Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7006831?ie=ISO-8859-1
Timestamp: 2014-09-19 16:43:42
Document Index: 487696174

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 2', 'art 11', 'art 16', 'art 1', 'art 12', 'art 16', 'art 1', 'Application No. 04078485']

Patent US7006831 - Apparatus and method for providing dynamic communications network traffic ... - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsSystems and methods for controlling traffic on a communications network include dynamic and flexible control plans that enable service providers to control or influence customer access to communications facilities. Communications facilities are monitored to identify network elements, such as cell sites,...http://www.google.com/patents/US7006831?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7006831 - Apparatus and method for providing dynamic communications network traffic controlAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS7006831 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 10/261,132Publication dateFeb 28, 2006Filing dateSep 27, 2002Priority dateSep 27, 2002Fee statusLapsedAlso published asUS20040072574, US20060142018, WO2004030383A1Publication number10261132, 261132, US 7006831 B2, US 7006831B2, US-B2-7006831, US7006831 B2, US7006831B2InventorsWilliam R. Matz, Douglas R. O'Neil, James R. Bacon, Vernon MeadowsOriginal AssigneeBellsouth Intellectual Property CorporationExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (83), Non-Patent Citations (37), Referenced by (15), Classifications (30), Legal Events (5) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetApparatus and method for providing dynamic communications network traffic controlUS 7006831 B2Abstract Systems and methods for controlling traffic on a communications network include dynamic and flexible control plans that enable service providers to control or influence customer access to communications facilities. Communications facilities are monitored to identify network elements, such as cell sites, that are overloaded. When the traffic intensity on a particular facility exceeds a predetermined level, either active or passive control is imposed on subscribers that are in the geographic area of the facility. Active control involves blocking, delaying or disrupting subscriber calls during the critical time period. Passive control involves providing cost incentives or disincentives during low or peak periods of traffic intensity. Customers are notified of the commencement and/or termination of active or passive control preferably via SMS. When implemented with stationary cellular service, the systems and methods aid in traffic engineering and provide opportunities for customers to reduce the cost and increase the accessibility of telephone service.
RELATED APPLICATION This application is related to and incorporates in its entirety the co-pending application entitled, Apparatus and Method for Providing Reduced Cost Cellular Service, which was filed concurrently with this application, and is owned by the assignee of this application.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to telecommunications, and more particularly, to systems and methods for providing reduced cost cellular service by minimizing the cost of equipment, activation and service.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION �Plain old telephone service� (POTS) is ubiquitous in much of the world today. For a variety of reasons, however, cellular technology sometimes provides an attractive alternative to POTS, even for customers that do not need the mobility that cellular service inherently provides. For example, a low-income customer such as a college student may be somewhat transient, making repeated initiation and termination of POTS costly and inconvenient. The college student may share an apartment, rent a portion of someone else's home, or otherwise live in a situation in which expensive and intrusive rewiring of an additional POTS line would be unwelcome.
A typical cellular telephone includes a rechargeable battery, battery charging components, a display screen, an antenna, and electronic elements for providing continuous service while �handing-off� from one cell site to another. A basic non-cellular �land-line� telephone requires none of these elements to provide access to POTS, and thus is less expensive to manufacture. In fact, a cellular telephone can retail for several times the price of a basic land-line telephone.
The cost of cellular service is typically exacerbated by the �overhead� expenses incurred by the cellular service provider (CSP). Although cellular service is provided by a CSP, the customer typically purchases the cellular telephone from a retailer, such as an office supply or electronics store. Each cellular telephone must then be activated prior to first use.
Cellular customers typically pay a flat fee for service, and an additional fee based on the number of airtime minutes that the customer has used. Other cellular service plans may require the customer to purchase a bulk quantity of airtime minutes, for which the customer must pay even if the airtime is not actually used. Customers who choose to pay �by the minute� typically receive rates that are less favorable than rates available to those who purchase airtime in bulk. Furthermore, customers who choose to purchase airtime in bulk further reduce per minute rates by purchasing increasingly larger blocks of minutes. However, these bulk purchasers effectively ensure that their cellular telephone bills will never be lower than the minimum quantity of minutes purchased.
Airtime rates also typically vary based upon the time of day and day of the week. CSPs impose different rates at different times as part of the process of �traffic engineering.� Traffic engineering involves calculating and controlling the amount and location of communications equipment required to handle communications traffic, including telephone, voice, data, images, and video. Rather than simply installing expensive communications equipment to keep pace with traffic, many CSPs attempt to control expenditures by controlling the traffic. To encourage �peak shifting,� CSPs raise the per minute rates for cellular service during peak periods. For instance, weekend rates are lower than weekday rates, and nighttime rates are lower than daytime rates. These rate variations enable the CSPs to increase the efficiency of capital expenditures on infrastructure, such as cell site installations.
Each CSP must statistically determine the times and days that typically experience peak usage, and encourage customers to avoid using cellular service during those periods. Once peak and off-peak intervals are statistically established, the CSP creates rate schedules accordingly, which are then published to the customers of the CSP. The rate schedules typically impose the highest rates during statistically peak periods, which are usually weekday mornings and afternoons. Somewhat lower rates typically apply to statistically more moderate periods, such as weekday evenings. The lowest rates typically apply to statistically non-peak periods, such as weeknights and weekends. Actual usage patterns vary, however, according to any number of parameters, such as the season, local activities (such as major sporting events), holidays, highway traffic conditions, school terms, or the weather. Thus, a disadvantage of such statistics-based rate-making systems is that a CSP's rate schedule may discourage customer usage during a �peak� period that is actually experiencing low call traffic, and may encourage customer usage during an �off-peak� period that is actually experiencing high call traffic. The variability in the correlation between statistical prediction and actual call traffic can result in lost revenues and network overloads. Statistics-based rate schedules are also disadvantageous for customers, who may be unnecessarily discouraged from calling during unfavorable rate periods, which may last for hours.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Certain aspects and features of the various embodiments of the present invention address the problems described above with a cellular apparatus and service that is significantly less expensive to provide, easier to activate, and less expensive to operate. Reductions in cost are achieved by streamlining the cellular device itself, automating the process of activating and servicing the cellular device, and by providing more accurate and flexible rate plans and signals that enable the customer and the service provider to control the cost of service. These measures reduce the cost of providing cellular service and serve the market demand for lower priced cellular service.
In a process called �orientation,� the geographic location of the SCD is determined from data that is provided by the user or from data provided by a geopositioning system, such as a GPS or triangulation system. The CAC �provisions� the SCD by retrieving a list of cell IDs that correspond to that geographic location, thereby identifying cell sites that the SCD has permission to access. The originating cell ID for each subsequent call placed by the SCD is compared to this list of permissible cell IDs, and service is permitted or denied accordingly.
Yet another aspect of various embodiments of the invention includes flexible rate plans and real-time rate signals that benefit the CSP and the customer by providing real-time traffic control. As used herein, the term �traffic� means the amount of activity during a given period of time over a given communications network element, such as a circuit, cell site, trunk, line or group of lines, or communications switch. The CSP can optimize its network by engineering the cellular network specifically for reduced cost cellular service, rather than overcompensating for statistical peaks in call traffic. Whenever call traffic actually drives network capacity outside of an acceptable range, a CSP can control call traffic by transmitting favorable or prohibitive cost signals, or by delaying or disrupting service to appropriate subscribers. In this manner, aspects of the invention facilitate peak-shifting of customer usage according to actual fluctuations in call traffic.
In certain embodiments, the traffic control aspect of the invention is implemented by notifying the customer at the instant a low call traffic period is detected by the CSP. The notification includes an indication that lower rates are available during the low call traffic period. The indication can be provided by a visual, audible, or tactile alert means, such as but not limited to a tone emanating from the handset, a text message or icon on a telephone display, an incoming call to the customer, vibration emanating from the handset, voicemail, or an audible broadcast message. The notification may specify a fixed interval during which lower rates are available, or a second notification may cancel the reduced rate period. The customer may take advantage of the offer of lower rates by responding to the notification or by simply placing a call after receiving notification. This aspect of the invention can also be implemented with control plans that provide flexible levels of service�that is, levels of service that vary according to the rates paid by the customer. Flexible service levels can be implemented dynamically, or at initiation of the customer-CSP relationship. For example, the customer may subscribe at a control plan that offers a lower level of service at lower rates than regular control plans. The lower level of service is manifested when, during periods at which call traffic is critically high, the customer's ability to place a call is strictly controlled by the CSP. The customer's call may be blocked altogether, or the call may be delayed until network capacity rises above a predetermined level. The customer's ability to continue an ongoing call may also be controlled, such as by the CSP disrupting a call in progress due to critical call traffic conditions. Although these aspects of the present invention are described in relation to cellular service, the aspects are also applicable to landline applications, such as long distance telephone service, or other wireless applications, such as wireless email, internet, and text paging.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate certain embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, disclose various features and aspects of the invention. In the drawings:
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The Stationary Cellular Device (SCD)
FIG. 1 is a schematic of an exemplary stationary cellular device (SCD) 100. The SCD 100 includes many of the components common to a typical cellular or cordless telephone. The SCD 100 typically includes a handset (not separately shown), including an earpiece and a mouthpiece. Separate from or integrated with the handset, the SCD 100 includes a base 102. The base 102 houses a transmitter 104, a cellular receiver 106, a baseband processor 108, memory 110, an acoustic transducer 112, a speaker 114, an AC/DC power converter 116, an antenna 118, and optionally, a rechargeable or replaceable battery 120. A keypad 122 is integrated with to the base 102, handset, or both. The keypad 122 includes buttons 124 common to telephone keypads, and may optionally include a screen. In �corded� embodiments, the handset of the SCD 100 may be physically connected to the base 102 via a standard telephone handset cord. Alternatively, the SCD 100 may be �cordless� in that the handset communicates with the base 102 wirelessly.
In a first cordless embodiment of the SCD, the base includes two antennae. A first antenna transmits and receives cellular signals to and from one or more cell sites. The term �cell site� refers to a low-powered radio transmitter/receiver that serves one geographic unit of the cellular system. A second antenna transmits and receives radio waves to and from a cordless handset. In a second cordless embodiment, a single base antenna transmits and receives cellular signals to and from cell sites, as well as radio waves to and from the cordless handset. In a third cordless embodiment, the handset and base communicate with one another with extremely low power calls over predetermined cellular channels. In this third cordless embodiment, the CSP reserves a portion of a block of proprietary cellular frequencies for extremely short range communications. Communicating with the base over these reserved frequency channels reduces the potential for interference from nearby conventional cordless or cellular devices.
To limit the handoff function of the SCD, a stationary cellular application within the baseband processor 108 of the SCD compares the cell identifier (cell ID) of one or more accessible cell sites with a list of one or more permissible cell IDs that is preferably stored in the memory 110 of the SCD 100. Thus, the list of permissible cell IDs serves at least two major purposes: the list of permissible cell IDs 1) limits the geographic area from which the customer is permitted to place calls using that particular SCD, and 2) identifies the cell sites within that geographic area between which the SCD may handoff during an ongoing call. The SCD receives a list of permissible cell IDs during the �activation� process, which is described below in more detail. The list of permissible cell IDs is maintained in a network element of the cellular system, but is also preferably stored in the memory element of the SCD. Substantially less memory is required to support the stationary cellular application than is required to support typical cellular phone features, such as caller ID, memory dialing and text paging. Thus, a smaller memory element can be installed in the SCD so the cost of the SCD is less than a typical cellular device. The fixed cellular application maintains the list of permissible cell IDs, and restricts the SCD from handing-off to cell IDs that do not appear in the list of permissible cell IDs for that SCD.
The SCD application preferably searches for and utilizes the permissible cell site that has the strongest signal, as is common in conventional cellular communications standards, but may also search for the closest available permissible cell site. In some geographic areas, the CSP provides �macro cells� and �micro cells.� Most often, a macro cell provides service for the bulk of the cellular customers in its service area. If the macro cell is overloaded, then one or more micro cells provides �overflow� capacity to the macro cell by carrying some of the macro cell's calls. At least a limited handoff capability is needed for the SCD to switch from a macro cell to a micro cell.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the SCD 100 is �pre-activated,� in that identifying information, including a subscriber identifier (ID), is pre-assigned and stored within the SCD 100 prior to purchase by the customer. North American cellular protocol systems, such as the analog AMPS, IS-95 CDMA, and IS-136 TDMA systems, use a telephone number as the subscriber identifier. GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) countries assign an International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI), which is distinct from the phone number.
In certain embodiments, the HLR recognizes receipt of identifying information as an authentication trigger. The authentication trigger causes the HLR 208 to instruct the MSC 206 to send the subscriber ID, terminal ID, and MSISDN (if applicable) to the Application Platform 210. The Application Platform 210 runs the Authentication Application (not shown), which performs orientation and provisioning functions. The Application Platform 210 queries an Application Database 214 that contains at least a subset of all existing cell IDs. The Authentication Application selects from the Application Database 214 a list of permissible cell IDs for that SCD 100, based on the geographic location of the SCD (as determined in the orientation process). In the provisioning process, the list of permissible cell IDs is communicated back to the SCD 100. Each time the customer subsequently originates a call using that SCD 100, the HLR 208 again instructs the MSC 206 to send the identifying information to the Application Platform 210. The originating trigger invokes an �originating call� application that determines whether the originating cell ID (i.e., the cell ID associated with the geographic origin of the call) is in the list of permissible cell IDs for that SCD 100. If the originating cell ID is in the list of permissible cell IDs, the Application Platform informs the MSC 206, which then provides service authorization so that the customer may complete the call. If the originating cell ID is not in the list of permissible cell IDs, then the MSC 206 is directed to deny service, and the Authentication Application determines whether the SCD 100 has permission to be re-activated.
Provisioning (i.e., limiting authorization of an originated call to a predetermined list of permissible cell IDs) prevents the SCD 100 from being used outside of a designated area, defined by a location ID. The Application Platform 210 determines which of all existing cell IDs are permissible by comparing the geographic location of the SCD 100 at the time the customer initiates the activation sequence with a set of associated cell IDs. The geographic location is located in the functional equivalent of a look-up table containing cell IDs and the geographic areas served by the cell sites associated with the cell IDs. The list of permissible cell IDs is preferably transmitted to the SCD 100 via a programmable short message, or �SMS� (Short Message Service).
In the orientation process, the geographic location is determined, preferably using a global positioning system (GPS). For instance, CSPs typically maintain an engineering radio frequency map database (ERFMD) 216. An ERFMD 216 is part of a software application that predicts and empirically assesses cellular signal strength by analyzing the power output and frequency channels of cell sites in view of the terrain of the surrounding area. Cell IDs for those cell sites that are capable of serving the associated geographic area are then mapped to postal addresses, latitudes, and longitudes. The ERFMD 216 assists system engineers in optimizing placement of cell sites, and to �tune� the network to control the quality of cellular service.
The authentication process occurs each time the SCD is powered on. The orientation process should only occur if no list of permissible cell IDs has been established, if the originating cell ID is not in the list of permissible cell IDs, and if permission is granted through the authentication process to �re-orient.� The provisioning process should only occur in limited circumstances, such as the first time the SCD is powered on, when permissible cell IDs are added or removed at the network level, or when the customer moves or transfers ownership of the SCD. Re-orientation can be permitted when the SCD �permanently� moves from one geographic location to another. For example, the customer may be required to periodically �re-provision� the SCD, so that the list of permissible cell IDs stored in the memory of the SCD is updated with any new cell IDs that have been associated with the customer's location ID. The flexible rule set discourages re-provisioning if the change in geographic location is temporary.
In certain embodiments of the invention, this �originating call ID check� occurs within the SCD. In these embodiments, the SCD receives the originating cell ID from the originating cell site or from the MSC. An application stored within the SCD then compares the originating ID to the list of permissible cell IDs stored within the SCD. If the originating cell ID is in the list of permissible cell IDs, the SCD sends an authentication indicator (such as a flag) to the MSC. The authentication indicator indicates that the call is allowable, and enables the MSC, at 412, to route the call to its intended recipient. If the originating ID is not in the list of permissible cell IDs, then in these embodiments, operation proceeds from 410 to 416 and the SCD terminates the attempted call (414 is not applicable).
To further reduce customer and provider costs associated with cellular service, systems and methods for providing real-time call traffic control are provided. According to certain embodiments of the invention, upon attempting to place a call, customer identification information is communicated to the MSC 206. The subscriber ID or other identifying information preferably indicates the control plan to which the customer subscribes. The customer's control plan dictates the control measures that the customer has typically agreed to accept in exchange for lower rates. Referring to FIG. 3, each cellular network has a Network Control Center (NCC) 300, which can be an MSC 206 (or the functional equivalent). Occupancy data is relayed to the NCC 300. The occupancy data indicates the traffic offered and carried at various levels of communications network elements or sub-elements. In a cellular network, these network elements are �cellular facilities,� which can include individual or groups of cell sites, MSCs, or RF channels. In a landline system, the network elements include POTS facilities such as central offices and trunks. For example, the occupancy data at each MSC 206, cell site 204, and RF channel in each cell site on the cellular network can be communicated to the NCC 300. An algorithm at the NCC 300 translates the occupancy data into traffic intensity, which is typically a measure of the average occupancy of the particular network element which is to carry the call. Traffic intensity is preferably expressed using an Erlang formula, such as the Erlang B probability of blocking Pb: P b = E N / N ! ∑ k = 0 N ⁢ E k / K ! where:
At control point C1, the CSP either passively or actively controls the traffic of calls placed by customers subscribing to a control plan that corresponds to that grade of service. These customers will be referred to as �GOS1� customers, because at control point C1, customers subscribing to control plans that fall within grade of service 1 will be controlled for the first time. At control point C2, the CSP either passively or actively controls the traffic of calls of GOS2 customers. In addition, at control point C2, the CSP continues to control GOS1 customers, and may increase the severity of the control, such as by switching from passive to active control. At control point Pn, the CSP may elect to actively control the traffic of calls placed by all customers subscribing to any reduced cost control plan.
Customer notification of the increased or reduced calling rates is preferably performed by sending a commencement message when the adjustment period begins, followed by a concluding message when the adjustment period ends. Notification can be accomplished with an SMS message to the customer's handset. If the handset has no display, the customer can receive notification via a tone or beep, similar to the audible alert commonly used to indicate that a cellular customer has a voice message. If the handset has a display, notification can be received as a text message along with or in lieu of the audible tone. The text message includes a short description of the rate adjustment, such as �10% off all calls now� or �reduced rate ends in 2 minutes.� An icon or other graphic can communicate the same information. For example, �$� can indicate a 10% rate increase, �$$$� can indicate a 30% rate increase, and �−$$� can indicate a 20% rate reduction. Similarly, audible tones with different pitches can differentiate between an increase as opposed to a discount; the number of tones can indicate the amount of the adjustment. Alternatively, a particular melody or a prerecorded message can designate commencement or conclusion of a period of rate adjustment.
The foregoing description of a preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented only for the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. For example, the notification and control aspects of the invention are directed to cellular service, but can be implemented in any subscriber media, such as POTS, text paging, wireless internet, long-distance, cable, satellite, and internet services. The term �call� includes any communications session initiated or received in any such subscriber medium. In addition, passive or active control of call traffic can be implemented proactively or reactively. For example, a control scheme can be implemented reactively by calculating the probability of blocking Pb on a given cell site only in response to an attempted call, and then by imposing rate adjustments or denying service to that particular customer if warranted by the capacity situation at that particular time.
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