               
                   
                 (criterion c)) 
               
               
                 VTKGer = 
                 consumption according to service Provider 
               
               
                   
                 estimate 
               
               
                   
                 (criterion d)) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Weighting factors 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 G1 = 0.1 
                 (assessment of customer estimate) 
               
               
                 G2 = 0.3 
                 (assessment of social class according to 
               
               
                   
                 customer profiles) 
               
               
                 G3 = 0.3 
                 (assessment of expected usage on the basis of 
               
               
                   
                 services ordered) 
               
               
                 G4 = 0.3 
                 (assessment of expected usage on the basis of connected 
               
               
                   
                 communication equipment) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Examples of further flat-rate price calculations: 
     Current flat-rate price for the year J 0 :        PJ0   =         PJ   -   1   +   PJ   -   2   +   PJ0     3     +     PYV                   A   ¨        nd                              
     where PTVÄnd=flat-rate-based change component, if this is to be taken into consideration 
     The flat-rate price should be re-calculated if the “debit” or “credit limit” P AGrO  or P AGrU  is exceeded in two successive assessment periods (months): 
     
       
           PJ   0 new: ( P   AGrO ( tn )+ P   AGrO ( tn −1))−2 PJ   0 =&lt;0(debit) 
       
     
     or 
     
       
           PJ   0 new: ( P   AGrU ( tn )+ P   AGrU ( tn− 1))−2 PJ   0 =&gt;0(credit) 
       
     
     where P AGrO =upper alarm limit (debit limit amount) 
     and P AGrU =lower alarm limit (credit limit amount) 
     tn current assessment period 
     tn−1 previous assessment period 
     List of Reference Symbols 
       1  Flat-rate-calculating computer 
       2  Line 
       3  Exchange 
       4 , 5  Connection, line or the like 
       6  Line 
       7  Terminal 
       8  Meter 
       9  Display 
       10  Operator terminal 
       11  Record printer 
       12  Comparison circuit 
       13  Test circuit 
       14  System memory 
       15  Comparison circuit 
       16  Computing circuit 
       17  Through  26  line 
     VKT Administratively optimized tariffing