| 摘要 |
A dynamic communications rate setting apparatus, system and/or method is applicable to digitized and analog communications networks. This dynamic communications rate setting apparatus, system and/or method concerns the load carried by the network at the time the call attempt is made. The loads may be continuously measured on all lines above the subscriber line level, for instance, with the aid of load measuring groups. The load measuring groups may be composed of a traffic measurement unit, connected to the trunks or trunk groups and a rate calculator, or pre-calculator, which dynamically determines the rate weight, passing it on to the corresponding exchange at a higher level of the hierarchy. The rate payable for a particular call may be indicated to the calling subscriber. After the customer has dialed the last digit of the trunk code, the rate calculator may calculate the currently applicable rate as a function of the result of the latest measurement of the traffic flowing to that destination, transmitting the computed rate to the calling subscribers terminal to be displayed there. Then, the apparatus, system and/or method may assume an offer status which is maintained for a certain time. Once a decision has been taken by the calling subscriber, the dialing process may be discontinued or, after the input of the number of the person called, the rate displayed may be used for calculating the amount payable for the call. After completion of the call, the rate payable may be displayed for the calling subscriber or also for the called subscriber if both customers share the cost. In digital networks, dynamic communications rate setting may be both suitable for voice communications and any other type of electronic communications such as data and video transmissions.
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