 Light emitting semiconductor diode |
| As is shown in FIG. 1, two semiconductor layers 39, 40 are formed on a semiconductor substrate 43 ... |
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| Apparatus for photoelectrically reading a translucent answer document having a bias bar printed thereon |
| I claim: 1. In combination, an answer document having a bias bar and various response areas printed ... |
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| Apparatus for displaying numerical value information in alternative forms |
| Briefly stated, the present invention comprises an apparatus for displaying numerical value ... |
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| Chunky planar data packing apparatus and method for a video memory |
| An apparatus and method for taking data that is presented on a 32-bit bus (e.g., NUBUS) in one ... |
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| Low dissipation voltage regulator |
| OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the schematic diagram of the voltage regulator shown in F... |
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| NPN band gap voltage reference |
| OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning to the sole FIGURE, NPN bandgap voltage reference circuit 10 ... |
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| High dynamic range mixer |
| OF THE PRESENT INVENTION A schematic diagram 50 of FIG. 1 showing one embodiment of the doubly-... |
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| Matrix circuit of FM stereo multiplex demodulation circuit |
| An object of this invention is to provide a matrix circuit of an FM-stereo multiplex demodulation ... |
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| Amplifier circuit having high linearity for cancelling third order harmonic distortion |
| An amplifier is an element common to many analog circuits. For example, amplifiers are used in ... |
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| Device and method for controlling frequency characteristic of a filter |
| It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a receiver capable of insuring a ... |
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Method and apparatus for billing for usage-based group communication between wireless devices
| Details |
Inventors: Brewer, Beth Ann; Kenagy, Jason B.;
Assignee: Qualcomm Inc. (San Diego, CA)
Primary Examiner: Gary; Erika A.
Assistant Examiner: Nguyen; David Q.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Wadsworth; Philip R. O'Connell; Robert J. Freiwirth; Raphael
A method and apparatus for billing for the usage of direct group communication services, such as push-to-talk services. A direct group communication service provider sets up an account for each direct communication service user whereby the user can establish a target group of wireless devices associated with his account. A billing server monitors the direct communication attempts of the wireless device of the user with the target group and bills the user based upon a predetermined criteria, such as number of wireless devices in the target group communicated with, use of a direct communication service, or duration of talk time. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION The disclosed embodiments provide novel and improved methods and apparatuses for billing for individual usage of push-to-talk services for mobile communication devices.
In one aspect, the invention is a system for billing for direct mobile device to mobile device communication services.
The system includes a billing server in communication with a wireless communication network, and a first mobile device capable of selectively directly communicating with a target set of one or more second mobile devices across the wireless communication network.
The identity of the target set of one or more second mobile devices is stored at a group communication server.
When the first mobile device starts to communicate with the target set through a direct communication, the billing server gathers billing information by tracking network usage parameters established by the first mobile device according to predefined criteria.
In one embodiment, the method for billing for direct mobile device to mobile device communication services includes receiving a direct communication request from a first mobile device, where the direct communication request is directed to a target set of one or more second mobile devices, and retrieving target set information.
The method further tracks the attempt to establish a direct communication between the first mobile device and the target set according to the target set information, tracks network usage parameters related to the direct communication between the first mobile device and at least one second mobile device in the target set, and generates billing information for the first mobile device according to the network usage parameters.
In one embodiment, the apparatus for billing for direct mobile device to mobile device communication services includes a billing server in communication with a wireless communication network, and the billing server is capable of receiving a direct communication request from a first mobile device, where the direct communication request is directed to a target set of one or more second mobile devices, and retrieving target set information
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Cell Phones 
