Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system which controls accuracy of the charging system in GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) networks.

Prior Art There are charging systems which set the charge in accordance with the rate plans for the service that users get in GSM networks. In this system, user records are kept together with information of calls made by users. When the user makes a call, information of this call pass through many units and systems until they are transmitted to the charging system. Data loss might be experienced in these information while the information of call are passing through the said units and systems. This poses risk of charging and loss in revenue, which corresponds the calls made by the user, not to be calculated correctly.

Charging control in GSM networks is carried out by means of methods of comparing bulk data which are received from the systems through which operation records generated by the end user pass until they reach the charging system with one another collectively, and analyzing the differences collectively.

Setting an accurate charging in GSM network is a vital need for high-income GSM operators. Main purpose of systems performing charging control is to control whether records of calls, messaging and data access carried out by users reach to the charging system without loss and faultlessly, and to determine cases where losses occur. Records of call, messaging and data access carried out in the GSM network pass over different and complex systems until reaching the charging system. In each system through which the records pass, there is risk of loss to occur in the data. Method which is widely used in control of this data flow is as comparing bulk records received from the systems through which the data pass with each other. The fact is that amount of data in GSM networks is huge and complexities of the systems make this process difficult. The United States patent document no. US6385444B1, an application in the state of the art, discloses a method for checking accuracy of call data records in telecommunications systems. In this method, virtual records are generated on the basis of some parameters depending on customer behaviors and charging control is carried out by comparing these records with real records.

Summary of the Invention

The objective of the present invention is to realize a charging control system which provides comparison of records, that will be directly received from the device, belonging to operations of call, messaging and data access carried out over the device with records that reach the charging system and tracking thereof in order to ensure revenue assurance in GSM networks.

Another objective of the present invention is to realize a charging control system which enables records related to operations of call, messaging and data access carried out in the GSM network to be compared between the first point wherein the records are generated and the end point wherein the records reach on the basis of subscriber. A further objective of the present invention is to realize a charging control system wherein difficulties caused by comparison of bulk data are resolved with making comparison on the basis of subscriber.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to realize a charging control system wherein, during transmission of data from the first point in which they are generated to the charging system which is the end point reached by the records, risk of data loss that occurs in systems between the two points is eliminated.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The charging control system realized to fulfill the objective of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying figure, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of the inventive charging control system.

The parts illustrated in the figure are individually numbered where the numbers refer to the following:

1. System

2. , 20. Device

21. SIM card

3. Record collection unit

4. Charging control unit

41. Database

5. Monitoring unit

51. Screen

6. Charging system

A. IP network The inventive system (1) essentially comprises: devices (2, 21) wherein user and charging records are collected; at least one record collection unit (3) which directly collects and stores records related to charging from each device (2, 21); a charging control unit (4) which has at least one database (41); a monitoring unit (5) whereby the user can monitor and a charging system (6) which sets the charge in accordance with the rate plan for the service that the users get. The device (2, 21) may be a natural gas meter or electricity meter (20) or a mobile phone (2) according to embodiments of the invention. Each subscriber has a device (2, 20). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, devices (2, 20) comprise at least one SIM card (21). An application is installed to the SIM cards (21) by means of OTA (Over The Air). This application enables operations of call, messaging and data access which will be carried out by the device (2, 20) to be stored in the device (2, 20) in lists, by reading them. For call records: dialed number, call start time and call duration; for messaging records: number messaged and time of message sending; for data access: address of access originating point, access start time and amount of data accessed can be given as example for data type parameters that will be stored in the device (2, 20) in lists by being read. Records are stored in the device (2, 20) in lists as being generated. The lists generated are sent to the record collection unit (3) when the said list reaches a certain size or at certain intervals. The lists are sent to the record collection unit (3) over IP network (A) by means of a communication method such as SMS (Short Message Service) or USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) messaging. The record collection unit (3) receives and analyses the lists coming from each device (2, 20) and transmits them to the charging control unit (4). When the said list reaches a certain size or a certain period of time passes over the transmission time of the last list belonging to the devices (2, 20), it is received by the record collection unit (3).

The charging control unit (4) compares the records which are received from each device (2, 20) separately and transmitted to itself by the record collection unit (3), with the call records that it receives from the charging system (6). It carries out the comparison operation using a different number parameter determining the person who uses the telephone number or the device (2, 20). It may take a certain period of time for the records relating to operations carried out by the device (2, 20) to reach the charging system (6). This time is defined as system parameter in the charging control unit (4). The charging control unit (4) starts comparison operations by receiving the records relating to operations earned out by the device (2, 20) from the charging system (6) at the end of this time. As a result of the comparison operation, in the event that a difference is found between the records present in the charging system (6) and received directly from the devices (2, 20) the charging control unit (4) processes these differences to the database (41) in parameters according to types of data.

During operation of record comparison, the number which is present in the record, called or to which message is sent may belong to a particular service. Feature of the service belonging to the calling or messaging process carried out is also stored in the database (41) while the comparison results are being determined. Thus, if there is a particular problem regarding a certain service in consequence of the comparison operation it is possible to detect it.

The charging control unit (4) works together with the record collection unit (3) real-timely in a continuous manner and detects problems instantly.

The monitoring unit (5) comprises at least one screen (51). Results of the operations carried out in the system (1) are tracked by the related users via the monitoring unit (5). The monitoring unit (5) has a web interface. The difference records registered to the database (41) by the charging control unit (4) are interrogated by the monitoring unit (5) at certain intervals. Differences are displayed on the screen (51) collectively or on the basis of customer or on the basis of service determined by the number called. The user can decide which difference parameters will be shown on the screen (51) via the monitoring unit (5) by himself/herself. In an embodiment alternative of the invention; the monitoring unit (5) sends warning message to the users and necessary authorities in certain time intervals or when the amount of difference exceeds a certain level, and enables necessary precautions to be taken. It can be chosen by the user this warning message will be received in which time interval or in which amount the difference reaches. The warning can be sent to the user carrying out monitoring in the form of a visual warning, via SMS or e-mail that will appear on the screen (51).

In another embodiment of the invention, the device (20) is an apparatus working in service such as natural gas or electricity or water service. In this embodiment the devices (20) transmit records related to charging and subscriber information to the record collection unit (3) with a different communication method instead of GSM network. The record collection unit (3) transmits the information to the charging control unit (4). This unit (4) provides control of accuracy of charging.

The inventive system (1) is an application "real-time revenue assurance tracking". When a problem occurs or an unusual flow begins to occur in flow of usage records in the system (1), people tracking the system (1) are informed and directed to take precaution with the signals generated.

It is possible to develop a wide variety of embodiments of the inventive charging control system (1). The invention cannot be limited to the examples described herein and it is essentially according to the claims.