Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and a method for assembling and coordinating call data records from a plurality of network elements of an Internet Protocol Multimedia System call to generate charging information. A pre-biller stores an integrated charging record and accesses a rating engine to obtain the charging information to complete a charging data record. Advantageously, the information from a plurality of network elements is integrated into a combined charging data record.

Abstract: A method of assigning calls to a hot cell site. A hot cell site is a cell site for carrying highly concentrated traffic, which cell site supports only a proper sub-set of the frequencies supported by other (basic) cells. It is surrounded by hot zones of other (basic) cell sites. When mobile stations enter the hot zone, an extra percentage of powered-on, but idle mobile stations is tuned or re-tuned to one of the frequencies supported by the hot cell. Advantageously, this increases the traffic carried by the hot cell. In accordance with one feature of the invention, if a hot cell is approaching the limit of its call carrying capacity, it will hand-off calls to a neighboring cell. Advantageously, the hot cell usage is optimized.

Abstract: This invention relates to a feature for controlling resellers of telecommunications services. A service provider may freeze the accounts, and therefore service, for all customers of a reseller if that reseller is behind on payments to the service provider. In one preferred embodiment, all customers of a reseller are identified with a reseller identification field in the customer's data stored by the service provider. When the service provider issues a freeze order, the account records for all customers of the reseller, identified by the reseller identification stored for each customer, are set into a frozen state wherein these customers cannot initiate or receive calls; after the frozen state is removed, the various promotions allotted to each customer are reinstated. Advantageously, the threat of freezing service to the customers of the reseller is a potent weapon to force the reseller to pay the service provider.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for handling prepaid recharge requests in a telecommunications network. If the prepaid recharge request results in exceeding a recharge cap, the requesting customer is provided with one or more alternative rewards, such as bonus points for making a limited class of calls, for the excess beyond the cap. Advantageously, the service provider and service resellers can provide incentives to customers to continue to use the maximum amount of service without removing restrictions on a cap or the time limit by which prepaid services must be used.

Abstract: This invention relates to an enhanced method and apparatus for providing notification to a telecommunications customer using prepaid service that his/her prepaid balance is below a pre-specified threshold. The number of notifications is limited to a specified number within a specified interval. Advantageously, the customer is spared the nuisance o receiving multiple notifications when he/she is already aware of the problem.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for providing customized cost allocations for telecommunications session in an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network. A Home Subscriber Service stores data describing the policies and rules for allocating charges requested by a particular customer. The charge message sent to charge control system is the product of the charges for the telecommunications session and the policies and rules for allocating charges. Advantageously, this arrangement permits each customer to specify a preferred charge allocation arrangement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing useful packet data to a CALEA/Legal Intercept collection function. At an access point to a network such as the Internet, sources and destinations of data connections are examined to determine whether any of the bearer messages should also be routed to a CALEA/Legal Intercept monitoring system. If this condition is recognized, the bearer messages and corresponding signaling control messages are correlated in a call packet delivery application server and then delivered to a CALEA/Legal Intercept monitoring system. Advantageously, the monitoring receives as a bundled message set the bearer message and the control messages used to route and otherwise process these bearer messages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for permitting different treatment of calls from different callers. Favored callers who receive preferred treatment, the preferred treatment including the ability to complete calls, are provided with a private number. If the callers use the private number, they are subject to an incoming class of service to the called party that is substituted for the class of service provided to callers who use the public telephone number of the called station. Advantageously, at the discretion of the called party different callers may be provided with different private numbers and their calls may be blocked or completed with special alerting tones.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for establishing the flexible connections required to serve collaborative Telestar service requests. Telestar refers to services frequently described as being Tele* services such as teleeducation, teleconsultation and telemedicine. A customer node, such as a doctor's office, is connected via a high speed link to a switch which in turn is connected to a broadband network for interconnecting high speed links. The broadband network is connected to a Telestar service provider node. The customer signals requests for connections within the Telestar service provider nodes. These requests are processed by a Tele* service controller to generate request messages to the source and destination nodes to establish a requested connection. Advantageously, the highly flexible arrangements needed for providing optimum Telestar service can be readily controlled by a calling customer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a caller who does not provide caller identification on an unanswered call. The caller is asked to record his/her name (or some other characteristic utterance). If the call is unanswered, the record is retained and can be accessed by the called party when that party requests his/her stored voice mail. Advantageously, even on unanswered calls, the identity of the caller can be presented to the called party when that called party requests stored voice mail messages, even if the calling party has private service.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for flexibly controlling prepaid telecommunications charges. A scratch card recharge arrangement is used to prepay for future telecommunications calls. A flexible arrangement is provided to translate between the face value of a scratch card and the amount of telecommunications charges authorized for that scratch card. Advantageously, different vendors of scratch cards may provide different amounts of service for a scratch card with a given face value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transmitting packets from a source of such packets to one or more radio station sites so that the radio station sites can transmit the packets at the correct real time. Each radio site has an independent source of exact time based on the reception of signals derived from satellite inputs. Using the real time calculated by a base station, the base station calculates an offset between the time of arrival of a signal with a specified time marker, and the time that a signal with that specified time marker should have arrived in order to be transmitted in a timely fashion. The offset is sent back to the source of packets, and used by the source of packets to advance, or retard, the transmission of future packets. Advantageously, packets can be transmitted from each base station at the correct time, and if packets are being transmitted for a given call from several base stations, can be transmitted simultaneously, by these base stations.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for controlling the establishment of telecommunications calls. In response to a service request from a calling party, a switch serving the calling party transmits a query identifying the called party to a shared database. The database provides information identifying the switch for accessing the called party, and information for identifying port(s) for accessing the called party from that switch. When a customer moves from one location to another, the database is updated to reflect the switch and port identification associated with the new location of the customer. If the called customer is a mobile customer, the database maintains information concerning the current location of that customer so that calls can be immediately switched to that customer.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for switching a single destination data channel to a different destination without losing any data messages. Such a switch is required, for example, when a switch is made to a standby control unit and the messages originally destined for the original active control unit must be sent to the standby. Received messages are drained from the source prior to making the switch. Appropriate data is copied from the active unit to the standby so that the standby unit is in a state to start accepting newly queued messages from the source.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for handling incoming or intra-office calls when a telephone subscriber having a POTS, (Plain Old Telephone Service) telephone instrument and line connecting that customer to a serving switch, is connected to an Internet service provider for providing communications to the Internet. The bandwidth of the customer's line is divided into a lower band for providing communications, and a higher band for transmitting signaling and control information. When an incoming or intra-office call is received while the customer is connected to the Internet, the signal channel is used to transmit information which can be displayed to the called customer providing information about the call. If the called customer wishes to answer the call, the called customer can signal over the signaling channel a request that the incoming or intra-office call be completed.

Abstract: An improved method of updating parameters stored in memory of mobile telecommunications stations. An object model represents all the parameters that can be modified in an IS-683A mobile station. The details of the physical location of each parameter are defined in this mobile object model. Advantageously, when any parameter is changed or added, it is necessary to provide the computer system, which generates messages to be transmitted to the mobile station, only the identification and value of the parameter to be added or changed. The computer system then generates a message sequence that defines the memory location in the mobile station to be changed, and the new value of the data for that memory location. Advantageously, this arrangement sharply reduces the total number of airwave messages transmitted to the mobile station in order to change or add a parameter.

Abstract: A method that rapidly and precisely determines the geographical location of areas of high concentration of usage (hot spots) and areas of poor RF frequency reception (dead spots) by measuring the number of failed call attempts, dropped calls and the like and comparing them to the identification of a mobile station and its location are recorded as record at selected points during a call. If a high number of uncompleted calls or dropped calls are recorded, then the base station can use the last known location of the wireless units involved to circumscribe an area in which the hot spot or dead spot occurs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating between Customer Premises Equipment, (CPE) alarm sensing devices, and alarm monitoring stations. The sensing devices communicate with an end office switch by transmitting a message, such as a string of Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency, (DTMF) digits to that switch. At the switch, the message is processed and a determination is made which of a plurality of alarm monitoring stations should receive the alarm indication. One or more data packets are sent to the selected alarm monitoring stations with the packets identifying the source of the alarm indication, and the type of alarm indication. Advantageously, the packetized communication between the end office switch and the alarm monitoring system allows a high volume of alarm indications to be sent to an alarm monitoring station, because individual telephone connections are not required for each such alarm message.

Abstract: An architecture for communicating with telemetering interface units (TIUs). The system comprises an application controller which interfaces with service vendors who make requests for telemetering metering actions and/or control actions; or network server for communicating via UTTs, (Utility Telemetry Trunks), with an end office switch for accessing TIUs, using a suppressed ringing connection to distinguish between telemetering connections and telephone connections; a service control point (SCP), for providing data about the telecommunications network, the data being necessary in order to allow the network server to access the correct TIU, and a data network for interconnecting the application controller, network server and switching control point. Advantageously, using this arrangement, the functions of the application controller which interfaces with the service vendor are segregated from the functions for controlling the telecommunication network to access the TIU.

Abstract: A computer connected to an ISDN central office switch via an ISDN digital subscriber line, provides management information regarding activities of a plurality of telephone agents. The computer has shared call appearances with a number of telephone agent stations and receives shared call appearance associated messages from the switch reflecting call handling messages exchanged between the ISDN switch and each of the agent stations. The messages are interpreted by the computer, which generates station status information and management information such as the number of calls handled, average holding time per call, etc. The computer may be connected simultaneously to several central offices via ISDN subscriber lines and generate management information for a group of geographically separated agents, such as home telemarketing agents operating out of their individual homes and connected to different central offices.