Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for affording a digital wallet for Internet Protocol (IP) usage utilizing a wireless network. Initially, a request is received for a debit account. Such request includes payment for such debit account. In response to the request, the debit account is enabled. Payment for wireless network voice communication over a wireless network is then collected by billing against the debit account. Further, payment for IP usage is collected by billing against the debit account. Such IP usage is carried out using the wireless network.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for performing actions based on received input in a theater environment. In operation, content is displayed to a plurality of users in a theater environment. Additionally, input from one or more of the plurality of users is received in response to the displaying. Further, one or more actions are performed based on the received input.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for processing network accounting information. A first network accounting record is received from a first source. Thereafter, the first network accounting record is correlated with accounting information available from a second source. The accounting information with which the first network accounting record is correlated is then used to enhance the first network accounting record.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for processing network accounting information. A first network accounting record is received from a first source. Thereafter, the first network accounting record is correlated with accounting information available from a second source. The accounting information with which the first network accounting record is correlated is then used to enhance the first network accounting record.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconstructing sessions on a network is described. The method allows for monitoring of quality of service at an application level as well as for understanding application specific events. This allows the method to be used to generate service detail records for usage based on application type for use in billing. It also allows the qualitative and quantitative analysis of quality of service based on application specific parameters. For example, for web applications, quality of service can be measured by the time from requesting a link till the close of the session by delivery of the whole page. Similarly, for voice over IP calls, application events like adding participants and removing participants can be detected and billed accordingly. Also, the quality of service can be measured. For example, the actual latency can be compared to a predetermined latency amount set by a provider for voice over IP calls.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for decreasing the time with which a first table and a second table is synchronized. Initially, a threshold value amount, i.e. monetary value, is identified. In use, the first table and the second table are synchronized. The manner (such as speed) with which the synchronization is executed may then be based on the threshold value amount.

Abstract: In some embodiments, network traffic information is captured at network information sources. These sources provide detailed information about the network communications transactions at a network device. Importantly, different types of sources can provide different types of information. Gatherer devices gather the detailed information from the various information source devices and convert the information into standardized information. The gatherer devices can correlate the gathered information with account information for network transaction accounting. Manager devices manage the gatherer devices and store the gathered standardized information. The manager devices eliminate duplicate network information that may exist in the standardized information. The manager devices also consolidate the information. Importantly, the information stored by the manager devices represents the consolidated, account correlated, network transaction information that can be used for billing or network accounting.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for contract-based aggregation. Initially, records indicative of network events are received. Such records are received in an aggregator for the purpose of aggregating the records. Thereafter, contracts associated with the records are identified. The records are subsequently aggregated based at least in part on the contracts using the aggregator.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for processing network accounting information. A first network accounting record is received from a first source. Thereafter, the first network accounting record is correlated with accounting information available from a second source. The accounting information with which the first network accounting record is correlated is then used to enhance the first network accounting record.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for decreasing the time with which a first table and a second table is synchronized. Initially, a threshold value amount, i.e. monetary value, is identified. In use, the first table and the second table are synchronized. The manner (such as speed) with which the synchronization is executed may then be based on the threshold value amount.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for decreasing the time with which a first table and a second table is synchronized. Initially, a threshold value amount, i.e. monetary value, is identified. In use, the first table and the second table are synchronized. The manner (such as speed) with which the synchronization is executed may then be based on the threshold value amount.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for charging for Internet Protocol (IP) usage utilizing a wireless network. Initially, call description record information is received from a wireless network in real-time. Such call description record information is associated with customer communication over the wireless network. Further collected in real-time is IP content usage information associated with the transmission of content using an IP during the customer communication in real-time. The customer is then charged for the customer communication utilizing the call description record information and the IP content usage information.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for policy-based billing for a network session. Initially, a plurality of packets is received by a plurality of analyzers. Thereafter, the packets are aggregated. Next, the plurality of packets is analyzed to identify a plurality of flows and an session associated with the flows. At least one application associated with the session is also identified. The session is then reconstructed utilizing the identified application. A user associated with the session is then identified along with a policy. The user is then billed for the session in accordance with the policy.

Abstract: A system with accompanying method and computer program product are provided for database management and recovery. Included are information source modules for collecting network communications usage information in real-time from a plurality of network devices. Also included is a plurality of gatherers coupled to the information source modules. The gatherers are adapted for filtering and aggregating the network communications usage information. A central event manager is coupled to the gatherers for completing a plurality of data records from the filtered and aggregated network communications usage information. Such data records correspond to network usage by a plurality of users. A database is coupled to the central event manager for storing the data records. Further provided is logic for continuously monitoring a state of the gatherers, detecting a fault, and utilizing the state of the gatherers and the stored data records to recover from the fault upon the detection thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconstructing a session using a first analyzer coupled to a second analyzer is provided. Session reconstruction is performed on packets received at the first analyzer. Moreover, responsive to unsuccessful session reconstruction on the first analyzer, one or more messages are sent to the second analyzer. The one or more messages from the first analyzer to the second analyzer comprise packets received by the first analyzer which are unrecognized, and the second analyzer recognizes the unrecognized packets to successfully reconstruct the session.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and apparatus for reconstructing sessions on a network are described. The method allows for monitoring of quality of service at an application level as well as for understanding application specific events. This allows the method to be used to generate service detail records for usage based on application type for use in billing. It also allows the qualitative and quantitative analysis of quality of service based on application specific parameters. For example, for voice over IP calls, application events like adding participants and removing participants can be detected and billed accordingly. Also, the quality of service can be measured. For example, the actual latency can be compared to a predetermined latency amount set by a provider for voice over IP calls.

Abstract: A system with accompanying method and computer program product are provided for reporting on the collection of network usage information from a plurality of network devices. Included is a plurality of information source modules for collecting network communications usage information in real-time from a plurality of network devices. Gatherers are coupled to the information source modules for filtering and aggregating the network communications usage information. Coupled to the gatherers is a central event manager. The central event manager is adapted for completing a plurality of data records from the filtered and aggregated network communications usage information. The data records correspond to network usage by a plurality of users. Also included is a database coupled to the central event manager for storing the plurality of data records.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for handling network accounting information. Initially, records indicative of network events are received from an input source. Next, action events are selected based on the input source. Such selected action events are then executed on the records for reading, correlating, processing, categorizing, and/or aggregating network accounting information associated with the records.

Abstract: In some embodiments, network traffic information is captured at network information sources. These sources provide detailed information about the network communications transactions at a network device. Importantly, different types of sources can provide different types of information. Gatherer devices gather the detailed information from the various information source devices and convert the information into standardized information. The gatherer devices can correlate the gathered information with account information for network transaction accounting. Manager devices manage the gatherer devices and store the gathered standardized information. The manager devices eliminate duplicate network information that may exist in the standardized information. The manager devices also consolidate the information. Importantly, the information stored by the manager devices represents the consolidated, account correlated, network transaction information that can be used for billing or network accounting.

Abstract: A system with accompanying method and computer program product are provided for aggregating network usage information from a plurality of network devices in a user-specified manner. First included is a graphical user interface for defining an enhancement procedure. This is accomplished by listing a plurality of available functions, allowing a user to choose at least one of a plurality of fields, and allowing the user to choose at least one of the listed functions to be applied to the chosen field(s). Also included is a plurality of information source modules for collecting network communications usage information in real-time from a plurality of network devices. Gatherers are coupled to the information source modules. Such gatherers are adapted for aggregating the network communications usage information in accordance with the enhancement procedure.