Method and System for Cheap Call Rate detection
Filed of invention
The present invention relates to means of communication and in particular, it relates to a method and system for cheap call rate detection in a communication system.
Background of the invention
Telecommunication has become a principle mode of communication worldwide due to its speed and reliability. Every third person in the world is communicating via available communication means say for example a telephone network, ISDN (Integrated Service Digital Network), ADSL (Asymmetric DSL), WiMax, WiFi etc. The user now wants better services from the operators and that too at an affordable cost. Moreover, cost factor is the one of the biggest challenge in front of service providers and operators in order to retain subscribers for a long time period. However, the service providers try to develop and create such means by which they can provide quality service at lowest price especially in comparison with their competitors.
Many techniques have been provided by the prior art to reduce the cost of communication for a user but still there is a long way to go to achieve user's satisfaction. With reduced cost of mobile communication devices and lower call rates, users are opting for multiple connections so as to utilize advantage of different service providers as well as technology. Thus presently a person can be contacted by various connections ranging from a fixed landline connection to mobile phones based on different technologies. However, a caller is not able to take advantage of the multiple connections of a called party due to fluctuating tariffs which disable the caller to gaze
he cheapest path to communicate with the intended receiver. It is also difficult to remember day to day tariff changes implemented by the service providers in respect of all the contact numbers by which the called party can be contacted.
Thus the prior art is unable to intimate a caller about the contact number having the cheapest call rate. The tariff keeps changing from time to time for different operators and it is hard to identify which number belongs to which operator and what tariff will be applicable to that called number. Another disadvantage of the prior is that the network is not aware of all different numbers belonging to one user.
The prior art does not enable a user to identify which contact number has the cheapest call rate. For example, when subscriber A makes a call to B having multiple numbers, the problem is to identify a number belonging to B for which call rate applicable to A is the cheapest than all other contact numbers belonging to B.
Presently, a network is unable to identify for a caller a contact number having the cheapest call rate out of different numbers belonging to a called party. Thus, a caller has to remember different numbers of a called parry and decide the number having cheapest call rate by manually comparing it with available tariff rate structures personally known to a caller.
To overcome the above identified limitations of the prior art there is a need for a solution tha.t provides the network capability to identify the cheapest number to contact a person based on the current tariff plan available and intimate the same to a caller.
Summary of invention
he present invention provides a solution to the above-mentioned problems by providing a novel technique of cheap call rate detection. A user may be required to subscribe to the service of cheap call rate detection provided by the operator. The user may subscribe to the service by various means i.e. using IVR (Intelligent Voice Response) service, SMS (Short Message Service), USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) service, Web interface etc. Upon initiation of a call from a user, an application server is triggered by Service Switching Point (SSP) thereby triggering Cheap Call Rate Detection Service (CCRDS). The CCRDS identifies all alternate contact numbers of the current called party and calculates call rates applicable for each called number. Thereafter, the user is asked if he is interested to connect to newly identified cheap call rate number, determined by CCRDS, to connect to called person or the originally dialed number. If the user chooses to connect to cheaper number then service will send a message to SSP to connect to the cheaper number, otherwise SSP connects to the originally dialed number.
' t.
According to one of the embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of detecting cheap call rate number that comprises the step of: (i) storing in a database plurality of contact numbers of intended persons known to a caller, said database being associated with an application server of the service provider; (ii) initiating a call by the caller to a called person on one of the plurality of contact numbers of the called person stored in the database; (iii) accessing database by the application server and retrieving all the alternate numbers stored in the database for the called number of the called person; (iv) identifying tariff rate applicable to all contact numbers of the called person; (v) determining one of the plurality of contact numbers having cheap call rate than the contact number dialed by the caller; (vi) prompting the caller to select to connect through the contact number determined to have a cheap call rate than the contact number dialed
by the caller or the dialed contact number; and (vii) connecting the call through the contact number selected by the caller.
According to another embodiment, the present invention relates to a system for establishing a call via the cheapest call rate number comprising: (i) means for storing in a database plurality of contact numbers of intended persons known to a caller, said database being associated with an application server of the service provider; (ii) means for initiating a call by the caller to a called person on one of the plurality of contact numbers of the called person stored in the database; (iii) means for accessing database by the application server and retrieving all the alternate numbers stored in the database for the called number of the called person; (iv) means for identifying tariff rate applicable to all contact numbers of the called person; (v) means for determining one of the plurality of contact numbers having cheap call rate than the contact number dialed by the caller; (vi) means for prompting the caller to select to connect trough the contact number determined to have a cheap call rate than the contact number dialed by the caller or the dialed contact number; and (vii) means for connecting the call through the contact number selected by the caller.
In order to provide cheapest call rate to the user, various embodiments of the present invention are described hereinafter. The embodiments of the present invention describe some of the various ways in which the principles of present invention may be employed.
Brief description of drawings
An explanation of the present invention is illustratively described by a detailed description thereof, along with accompanying drawings given hereinafter, wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates a method of cheap call rate detection according to one of the embodiments.
Figure 2 illustrates a communication system of cheap call rate detection according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates an example of CCRDS in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
Detail description of drawings
The present invention is described hereinafter by various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein reference numerals used in the accompanying drawings correspond to the like elements throughout the description. In order to achieve full description and explanation, specific details have been mentioned to provide a thorough and comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. However, said embodiments may be utilized without such specific details and in various other ways broadly covered herein. Known features and devices have been shown in the form of block diagrams so as to prevent redundancy and for the sake of brevity. Further, the block diagrams have been incorporated to facilitate description of one or more embodiments.
Fig. 1 illustrates a method 100 of cheap call rate detection according to one of the embodiments. At step 101a, a call is initiated by a caller at source and at step 101b, the switching service point (SSP) determines if the caller is entitled to call detection service provided by the service provider.
According to one of thq embodiment, subscribing to CCRDS requires entering a contact name in a database associated with an application server. The said database may be an IN (Intelligent Network) or
Internet database. According to another embodiment, said database may be any other database. Subsequent to entering a contact name, the caller is required to enter all the contact number associated with the contact name. The caller thereafter enters contact numbers for other contact persons by repeating the above steps.
According to another embodiment, SSP identifies the number
associated with the source which initiates the call and the application
server determines if said number has been subscribed to avail cheap
rate detection service. According to yet another embodiment, the
service provider via SSP prompts the caller to indicate that the caller
wishes to enable CCRDS for a given call. The said prompting by SSP
may be by a display or voice means at the source. The caller may
input the indication to enable CCRDS by voice, biometric keypad etc.
According to yet another embodiment, the caller is provided an option
to disable CCRDS for a given call even though the caller is a
subscriber of CCRDS. The caller may enter a disabling code via
keypad or voice or by biometric means in order to send a message to
SSP to disable CCRDS for a given call. Nevertheless, in case the caller
has not subscribed for CCRDS with the service provider or the caller
opts to disable CCRDS, the given call proceeds as a normal call
without providing the caller an option of a cheaper rate. According to
yet another embodiment, the service provider may subscribe each
caller availing its services to CCRDS. Thus, if the requirement for
subscribing for CCRDS is not made out by the service provider, step
101 may be eliminated.
According to one embodiment, a caller subscribes using:
IVR service: A user can dial a short number; say 123, to add new person information. IVR service first plays an announcement and asks the user to enter the number of the intended contact person. The user then enters a contact number of the said contact person and sends
this information to the IVR service. The IVR service collects all information sent by the user and then asks for another number of the same contact. The user thus enter another number of the said contact thereby storing alternate contact numbers for one of the contact persons. Finally the IVR service sends a message to CCRDS to store all this information and CCRDS updates its database accordingly.
SMS service: A user can prepare a short message in a pre-defined format such as 'Add 919811239259, 91114133051, 911112345678' and then send it to a pre-defined number, say 8888. This message is delivered to CCRDS service, which then validates and parses the message and understands that this is a request for new record. CCRDS accordingly updates its database.
USSD service: An operator can define a USSD access code for addition, modifying or deleting records in CCRDS database. For example, a user can use *lll**# to add records. This string will be delivered to CCRDS and CCRDS identifies that the user wants to add a new entry having two numbers. If the user wants to add another number for the same called parry, he/she uses *112**#. Accordingly, CCRDS understands that this is a request for addition to an already existing entry.
Web Interface: An operator provides a web interface where user can enter the details of a caller person. This web interface can send data entered by the user to CCRDS so that it can update its database accordingly.
Any other service provided by operator: Operator can provide any other provisioning service to upload telephone directory on network.
Using this service user can store its data on CCRDS service for further processing.
At step 109, if the caller has not subscribed to CCRDS, then the call proceeds as a normal call and the caller is not provided with an option to make a call with cheaper rate.
At step 102, if the caller is entitled to avail CCRDS, the application server initiates the Cheap Call Rate Detection Service (CCRDS) and accesses the database and retrieves all the alternate numbers stored in the database for the called number of the called person.
At step 103, the application server identifies the tariff rate applicable to all the contact numbers of the called person retrieved from the database in step 102. According to one embodiment, the application server obtains tariff information from the rate information stored by the service provider. The application server identifies the service provider of one of the plurality of contact numbers of the called person and retrieves the rate information structure of such service provider.
According to one of the embodiment, the databases stores tariff information of various service providers and the application server is connected to the said database. The database is updated after predetermined intervals and/or conditions and the application server retrieves the rate information structure of service providers from the said database.
According to one of the embodiments, the service provider updates the database with the basic call rate and structure associated with the same. The service provider also updates the discount rates such as discounts dependent on time of a day, calling party information, location, special promotional schemes, bulk discounts or based on
any other factor. The database stores rate information even on the basis of schemes or discounts associated with a particular caller.
At step 104, the application server determines the contact number having cheapest call rate. The application compares the tariff rates of the contact numbers retrieved in step 103 to determine the lowest tariff structure. According to one embodiment, the application server arranges the tariff structures available in ascending order and identifies the first contact number.
According to another embodiment, the application server arranges the contact numbers in the order of descending tariff structure and obtains the last contact number.
At step 105, the application determines if the contact number determined to have cheapest call rate is the one called by the caller. According to one embodiment, SSP provides the number called by the caller and the application server compares the cheapest call rate number obtained in step 104 with the number provided by the SSP.
At step 106, if the contact number obtained by the application number at step 104 is same as the contact number called by the caller, the application server connects the caller to the called party using known ways of communication.
At step 107, if the contact number dialed by the caller is different from the contact no. having cheapest call rate, as determined by the application server in step 104, the service provider prompts the caller to select the contact number for connecting the call to the called person. The caller is prompted to select between the contact number with the cheapest call rate or the contact number originally dialed by the caller. According to one embodiment, the caller is prompted by display or voice means at the source. The prompting is done at the
source to provide the caller to prevent connection via the cheapest call which would be undesirable or unwanted by the user.
At step 108, a connection between the caller and the called party is established through the contact number selected by the caller at step 107 using known means of telecommunication. According to another embodiment, the caller is also provided information about the quality of service provided by the service provider of the contact number having cheapest call rate at step 107.
According to one of the embodiments, the database contains the basic rate structure for each service provider. The database also contains special tariff structures and discounts, associated therewith. The database is associated with the application server to obtain other information such as location of the caller, time of the day, number of calls made via a particular service provided, call density at a given time, quality of service provided by the various service providers etc. The database stores such information of rate structures for connection between the source and the destination located locally whereby, local call rates are applicable. According to yet another embodiment, the database stores such information of rate structure in respect of long distance call. According to yet another embodiment, the information stored in the database is updated periodically by the service provider. According to yet another embodiment, the database is updated instantaneously when a service provider changes its rate structure.
Figure 2 illustrates a communication system 200 of cheap call rate detection according to another embodiment of the present invention. The system 200 comprises a source 201 connected to an application server 203 via SSP202 and SCP (Service Control Point) 204, a database 205, an access network 206 and a destination 207 in communication with the source 201 via the access network 206.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the source 201 and the destination 207 may be a mobile communication device, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance) device, a PC (Personal Computer), a VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) device, a telephone etc used by a caller and a called party respectively.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the access network may be a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), LAN (Local Area Network), Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, Inc.)etc.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, SSP 202 has means 213 to identify the number associated with the source 201 which initiates a call. The identifying number of the source is provided to the application server 203 and the application server has means 208 configured to determine if the source has subscribed to avail the Cheap Call Rate Detection Service (CCRDS). According to yet another embodiment, the source 201 has means (not shown) to enable or disable CCRDS at the option of the caller. The source may have known display or voice means (not shown) to prompt the caller to enable or disable CCRDS and the source may have means (not shown) to receive input of the caller such as keypad, biometric identification, voice means etc.
According to one embodiment, means (not shown) are provided to store a contact name in the database 205 along with all the contact numbers associated with the contact name. The database 205 also has means (not shown) to store plurality of contact names and plurality of contact numbers associated with them.
In case the caller has subscribed for CCRDS and when the caller has initiated a call to a particular contact number, the application server 203 has means 209 configured to retrieve all the alternate numbers stored in the database 205 for the called number of the called person. The application server also has means 210 configured to retrieve tariff structures from the database 205 corresponding to all the contact numbers of the called person retrieved by means 209. The application server 203 also has means 211 configured to compare different tariff structures of all the contact numbers in order to determine the contact number having cheapest call rate. The application server also has means 212 configured for determining if the contact number through which the call is initiated by the caller is same as the contact number having cheapest call rate identified by means 211. In case the originally called number has the cheapest call rate determined by means 212, the system comprises means (not shown) configured for establishing a connection between the source 201 and the destination 207 via the access network 206.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, means 204 is configured for prompting the source 201 for providing an input indicating whether the caller wishes to connect to the destination 207 via the current called number or wants to connect to the destination 207 via the cheapest contact number identified by the application server 203 through means 211.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the system 200 comprises means (not shown) configured for establishing a connection between the source 201 and the destination 207 via the access network 206 through the contacted number indicated by the caller.
According to yet another embodiment, means 201 to 212 may be different processors, firmware, dedicated circuits configured for the said functions. According to yet another embodiment, the means 201 to 212 may be incorporated in a single processor.
Figure 3 illustrates an example of CCRDS in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. According to one of the embodiments, a CM2 (Communication Manager 2)protocol for VOICE; MOC (Mobile Originated Call) & HPLMN (Home Public Land Mobile Network) call in a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) network has been considered as an example.
According to the exemplary embodiment, calling party A uploads all contact numbers of user B to a database associated with an application server. As another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, different numbers of user B available at IN (Intelligent Network) or internet may be 919811239259, 91114133051, and 911112345678.
At step 1, user initiates a mobile originating voice call for HPLMN with called/dialed number 9811239259.
At step 2, SSP sends IDP to SCP with called number as 9811239259.
At step 3, SCP initiates CCRDS, if user is a subscriber of CCRDS.
At step 4, CCRDS detects that there is more than one contact number available for the current called number and thus the said service detects call rates applicable for all contact numbers. According to another embodiment, CCRDS calculates/checks tariff information for
each called number. According to yet another embodiment, CCRDS can ask this information from an external element also.
At step 5, CCRDS identifies a possible number for the same called party on which call rate is lower than the dialed number.
At step 6, CCRDS sends an announcement informing user that there is another called number for the same person (the person whom the caller is calling) for which the call rate will be lower. It asks for user's choice that if he wishes to connect to the cheaper called number or the original dialed number.
At step 7, user selects to connect to new cheaper number and sends response to SSP. SSP forwards the user response to CCRDS. At step 8,. CCRDS sends CONNECT message with new destination number (91114133051).
Various modifications to these embodiments are apparent to those skilled in the art from the description and the accompanying drawings. The principles associated with the various embodiments described herein may be applied to other embodiments. Therefore, the description is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown along with the accompanying drawings but is to be provided broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel and inventive features disclosed or suggested herein.

What is claimed is:
1. A method for cheap call rate detection, said method comprising steps of:
storing in a database plurality of contact numbers of intended persons known to a caller, said database being associated with an application server of the service provider;
initiating a call by the caller to a called person on one of the plurality of contact numbers of the called person stored in the database;
initiating Cheap Call Rate Detection Service (CCRDS) and accessing database by the application server and retrieving all the alternate numbers stored in the database for the called number of the called person;
identifying tariff rate applicable to all contact numbers of the called person;
determining one of the plurality of contact numbers having cheap cell rate than the contact number dialed by the caller;
prompting the caller to select to connect through the contact number determined to have a cheap call rate than the contact number dialed by the caller or the dialed contact number; and
connecting the call through the contact number selected by the caller.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of initiating cheap call rate detection service comprises prompting the caller for availing cheap call rate detection service.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the step
of prompting the caller is through voice, biometric input
or touch.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of contact numbers is stored in the database by IVR, SMS or Web service.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, said database stores tariff information of various service providers.
6. A system for cheap call rate detection, comprising:
means configured for storing in a database plurality of contact numbers of intended persons known to a caller, said database being associated with an application server of the service provider;
means configured for initiating a call by the caller to a called person on one of the plurality of contact numbers of the called person stored in the database;
means configured for initiating cheap Call Rate Detection Service (CCRDS) and accessing database by the application server and retrieving all the alternate numbers stored in the database for the called number of the called person;
means configured for identifying tariff rate applicable to all contact numbers of the called person;
means for determining one of the plurality of contact numbers having cheap call rate than the contact number dialed by the caller;
means configured for prompting the caller to select to connect trough the contact number determined to have a cheap call rate than the contact number dialed by the caller or the dialed contact number; and
means configured for connecting the call through the contact number selected by the caller.
7. The system as claimed in claim 6, comprising means configured for prompting the caller for availing cheap call rate detection service.
8. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein means for prompting is through voice, biometric input or touch.
9. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the plurality of
contact numbers is stored in the database by IVR, SMS or Web
service.
10. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein, said database
stores tariff information of various service providers.