US 5,706,330 AGranted

Method and apparatus for tracking and transmitting communication information for wireless communication systems

OwnerCary Bufferd, Rick Harrisinventors

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Abstract

A communications accounting system is provided wherein the transfer of call detail record information from a remotely located phone may be accomplished in an efficient manner. During non-billable processes or during airtime billed at a reduced rate, the call detail record (CDR) information from the previous registration is simultaneously sent to the collector system for processing to the billing system. More specifically, encrypted and compressed authorization information and call details records (CDRs) from the previous use of the phone are simultaneously communicated from the Cellular Call Computer--Programmable Off-line (C3PO) to the host computer system by modem or other suitable manner. At the validation server, the authorization information is decrypted and uncompressed and stripped away from the CDRs, while the call is live, and sent to an authorization service. While the validation system is working on completing the authorization, the system is uploading the CDRs from calls made since the last authorization attempt. These CDRs are stored for later processing. The invention also provides a roaming management system integrated with the accounting system. By the method of the instant invention, equipment is efficiently utilized, internal airtime charges are minimized, and customers are billed in a timely manner.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A usage monitoring system for monitoring, storing and analyzing the usage of a wireless communications system by at least one customer, comprising:

at least one remote unit including a real time clock generating clock signals, a memory for storing usage data, said usage data being indicative of usage of said communication system, and a microprocessor coupled to said clock and said memory and having a program for processing and storing said usage data;
a collector means for receiving and storing said usage data from said at least one remote unit, said collector means including a computer with memory and an evaluation program, said evaluation program being operative to evaluate said usage data indicative of usage of said communications system;
and
a communications interface means for communicating transmission information between said at least one remote unit and said collector means, and for transferring said usage information from said memory in said at least one remote unit to said collector means for evaluation by said evaluation program,
wherein said communications interface means transfers said usage data simultaneously with said transmission information, and
wherein said transmission information comprises authorization data enabling said at least one customer to gain access to said communication system, said authorization data being analyzed in order to meet predetermined authorization criteria established by said communication system, and
wherein said usage data is generated by a first customer and said transmission information is generated by a second customer, said first customer and said second customer defining sequential users of said communication system.

4 more elements

A usage monitoring system for monitoring, storing and analyzing the usage of a wireless communications system by at least one customer, comprising:

at least one remote unit including a real time clock generating clock signals, a memory for storing usage data and identification data, and a microprocessor coupled to said clock and said memory and having a program for processing and storing said usage data, said usage data being indicative of usage of said communication system and said identification data adapted to uniquely identify said at least one remote unit;
a collector means for receiving and storing said usage data from said at least one remote unit, said collector means including a computer with memory and an evaluation program, said evaluation program being operative to evaluate said usage data indicative of usage of said communications system;
and
a communications interface means for communicating transmission information between said at least one remote unit and said collector means, and for transferring said usage information from said memory in said at least one remote unit to said collector means for evaluation by said evaluation program,
wherein said at least one remote unit further comprises a roaming status means for detecting a roaming status defined by a relocation of said at least one remote unit outside a predetermined communication region;
and wherein said communications interface means is transfers said usage data to said collector means simultaneously with said roaming status.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/390,921Filed 14 Feb 1995
Granted: 6 Jan 1998
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

H04W 4/24
Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor: accounting or billing
H04M 17/02
Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems: coin-freed or check-freed systems , e.g.…
H04M 2215/2026
Technology dependant metering: wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
H04M 2215/32
Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements: involving wireless systems

Family

No related US applications are recorded in the indexed filing history.

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