Patent Publication Number: US-2011066491-A1

Title: Method and Communication Device for Using a First Service Based on an Account Chargeable with the Use of a Second Service

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention generally relates to communication networks, more specifically, the present invention is concerned with a method and a communication device for using a first service based on an account chargeable with the use of a second service in a communication network. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Nowadays, in order to retain and attract more and more subscribers, network operators need to come up with ingenious and attractive services to offer to their subscribers and potential subscribers. Most of the time, when a user subscribes to the network operator&#39;s services, he/she subscribes to a bundle of services for a monthly fee, for example. 
     However, the different bundle of services often lack flexibility for the subscribers and normally the fees charged to use one service can become quite expensive. For example, a network operator can charge up to 0.25$ for sending or receiving one text message. 
     Therefore, there is a need for improved solutions in encouraging subscribers to use the services offered by a network operator. 
     SUMMARY 
     More specifically, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for provisioning services to a subscriber. The method comprises receiving an indication of use of a first service by the subscriber; and upon receipt of the indication, checking if an account of the subscriber comprises a sufficient number of credits for allowing the subscriber to use the first service; if the number of credits is not sufficient, pushing a second service to the subscriber according to a predetermined contract between the subscriber and a network operator so as to increment the number of credits in the account for allowing the first service to proceed. 
     According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network node for provisioning services to a subscriber. The network node comprises a processor for receiving an indication of use of a first service by the subscriber; and a service function for checking if an account of the subscriber comprises a sufficient number of credits for allowing the subscriber to use the first service; if the number of credits is not sufficient, the service function pushes a second service to the subscriber according to a predetermined contract between the subscriber and a network operator so as to increment the number of credits in the account for allowing the first service to proceed. 
     According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for using a first service based on an account of a subscriber, the account being chargeable with a second service. The method comprises requesting the use of the first service by the subscriber; and upon request of the use of the first service, receiving the second service if the number of credits is not sufficient in the account of the subscriber to allow the subscriber to use the first service, wherein receiving the second service increases the number of credits in the account. 
     According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication device for using a first service based on an account of a subscriber, the account being chargeable with a second service. The communication device comprises an output for requesting the use of the first service; and an input for receiving the second service, in response to the request of the use of the first service, if the number of credits is not sufficient in the account of the subscriber to allow the subscriber to proceed with the use of the first service, wherein receiving the second service increases the number of credits in the account. 
     The foregoing and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of illustrative embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the appended drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a communication network in which embodiments of the present invention can be deployed; 
         FIG. 2  is a flow chart illustrating a method, according to an embodiment of the present invention, for provisioning services to a subscriber; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a network node, according to an embodiment of the present invention, for provisioning services to a subscriber; 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart illustrating a method for using a first service based on an account of a subscriber, the account being chargeable with a second service, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a communication device for using a first service based on an account of a subscriber, the account being chargeable with a second service, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart illustrating a traffic flow for receiving Instant Messaging (IM) in exchange of receiving advertisements in the communication network of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7  is a flow chart illustrating another traffic flow for sending Instant Messaging (IM) in exchange of receiving advertisements in the communication network of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Generally stated, non-restrictive illustrative embodiments of the present invention allow a network operator to provision services to its subscribers. Indeed, the subscribers of the network operator can use a first service with their account which can be charged through the use of a second service. To do so, the subscribers agree to have a predetermined contract with the network operator for using the first service in relation to the second service. For example, whenever the number of credits in the account of the subscribers is not sufficient for the use of the first service, the number of credits can be incremented through the use of the second service. For example, the first service can be sending or receiving text messages (SMS) and the second service can be receiving advertisements. Therefore, by agreeing to the predetermined contract, for example, sending one SMS in exchange of receiving one advertisement, the subscribers can send SMS to each other even if their accounts do not have enough credits, by accepting to receive the advertisements. 
     Now turning to  FIG. 1 , a non-restrictive illustrative of a communication network  10  in which embodiments of the present invention can be deployed will be described. 
     The exemplary communication network  10  comprises a system  12  for providing the first and/or second services. For example, in the case where the first service comprises using Instant Messaging (IM), the system  12  can be an IMS-based system for providing the IM services. The first service can also comprise sending/receiving SMS, MMS, chat, file transfer, gaming, multimedia services, location-based services, etc. Thus depending on the first and/or second services offered by the system  12 , the system  12  comprises corresponding technologies for supporting the services. The different services provided and supported by the system  12 , such as IM services, advertisements, gaming, etc., are believed to be well-known in the art and thus will not be further described. The system  12  is connected to a service handling server (SHS)  14 . The system  12  is also connected to a plurality of end-user devices  16 . 
     The SHS  14  allows for using the first service with an account which can be charged with the use of the second service. The SHS  14  can intercept/receive an indication of use of the first service by a subscriber, for example. Then, it checks if there are enough credits in the subscriber&#39;s account to proceed with the first service. If there are not enough credits, the SHS  14  can push a second service to the subscriber so as to increment the number of credits in his/her account. More specifically, the SHS  14  comprises a service charging function  22  and a service function  24 . The service function  24  checks if the subscriber wishing to use the first service has a sufficient number of credits in his/her account to do so. If the number of credits is not sufficient, the service function  24  can then push the use of the second service to the subscriber, in order to increment the number of credits in the account and then allow the first service to proceed. 
     The service charging function  22  allows a network operator to determine or build the contract with its subscribers, who can have multiple end-user devices. A contract can comprise a plurality of categories of service levels, which are offered to the subscribers. In addition, each of the plurality of categories can be associated to one of the multiple or plurality of end-user device of the subscriber. For example, the contract can stipulate that one use of the second service can increment the account by a number of X credits, X being configurable. Also, for the same service, each end-user device of the subscriber can earn a different number of credits, and also at different time, for example. 
     It should be noted that the service charging function  22  and the service function  24  can be co-located in a same node or located in separates nodes. 
     Since the subscriber usually has a plurality of end-user devices, such as the devices  16 , different categories of services can be mapped to each of the devices  16 . For example, in the case of IM, a first device can sent text messages only in exchange of receiving advertisements. A second device can send MMS or even video in exchange of receiving advertisements. The same can be true with the type of advertisements sent to the subscriber. For example, when using the first device, the subscriber only receives text advertisements. However, when using the second device, the subscriber can receive 2D or 3D advertisements. 2D advertisements can be defined as multimedia contents having texts and images. 3D advertisements can be defined as multimedia contents having 3 components, such as text, image and video. 
     The plurality of end-user devices  16 , which belongs to one subscriber, is usually registered under one subscription. In that case, the service charging function  22  is in charge of mapping the different categories of services to the different devices of the subscriber. 
     For example, the plurality of end-user devices  16  can comprise a computer, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), etc. 
     The SHS  14  is also connected to a user profile database  18  and a services content  20 . 
     When the SHS  14  receives an indication of use of the first service by a subscriber, it then connects to the user profile database  18  in order to fetch the user profile of the subscriber so as to retrieve the predetermined contract information between the subscriber and the network operator and the different categories of services. 
     In the case where the subscriber&#39;s account has not enough credits to use the first service, the SHS  14  connects to the services content  20  to get the content of the second service. For example, in the case the second service is concerned about the advertisements, the services content  20  contains the advertisement contents from which the SHS  14  can select an advertisement to be pushed to the subscriber so as to increment the number of credits in his/her account. 
     Now turning to  FIG. 2 , a method  100  for provisioning services to a subscriber will be described. The subscriber has an account of credits for using a first service and has a predetermined contract with the network operator for using the first service in relation to a second service, for example. 
     Method  100  starts with step  102  in which the SHS  14  receives an indication of use of a first service by the subscriber. For example, the SHS  14  can intercept the message (SMS, MMS, etc.) that the subscriber wishes to send to his/her friends. 
     Upon receipt of the indication, in step  104 , the service function  24  of the SHS  14  checks if the account of the subscriber (sender) comprises a sufficient number of credits for allowing the subscriber to use the first service. 
     If the number of credits is not sufficient in the account, in step  106 , the SHS  14 , through the service function  24 , pushes a second service to the subscriber according to the predetermined contract so as to increment the number of credits in the account for allowing the first service to proceed. The service function  24  obtains the second service from the services content  20 , for example. 
     It should be noted that the rate of incrementation of the credits in the subscriber&#39;s account is determined in the contract. 
     If the number of credits is sufficient, the service function  24  allows the first service to proceed then. 
     However, it should be noted that even if there are enough credits in the account, the SHS  14  can still decide to push the second service to the subscriber. In this case, if the subscriber accepts the second service, the SHS  14  will give a credit/rebate to the subscriber, for example, e.g. no credits are deducted for the use of the first service. 
     Now, turning to  FIG. 3 , a network node  200  for provisioning services to a subscriber will be described. The subscriber has an account of credits for using a first service and has a predetermined contract with the network operator for using the first service in relation to a second service, for example. 
     The network node  200  can be for example the SHS  14  or any other node which comprises a processor  202  and a service function such as the service function  24  of  FIG. 1 . Of course the network node  200  also comprises a plurality of other components (not shown), such as a memory, additional processors, input/output modules, etc., for performing its usual tasks and procedures, which are well known in the art and thus will not be described further 
     The processor  202  allows for receiving an indication of use of the first service by a subscriber, for example. 
     Upon receipt of the indication through the processor  202 , the service function  24  allows for checking if the account of the subscriber comprises a sufficient number of credits for allowing the subscriber to use the first service. If the number of credits is not sufficient, the service function  24  pushes the second service to the subscriber according to the predetermined contract so as to increment the number of credits in the account. By so doing, the first service will be allowed to proceed. 
     If the number of credits is sufficient, the service function  24  allows the first service to proceed then. 
     In  FIG. 4 , a method  300  for using a first service based on an account of a subscriber, which can be charged with a second service, is illustrated. 
     Method  300  starts with step  302 , where the subscriber requests the use of the first service. The first service can be IM, for example. 
     Next, in step  304 , the subscriber, through one of his/her plurality of communication devices  16 , receives the second service if the number of credits is not sufficient in his/her account. By receiving the second service, the number of credits in the account of the subscriber is increased, thus allowing the subscriber to use the first service right away or until the number of credits in the account is sufficient by keeping accepting the second service, depending on the contract predetermined between the network operator and the subscriber. 
     Now, turning to  FIG. 5 , a communication device  400  for using a first service based on an account of a subscriber, the account being chargeable with a second service will be described. The communication device  400  can be one of the plurality of end-user devices  16 , such as a computer or a mobile phone. 
     The communication device  400  comprises an output  402  and an input  404 . Of course the communication node  400  also comprises a plurality of other components (not shown), such as a processor or memory, for performing its usual tasks and procedures, which are well known in the art and thus will not be described further 
     The output  402  allows for requesting the use of the first service by the subscriber, for example. 
     And the input  404  allows for receiving the second service, in response to the request of use of the first service, if the number of credits is not sufficient in the account of the subscriber, wherein receiving the second service increases the number of credits in the account of the subscriber. 
     Examples of charging the account with a second service may comprise downloading a trial application, such as a social media application, that links to MySpace or Facebook with a free temporary account, signing up for a high-speed data account on the subscriber&#39;s mobile device, trying a new game, etc. 
       FIG. 6  shows an exemplary detailed application of method  100  of  FIG. 2  with a traffic flow  500  in the communication network  10  of  FIG. 1 , where the first service is using IM and the second service is using advertisements. In this particular case, the system  12  comprises an IMS-based system allowing subscribers to send each other IM. 
     More specifically, the IMS-based system comprises an IMS Messaging server (IMS-M)  502 , for providing the IMS-based IM messaging service, for example. The IMS-M  502  is connected to a service handling server, similar to that of  14  of  FIG. 1 . More particularly, in this case, the service handling server comprises an advertisement handling server  508 . The advertisement handling server  508  includes an advertisement charging function (ADCF)  510  and an advertisement function (ADF)  512 , which have some similar characteristics as the service charging function  22  and the service function  24  of  FIG. 1  respectively. It should be noted that the ADF  512  and the ADCF  510  can be co-located in the same node, or located in different nodes. The advertisement handling server  508  is connected to a first database, called ADCF Database (ADCF-DB)  514  which contains the profiles and contracts of the subscribers. The advertisement handling server  508  is also connected to a second database, called Advertisement Database (AD-DB)  516 , which comprises the advertisement contents from which the ADF  512  can select an advertisement for transmission to the subscribers. 
     The IMS-M  502  is also connected to a Serving Call Session Control Function (S-CSCF)  504  and an Instant Messaging Database (IM-DB)  506 . The S-CSCF  504  allows for processing SIP signaling packets in IMS and is believed to be well-known in the art. The IM-DB  506  contains the profiles of the users in the IMS-based system. 
     It is assumed that the subscriber has 3 end-user devices  16 , UE-1, UE-2 and UE-3, which can be a computer, a mobile phone and the like, and which are connected to the communication network  10 . The devices UE-1, UE-2 and UE-3 are registered in the IMS domain (steps  518  to  522 ), for example, under the same subscriber&#39;s subscription. 
     Also, it is assumed in this case that the subscriber is the recipient of the messages that his/her friends wish to send to him/her. Also, for example, the contract between the network operator and the recipient can stipulate that the recipient can receive free messages in exchange of accepting advertisements. 
     In step  524 , a SIP message arrives at the S-CSCF  504 . It is then forwarded to the IMS-M  502  in step  526 . 
     In step  528 , the IMS-M  502  retrieves the recipient&#39;s profile in the IM-DB  506  based on the request ID of the received SIP message, for example. The profile of the recipient shows that, in this case, the recipient has subscribed to the free IM service, for example. 
     Next, in step  530 , the IMS-M  502  forwards the message to the advertisement handling server  508  and more specifically to the ADF  512 . 
     The advertisement function  512  retrieves in step  532  which device of the plurality of end-devices of the subscriber (or the recipient) that has been signaled, i.e. which current device the recipient is using, e.g. UE-1, UE-2 or UE-3. If the recipient uses UE-2, then information about the UE-2 is retrieved. 
     Then, in step  534 , the advertisement charging function  510  checks if the recipient&#39;s account has a sufficient number of credits for receiving the current SIP message. Alternatively, the ADF  510  can initiate the checking and the ADCF  512  actually checks the number of credits in the account. 
     In step  536 , if the account of the recipient does not have a sufficient number of credits, the advertisement charging function  510  retrieves the contract information predetermined between the recipient and the network operator, from the ADCF-DB  514  for example. The retrieved contract may specify, for example, which category of advertisements (e.g. text, multimedia, 2D or 3D, etc.) to be pushed to the recipient through the advertisement function  512 . In this case, for example, 2D advertisements have been specified for UE-2. 
     Then, in step  538 , upon receipt of the category of the advertisements, the advertisement function  512  selects the corresponding advertisement content (2D in this case) from the AD-DB  516 . 
     Next, in step  540 , the advertisement function  512  adds/inserts the selected advertisement to the received SIP message and sends it to the IMS-M  502  in step  542 . 
     In step  544 , upon receipt of the message with the advertisement, the IMS-M  502  transmits the message to the recipient, more specifically to the UE-2 device. 
     It should be noted that the selected advertisement can be also sent to the recipient in a distinct message, either in parallel with the SIP message, before or even after the SIP message. In the case where the selected advertisement is sent to the recipient after the SIP message, it could be necessary to have a confirmation from the recipient that he/she has viewed the advertisement, for example. 
     In step  546 , upon receiving the message with the advertisement through the UE-2, the recipient sends a SIP  200  OK back to the S-CSCF  504 , then to the IMS-M  502 . 
     Then in step  548 , the IMS-M  502  informs the advertisement function  512  about the successful delivery of the message with the selected advertisement inserted therein. 
     In step  550 , the advertisement function  512  instructs the advertisement charging function  510  to update the number of credits in the recipient&#39;s account, which allows the recipient to send and receive instant messages. 
     In step  552 , the IMS-M  502  can send out a delivery report if the sender ever requests it. 
     It should be noted that the number of credits can be increased when the ADF  512  inserts the selected advertisement in the message, i.e. before the recipient receives the message. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary detailed application of method  100  with a traffic flow  600  for sending instant messages according to a pre-determined contract between the sender and the network operator and with the account of the sender being chargeable with advertisements. The framework and assumptions for traffic flow  600  are similar to the traffic flow  500  of  FIG. 6 . Also, the network elements in  FIG. 7  are similar to those in  FIG. 6 . 
     The traffic flow  600  starts with step  602  where the sender sends a SIP message towards his/her friends. The message arrives at the S-CSCF  504  and is then forwarded to the IMS-M  502  in step  604  through the end-user device UE-2, for example. 
     In step  606 , the IMS-M  502  retrieves the sender&#39;s profile from the IM-DB  506 . In this case, for example, the sender&#39;s profile specifies that the sender has subscribed to the “Free IM service”. 
     In step  608 , the IMS-M  502  forwards the received message to the advertisement function  512 . 
     In step  610 , the advertisement charging function  510  checks if the sender&#39;s account has a sufficient number of credits for allowing the sender to send out his/her message. In this case, it is supposed that the sender&#39;s account does not have a sufficient number of credits (step  612 ). 
     Next, in step  614 , the advertisement function  512  stores temporarily the message in a repository, for example. 
     In step  616 , the advertisement function  512  retrieves the sender&#39;s registered device information from the S-CSCF  504 , such as the UE-2, for example, if the sender uses the UE-2 to send the message. 
     In step  618 , again the advertisement charging function  510  checks the sender&#39;s account based upon the retrieved device UE-2&#39;s information in order to be able to select the right type of advertisements to be pushed to the retrieved device, for example. Indeed, some old 2G devices only support texts and images. 
     In step  620 , the advertisement charging function  510  retrieves the contract between the sender and the network operator. 
     In step  622 , based upon the retrieved contract, the advertisement function  512  selects the advertisement from the AD-DB  516 . The advertisement is then sent to sender via the IMS-M  502  and the S-CSCF  504 , using a SIP message, in step  624 . 
     In step  626 , the sender accepts to receive and view the advertisement and sends a SIP  200  OK back to the S-CSCF  504 , which forwards it to the IMS-M  502  in step  628 . 
     In step  630 , the IMS-M  502  informs the advertisement function  512  about the successful delivery of the advertisement to the sender. 
     In step  632 , the advertisement function  512  updates the account&#39;s credit number, thus, the previously stored message can be sent out to the sender&#39;s friends, in step  634 . 
     In step  636 , the IMS-M  502  sends out a SIP message, containing the message from the sender. 
     In step  638 , upon receipt of the message, the recipients or the sender&#39;s friends send a SIP  200  OK (success) to the advertisement function  512 . 
     Some advantages of the embodiments of the present invention include flexibility in building the contract between the subscribers and the network operators, which allows the latter to attract more potential subscribers. Through partnering with other companies for offering different services to the subscribers, more services can be tried out by the subscribers and revenues can be increased. 
     Modifications and other embodiments of the disclosed invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.