MXPA99007491A - Load based charging within a mobile telecommunications network - Google Patents

Abstract

A channel resource utilization level associated with a particular cell area is continuously evaluated (130) against a predefined threshold value (120). The imposed threshold value indicates the minimum level of channel resource utilization desired by the serving mobile telecommunications network. In response to a determination from the evaluation that a particular cell area is being under-utilized, a message indicating that a reduced air-time rate is being offered is broadcast to all mobile stations (140) currently traveling within the affected cell area (50).

Description

"LOAD BASED ON THE LOAD WITHIN A MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK" REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUESTS This application is related to the United States Patent Application Serial Number 08 / 766,727, filed on December 13, 1996, entitled "Optimal Use of Logical Channels Within a Mobile Telecommunications Network", and with the Application of the States United States Patent Serial No. 08 / 699,661, filed December 9, 1996, entitled "Disseminating Messages to Mobile Stations Within a Geographical Area", all incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a mobile telecommunications network and, in particular, to the provision of variable load rates within this network.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED TECHNIQUE - - A "radio interface" or "air interface" provides the connection between a specific mobile station running within a specific cell area and the base transceiver station (BTS) that provides radio coverage for that specific cell area . Within both the analog and digital communications systems, the number of assigned frequency channels is established to make the air interfaces with the mobile stations that operate within a specific cell area. Because of this limitation, mobile service providers often employ a number of channel resource management projects to better utilize and manage these valuable channel resources. One of these projects includes imposing different tariffs or load regimes for calls that depend on the time of day or day of the week. For example during business hours, a larger number of mobile subscribers tend to use their mobile stations, and the use of channel resources is maximized. As a result, the time in the air is considered as the hours "of maximum influx" and the mobile subscribers are charged to a higher regime. After business hours, a smaller number of mobile subscribers tend to use their mobile service. The time in the air is then considered as the hours "out of maximum influx" and the subscribers - - mobile phones are charged at a lower rate. The main normalization behind these load planes is based on a predicted or calculated intensity of the use of the finite number of radio channels available within the coverage area. Accordingly, the serving mobile service provider uses differences in load rates to discourage the use of valuable channel resource during peak hours and to encourage the use of sub-used channel resources during off-peak hours. of maximum affluence. However, it has been shown that this prediction or calculation of channel utilization is not always exact or uniform. As an illustration, a first cell covering a mainly residential area could have a lower load even during peak hours. A second cell that covers a mainly business area could have a high fluctuation load level throughout the day. Therefore, even at periods within a low resource utilization level, subscribers are discouraged by associated high air time regime of otherwise using empty resource channels. In addition, after implementing this system, all associated cells within the specific service area are affected globally by the imposed system regardless of the load of their individual call.

However, a load plan affects all associated cell areas globally when each individual cell has a different resource and load utilization level, it does not provide an optimal channel resource management project. There is then a need for a mechanism to selectively provide different charging schemes or planes for each cell, depending on the associated call load.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION A plurality of mobile service areas, such as cell areas, are continuously monitored by a mobile service switching center (MSC). When the communications channel resources within a cell area are being sub-used, an indication is broadcast to all mobile stations that go within that specific cell area. This indication informs the mobile subscribers that a reduced load regime within that area is in effect currently in effect. In one embodiment of the present invention, a base station controller (BSC) associated with each of the cell areas periodically discloses the data representing the channel utilization level associated with the service MSC. The service MSC then compares the received data with a threshold value associated therewith. If the received data represents a level of use lower than the threshold value, the aforementioned indication is broadcast to all mobile stations that run within the associated cell area. As an alternative, each BSC is associated with a threshold level. When the level of channel utilization decreases below the associated threshold level, the service MSC is reported. The service MSC then sends instructions to the BSC to broadcast the indication of reduced load rates to the mobile stations. In another embodiment, the service MSC broadcasts through the Cell Broadcast Channel indicating that a reduced load regime is being applied to all mobile stations that run within the specific cell area. In still another embodiment, the service MSC broadcasts system information through one of the control channels, such as a broadcast channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS - - A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention can be obtained by referring to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagram of a mobile service area that includes a plurality of cell areas. Figure 2 is a diagram of a Land Mobile Public Network (PLMN) illustrating a service MSC that monitors the level of utilization associated with each cell area; and Figure 3 is a diagram of a PLMN illustrating a service MSC that transmits an indication to the associated mobile stations operating within a specific geographical area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a diagram of a mobile service area that includes a plurality of cell areas. A specific mobile telecommunications network is divided into a number of geographic areas, each area being served by a specific mobile telecommunication node. This mobile telecommunications node includes a mobile switching center (MSC) 30 and a visitor location register (VLR) 40 (there is usually a one-to-one relationship). one between MSC 30 and its associated VLR 40 and they are often referred to together as an MSC / VLR. Each geographic area 10 that is served by a specific MSC / VLR (which will then be referred to as an MSC coverage area) is further divided into a number of location areas 70. A location area 70 is a portion of the area 10 of MSC coverage where a mobile station can move freely without updating the location information to the service MSC / VLR. Therefore, a location area 70 is the area where the radiolocation message is broadcast to find the mobile station called for an incoming call connection. Each location area 70 is then further divided into a plurality of cell areas 50. Each cell area 50 is then served by a single base transceiver station (BTS) or the base station controller (BSC) to provide radio coverage to mobile stations or terminals that run within that cell area. Correspondingly, each BTS or BSC is assigned with a number of frequency channels to effect air interfaces with the associated mobile stations. Figure 2 is a diagram of a public land mobile network (PLMN) illustrating a service MSC 30 that monitors the level of utilization associated with each - cell area 50, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. As described above, each MSC 30 serves multiple cell areas 50 through multiple controllers 100 and base station, and / or BTSs 110. For exemplary purposes, a number of cell areas 50 are shown placed linearly adjacent to each other. It should be understood, however, that any other types of patterns or cell structures, such as the typical hexagonal grid pattern are also applicable to the present invention. In addition, for the station, only one cell area is associated with each BSC 100. However, it should be understood that each BSC 100 can service multiple cell areas through multiple BTSs 110. In one embodiment of the present invention, a register 120 associated with each service MSC 30 stores a threshold value imposed by the mobile service telecommunications network. The imposed threshold value indicates the minimum level of channel utilization desired by the serving network within each cell area 50. As an alternative, the register 120 may store a separate threshold level for each of the areas 50 of associated cells, for example for a cell area 50 with a relatively constant or uniform usage level, a higher threshold value may be imposed. On the other hand, for a cell area 50 with a relatively volatile or highly variable utilization level, a lower threshold value may be imposed instead. An application module 130 associated with the MSC Service 30 requests and receives periodically the data representing the current channel usage level from each BSC 100. For a network configuration where the antennas or BTSs 110 are directly connected to the service MSC 30 without the use of the BSCs 100 (link 60), the application module 130 directly evaluates the level of utilization associated with each cell area 50. The application module 130 then determines whether the use level of the channel pulse associated with a specific cell area 50 is less than the associated threshold level. In case of a global threshold value, a simple comparison is made between the global threshold level and the determined global usage level. In case each cell area 50 is associated with the respective threshold level, the application module identifies the cell area, determines the corresponding threshold value and evaluates the received data with the determined threshold value. A cell area 50 with a utilization level less than the threshold level, then can be identified as being used less than its maximum value.

- - In order to maximize and increase the call capacity within the sub-used cell area 50, the application module 130 reduces the effective rate of time in the air and broadcasts an indication to all mobile stations operating within the specific cell area 50 informing that a reduced load regime will be in effect for subsequent call connections. These indications are disseminated periodically while the level of use remains below the desired threshold level. Alternatively, this indication is broadcast after the level of use remains below the threshold level for a predetermined amount of time. This is to ensure that an indication and the resulting reduced charges do not become effective during sporadic or irregular periods of time of use. In order to take advantage of the lower air time charges, the associated mobile subscribers then tend to originate outbound call connections that would not have originated otherwise. Inducing an increase in the number of call connections by offering air time charges at a lower rate than mobile subscribers, otherwise the sub-used channel resources are then used better. For all calls received subsequently within the area of - - represent the level of utilization associated with each cell, an application module 150 associated with each BSC 100 monitors its own level of utilization. Each application module 150 within the service BSC 100 is individually associated with a register (R) 160 and is capable of being assigned a different threshold value. In response to a determination that its channel resource utilization has decreased to a level lower than the desirable threshold level, the application module 150 informs the connected MSC 30. The application module 130 associated with the service MSC then instructs the service BSC or BTS to broadcast the indication to all mobile stations placed near the affected cell area. Alternatively, in case each BSC serves the multiple cell areas, a plurality of threshold values each associated with a cell area can be stored and used by the application module. For exemplary purposes, a cell area 50 in Figure 2 is used to illustrate the teachings of the present invention. However, it will be undertaken that any other types of service areas, such as a location area 70 can be used in connection with the present invention and that the description of the present invention in the context of the cell areas 50 provided herein is by way of explanation of the invention rather than a limitation of the scope of the invention. Reference is now made to Figure 3 which illustrates a service MSC 30 which broadcasts an indication to the associated mobile stations 140 operating within a specific geographical area. In response to a determination that the channel resources associated with the specific cell area are being used less than their maximum utilization, the application module 130 instructs the associated BSC 100 or BTS 110 to broadcast the information to all the mobile stations physically placed within the affected cell area. This information can be disseminated through a number of different ways. A message indicating that a reduced load regime is being applied may be broadcast through the Cell Broadcast Channel 210. All mobile stations that march within the specified cell area then monitor the Cell Broadcast Channel 210 and receive the information. of diffusion. Alternatively, the information of the system that informs it that it can broadcast through the broadcast channel (BSH) 220. The BCH 220 is normally used by the mobile telecommunications network providing service that must broadcast the information of the cell or system to the - - mobile stations that march within the associated radio coverage area. The mobile stations 140 then receive in a similar manner the information of the broadcasting system and correspondingly inform the associated mobile subscribers of the reduced time charge in the air. A message or text symbol, for example, can be presented visually to the associated mobile subscribers. Other methods for broadcasting messages to mobile stations operating within the specific geographical area are also disclosed in the co-pending US Application Serial Patent No. 08/699, 661, filed on December 9, 1996 entitled "Dissemination of Messages to Mobile Stations Within a Geographic Area "which is incorporated herein by reference. As another embodiment of the present invention, mobile subscribers subscribe to a "flexible load" subscriber feature. The information indicating that the mobile subscriber has a subscription with a flexible charge particularity is then stored in a mobile station 140 associated for example in a subscriber identity module card (SIM) 230 associated with the subscriber. When the aforementioned broadcast data is received, each mobile station 140 retrieves the specific information stored from the associated SIM card 230 and determines whether the associated mobile subscriber has a - - Subscription to the particularity of flexible load. In response to an affirmative determination, the subscriber is then informed accordingly. Otherwise, the associated mobile subscriber is not provided with the option to originate a call connection at a reduced rate. Accordingly, only subscribers who have previously subscribed to the particularity of the flexible load subscriber are able to receive and use the particularity of cost saving services. Although a preferred embodiment of the method and apparatus of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the detailed description set forth above, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment disclosed but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the invention as indicated and defined by the following claims.

Claims (26)

CLAIMS:

1. A method for providing a variable load regime to mobile stations operating within a mobile telecommunications network, the method comprising the steps of: monitoring a traffic load associated with a specific geographic area; determine whether the supervised traffic load is less than a predetermined threshold level associated with the geographic area; and informing associated mobile stations that operate within that geographic area that will apply to a lower load regime for subsequent call connections if the traffic load is less than the threshold level.

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of monitoring the traffic load includes the step of monitoring the traffic load within a specific cell area.

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of informing the associated mobile stations further comprises the step of broadcasting an indicative message through the Cell Broadcast Channel. - -

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of informing the associated mobile stations further comprises the step of broadcasting an indicative message through a broadcast channel.

The method of claim 1, wherein the geographic area that is being served by the base station controller (BSC), and the step of monitoring the traffic load within the specific geographic area further comprises the step of receiving the data representing the traffic load in a mobile switching center (MSC) that serves the geographical area of the BSC.

The method of claim 5 further comprising the step that the BSC periodically communicates the data representing the current traffic load to the MSC being serviced.

The method of claim 1, wherein the geographic area is being served by a base station controller (BSC) and the step of monitoring the traffic load within the specific geographic area further comprises the steps of: determining whether the determined traffic load is less than the threshold level using the BSC; and informing a mobile switching center (MSC) that serves that geographic area if the traffic load is less than the threshold level. -!

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the telecommunications network includes a plurality of geographic areas and further comprises the step of associating a threshold value with each of the geographic areas.

9. A method for optimizing the utilization of channel resources within a plurality of mobile service areas associated with a mobile telecommunications network, the method comprising the steps of: evaluating a level of channel utilization within each of the mobile service areas; determining from the levels of use which of the plurality of mobile service areas is currently underutilized; and informing the mobile stations that are marching within the determined sub-used mobile service area that a reduced load regime is being applied to the calls.

The method of claim 9, wherein the step of evaluating the level of channel utilization within each of the mobile service areas further comprises the step of receiving the data representing the level of channel utilization from a controller Base station (BSC) that serves the mobile service area.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the mobile service area includes a cell area.

The method of claim 9, wherein the step of determining which of the plurality of mobile service areas is currently underutilized comprises further the step of comparing the evaluated utilization level with a predetermined threshold value.

The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of determining that the evaluated utilization level has been below the threshold value for a predetermined period of time.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of informing the mobile stations further comprises the step of transmitting through the Cell Broadcast Channel to the mobile stations that march within the determined mobile service area.

The method of claim 9 wherein the step of informing the mobile stations further comprises the step of broadcasting the system information through a broadcast channel.

16. A system for optimizing the utilization of channel resources within the plurality of cell areas associated with the mobile telecommunications network comprising: - a means for evaluating a level of channel utilization within each of the cell areas; a means to determine from the evaluated utilization levels which of the plurality of cell areas is currently underutilized; and a means for informing mobile stations that march within the sub-used cell area that is being applied at a reduced load rate.

The system of claim 16 wherein the means for determining the level of utilization which of the plurality of cell areas is currently being underused further comprises means for comparing the evaluated utilization level with an associated threshold value with each of the cell areas.

The system of claim 16 wherein the means for informing the mobile stations further comprises a means for transmitting an indicative information through a Cell Broadcast Channel.

The system of claim 16 wherein the means for informing the mobile stations further comprises a means for broadcasting an indicative information through a broadcast channel (BCH).

The system of claim 16 wherein the means for determining which of the plurality of cell area is associated within a mobile switching center (MSC) serving that geographic area.

The system of claim 16 wherein the means for determining which of the plurality of cell areas is associated within a base station controller (BSC) serving that geographic area.

22. A system for optimizing the utilization of channel resources within the plurality of associated cell areas within a mobile telecommunications network, the mobile telecommunications network serving a plurality of mobile stations, comprising: a plurality of base transceiver stations (BTSs), each serving a specific area of the plurality of cell areas; a plurality of channels associated with each of the plurality of BTSs; and a mobile switching center (MSC) connected to the plurality of BTSs, the MSC further comprises: an application mode to ensure which of the plurality of BTSs are sub-using those associated channels; and a means for broadcasting an indication to the mobile stations that run within the cell area associated with the underutilized BTSs, that a reduced load rate is being applied for the subsequent calls.

The system of claim 22 wherein each cell area is further associated with a base station controller (BSC) and wherein the application module requests and receives the data representing a level of channel utilization from the BSCs to make sure which cell area is being sub-used.

The system of claim 22 wherein the cell area is further associated with a base station controller (BSC) wherein each BSC is assigned with a threshold level for a cell area associated with the BSC and comprises a mode of application for comparing a channel resource utilization level associated with the cell area with the threshold level and which is reported by the MSC if the utilization level is less than the threshold level.

The system of claim 22 wherein the means for reporting the mobile stations further comprises a means for transmitting an indicative information through a Cell Broadcast Channel.

26. The system of claim 22 wherein the means for informing the mobile stations further comprises a means for broadcasting an indicative information through a broadcast channel (BCH).