Tariff management apparatus and method for communications terminals using smart cards
US6098878A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 30, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 8, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 30, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04M2215/32
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Communication units used by a communications terminal are measured, and an economic efficiency associated with use of the terminal is determined from the measured communication units and a stored critical value of a tariff of a communications system that is stored in smart card that is coupled to the terminal. Measures to control communications unit usage by the terminal are initiated based on the determined economic efficiency. The measures to control usage may include providing an indication, e.g., a visual or audible indication, of the determined economic efficiency to a user of the terminal. According to one aspect, a first indication of economic efficiency is provided to the user, e.g., a first icon is displayed, if the measured communication units are less than the stored critical value, and a second indication of economic efficiency is provided to the user, e.g., a second icon is displayed, if the measured communication units are greater than the stored critical value. According to another aspect, measures to control usage may include altering usage of communication units by the terminal when the measured communication units exceed the stored critical value. The terminal may…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.