Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for asynchronous version advancement in a three version database. For a distributed database, read transactions are executed using a first version of a database. Update transactions are executed such that information is written into a second version of the database. The second version may include less than all of the information contained in the first version. A database version begins to be advanced at each node such that the information in the second version becomes available for read transactions. For an update transaction that starts on a node after the database version has been advanced, the update transaction is executed such that the update transaction writes information into a third version of the database. The advancement of the database version is completed such that the second version becomes the first version and the third version becomes the second version. For a centralized database, the protocol reduces of the number of versions from four to three.

Abstract: A method and system in which calls made by customers who are members of a group of customers having a group calling plan, but who have separate billing accounts, are priced based on the group calling plan and on the usage by other members of the group. Typical groups may include customers in specific geographic locations, such as residents in an apartment building or in a residential neighborhood, and offices and stores in a commercial building. Other groups may include customers in widely separated geographic locations, such as members of a nation-wide club or organization, alumni association members, etc. In order to price a call made over a network by a customer of the network, the customer being a member of a billing group, information specifying a group billing plan of the billing group is stored. A call made by a member of the billing group is priced based on the group billing plan.

Abstract: A method and system of telephone call processing that provides information to customers while telephone calls are made. Summary information for a customer is stored. A call from the customer is received alt a network switch. The network switch transmits information identifying the customer to a billing analysis system. The billing analysis system transmits the summary information for the customer to the network switch and an audio message based on the summary information is played to the customer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing a query involving aggregation. Aggregation predicates are represented by a constraint language through which relationships involving aggregation predicates can be shown. As a result, new predicates can be inferred from an initial set of aggregation predicates and optimization techniques which involve inferring new predicates can be applied. It is also shown how to restrict the inferences involving aggregation predicates to only those predicates which will lead to new predicates which are relevant to query optimization. In general, the technique is not limited to query optimization, but may be applied to various applications involving the manipulation of aggregation predicates.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically generating telephone bills that include customer defined or requested summary information. Customer specific data including pricing data and summary parameters are stored. A plurality of records, each record describing a telephone call, are generated. The record is received at a billing analysis system, which determines a priced call value for each call using the record and the customer specific data and determines summary information for the customer using the record, the priced call values and the summary parameters. A telephone bill for the customer is generated based on the summary information for the customer. The bill may be generated periodically, on a predetermined schedule, or upon demand of the customer. Online access to summary information is also provided.

Abstract: A method and system of telephone call processing that provides direct control of telephone usage based on customer established budgets. According to one aspect of the present invention, customer specific information including pricing data and budget parameters for a customer are stored, as is summary information relating to customer telephone usage. A call setup query is received from a network switch. A call setup response is generated based on the budget parameters and the summary information and the call setup response is transmitted to the network switch. In order to generate the stored summary information, a plurality of records are received wherein each record describes a telephone call. A priced call value for each call is determined using the record and the customer specific information. Summary information for the customer is determined using the record, the priced call values and the budget parameters. The summary information is then stored.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically generating telephone bills that include customer defined or requested billing information. Customer specific data including billing parameters for a customer is stored. A record describing a telephone call between the customer and a party is generated at a network switch. The record is received at a billing analysis system, the billing information relating to the party is determined using the record and at least one billing parameter and a telephone bill for the customer including billing information relating to the party is generated. In one embodiment of the present invention, customer specific data entries including at least one billing parameter and customer information are stored for each of a plurality of a customers and a telephone bill for the first customer including billing information relating to the second customer is generated based on a billing parameter for the first customer and customer information for the second customer.

Abstract: A method and system in which calls made on two or more phone lines of a customer are aggregated for billing and discount billing plans to which the customer subscribes are applied to the aggregated phone usage of the customer. In order to price a call made over a network by a customer of the network, information specifying a billing plan of the customer and information specifying a plurality of telephone lines to which the billing plan applies are stored. A call made from one of the plurality of telephone lines is received at a network switch and record that describes the call is generated. The record is received at a billing analysis system and a priced call value for the call is determined based on the record and the information specifying the customer billing plan.

Abstract: A method and system in which calls made by a customer using a calling card are billed in accordance with the customer's subscribed calling plans. In order to price a call made over a network by a customer of the network, information specifying a billing plan of the customer is stored. A call made from a customer station or using a customer calling card or prepaid telephone card is received at a network switch and record that describes the call is generated. The record is received at a billing analysis system and a priced call value for the call is determined based on the record and the information specifying the customer billing plan. If the call is placed using a prepaid telephone card, it is verified that a sufficient balance remains before completing the call.