RU2571424C2 - System and method for providing communication services to subscribers with insufficient account balance - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: radio engineering, communication.

SUBSTANCE: method of controlling communication comprises the following steps: generating and sending a call signal from a subscriber device via a communication node; monitoring call attempts by the subscriber on the network to determine attempts to make a call with insufficient account balance; providing an option to connect one of the functions available for insufficient account balance via a voice menu (IVR); performing an operation corresponding to the function selected by the user for connection.

EFFECT: providing communication network users with a method for connecting to one of the services provided with insufficient funds on the account to make a call most preferable for the user.

11 cl, 1 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of communication technology, in particular to a method and system that allows subscribers of telecommunication networks to connect one of the services offered with a lack of funds in the account to make a call, and to communicate with another subscriber using the connected service.

State of the art

In traditional communication systems, such as mobile or cellular communication systems, telecom operators provide subscribers with pre-formed sets of various services, the so-called tariff plans, which, as a rule, use one of two payment systems: prepaid and postpaid. Many subscribers of modern telephone networks use prepaid systems to pay for their calls on the network. In the pre-payment system, subscribers first deposit funds to the balance (account), and subsequently these funds are used to pay for communication services. Earlier, when the funds in the subscriber’s account ran out, i.e. became insufficient to make a call, the subscriber could not continue to use the telephone network, in particular, to communicate with other subscribers until he replenished the account of his mobile device.

With the advent of modern telephone networks, in particular cellular networks with advanced features, it has become possible to modify existing call control protocols in the network so that the calling users (subscribers making a call) having

insufficient funds to make a call, could communicate with other subscribers.

There is a known method of managing telephone communications disclosed in (SEE RU 2361369 C2; AUTOMATIC DISCONNECTION OF A CALL CALL FROM A USER WHO DOESN’T HAVE A LOAN). In this method, user phones have the ability to receive calls and / or messages regardless of the user's account status on the network. Additionally, the network is configured so that users without credit or airtime can make an outgoing call to the intended destination of the call, while such a call is disconnected after a predetermined number of calls. This is enough for a missed call notification to appear on the mobile phone of the intended destination of the call. The network is configured to create a notification in the form of a text message or recorded information for the intended destination of the call, if it is not available at the time of the call.

Another feature provided to the user is the ability to make a call at the expense of the called party. Moreover, a method is known that allows a third party to pay for a telephone call established between two subscribers (see RU 2141733 C1; METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CARRYING OUT COMMUNICATIONS).

An analogue closest to the present invention can be considered the telephone communication control system known from the prior art, which allows callers with insufficient credit or airtime on the network to communicate with the called user (see RU 2341908 C2; Call control protocol for insufficient credit). According to this system, the network monitors call attempts by calling users with a definition of call attempts made by callers with insufficient credit or airtime for a call. After detecting such a call attempt, the called user is sent a request to make a call notifying him of the call attempt. The notification can be a notification with an incoming call if the called user is connected, or an SMS message or voice message if the called user is not available for communication. Accordingly, subscribers with insufficient balance to make a call get the opportunity to notify the called user that they tried to contact him. After that, the called user may, at his discretion, contact the user calling him / her. The publication also discloses a corresponding method performed by the described telephone control system.

The disadvantage of the described solution is that this system does not provide the subscriber with the opportunity to choose the service most preferred for the subscriber. The described system itself chooses the option that seems most convenient to it (based on whether the called user is in communication or is not available for communication). Moreover, in both cases, the system provides the ability to only notify the user. In a situation where the called subscriber also does not have enough balance to make a call, subscribers will only be able to notify each other of the desire to contact, but the opportunity to directly communicate will not be provided.

Disclosure of invention

The objective of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages inherent in the solutions known from the prior art, in particular, to provide the ability to communicate for subscribers with insufficient balance in the most convenient way for the subscriber.

This problem is solved by the method and system, which are described in the independent claims. Additional embodiments of the present invention are presented in the dependent claims.

The technical result achieved by using the present invention is to provide users of the communication network with a convenient and quick way to connect one of the services offered when there is a lack of funds in the account for making a call, which is most preferable for the user.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication management method comprising the steps of:

generate and send a call signal from the user device of the subscriber through the communication node;

monitor call attempts made by the subscriber in the network, with the definition of call attempts with insufficient balance to make a call;

provide the ability to select one of the functions available with insufficient balance, using the voice menu (IVR);

carry out the operation corresponding to the function selected by the user to connect.

According to one implementation option, the functions available with insufficient balance are the following functions:

- providing a temporary payment;

- a call at the expense of the called subscriber or at the expense of a third party;

- sending the called subscriber a notification of a missed call.

In another implementation, sending a notification includes:

- sending a message with a request to call back;

- sending a message with a request to replenish the balance of the subscriber making the call;

- sending a message with a request to share the balance.

In yet another embodiment, the message to be sent is an SMS message, Voice Mail message, or any other message capable of transmitting information from subscriber to subscriber.

In another embodiment, if the subscriber has not selected any IVR menu item, a notification of a missed call is sent.

In one embodiment, when selecting a function that provides a temporary payment, the steps are carried out in which:

- check the subscriber according to the specified criteria for the possibility of issuing him a temporary payment;

- in case of confirmation of the possibility of issuing a payment, send a request to connect the mentioned function;

- in case of instant connection of the function, the subscriber making the call is connected to the called subscriber.

According to another implementation option, in the event of a delay in connecting a temporary payment, the subscriber receives a notification about the connection of the function and the connection between the subscribers is not carried out.

According to another implementation option, when choosing the function “call at the expense of the called subscriber”, the steps are carried out at which:

- the called subscriber is notified of the call at his expense;

- Waiting for confirmation of consent to pay the call;

- in case of confirmation of consent, the subscriber making the call is connected to the called subscriber, and the called subscriber is charged;

- in the absence of confirmation of consent, the connection between subscribers is not established.

According to another embodiment, when the function “send notification of a missed call” is selected or if no menu item is selected, the notification about the missed call is sent to the called party by recording the missed call on the user's device of the called party.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication management system comprising:

user device, and

communication center;

wherein the user device is configured to generate and send a call signal through said communication node, said communication node comprising a communication operator module configured to route a call signal sent from the user device;

moreover, the said communication node further comprises a logic module connected to the module of the communication operator and configured to:

track call attempts made by the subscriber in the network with the definition of call attempts with insufficient balance to make a call;

provide the subscriber with insufficient balance a voice menu (IVR), offering the subscriber to connect one of the functions available with insufficient balance, and

instruct the carrier module to configure the incoming connection in accordance with the function selected by the user to connect.

In one embodiment, said system further comprises third-party components, such as a component for determining a subscriber’s membership to a telecommunications operator and an application component.

Brief Description of the Drawings

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after reading the following description and viewing the accompanying drawing, which shows a diagram of a telephone control system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Presented in the drawing, the diagram serves only to illustrate embodiments of the present invention and does not limit it in any way.

The implementation of the invention

Various embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail below with reference to the drawing. However, the present invention can be embodied in many other forms and should not be construed as being limited by any particular structure or function described in the following description. Based on the present description, a person skilled in the art will understand that the scope of legal protection of the present invention covers any embodiment of the present invention disclosed herein, regardless of whether it is implemented independently or in combination with any other embodiment of the present invention. For example, a system may be implemented or the method may be practiced using any number of implementation options set forth herein. In addition, it should be understood that any embodiment of the present invention disclosed herein may be embodied by one or more elements of the claims.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example or illustration”. Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” need not be construed as being preferred or taking precedence over other embodiments.

It should also be noted that in this document the terms “subscriber” and “user” and derivatives of these words are used interchangeably. The same is true for the terms “incoming call” and “incoming connection”, as well as for the terms “function” and “service”.

The present invention provides the subscriber with new opportunities with a lack of funds in the account to make a call. When the subscriber makes a call attempt with a lack of funds in the account, the call is redirected to the system proposed in this document. The claimed system offers the choice of one of the available functions (services) with a lack of funds in the account. The advantage of the system is that if there is a lack of funds in the mobile subscriber’s account when he makes a call, he not only plays the standard message “You have insufficient funds”, the system is also able to provide a choice of one of a number of services, such as providing a temporary payment , a call at the expense of the called subscriber or at the expense of a third party, sending a message asking to call back, sending notification of a missed call, etc.

Temporary payment is the operator’s service, which is a temporary payment credited to the subscriber’s balance in order to delay the blocking of services by credit control (after the expiration of the temporary payment, it is canceled). The service may be called “Deferred payment”, “Promised payment”, “Trust payment”, “Credit” and bear any other names. Also, such a service can be implemented with the operator not only by crediting the payment, but also by providing credit airtime, the ability to use other services (SMS, Internet, etc.) on credit.

Call at the expense of the called - this is the service of the operator, allowing you to make a call at the expense of the called subscriber (in case of consent of the receiving party). A call at the expense of a third party is an operator’s service that allows you to make a call at the expense of a third party, for example, an advertiser, the operator itself, etc.

Sending a message with a request to call back implies that the subscriber specified in the request will receive an SMS (or any other type of message) containing a request to “call back”. The message may also reflect the number, date and time of sending the request.

Notification of a missed call - a message on the phone screen about an unanswered call with the number of the caller.

Accordingly, subscribers with insufficient credit are given the opportunity to choose:

- either contact the called subscriber (make a call at the expense of the called, connect a temporary payment, etc.);

- either send a notification to the called subscriber about a call attempt (SMS, voice or video message, Voice mail, notification of a missed call, etc.).

The above services are provided by telecom operators and exist independently of the proposed system. The system proposed in this document provides a method for convenient and quick connection of these services, in which the subscriber is not required to remember and enter USSD commands, call service connection numbers, create, address, and send SMS messages from his phone or enter before the phone number the called user a special code to send a message to the called user, etc. The provision of services is offered to him immediately at the time of attempting to make a call. The main option of access to the service for the subscriber: a direct call to Subscriber B and the system switches to the IVR menu to select one of the available functions. However, if necessary, the subscriber can use the proposed system in the following ways:

- a voice call to the service number of the service will provide access to the menu for selecting call options with DTMF dialing of subscriber number B;

- USSD callback request,

- call forwarding during the conversation from the PrePaid platform, in case of lack of funds.

The scenario of the proposed system can be described as follows:

1. Subscriber A makes a normal outgoing call to Subscriber B. In case of insufficient funds to make an outgoing call, the call is forwarded to the proposed system.

2. Subscriber A gets into the IVR-menu, where he is offered a choice of one of the available functions:

- connect a temporary payment;

- make a call at the expense of the called subscriber;

- send a notification (notification) about a missed call.

Also, other functions can be added to the script that will allow subscriber A to replenish the balance and contact subscriber B, or contact subscriber B at his expense, or notify subscriber B that subscriber A tried to contact him - for example:

- sending a message (SMS, Voice Mail, etc.) with a request to call back,

- sending a message (SMS, VoiceMail, etc.) with a request to replenish the balance of subscriber A or with a request to share the balance, etc.

- any existing or new services that may be offered to subscribers with a lack of funds.

Also, the script may include sending a notification of a missed call if not a single item of the IVR menu is selected.

It is possible to implement any number of IVR-menu items, as well as an option without an IVR-menu, when notification of a missed call is sent to subscriber B when trying to make a call by Subscriber A with a lack of funds.

3. After selecting one of the items, the corresponding operation is performed:

- In the case of a temporary payment:

1 - if necessary, the subscriber is checked according to the specified criteria for the possibility of issuing a temporary payment to him,

2 - if issuance is possible, a request is sent to activate a temporary payment, and

3 - when connecting instantly, a connection is made with Subscriber B, and in the event of a connection delay, the subscriber can independently contact another subscriber after the payment is received in the account;

- If a call is selected at the expense of the called subscriber, subscriber B plays a notification of the call at his expense and confirmation of consent is expected to pay for the current call. If the called subscriber agrees to pay for the call, the proposed system performs switching between subscribers. At the same time, subscriber B is charged;

- If you choose to send a notification about a missed call (or if none of the menu items is selected), a notification about a missed call is sent to Subscriber B. The phone of the called party B records a missed call;

- In the case of choosing other functions (sending a message asking to call back, or to replenish the balance of subscriber A, or to share the balance, etc., or any existing or new services that may be offered to subscribers with a lack of funds), the corresponding operation is performed and Possibilities are switched between subscribers, or subscribers communicate by themselves after receiving the corresponding message.

The drawing shows a diagram of a telephone control system 1. As shown, the system 1 comprises a user device 2, which is configured to generate and send a call signal to other user devices through the communication node 4. The user device 2 acts as the calling device, and any other user device acts as the called device. User devices referred to herein are any devices configured to generate, transmit, and receive ringing signals from each other.

The communication node referred to in this document is a combination of technical means providing the provision of communication services and connecting to a public network, such as a mobile or cellular communication network. As is known to those skilled in the art, the particular design of a communication node depends on the type of communication network in which it is planned to be used. For example, stationary or mobile communication nodes can be used.

In this embodiment, the communication node 4 comprises a communication operator module 5 and a logic module 6 of a communication service providing system for subscribers with insufficient balance connected to the communication operator module 5.

The communication operator module 5 is a combination of standard communication operator tools used to receive, process, and transmit call signals. As shown in the drawing, the communication operator module 5 comprises a switching component configured to route voice calls and text messages (i.e., SMS). In an embodiment of the present invention, the switching component is a mobile switching center (MSC) 7 in a global mobile communication system (GSM), providing control and switching of communication channels. In particular, the switching component is configured to receive a call signal sent from the user device 2. The carrier module 5 also includes a USSD command processing center 3 (USSDC), which is connected to the MSC 7 via the MAP protocol. The switching component (MSC) is also connected to the carrier component 8 of the business processes support (which, for example, can be implemented as a BSS system). In particular, component 8 includes application software to support the business processes of the telecommunication enterprise, primarily billing (support for settlements with subscribers, billing, payment processing, billing). According to this implementation option, component 8 consists of the following subcomponents: billing system 9 and on-line / off-line billing system 10, which are interconnected according to the billing protocol. Billing system 9 collects information on the use of telecommunication services, their billing, billing subscribers, processing payments. The on-line / off-line charging system 10 performs the charging of services consumed by the subscriber. Said system 10 is connected to MSC 7 via a CAP type protocol (CAP v2, 3, 4) or another protocol.

Module 6 of the logic includes the main components of the proposed system for the provision of communication services to subscribers with insufficient balance. Said module 6 comprises a call control and billing component 11 configured to implement a call control logic. The call control and billing component 11 is also configured to perform billing of the subscriber by interacting with the on-line / off-line billing system 10 in the communication operator module 5. Call control and billing component 11 supports protocols such as INAP / CAP and the like. As shown in the drawing, the call control and billing component 11 is also connected to the MSC 7, for example, via the SIGTRAN protocol, or using the digital stream E1.

Said module 6 also comprises a signaling processing and IVR function provisioning component, hereinafter referred to as a specialized resource component 12. The specialized resource component 12 is configured to inform the subscriber using the user device 2 about the parameters of the incoming connection (for example, play sound files indicating the cost of the connection (AOS — cost warning)) and simultaneously accept user input from user device 2 (collecting user DTMF input; user input is performed, for example, by pressing a certain combination of buttons on the user device 2). The specialized resource component 12 is also configured to make outgoing calls. The said component 12 interacts with the call control and billing component 11 using an INAP protocol, either HTTP / XML or TCP / XML. The component 12 of specialized resources is connected to the MSC 7 via the E1 digital stream, either via SIGTRAN protocol for ISUP interaction, or IP for SIP / RTP interaction. Accordingly, the specialized resource component 12 supports the ISUP and SIP protocols.

Logic module 6 additionally contains a user interaction and script execution component 13, which executes the basic logic of the system for providing communication services to subscribers with insufficient balance. In addition, component 13 is additionally connected to billing system 9 via a protocol for interacting with billing. Component 13 is in interaction with the USSD command processing center 3 according to the SMPP protocol. It also interacts with the component 17 determining the subscriber’s ownership of the subscriber to the telecommunications operator and component 16 applications, which will be described below. Component 13 is also in communication with the service data storage component 15, which will also be described below.

Another component contained in the logic module 6 is a statistics and reporting component 14, which is connected to the user interaction and script execution component 13 and the service data storage component 15. In particular, component 14 is configured to receive data on connecting a service, its tariffing, and the like from component 13 and building on the basis of the received data reports and statistics. The constructed static reports can then be stored in the service data storage component 15.

A service data storage component 15 connected to components 13 and 14 is configured to store service data.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the telephone control system 1 further comprises various third-party components, which are shown in the accompanying drawing as application component 16 and subscriber’s carrier determination component 17. In particular, the application component 16 may provide the user with Internet sites or applications specifically designed to manage the service with insufficient balance. For example, through one of these sites, a user can establish a connection to a service provided with insufficient balance. The application component 16 interacts with the user interaction and script execution component 13. Component 17, also interacting with component 13, allows you to determine which telecom operator the subscriber belongs to. This component is necessary in connection with the introduction of MNP (portability of mobile phone numbers) functionality.

Specialists in the art should understand that, as necessary, the number of structural elements or components of the system 1 may vary. For example, a plurality of communication nodes can be used, by means of which communication is provided between the user device 2 and the called user device, wherein said communication operator module 5 and the logic module 6 are installed in one of the many communication nodes.

In addition, those skilled in the art should understand that the arrangement of modules of system 1 shown, including components and subcomponents in modules 5 and 6, is exemplary and, as necessary, can be changed to achieve greater efficiency in a particular application. It is assumed that the scope of protection of the present invention covers all possible various locations of the above structural elements of the system 1.

The connection of the user device 2 with the communication node 4 and the connection of modules and components and / or subcomponents in the communication node 4 can be wired or wireless. Examples of wired and wireless connections are known in the art, and therefore, a description thereof will be omitted.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. Being implemented in software, said functions may be stored on or transmitted in the form of one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Machine-readable media includes any storage medium that enables the transfer of a computer program from one place to another. The storage medium may be any available medium that is accessed by a computer. By way of example, but not limitation, such computer-readable media can be RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk drive, magnetic disk drive or other magnetic storage devices, or any other storage medium that can be used for transferring or storing the required program code in the form of instructions or data structures and which can be accessed using a computer. In addition, if the software is transferred from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or using wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, such wired and wireless means fall within the definition of media. The term disc used in this document includes compact disc (CD), laser discs, optical discs, universal digital discs (DVDs), floppy discs and blu-ray discs. Combinations of the above-mentioned storage media should also fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Although exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the present description, it should be understood that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention defined by the attached claims. The functions, steps, and / or actions referred to in the claims characterizing the method in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention described herein need not be performed in any particular order unless otherwise noted or specified. Moreover, the mention of elements of the system in the singular does not exclude the set of such elements, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

List of Reference Items:

1 - Telephony Management System

2 - User device

3 - USSD Command Processing Center

4 - Communication node

5 - Communication operator module

6 - Logic module of the system of providing communication services to subscribers with insufficient balance

7 - Mobile Switching Center

8 - Telecom operator business process support component

9 - Billing system

10 - Online / Offline Billing System

11 - Call Control and Billing Component

12 - Component of signaling processing and provision of IVR functions

13 - Component of user interaction and script execution

14 - Statistics and Reporting Component

15 - Service data storage component

16 - Application Component

17 - Component for determining a subscriber’s ownership of a telecommunications operator

Claims (11)

1. A communication management method, comprising the steps of:
generate and send a call signal from the user device of the subscriber through the communication node;
monitor call attempts made by the subscriber in the network, with the definition of call attempts with insufficient balance to make a call;
provide, through a component of specialized resources, the ability to select the connection of one of the functions available with insufficient balance, using the voice menu (IVR);
at the time of the call, an operation corresponding to the function selected by the user to connect using the voice menu (IVR) is performed. 2. The method according to claim 1, in which the functions available with insufficient balance are the following functions:
- providing a temporary payment;
- a call at the expense of the called subscriber or at the expense of a third party;
- sending the called subscriber a notification of a missed call. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein sending the notification includes:
- sending a message with a request to call back;
- sending a message with a request to replenish the balance of the subscriber making the call;
- sending a message with a request to share the balance. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the message to be sent is an SMS message, Voice Mail message, or any other message capable of transmitting information from subscriber to subscriber. 5. The method according to p. 1, in which they send a notification about the missed call if the subscriber has not selected any IVR menu item. 6. The method according to claim 2, in which when choosing a function that provides a temporary payment, the steps are carried out in which:
- check the subscriber according to the specified criteria for the possibility of issuing him a temporary payment;
- in case of confirmation of the possibility of issuing a payment, they send a request to connect the mentioned function;
- in case of instant connection, the functions connect the subscriber making the call with the called subscriber. 7. The method according to claim 6, in which, in case of a delay in connecting a temporary payment, the subscriber receives a notification about the connection of the function and the connection between the subscribers is not made. 8. The method according to p. 2, in which when you select the function "call at the expense of the called subscriber", the steps are carried out at which:
- the called subscriber is notified of the call at his expense;
- Waiting for confirmation of consent to pay the call;
- in case of confirmation of consent, the subscriber making the call is connected to the called subscriber, and the called subscriber is charged;
- if there is no confirmation of consent, the connection between subscribers is not established. 9. The method according to p. 2 or 5, in which when you select the function "send notification of a missed call" or if no menu item is selected, the called subscriber is sent a notification about the missed call by recording the missed call on the user's device of the called subscriber. 10. A communication management system comprising:
user device, and
communication center;
wherein the user device is configured to generate and send a call signal through said communication node, said communication node comprising a communication operator module configured to route a call signal sent from the user device;
moreover, the said communication node further comprises a logic module connected to the module of the communication operator and configured to:
track call attempts made by the subscriber in the network with the definition of call attempts with insufficient balance to make a call;
provide the subscriber with insufficient balance a voice menu (IVR), offering the subscriber to connect one of the functions available with insufficient balance, and
at the time of the call instruct the carrier module to configure the incoming connection in accordance with the function selected by the user to connect using the voice menu (IVR). 11. The system of claim 10, further comprising third-party components, such as a component for determining a subscriber’s membership in a telecom operator and an application component.