Service utilization control manager
US8505073B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 31, 2007 |
| Grant date | Aug 6, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 8, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W88/14
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus is described for managing mobile network services. The apparatus includes a service authorization and utilization control function (SAUCF) element configured to authorize a mobile network service request by acting as a service manager configured to centrally coordinate service authorizations for multiple network services associated with an individual subscriber account by evaluating a service policy defining user access spanning the multiple network services. The service policy includes (a) communication authorization controls affecting permission for a user associated with the subscriber account to access a mobile network service in accordance with one or more criteria applicable to a bundled service category; and (b) charging controls for determining whether a subscriber account includes sufficient credits to use the mobile network service. A real time utilization interface is configured to transmit messages between the SAUCF element and a subscriber service utilization account.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.