Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US7006831B2/en
Timestamp: 2019-08-19 21:40:53
Document Index: 33075408

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

US7006831B2 - Apparatus and method for providing dynamic communications network traffic control - Google Patents
Apparatus and method for providing dynamic communications network traffic control Download PDF
US7006831B2
US7006831B2 US10/261,132 US26113202A US7006831B2 US 7006831 B2 US7006831 B2 US 7006831B2 US 26113202 A US26113202 A US 26113202A US 7006831 B2 US7006831 B2 US 7006831B2
US10/261,132
US20040072574A1 (en
2002-09-27 Application filed by AT&T Delaware Intellectual Property Inc filed Critical AT&T Delaware Intellectual Property Inc
2002-09-27 Priority to US10/261,132 priority Critical patent/US7006831B2/en
2004-04-15 Publication of US20040072574A1 publication Critical patent/US20040072574A1/en
2005-08-08 Assigned to BELLSOUTH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION reassignment BELLSOUTH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: O'NEIL, DOUGLAS R., BACON, JAMES R., MATZ, WILLIAM R., MEADOWS, VERNON
2006-02-28 Publication of US7006831B2 publication Critical patent/US7006831B2/en
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 !
a network control center that receives traffic data associated with at least one element of the communications network, and relays the traffic data to a traffic engineering database;
a traffic engineering database that stores the traffic data; and
a traffic control application that, for each of the network elements:
extracts traffic data corresponding to the network element from the traffic engineering database;
determines a traffic control measure to be imposed in a geographic location associated with the network element, based upon the traffic data corresponding to the network element wherein the traffic control measure includes:
altering a cost of placing calls from communications devices associated with a subscriber identifier to be controlled and the geographic location; and
preventing each of the communications devices from exceeding maximums for at least one of a number of calls placed or a duration of calls placed; and
retrieves a list containing each communications device associated with a subscriber identifier to be controlled and the geographic location, wherein each subscriber identifier associated with a communications device indicates a degree of control the traffic control measure exerts on that communications device.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the traffic control application further implements the traffic control measure with respect to the communications devices retrieved on the list.
monitoring traffic intensity of a plurality of network elements;
if the traffic intensity at a selected network element is outside a predetermined range, retrieving a list of affected communications devices wherein the affected communications devices comprise all communications devices that are associated with the network element; and
implementing a traffic control measure according to a control plan associated with each affected communications device wherein the control plan varies among the affected communications devices according to a degree of control exerted by the traffic control measure on each affected communications device;
wherein the traffic control measure includes preventing each of the affected communications devices from exceeding maximums for at least one of a number of calls placed or a duration of calls placed.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the traffic control measure further includes altering a cost of placing a call from each of the affected communications devices.
determines at least one traffic control measure to be imposed in a geographic location associated with the network element, based upon the traffic data corresponding to the network element wherein the traffic control measure includes preventing each of the affected communications devices from exceeding maximums for at least one of a number of calls placed or a duration of calls placed;
retrieves a list of the affected communications devices wherein the affected communications devices comprise each communication device associated with a subscriber identifier to be controlled and associated with the geographic location, and wherein the subscriber identifier associated with each affected communications device indicates a degree of control the traffic control measure exerts on that affected communications device; and
implements the traffic control measure with respect to the affected communications devices.
21. A traffic control system for controlling traffic on a communications network, the system comprising:
determines at least one traffic control measure to be imposed in a geographic location associated with the network element, based upon the traffic data corresponding to the network element;
retrieves a list of affected communications devices wherein the affected communications devices comprise each communication device associated with a subscriber identifier to be controlled and associated with the geographic location, and wherein the subscriber identifier associated with each affected communications device indicates a degree of control the traffic control measure exerts on that affected communications device; and
implements the traffic control measure with respect to the affected communications devices wherein the traffic control measure prevents the affected communications devices from placing calls.
22. A traffic control system for controlling traffic on a communications network, the system comprising:
extracts traffic data corresponding o the network element from the traffic engineering database;
implements the traffic control measure with respect to the affected communications devices wherein the traffic control measure alters a cost of placing calls from the affected communications devices and prevents each of the affected communications devices from exceeding maximums for at least one of a number of calls placed or a duration of calls placed.
23. A traffic control system for controlling traffic on a communications network, the system comprising:
extracts traffic data corresponding to the network element from the traffic engineering database; and
implements the traffic control measure with respect to the affected communications devices wherein the traffic control measure prevents each of the affected communications devices from exceeding maximums for at least one of a number of calls placed or a duration of calls placed and wherein the network control center sends a message to the affected communications devices when the traffic control measure is implemented.
24. A traffic control system for controlling traffic on a communications network, the system comprising:
implements the traffic control measure with respect to the affected communications devices wherein the traffic control measure prevents each of the affected communications devices from exceeding maximums for at least one of a number of calls placed or a duration of calls placed and wherein the network control center sends a message to the affected communications devices when the traffic control measure is terminated.
25. A traffic control system for controlling traffic on a cellular network, the system comprising:
a plurality of cellular facilities;
a network control center that:
receives occupancy data associated with each cellular facility;
determines traffic intensity at each cellular facility; and
relays the traffic intensity to a traffic engineering database;
a traffic engineering database that stores traffic intensity; and
a traffic control application that:
extracts the traffic intensity corresponding to a selected cellular facility from the traffic engineering database;
determines at least one traffic control measure to be imposed in a geographic location associated with the selected cellular facility, based upon the traffic intensity corresponding to the selected cellular facility;
retrieves a list of affected cellular devices wherein the affected cellular devices include all cellular devices having a subscriber identifier to be controlled and associated with the geographic location associated with the selected cellular facility; and
implements the traffic control measure with respect to the affected cellular devices wherein the traffic control measure prevents each of the affected cellular devices from exceeding maximums for at least one of a number of calls placed or a duration of calls placed.
26. A traffic control system for controlling traffic on a cellular network, the system comprising:
implements the traffic control measure with respect to the affected cellular devices wherein the traffic control measure prevents the affected cellular devices from placing calls.
27. A traffic control system for controlling traffic on a cellular network, the system comprising:
implements the traffic control measure with respect to the affected cellular devices wherein the traffic control measure prevents placing calls from the affected cellular devices.
28. A traffic control system for controlling traffic on a cellular network, the system comprising:
implements the traffic control measure with respect to the affected cellular devices wherein the traffic control measure prevents each of the affected cellular devices from exceeding maximums for at least one of a number of calls placed or a duration of calls placed and wherein the network control center sends a message to the affected cellular devices, the message indicating that the traffic control measure is in effect.
29. A method for alerting communications devices of a temporary altered cost for using a communications network, comprising:
when the traffic intensity at a selected network element is outside a predetermined range, retrieving a list of affected communications devices wherein the affected communications devices include each communications devices associated with a subscriber identifier to be controlled and associated with the network element;
implementing a traffic control measure according to a control plan associated with each affected communications device wherein the traffic control measure includes altering a cost of placing a call from each of the affected communications devices and preventing each of the affected communications devices from exceeding maximums for at least one of a number of calls placed or a duration of calls placed; and
sending a message to each of the affected communications devices to indicate that the traffic control measure is in effect wherein the cost altered varies between the affected communication devices based on a degree of control the traffic control measure exerts on each affected communication device.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein sending the message comprises sending an SMS message to each of the affected communications devices.
US10/261,132 2002-09-27 2002-09-27 Apparatus and method for providing dynamic communications network traffic control Expired - Fee Related US7006831B2 (en)
US10/261,132 US7006831B2 (en) 2002-09-27 2002-09-27 Apparatus and method for providing dynamic communications network traffic control
AU2003299063A AU2003299063A1 (en) 2002-09-27 2003-09-29 Apparatus and method for providing dynamic communications network traffic control
PCT/US2003/030947 WO2004030383A1 (en) 2002-09-27 2003-09-29 Apparatus and method for providing dynamic communications network traffic control
US11/323,656 US20060142018A1 (en) 2002-09-27 2005-12-30 Apparatus and method for providing dynamic communications network traffic control
US11/323,656 Continuation US20060142018A1 (en) 2002-09-27 2005-12-30 Apparatus and method for providing dynamic communications network traffic control
US20040072574A1 US20040072574A1 (en) 2004-04-15
US7006831B2 true US7006831B2 (en) 2006-02-28
ID=32041811
US10/261,132 Expired - Fee Related US7006831B2 (en) 2002-09-27 2002-09-27 Apparatus and method for providing dynamic communications network traffic control
US11/323,656 Abandoned US20060142018A1 (en) 2002-09-27 2005-12-30 Apparatus and method for providing dynamic communications network traffic control
US (2) US7006831B2 (en)
AU (1) AU2003299063A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2004030383A1 (en)
US8307398B2 (en) 2006-06-30 2012-11-06 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Apparatus for receiving and displaying cellular television content and method for billing for same
US8433329B2 (en) 2010-01-15 2013-04-30 Universidad Tecnica Federico Santa Maria System and method for prioritizing user communications
JP4591712B2 (en) * 2004-03-25 2010-12-01 日本電気株式会社 Mobile communication system
GB0506279D0 (en) 2005-03-29 2005-05-04 Koninkl Philips Electronics Nv Radio communication
EP2589240A1 (en) 2010-06-29 2013-05-08 Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) Network throttling method and system
CN104105085A (en) * 2013-04-09 2014-10-15 华为终端有限公司 Method for management of mobile-terminal communication and mobile terminal
CN104125600B (en) * 2013-04-27 2016-03-02 腾讯科技（深圳）有限公司 Flow identification method and apparatus of the mobile terminal
US9544203B2 (en) 2013-04-27 2017-01-10 Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Company Limited Mobile terminal flow identification method and apparatus
US20020025799A1 (en) 2000-08-31 2002-02-28 Naohito Takae Cellular phone managing method, managing apparatus, record medium and cellular phone apparatus
US6574475B1 (en) 1998-08-26 2003-06-03 Nec Corporation Mobile communication system capable of performing soft-handover between base station controllers connected to different mobile communication exchanges
2002-09-27 US US10/261,132 patent/US7006831B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
2003-09-29 WO PCT/US2003/030947 patent/WO2004030383A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
2003-09-29 AU AU2003299063A patent/AU2003299063A1/en not_active Abandoned
2005-12-30 US US11/323,656 patent/US20060142018A1/en not_active Abandoned
"Differential Channel Allocation," Function Specification Mar. 155 17-ANT 240 07 Uen B.
"Digital Cellular Telecommunications System (Phase 2+) (GSM); Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS); Enhanced Multi-Level Precedence and Pre-emption Service (eMLPP) -Stage 1 (3G TS 22.067 version 3.0.1 Release 1999)," Golobal System for Mobile Communication, ETSI TS 122 067 V3.0.1 (2000-01).
"Digital Cellular Telecommunications System (Phase 2+) (GSM); Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS); enhanced Multi-Level Precedence and Pre-emption Service (eMLPP) -Stage 2 (3G TS 23.067 version 3.0.0 Release 1999)," Global System for Mobile Communication, ETSI TS 123 067 3.0.0 v3.0.0 (2000-01).
"Digital Cellular Telecommunications System (Phase 2+) (GSM); Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS); Service Accessibility (3G TS 22.011 version 3.1.0 Release 1999), "Global System for Mobile Communication, ETSI TS 122 011 V3.1.0 (2000-01).
"Digital Cellular Telecommunications System (Phase 2+) GSM); Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS); enhanced Multi-Level Precedence and Pre-emption Service (eMLPP) -Stage 3 (3G TS 24.067 version 3.0.0 Release 1999)," Global System for Mobile Communication, ETSI TS 124 067 3.0.0 v3.0.0 (2000-01).
"Digital Cellular Telecommunications System (Phase 2+); Enhanced Multi-Level Precedence and Pre-emption Service (eMLPP)-Stage 1 (GSM 02.67)", European Telecommunications Standards Institute, Global System for Mobile Communications Technical Specification, Version 5.0.1. Jul. 1996.
"Digital Cellular Telecommunications System (Phase 2+); High Speed Circuit Switched Data (HSCSD) -Stage 1 (GSM 02.34)," Global System for Mobile Communication, ETSI GSM 02.34 V5.1.0, Mar. 1997.
"Digital Cellular Telecommunications System (Phase 2+); High Speed Circuit Switched Data (HSCSD) -Stage 2 (GSM 03.04)," Global System for Mobile Communication, TS 101 038 V5.0.1 (1997-04).
"Radio Equipment and Systems (RES); Trans-European Trunked Radio (TETRA); Voice plus Data (V+D); Part 1: General network design" European Telecommunications Standards Institute, ETS 300 392-1, Feb. 1996.
"Radio Equipment and Systems (RES); Trans-European Trunked Radio (TETRA); Voice plus Data (V+D); Part 2: Air Interference (AI)," European Telecommunications Standarads Institute, ETS 300 392-2, Mar. 1996.
"Radio Equipment and Systems (RES); Trans-European Trunked Radio system (TETRA); Voice plus Data(V+D) Open channel" European Telecommunications Standards Institute, ETR 120, Nov. 1994.
"Terrestrail Trunked Radio (TETRA); Voice plus Data (V+D); Part 11: Supplementary services stage 2; Sub-part 16: Pre-emptive Priority Call (PPC)," European Telecommunications Standards Institute, ETS 300 392-11-16, Sep. 2000.
"Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA); Voice plus Data (V+D); Designers' guide; Part 1: Overview, technical description and radio aspects," European Telecommunications Standards Institute, ETR 300-1, May 1997.
"Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA); Voice plus Data (V+D); Part 12: Supplementary services stage 3; Sub-part 16: Pre-emptive Priority Call (PPC)," European Telecommunications Standards Institute, final draft ETSI EN 300 392-12-16 v1.2.0 (2004-05).
"Trans European Trunked Radio (TETRA) system; Technical requirements specification Part 1; Voice plus Data (V+D) systems;" European Telecommunications Standards Institute, ETR 086-1, Jan. 1994.
Data Communications (Tech Tutorials) "Going the Distance with QOS, " Mike Seaman and Bob Klessig, 3Com Corp., Feb. 1999.
European Search Report dated Mar. 11, 2005, on Application No. 04078485.2.
International Search Report issued by the European Patent Office in PCT/US9815568, in the name of BellSouth Corporation, mailed Jan. 21, 1999.
Office Action issued by the USPTO having Ser. No. 09/559,593 on Feb. 17, 2004.
Office Action issued by the USPTO having Ser. No. 09/559,593 on Sep. 4, 2003.
Office Action issued by the USPTO having Ser. No. 09/559,594 on Feb. 24, 2004.
Office Action issued by the USPTO having Ser. No. 09/559,594 on Sep. 5, 2003.
Office Action issued by the USPTO having Ser. No. 09/922, 042 on Oct. 25, 2002.
Office Action issued by the USPTO having Ser. No. 09/922,042 on Dec. 8, 2003.
Office Action issued by the USPTO having Ser. No. 09/922,042 on May 8, 2003.
Office Action issued by the USPTO having Ser. No. 10/260,262 on Jan. 14, 2005.
Office Action issued by the USPTO having Ser. No. 10/260,262 on Jul. 15, 2005.
AU2003299063A1 (en) 2004-04-19
WO2004030383A1 (en) 2004-04-08
US20060142018A1 (en) 2006-06-29
US20040072574A1 (en) 2004-04-15
KR100418166B1 (en) 2004-02-11 Method of varying time incremental costs in a wireless communication system
CN1080525C (en) 2002-03-06 Method of establishing connection between caller in telecommunications et and called mobile subscriber in radio-telephone net
CA2248105C (en) 2002-10-22 Charging systems for services in communications
RU2168871C2 (en) 2001-06-10 Wireless communication system, method and device for preventing ill-intentioned use of wireless terminal unit
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MATZ, WILLIAM R.;O'NEIL, DOUGLAS R.;BACON, JAMES R.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:016617/0194;SIGNING DATES FROM 20020926 TO 20050803