Host-sponsored data transmission billing system and method

A host-sponsored data transmission billing system and method is provided to permit reduced costs to a mobile user for internet access through an internet gateway. An operator billing system is provided (either in the internet gateway itself or coupled to the internet gateway) to generate billing data for payment by the mobile user for connection requests by the mobile user through the internet gateway to private sites on the internet. However, to reduce the costs to the mobile user to encourage access to host-sponsored commercial sites, the operator billing system bills data for payment by host-sponsors for connection requests by the mobile user to the host-sponsored sites. A General Packet Radio System (GPRS) can be utilized in this arrangement as the internet gateway.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of telecommunications/mobile phones, and more specifically to an improved system and method for mobile internet access and billing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, substantial development has occurred in systems and methods for mobile internet access. In particular, increased data transmission rates have been brought about by the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) evolution with systems such as General Packet Radio System (GPRS) and Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE). The GPRS and EDGE systems allow for higher bit rates in wireless access enabling mobile internet. In short, the technology has now been developed to make mobile internet access readily available.

Unfortunately, an emerging problem has developed with regard to the question of who will pay for the wireless data traffic in a telecom operator's cellular network for such mobile internet access. In general, customers are accustomed to low price or free internet access. On the other hand, current systems which permit mobile internet access charge the customer for wireless access to the same internet sites which they could access either for free or at a much lower cost if they were not using mobile access. Therefore, it has become a serious concern that users will view mobile internet access as too expensive for casual web browsing. This could seriously stunt the development of mobile internet access. On the other hand, E-commerce via mobile internet access could be significantly enhanced if free or low cost access could be provided to catalogs and marketing materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved billing system and method for mobile internet access.

To achieve this and other objects, the present invention provides a host-sponsored data transmission billing system and method for mobile users. An internet gateway is provided to establish wireless connection between a mobile user and the internet. The internet gateway generates billing data for payment by the mobile user for connection requests by the mobile user through the internet gateway to private sites on the internet. On the other hand, the internet gateway also generates billing data for payment by host-sponsors for connection requests by the mobile user to host-sponsored sites on the internet. In other words, some or all of the data traffic billing that is incurred in accessing a host-sponsored site is incurred by the host that operates the site in question.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1provides an overall view of a host-sponsored data transmission billing system in accordance with the present invention. In particular,FIG. 1shows an arrangement using a GPRS network10and a GPRS operator billing system12to permit connection of a mobile user14to the internet16. As shown inFIG. 1, the mobile user can be connected via the GPRS network10, the GPRS operator billing system12and the internet16to either a host-sponsored commercial website18or a private website20. The commercial website18offers free data transmission (or at least reduced cost transmission) to customers when it is accessed by a mobile user. In accordance with the present invention, the GPRS operator billing system12will directly bill the commercial website18(or the company sponsoring the commercial website18) for the access and data transmission of the mobile user14.

When the mobile user14accesses the private site20, on the other hand, the GPRS operator billing system12will bill the mobile user14directly. As such, the GPRS operator billing system12will generate two types of invoices, one directly to the mobile user14and the other to the commercial websites18or companies sponsoring the commercial websites18.

It is noted at this point that packet switched radio connections such as GPRS permit for billing per use or billing per amount of data transmitted via the radio network while the connection may remain open continuously. In accordance with the arrangement shown inFIG. 1, the GPRS billing system12is designed in such a manner that the billing incurred will be earmarked according to whether it belongs to the host-sponsor or to the consumer. Invoices are generated accordingly. It is envisioned that this will substantially increase the mobile access to commercial sites since customers will enjoy the same low cost or free access when they use mobile internet access that they obtain using conventional telephone internet access.

FIG. 2provides a more detailed illustration of a host-sponsored data transmission billing system using a GPRS network10in conjunction with an operator billing system22which is external to the GPRS network10. In order to provide a single access point from the GPRS network10to the external operator billing system22, a charging gateway24is provided. For example, this can be the currently available stand alone Nokia charging gateway, specifically modified for operation with external billing systems to generate separate invoices to mobile users and host-sponsors in accordance with the present invention.

In order to interface between the GPRS network10and the internet, a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN)26is provided. A security firewall28can also be locate between the GGSN26and the internet. On the other hand, a Service GPRS Support Node (SGSN)30can be provided between the GPRS network10and a Base Transceiver Station (BTS)32, and a Base Station Controller (BSC)34. A GPRS terminal36is coupled to the BTS32. The BCS34is coupled to a Mobile Services Switching Center (MSC)38. The MSC38is, in turn, coupled to a Public Switching Telephone Network (PSTN) network40. It is noted that these elements form part of the overall network structure already manufactured by Nokia as part of the GPRS core solution.

Other elements of the Nokia GPRS network include a data network42which can be coupled to the GGSN26by way of a firewall44. This arrangement is typically used in conjunction with a router46for coupling to a corporate LAN48.

In accordance with the present invention, the standard Nokia GPRS structure noted above is modified in accordance with the present invention to generate separate billing for user access to private sites and host-sponsored sites.FIG. 2shows operations carried out by the billing system22in order to generate separate invoices for the mobile user and the host-sponsor. As a first step50, it is determined whether the access is non-price differentiated. If so, the present invention is not utilized. On the other hand, if step52determines that the access is price differentiated, the next step is to determine whether it is a free, host-sponsored access (step54) or a cost incurring access for the mobile user (step56). If it is determined in step54that the access is a free host-sponsored access, an invoice is generated to the host-sponsor (step58). On the other hand, if it is determined in step56that the access is a cost incurring one for the mobile user, an invoice is generated to the mobile user (step60).

FIG. 3shows a log file tracing process which can be used to carry out the steps54,56,58and60. In this process, a database62is provided of IP addresses for host-sponsored sites. In step64, log file tracing of client (mobile user) accessed IP addresses is carried out. In the comparison step66, a “seeking match” process is carried out to determine whether the IP addresses accessed by the client during the log file tracing operation are the same as any IP addresses stored in the database62of host-sponsored sites.

If a match is determined in step68, this means that the client accessed IP address in question is to a host-sponsored site. In this case, charges are incurred to the sponsoring host (step70). Accordingly, in step72, an invoice is generated to the host-sponsor.

On the other hand, if no match is found between the client accessed IP address and the database62(as per step74), the charging and billing is carried out in a traditional manner in step76. In this case, an invoice is generated to the customer (step78) in the conventional manner.

The above description assumes that the host-sponsor has agreed to cover the entire costs for mobile users to access their host-sponsored sites. However, in accordance with the present invention, the host-sponsor could agree to cover only part of the charge. In addition, different levels of sponsorship and sponsorship agreements could be provided. Thus,FIG. 3also shows a database of the level of sponsorship and sponsorship agreements (database80). This information is taken into account in step70to adjust the invoice to the host-sponsor accordingly in step72. Of course, in this case, the remaining charges would be charged to the mobile user through steps76and78.

As one example of an alternative to completely free access, the host-sponsor might agree to provide a certain amount of access (in other words, providing a limited number of bits). For example, one megabit of free access could be provided. In this case, the billing system22would contain a record of the number of used bits and the available bits remaining to be used by the mobile user.

Another possibility for less than complete sponsorship would be free access to predetermined pages of the website. Alternatively, when the mobile user buys something, a billing system22can provide a certain amount of free time or bits to be added to the presently available number of bits for the user. The amount of free time or bits could be made dependent upon the items or services purchased. For example, purchasing from a particular website page could generate bonus points.

In the event that less than complete sponsorship is provided, the step54inFIG. 2will provide the user terminal ID number, the number of used bits to date (so that a determination can be made of available bits), and any purchase information which might reflect in an increase of the total number of available bits.

By virtue of the arrangements discussed above for implementing the present invention, access to commercial host-sponsored websites will be much more attractive to mobile users since they will be free to browse and download from such websites either for free or at substantially reduced costs. As such, the present invention removes, or at least reduces, the cost impediments presently faced in mobile internet access.

While the present invention has been described in detail and pictorially in the accompanying drawings, it is not limited to such details since many changes and modifications recognizable to those of ordinary skill in the art may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and the scope thereof.